Two months ago we reported that EA had plans to go get a stronger foothold in the asian market and had reached an agreement with The9 Ltd. to buy a stake in the Chinese online game operator, which was later denied by a spokes person. It has now been confirmed that EA bought a US$167 million (15%) stake in The9.

Enemy Territory: Quake Wars pits the armies of Earth against the invading alien Strogg in the ultimate online strategic shooter. Featuring strategic team play, persistent character promotions, day and nighttime combat missions, and the universe's most powerful weapons and vehicles.

The epic saga continues with Halo 3, the third chapter of the Halo trilogy. Master Chief returns to finish the fight, bringing the epic conflict between the Covenant, the Flood, and the entire human race to a dramatic, pulse-pounding climax. Modders have turned the Halo 3 beta inside out and found a lot of hidden text & features, like a possible 4-player co-op mode, new weapons, vehicles and game modes ...

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End video games from Disney Interactive Studios invite players to "live and die by the sword" as they venture to the worlds of the films and beyond while playing as Captain Jack Sparrow, Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann.

Earlier Crysis developer Crytek revealed it had transformed its Kiev satellite locations into a full-blown new studio. Now it seems Budapest, Hungary, has been chosen to set up another shop to leverage their CryENGINE 2 technology and expand the number of gaming genres for which they are developing new products.

EA revealed that the v1.05 patch, coming late May, for its 3D sci-fi RTS will make major changes to the game experience overhauling a lot of the units, tweaking unit balance, exploits and bugs fixes. A few additional items were added since last mention ...

Playing as a warrior riding a voracious dragon trained for deadly aerial and ground combat, and capable of scorching, clawing and smashing thousands of enemies, gamers must defeat countless armies to save a civilization. Together, the gamer and the beast will attempt to change the destiny of a world on the brink of extinction.

Another day, another batch of game trailers was released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for:

• Madden NFL 08 [ALL] - Trailer
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix [ALL] - Trailer (2)
• Diner Dash [NDS] - Trailer (2)
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  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

At the Worldwide Invitational in Seoul, South Korea, Blizzard lead designer Dustin Browder (formerly of EA) just announced StarCraft 2! During the presentation lots of game footage was shown, but it has been confirmed — a full-on sequel nearly 10 years after the original. No mention of World of StarCraft (yet).

Sequel to 2005's fast-paced action title, Devil Kings 2 possesses compelling gameplay that thrusts players into a land of warring nations and unrelenting hostile armies, playable as one of 30 chararcters.

Hour of Victory allows you to play a key role in the pivotal and cinematic battles from the European and North African theaters of World War II, using the skills and gameplay style you choose.

Namco Bandai's Eternal Sonata, previously known as Trusty Bell, is an Xbox 360 exclusive RPG, boasting gorgeous graphics, 3-D character models, and a groundbreaking battle system.

Another day, another batch of game trailers was released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for:

• The Darkness [PS3/X360] - Demon Arm Trailer
• Devil May Cry [PS3/X360/PC] - Trailer #4
• Call of Duty 3 [X360] - Bravo Map Pack Trailer
• Tomb Raider Anniversary [PSP/PS2/PC] - Trailer (2)
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  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Alerts, blue lights and bloody excoriations – humanity need the gods in white, and DreamCatcher is bringing it to North America. In Lifesigns for the NDS, it’s up to you if you save lives. Each second is important – the emergency room is waiting for you!

Paradox Interactive's turn-based strategy Sci-Fi adventure Galactic assault, previously known as Inhabited Island: Battlefield, takes the battle to Saraksh planet, where four armies (Khonties, the Land of Fathers, Island Empire and Southern barbarians) go toe-to-toe on field of action.

Penumbra: Overture is an enthralling first person action adventure using an advanced and internally developed real-time 3D engine which conveys player freedom and immersion aiding an already captivating storyline where the player has to use his/her wits to guide the protagonist on his quest to unravel the past.

