Valve unleashed the sixth Half-Life 2 video via Valve's Steam distribution program. The new Bugbait trailer runs for about 3 minutes (the longest one so far) and showing off more gameplay footage from this upcoming FPS. Read more for download links ....

One of Russia's leading game publishers and distributors Buka Entertainment has signed a major software deal with middleware developer LifeMode Interactive, to use its unique and innovative real-time facial animation technology solution 'LifeStudio:HEAD', for two forthcoming game projects that will be released next year.

The Austin Game Initiative today announced the Austin Game Conference, to be held September 11-12, 2003, at the Austin Convention Center. The two-day event is designed to inform and educate game industry professionals on next-generation technologies and business strategies for emerging products and platforms, such as online multi-player and mobile games. Austin Game Conference will bring together developers, technologists and business professionals for sessions, workshops, and a technology pavilion, all pushing the boundaries of game development.

Another day, another HL2 trailer. Valve unleashed the fifth Half-Life 2 video showing off more gameplay footage from this upcoming FPS. As usual is it a self-running Bink formatted video showing off tunnels. This footage was part of the the original E3 trailer, just in high resolution. Read more for download links ...

Just noticed on Gamespot that they got confirmed word about Half-Life 2 getting delayed from the original September 30 date to "somewhere later this year". They DO stress that it would still ship this year, but they are most likely aiming for the holiday season now. I am sure this will both disappoint as well as piss off quite a few people ... UPDATE Contrary to the above Shacknews says that according to Valve, this is the first time they heard about a delay .. Who should we believe, the publishers or the developers .. To Be Continued!

Capcom today announced a worldwide publishing agreement with Cinemaware to release Robin Hood: Defender of the Crown for the PC, PS2, and the Xbox. Based on Cinemaware’s mega hit Defender of the Crown franchise whichhas sold more than one million units worldwide, Robin Hood: Defender of the Crown is a fusion of action, role-playing and strategy genres that seamlessly blend cinematic presentations with unique medieval action-sequences. Players must rely on their skill at sword fighting, castle sieges, jousting, daring archery ambushes and massive army battles to restore England to its glory and remove the tyranny that plagues the land. Robin Hood: Defender of the Crown is scheduled to release across North America August 2003.

iGames Publishing, LLC announced today that they will make this Halloween scarier then ever by publishing PAN Vision’s Nosferatu: The Wrath of Malichi, in North America. The first person shooter-survival horror game will thrust players into a den of bloodthirsty vampires. Developed by the Swedish studio, Idol FX, the game will be released in time for Halloween on PC. Read more for details ...

You've saved your family's farm and you've saved your homeland...now it's time to live your life! An all-new Harvest Moon adventure is coming to the GameCube. Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life will span a lifetime on the farm and follow all the drama that goes with it. Check out the new gamecube screens ...

A little bit later than was announced Valve has released new Half Life 2 footage through their Steam service. They have just unleashed a self-running Bink formatted video showing off a bunch of the physics as part of gameplay aspects of Half-Life 2. Read more for download links ...

Allowing the player to do anything a dog can do – from digging, chasing, fetching, herding, swimming, begging, hunting, marking territory and more (so bring along your poopie scoop!) – Dog's Life provides the opportunity to become your favourite pet! A Sims type game, but with dogs?!?! Just what the doctor ordered! Read more for some new screens ...

Exclusively in "ESPN NFL Football" this fall, gamers will be given a place to flaunt their rewards and bragging rights with an innovative new feature called "The Crib." Deck out an empty pad with more than 300 unlockable items and "score big" for making great plays, scoring points or just getting lucky. The more you play, the faster you can move in that air hockey table and chill in your overstuffed recliner. Read more for details and screens ...

Robin Hood: Defender of the Crown is based on Cinemaware’s hit game Defender of the Crown, first released in 1986 on the Commodore Amiga and subsequently to a variety of platforms where sold over 1,000,000 units worldwide. Robin Hood: Defender of the Crown is a re-imagining of the beloved classic, with a deep storyline, a rich cast of characters, and the same commitment to stunning graphics and unique, varied gameplay that first made Cinemaware famous. Today Cinemaware released some new screens, read more to check them out!

