The Age of Empires III Collector's Edition includes a hardbound 210-page "The Art of Empires" book, a "making of" DVD with behind-the-scenes video and commentary, the official soundtrack, a huge (43" x 27") full-color poster of concept art painted by Craig Mullins, an exclusive player's guide, and a Collector's Edition game manual. It's available now for pre-order for $69.99.

Europe 1942. These are desperate hours for Allied forces as the Nazi war machine rages across a devastated European landscape. You are US Army Lieutenant William Holt, hand-picked by William "Wild Bill" Donovan to be the first field agent of the newly formed Office of Strategic Services ­ the OSS. Medal of Honor European Assault makes you the driving force in the struggle to liberate Europe.

At GC 2005 AGEIA Technologies announced that Digital Jesters has signed a publisher-wide agreement with AGEIA to license the AGEIA physX SDK and utilize the AGEIA physX processor for its next-generation games, starting with Kylotonn's FPS Bet on Soldier: Blood Sport, Dogtag and the PR agency inadvertently let slip, also Dogtag 2: Renegades

Wage war in the North and assume command of the most storied civilizations in all of Middle-earth history – the Elven and Dwarven armies – or fight on the side of Evil with heroes and creatures that have never been seen in The Lord of the Rings films. Defend or overtake never before seen lands such as Dol Guldur, The Misty Mountains, and Mirkwood as you unleash powerful new weapons and abilities - summon dragons, cause volcanoes to erupt, or bring down a cataclysmic lightning strike. EA has launched the official LotR:BFME 2 Web site, although at this point, it's quite empty.

Konami America today shipped Death Jr. for the PSP. Death Jr. is an action platforming game that seamlessly blends elements from a first-person shooter with the exploration of a third-person platformer and serves up a large dose of intense gameplay and weapon heavy combat. The game employs a unique particle-effect system and a sophisticated 3D engine.

X³: Reunion utilises a new generation game engine, developed to immerse the player into the most realistic, living universe, ever experienced. The economy model in X³: Reunion is more complex than any previous X game. Coupled with the massively enhanced A.L. (Artificial Life) system, X³: Reunion will present players with an ever changing, evolving universe; where a player’s actions really can shape the future of the universe.

WildSnake Software is excited to announce a collaboration agreement with Alexey Pajitnov, famed creator of Tetris, game designer of Microsoft Entertainment Pack: The Puzzle Collection, Pandora's Box, Hexic and other all time puzzle lover favorites. The genius game creator will, in the near future, design an exclusive lineup of games for WildSnake Software company. The first game in the series is under development right now and will be announced soon.

Today Vivendi revealed plans to release a director's edition of Monolith's upcoming sci-fi/horror shooter F.E.A.R. This enhanced edition will include several extras such as: live action "Declassified" interviews with Alma, behind the scenes documentary video, developer's Roundtable Commentary video, F.E.A.R. machinima episodes, F.E.A.R. comic book created by Dark Horse Comics (in-box), a chance to win the "Golden Ticket" Sweepstakes (in-box), and all the F.E.A.R. installation files conveniently on one DVD-ROM (thanks Blues).

BFME 2 takes part in the North where a battle is raging between Sauron's forces vs. elves and dwarves. It will be possible to create/customize your own hero, apart from known figures such as Arwin, and become more powerful as you progress in the game. While BFME was all land based, the sequel will also take the action on the sea, naval battles included, courtesy of an updated engine.

Midway & Epic Games announced today that new downloadable content for Unreal Championship 2 is available now for download via Xbox Live. Gamers who have purchased the retail game will be able to expand their gaming experience with 4 new maps and 10 new characters (+ Combos). Read more for details ...

2K Sports announced today that powerhouse Miami Heat center, Shaquille O'Neal will be the cover athlete and official spokesperson for NBA 2K6. The latest installment in the NBA 2K series promises fans the most complete and entertaining basketball experience with new offensive and defensive post play elements, developed with direct input from O'Neal.

