A Warrior Slave…Chosen by the Gods…to Re-store the Glory of an Empire In the Year 106AD the Roman Empire is in terrible decline. After the untimely death of the much-liked Emperor Trajan, the despotic Emperor Arruntius has bled the once powerful Rome to its knees. Badly fought wars, famine and plague are rife in all corners of the Empire, whilst the Emperor and his elite enjoy every excess and vice that the emptying coffers can afford. As herald to this age of degradation, Arruntius has destroyed large portions of the city of Rome to create the battleground for the bloodiest gladiator event ever staged. Check these awesome new screens!

The romance between Hollywood and the video game industry is suddenly a lot chillier after the studio behind "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life" on Monday cited problems with a related game for the sequel's weaker-than-expected debut. The movie and video game industries have grown closer in recent years as films increasingly are tied in to games and games, in turn, are licensed as movies.

Champions of Norrath offers an online multiplayer component at no additional cost to players (Internet connection required for online multiplayer game modes, online connection fees are the responsibility of the user). Up to four players per game can adventure in Norrath over the Internet using the Network Adaptor for the PS2. Gamers will match up with fellow Norrathians from across North America through SOE's upcoming matchmaking service via modem or broadband connections. Alternately, players can also use the Multitap to play together on a single PS2. Read more for new screens ...

Interplay/Vivendi have released the promised demo for their upcoming RPG game 'Lionheart'. The demo features three wilderness areas and one interior level, is only singleplayer and you will be able to use the character generator to make whatever character you want (thanks Tiscali). Read more for download links ...

Simon & Schuster Interactive, the digital entertainment arm of Simon & Schuster Inc. today announced the Company has developed a plan with cable industry veterans Chip James and Bill Zaccheo to drive subscriptions of high speed data cable modem service for cable television operators. The two parties will provide a unique marketing program combining the rich, immersive experience that Massively Multiplayer Online Gaming (MMOG) delivers with the high speed connection cable modems.

The Pirates of the Caribbean game "transports players to the 17th century, where they can experience life as a pirate in any way they see fit," said executive producer Todd Vaughn. "Whether they want to be feared by all and welcome nowhere, or just enjoy compelling missions or a life at sea, we're creating a game that fits their gameplay style."

Adventure game developer Private Moon Studios is to release Agon, the first adventure game series ever. Agon is a pure adventure game that comes in fourteen episodes over a period of two years. Each episode is self-contained and can be fully enjoyed in itself, but also contributes to the story of Professor Samuel Hunt's adventures. Read more for some more info and a few screens ...

Join a secret squad of pilots dedicated to thwarting the most heinous plans of the Third Reich. Fly over twenty authentic aircraft across thirty daring missions in this new WWII action-flyer. Lawrence Holland, the legendary creator of Star Wars: X-Wing, Star Wars: Tie Fighter and Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe returns with an exhilarating new game of action and intrigue. Can you be trusted with the most dangerous secrets of the war? Read more to check out 50 new screens ...

Earlier this week there was word of the promotional Underworld: Bloodlines Halflife mod, but as it turns out Lucky Chicken Games is working on an action game based on Sony Pictures' upcoming action flick 'Underworld'. The game is under development for Xbox as well as PC and is scheduled for release simultaniously with the movie in September. Read more for a batch of (Bloodrayne looking) screens ...

Universal war is imminent and it’s time to join the battle in Aliens versus Predator Extinction for the PS2 and the Xbox. Based on the blockbuster Aliens and Predator sci-fi film franchises from Twentieth Century Fox, Aliens versus Predator Extinction gives players the ability to play as one of three species: Aliens, Predators or Colonial Marines. The title is being co-published by Electronic Arts and Fox Interactive.

It's Friday and the official Lionheart webpage has been updated. First head on over to the SPECIAL page to read about more PERKS than you can shake a stick at! That's right gamers; feeling less than popular with your friends these days? Well then Disease Ward could be just the perk you're looking for! Has binding with your spirit made disease your friend? Do you eat the plague for breakfast and vacation in leper colonies? YES?!?! Well then head on over and read more about all this good clean wholesome fun! But wait, before you go getting all crazy out there this weekend, read more to check out some new screens ...

Noticed on GameSpyDaily that Epic's Vice President Mark Rein has clarified UT2004's new Assault and Onslaught game modes on the Atari community messageboard. Onslaught is a large scale, team and vehicle based game mode in which players battle for control of huge exterior settings. Assault is an objective/team based game mode in which two teams (attackers and defenders) battle each other in epic (and sometimes historical) battles taking place in the Unreal universe. If you are interested in more, check out the forum post.

