Ridge Racer features an all-new nitrous boosting system that allows players to race faster than ever and smoke their competition. Through new modes such as Wireless Battle, players can battle it out head-to-head in eight-player races. Ridge Racer also delivers advanced 3D graphics, smooth analog steering and robust vehicle and course selections – comprised of classic courses from previous Ridge Racer titles.

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory tells the conspiracy-ridden story of black ops agent Sam Fisher as he explores the world of international espionage. The game 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. In addition, it will offer the best graphics in this generation of games and a unique, coop multiplayer mode.

As a follow-up to our SAG vs. publishers article from earlier this week, representatives of the Screen Actors Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and a group of video game publishers have agreed to extend the current interactive agreements to May 13, 2005. Discussions on successor interactive agreements are continuing. A press blackout remains in effect (thanks Blues). By extending the previous agreement, which expired last Friday, an immediate strike was avoided.

3000AD front man Derek Smart announced that the UCAWA has gone gold and will be available in two versions, retail and downloadable. 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 will be published by Dreamcatcher and released globally for PC in May 2005.

It seems rumors from earlier this month about a possible resurrection of Prey are becoming more and more legit. Shacknews uncovered that 2KGames has re-launched the official Prey website, with a hidden message in the web code pointing to a worldwide unveiling in next month's PC Gamer issue. 3DRealms' George Broussard further confirms all of this by opening the Prey forums on the company's website, which also reveals that the game is being developed by Human Head Studios, previously known for Blair Witch 3, Rune, Dead Man's Hand. Prey, using the Doom 3 engine, will be on display at E3, but at the ATi booth instead of the 2KGames stand.

Crave Entertainment announced today the release the first handheld version of the Tokyo Xtreme Racer series with Tokyo Xtreme Racer Advance for GBA. For fans of Tokyo Xtreme Racer Zero and Tokyo Xtreme Racer 3, Tokyo Xtreme Racer Advance will take players beyond the open roads of Tokyo and onto the motorways of London and the freeways of Los Angeles.

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!

The Kessen series melded two elements, ‘game’ and ‘drama’ together into grand epics that have won the acclaim of critics and consumers worldwide. The appeal of commanding one side of an epic clash between two great armies and the awe of watching dramatic events unfold across spectacular vistas are what the Kessen series is all about. Kessen III will be considered the game that redefined the Kessen series.

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.

Activision has sent us a pleasant surprise tonight, just for your weekend enjoyment, the first Quake IV screen in quite a while. We also have some updated info on the backstory of the game. Read more and check out the goods ...

Another day, another batch of game trailers were released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for :

• Trackmania Sunrise - Trailer #5
• Fantastic Four - Trailer
• Empire Earth 2 - Trailer

Bungie's Frank O'Connor has put up his weekly "What's Update" in which he reveals that Halo 2 player will be getting an Xbox Live Auto Update on Monday, addressing various cheats, bugs, glitches and implement some important weapon balance issues in order to smooth out the Xbox Live and System Link experience. The fuse on grenades has been shortened, and they are now also more powerful, melee attacks will do more damage, and various cheats like the standby cheat, flag bouncing, the ability to grab a flag through walls and sword flying have all been eliminated. People who are not on Xbox Live will still be able to get this auto update when they purchase the multiplayer maps retail version, scheduled for June 28.

WBIE & Monolith have announced that they will be releasing new content every month, starting next week, for their virtual, persistent The Matrix Online universe. Regularly scheduled live events, expanded gameplay, new missions and the constant presence of the MxO Live Events Team will bring the compelling, continuing story of The Matrix Online to life. Matrix Online picks up where The Matrix Revolutions, the third chapter in The Matrix film trilogy, leaves off.

In Battlefield 2, players will choose to fight for one of three military superpowers: the United States, China, or the newly formed Middle East Coalition. Armed with the latest modern weaponry, players can take control of any of the game's 30+ vehicles to engage in major conflicts with over 100 players in some of the largest online battles on the PC.

In development for several years, Tales of Legendia will offer fantastic 3D graphics, dynamic battle scenes and an emotionally-charged storyline. Additionally, Tales of Legendia features a unique cast of characters designed by Kazuto Nakazawa, the internationally renowned Japanese artist acclaimed for his amazing animation sequences in Kill Bill: Vol. 1.

The Fall: Last Days of Gaia is a 3D role-playing game set in a postmodern scenario that takes you to the year 2083. A global catastrophe almost wipes mankind from the face of the earth and you must survive in an inhospitable world. Already available in Germany for a while, Silver Style's Carsten Strehse announced that the English version has gone gold and will be available in the UK end of April, Russia somewhere in May, and although he indicates a North American publisher has been secured, the name and release date are not yet confirmed.

Based on briefings and scenarios supplied by S.A.S. veterans, The Regiment is a tense, accurate simulation of close quarters combat. Lead four-man teams in assaults on terrorist strongholds. Rescue hostages held at gunpoint. Recreate the deadly climax to the Iranian Embassy Siege of 1980. Fight battles in Britain's corridors of power in a daring rescue at the Houses of Parliament or tackle the nightmare scenario of a terrorist takeover of a subway system.

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 ...

Ubisoft announced that it has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Beijing Pegasus Infinite Digital Culture & Media Co. Ltd. to develop Massively Multiplayer Online video games based on the upcoming Chinese fantasy movie The Promise (Wu Ji), although only scheduled for release in Asia.

The Adventure Company today announced Still Life has shipped to retailers across North America. Developed by awarding-winning adventure game creators, Microids, this investigative thriller is available for PC.

Buka Entertainment today announced its lineup of titles that will be on display at the upcoming E3 conference in LA. On display will be Hellforces, Pathologic, Pacific Storm, The Stalin subway, Operation Matriarchy, Moscow Rush and Battle Mages: Sign Of Darkness. Buka is pleased to invite partners, media and customers to its booth at the E3 2005 game show (booth # 6137, Kentia Hall).

Digital Jesters is set to further expand its portfolio of titles for 2005 as the firm announces a fresh partnership with French publisher Nobilis. The deal provides Digital Jesters with exclusive UK distribution rights for a range of new titles, with eight confirmed releases both on PC and PS2 over the coming year.

Picking up immediately where the original Myst ended, players are presented the privilege, challenge and responsibility of restoring the lost empire of the D'ni - an ancient civilization of people who thrived for thousands of years but later met with a great catastrophe. Like each previous Myst title, Myst V: End of Ages advances the graphical beauty and detail of its worlds with a fully immersive 3D environment.

Project management and funding specialists Fund4Games has acquired the assets of videogames publisher Acclaim Europe, which went into administration in 2004. Two titles which were in production at Acclaim's Manchester Studio are now being completed and Fund4Games is actively seeking publishing partners for Interview With A Made Man and ATV3.