Gamers...mark your calendars! "HQ" has confirmed October 29 as the date for Activision, Inc.'s Call of Duty to invade retail outlets nationwide. The highly anticipated, first-person, WWII action-thriller has been given its orders and will be deployed to manufacturing, setting the stage for an all-out assault on game fans everywhere. Developed by Infinity Ward, Call of Duty for the PC is rated "T" (TEEN - blood and violence) by the ESRB.

Buena Vista Games and Square Enix Co., Ltd. announced today that they are to join forces again to develop two sequel titles to KINGDOM HEARTS, which was released worldwide in 2002 for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system. The sequels include KINGDOM HEARTS -CHAIN OF MEMORIES- for Game Boy Advance and KINGDOM HEARTS II for the PlayStation 2.

Electronic Arts today announced an exclusive relationship with NASCAR for worldwide rights to develop, publish and distribute NASCAR-branded interactive racing games through 2009. Terms of the deals were not disclosed. This agreement allows EA to create interactive games on a number of gaming platforms, including consoles and PCs, using NASCAR properties. EA's NASCAR Thunder 2004 video game features over 65 drivers including Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Jeff Gordon, as well as 23 official tracks and 175 cars of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series.

Secret Service II Security Breach is an upcoming title from Activision Value's. The game is being developed by 4D Rulers using the latest version of the AMP II. In Secret Service II Security Breach you play the role of a secret service agent starting out by investigating a counterfeit ring, but the game quickly changes to a game about protection. In nearly every level, you will need to escort and protect someone through a hostile environment. Eventually, your duty will be to protect the president of the United States. Read more for some screens ...

Space Hack is a sci-fi RPG/action title with Diablo-inspired gameplay mechanics. The storyline puts you on board of a quite 'peculiar' spaceship, trapped inside a space warp. Being a tough guy, whose axe is almost as quick as his wit, it's not surprising that you promptly find yourself confronting angry monsters, one wave after another. Space Hack is scheduled to be released in first half of 2004. An official announcement will follow later this week but in the meantime, read more for the first teaser screen.

Electronic Arts today announced the release of SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition in North America. Players can now make the biggest cities with the most comprehensive and exciting SimCity ever. SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition includes the best-selling SimCity 4 and the franchise's first expansion pack, SimCity 4 Rush Hour, that focuses on the #1 most requested feature among fans, transportation.

Secret Weapons Over Normandy presents a dynamic, deeply engaging story-driven flight action experience that puts players in control of authentic World War II aircraft and challenges them to undertake the war's most dangerous missions. Read more to check some airborne screens ...

Mech Arena: Beauty vs.S Machine is an action-packed, an awesome firepower and fast-paced battlefield action with incredible graphics, detailed environments, and sophisticated A.I. It features the most explosive one on one battle fare and complicated strategy of any PC RPG. Read more for details and screens ...

Clear a path to victory as Electronic Arts announced that Medal of Honor Allied Assault Breakthrough is now available for the PC. Published under the EA GAMES brand, the new expansion pack for the critically acclaimed hit title Medal of Honor Allied Assault takes players from combat with Rommel in North Africa to the heart of Italy in the struggle to breakthrough the fortified lines of the Third Reich.

History Channel’s Battle of Britain 1940, published by Activision Value, Inc. and developed by iEntertainment Network Inc., brings brand new functionality and features to the flight simulation game market with the new AUTO CO-PILOT feature that gives players auto takeoffs, auto landings, auto formation, and auto attack. AUTO CO-PILOT makes a real authentic flight simulation accessible to all gamers without ANY flight simulation experience! Read more for details ...

In 1953, on the Korean peninsula, a cease fire was agreed upon by the major combatants of the Korean War: the United States, the United Nations, and both North and South Korea. This cease fire created the unique piece of geography known as the DMZ, or demilitarized zone. Running along the 38th Parallel the DMZ is over 156 miles long and nearly two and a half miles wide. The DMZ is home to countless landmines, anti-tank ditches, razor wire, and killing zones. Tunnels pre-stocked with equipment, from thousands of automatic rifles to tanks, await beneath the earth for use. Read more for details ...

Fueled by a highly touted lineup of new game titles and the growing popularity of its unified online gaming service, Microsoft Xbox is outpacing the industry as the only next-generation console to continuously demonstrate positive market share growth on a year-over-year basis (August 2002 to August 2003). According to NPD Group Inc., (NPD Funworld TRSTS, August 2003), sales of the Xbox console increased 6 percent from this same period last year, while the Sony's PlayStation 2 dropped 36 percent and Nintendo's GameCube fell 22 percent. Xbox now captures 27 percent of the United States industry market share for next-generation consoles and is on track to capture additional market share this holiday season.

Electronic Arts today announced the release of The Sims Double Deluxe, the ultimate compilation of the top-selling PC franchise, The Sims. The Sims Double Deluxe delivers the original #1 PC game of all time, The Sims, as well as The Sims Livin' Large and The Sims House Party expansion packs in one value-packed product. With the most Sims content ever assembled in one place, there has never been a better time to join The Sims phenomenon.