As U.S. Army Sergeant John Baker, players join the battle at Kasserine Pass in North Africa, race to capture Messina in Sicily, and finally repel the German army at the historic battle of Monte Battaglia in the heart of Italy. Armed with a new arsenal of weapons, players will fight alone and with squad mates as they rush to stop the Axis powers. Some more screens ...

Noted crime writer Max Allan Collins ('Road to Perdition') has revealed to CSIFiles.com that UBI Soft is producing a second 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation' computer game: "I'm working on the second UBI Soft game now," he said. "I have a more active role, consulting on the stories themselves; last time, they brought me in to write the dialogue, though I did repair some plot holes, too." You can read more about it over at CSIFiles' Q&A with Max Allen Collins.

To coincide with the release of Rebellion's stunning new first-person shooter game for PC, PS2, Xbox and GameCube featuring Mega-City One's hardest lawman and his twisted arch-nemesis, in Judge Dredd: Dredd Vs. Death, 2000 AD will be publishing a terrifying 112-page Dredd Vs. Death special on 10 September. This special will be the first of 2000 AD's Extreme Editions, an ongoing quarterly series of newsstand specials, each issue of which will be dedicated to a particular theme or 2000 AD character, and will feature a host of never reprinted and hard-to-find classics from 2000 AD's history, plus editorial features, character histories and tons of other material.

The Pirates of the Caribbean game "transports players to the 17th century, where they can experience life as a pirate in any way they see fit," said executive producer Todd Vaughn. "Whether they want to be feared by all and welcome nowhere, or just enjoy compelling missions or a life at sea, we're creating a game that fits their gameplay style."

Microsoft has released a new DirectX 9.0b End-User Runtime version for all Windows editions. You will need to use the Windows Auto Update function since it is not yet available on the official DirectX page. DirectX 9.0b includes security and performance updates. Download now to get the latest DirectX updates. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. Once you have installed this item, it cannot be removed.

Italian based website TGMOnline was first to reveal the upcoming expansion pack for Digital Reality's space strategy game Hegemonia. Hegemonia: The Solon Heritage does not only feature new levels, ship types, and cyborg mercenaries to hire - 50 new inventions, rebalanced unit charts and an emphasis on multiplayer should enhance the Haegemonia experience. The game is slated for this fall, the exact date is to be announced later. (thanks Bluesnews). Read more to check out the first 5 screens ...

Japanese video game maker Sega Corp. said Wednesday it aims to double its sales of software for popular game consoles such as Sony Corp.'s (SNE or 6758) PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Corp.'s XBox over the next five years.

BAM! Entertainment, a developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software, today announced that its subsidiary, Bam Entertainment Ltd., had entered into a distribution agreement whereby Acclaim Entertainment, Ltd, a subsidiary of Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. will distribute certain forthcoming computer and video game products of BAM! within PAL territories, including Europe and Australia.

Gotham Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. announced today that The Great Escape, based on the classic 1963 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Film, has shipped to retail outlets nationwide for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, Xbox video game system from Microsoft and PC.

Maintaining law and society order is veteran Headhunter Jack Wade, older, wiser and battle hardened. At his side is the reluctant new sidekick, the rebellious street kid Leeza X. Whether ripping up the highways of the silver metropolis on a super bike or stalking the criminal masterminds of the shadowy underworld, they are led into the greatest danger of their lives and must overcome something much more sinister than a simple human threat. Each must face their darkest fears. Together they must redeem a world facing chaos...

From the far corners of Middle-earth, new adventures come forth to face the growing evil in the East. The forces of Mordor are mobilizing as the Nazgül hunt for the One Ring. The land itself is in peril and its fate lies in the hands of those who possess it. Adventuring alone or in groups, join thousands of players online in the massive world that is Middle-earth. Support the forces of good in an epic struggle to drive back the forces of Sauron. This is Middle-Earth Online, your home in the world of Tolkien. Read more to check some screens ...

The Treason of Isengard is a third-person action/adventure based on the epic fantasy world of J.R.R Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Beginning with the death of Boromir, the player will guide Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli from the shores of the River Anduin, to the Plains of Rohan, and into the battles at Helm’s Deep. The story then follows the Ents as the player controls Treebeard and unleashes his wrath against Isengard. The game finishes with Frodo, Sam, and Gollum, as they make their way from the River Anduin to the Black Gate of Mordor. Read more for a 40 some of screens and some new concept art ...

Publisher/developer Strategy First proudly announced today that their real-time tactical game, Nexagon Deathmatch, has shipped to retail stores in North America. “This is a completely original game for us and we couldn’t be happier to have it come out of our very own development studio,” says Don McFatridge, President of Strategy First. “There is no game on the market quite like Nexagon and I know gamers will love its uniqueness!”