Vivendi announced today that Predator: Concrete Jungle, developed by Eurocom for the PS2 and Xbox, has shipped to stores and is now available nationwide. The new 3rd person action/adventure game weaves the past with the future, as gamers become the terrifying Predator, hunting the Earth for criminals using superhuman powers, fantastic vision modes and an impressive array of alien weaponry.

SNK USA announced today that they will unleash four new games for the Xbox in 2005 that will have full Xbox Live support including rematch, head-to-head fighting and Tournament Modes. The King of Fighters Neowave, Samurai Showdown 5, The King of Fighters '94 Re-Bout, and KOF: Maximum Impact - Maniax which will all ship during 2005 for the system. Later this Summer SNK will also release Metal Slug 4/5 combo pack for the system that will offer Xbox Live Leaderboard options and King of Fighers 02/03 that will offer online head-to-head fighting.

Konami America today shipped Rengoku: The Tower of Purgatory for the PSP. The second original PSP game by Konami, Rengoku features an imaginative science-fiction setting with breathtaking graphics and dark, gritty foreboding art created by famed Japanese illustrator Jun Suemi.

Vivendi has released the first update patch for MadDoc's just released RTS Empire Earth II. This update brings your retail game to v1.05 and resolves a GameSpy lobby issues and adds autopatch functionality. Read more for download links ...

Got Game Entertainment and co-publisher Merscom today announced that Laser Squad Nemesis for North American release has begun shipping to retail stores across North America. Developed by Nick and Julian Gollop, the team behind the "X-Com" games, Laser Squad Nemesis is a tactical warfare game which combines a unique and innovative turn-based combat system with the action of real-time strategy games.

Gamers now have one million more reasons to anticipate the May 31 launch of Advent Rising, as Majesco today revealed the details of its Xbox Live exclusive “Race to Save Humanity” million dollar play and win contest for its highly anticipated sci-fi action video game. The contest kicks off on June 9 and offers eligible consumers who find hidden ‘A’ icons within the game a chance to win hundreds of weekly prizes and one grand prize of $1,000,000.

Last week 2K Games officially announced Serious Sam II, the much-anticipated return of Sam "Serious" Stone to PC and the Xbox. Still not many details are available at this point, but another two screens trickled through. Read more to check them out.

Atlus announced today that Stella Deus: The Gate of Eternity, a strategy / RPG for the PlayStation 2, has shipped to retailers nationwide. Stella Deus will also be the first Atlus game that will feature a dual-sided coversheet, the designs of which were chosen by users on Atlus' official message board.

CDV announced today that its RTS sequel Blitzkrieg II is in development and is set to ship in autumn 2005. Blitzkrieg II, which will be on display at E3 2005, expands upon the original by offering amazing new additions and enhancements. Controllable naval units, more powerful air forces and real WWII commanders are just a few of the many updates that will be included in the game's exciting new arsenal of features.

Ubisoft has released a demo for Gearbox's WW2 tactical FPS, allowing you to try out a tutorial mission, a cinematic intro and two chapters from the full game (Rendezvous with Destiny, and Action at Vierville). Read more for download links...

Strategy First and BattleGoat today announced that Supreme Ruler 2010, the upcoming economic, political and military strategy game, is available for pre-order online. Fans who pre-order Supreme Ruler 2010 will receive additional game content including exclusive bonus scenarios and missions.

NEC Electronics has won a contract from Microsoft to produce one of the chips that will go into the graphics system of the next generation Xbox games console.

Namco announced today that Pac-Pix has shipped to retail outlets throughout North America for the Nintendo DS. Combining classic Pac-Man gameplay and the unique technology of the DS system, Pac-Pix lets players draw and control their very own Pac-Man as he chases down Ghosts in this innovative adventure.

Shortly after we revealed it last night, Disney Online officially announces that it is developing a new massively multiplayer online role-playing game based on the popular theme park attraction and franchise Pirates of the Caribbean. The game is slated to debut in summer 2006, coinciding with the theatrical premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.

Valve has released a new trailer for its upcoming free Half-Life 2 addon, Half-Life 2: Lost Coast. This movie features a minute of high-res in-engine footage to show the High-Dynamic Range rendering that is included in the FPS add-on. Read more for download links ...

2K Games and 3D Realms today announced Prey, a revolutionary first person shooter for PC and a next-generation console system in development at Human Head Studios, under the direct supervision of 3D Realms. Prey will be on display at ATi's booth...

Vivendi Universal Games announced today that the real-time strategy game Empire Earth II has shipped to retail stores in the US and will be available for purchase by Thursday, April 28th. The game carries a suggested retail price of $49.99 for the PC and has been rated "T" for Teen audiences by the ESRB.

Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves will entice a broad range of players with multiple tiers of gameplay to reach both the hard core and gaming novice. Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves will draw players immediately into the devious adventures of Sly and his crew by offering a unique cast of playable characters, a challenging dual analog stick multiplayer mode, new vehicles, mini-games, disguises, enhanced combat move sets and much more.

Techland's Island of Living Dead is a survival horror FPP shooter where action is situated in the near future, when all of today's threats and fears become reality. Global pestilences, mutating viruses and products of illegal genetic engineering begin to devastate mankind. The player, surrounded by mutants and half-dead enemies, will struggle for his life. "Island of Living Death" uses the Chrome Engine, among other simulation of environment devices, and all top notch vertex- and pixel-shader-based visual effects to provide an unforgettable experience of playing your own life in the amazing world of the near future.

Topware Interactive Inc. has officially entered the North American market as both a publisher and distributor of PC and console software. All three principals of Topware Interactive Inc.: Alexandra Constandache (owner), Dirk Hassinger (CEO), and James Seaman (Managing Director), are part of the prominent European game producers, Zuxxez AG of Germany.

Deep Silver will be joining the industry caravan to Los Angeles, presenting their 2005 and 2006 titles to the worldwide media. With many announcements to be made during the show, Deep Silver can confirm that the following titles will be on show at their stand in the South Hall (724) : D1rt, X3: Reunion, Singles 2, Earth 2160, Rush for Berlin and Hearth of Empire: Rome. Read more for details ...

Maxis-EA is redefining the Sims 2 franchise and will deliver classic open-ended gameplay along with exclusive new features. Aspirational gameplay and fully customizable content will give players the most authentic Sims experience to date on console.

Vivisector: Beast Inside developed by Action Forms (creators of Chasm and Carnivores series) is a unique mixture of 3D Action/Horror. The game blends a thrilling interactive story with intense, high-adrenaline action and immerses players in a rich and fascinating storyline.

Seems like Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest is not the only movie tie-in title under development, as Walt Disney Internet Group revealed today that it is working on a Pirates of the Caribbean MMO scheduled for release next summer in conjunction with the second PoTC movie. Disney's Buena Vista Games recently acquired Avalanche Software and founded its own production studio in Vancouver. Whether either one will actually partake in the development is not clear at this point. Read the full article over at Variety...

Curse of Darkness introduces players to an entirely new storyline and main character – Hector, one of two Devil Forgemasters, who had once refined his skills under Dracula. Told in true Castlevania style, this action-packed tale of betrayal and revenge takes players on a journey through an expansive world filled with formidable foes and beautifully rendered environments to the ruins of Dracula’s castle.