With slightly less than a month to go until Halo 2's official release, malicious hackers have struck once again. After last year's Half-Life 2 theft, it seems a PAL/French version of Bungie's FPS has been leaked onto various ftp sites, peer-to-peer networks and Usenet newsgroups. Microsoft is currently on a press tour showing off the full game to various magazines, albeit in a closed environment. Apparently Microsoft is already aware of the leak and is said to be investigating the matter, "aggressively pursuing the source of this illegal act" (thanks VE3D).

Eidos today announces the return of the legendary Commandos in the World War II first person shooter Commandos Strike Force. Developed by Pyro Studios, Commandos Strike Force will be released worldwide in spring 2005 on PS2, Xbox and PC. Read more for details and first screens!

Electronic Arts, iTunes and A&M Records today announced a partnership that marries one of the year's biggest videogames, The Urbz: Sims in the City with one of the year's hottest bands, The Black Eyed Peas. A special edition version of the game will include exclusive, never-released tracks from The Black Eyed Peas available via an iTunes download card.

ARUSH Publishing, in conjunction with Groove Games, today announced that the highly-anticipated video-game release, "Playboy: The Mansion" has reached beta status.

Miami Vice was one of the most popular TV series of the 80's taking millions of viewers on under-cover missions through the streets of Miami with characters like the cool Sonny Crockett, his trustworthy partner Ricardo Tubbs and the demanding Lieutenant Martin Castillo. The Miami street scene, the atmosphere of the series and the thrilling adventures of the detectives give an ultimate setting for sensational gameplay.

Majesco today announced it has shipped its action-horror sequel, BloodRayne 2. Supporting the product's introduction is the BloodRayne 2/Headbangers Ball Launch Event on October 21, 2004 from the House of Blues in Los Angeles.

In order to deliver an outstanding product/game, Ubisoft, ARUSH Publishing and Groove Games have chosen to move the launch of Playboy: The Mansion to Q1 2005.

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory will offer a high adrenaline experience thanks to never seen before close range attacks, a totally open level design, a completely immersive and interactive environment, and challenging advanced AI. Check these small trailers and screen showing off some of the stun punches Fischer utilizes.

Flat-Out is an adrenaline-inducing racing game with an exciting story line, spectacular crashes and a not-too-serious attitude in the best movie-like fashion. One of the 'Flat-Out' features is the "stunt" event where you race your car, and catapult the driver at a specific moment using him as a dart, bowling ball and other projectiles.

The first 3D action-RPG based on the popular Marvel characters, the X-Men, X-Men Legends challenges players to master the attributes of their favorite X-Men by creating, customizing and controlling teams of four mutants in real time. Players lead teams of mutants as they battle the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants and other Marvel villains on a quest to stop the extinction of mankind and determine the fate of the world.

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. Ubisoft has just launched the official Prince of Persia: Warrior Within website, featuring some familiar looking screenshots, various trailers and community forum.

Developed by Ubisoft's award-winning Red Storm studio, Ghost Recon 2 launches on next-generation consoles and PC this Holiday season. The game is set in the chaotic battlefields of tomorrow, and will offer gamers an insider's view of the way large scale conflicts will be fought in the near future. Read more for a info & screens about te "Lone Wolf" mode..

Konami America today announced the complete song list for Karaoke Revolution for the Xbox. The first karaoke video game for the Xbox to include a vocal analyzer that measures the pitch and rhythm of a player's voice will include 50 karaoke favorites, including 10 classic Motown hits from the original artists' recordings that are exclusive to the Xbox version.

12 Volt is a fast-paced action-racing game designed for current console and PC platforms. The game takes place on tracks similar to real life slot car tracks, which are located in- and outside a typical american house.

Interactive entertainment developer and publisher inXile entertainment today announced that The Bard’s Tale, its eagerly anticipated action-role playing game (RPG), has received formal approval for the PlayStation2 and Xbox and will ship to retail outlets the week of October 25th.

Microsoft Game Studios today announced that Forza Motorsport will race onto store shelves exclusively for Xbox in February 2005. Forza Motorsport peels out of the Xbox garage with the ability to transform more than 200 real-life production cars from over 40 of the world's top car manufacturers into speed-drenched racing machines with aftermarket parts from more than 150 partners.

Ubisoft and Universal Studios Consumer Products Group today announced plans to release an interactive game based on Universal Pictures’ upcoming motion picture adventure, King Kong. The game will be available worldwide on all platforms at the beginning of the holiday season in conjunction with the December 14, 2005 theatrical release of the movie.

Electronic Arts today announced that TY the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue has begun to ship to retail outlets via a co-publishing partnership with KROME Studios under the EA GAMES brand.

Midway announced today that Mortal Kombat: Deception has shipped more than one million units to retail stores across North America. Slashing its way to an amazing start at retail, Mortal Kombat: Deception is the fastest selling game in the history of Midway outselling Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance.

Electronic Arts today announced that FIFA Soccer 2005 has shipped to retailers. Developed under the EA SPORTS brand, FIFA Soccer 2005 introduces First Touch Control, allowing greater freedom of movement during gameplay. Online gamers will enjoy enhanced features on the PlayStation2 and, for the first time, Xbox Live support.

It's time to go globetrotting on a sick international road trip with Tony Hawk and Bam Margera. THUG 2 delivers a hilarious story mode, an unprecedented level of customization, and more moves than the Skate Gods could dream of. Grab your board, an arsenal of spray paint and prepare to wreak havoc around the world. Also check our THUG 2 PC review.

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. Check these HOT Brooke Burke screens ...

Flat-Out is an adrenaline-inducing racing game with an exciting story line, spectacular crashes and a not-too-serious attitude in the best movie-like fashion. One of the 'Flat-Out' features is the "stunt" event where you race your car, and catapult the driver at a specific moment using him as a dart, bowling ball and other projectiles.

Microsoft Game Studios today announced that Halo 2 for Xbox has gone gold and will ship simultaneously over three days to 27 countries in eight languages on November 9th, most European countries will have to wait an extra 2-3 days.

Midway today announced Midway Arcade Treasures 2, a compilation of 20 classic Midway arcade games together on one disk, has shipped to select retailers nationwide. Midway Arcade Treasures 2 is now available for the PlayStation2, Xbox and the Nintendo GameCube with a suggested retail price of $19.99.