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. We had a chance for some hands-on time over at Rockstar, so read on for the juice ...

EA has released a new patch for its 3D RTS Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle Earth. This update brings your retail game (English & German) to v1.02 and a slew of game balance fixes, and the usual bug/crash fixes (thanks Patches Scrolls). Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

Variety is reporting that Al Pacino will have to "nod" hello to his little friends, as he is allowing his likeness, but not his voice, to be used in Vivendi's upcoming Scarface video game. Pacino's voicework will be done by an "unnamed low-profile actor." Fellow Scarface actors Steven Bauer and Robert Loggia, on the other hand, are lending likeness and voice to their respective characters.

Dutch Streamline Studios announce today that it is currently servicing several next-generation developments at its studio. "We've spent time refining our systems and field testing our pipeline to ensure a one-stop solution for next-generation development hurdles and the results have been superb" stated Harpp Seble, SLS CFO. Titles currently being serviced include two platform launch titles as well as developments that utilize Unreal 3 technology. Streamline Studios will be attending E3 this year and will be holding meetings with developers and publishers regarding their next-generation creative and engineering needs.

Hip Games today announced that Stolen has shipped and is now available in stores across North America. Stolen is an ultra realistic, third person, stealth-based, action game based around a high-tech female thief. Along with innovative high-tech stealth/robbery game actions and events, Stolen also boasts some truly amazing technical and presentational features to give it a spectacular look that will captivate gamers.

The June issue of PC Gamer has information about a new RTS title in the works over at THQ's Relic Studios. Company of Heroes will be set during WWII, be high on realism, have destructable terrain, and include ragdoll effect (thanks RelicNews). If more information becomes available, or the new PC Gamer arrives, we will update ...

Namco today announced that United Media has awarded Namco the interactive entertainment publishing rights to "Peanuts," the renowned comic strip created by Charles M. Schulz. The partnership allows Namco to create and publish games featuring "Peanuts" characters and properties, including Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Peppermint Patty, Linus and Pigpen for all current and upcoming game platforms through 2009.

The latest Famitsu issue has the first details for Capcom's newest title in the Onimusha series. Expected spring 2006 in Japan, 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. Last week Capcom put a countdown clock on its Japanese website, indicating an announcement was coming Saturday. Whether this was meant for Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams is not clear at the moment. More info to follow....

Paradox has released the first patch for its strategy game Hearts of Iron 2. This update brings your retail game to v1.2 and adds a new campaign, new battle scenario, AI enhancements, and a long list of bug fixes and balance adjustments. Read more for download links ...

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.

The game puts the player inside the action of the hit TV show, and features 12 spine-tingling stunts that will test gamers' steadiness, stomachs and nerve. Players can choose to play Fear Factor: Unleashed single player mode, where they will face five other competitors in an intense three-challenge contest to crown a winner.

Back in 2001 Mindscape released DayDream's Ski-Doo X-Team Racing, and now that Resolution Interactive has acquired the rights, it will update the game with the latest 2006 sled models from Bombardier, update the engine and also port it to Xbox and PS2.

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 May 2005. Read more for details and new screens ...

Broadcom Corporation today announced a strategic partnership to provide wireless technology for Nintendo's next generation gaming systems. Broadcom's diverse portfolio of technology solutions will enable Nintendo to add cutting-edge wireless features and connectivity to its popular line of gaming consoles. Nintendo's next generation console (codenamed "Revolution") will feature an advanced wireless platform that integrates multiple technologies to enable a new and exciting gaming experience.

Of all places, an online retailer in South Africa has a listing for an upcoming Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-earth expansion pack. No additional information was listed, apart from it being scheduled for release in September 2005. We contacted EA to see if there was any truth to the matter, and all we got was, "Rumors and speculation, no comment," but also a friendly piece of advice: "I wouldn't line up outside the store." A very popular franchise, a good RTS, and EA so an expansion pack would not be unheard of, but only time will tell ...

Liquid Games is pleased to announce the first title in its series of quizzes for the PS2; The Great British Football Quiz. This series comprises six European titles in all, the other five being differentiated for fans in Italy, Germany, France, Spain and The Netherlands.

Cold Fear is a first action-horror title with both action and horror, delivering an action-packed, tension-filled gaming experience. Players step into the role of Tom Hansen, a U.S. Coast Guard who is sent to board a drifting Russian whaling ship in the middle of a howling storm on the Bering Sea, who will discover there is no safe place here. On this constantly rocking and shifting ship and a mysterious oil rig, players must turn their interactive surroundings to their advantage to take down human enemies – and enemies that aren't human any more - and save their own life.

In "Shogun Warrior," players assume the role of one of two brothers who are locked in bloody combat in feudal Japan. Conquering neighboring territories and amassing formidable armies, only one warrior will be able to survive the deadly endgame to realize his ambitions and claim the title of Shogun.

Bandai today revealed the next title in the Dragon Ball Z franchise. Dragon Ball Z Sparking!, developed by Spike, will be an action game in full 3D, feature over 40 characters, including Sangoku, Vegeta and Janemba. DBZ Sparking! will allow players more freedom than the DBZ Budokai series, and combat will take place in the air, on the ground, and have an over the shoulder perspective. So far no information whether Bandai plans to released DBZ Sparking! in US or Europe, but this PS2 exclusive title will be available in Japan fall 2005.

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.

Dreamcatcher announced today that it is pushing backthe release date for its strategy game Domination from its original April 22nd date to May 20th. Domination features a renewed global conflict between the Free Nations Union and the Phantom League on distant planets, including sci-fi land, sea and air warfare at a grand-strategy level.

Midway announced today that Unreal Championship 2, the latest entry in the long established Unreal franchise and the sequel to Unreal Championship (2002), has shipped for the Xbox.

Buena Vista Games announced today the development of new video game titles based on the highly anticipated feature film, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," scheduled for release in Summer 2006.

Europe 1942. These are desperate hours for Allied forces as the Nazi war machine rages across a devastated European landscape. You are US Army Lieutenant William Holt, hand-picked by William “Wild Bill” Donovan to be the first field agent of the newly formed Office of Strategic Services­the OSS. Medal of Honor European Assault makes you the driving force in the struggle to liberate Europe.

Announced last month, then delayed earlier this month, the latest BFME community update reveals that the v1.02 is almost ready and is currently in Quality Assurance testing. While the new patch will address numerous technical issues, the core of this patch will revolve around further balancing the 4 playable factions, in order to push The Battle for Middle-earth towards a more challenging and intriguing experience. The production of patch 1.02 has been largely influenced by community & fan sites feedback, top players, and dedicated fans. Read more for a detailed fix list ...