SEGA of America today announced the availability of its latest RPG Shining Tears on the PS2. Shining Tears is rated ‘T' for ‘Teen' and is available at retailers nationwide for an MSRP of $49.95.

Electronic Arts today revealed that acclaimed Hollywood writer/director John Milius, known for movies like Jaws, Dirty Harry and Apocolypse Now, to be the screenwriting talent behind the WWII storyline of Medal of Honor European Assault, the latest from the widely successful Medal of Honor franchise.

Akella announces the agreement with Ubisoft on publishing full localized version of Cold Fear by Darkworks in Russia and CIS. Cold Fear is the first action-horror title from Ubisoft. While the game shipped internationally earlier this month, no specific release date for the localized version has been set yet.

Konami Digital Entertainment America today shipped Metal Gear Acid to retail stores nationwide, in preparation for the upcoming launch of the PSP on March 24, 2005. The newest addition to the heavily-lauded Metal Gear franchise combines the renowned stealth action with new emphasis on tactical turn-based strategy.

Electronic Arts today announced revised estimates for the Company's fiscal year ending March 31, 2005. The changes are primarily the result of lower than expected sales in both North America and in Europe. "These results are clearly disappointing," said Larry Probst, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "While our new releases are performing reasonably well, they have not been able to offset a significant falloff in catalog sales."

Dave Jaffe, creator of the 'Twisted Metal' franchise and the upcoming PS2 action adventure title 'God of War,' will meet with fans at EB Games' Universal Citywalk Store on Tuesday, March 22nd from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.'God of War' puts players into the role of Kratos, an ex-Spartan warrior, as a story unfolds in ancient times with various plot twists that take them through explosive aggressive gameplay, fused with traps, stunts, and story-driven puzzles.

According to French fansite XboxMag the upcoming issue of GameInformer magazine will have the announcement that Oddworld Inhabitants is alreayd working on a new title in the Oddworld franchise. A few changes are certainly worth mentioning. For staters, the new title will apparently be rated "M" (Mature) and not be published by EA, but by Majesco instead. Unlike the Far West theme in Oddworld Stranger, the new game will take place in Fangustan, and that is also where the new title comes from "Oddworld: Fangus." Fangus is a shepperd who's quiet life is being interrupted by invaders (Fangustan = Afghanistan ?) and thus he will be called on to save the world. Gameplay will remain the same, switching between first and third person view. Oddworld: Fangus is scheduled for somewhere in 2006, Xbox or Xbox 2, more details will surely be released in a few months at E3.

After much deliberation, Valve has announced the winners of its Half-Life 2: Deathmatch mapping contest. Contest Winner is Scott M Jordan, USA with his dm_Underpass map. Congratulations! First Runner-Up Jonathan Linker, Germany (dm_resistance), second Runner-Up Michael Schulz, Germany (dm_powerhouse) and Honorable Mention Michael Visser, Netherlands (dm_avalon). Read more to check out some screens...

Twisted Metal: Head-On, developed Incognito Entertainment, hits the road this spring, allowing gamers to take destruction anywhere, anytime. Featuring new gameplay designs, multiplayer modes via wireless connectivity and Mini-Game bonus levels, Twisted Metal: Head-On provides a wide variety of gameplay options for gamers on the go.

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.

After Dustin Browder left EA for Blizzard and Skaggs stepped away for personal reasons, a third former Westwood employee has left Electronic Arts. Adam Isgreen, lead designer on Red Alert, Tiberian Sun and Firestorm, and most recently Multiplayer Design Director for Goldeneye Rogue Agent, has announced he will be leaving EALA and is moving over to Petroglyph, a studio comprised of several other ex-Westwood employees, who is currently working on Star Wars Empire at War for LucasArts. "After spending 2 years out at EA after Westwood was consolidated, with several abortive attempts to get a new C&C off the ground, EA and I have parted ways." Read more details over at PlanetCNC.

Bandai Games announced today that Digimon World 4 will ship on May 31, 2005. Available for the PS2, GameCube and the Xbox, Digimon World 4 is the latest installment in the hit Digimon World series. As a special bonus, an exclusive limited-edition trading card from the Digimon Collectible Card Game that features Dorumon, a prototype Digimon who makes his North American debut in the game, will be inserted into specially marked packages.

