Empires: Dawn of the Modern World represents the only truly global RTS where players control unique civilizations across a timeline that spans from the Middle Ages to the modern era. Gamers lead their nation's economic growth and military campaigns in their effort to dominate the world. Each civilization has its own historically accurate units and abilities to be used as players command battles over land, sea and air. From a cavalry charge to a surprise air strike, gamers will know what it truly means to rule one of the world's greatest empires.

DreamCatcher Games today announced that it will publish Painkiller on the Xbox. This adrenaline-filled first person shooter is expected to ship in Q2 2004. The PC version of Painkiller (due March 2004) has already grabbed media attention, with its frenetic action and gothic style, and the Xbox version is expected to take the game to even higher levels.

Retired World Championship Wrestling professional Maxx Payne filed a $10 million lawsuit against a group of video software developers for allegedly stealing his personal to create the game "Max Payne." The lawsuit was filed last week in U.S. District Court against Rockstar Games Inc., 3D Realms Entertainment, Gathering of Developers and Remedy Entertainment Ltd... More about it below!

Simon & Schuster Interactive, the digital entertainment arm of Simon & Schuster Inc. today announced the Company has developed a plan with cable industry veterans Chip James and Bill Zaccheo to drive subscriptions of high speed data cable modem service for cable television operators. The two parties will provide a unique marketing program combining the rich, immersive experience that Massively Multiplayer Online Gaming (MMOG) delivers with the high speed connection cable modems.

4Gamers, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bigben Interactive UK Ltd, is pleased to announce the release of the SPC777 Playfree vibrating wireless controller for the Microsoft Xbox... Operating over a 2.4GHz radio frequency, the Playfree vibrating wireless controller allows you to break free of control pad wires. Now you can play your games from up to ten meters away and without the worry of ever losing a signal because of obstacles in the room. The Playfree controller also includes a switchable frequency selector that allows four pads to be used simultaneously.

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 ...

EA has launched the official website for their alternate-history squad-based action game Freedom Fighters. In Freedom Fighters, developed by IO Interactive, you and your teammembers engage the Red army with various types of single and two-handed weapons as well as unarmed combat martial arts maneuvers in their quest for freedom. Check out the new site for some screens, videos and other goodies (thanks Bluesnews)

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 :

• Sole Predator - Trailer
• Freedom Fighters - Trailer
• Natural Selection 2.0 - (DiVX & WMV) Trailer #2
• Everquest II - Trailer
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  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Adventure game developer Private Moon Studios is to release Agon, the first adventure game series ever. Agon is a pure adventure game that comes in fourteen episodes over a period of two years. Each episode is self-contained and can be fully enjoyed in itself, but also contributes to the story of Professor Samuel Hunt's adventures. Read more for some more info and a few screens ...

Hunter: The Reckoning Wayward, developed by High Voltage Software, continues the story of the successful action adventure franchise Hunter: The Reckoning. High-speed action combined with top-notch graphics translate the dark fantasy world of the White Wolf role-playing game and bring the essence of the game to life, fully submerging the player into the realm of The World of Darkness. Wayward comes to the PS2 this summer with an all new story, game-play features, weapons and terrifying monsters. A few new screens to get you through the weekend ...

Mercedes-Benz World Racing offers training missions, race and championship modes and also mission based play. Advanced technologies allow each driver to develop its own character and driving history to enable them to master and accomplish different skills and missions successfully (thanks 3DGamers). Check out the new trailer ...

No rules radio-controlled racing through living off-road worlds with giant objects, giant animals and giant people. Get behind the wheel of your own RC car and be the first to the finish or nail some crazy stunts. Take 13 awesome toy cars across 13 expansive living levels, move up the ranks, win upgrades and find hidden secrets and shortcuts. Watch out or you might get too close to an unruly crocodile or a punk skateboarder. The road challenge awaits - do you dare? Read more for 40 new screens and in game footage trailer ...

Join a secret squad of pilots dedicated to thwarting the most heinous plans of the Third Reich. Fly over twenty authentic aircraft across thirty daring missions in this new WWII action-flyer. Lawrence Holland, the legendary creator of Star Wars: X-Wing, Star Wars: Tie Fighter and Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe returns with an exhilarating new game of action and intrigue. Can you be trusted with the most dangerous secrets of the war? Read more to check out 50 new screens ...

