Midway today announced that it has gathered a blockbuster Hollywood cast to lend their award-winning talents to its new action-thriller, AREA 51. Featuring the voice talent of David Duchovny, Powers Boothe, and Marilyn Manson, AREA 51 is scheduled to be available in the first half 2005 for the PS2 and Xbox.

Konami of Europe has announced that Thierry Henry is to be one of the faces of Pro Evolution Soccer 4, the latest installment in Konami Tokyo's highly regarded football simulation for PlayStation 2, PC and the Xbox.

Namco announced today its official song list for TAIKO: Drum Master, the highly anticipated game challenging rhythmic skills through fun and addictive drumming game play. Developed by Namco Limited in Japan, TAIKO: Drum Master ships exclusively for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system during the holiday 2004 season.

Ubisoft has released a demo for Hydravision 3rd person survival horror game Obscure: Learn about Fear. This demo features starts you off in the basketball gym, but no specifics are available at this point (thanks Gamershell). Read more for download links...

Join paper-thin Mario on his two dimensional journey in a three dimensional world in Paper Mario 2: The Thousand Year Door, which launches across Europe on November 12, 2004.

The musical soundtrack for EA’s highly-anticipated Burnout 3: Takedown will feature more than 40 songs from bands including Jimmy Eat World, Yellowcard, New Found Glory, and many more. Delivering an authentic radio experience complete with commentary from DJ Stryker from alternative radio station KROQ-FM in Los Angeles, the in-game soundtrack will get adrenaline junkies’ hearts pumping as they take to the streets in Burnout 3: Takedown.

Set in the 60s and using the Cold War as its inspiration, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater forces the player to adopt a number of new skills to survive in Snake's new jungle environment. Danger lurks everywhere as Snake explores the beautifully-realised forests, encampments and rivers, with guards patrolling key routes, dangerous animals to contend with, and the uneven terrain and noisy foliage making the silent approaches the Metal Gear hero is famed for virtually impossible.

Known for his role as the loyal hobbit Sam Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, actor lends his voice to upcoming epic Vietnam videogame saga Men of Valor.

EA today announced that award-winning composer Mark Mothersbaugh is the composer of the theme music for the highly-anticipated simulation game, The Sims 2.

Creature Conflict: The Clan Wars boasts an extensive single player campaign, where gamers get to chose which clan they are going to control and start the process of total domination – engaging in battles with the other clans and their leaders. Creature Conflict: The Clan Wars also supports a multiplayer mode: team up with friends on a single PC or across a LAN or internet connection and take on all rivals in a last animal standing competition!

In Tribes: Vengeance's single-player campaign, gamers become immersed in a roiling galactic thriller. Throughout the game, the player catches glimpses of other, interrelated stories that are unfolding behind-the-scenes. In addition, gamers are given the opportunity to experience the full scope of the single-player story through multiple viewpoints and characters.

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. Check these 30+ new screens or the brand new hi-res GTA: San Andreas trailer ..

Staying true to the classic series of the 80's, this 3rd person action shooter focuses on Sonny Crocket and Ricardo Tubbs, two cops within Miami's Metro-Dade police "Vice" department, and their continuing battle against the illicit drugs underworld. Players embark on dangerous raids and fast-moving gunfights, in a bid to destroy the narcotics empire of Miami. Licensed by Universal Studios; Miami Vice: The Game incorporates all of the original characters and locations from the iconic 80's cop drama.

International software publisher DEEP SILVER and renowned UK games developer DEEP RED are delighted to announce at the Leipzig Games Convention, their collaboration on a ground-breaking new PC title, set for launch May 2005. Masters of 'world building' Tycoon games, DEEP RED are using their combined experience and creative talents to create one of the greatest ancient cities of all time, in 'Heart Of Empire: Rome'.

In Tribes: Vengeance's single-player campaign, gamers become immersed in a roiling galactic thriller. Throughout the game, the player catches glimpses of other, interrelated stories that are unfolding behind-the-scenes. In addition, gamers are given the opportunity to experience the full scope of the single-player story through multiple viewpoints and characters.

Based on briefings and scenarios supplied by S.A.S. veterans, The Regiment is a tense, accurate simulation of close quarters combat. Lead four-man teams in assaults on terrorist strongholds. Rescue hostages held at gunpoint. Recreate the deadly climax to the Iranian Embassy Siege of 1980. Fight battles in Britain's corridors of power in a daring rescue at the Houses of Parliament or tackle the nightmare scenario of a terrorist takeover of a subway system. Read more for details and screens.

Konami America today announced the song list for 'Dance Dance Revolution EXTREME' (DDR EXTREME). Featuring more than 65 songs of heart-pounding dance music, DDR Extreme will get gamers grooving with the largest number of licensed tracks of any Dance Dance Revolution title released in the United States to date.

As the new stealth action game from TimeSplitters creators Free Radical Design, Second Sight comes to PlayStation 2, Xbox and Nintendo Gamecube in just over two weeks' time. Read more for further details ...

Xbox today announced new European pricing at a press conference from the Leipzig Games Convention. Effective from Friday 27th August, Xbox will retail at an estimated street price of €149.99/£99.99. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced that with immediate effect, the Recommended Retail Price of the PlayStation 2 games console in the UK would be reduced to £104.99. Read more for details...

Restricted Area is an action-based roleplaying game with realtime combat, which combines a fascinating gameplay similar to Diablo 2 with innovative technology, tactic-shooter elements and a dark future scenario. Read more for a few new screens.

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.

Groove Games today announced the shipping of the next game in their top-selling Marine series, where gamers get to experience elite specialist assignments in the military. Marine Heavy Gunner: Vietnam hits most major retail store shelves this week giving players the opportunity to handle the biggest, meanest guns the US military can build

BAM! Entertainment announced today the anticipated release dates for the company's third quarter games. Announced titles include: Carmen Sandiego: The Secret of the Stolen Drums, Starsky and Hutch, A Sound of Thunder, Ice Nine, and State of Emergency 2. Read more for further details ...

Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone is an action adventure game set in the popular D&D world created by Wizards of the Coast. Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone will place players in the middle of a heated battle between two demonic armies set to overrun the world of Faerun.