Korea-based online games company Webzen announced today it is entering the U.S. online games market and is immediately opening a U.S. operation in Los Angeles. Webzen will be a full-scale game developer, publisher and distributor. Its first title, SUN, specifically designed for North America will be unveiled in the next few weeks...

Jowood has released an updated v1.52 landscape editor for its RTS/RPG game SpellForce, intended for SpellForce users to create additional deathmatch (PvP) and free game (cooperative) maps. You can not load or modify existing Single Player Campaign maps, or create a new Single Player Campaign. Breath of Winter expansion pack is required. Read more for download links ...

Boiling Point: Road to Hell, previously known as Xenus, will combine intense armed combat with exploration and interaction with a vast and seamless open-ended gaming world. Boiling Point: Road to Hell is in development by Ukrainian developer Deep Shadows and is scheduled for release in Spring 2005.

Sony Online Entertainment today announced that Champions: Return to Arms, the sequel to the critically acclaimed Action/RPG, Champions of Norrath, has gone gold. Champions: Return to Arms, available exclusively on the PlayStation2, will ship to U.S. and Canadian retail stores on February 7, 2005.

Far Cry Instincts will introduce wide open environments and unique, immersive gameplay elements that are destined to become the definition of survival action. In addition to the PC version's signature locations, non-scripted A.I., and unprecedented view-distance, Far Cry Instincts will feature brand new gameplay scenarios that will challenge players to use an even broader range of strategies and survival tactics in order to uncover the many secrets within the beautiful-but-deadly islands. Ubisoft has pushed back the Far Cry Instincts release date from Q1 to Q2 2005.

Choose your team, choose your court, choose your bikini and then serve up the attitude. Scantily-clad babes and seriously twisted dudes bring their famous "Outlaw" vibe onto the court as they bump, set, spike, AND throw punches on their way to total victory. Outlaw Volleyball provides fast, furious, and uncouth action via PS2's network adapter and everyone can experience the outrageous humor and fantastic gameplay that the "Outlaw" gang is known for.

Galactic Civilizations II: Dreadlords isn't just some v2.0 of the same game, it's a significant departure in terms of gameplay. You can pre-order Galactic Civilizations II now by clicking on the purchase link on the left. You get a discount on the price (the final SRP is expected to be $49.95) and you'll be able to get the March beta of the game (thanks Blues). Head on over to the official GalCiv2 website for news, info, screens and dev journals.

Based on the DC Comics/Vertigo Hellblazer graphic novels, the supernatural thriller Constantine tells the story of John Constantine, a man who has literally been to hell and back. Constantine is being developed by Bits Studios and is based on the upcoming Warner Bros. Pictures film starring Keanu Reeves, due in February 2005.

According to various online sources the big announcement Konami is planning on January 27th (the same day Konami is having its Gamers Day press event) could be the unveiling of a new Calstlevania title for the PS2. According to rumors the February issue of Play Magazine will have world exclusive coverage on Castlevania: Curse of Darkness, which seems to be given extra credibility by speculations on the IGN forums (tthanks Demonews). We will know more in a few days time when we come back from Konami's press event. UPDATE : The first screens from the Play preview have been brought online.

In Advent Rising, a common legend pervades the galaxy - that of a powerful, ancient race that will one day unite the universe. Millions of cultures from vastly distant worlds revere and hallow these mythological beings known as humans. One race, the Seekers, know humans actually exist and are threatened by their potential power. Under the guise of benevolent explorers, the Seekers travel throughout the galaxy in a desperate attempt to eradicate any human society they unearth. Check these 60+ new screens...

The first-ever Battlefield console installment will drop players into the heat of battle on the high tech frontlines, entering a new modern era of combat with more firepower and new expansive environments. Armed with the latest modern weaponry, players can take control of over 30 vehicles, including tanks, helicopters and fast attack vehicles, to engage in major conflicts in some of the largest online battles.

Control the fate of the galaxy in LucasArts' all new RTS game Star Wars: Empire at War. Set a few years before the events of Episode IV A New Hope, the game will let players rewrite history as well as experience the aftermath of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, the creation of the Rebel Alliance, and Darth Vader's rise to power. Read more for details and screens ...

