In an effort to block cheaters from entering its massively multiplayer online game, Lineage II, NCsoft integrated the anti-hacking software, nProtect GameGuard into the Lineage II client late last week.

Further indications that Climax's RPG Sudeki might be coming to the PC have emerged today as Yiyas.de has noticed the German Ratings Board, similar to the UK's ELSPA and ESRB in the US, has given Sudeki PC a USK 12 rating. Publisher ZOO Digital has been accredited as distributor the PC version (thanks Blues). With more and more hints being revealed, isn't it time for an official statement?

Take2 announced today long-term, third-party exclusive licensing relationships with Major League Baseball Properties (MLBP), the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) and Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM) which provide Take-Two with sweeping video game rights. Under these exclusives, Take-Two will develop, publish and distribute a broad portfolio of interactive, officially licensed video games that are expected to drive the MLB video game business to new heights.

Restricted Area is an action-based roleplaying game with realtime combat, which combines a gameplay similar to Diablo 2 with technology, tactic-shooter elements and a dark future scenario.

While GameSpot is reporting that Bad Brain Ent. might have secured the rights to continue work on Sam & Max Freelance Police, and will have an announcement on Monday, the German developer's website paints a rather different picture with the message that negotiations have been suspended. "We tried everything to bring you the game you all wanted. But it seems all hope has gone. They broke of[f] negotiations. But you truly have to believe that it wasn't our fault and it sure wasn't the money. We just don't know and they don't tell. But we don't give up that easy. There is still a glimpse of hope and Steve Purcell is the one who is in charge now. We are talking ... and we are hoping ... again" (thanks VE3D.com).

Rich in legend and filled with adventure, the World of Warcraft awaits! For the first time, players experience the lands of Azeroth from a new, in-depth perspective. As heroes, they explore familiar battlefields, discover new lands and take on epic quests and challenges in Blizzards massively multiplayer, on-line, role-playing game. Limited amount of slots, so go and sign up NOW!

In the third part of the zombie blasting series, PC gamers can expect an exciting new adventure plus an all-new shotgun weapon! Players will be able to mow down multiple enemies in a single blast as they plough their way through the most exhilarating House of the Dead yet.

The Great Art Race is a game that the entire family will enjoy. Up to five players can play together at one PC and travel around the world in an attempt to collect treasured and valuable art pieces. Read more for details and screens ...

Konami announced today exciting new details about Metal Gear Acid, a turn-based, tactical espionage game requiring 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.

Death Jr. is a new action platforming game that seamlessly blends elements from first-person shooters with the exploration of a third-person platformer and serves up a large dose of intense gameplay and weapon heavy combat for the PSP.

Today at a press conference in Paris, Nintendo announced that this innovative new console will be available to buy in the UK on 11 March at the estimated retail price of around £99 and will be supported by a strong software line up. The Nintendo DS has been received exceptionally well in the US and Japan, having sold 2.8 million units by the end of 2004, and is expected to have the same response when it launches in the UK.

Knuckle up, gamers: Overload Entertainment and Iridon Interactive today announced that Heavyweight Thunder, the first boxing simulation to celebrate the championship lifestyle, will be released on PC in March 2005.

DRIV3R is an action-packed driving adventure game that stays true to its roots, incorporating the cinematic gameplay and gritty street crime of its predecessors with ground-breaking graphics and three mammoth, wide-open city environments: Miami, Florida; Nice, France; and Istanbul, Turkey. The PC version of Driv3r will feature a new level and additional footage, release date is set for March 2005. Read more for details ..

A product listing at online retailer Gamestop revealed that Activision is planning to release an addon for Creative Assembly's 3D RTS title Rome Total War. No specific name, or details of any other kind, were included, but the Rome Total War Expansion Pack has a tentative release date set for October 17th, 2005. More details should follow soon ...

In 'MX vs. ATV Unleashed,' players will power through all-new environments and event types, choosing from a variety of new vehicles. A redesigned monster truck, powerful sand-rail and raised 4x4 golf karts will meet ATVs, dirt bikes and bi-planes to compete in massive free-world environments featuring hill climbs, machine challenges and short track races. The game's career mode will allow gamers to choose from the top professional ATV and Motocross riders.

Square Enix has revealed a new MMORPG called Fantasy Earth: Ring of Domination which will try to combine RTS, RPG and Action, allowing you to forge alliances, build fortresses and citadels and duke it out with your allies against huge armies. It's still a ways off, as it is only vaguely scheduled for 2005, but in the meantime, read more for 34 new screens...

The game places the player in the leading role of an over-the-top, John Woo inspired, Hollywood action movie, playing an undercover DEA agent infiltrating the Mexican drug cartels. The leading character has all the characteristics of a modern action film hero like Nicholas Cage or John Travolta, with a popular, vividly colourful and varied backdrop provided by the Mexican setting. Overdose is scheduled to be released on PS2/Xbox and PC in Q2 2005, at which point development for a sequel will be started (thanks HomeLAN).

Making good money apparently isn't enough for EA as various online outlets have started reporting that former Maxis manager Neil Young, now spearheading the EALA campus, handed out roughly 60-70 pink slips, sending people home unemployed. While said firings were across the board, the Goldeneye: Rogue Agent and MoH: Dogs of War developers were amongst the biggest casualties. According to Young the layoffs, reducing the head count to 320, were neccesary as part of a restructuring and streamlining of EALA for the future. Read more about on GameSpot.

Computer and video game software sales set a new record in 2004, reaching $7.3 billion, according to final data compiled by the NPD Group. Halo 2, one of the best-selling titles of 2004, took in more revenue in its first day of sales than any movie has ever taken in its opening day. In addition, Nintendo sold over 1 million units of its new handheld game system, Nintendo DS, in North America by the end of 2004, a mark that took Apple's iPod 19 months to achieve.

Live fastballs, suicide squeezes, grass-staining dives, seventh-inning stretches, walk-off homeruns, peanuts and hotdogs… these are just some of the things that make the sport of baseball America’s favorite pastime. The victory of a baseball game can depend on the walk-off homerun in the ninth inning or a simple second base steal.

Vista Engine is an integrated system for the creation of modern high-quality RTS & RPG games. The system unites the latest technological innovations, multi-purpose tools for creation and assembling of game content and the most important part - full visual control over general structure, content and game logic without additional programming or scripting. Read more for details and screens...

THQ and Climax today announced that MotoGP: Ultimate Racing Technology 3 for the Xbox and PC will ship with a host of new and original features, designed to reward gamers with the most complete racing experience ever! Read more for details ...

Developed by Mad Doc Software and due for release in the first half of 2005, Empire Earth 2 will build upon the award-winning formula of its predecessor by adding features requested both by casual game players interested in a brief spin through history and by more hard core gamers who demand a real-time strategy game that will challenge them for dozens, if not hundreds, of hours.

Alawar Entertainment has released Sea Wolves, a 3D action game in which you explore the ocean in search of enemies, treasure and uncharted territory. Featuring simple controls, intense combat and the latest visual effects, Sea Wolves is designed to appeal to both casual and hardcore gamers.

MX Media are today announcing the release of Deep Sea Tycoon 2 for PC on May 27th 2005. Sequel to the underwater title Deep Sea Tycoon – a game that submerged a generation of PC gamers in a world of underwater exploration, strategy and humor.