Nintendo today announced it will increase total shipments of Nintendo DS to North America by 40 percent, to 1.4 million systems before the end of the year. Due to the system's popularity, many retail stores across the country are reporting shortages, and the initial batch of 500,000 units all but sold out a week after Nintendo DS launched on Nov. 21.

For the first time, the MGS franchise is set in a sweltering jungle where players must fight for survival by battling relentless natural elements, as well as an onslaught of ruthless enemy soldiers. Suspenseful stealth action delivers heart-pounding sequences like never before. The game's extraordinary gameplay and intense plot combine with riveting music, high-definition sound and astonishingly detailed graphics for a completely unique interactive gaming experience.

NCsoft today announced the release of an extensive expansion for its MMORPG Lineage II: The Chaotic Chronicle. The expansion, Chronicle 2: Age of Splendor, includes more than 500 megabytes of new features adding three new zones, wondrous underwater areas, rideable mounts, new monsters, items and spells as well as an in-game gambling system consisting of a racetrack, throwing dice and a lottery.

Oxygen Interactive announced today that UK developer Kuju is working on a new FPS 'Conspiracy: Weapons of Mass Destruction.' Using the Fire Warrior engine, Conspiracy: Weapons of Mass Destruction, is under development for PC, PS2 and Xbox, and is scheduled for March 2005. Read more for details and the first screens ...

City of Heroes is now accepting Beta applications in preparation for its European release, due in February '05. Potential Beta applicants should point their browsers at the official European City of Heroes website.

Bandai America Inc. today announced that "Battle Assault 3 Featuring Gundam SEED" has shipped. Available exclusively for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, "Battle Assault 3 Featuring Gundam SEED" is the first of the hit Battle Assault series for the PlayStation2 and combines fast-paced fighting action with the gripping storylines from the hit Gundam SEED television series.

UEFA Champions League will offer followers of the beautiful game the opportunity to guide their chosen club from qualification anxiety through to big night glory. It will add an element of the unexpected allowing lower league teams into the glamour world of European football. Throughout the game, players need to negotiate 50 unique and challenging on- and off-field missions successfully to take control of their UEFA Champions League destiny.

French Widescreen Games, previously known for Airborne Troops & Inuits, is working on a new sports title for PS2, Wild Water Adrenaline Featuring Salomon. Read more for the first few screens ...

Zuxxezz announced today that they have made the decision to delay their upcoming RTS 'Earth 2160' until Q2 2005 due to the high graphics demands for their new baby which is having an effect on the planned release date. The small team in Worms, Germany estimate that the game will first be released in the second quarter of 2005.

Strategy games publisher Paradox Interactive today announced, that the much-awaited sequel to the multiple award-winning Hearts of Iron, has gone gold. The game will be released in North America, Scandinavia, Russia, France, the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia, Poland, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Portugal and Mexico. It will be available in stores in the beginning of 2005.

Queasy Games released a new beta of its multiplayer, action-RTS title, Gate 88. In addition to a graphical face lift inspired by abstract Japanese shmups (shoot'em-ups), players can now, at any time during the game, access a tightly integrated lobby chat (IRC client) to find other Gate 88 players. Significant improvements have also been made to the network code.

EA's Mark Skaggs has sent out a note to long time Command & Conquer fans quietly announcing that the team behind C&C: Red Alert 2, Yuri's Revenge and C&C Generals is working on an all-new Command & Conquer product. Not many details are revealed but read on for the full note ..

Midway announced today that two of its titles, NBA Ballers and Midway Arcade Treasures, have shipped more than one million units worldwide since their respective releases. NBA Ballers shipped to retail outlets in North America on April 5, 2004 and in Europe on October 14, 2004. Midway Arcade Treasures shipped in North America on November 24, 2003 and on February 6, 2004 in Europe. The compilation of classic Midway arcade titles retails for $19.99.

While it was already revealed in an interview over on Gamespy, Midway announced today that it has named Harvey Smith the creative director for Midway Studios-Austin. An industry veteran with more than 10 years of experience in game design and development, Smith will report directly to Denise Fulton, head of Midway Studios-Austin.

Electronic Arts announces the release of the eagerly-awaited PC game, The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth. Based on the Academy Award-winning film trilogy, The Lord of the Rings fans will command the heroes and armies from all three movies as they find themselves immersed in the quest for domination of Middle-earth. The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth is a real-time strategy game that will capture the imagination of both gamers and The Lord of the Rings fans, alike.

Cold Fear is the first action-horror title to be published under the Ubisoft brand and combines the popular elements of both action and horror releases, delivering an action-packed, tension-filled gaming experience.

iGames will host its largest games premier to-date with a special, one-day-only party to celebrate the release of Electronic Arts’ The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth on Saturday, December 11. This exclusive event, in honor of the latest installment in EA’s The Lord of the Rings video game series, will be held at 50 iGames game centers throughout the US and Canada

The story of Baten Kaitos takes place at a time when lands exist in the sky. It is an era in which the once-vast oceans have become mere legend among men. This is the world in which Kalas and Xelha meet: A world in crisis, where a conspiracy for power may lead to its destruction.

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.

With the Source SDK now available, information on the upcoming Sven Co-op mod for Half-Life 2 has been released. Details of major features planned for the initial release, including cooperative support for Half-Life 2's original single-player campaign, are available. There is also news of a significant change to the mod's fundamental gameplay system.

SEGA Europe today announced the forthcoming PC version of the third part in the House Of The Dead trilogy. This highly anticipated third chapter in the hit light gun series will be released for the PC in early February 2005. Read more for details and screens ...

The Battle for Middle Earth utilizes the Generals game engine, and in the game, players can select from the different "good" or "evil" campaigns, where they will be given the freedom to command a variety of major armies from the films, each with their own distinct strengths and weaknesses. Check some screens from the official Prima strategy guide and 3 new trailers filled with ingame footage...

Cold Fear is the first action-horror title to be published under the Ubisoft brand and combines the popular elements of both action and horror releases, delivering an action-packed, tension-filled gaming experience.

In Lineage II, NCSoft's MMORPG, players can use in game money, called "adena," to place wagers or purchase lottery tickets. With the winnings they can purchase upgraded weapons, armor, magic spells or any of the in-game items available in the game's markets.

Konami of Europe has announced that the forthcoming PAL versions of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater will include an extensive array of gameplay features not seen in the Japanese and US versions. Read more for details ..