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 Arwin, 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, courtesy of an updated engine.

Lesta Studio offers you an exciting opportunity to work as a Volunteer QA/Game Tester on its upcoming title Pacific Storm in a closed beta test. Game testing experience preferred but not necessary. Candidate must have experience playing RTS/war-game/air simulation games.

As a sign of its zero-tolerance policy against cheating Blizzard just announced that it has just closed more than 36,000 accounts on Battle.net. More than 28,000 CD keys tied to these accounts have been disabled from Realm play on Battle.net for one month, and more than 3,000 CD keys have been permanently disabled from Realm play due to repeat offenses (thanks ve3d). Read more about it over here ...

S2 will significantly improve the game - important features have been added, dynamic camber (improved simulation of suspension and different suspension types), highly detailed tyre physics and a damage model have been introduced. The LFS team has released a small update patch for the Live for Speed S2 alpha demo offering a new multiplayer car filter system and the usual game tweaks and bug fixes.

Online retailer Lik-Sang.com was today informed that Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc commenced legal actions against Lik-Sang.com in the High Court of Hong Kong for selling PSP consoles.

Need for Speed Most Wanted delivers a unique, fast-paced and gripping ride in the racing genre as players build up their Rap Sheet and street cred to move their way up the Black List to become the most wanted racer on the streets.

Kuju Entertainment and its court-appointed interim receiver of Hip Interactive, today announce they are working together to find alternative publishing outlets for 'George A Romero Presents: City of the Dead,' which includes features such as console online game play, excellent arcade action and full Havoc based physics. "There have already been several interested parties in the game, the team and the technology and we are hopeful that some elements of the project will continue beyond the unfortunate demise of Hip Interactive Inc." said Jonathan Newth, Managing Director of Kuju Entertainment.

An unemployed husband and wife piracy and counterfeiting outfit has been imprisoned for a combined total of 27 months after being convicted for copying and selling pirated games, music and film discs whilst falsely claiming benefits.

EA has signed the UK pop sensation Natasha Bedingfield to make a cameo appearance in From Russia With Love. Bedingfield will lend her voice and likeness to the character Elizabeth Stark, daughter of England's Prime Minister. In the game Miss Stark is kidnapped and must be rescued by James Bond.

According to TotalVideoGames, a Walmart employee leaked what is believed to be the official price for Microsoft's next gen console. The Xbox 360 will be sold for $299 and will be available in North America starting November 4th, the UK will see it on shelves later in the month. Games will carry an average pricetag of $59.99, the first few titles will include Perfect Dark Zero and Project Gotham Racing 3.

In SpellForce 2: Shadow Wars the player takes over the role of the avatar, solving quests and overcoming obstacles as in classical RPGs, but also experiences strategic challenges while leading armies as in an RTS - therefore offering a complete synthesis of both genres in a perfect blend.

Universal Combat: A World Apart gives hardcore fans an enhanced Battlecruiser experience, keeping the flavour of combat, but utilizing newer technologies. Universal Combat: A World Apart, the second title in the Universal Combat series is now on sale worldwide via various online e-commerce companies and broadband delivery sites for $29.99 across all mediums.

The latest update to NCsoft's action-packed heroic MMO will introduce new powers including archery and sonic powers for blasters, controllers and defenders, new zone (Croatoa), new villains etc.. Read more for additional details and screens ...

The Forgotten World, under development at Exozet Entertainment and Provox Multimedia, is a mix of RPG and RTS, much in the same vain as Spellforce. Situated in the Arcanamoon world, the game uses various camera angels, from typical isometric, 3rd person, to first person view.

Tribal Trouble is a fast paced realtime strategy game where you will find yourself pitted against your computer or online players. Your job is to lead your somewhat clueless kinsmen (be it vikings or natives) to new discoveries and victories as the tribal clashes rage across a group of tropical islands. Oddlabs announced that Tribal Trouble is finished and is now available for online purchase.

Israeli developer Majorem has once again resumed development on its oft cancelled and un-cancelled RTS MMO Ballerium. Only last month did it was halted after Interplay failed to honor its obligations, and now Majorem is getting ready for the next round of betatesting (thanks Blues). Ballerium uses OPIUM technology to create a fully persistent world that is able to handle an infinite number of players. Ballerium looks to be an innovative new entry to the massively multiplayer gaming market, providing players with never before experienced levels of persistence and control.

Sign up to Xbox Live on or before 31st August 2005 and you will get one of three games absolutely free! Choose from Forza Motorsport, Conker: Live and Reloaded or Dead or Alive Ultimate. If you're quick about it and are one of the first 200 to sign up you'll get all three games for free!

Claire Forlani is joining the cast of "Dungeon Siege," director Uwe Boll's adaptation of the video game of the same name currently shooting in Vancouver. Forlani will play Solana, wife of the film's hero, Farmer, played by Jason Statham. Forlani has appeared in such films as "Mystery Men" and "Meet Joe Black."

NovaLogic is giving gamers the chance to step inside the combat boots of America's elite warriors. Its tactical shooter Delta Force: Black Hawk Down is now available at retail stores nationwide with a portion of all game sales going to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

2K Sports and PowerBar today announced they have entered into a marketing relationship to mutually promote the new PowerBar Triple Threat energy bar line and the Fall 2005 release of NBA 2K6 and College Hoops 2K6 basketball video game titles from 2K Sports.

Dance Dance Revolution Extreme has been nominated for an award in the "Best Video Game Soundtrack" category for the MTV Video Music Awards (occurring on August 28th). It is exciting to see this category be a part of a world-renowned entertainment awards show like the MTV VMAs and Konami is honored to receive this nomination alongside other top video games. Head on over to the MTV.com website to see the full details on the "Best Video Game Soundtrack" award and nominees.

Electronic Arts announced today that model and actress Josie Maran will star in Need for Speed Most Wanted, which is launching in November 2005. In Need for Speed Most Wanted, Maran takes on the role of a local street racer named Mia.

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. Read more for some new screens ...

EA has joined forces with Gibson Guitar and Hard Rock International to launch a European-wide music competition for a place on a videogame soundtrack. Dubbed the Burnout Bandslam!, unsigned acts from across Europe can enjoy a summer of hot competition in Hard Rock Cafes in four countries across Europe, for a chance to be featured in a future Burnout game.

The Gamestar September issue has a 6 page preview article on Battle for Middle Earth 2. In contrary to the first BFME title, the sequel will take 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 Arwin, and become more powerful as you progress in the game. One of the main changes is that you will no longer be restricted in where you place your buildings, you will have total control over where you want to construct your base. While BFME was all land based, the sequel will also take the action on the sea, naval battles included, courtesy of an updated engine. In short, BFME 2 will have 15 missions per side, new units, new heroes, new races, new multiplayer mode, is currently about 50% complete and is scheduled for Q1 2006.