Painkiller: Hell Wars is a first-person horror shooter, designed to satisfy the gamer's hunger for intense, fast-paced action. You are Painkiller, a mercenary for hire, charged with cleaning out nests of the undead. But an unholy pact with a demon unknowingly puts you square in the middle of a fight for control of the underworld... with the future of humanity hanging in the balance.

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory tells the conspiracy-ridden story of black ops agent Sam Fisher as he explores the world of international espionage. The game will offer a high adrenaline experience thanks to never seen before close range attacks, a totally open level design, a completely immersive and interactive environment, and challenging advanced AI. In addition, it will offer the best graphics in this generation of games and a unique, co-op multiplayer mode.

Far Cry Instincts is a technically advanced gaming experience built from the ground up using the kind of cutting-edge technology that Far Cry fans will recognize from the PC title. Yesterday Ubisoft announced Far Cry Instincts will ship exclusively for Xbox in September 2005, and today we catch up with technical creative director Laurent Mascherpa talking about the AI in the game.

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

• All Points Bulletin (APB) - Trailer
• Codename: Panzers Phase Two - Trailer Pack
• The Sims 2: Nightlife - Trailer #5
• Tak: The Great Juju Challenge [NDS] - Trailer
• TY the Tasmanian Tiger: Night of the Quinkan - Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

A 22-year-old Cambridge graduate has become the first ever individual in the UK to be convicted for the illegal modification of video games consoles at Caerphilly Magistrates Court. Although Xbox modding is a grey area in a lot of countries, he fitted the consoles with a larger HD, partly pre-installed with illegal warez, and thats what did him in.

Valve's SteamPowered website has been updated with details regarding the latest update for Counter-Strike Source and the Source Engine. As promised it includes the remakde cs_assault and a new terrorist model, but also new player animations, bug fixes, bot changes, and plenty more ... Just restart Steam for the effects to take place.

Back in February we reported that Powerdrome was coming to the PC, and today more details trickle through. Powerdrome features futuristic racing in its purest, most distilled form: no weapons, no gimmicks - nothing but raw-power versus sublime control. A game that rewards those gamers with real skill, but even the losers will be left gasping for more.

Blending the best features from the first two installments with the talent, vision and ingenuity of Ubisoft's development teams, Prince of Persia 3 will enliven the franchise with a vitality - and plenty of unexpected twists - that will impress and satisfy long-time fans and newcomers alike.

Ubisoft has released a new patch for Gearbox's WW2 tactical FPS Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30. This update brings your retail & downloadable game to v1.10 patch and addresses some sound effect, and text formatting issues, as well as prepares the game to support the upcoming SDK release. Read more for download links...

In anticipation of tomorrow's v1.01 patch for Battlefield 2, EA has released updated Unranked server files for Win32 and Linux, which contain all the files you need to host a dedicated server, including all 12 maps. Be advised that servers that are caught allowing users to play with the unlock weapons using the python workaround will incur a one week ban from the server list. Read more for download links ...

Atari today announced that it will distribute the forthcoming addictive puzzler 'Archer MacLean's Mercury' in key territories UK, France and Germany. Published by Ignition Entertainment and developed by Awesome Studios for PSP, Mercury has been specifically designed for the new gaming PlayStation Portable, which launches across Europe in September 2005.

Codename: Panzers, Phase Two will bring armchair generals to the war-torn battlefields of Africa, Southern Europe and the Balkans where they will fight as the Anglo-American Allies, the German-Italian Axis or the Yugoslavian resistance. A complement of heroes, both new and familiar, will be the players' alter egos in dozens of new missions as they attempt to lead their troops to victory.

In Pirates! you take the leading role of a Pirate Captain in the 17th century Caribbean trying to become the most revered and feared pirate in history - exploring high seas and exotic ports, overtaking enemies in fierce naval battles, engaging in duels and attempting to seize valuable booty. 2KGames has released the third and last part of the Pirates of Sid Meier’s Pirates! feature, containing details on three of the real-life pirates in Pirates!

The Adventure Company today announced ECHO: Secrets of the Lost Cavern has shipped to retailers across North America.

The series famous for relentless intensity is returning bigger, better looking and more frantic than ever before. Sam Stone is back to rescue the universe one bullet at a time against overwhelming hordes of time traveling enemies in Serious Sam 2. Built from the ground up with a completely new engine, Serious Sam 2 will be a shot of adrenaline to the hearts of first-person shooter fans across the world. This is serious!

Fable: The Lost Chapters will feature a host of enhancements from its top-selling Xbox version, including new quests to conquer, areas to explore, creatures to slay and story elements to discover. Fable: The Lost Chapters is expected to reach store shelves this fall.

The Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack, now avaiualble for $19.99 (U.S.), adds nine all-new multiplayer maps, previously unreleased footage including an animated feature highlighting an unseen battle in Old Mombasa and a mini documentary showcasing the creative process behind the new multiplayer maps. The map pack disc also contains the Halo 2 Auto Update, providing non-Live gamers with the ability to enjoy recent gameplay enhancements and improvements, as well as all previous Xbox Live updates.

Ensign Games releases DreamStripper 3D, a new PC game using lifelike Hollywood technology. In DreamStripper you totally control the dancer. You decide how she dances, what she wears, even the music she dances to!

IncaGold is pleased to announce that it has acquired the German-language rights to three titles from InterActive Vision Games, Red Skies Over Europe, Chain of Command and Chain of Command: Eastern Front.

Capcom today released killer 7, a stylized, post-modern action adventure game for the PS2 and Gamecube. Featuring distinct characters, striking cel-shaded visuals and dark imagery, killer 7 chronicles the connection between two men whose intertwined paths develop into a complex tale of altering personas and a menacing force that has paralyzed society.

Digital Jesters have snapped up the rights to publish the latest instalment of Cycling Manager series in the UK. The Cycling Manager series has been leader of the pack for the last four years and this latest instalment is already leaving the peloton trailing behind with a multitude of new features and a brand new title, Pro Cycling Manager.

SpecForce is Techland's latest futuristic tactical shooter with a plot connected to already known Chrome. Established to fight crisis situations that threaten the Federation's peace, equipped with the latest combat gear, Specforce is the Federation's elite rapid reaction force. This demo contains one of eleven missions. Read more for download links ...

Developed by Strangelite Studio, the game is based on the Starship Troopers movie in which you will take the role of an elite 'special forces' trooper in the Mobile Infantry spearheading the assault against thousands of intelligent enemy bugs, emulating the best scenes from the movie and a whole lot more!

War Leaders: Clash of Nations will expand upon the RTS genre by placing gamers in the roles of the major leaders of WWII, including Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin. Political, diplomatic and economic decision making will be key to success, while sound tactical strategies will ensure victory on the battlefield.

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

• Ultimate Spider-Man - Trailer #2
• 187: Ride or Die - Weapons Trailer
• Huxley - Making of Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...