Because of the enormous number of Wish beta applications received (more than 60,000 at the time of this writing), developer Mutable Realms will not enable all beta accounts on January 1 at once. Instead, only enable a number of randomly chosen beta accounts every day, starting January 1. Mutable Realms requires this transition period to better configure our one-world server. By granting access to the beta test in stages, Mutable Realms will allocate resources where they are required.

Night Watch is based on material from Russian writer Lukyanenko and is situated in the not so distant future. The game will have you battle vampires, wherewolves and other creatures throughout various European cities. Nightwatch runs off Nival's highly acclaimed Silent Storm engine, no release date announced yet. Read more to check the first screens ...

The AP has a story about five middle-school boys in Greensburg, Pennsylvania who have been arrested, charged in a graffiti blitz they blame on a video game. The boys range in age from 12 to 14 and are charged with institutional vandalism, criminal conspiracy, criminal mischief and desecration of venerated objects. Police said the boys claim they were inspired by the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (thanks ve3d).

The latest version of Gran Turismo 4 further demonstrates its mission to provide the most authentic driving simulation available in the marketplace. New features will extend above and beyond just pure automotive racing, providing a unique destination for automotive and PS2 enthusiasts to enjoy car culture in every dimension. As Gran Turismo 4 has just been released in Asia, reports have come in that, although it lacks an official online mode, people have been able to play multiplayer by combining the LAN option and using XLink. It has also become clear that you can export screens to your PC by means of the USB connection and the Le Mans map is included in the game.

Nexuiz is a 3D deathmatch game that is simply first person shooting reduced to the very basics with perfect weapon balancing. With its very intense and fast gameplay, it will hook the user in. Nexuiz uses such technology as curved surfaces with its detailed maps, bumpmapping, realtime shadows, 64 player support, and an advanced model format. Read more for some new screens ...

Nevrax, developer of the massively multiplayer online role-playing game The Saga of Ryzom, announced two new and convenient ways to experience Atys free for 14 days. Thousands have tried The Saga of Ryzom for free and joined in the fun. Now, newcomers may choose from two ways to sample the Ryzom difference.

Anito is a Single-Player Isometric Adventure RPG game set in 16th century Asia, in the land of Maroka. Filipino developer Anino has released the first patch for the English version of 'Anito: Defend A Land Enraged'. This patch brings your retail game to v1.03 and addresses a few crashes, bugs and tweaks. Read more for details and download links ...

Akella is making yet another pirate game, after Sea Dogs and Pirates of the Caribbean, it is now time for the Age of Pirates. Known in Russia under Corsairs 2, this AoP will be distriuted under that name in Europe and North America. No details or planned release date are known yet, but at least there are some new screens ...

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 :

• MLB 2006 - Trailer
• God of War - Trailer #3
• Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory - Multiplayer Trailer

Pinball Hall of Fame developers FarSight Studios worked closely with pinball experts from the Pinball Hall of Fame in addition to conducting their own extensive research. The result is a game that will provide players with the ultimate pinball experience with realistic physics, true-to-life graphics and sounds captured directly from the actual tables.

Microids is working on an all new murder/adventure game "Still Life." Using an updated Syberia engine, "Still Life" lets you play the role of FBI agent Victoria McPherson. Situated in Chicago, you are on the heels of a serial killer, much like your grandfather did 60 years earlier in Prague (Microids' Post Mortem). By means of flashbacks and timewarps, you will travel to locations like Eastern Europe to interrogate suspects, or North America, to scrutinize dead bodies.

Online movie site Moviehole is claiming to have word from inside sources that Thomas Jane, who played Frank Castle in The Punisher, is in talks with Paramount to headline the recently announced film version of the game 'Splinter Cell.' To prepare for his role in The Punisher, Thomas Jane trained a few months with the Navy Seals, so a role as Sam Fisher would not be too much of a stretch. In the Splinter Cell movie, Fisher is sent into action when two CIA agents mysteriously disappear in Azerbaijan.

In proximity of New Year's Eve Legend of Mir 3 is getting a new update that will enhance and add new features to the game. The update will contain among many things a whole new snowy mountain world area for players to explore. The new area will open up a whole new world of storylines and quests to immerse you in the icy plains of Mir 3. The new snowy field mountaintop area will play a large role in upcoming branches of the game's storyline.

Developed by Mad Doc Software and due for release in the first half of 2005, Empire Earth 2 will build upon the award-winning formula of its predecessor by adding features requested both by casual game players interested in a brief spin through history and by more hard core gamers who demand a real-time strategy game that will challenge them for dozens, if not hundreds, of hours.

Microsoft Game Studios announced today that MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf, the sequel to one of the most popular Xbox action titles, has shipped to North American retail stores for an estimated retail price of $49.99 (U.S.). The perfect way to spend those well-earned holiday gift cards, MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf offers gamers a rich BattleMech experience, both offline and online via Xbox Live.

The Ghosts are deployed behind enemy lines to carry out sabotage, reconnaissance and quick strikes against the NKA should the conflict explode. Officially, not a single US asset is in North Korea. As the conflict rages, the Ghosts perform a series of successful missions, including the rescue of a dissident officer from a prison camp. During the course of these operations, the Ghosts learn that the architect of the escalation is Major-General Paik, who sees it as an opportunity to seize power and advance his ambitions.

Silent Hill 4: The Room begins in the sleepy town of South Ashfield, only a few short miles from the infamous town of Silent Hill. When the game's new hero, Henry Townshend, awakens from a nightmare, he finds that he is trapped in his apartment, which is where this demo begins (thanks 3DGamers/PCGUK). Read more for download links ...

In 'Playboy: the Mansion' you step into the virtual slippers of world-famous Playboy Founder Hugh Hefner, building Playboy Magazine and the Playboy Mansion into dynamic cultural icons. Gamers also will live the lifestyle, rubbing elbows with stunning women and popular celebrities, and share the mystique of the Mansion by hosting extravagant, exciting parties.

The Sims 2 University is the first expansion pack for the highly-acclaimed The Sims 2, giving players of The Sims 2 the ability to watch their Sims become young adults and put childhood behind them as they settle into an all-new college town to live out their ultimate college fantasy.

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 :

• S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow Of Chernobyl - Trailer
• Star Wars: Republic Commando - Trailer

UEFA Champions League will offer followers of the game the opportunity to guide their chosen club from qualification anxiety through big night glory. It will add an element of the unexpected, allowing lower league teams into the glamorous world of European football. EA has launched the official 'UEFA Champions League 2004-2005' website.

In the third part of the zombie blasting series, PC gamers can expect an exciting new adventure plus an all-new shotgun weapon! Players will be able to mow down multiple enemies in a single blast as they plough their way through the most exhilarating House of the Dead yet.

Ubi Soft has yet again released new patches for 1C Maddox's WW2 flight sim Pacific Fighters. This update brings your retail game to v3.03 (for both the standalone and merged installations) and addresses compatibility issues amongst the various language editions, as well as model enhancements, gameplay tweaks, new static objects, and the usual bug and crash fixes. Read more for download links.

Crytek gives the fanbase a nice little Christmas present and released a new map pack for its FPS Far Cry, which includes 12 new maps (8 assault and 4 TDM). Read more for details and download links.

"Imperator" is Mythic Entertainment's next-generation Sci-Fi themed MMO currently in development, featuring a thrilling new interplanetary game world based on an alternate history in which Rome never fell.