Nosferatu is a modern word derived from the Old Slavonic word *nosufur-atu, borrowed from the greek nosophoros, a plague carrier. Nosferatu - The Wrath of Malachi crosses the brooding, creepy and scary atmosphere of the successful survival horror genre (Resident Evil and Silent Hill), with "traditional" first person shooter action, making the game cross genre of FPS and survival horror. Nosferatu is shocking fear, violent action and entertaining FPS game play. Read more to check out some new screens ...

As was announced & expected Valve is releasing new Half Life 2 footage through their Steam service. They have just unleashed a self-running Bink formatted video showing off the incredible re-created G-Man in Half-Life 2. Watch the transformation from old to new and simply marvel at the difference. Read more for download links ...

As expected & announced, the Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory Map Editor is now available for download. This will allow anyone to create maps and content for Enemy Territory. Please note, these tools are not supported by Activision, id Software, or Splash Damage. Help is available via a community forum located right here where you'll find open discussions on working with the editor.

And they go for a hattrick as Midway Games Inc. announced today that Area 51, the ultimate "sci-fi meets government cover-up" first-person shooter videogame, is scheduled to ship in 2004 for the PlayStation2 and the Xbox. Read more for additional details ...

Already revealed during the E3, Midway Games Inc. today officially announced that NARC, a stylized third-person action/shooter game, is in development and expected to ship in 2004 for the PS2, Xbox and GameCube. Read more for details and features ...

'Wildlife Park' invites players to build the zoo of the future, allowing them to be as creative as they please, while keeping both the animals and visitors happy. The game has been developed in cooperation with animal care specialists and simulates the complete ecosystem and infrastructure of a modern outdoor animal park. Read more for details and 60+ screens...

Armchair quarterbacks, beware! SEGA's sports studio, Visual Concepts Entertainment, maker of the acclaimed '2K' sports game series, and ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports, today announced First Person Football, a revolutionary style of gameplay that allows gamers to immerse themselves completely in a sports videogame- from the first person perspective. First Person Football will make its debut this fall in "ESPN NFL Football," giving the definition of virtual football a whole new meaning. For the first time ever, a sports video game will be played through the perspective of the players themselves as every sight and sound is experienced from behind the helmet.

Players take on the role of hero Nick Bluetooth -- straight out of the hit ABC Family TV series -- and find themselves in an Outer Dimension on an action-packed quest to free friends who have fallen into the clutches of the evil tyrant, Gorm. With the ultimate goal of finding the portal to GALIDOR and ridding the Outer Dimension of its wicked ruler, Nick encounters many challenges and menacing foes along the way. Armed with the awe-inspiring ability to "glinch" or absorb the attributes of enemies he defeats, Nick can fly, jump, grapple and navigate through his adventures. GALIDOR: Defenders of the Outer Dimension has both 2D and 3D environments to explore across 21 levels.

LeBron James officially became a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers when he was the top pick at last evening’s NBA Draft. LeBron will officially be "in the game" when NBA LIVE 2004 ships this fall under the EA SPORTS brand. For the first look at LeBron in his new Cavs uniform, check out easports.com. There you will find screenshots of LeBron as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the EA SPORTS ads that appeared last night on ESPN, featuring lottery picks Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Kirk Hinrich.

As promised, Activision has just released the Windows and Linux server update (people running the clients do NOT need this) for their free multiplayer addon Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory. The upgrade adds more server stability and incorporates the Even Balance anti-cheating software (thanks Shacknews). Read more for details and download links ...

Sony announced today its sponsorship of the eighth annual Ozzfest 2003 Tour. As sponsor for the third year in a row, SCE America will give consumers the opportunity to play the hottest new PS2 software titles at the show, the chance to win tickets to see Ozzfest live, plus the opportunity to share the stage with one of the bands at the ultimate destination for metal and rock fans. The tour kicks off on June 28 in San Antonio, Texas and travels to 28 markets, featuring a lineup of 21 bands including metal's top artists, Ozzy Osbourne, Korn, Marilyn Manson, Disturbed, Chevelle, The Datsuns, and more.

PanVision sent out word that they have launched the official website for IDOL FX's vampire-inspired FPS Nosferatu: The Wrath of Malachi. The site sports the usual story details, game features, screenshots (posted here last week), as well as a previously released trailer (local mirror here). Go check it out!