A product page on the THQ UK website reveals plans for a Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War: Gold Edition, not to be confused with the previously announced Game of the Year Edition. While the GotY version contains the original and several patches, and 4 new mp maps, the Gold Edition will not only include the aforementioned but also the upcoming Winter Assault expansion pack (thanks Blues).

BFME 2 takes part in the North where a battle is raging between Sauron's forces vs. elves and dwarves. It will be possible to create/customize your own hero, apart from known figures such as Arwin, and become more powerful as you progress in the game. While BFME was all land based, the sequel will also take the action on the sea, naval battles included, courtesy of an updated engine.

Valve announced it has signed Rag Doll Kung Fu, a project by Lionhead Studios Mark Healey, who previously worked on Black & White and Fable, to be distributed through Steam. Imagine having a Kung Fu Fight with string puppets, except you don't have to worry about getting the strings tangled up, and you don't have to have a kung fu fight. You control the characters on screen with the mouse - there are no pre-scripted animations in the game - it's all up to you. Create your own style, and can act out whatever you feel like, and of course, if you really feel like it, you can have a fight.

GameInformer has the first, albeit minor, details on the next installment in EA's Def Jam fighting franchise. While Def Jam Vendetta and its sequel Fight for NY were a mix between street brawler and wrestling, the new title will be more focussed on the fighting than pulling panties. Previous titles were mostly in confined indoor settings, Def Jam 3 will open it up a little and also take the action outdoors. No doubt there will be another lineup of celebrties and tons of hip-hop music. A projected release date for the next gen title has not yet been revealed.

Vivisector: Beast Inside developed by Action Forms (creators of Chasm and Carnivores series) is a unique mixture of 3D Action/Horror. The game blends a thrilling interactive story with intense, high-adrenaline action and immerses players in a rich and fascinating storyline.

DreamWorks announced today that is close to acquiring the film rights to Tom Clancy's videogame "Splinter Cell" where the script will be written by Daniel PyneDaniel Pyne ("The Manchurian Candidate"). This move means Dreamworks would take the project over from Paramount, where it was originally set up last winter.

As a sign of its zero-tolerance policy against cheating Blizzard just announced that it has just closed more than 36,000 accounts on Battle.net. More than 28,000 CD keys tied to these accounts have been disabled from Realm play on Battle.net for one month, and more than 3,000 CD keys have been permanently disabled from Realm play due to repeat offenses (thanks ve3d). Read more about it over here ...

Codemasters will launch an independently branded online gaming portal, Funsta.com in September to expand its presence in the online gaming market with a vast catalogue of games available for play through several distribution methods, including browser, download-purchase, subscription, micro transaction or via a dedicated gaming client, the Funsta Arcade.

Dreamlords is an MMORTS game currently in development over at Lockpick Entertainment. Scheduled for 2006, Dreamlords is a persistent world in which victories and hard work will not pass unnoticed. Everything gained will make the player stronger for the next encounter.

In Dragon Quest VIII, the first time on the PS2, old meets new, as classic gameplay is married to sumptuous graphics, delivering a sweeping adventure. Characters designed by Akira Toriyama are brought to life by "cel-shading," bringing gamers of all ages into a world straight out of Japanese anime.

EA Europe today announced plans to co-publish Namco's PS2 exclusive We Love Katamari in PAL territories, early 2006. We Love Katamari sees the return of the pocket-sized Prince and his merry band of multi-coloured cousins under the watchful eye of his Exalted Smugness, the King of All Cosmos.

Valve's SteamPowered website has been updated with details regarding the latest update for Counter-Strike Source and Half-Life 2, mainly addressing a few mod issues and enabling low violence content. Read more for details, or just restart Steam for the effects to take place.

WarDevil: Unleash the Beast Within is an innovative next-generation 3D title with graphical style & visual look unlike any other current game. Drawing upon strong filmic narrative, a complex story unfolds, immersing the player into a vivd and complex world, far beyond that from conventional video games.