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.

Microsoft today announced that people in the UK will have to wait a few extra days as the highly-anticipated Halo 2 will hit UK retail shelves on Thursday, November 11, 2004. Halo 2 is getting released in North America on November 9, 2004.

Ubisoft has released a small patch for the original version of their stealth/action game, Splinter Cell. This patch is only meant for the US version of Splinter Cell that came bundled with Creative Labs cards in the US, but unfortunately, no details as to what it really fixes are available. Read more for download links ...

Microsoft Game Studios today announced the arrival of new downloadable content – Long Beach Booster Pack – for the popular Xbox racing title, Project Gotham Racing 2. Check out the batch of spiffy 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 out the new trailer and three tantalizing screens ...

A few weeks ago, Ignition announced that they were bringing SNK's 'Metal Slug' to Europe (PS2/Xbox expected on October 2004), and today, it seems they are expanding their cooperation. Between September and early 2005, European console owners will be treated to home versions of some of SNK's most popular franchises, including: King of Fighters, Samurai Shodown, Metal Slug, and SNK vs. Capcom.

Following the publication of 'Universal Combat' in early February this year and the anticipated release of 'Universal Combat – Edge To Edge' in early 2005, 3000AD Inc. provided information, and a lot of character art, today about adding another title to their game franchise.

In Godzilla: Save the Earth, players will have nine game modes to choose from, including Action, the mission-based single-player game; Challenges, a series of single-player challenges to complete; Custom, where players can set the parameters of a fight; Versus, the classic one-on-one melee battle; and many more. The game also includes mini games, including rail-type arcade sequences.

With two months to go, organizers of European Games Network (EGN), an industry event for everyone in the business of games, have confirmed that over 300 companies from 30+ territories around the world have committed to exhibiting or attending EGN in London, September 1-5, 2004. Read more for further details ...

Dirty drivers must test their skill against the elements, as well as against the clock, in the Championship mode raced across densely wooded forest trails, treacherous Alpine passes and the extremes of the African desert. With a high-performance engine under the bonnet and a whole boot-full of features, Euro Rally Champion is set to scream away from the starting line on September 10th. Read more for 40 new screens!

Chaos League combines sports, fantasy and brutal, chaotic action on a playing field where the primary objectives are typical but the gameplay is anything but. Players must score points, win games, advance to championship rounds, and of course compete for the ultimate trophy, but Chaos League serves up some extra excitement with its absence of rules, corrupt referees and mythical, powerful opponents.

CDV are delighted to confirm the UK release date for their latest award winning real time strategy game, 'Codename: Panzers.' Available for PC, PANZERS will release to an eager gaming community on the 3rd September 2004. Mixing ultra realistic graphics with highly accurate game physics and real world settings and events, PANZERS sets the scene for aspiring commanders to 'make a difference' across three thrilling campaigns and over 30 intense missions. Published by CDV and distributed in the UK by KOCH MEDIA, 'Codename: Panzers' will be available on PC from the 3rd September, priced at £34.99.

The battleground is set - the 9th annual QuakeCon 2004 video game festival and tournament at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas on August 12-15 will host the first DOOM 3 deathmatch championship ever. Be there to game, hang out with 5,000 of your closest friends, and compete for $150,000 in cash and prizes in the NVIDIA QuakeCon 2004 Championship Tournaments. First-come, first-serve online registration for QuakeCon 2004 has begun at www.quakecon.org. The must-attend event for gamers is free to all attendees.

The collection box, Battlefield 1942: The WWII Anthology, was launched in the USA at the end of May 2004. It contains the basic Battlefield 1942 game, the Road to Rome and Secret Weapons expansion packs, as well as additional material that has been released within the Battlefield series. When Battlefield Anthology is to be launched in Europe is not yet decided. At the end of March 2004 the Battlefield series had sold more that 3.7 million copies.

Koch Media announced today the UK release of Crusader Kings from Paradox Entertainment. Set during medieval Europe, this grand strategy game lets players re-enact the Crusades, take control of the Knights Templar and defend against the marauding Mongol hordes. Published and distributed by Koch Media in the UK, Crusader Kings is launched on Windows PC at £19.99 SRP (UK) on 27th August 2004.

A few days ago Epic Games revealed the finalists for the FPS and Gametype categories for Phase 3 of the MSU contest, today Epic announces the finalists for the Non-FPS and Mutator categories for Phase 3 of the NVIDIA $1,000,000 Make Something Unreal Contest. Read more for details ...

Sega Europe announced that NHL Eastside Hockey Manager is available to the public for the first time, today Friday, July 2nd in Europe, with releases to follow in Czech Republic in August, and the US in September. The PC version of the game is also be available as a digital download. Read more for details ...

The World Wildlife Fund would not approve. PETA would stage a protest. Rolf Harris would have to build a cybernetic laboratory into the Animal Hospital. Vivisector, from Brigades, will be the first first-person shooter to feature a menagerie of cyborg-animals for gamers to blow away when released in Europe this October for PC.

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 these 6 new screens ...

Yesterday we reported that Sammy's popular 2D fighting game Guilty Gear XX #Reload is headed for the PC, ported by Japan's Media Kite, and today we have the first screens to prove it. Guilty Gear XX #Reload is an updated version of Guilty Gear XX and besides game balance adjustments, it will also feature a new character Robo-Ky, gallery mode, story mode and alternate character versions. No release date or Euro/US distributor has been announced yet. Read more for the first screens ...

Updated from the original classic tactical wargame, Steel Panthers: World At War is fully compatible with all versions of Windows and sports updated graphics, sound effects, unit data and combat models. The new v8.20 updates and expands orders of battle, updates unit data and improves the AI opponent and its selection of forces. A few stability problems were also resolved, leading to the best Steel Panthers: World At War to date! Read more for download links ...

“Heaven X” ­ developer of interactive entertainment, after succes of developing Indiana Jack for Techland, and Kokomando for L.K. Avalon, announced today, that three new titles are in development for PC platform. Two action-adventure games for younger players, and sci-fi FPS based on Magnum Engine fully developed by Heaven X. Details and first screenshots from this projects will be publish soon.

Epic Games announces the finalists for the FPS and Gametype categories for Phase 3 of the NVIDIA $1,000,000 Make Something Unreal Contest. Read more for details ...

Gamespot is reporting that Sammy's popular 2D fighting game Guilty Gear XX #Reload is headed for the PC, is ported by Japan's Media Kite, and has a tentative Japanese release date for July 23. Guilty Gear XX #Reload is an updated version of Guilty Gear XX and besides game balance adjustments, it will also feature a new character Robo-Ky, gallery mode, story mode and alternate character versions. We contacted Sammy Studios US and Majesco, neither were aware of any PC version scheduled for North American/European distribution.