Simutronics announced today its first licensee for its new HeroEngine, a complete integrated platform for development of MMORPGs. Bioware Austin will be using the development suite for its upcoming MMO project.

Nintendo is expanding its service offering to include an internet browser from Opera Software, optimised to run on the Nintendo DS. The Nintendo DS Browser launches across Europe on 6th October 2006.

The Rebels have just destroyed the Death Star, and the galaxy is in turmoil. As an aspiring Underworld figure named Tyber Zann, spread corruption throughout the galaxy using new strategic gameplay elements to influence other factions, steal their funds, slow their production, spy on them and more, all en route to becoming the most notorious criminal leader since Jabba the Hutt.

Valve has announced that they are working around the clock to get all of the pieces of Episode Two ready to show at the Leipzig Games Convention. Valve will be not only be showing off Episode Two, but also Team Fortress 2, and Portal. If you're planning on being near Leipzig, Germany in late August, you are invited to drop by their area and take a look.

For Liberty! is a turn based computer strategy game for the PC, covering two wars of independence - the American Revolution (1775-1783) and the Rakoczi War of Independence in Europe 1703-1711. This v1.51 patch fixes a few bunch, and makes some enhancements.

EA today announced that fashion street wear brand 55DSL will be coming to Need for Speed Carbon. Exclusively designed items from 55DSL, plus a selection of garments from their ‘Zurka and the 55 Vagabonds’ winter collection, will feature prominently on key in-game characters in the game.

In Ace Attorney Justice for All you resume the role of Phoenix Wright, a defence attorney who must prove his client’s innocence against the toughest of odds and most ruthless of adversaries.

EA announced today that it has released three new maps (Weathertop, Argonath, and Umbar) for its recently released RTS Battle For Middle-Earth 2, available on Xbox Live Marketplace. Play as any of the six factions in single-player skirmish and any of the five multiplayer modes.

Microsoft Game Studios today announced that Zoo Tycoon 2: Dino Danger Pack is now available online for only $4.99. Dino Danger Pack offers four new ferocious dinosaurs: Carnotaurus, Styracosaurus, Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Aspyr Media announced today that it will publish SpellForce 2: Dragon Storm in North America, offering more of the original’s entertaining and seamless blend of RTS and RPG gameplay, scheduled for release in Winter 2006.

EA officially announced The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king, enhancing every existing feature and offering players the chance to command the rise of evil in Middle-earth while experiencing the epic battles that took place before those depicted in the films.

Left Behind Games is integrating links to the iTunes Music Store into the upcoming title, Left Behind: Eternal Forces, allowing gamers to easily navigate to the store and purchase music they hear during gameplay.

Fasten your seatbelt and be prepared for the race of your life as Formula One 06 brings players a brand new gaming experience, allowing you to get closer to the sport than ever before, and take part in the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship and truly interact with the sport.

At Comic-con an EA representative revealed that, not surprisingly, an add-on for the PC edition of Battle for Middle-earth 2 is in the works. The Rise of the Witch-king is set prior to the War of the Ring, and will feature new armor, buildings, and of course units. While it seems that not too many graphical changes have been made, new powers showed off summoning an ice wolf walking on two legs. More details should follow later this week...

BFME 2 takes part in the North where a battle is raging between Sauron's forces vs. elves and dwarves. It will be possible to create/customize your own hero, apart from known figures such as Arwen, and become more powerful as you progress in the game. While BFME was all land-based, the sequel will also take the action on the sea, naval battles included.

Matrix Games and Western Civilization Software announce Forge of Freedom, a new American Civil War strategy game. More than seven-score years have passed since the start of this conflict that pitted state against state, brother against brother and broke the chains of slavery.

Pompolic: Call for Heroes, developed by Quotix Software, is a third-person action game with RPG elements placed in a fantasy world.

THQ and JAKKS are working on WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007 enabling players to experience the intensity of being a WWE Superstar like never before with key updates and new game play features. While originally the 2007 version was scheduled for PS3, THQ Germany's site admin Max Steller revealed that this year's edition will most likely not make it to Sony's next gen console and that the development team would rather concentrate their resources on the three other platforms.

Spider-Man: Battle for New York allows gamers to take on the role of their favorite Super Hero, Spider-Man, and one of his famed nemeses, Green Goblin, in an original storyline which builds upon their legendary comic book rivalry.

Rush for Berlin is a tactical real time strategy game, set on the European battlefields of World War II, during 1944-45. The player's goal; to capture the German capital, as either the British/US/French alliance or the Red army of the Soviet Union.

Atari announced today that the Xbox 360 edition of its upcoming next-generation racing game Test Drive Unlimited will retail for US$39.95, and it plans to release monthly car packs featuring six or more cars, complete with genre-specific radio stations, beginning six weeks after launch on Xbox Live Marketplace.

Need for Speed Carbon delivers the next generation of adrenaline-filled street racing and will challenge players to face the ultimate test of driving skill on treacherous canyon roads.

JoWooD today announced the first expansion for its action/rpg sequel, SpellForce 2: Dragon Storm, offering more of the original’s entertaining and seamless blend of RTS and RPG gameplay. The expansion pack will be released in Winter 2006.

THQ today announced the formation of its new California based development team, Incinerator Games, comprised of veterans of the Twisted Metal, NFL GameDay and MLB 2006: The Show projects from Sony's 989 studios, as well as the Midnight Club franchise from Rockstar.

Avistar Communications today announced that it has entered into an agreement to license CPI's patent portfolio to Sony. Under the license agreement, CPI granted Sony a license for the field of video-conferencing, covering Sony's video conference apparatus as well as other products including video-enabled PC and PlayStation products.