Namco today announced "Atomic Betty" for the Game Boy Advance. A mission-based game with puzzle solving elements, "Atomic Betty" features a three character control scheme that allows players to enjoy all of their favorite characters at once, utilizing their individual skills to save the universe.

AGEIA today announced that Atari's much-anticipated Dragonshard, a real-time strategy game based on the Dungeons & Dragons universe created by Wizards of the Coast, will be one of the first major games developed using AGEIA's NovodeX Physics SDK.

Electronic Arts and The University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering today announced that they are partnering to co-sponsor the first-ever scholarship opportunity to the USC Interactive Entertainment Summer Camp. Open to any female high school junior or senior, the scholarship will assure an aspiring female game designer a coveted spot in the unique summer program.

Atari today announced the summer launch of Atari Flashback 2.0, the follow-up to the holiday 2004 hit, the Atari Flashback Classic Game Console, which shipped more than 550,000 units to retail. Atari Flashback 2.0 will be modeled after the Atari 2600 console and heralds in the 30th anniversary of Pong.

Set in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, Chariots of War is one of the only games covering this often over looked period. Play as the Pharaoh and take on the Hittites or carve an empire with the mighty Assyrians. There are more than 60 playable sides and almost endless replay options. Slitherine Software has released a fully featured demo for its classic turn-based strategy game Chariots of War, allowing you to play for 3 hours. Read more for download links ...

Set in Europe, Legion Gold allows you to take the Roman Empire from its meagre beginnings to the most powerful empire in the world. It includes an extra Germania campaign not included in the original Legion, plus all the patches and add-ons released over the net. Slitherine Software has released a fully featured demo for its classic turn-based strategy game Legion Gold, allowing you to play for 3 hours. Read more for download links ...

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.

Nevrax, developer of massively multiplayer online role-playing game The Saga of Ryzom, announced the addition of Jessica Mulligan as Executive Producer of The Saga of Ryzom.

Zuma Beach and Marcu today announced that Konami has acquired a worldwide license to use of the Academy Award Winning song "(I've had) The Time of My Life," for Konami Karaoke Revolution (Vol. 4). The tune is from the 1987 hit motion picture, "Dirty Dancing."

Got Game & Project 3 have released a new patch for 3DPeople's 3D isometric RPG Heretic Kingdoms: The Inquisition (known in Europe as Kult: Heretic Kingdoms). This update brings your retail game to v1.5 and fixes the automap feature, addresses minor bugs fixed, adds improved memory management, and the ability to toggle on/off your magic active attunements to ensure an increased strategic gameplay experience. Read more for download links ...

X³: Reunion utilises a new generation game engine, developed to immerse the player into the most realistic, living universe, ever experienced. The full use of DirectX 9 technology will create dramatic visual effects and stunningly realistic starships. The economy model in X³: Reunion is more complex than any previous X game. Coupled with the massively enhanced A.L. (Artificial Life) system, X³: Reunion will present players with an ever changing, evolving universe; where a player’s actions really can shape the future of the universe.

This latest project, developed by SEK, is currently one of the most elaborate and expensive productions from Germany. Beside unequalled graphics and the extraordinary setting, "ParaWorld" mainly shines by way of its interesting gameplay innovations: The new Pyramid System, the "Army Controller", provides players with countless hitherto unprecedented possibilities with regards to personal strategies. "ParaWorld" will be released for PC and will doubtlessly enthuse fans of action-packed RTS games with a focus on battle.

Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition is a bundled special edition of Stardock's award winning space strategy game, Galactic Civilizations. The deluxe edition adds a host of new features, content and other enhancements to the game to add depth and much greater playability.

Matrix Games and Koios Works today announced that Tin Soldiers: Julius Caesar has been released for sale from the Matrix Games online store via digital download. A boxed copy will also be available by the end of the week. Tin Soldiers: Julius Caesar introduces several major improvements since Alexander the Great, including a full 3D camera, non-linear campaigns and a mobilization/re-enlistment system for your forces.

Deadhunt is a first-person arcade shooter (FPS) game that merges the best features of arcade and FPS action games with fresh ideas and new twists. REL Games has released an updated demo, adding an extra difficulty setting to the game. Read more for download links ...

SWAT 4 allows players to take control of a squad of up to five police officers tasked with performing dangerous operations such as high-risk arrests, hostage rescue and counter-terrorism. If the ingame editor is not good enough, try your luck with the mission editor (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for download links ...

Jak X: Combat Racing, created exclusively for the PS2 by Naughty Dog, introduces head-to-head car combat and incorporating both multiplayer and online functionality to deliver a refreshingly new experience to fans of both the Jak and Daxter series and car combat gameplay.

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 ...

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.