Whether you're an unexperienced or skillful navigator, this new version takes you off to the new horizons of Sydney and the Isle of Wight. Other destination : the tropical islands, where you'll be able to create your own water stretches ! Sail again with the racing boats which made Virtual Skipper 2's success, more detailled navigation sites, exceptional nautical conditions, more accurate racing rules, all you need for exciting regattas ! Whatever your navigation skills may be, let's meet online where you'll challenge woldwide players in public, private or team regattas. Experienced players may be umpires while others may simply watch and chat. Read more for some screens ...

Earlier this week there was word of the promotional Underworld: Bloodlines Halflife mod, but as it turns out Lucky Chicken Games is working on an action game based on Sony Pictures' upcoming action flick 'Underworld'. The game is under development for Xbox as well as PC and is scheduled for release simultaniously with the movie in September. Read more for a batch of (Bloodrayne looking) screens ...

Big Mutha Truckers sees the player take command of an 18-wheel rig, trucking from city to city, wheeling and dealing and upping the stakes as they battle to build up a personal fortune. Along the way, players will run into the local biker gangs, corrupt sheriffs, and even their own redneck siblings, who are also out to amass their own fortune – even if it’s at the player’s expense! Trucks, chicks, bikes, money ... it all sounds good, but how does it play? Read more and find out!

"Otogi - Myth of Demons" for the Xbox combines the depth of an RPG with a fast-paced action game, drenched in demon pummeling, sword-swinging structure smashing, spell casting and mythology. Read more for 30+ new screens as well as an in game footage trailer ...

Noticed on Shacknews that Ritual has opened their Counter-Strike: Condition Zero webpage. Head on over there to have a look at some of the characters, locations, weapons and vehicles you will encounter in CZ. A whole lot of text & screens, but no specific release date is mentioned. Read more to check out 30 new screens ..

Universal war is imminent and it’s time to join the battle in Aliens versus Predator Extinction for the PS2 and the Xbox. Based on the blockbuster Aliens and Predator sci-fi film franchises from Twentieth Century Fox, Aliens versus Predator Extinction gives players the ability to play as one of three species: Aliens, Predators or Colonial Marines. The title is being co-published by Electronic Arts and Fox Interactive.

It's Friday and the official Lionheart webpage has been updated. First head on over to the SPECIAL page to read about more PERKS than you can shake a stick at! That's right gamers; feeling less than popular with your friends these days? Well then Disease Ward could be just the perk you're looking for! Has binding with your spirit made disease your friend? Do you eat the plague for breakfast and vacation in leper colonies? YES?!?! Well then head on over and read more about all this good clean wholesome fun! But wait, before you go getting all crazy out there this weekend, read more to check out some new screens ...

The X-FILES saga continues on Xbox and PS2 with three all new episodes linked together in one terrifying story. Playing as either Mulder or Scully, psychic clones, alien artifacts, sentient black oil, and cruel human experimentation provide the backdrop for a harrowing survival horror experience set in the X-FILES universe. Each episode was created by writers from the hit television show, and features the actual voices and likenesses of David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, plus all the great X-FILES music and imagery. This terrifying game is authentic X-FILES! Read more for a new batch of screens and the first in game trailer ...

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 :

• Ghost Recon: Island Thunder [Xbox] - Trailer 4
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  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Strategy First is pleased to announce that it has entered into a co-publishing agreement with Empire Interactive to bring Warrior Kings: Battles to the North American market. “Warrior Kings: Battles is an exceptional RTS that fits into Strategy First’s line-up perfectly,” says Don McFatridge, President of Strategy First. “We couldn’t be happier to work with a top publisher like Empire and we hope that this is the beginning of a long lasting partnership.”

As part of its new global operating plan designed to fuel the Company's future growth, Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. today announced that it has appointed Paul Eibeler as President and Chief Operating Officer of Acclaim North America. Reporting directly to Rod Cousens, Chief Executive Officer for Acclaim, Eibeler will be responsible for overseeing the performance and strategic growth of the company's North American operations, including product development, marketing, sales and manufacturing.

Matrix Games, Tri-Synergy and Wargaming.net are pleased to announce a partnership to publish and distribute the new strategy game Massive Assault. "Wargaming.net have produced a challenging and addictive futuristic 3D strategy game in their new title Massive Assault. To gamers familiar with their excellent work on DBA Online, the quality of this title should come as no surprise. We are delighted to have been selected to work with the Wargaming.net team as their exclusive distributors in North America for this exciting new release." said David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games.