Earlier this week Sony Computer Entertainment America held its annual gamers/press day, where various third party developers/publishers showed off plenty of upcoming titles. Check out our SCEA Gamers Day 2007 page, for news, screens and trailers on the following titles :

• 'The Transformers' (ALL) - 2 New Screens
• 'TimeShift' (PS3/X360/PC) - 3 New Screens
• 'The Bigs' (PS3) - 3 New Screens
• 'Surf's Up' (ALL) - 3 New Screens
• 'Stranglehold' (PS3) - 3 New Screens & Trailer
• 'Rainbow Six Vegas' (PS3) - 3 Screens
• 'Hellboy' (PSP/PS3/X360) - 4 New Screens
• 'Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer' (ALL) - 4 New Screens
• 'Devil May Cry 4' (PS3/X360/PC) - 3 New Screens
• 'The Darkness' (PS3/X360) - 2 New Screens
• 'SEGA Rally Revo' (PS3/X360/PC) - 4 New Screens
• 'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End' (ALL) - 5 New Screens
• 'Ninja Gaiden Sigma' (PS3) - 7 New Screens
• 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' (ALL) - 3 Screens
• 'Dynasty Warriors: Gundam' (PS3) - 8 New Screens
• 'Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2' (PS3) - 3 New Screens
• 'Dark Sector' (PS3/X360) - 3 New Screens
• 'Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles' (PSP) - 4 New Screens
• 'NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja Heroes' (PSP) - 9 New Screens
• 'Final Fantasy II' (PSP) - 4 New Screens'
• Final Fantasy' (PSP) - Screens
• 'Crush' (PSP) - 3 New Screens
• 'Silent Hill Origins' (PSP) - 3 New Screens
• 'Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars' (PSP) - 6 New Screens
• 'Dead Head Fred' (PSP) - 3 New Screens
• 'Dungeons & Dragons Tactics' (PSP) - 3 New Screens
• 'PQ2: Practical Intelligence Quotient' (PSP) - 3 New Screens
• 'Monster Hunter Freedom 2' (PSP) - 3 New Screens
• 'Hot Brain: Fire up Your Mind' (PSP) - 12 New Screens

Another day, another batch of game trailers was released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for:

• Dynasty Warriors DS: Fighter's Battle [NDS] - Trailer
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  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

K2 Network's Sword of the New World is modeled after Europe’s exploration of the New World, allowing players to create and simultaneously control a family of characters utilizing the exclusive Multiple Character Control system.

A financial analysis document from Nollenberger Capital Partners reveals that EA might already be working on The Godfather 2. "Interestingly, we learned that EA is leveraging the significant amount of development time and costs that went into The Godfather game. The open-world engine was built from the ground up for Godfather, and is now being used by five different franchises, including The Simpsons. Godfather 2 is also in development currently, though timing is unknown."

Earlier this week Sony Computer Entertainment America held its annual gamers/press day, where they showed off plenty of upcoming first and third party titles. Check out our SCEA Gamers Day 2007 page, for news, screens and trailers on the following titles :

• 'Folklore' (PS3) Announced - Screens & Trailer
• 'SOCOM Confrontation' (PS3) Announced - Screens & Trailer
• 'PAIN' (PS3) Announced - Screens
• 'Uncharted: Drake's Fortune' (PS3) - Screens & Trailer
• 'Heavenly Sword' [PS3] - Screens & Trailer
• 'God of War: Chains of Olympus' (PSP) - Screens
• 'Warhawk' (PS3) - 7 New Screens
• 'The Eye of Judgment' (PS3) - 7 New Screens
• 'Singstar' (PS3) - 5 New Screens
• 'NBA '08' (PS3) - 3 New Screens
• 'Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction' (PS3) - 5 New Screens
• 'Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow' (PSP) - Features, Screens & Trailer
• 'Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice' (PSP) - Features, Screens & Trailer
• 'Hot Shots Tennis' (PS2) - Features & Screens
• 'LittleBigPlanet' (PS3) - 9 New Screens
• 'SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Tactical Strike' (PSP) - Screens & Trailer
• 'Jeanne d'Arc' (PSP) - Features, Screens & Trailer
• 'Buzz Junior: Jungle Party' (PS2) - Features & Screens
• 'Buzz! The Mega Quiz ' (PS2) - Features & Screens
• 'PaRappa The Rapper' (PSP) - Features & Screens

Former EA and Black Box Games industry veterans announce the newly formed independent development studio Atomic Robot Games!

Online multiplayer middleware developer Quazal and Midway announced today that they have signed an agreement that will see the Midway add Quazal’s Rendez-Vous and Spark! technologies for in-game lobby and matchmaking features across multiple next-gen titles.

PaRappa The Rapper for the PSP system stays true to its stylish flattened animation technique and gameplay, combining fun and vibrant characters with hip music and a humorous storyline.

Armed Assault features a new engine with a fresh modern setting, and will reacquaint gamers with the ultimate in realistic, combat gaming. Freedom of action and immersive complex environments, blended with a unique touch of total simulation.