Buena Vista Games today announced two major business deals to strengthen the company's internal game development capabilities and further its goals of becoming a top tier publisher of handheld and console games. The deals include the acquisition of acclaimed Salt Lake City-based video game developer, Avalanche Software LC and the establishment of a start-up development studio in Vancouver, Canada, led by former Electronic Arts Canada senior development and business staff.

Majesco today announced that Psychonauts has shipped to retail stores nationwide. Developed by Double Fine Productions, Psychonauts is available for the Xbox and PC, and will be offered on the PS2 later this spring.

Pro Rugby Manager 2 displays each bone-crunching tackle, each heart-in-mouth drop kick and every maddening pass and dash to the try-line in such glorious, motion-captured detail, it rivals anything TV coverage can offer. Digital Jesters has released a new patch for Pro Rugby Manager 2. This update brings your retail game to v1.09 and adds a new external db, mp3 player, photo feature and the usual bug and game fixes. Read more for download links ...

Dark Age of Camelot developer Mythic Entertainment today made a new version of the game's 14-day free trial broadly available for download to players new to the compelling world of "Camelot." This trial version incorporates many new features, which Mythic recently introduced as part of the latest in a series of free major upgrades. The 14-day trial is available for download.

Democracy, developed by Positech Games, is a detailed simulation game that is 'turn based' where each turn of the game represents 2 months of time. Elections are held every 4 years. The game has a complex internal model to represent the population of your country.

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Phantom Grove"... Map info: "An ancient horror lurks in these twisting paths turning away all but the most stalwart of champions. These would-be heroes enter confidently, seeking battle and adventure to immortalize their legacy... but none have returned." This is a small sized map and the suggested no. of players is 1v1 or 2v2. It is based on the "Lordaeron Summer" tileset. Go download it here!

NASCAR SimRacing is the perfect combination of realism, true racing ‘feel’, depth, and advanced EA SPORTS presentation. This update primarily addresses scoring and rules related problems that have been brought to EA's attention for both single and multiplayer modes. The update does however include fixes for some other areas and also includes the new Dodge Charger for the NEXTEL Cup Series - 2005.

Pariah focuses on a robust immersive storyline that weaves survival elements into the traditional run-and-gun style of first-person action games. Digital Extremes has released a multiplayer demo for its FPS Pariah. This demo features 3 maps (CTF, TDM and Front Line Assault), all multi-player weapons, and 3 vehicles (Dart, Wasp, Bogie). Read more for download links ...

LucasArts has released a new patch for Obsidian's Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords. This patch brings your North American retail game to v1.0b, and adds Intel i915 chipset support, some new voice lines and addresses various game crashes, journal & scripting fixes, and a few other tweaks. Read more for download links ...

As promised, EA has released a new patch for C&C Generals: Zero Hour. This update brings your retail game to v1.04 and addresses gameplay bugs and improves the online lobby. Read more for download links ...

Atari has released a new update patch for Eugen Systems RTS Act of War: Direct Action. This update brings your retail game to v1.04 and adds a new multiplayer map and various bug fixes and game tweaks.Read more for download links ...

Activision has released updated source code for Splash Damage's free team-based multiplayer FPS Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory. This release contains all the game source code, header files, menu definitions and other files that all you Enemy Territory modders might need to get to work, and is updated with the latest v2.60 ET client patches. Read more for details and download links ...

Telltale Inc, currently working on comic book adaptation Bone, announced the worldwide launch of its character based poker game Telltale Texas Hold’Em!, in which the player squares off against four wacky characters, all with their own individual playing styles. The engaging PC title is unique among video poker games, focusing on the characters more than the cards.

Freedom Force vs. the Third Reich is a comic book-inspired tactical role-playing game features a brand new league of heroes and villains, overhauled combat system, and spectacular graphic enhancements. These updated mod tools address the issue with importing bundles and putting files in the wrong place, and a few other tweaks. Read more for details and download links ..

Shrapnel Games has released the first patch Illwinter Game Design's turn-based fantasy game Dominions II: The Ascension Wars. This update brings your retail game to v2.16 and adds some mod features, and the usual gameplay tweaks and bug fixes. Read more for details and download links ...

Project: Snowblind is a the first-person action shooter putting you in the role of an elite super soldier, fighting on the front lines of a near-future war using unique weapons, abilities and high-tech gadgetry that inject depth and variety to gameplay. Eidos has released a demo for Crystal Dynamics' latest shooter featuring an intro sequence and the Opera House level. Read more for download links ...

Restricted Area is an action-based roleplaying game with realtime combat, which combines a fascinating gameplay similar to Diablo 2 with innovative technology, tactic-shooter elements and a dark future scenario. Whiptail has released a demo allowing you to play 1 level as one of the four characters, Johnson. You start in the city where you can buy weapons, find out information, get implants and more... Read more for download links ...

Majesco has released a demo for Double Fine's long in development action/adventure Psychonauts. In this demo you play as the Psychonaut-in-training Raz, who is just beginning training at Whispering Rock Psychic Summer Camp. Explore the campgrounds and meet your fellow eclectic campers before you journey into Coach Oleander's mental battlefield to test your Psycho-wits and abilities (thanks GameSpot). Read more for download links ...

SEGA has released a demo for Sports Interactive's hockey management title, NHL: Eastside Hockey Manager 2005. The beta demo is a fully functional time limited version, allowing you six months worth of game-time in the NHL and UK elite leagues. Read more for download links ...

Sega has released a demo for its FPS/Horror game House of the Dead 3. This demo gives you the chance to try out a small portion of the game playable in two modes, Survival and Time-Attack (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for download links ...

Groove Games has released the first patch for Direct Action Games mmilitary shooter Combat: Task Force 121. This patch brings your retail game to v1.02, adds support for 3D & EAX sound, and optimizes the dedicated server which now also in GUI window. Read more for download links ...

JoWooD has released a new patch for their wildlife sim game, Wildlife Park. This update brings your German retail game to v1.19 and addresses various little problems, but mainly addresses an issue where Grizzlies could not procreate. Read more for a detailed fix list and download links ...

EA has released the first patch for Rugby 2005 which addresses some of the most significant issues found with the game so far, in particular the Republic of Ireland's national tri-colour flag has been replaced with a flag that represents rugby players across all of Ireland. Read more for download links ...

Baseball Mogul 2006 is version 8 of the award-winning Baseball Mogul series, in which you assume the role of General Manager for your favorite professional baseball team. Unlike action game simulation, Baseball Mogul is a game of strategy that requires sharp wits rather than an itchy trigger finger. If you like fantasy baseball, you'll love Baseball Mogul. This demo allows you to play one season. Read more for download links ...

Matrix Games released a new patch for its tactical war game, Flashpoint Germany. This update brings your retail game to v1.02 adds new AI enhancements, improved off-map counterbattery fire, expanded equipment-specific unit silhouettes, a new map rendering system and other new features.