Playlogic today announced that Alpha Black Zero: Intrepid Protocol for the PC has begun shipping and will begin arriving in North American stores by September 9, 2004.

Vanguard: Saga of Heroes will be the premier third generation massively multiplayer RPG. A vast, seamless, immersive virtual world filled with elements of familiar High Fantasy, including traditional themes and more, all depicted using cutting-edge graphics technology. Sigil’s expertise and experience in the field will bring groundbreaking static and dynamic content to the genre.

'Kult: Heretic Kingdoms' is a 3D isometric RPG, that combines 3D technologies and the traditional ways of isometric RPG's. 'Kult: Heretic Kingdoms' will take you from heroic fights against hidious monsters - using weapons and spells - to seeking wisdom and clues for your quests, while interacting with the many NPC's such as spirits and astral enemies. Check out the freshly launched website, or read more for some screens.

In Ghost Master, you play an afterlife civil servant sent to Gravenville by the Haunter Committee. Your mission: manage resources to scare and manipulate people, then to discover the secrets behind Gravenville. Your control over ghostly beings will allow other ghosts to be laid to rest – therefore making the transition from the material to the ethereal plane. But helping out these wretched souls takes a bit of effort and plasm - that's where the fun-packed scaring comes in!

THQ Germany has confirmed that they will be having an open multiplayer beta test for GSC World's upcoming FPS 'S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow Of Chernobyl.' As a "stalker" exploring the vast "Exclusion Zone" to procure artifacts for the black market, players must survive mutant creatures, dangerous anomalous areas, competing "stalkers" and a military charged with quarantining the 30 square kilometer area. A specific start date has not been announced although THQ does mention that it will be open up the MP beta to 5.000 people before its official Q1 2005 release date.

Head over to our dedicated EGN section to check out the following new screens from Hip Interactive's 2004 EGN lineup:

• CT Special Forces: Fire for Effect (PS2/Xbox/PC)
• Garfield (PS2/PC)
• Pariah (Xbox/PC)
• Stolen (PS2/Xbox/PC)
• The Mummy (PS2/Xbox/PC)

S2Games has released a new patch for its online multiplayer FPS/RTS Savage: Battle for Newerth patch. This upgrade brings your retail game to v2.0e and includes authentication and server list fixes. The server browser and authentication systems have been completely rewritten. All game servers will now show up correctly.Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

Bethesda Softworks today announced that its highly anticipated survival horror game, Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth, will be released in Q1 2005, thus pushing it back several months. Call of Cthulhu is a mix of horror, puzzle solving, exploration, and combat as you face the seemingly impossible task of battling an advanced race of evil aliens.

Atari and Firaxis have announced a beta test for the upcoming Sid Meier's Pirates! PC game. Open only to subscribers of AVAST, the official Pirates! newsletter, the beta test allows fans to join the crew to become one of the first to discover the legend and legacy of the classic Sid Meier adventure. Fans can go to the official Pirates! website, www.atari.com/pirates, to sign-up for AVAST.

Fireglow today revealed more information about its latest project "Stranger," a real-time strategy game, with elements of role playing games set in fantazy world. 'Stranger' will also feature multiplayer although details beyond "The players may play on their own, or unite in teams" are a bit sktechy. Read more for some new screens.

Activision is targeting virtual sportsmen with the newest release, "Cabela's Deer Hunt 2005 Season," for the Xbox, PS2 and PC, available in stores now.

TOCA Race Driver 2 will roar in with new and exclusive features for the PS2 edition including an additional circuit, Spain's Catalunya, and an enhanced Championship structure that allows for 99 additional car and track combinations. TOCA Race Driver 2 on PS2 will launch this October, complete with online racing.

THQ Inc. today announced it is working closely with AMD to create an optimised version of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl for the impressive AMD Athlon 64 processor architecture.

Rookie Detroit cop Lazarus Jones is thrust into the role of Ghosthunter after a routine patrol at a derelict high school goes awry. Lazarus and partner Anna Steele stumble upon the supernatural research center of Professor Peter Richmond where they unintentionally liberate a legion of poltergeists. A deadly spirit abducts Anna, while another ghost fuses with Lazarus, giving him the ability to see into the realm of the dead.

'Silent Hunter III' will add new dimensions to the simulation experience. The player will engage in a compelling ocean environment, featuring dynamic weather, and experience the intensity of historical naval warfare. Taking the role of the U-boat commander, players will seek their enemy with sonar and periscope, attack the enemy with torpedoes, destroy them with the deck gun, or command their crew to do the job.

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 :

• Anarchy Online: Alien Invasion - Trailer #2
• Psychotoxic - GC 2004 Trailer
• Wings of War - Trailer
• Prince Of Persia 2 - Trailers (2)
• Ghost Recon 2 - Trailer #2
• Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault - Trailer #5

Rugby has enjoyed a recent renaissance thanks to England winning the Rugby World Cup. Whilst the future of English rugby is less than certain, one thing is for sure: Pro Rugby Manager 2005 is in development and will be released by Digital Jesters in February at a SRP of £34.99.

SEGA of America today announced that it will publish Sports Interactive's Worldwide Soccer Manager and NHL Eastside Hockey Manager for PC and Mac in North America. Read more for details ..

While we had previously mentioned it, Ubisoft today announced that Prince of Persia 2 (working title) is now officially titled 'Prince of Persia: Warrior Within'. Prince of Persia: Warrior Within features a deep, mysterious storyline starring a darker, edgier Prince who is vigilant in his quest to unseal his mortal destiny. Read more for further details and some screens ...

KumaWar has launched its first mission in the new Freedom’s Heroes series to pay tribute to Army Ranger Corporal Patrick Tillman, who was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart, and all of the U.S. Army Rangers who continue to fight to protect our nation’s freedoms.

The Adventure Company today announced that it will publish WANTED: A Wild Western Adventure for PC in North America (known in Europe as The Westerner). Combining the best of classic graphic adventures with the freedom and playability of an RPG, WANTED: A Wild Western Adventure is riddled with humor, action and suspense. Read more for details and screens...

Digital Jesters has secured the UK publishing rights to the long-awaited and hugely anticipated Freedom Force Vs The Third Reich. Digital Jesters has also signed a co-publishing agreement with Focus Home Interactive to release the title in France. Read more for details ...

Seventeen years since its first appearance in the world's arcades, the legendary racer returns and it's lost none of the game's original appeal. With blistering graphics, remixes of the original soundtracks and game play that demands one more play, the beautiful journey has never been so appealing. Check some new screens and trailer...

Taking place in a massive, free-roaming city featuring five distinct interconnected neighborhoods, NFSU 2 delivers an immersive game world where the streets are your menus. As you explore the city, you’ll encounter rival racers who will school you in the ways of the underground and tip you off to the hottest racing spots in town.