This weekend at the EA SPORTS 500 race at Talladega Superspeedway, the competition heats up early and often amongst top NASCAR drivers. In addition to the race excitement on Sunday, several other weekend activities are planned, including head-to-head racing between top drivers of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series as Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, and Ryan Newman pick up the controllers and race in the 3rd Annual EA SPORTS Drivers Challenge on Friday night. On Saturday, Dale Earnhardt Jr., last year's EA SPORTS 500 race winner and avid videogame player, is scheduled to trade paint with an EA SPORTS NASCAR Thunder 2004 video game fan. The EA SPORTS 500 race will be telecast on NBC Sunday, September 28 at 12:30 p.m. EST.

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. Prepare for war by creating offensive and defensive strategies set in the memorable battle locations taken straight from the big screen. The Battle for Middle-earth RTS game will utilize the digital assets created for the films and will feature exclusive voiceover from the real actors as well as actual movie footage from the three films. Earlier today we were invited over to EA's HQ in Redwood City to see the game in action and brought back some awesome screens. Expect a preview SOON.

The battle for Middle-earth is about to begin...Electronic Arts officially announced today the development of The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth for the PC under the EA GAMES brand. Developed at EA Los Angeles by the same team that created the award-winning real-time strategy (RTS) PC hits Commander & Conquer Red Alert 2 and Command & Conquer Generals, The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth game will capture the epic battles from The Lord of the Rings films and deliver them to PC gamers in summer 2004.

Oxygen Interactive, the UK based computer game publisher can today announce the release date for the retail version of the multi-award winning Massively Multiplayer Online Real Time Strategy Game – Time Of Defiance. Oxygen have planned a comprehensive marketing campaign which will see this highly anticipated title launched into the High Street on 7th November 03.

Nokia, together with Electronic Arts today announced that NCAA Football 2004 will be developed for the Nokia N-Gage game deck. One of the best-selling titles from the EA SPORTS range, NCAA Football on the Nokia N-Gage game deck gives mobile quarterbacks the chance to lead their team to the championship anywhere, anytime. The first college football season of NCAA Football 2004 on the Nokia N-Gage game deck will focus on a range of unique mobile features, including multiplayer gameplay via Bluetooth wireless technology.

Electronic Arts today announced that its EA Partners division has signed an exclusive distribution and publishing agreement with Square Enix Co., Ltd for FINAL FANTASY X-2 on the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system throughout Europe and all PAL territories. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Cenega UK today let us know that the eagerly awaited global strategy and tactical warfare PC game, UFO: Aftermath got a European release date of 3rd October settled ...

Combining global strategy with small squad tactical combat, the challenge offered is to fight against an alien invasion. Featuring run time generated tactical missions with innovative simultaneous combat action; the genre is also enhanced with strong RPG elements, offering a quite unique mix of strategic ideas.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products has granted the license to its record-breaking television series “ER” to Hollywood-based Legacy Interactive, to create the first computer game based on the show. Legacy Interactive, known for its expertise in developing entertaining simulation games and the successful launch of the first “Law & Order” computer game, will allow fans of the series and gamers alike to experience first hand the excitement of life in the emergency room. The “ER” computer game, distributed by Take 2 Interactive, is scheduled to release in fall 2004 to coincide with the 10th season premiere of the television series. Read more for details ...

Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes thrusts players into the stunning 3D world of espionage and stealth action created by celebrated producer, Hideo Kojima. Playing as legendary videogame hero, Solid Snake, gamers will infiltrate an Alaskan nuclear missile disposal facility occupied by a terrorist organization called FOXHOUND. Only in this game will players truly feel like they are in the heart of the action, as if every step taken leads them closer to danger.

Judge Dredd vs. Judge Death is a first-person shooter seen through the eyes of Judge Dredd as he patrols the mean streets of the stunningly realised future metropolis, Mega-City One. Dredd will find himself having to deal with the full spectrum of criminal behaviour, from littering and caffeine abuse to saving the city from the utterly evil Judge Death. This demo version includes Story Chapter 3 and Arcade Modes "Zombie Headshot Apocalypse" and "Riot" (special thanks goes to Mr.E for the help!).Read more for download links ...

With the release of Kemco's newest action/adventure title, Rogue Ops, drawing ever near, Nikki Connors has ultimately decided to allow her fans and friends in on a few helpful insights relating to her upcoming Rogue Ops adventures. Beginning today, Kemco and Nikki will disclose highly privileged information regarding her covert operations every two weeks until the November 4th release date. From details on the numerous mission settings to complete descriptions of Nikki’s arsenal, video game fans will certainly receive their fix of Nikki over the next six weeks.

Activision today announced that LucasArts' Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided is to be released on October 31st in the U.K., Nordic and 'Rest-of-Europe' regions and on 7th November in Spain, Italy, France and Germany. Since its launch in the USA on June 26th 2003, the title has proved the fastest growing MMO role-playing game to date. With over 300,000 registered users, in less than two months, Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided has already become the second largest MMO in the USA.