Kaijudo Showdown offers a story-driven experience in which the lead character must solve a sinister mystery to prevent the world from falling into chaos. Featuring interaction with characters from the TV show, the ability to build and fine-tune decks using 300 cards and the chance to enter Shop Tournaments and win special booster packs.

Blizzard President Mike Morhaime has addressed the WoW community to shed some light on the recent downtime and apologies for the problems some of the players may have been experiencing on the servers. "I am sure that many of you are wondering what has been going on with the World of Warcraft servers, as there was another period of extended downtime during peak hours last night.... Last night, we took down 20 realms for emergency maintenance.... Players on these same 20 realms also experienced service interruptions earlier in the week... Therefore, in addition to the three days already credited to these players as a result of the server issues earlier in the week, players on these realms will be receiving an additional four-day credit to their accounts." Read the full statement on the official WoW forums...

In this new episode, you lead Team Rainbow, the world's most elite counter-terrorist unit, as they are called into action and unfamiliar territory to battle a bioterrorist threat. Stakes escalate as they are personally targeted by an evil terrorist organization. Used to protecting the lives of others, Team Rainbow must now embark on a mission to fight and save some of their own. Uisoft sends along a pre-canned Q&A with lead designer John Slaydon, talking about the weapons in Rainbow Six Lockdown.

Seven years after the end of the devastating One Year War.... The victorious Earth Federation has become corrupt and oppressive, and the elite Titans police force has taken on dictatorial powers. As the A.E.U.G. rebel group struggles to defeat the Titans, the heroes and villains of the original Mobile Suit Gundam series find themselves on the same side of this new conflict. The focus, however, is on a new hero named Kamille Bidan, the pilot of the transforming Zeta Gundam.

Rise of the Kasai, the sequel to The Mark of Kri, builds upon the original with new storylines, characters, weapons, and cooperative online gameplay - offering a game three-times larger than the original. Readm ore for screens and trailer ...

In Soldner: Marine Corps, you become part of a special operations squad or could even command the team. Equipped with the best weapons in modern warfare the player joins one of two teams who combat each other in an action driven tactical war. With ground, airborne and water vehicles available, it’s the players choice how to support the team and how to achieve victory.

Bethesda Softworks today announced that The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is currently in development for PC and future generation consoles (PS3 & Xbox 2). In development since 2002, Oblivion is another leap forward in role-playing with its combination of freeform gameplay and cutting-edge graphics.

NASCAR SimRacing is the perfect combination of realism, true racing ‘feel’, depth, and advanced EA SPORTS presentation. Thunder down the straightaway at Daytona International Speedway alongside 42 other live drivers online as Voice Over IP smack talk mixes with the roar of V8 engines in glorious surround sound. This demo features the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Kansas Speedway tracks, with 10 different drivers and car colors to choose from. Read more for download links ...

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 :

• Nibiru: Messenger of the Gods - Trailer #1

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, DC Comics and Electronic Arts are bringing Batman Begins to multiple videogame platforms in 2005. In this exclusive co-publishing agreement, a game based on the upcoming Warner Bros. Pictures' film starring Christian Bale will be released day and date with the film on the PlayStation 2, the PSP, Xbox, GameCube and GBA. Read more for the first few screens...

SimBin Development Team is nearing completion of the first ever official racing game based on the FIA GT racing series. GTR – The Ultimate Racing Game represents the most intense and immersive racing experience ever to grace a PC or games console. GTR is scheduled to ship in North America in late Q1, 2005 for the PC. Read more for 20 new screens ...

Xbox today announced European release dates for two Xbox exclusive titles from Tecmo. The first to hit European shelves is Project Zero 2, available from 4th February. The second title is the latest offering from Team Ninja's popular Japanese fighting series, Dead or Alive Ultimate, which will be available from 18th February.

In this new episode, you lead Team Rainbow, the world's most elite counter-terrorist unit, as they are called into action and unfamiliar territory to battle a bioterrorist threat. Stakes escalate as they are personally targeted by an evil terrorist organization. Used to protecting the lives of others, Team Rainbow must now embark on a mission to fight and save some of their own.