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.

The story takes place in an abandoned island, where all humans disappeared in a mysterious way 29 years ago. This time other than the dead people from the first game, there is a new type of enemy called the dark people, they have intelligence and abilities over human, and they can see in the darkness. Their only weakness is light, you need to use flashlight or other light source to weaken them, then use weapons to attack.

In Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, fans follow the Baudelaire orphans as their luck goes from awfully bad to incredibly worse. Based on the popular book series and the upcoming movie starring Jim Carrey, this treacherous tale allows players to experience the eccentric adventures of Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire.

Square Enix has revealed a new MMORPG called Fantasy Earth: Ring of Domination which will try to combine RTS, RPG and Action, allowing you to forge alliances, build fortresses and citadels and duke it out with your allies against huge armies. It's still a ways off, as it is only vaguely scheduled for 2005, but in the meantime, read more for 48 new screens...

Electronic Arts announced today NFL Street 2 from the EA SPORTS BIG brand will be on store shelves by December 26. The original NFL Street sold over a million copies and introduced gamers to playing football with style and flash and NFL Street 2 has reinvented itself by dramatically changing the way the game is played with the new game modes and the gameplay itself.

SCEI is working on a sequel to what a lot of people call one of the best games of all time, ICO. Carrying a somewhat odd name, 'Wanda And The Colossus' is situated in the same universe as its prequel, but will follow a totally different story line. Not much details are available yet, but with the Tokyo Game Show in progress, there should be more info coming soon. In the meantime, check out the new screens...

European developer Frogwares has announced that it is working on yet another title in the Sherlock Holmes adventure series. After its recently released Sherlock Holmes: The Silver Earring, this will be the third game in the series. "Great news for all adventure game fans - Frogwares started work on third part of adventures of the greatest detective of all time, Sherlock Holmes. Incredible graphic[s], gripping story and unexpected ending."

"Blitzkrieg II" is created with a new focus on fast-paced gameplay, a strategic layer and new tactical opportunities. A completely new engine takes WWII into full 3D where players can command famous aces and units, strategically plan battles in multiple theatres, choose their reinforcements and use a wide range of new unit types such as aircraft and ships.

Although half the size of a fully grown human, Alien Hominid has a voracious capacity to digest human skulls and is an expert marksman. The FBI and their mechanical marvels have been designed to keep A.H. from retrieving its UFO, but it will not be deterred. Hominid befriends the most unlikely of humans, who aid it with insane weapon upgrades. Alien Hominid will shoot, bomb, toss, eat and slash anything in its path - and bring on the heat in multiplayer co-op mode at any time.

King Arthur is based on one of the summer’s most anticipated films. The King Arthur video game will utilize footage from the Touchstone Pictures/Jerry Bruckheimer Films movie and feature likenesses of characters from the film.

The entire Worthplaying staff would like to say "MERRY CHRISTMAS" to our readers all around the world. We hope everybody has a wonderful holiday, loads of good food, and a joyful time with friends & family. May Santa bring you all the games you wished for, but above all, stay safe! Our news coverage will not slow down, but the news itself might be lacking. If there is anything worthy of your attention, you can be sure to read it here ...

Atari has released a new update patch for Troika's RPG Temple of Elemental Evil. This upgrade brings your retail game to v3.0 and only corrects problems associated with upgrading to DirectX 9.0c, specifically, the inability to loot bug. Read more for details and download links ...

The third generation of Beyblade games hits the Game Boy Advance in G-Revolution. Take up the role of Tyson Granger and test your Beyblade skills against all comers, collecting new Beyblades and parts as you go. Do you have what it takes to win the world championship?

Enlight Software has released a new patch for its animal loving sim/strategy game Zoo Empire. This update brings your retail game to v1.22 and further refines the hunger algorithm so that animals will no longer die of hunger so long as there is food in the exhibit (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for details and download links ...