Vivendi Universal Games and Epic Games today announced a studio-wide agreement under which VU Games will license Unreal Engine 3 tools and technology for next generation console and PC game development.

MTV and Myelin will be working together to deliver the high-paced action and experience of poker to the MTV audience via on-air, online, mobile and other platforms, as well as developing programming based on the STACKED brand to air around the time of the release of the game. MTV.com will serve as the official online site of STACKED on all platforms.

Atari today announced that it will distribute the forthcoming addictive puzzler 'Archer MacLean's Mercury' in key territories UK, France and Germany. Published by Ignition Entertainment and developed by Awesome Studios for PSP, Mercury has been specifically designed for the new gaming PlayStation Portable, which launches across Europe in September 2005.

In Pirates! you take the leading role of a Pirate Captain in the 17th century Caribbean trying to become the most revered and feared pirate in history - exploring high seas and exotic ports, overtaking enemies in fierce naval battles, engaging in duels and attempting to seize valuable booty. 2KGames has released the third and last part of the Pirates of Sid Meier’s Pirates! feature, containing details on three of the real-life pirates in Pirates!

Ensign Games releases DreamStripper 3D, a new PC game using lifelike Hollywood technology. In DreamStripper you totally control the dancer. You decide how she dances, what she wears, even the music she dances to!

War Leaders: Clash of Nations will expand upon the RTS genre by placing gamers in the roles of the major leaders of WWII, including Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin. Political, diplomatic and economic decision making will be key to success, while sound tactical strategies will ensure victory on the battlefield.

SCi today announced that Bill Gardner will join the company as CEO US Publishing and a member of the Management Board. Gardner will lead the US publishing office in San Francisco, including publishing, sales and US support teams, working closely with the other members of the Plc and Management Boards to ensure an aligned global strategy.

The newest PC Gamer issue has some rather interesting information about Ritual previously cancelled but recentle resurrected SIN 2. Ritual CEO Steve Nix revealed that they have been talking to Valve for several years now regarding to release periodic installments for SIN 2, every 3-4 months, starting winter 2005, but up until now they have not been able to find a publisher, so Valve's Steam delivery system would be very suitable (thanks Eurogamer).

Five years ago Carl Johnson escaped from the pressures of life in Los Santos, San Andreas...a city tearing itself apart with gang trouble, drugs and corruption. On his return to the neighborhood, a couple of corrupt cops frame him for homicide. CJ is forced on a journey that takes him across the entire state of San Andreas, to save his family and to take control of the streets.

Ratchet: Deadlocked, created exclusively for the PS2 by Insomniac Games, incorporates co-op gameplay in both single-player and multiplayer story modes -- as well as squad-based functionality. Read more for new screens ..

PT Boats is the first simulator of the Mosquito-fleet, created with the use of technologies of a level never seen before in naval combat simulator games. The key features are: astonishingly beautiful dynamic sea, historically authentic World War II ships and weapons, possibility to control any member of the crew and a multiplayer game. Patrol Torpedo Boats were used in WW2 mainly to attack large cruiser due ot their maneuverability and speed.

Next week Valve plans to release the remade version of cs_assault to Counter-Strike: Source owners. If you don't currently own CS: Source, you can purchase it through Steam via any of the Half-Life 2 packages. Along with the release of cs_assault, a rebuilt version of the existing Terrorist model will be icluded, and over the course of next few months models for both teams will get updated. If you're a MOD developer, or just someone who likes to keep an eye on the MOD community, head on over to the Valve Developer Community launched earlier this week.

In Pirates! you take the leading role of a Pirate Captain in the 17th century Caribbean trying to become the most revered and feared pirate in history - exploring high seas and exotic ports, overtaking enemies in fierce naval battles, engaging in duels and attempting to seize valuable booty. 2KGames has released the second part of three Pirates of Sid Meier’s Pirates! features containing details on three of the real-life pirates in Pirates!

Developed by Kuju and using the team behind "Prisoner of War", Pilot Down is Oxygen's key release for 2005. Pilot Down captures the atmosphere, danger and heroism of Bill Foster, an American co-pilot shot down over occupied territory in 1944. Pilot Down: Behind Enemy Lines is to hit the streets on 19th August 2005 on PlayStation 2, Xbox & PC.

NFL players are free from their real-world constraints to dominate the streets one stylin' move and one field at a time. Raise your game to the limits with up-the-wall passes, off-the-wall catches, and highlight-reel wall jukes that are sure to solidify your place as football's greatest urban legend.

The Metal Gear Ac!d series combines the world of the Metal Gear Solid series with an intellectually-driven, tactical stealth card game. Players use action and weapon cards to guide Solid Snake through a barrage of missions while utilizing strategic thinking and planned out tactical maneuvers to accomplish the mission objectives. Through Metal Gear Ac!d 2's unique card-based game design, it leverages the portability of the PSP and provides gamers with a classic Metal Gear experience whenever and wherever they choose.

The past few days rumors have been floating around the web about a possible Battle for Middle Earth sequel, and now it seems that Gamestop is adding to the speculations with a game listing making mention of 'Lord of the Rings: Tactics' for the PSP. Scheduled for November 1st, the action/adventure title seems to be a PSP exclusive and could be the first step into Square Enix territory who have been releasing Final Fantasy Tactics franchise in the past (thanks EvilAvatar).

Blitzkrieg II is created with a new focus on fast-paced gameplay, a strategic layer and new tactical opportunities. A completely new engine takes WWII into full 3D where players can command famous aces and units, strategically plan battles in multiple theatres, choose their reinforcements and use a wide range of new unit types such as aircraft and ships. Set for release October 14th 2005 in the UK, Blitzkrieg II will retail for £34.99.

OnNet is pleased to announce the North American online launch of Shot-Online, its realistic golf simulation game.

Atlus U.S.A. announced today that is has shipped Riviera: The Promised Land another superb Role Playing Game for the GBA.

Namco announced today that Dead to Rights: Reckoning has shipped to retail outlets throughout North America. Developed by Rebellion in the UK, Dead to Rights: Reckoning is a third person action game featuring frantic cinematic action, an original hard-nosed cop storyline and wireless multiplayer shootouts for up to four players.

Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) announced today that more than one million votes have been cast in the nationwide "Quest for Antonia" search as the final days of the contest come to a close.

Enter an all-new Evil Dead experience, as Ash finds himself arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to Sunny Meadows, an institute for the criminally insane. Though better than the madness he escaped hidden within the woods, he quickly learns the evil has only become more malevolent.

Five years ago Carl Johnson escaped from the pressures of life in Los Santos, San Andreas...a city tearing itself apart with gang trouble, drugs and corruption. On his return to the neighborhood, a couple of corrupt cops frame him for homicide. CJ is forced on a journey that takes him across the entire state of San Andreas, to save his family and to take control of the streets.

Diver: Deep Water Adventures is a mix of 3d tactical strategies and first person adventure action. All events of the game are developed under water, in the underwater reign; you must carry out a lot of tasks, beginning from lifting of treasures, and the destruction of enormous white sharks, to the surveys for National Geographic publishing house.