Deadhunt is a first-person arcade shooter (FPS) game that merges the best features of arcade and FPS action games with fresh ideas and new twists. REL Games has released an updated demo, adding an extra difficulty setting to the game. Read more for download links ...

Vivendi announced today that Predator: Concrete Jungle, developed by Eurocom for the PS2 and Xbox, has shipped to stores and is now available nationwide. The new 3rd person action/adventure game weaves the past with the future, as gamers become the terrifying Predator, hunting the Earth for criminals using superhuman powers, fantastic vision modes and an impressive array of alien weaponry.

SNK USA announced today that they will unleash four new games for the Xbox in 2005 that will have full Xbox Live support including rematch, head-to-head fighting and Tournament Modes. The King of Fighters Neowave, Samurai Showdown 5, The King of Fighters '94 Re-Bout, and KOF: Maximum Impact - Maniax which will all ship during 2005 for the system. Later this Summer SNK will also release Metal Slug 4/5 combo pack for the system that will offer Xbox Live Leaderboard options and King of Fighers 02/03 that will offer online head-to-head fighting.

Vivendi has released the first update patch for MadDoc's just released RTS Empire Earth II. This update brings your retail game to v1.05 and resolves a GameSpy lobby issues and adds autopatch functionality. Read more for download links ...

Got Game Entertainment and co-publisher Merscom today announced that Laser Squad Nemesis for North American release has begun shipping to retail stores across North America. Developed by Nick and Julian Gollop, the team behind the "X-Com" games, Laser Squad Nemesis is a tactical warfare game which combines a unique and innovative turn-based combat system with the action of real-time strategy games.

Shortly after we revealed it last night, Disney Online officially announces that it is developing a new massively multiplayer online role-playing game based on the popular theme park attraction and franchise Pirates of the Caribbean. The game is slated to debut in summer 2006, coinciding with the theatrical premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.

Vivendi Universal Games announced today that the real-time strategy game Empire Earth II has shipped to retail stores in the US and will be available for purchase by Thursday, April 28th. The game carries a suggested retail price of $49.99 for the PC and has been rated "T" for Teen audiences by the ESRB.

Techland's Island of Living Dead is a survival horror FPP shooter where action is situated in the near future, when all of today's threats and fears become reality. Global pestilences, mutating viruses and products of illegal genetic engineering begin to devastate mankind. The player, surrounded by mutants and half-dead enemies, will struggle for his life. "Island of Living Death" uses the Chrome Engine, among other simulation of environment devices, and all top notch vertex- and pixel-shader-based visual effects to provide an unforgettable experience of playing your own life in the amazing world of the near future.

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.

Seems like Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest is not the only movie tie-in title under development, as Walt Disney Internet Group revealed today that it is working on a Pirates of the Caribbean MMO scheduled for release next summer in conjunction with the second PoTC movie. Disney's Buena Vista Games recently acquired Avalanche Software and founded its own production studio in Vancouver. Whether either one will actually partake in the development is not clear at this point. Read the full article over at Variety...

SCEE today announced that its PSP will be launched in Europe on 1st September 2005, available in a single version Value Pack, priced at €249 (£179). The PSP Value Pack contains the PSP with a pouch, 32MB Memory Stick Duo, Battery Pack, Headphones with Remote Control, AC Adaptor, Wrist Strap, cloth and a video/music/game sampler Universal Media Disc including several non-interactive game demos.

Valve has released a new Half-Life 2: Deathmatch map, dm_runoff, which is now available via Steam. If you have HL2:DM installed in your Steam games list, you will receive the new maps automatically. This release also includes a Source Engine update which moves default Steam port to 27009 (UDP) from 27030. Use -steamport to override this setting.

CDV, in partnership with developer Enigma, today announced War Leaders: Clash of Nations, previously known as War Leaders: WWII. War Leaders will offer players a complete strategy experience, requiring gamers take on the role of diplomat, grand strategist and battlefield tactician in a war-torn WWII Europe.

SpecForce is Techland's latest futuristic tactical shooter with a plot connected to already known Chrome. Game development has been underway for some time now, and will use an optimized Chrome Engine. Techland today revealed first details of the game's multiplayer mode, along with fresh game play footage.

TKO's Heaven VS Hell, the next generation of real-time strategy (RTS) PC gaming, will put players in command of angelic, demonic and mortal forces battling to determine the fate of humanity. Read more for details ...

THQ and Relic Entertainment today announced their latest RTS game Company of Heroes. A real-time strategy game set in World War II, Company of Heroes brings to life, in full cinematic detail, the greatest war mankind has ever known. Scheduled to release worldwide in 2006, the game will make its public debut at the E3 in May. Read more for details and the first screens ...

Midway announced today that Area 51, the story-driven, first-person action thriller, has shipped to retail outlets nationwide for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. Area 51 will also be available for PC and is scheduled to ship on May 23, 2005.

The official date for the open beta testing of World of Warcraft in China will be April 26, 2005, earlier than the originally planned April 29, 2005. WoW's open beta testing date has been brought forward by three days to accommodate tremendous requests and strong expectations from players.

Having just released Pirates of the Caribbean and Kill Bill Vol. 1, Disney revealed it plans to release an additional 10 movies over the next 3 months. First up are National Treasure, Reign Of Fire and Hero, followed by titles such as Tron, King Arthur, Hostage and Cursed. end of the summer you can expect Kill Bill Vol. 2, Gone in 60 Seconds: The Director's Cut, From Dusk Till Dawn and Armageddon. Disney is currently the only other company besdies Sony to release movies on UMD, but talks with Fox and Lions Gate are underway. Read more details over at Variety.

JCEntertainment, known for the interesting looking, but cancelled, action/horror Wild West themed MMO Priest, is working on bringing one of its other MMO titles to North America, and will be on display at E3. FreeStyle Street Baseketball is 3 on 3 street basketball game mixing youth and freedom with HipHoop style, different from another basketball games. Read more for details and screens ...

A French magazine cover reveals that Activision is not only working on a Call of Duty sequel for the PC, but is also working on a sequel to last years Call of Duty: Finest Hour. Playmag's cover shows that Call of Duty 2: The Big Red One will be set during World War 2, has a tentative holiday season release date (thanks NoFrag). Previously Activision mentioned it would be showing "two" new Call of Duty products, so besides the CoD2 for PC, this may be the second one.

Metal Gear Acid is a turn-based, tactical espionage game that requires players to collect cards and strategically construct their own decks to complete various missions and objectives. Boasting a compelling storyline filled with new characters and incredible cut scenes, Metal Gear Acid will draw players into an all-new adventure packed with intrigue – designed specifically for the portable gaming enthusiast.

Valve released some information about future Steam updates for HL2 and CS Source. On Monday Valve will release a new Half-Life 2: Deathmatch map, dm_runoff, inspired by a Half-Life 1 favorite, Crossfire. They are also working on an all-new Counter-Strike map, de_port, and to make people familiar with the design intentions Valve has put up a page that outlines six different strategies to try once the map is available. The release of the new CSS map isnt for another few weeks, but will be accompagined by a redone de_inferno map.

SNK announced today that they will be releasing KOF: MAXIMUM IMPACT - MANIAX, the first original THE KING OF FIGHTERS title for the Xbox, in June 2005. KOF: MAXIMUM IMPACT - MANIAX will have a host of new, innovative features created exclusively for Xbox users.

Expected spring 2006 in Japan, Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams is situated in 1598 and will have several new features and additions over previous titles, such as a new camera system, updated graphics and optimized gameplay mechanics. While no specific info, or announcement, is available yet, here are the first screens ...