Mercenaries is a revolutionary third-person combat-action game that delivers the next level of free-form gameplay in massive interactive environments. The game gives players the opportunity to take on the role of a soldier for hire in an open-ended world. Read more to check out the new screens...

Groove Games has releasewd the first patch for Jar Head Games' budget shooter World War II Sniper: Call to Victory. This update brings your retail game to v1.01 and addresses issues with the "Crossroads" and "Countryside" missions. Read more for details and download links ...

Electronic Arts has released the final version of the Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault mod developer's kit, letting the mod community go to town and create their own maps for EA Pacific's WWII based first-person shooter. Read more for details and download links ...

Bold Games has released the first patch for Gabriel Entertainment's sim John Deere American Farmer, in which you create, build and manage a successful farm. This update brings your retail game to v1.01 and addresses various game crashes and bug fixes. Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

Syberia II, the sequel of the 2002 Adventure Game of The year, is currently in development at the developer/publisher Montreal-based studios. Syberia II will be the second and final installment of Kate Walker's joint adventures with Hans Voralberg. Syberia 2 will be making a European appearance on the PS2 January 20, 2005. No mention whether this edition is also scheduled for US consumption.

Future Games, previously known for Black Mirror, is working on an all new horror/adventure game, Nibiru: Messenger of the Gods. You take on the role of Martin Holan, an Thechz archeologist working in France sent to investigate a newly found secret tunnel apparently made by Germans during the second World War. Nibiru is a 2D adventure featuring 80 locations, over 30 NPCs, and 50 pages of narrative.

Chicago Enforcer puts the player in the role of a 1930's enforcer for Al Capone's notorious crime network. the strait forward storyline is driven by heavy action sequences but also includes technical side objectives where close attention to detail is required. Utilize the multiple weapons to force your way to the top of the crime syndicate or try your luck against other Xbox Live subscribers on the custom multiplayer levels.

For the first time, the MGS franchise is set in a sweltering jungle where players must fight for survival by battling relentless natural elements, as well as an onslaught of ruthless enemy soldiers. Suspenseful stealth action delivers heart-pounding sequences like never before. The game's extraordinary gameplay and intense plot combine with riveting music, high-definition sound and astonishingly detailed graphics for a completely unique interactive gaming experience.

Following a worldwide search, three lucky fans – Jonathan Jensen (Canada), David Watts (United Kingdom) and David Boyle (United States) – have been named grand prize winners in Activision and Lionhead Studios’ The Movies Logo Competition.

SEGA of America today announced the North American release of Worldwide Soccer Manager, a sports management simulation game that is officially licensed by Major League Soccer (MLS). Worldwide Soccer Manager represents the next evolution in fantasy sports by enabling gamers to control all team-related activities for their favorite professional soccer teams in the U.S. as well as 50 other countries across the world.

THQ has released a singleplayer demo for Volition's action game based on the Marvel comic book, The Punisher. Enter the twisted mind of Frank Castle as he wreaks havoc upon the scum of the criminal underworld. This demo features a cinematic intro and one mission set in the Central Zoo, where you have to rescue a friend taken hostage. Read more for download links ...

CDV Software Entertainment has released the first screens for Stormregion's Codename Panzers: Phase Two, expected spring 2005. Codename: Panzers offers gamers an unprecedented real-time strategy experience focusing on key battles of World War II (thanks Tiscali). Read more to check out the goods ...

Vivendi Universal Games, in association with Vin Diesel’s Tigon Studios, announced today that their PC action game The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay –Developer’s Cut has shipped to retail stores in the United States.

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 :

• Fight Night Round 2 - Trailer

In addition to the PC version's signature locations, non-scripted A.I., and unprecedented view-distance, Far Cry Instincts will feature brand new gameplay scenarios that will challenge players to use an even broader range of strategies and survival tactics in order to uncover the many secrets within the beautiful-but-deadly islands. Far Cry Instincts producer Roxane Gosselin is on hand to answer some questions about the "traps" concept being used.

Ubisoft has pushed back the original Q4 2004 release date for Blue Byte's 3D RTS Heritage of Kings: The Settlers, and it is now scheduled for Q1 2005. Heritage of Kings: The Settlers is a world-building strategy game with fully rendered 3D visuals and unavoidably addictive gameplay. Players can dive into a detailed medieval world offering a unique mix of RTS and simulation gameplay. A fully functioning community can be created; new advancements can be discovered, and enemy forces will be repelled (thanks Blues)!

UFO: Aftershock follows directly from one of the endings of UFO: Aftermath, where the player agrees to hand over the Earth to the Alien scientists, who are trying to change the planet into a giant living organism. The Council of Earth and their followers take refuge on an orbiting satellite prepared for them by the aliens, but not all the survivors of the original invasion where re-located.

City of Heroes is now accepting Beta applications in preparation for its European release, due in February '05. Potential Beta applicants should point their browsers at the official European City of Heroes website.

With its diverse offering of music and variety of skill levels, TAIKO: Drum Master delivers a unique experience filled with flexibility and fun for players of all ages. The game offers more than 30 songs in its catalog, including well-known hits from today’s current chart-toppers and yesterday’s favorites.

Alpha Black Zero is a fast-paced mission based 3rd person tactical shooter with a gripping storyline to test both your fighting abilities and your intelligence. Dozens of different enemies, all possessing strong Artificial intelligence, will punish your mistakes across huge and challenging levels.

EA has now released the linux patches/server files for Digital Illusions Battlefield 1942 & Battlefield Vietnam. These updates bring your server to v1.61 (BF1942) and v1.21 (BFV) and address an undisclosed exploit reported by community member Luigi Auriemma (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for download links.

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 :

• Shadow of Rome - Trailer #5
• Will of Steel - Trailers (3)

Blue Byte has released a patch for the German demo of its 3D RTS The Settlers: Heritage of Kings. This demo patch brings your demo to v1.01 and adds multiplayer functionality to the demo, and one additional MP only map, 'The Great Battle,' for up to 6 players (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for download links ...

Konami America today announced the signing of U.S. National Team defensive star player Eddie Pope as the official cover athlete for Winning Eleven 8. The game will be released this spring on the PlayStation 2, PC and, for the first time, on the Xbox.

French Widescreen Games, previously known for Airborne Troops & Inuits, is working on a new sports title for PS2, Wild Water Adrenaline Featuring Salomon. Read more for the first few screens ...