Combining the thrill of illicit street racing and tuner customization with the intensity of strategic police pursuits that rivals any Hollywood-style chase scene, Need for Speed Most Wanted challenges players to become the most notorious and elusive street racer.

EA today announced that Need for Speed Underground 2 for the Nintendo DS has shipped to retail stores nationwide. Need for Speed Underground 2 gives gamers a new way to take on the underground tuner racing scene with exclusive features and gameplay only available on the Nintendo DS.

According to a Japanese newspaper, Sony and Toshiba are close to finalizing a plan to develop a common standard for next-generation DVDs to resolve a three-year-long battle over formats that threatened the industry's growth. Formal announcement and details are due next week, May 16.

SEGA of America today announced Shining Force Neo, the next chapter in the popular Shining Force series, developed exclusively for the PS2. Shining Force Neo is a fast-paced action-adventure featuring a dramatic, character-driven story and a high-gloss anime aesthetic.

Software developers have figured out how to extract files from the Universal Media Discs used in Sony's new PlayStation Portable, though there is no way to play the games extracted from those discs.

Rising Kingdoms is an RTS set in a fantasy world, which focuses on empire development and dynamic tactical battles. This impressive title stays true to Haemimont's long tradition of RTS and RPG type games that started with Tzar: the Burden of the Crown and Celtic Kings series – Celtic Kings: Rage of War and Nemesis of the Roman Empire a.k.a.Imperivm II.

LucasArts announced today that its 3rd person action game Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is now available in retail stores across North America for PS2 and Xbox. Deliver the ultimate Jedi action experience as Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi join forces in fierce battles and heroic lightsaber duels until one's lust for power and the other's devotion to duty leads to a final confrontation between good and evil.

Codemasters has expanded its management team with the appointment of two world class executives to lead the company's growth strategy. Following the acquisition of 40% by Benchmark Capital Europe, the top tier venture capital firm, Codemasters has secured Rod Cousens as Chief Executive Officer and Tony Williams as Chief Operating Officer.

Matrix Games announced today that the re-release of the SSG classic Reach for the Stars has gone gold and is expected to be available for sale this week. The updated version of Reach for the Stars, which is based on the 2000 release, contains bug fixes and enhancements that were never released to the public.

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. The act symbolizes the total defeat of the Third Reich and means the end of the war on the European continent. Players face more and more challenges, as they get closer to the capital. The game is based on historical facts and gives wide possibilities for changing history and playing an alternative reality.

Microsoft Game Studios today announced that its critically-acclaimed Xbox driving simulator, Forza Motorsport, has shipped to retail stores and is now available wherever video games are sold for a suggested retail price of $49.99 (U.S.). One of the most highly anticipated game titles of 2005, Forza Motorsport offers gamers and car enthusiasts the ability to completely transform an ordinary factory car into a speed-drenched racing machine.

Activision today announced that it has acquired game developer Toys For Bob. Most recently the companies have worked together on the upcoming children's game Madagascar, based on DreamWorks animated feature film. The game is slated to ship this month timed to the movie's release.

Limelight Networks today announced it has been selected by Microsoft as the Content Delivery Network for Microsoft's Xbox Live, the online gaming service for the Xbox. With full implementation of Xbox Live on Limelight Networks' powerful delivery network, the synergy of Xbox Live and the Limelight Networks platform will provide millions of gamers unprecedented online access to games, content and downloads from Microsoft and leading game developers directly via Xbox Live.

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 an updated alpha demo for Live for Speed S2 offering you a training area, and the Blackwood track, driveable in 3 cars. This update adds various fixes and improvements including a new kind of differential which helps you to get the power down to the ground more effectively. Read more for download links ...

SpecForce is Techland's latest futuristic tactical shooter with a plot connected to already known Chrome. Using an optimized Chrome Engine, the gamer acts as an operative of future's special forces unit - SpecForce. Established to fight crisis situations that threaten the Federation's peace, equipped with the latest combat gear, the unit is the Federation's elite rapid reaction force.

A new development studio has been launched - fronted by ex-Team 17, Ocean and Infogrames veteran, Jon Oldham, and fifteen members of Acclaim's Manchester studio, who were working on Interview With a Made Man. Fund4Games has secured the rights & assets to the title, and SilverBack Studios have reprised development for current and next-gen consoles, and it is now scheduled for 2006. Read more for details ...

Square Enix today revealed the appearance of the top Japanese vocalists Emiko Shiratori and RIKKI and the return of MC James Arnold Taylor at the highly anticipated concert, "More Friends -- Music From FINAL FANTASY®." The concert starts at 8PM on Monday, May 16th at Gibson Amphitheater.

Infinium Labs today announced an agreement with OpSource, an enabler of Software as a Service (SaaS) applications. The agreement enrolls Infinium Labs in a 90-day SaaS Enablement Program to utilize OpSource's suite of tools and services to analyze and fine-tune the Company's business model, operational plan and service delivery.

IDV, Inc. announced today that it has added yet another 7 developers to its growing list of SpeedTree customers. Korean developers Gravity and Webzen, Mythic Entertainment, Cyanide, as well as Spellforce 2 developer Phenomic and several others have gone on record as users of SpeedTree for its wind effects, foliage editor, dynamic LODs, and an aesthetic prowess that runs circles around anything else out there. Read more for details ...

SCEE today announced that its PSP will be launched in Europe on 1st September 2005, available in a single version Value Pack, priced at €249 (£179). The PSP Value Pack contains the PSP with a pouch, 32MB Memory Stick Duo, Battery Pack, Headphones with Remote Control, AC Adaptor, Wrist Strap, cloth and a video/music/game sampler Universal Media Disc including several non-interactive game demos.

SpecForce is Techland's latest futuristic tactical shooter with a plot connected to already known Chrome. Game development has been underway for some time now, and will use an optimized Chrome Engine. Techland today revealed first details of the game's multiplayer mode, along with fresh game play footage.

Offering sensational value for the dollar, Majesco Entertainment Company, an innovative provider of digital entertainment content and products, today introduced its new GBA Double Game packs, a new lineup of products featuring two exciting GBA video games on a single cartridge for just $19.99. The three new Double Game packs are now available in stores.

Compete and earn respect in Need for Speed Underground Rivals , customize and take on the pinnacle Japanese & American tuner cars in a pursuit of total ownership of the street racing scene. A uniquely designed racing game based on the legacy of the hugely successful Underground series.

Having just released Pirates of the Caribbean and Kill Bill Vol. 1, Disney revealed it plans to release an additional 10 movies over the next 3 months. First up are National Treasure, Reign Of Fire and Hero, followed by titles such as Tron, King Arthur, Hostage and Cursed. end of the summer you can expect Kill Bill Vol. 2, Gone in 60 Seconds: The Director's Cut, From Dusk Till Dawn and Armageddon. Disney is currently the only other company besdies Sony to release movies on UMD, but talks with Fox and Lions Gate are underway. Read more details over at Variety.

Delta Force: Xtreme brings the classic Delta Force game back to life to face the enemy once more in over 60 levels of frantic single and multiplayer FPS action, including graphically enhanced missions from the original game, new maps, improved game features, STATS and much more. Novalogic has released the first patch bringing your retail game to v1.6.5.0 and adds NovaWorld menus, addresses stability issues and other fixes (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for details and download links ...