VE3D dug up some interesting news about Norwegian developers 'Innerloop' ('Joint Strike Fighter', 'Project IGI 1 & 2') who apparently have secretly been working on a strategy game based on the history of the Vikings. The game is set out to be a realistic depiction of the way of the Scandinavian people in the years between 800 and 1050 AD (known as the era of Vikings). So far, the Norwegian name of the game is 'Vikingjarl' ("jarl" is a Scandinavian chieftain or nobleman) and has a tentative 2006 release date.

Global Star Software today announced that Hidden & Dangerous 2: Sabre Squadron, an expansion pack for Hidden & Dangerous 2 has shipped to retailers. Sabre Squadron adds nine new single player missions, an eagerly anticipated co-operative mode, brand new multiplayer missions, new weapons, enhanced AI and more.

For the first time, Sims are living in the city where reputation (rep) is everything. Players will custom-create these new Sims, called Urbz, by customizing their unique style and building their status to become the biggest "player" in the city. Read more for some new screens or check a new trailer.

Knight Rider 2 will address much of the customer feedback received on the first Knight Rider game as well as add many new features, which will improve the gameplay dramatically whilst maintaining the authentic atmosphere of the series. Knight Rider 2 will contain more action, in-game animations, special effects and dialogue than its predecessor.

Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes The Neighborhood places gamers deep in the heart of Small Town America, USA. Backyard Wrestling Inc. has announced "your town" as the location of its first live pay per view. They've put a million dollars cash prize on the line for the wrestler who's got what it takes to destroy every obstacle in their way to the main event and ultimately the unified BYW championship.

SEGA of America today announced the North American release of NHL Eastside Hockey Manager exclusively for PC and Mac. Developed by Sports Interactive, creators of the critically acclaimed Championship Manager series in Europe, NHL Eastside Hockey Manager delivers sports fans the most authentic and realistic hockey management game experience ever.

There is a rich amount of detail within Medieval Lords that the player should be able to see, not just from the god-like view when building the kingdom around you, but also from the villager point of view. In the first person view, players can see all the little details that make the Medieval Lords maps look like real lands. Read more for details & screens ...

SEGA Europe today announced a partnership with Sony Pictures Consumer Products to bring Tezuka Productions’ legendary Japanese comic Astro Boy to life on the PlayStation2. Astro Boy, created by Osamu Tezuka in 1952, is one of the most recognised characters in Japanese animation.

EverQuest II returns to the culturally diverse world of Norrath in the future of the original EverQuest, with the sheer size and graphical detail greater than ever seen before. Larger in scope than its predecessor, EverQuest II will allow players from every corner of the earth to explore familiar areas and new, undiscovered territories of Norrath.

Def Jam: Fight For New York challenges players to step into the shoes of a ruthless street fighter battling for control of the hip-hop underground. The game features an all-new fighting engine including weapons, interactive environments, 40 characters and five unique fighting styles.

LucasArts and Sony Online Entertainment are pleased to confirm that Star Wars Galaxies: Jump to Lightspeed will be released on October 27th, 2004.

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 :

• GTA: San Andreas - Trailer #3
• Vampire: the Masquerade - Bloodlines -Trailer
• Ape Escape: Pumped & Primed - Trailer
• Iron Phoenix - Trailer
• Stronghold 2 - Trailer

Spyro: A Hero's Tail, developed Eurocom and scripted by Emmy Award-winning writer J. Stewart Burns, is a new 3D action platformer and will feature five fully-playable characters, brand-new Spyro breath attacks, power-ups and moves. Spyro: A Hero's Tail will be available on Gamecube, PS2, Xbox and is expected to hit retail shelves Q4 2004. Read more for new screens...

Captured, conveniently forgotten, tortured, and left for dead, MI6 agent Andrew Sterling awaits execution in a Chinese prison. The story begins when a mysterious friend from his past rescues him, setting off a chain of events that could rock the very foundations of global security and wreak chaos on a worldwide level.

World Wrestling Entertainment today filed a fourteen count complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Jakks Pacific, Inc., THQ, Inc., a joint venture involving Jakks and THQ, Stanley Shenker & Associates, Inc. and Bell Licensing, LLC for corruption, bribery and racketeering.

DreamCatcher Games has released the first patch for Golem Labs' global domination strategy 'SuperPower 2.' This update brings your retail game to v1.1 and addresses the crash/bug fixes, gameplay and interface enhancements, etc.. Read more for detailed fix list and download links.

Vivendi and 2015 Inc. announced today that the Xbox version of their first-person action game Men of Valor has shipped to retail stores in the United States. The game will be released on the PC platform on October 26th, and a Macintosh version of the game will ship later this year.

SEGA today announced the launch of Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors for the Xbox. Called "the best Japanese-developed Xbox game to date" by EGM, Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors features an unparalleled visual presentation and the addition of five new playable characters.

Ubisoft today announced that Ape Escape: Pumped & Primed has shipped for the PS2 in North America. Those wacky simians are back in the next installment of the highly popular Ape Escape franchise! A tournament-style game, Ape Escape: Pumped & Primed unleashes players into a fast-paced sports marathon across two action-packed game modes.

The US Army has released a new updated version for America's Army: Special Forces (Vanguard). This upgrade brings their team-based multiplayer game to v 2.2.0 and adds two new multiplayer missions for the Special Forces (Oasis and Taiga) as well as the usual client, server, admin improvements and fixes. Read more for details and download links ...

Buena Vista Interactive announced today its much-anticipated action adventure game, "TRON 2.0: Killer App," has shipped for Game Boy Advance to North American retail outlets. "TRON 2.0: Killer App" will also ship for the Xbox in early November.

Worlds collide in Armies of Exigo, where the traditional boundaries of the battlefield are smashed and war is waged both above and below the ground. Armies of Exigo locks elves, beasts, knights, and creatures of the darkness in an epic battle for survival where armies can delve deep underground to advance undetected and then tunnel to the surface to unleash powerful attacks on their unsuspecting enemies.

Eidos today announced additions to the genre-bending in-game soundtrack for Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes The Neighborhood. Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes The Neighborhood offers a soundtrack featuring contributions from legendary artists, today’s hottest acts, and tomorrow’s industry leaders.

Davilex has contracted none other than Jan Hammer to include his original music themes in the Miami Vice game. The famous "Miami Vice Theme" and "Crocketts Theme" will be included. Jan Hammer is currently making his come-back with a new CD to be released shortly. His co-operation is also expected in the new upcoming big screen movie Miami Vice (with Colin Farrel and Jamie Foxx) to be released in 2006.

Ascaron has released the free "PLUS" expansion pack which will bring your original RPG Sacred up to par with the Sacred Plus retail version. This free expansion includes new quests, weapons and enemies, as well as two new regions to explore. We have the UK & US version of the PLUS expansion pack available. Read more for download links ...