Midway Games today announced that its highly acclaimed, NBA lifestyle basketball title, NBA Ballers, has been added to Sony Computer Entertainment America's (SCEA) "Greatest Hits" collection, just eleven months after its release. NBA Ballers, developed by Midway studios in Chicago, is now available for the suggested retail price of $19.99 at U.S. retail outlets nationwide.

Step into the shadows of Gotham City's perilous criminal underworld as DC Comics' legendary Dark Knight in the Batman Begins video game. Slated for release day and date with the Warner Bros. Pictures film, Batman Begins challenges players to use fear as their ultimate weapon. Read more for details and features ...

Fans who pre-order their copies will receive a Bonus DVD loaded with extras including the Empire Earth II Single-Player Demo, 20 minutes of exclusive behind-the-scenes video, exclusive multiplayer maps, the Empire Earth II Soundtrack, concept artwork, and more. Pre-orders are now being accepted at participating retailers. The pre-order period will last through the April 26th ship date or until supplies last. Please contact your local store to confirm availability of the Pre-Order item in your area.

THQ today announced that MX vs. ATV Unleashed has shipped for the PlayStation 2 and will be released for the Xbox on March 24. Fans can taste the dirt and smell the fumes at a suggested retail price of $39.95.

GMX Media is today announcing the street date and the unveiling of the box art for its new action packed FPS "HELLFORCES" , a blood and guts zombie killer. Licensed by Buka Entertainment, Hellforces is due for UK release on 25th March. No information on who and when will bring Hellforces to North America.

Ubisoft announced today its product catalog for fiscal year 2005-2006 (ending March 31, 2006). Ubisoft management has decided to release Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Lockdown in the first half of fiscal year 2005-2006, rather than in March 2005. Read more for other new titles suchs as 187 Ride or Die, the earlier revealed And 1 sports titles, Killing Day, World War II Squadron, new titles in the Prince of Persia, Ghost Recon, Brothers in Arms, and Silent Hunter series, and not one, but two new Might & Magic products.

Mafia developer Illusion Softworks, also known for its Hidden & Dangerous and Vietcong titles, has signed a publishing agreement with Atari for its newest action title Enemy in Sight, which is schedule for end 2005. Read more for details and screens ...

Interactive Data Visualization (IDV) today announced that SpeedTree, its hardware independent foliage solution, has been integrated with Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 3. Unreal Engine licensees will now have access to SpeedTree’s advanced content creation options, enabling them to quickly and efficiently populate game environments with highly detailed trees and foliage.

Electronic Arts today announced the March launch of four new games on its Pogo.com (free) and Club Pogo (subscription) online game sites. This highly-anticipated launch will include the extremely addicting new version of Poppit!, the multi-player bingo-scratcher game of Lottso!, and two new adventurous card games, 6th Street Omaha Poker and Casino Island Blackjack.

Back in February we reported that Rare's Conker: Live and Reloaded was delayed from its March shipdate, and new listings on EBGames and GameStop had it scheduled for June 21st. As online retailer are more wrong than they are right, it was to be taken with a grain of salt, but this time it turns out they hit the jackpot as the official website has been updated and its ambiguous TBA release date has now been changed to .... June 21st. Conker: Live and Reloaded features intense deathmatch and campaign storyline modes via Xbox Live and system link, players can compete as one of six combat specialists across multi-mission campaigns covering Old War and Future War.

Ubisoft announced today that it has signed an exclusive licensing agreement to make videogames with AND 1, the performance basketball footwear and apparel company best known for its Mix Tape Tour property and its more than 100 endorsers in the NBA.

Stoked Rider featuring Tommy Brunner' is an unique action-freesports game for PC, the first freeride snowboarding game inspired by Alaska's impressive peaks, presented in a unique 3D cellshaded graphical style. Tommy Brunner is one of the most experienced backcountry and big mountain snowboard riders in Europe, and has a string of horrifically impressive injuries to go with it, including a broken back!