Dutch publisher Project Three Interactive today announced it has signed the European rights for the racing game Cross Racing Championship for PC. The game has a scheduled pan-European releasedate of April 15th 2005.

Jowood has released a new patch for its RTS/RPG game SpellForce bringing your retail game to v1.52 (for all language versions) and fixes some minor problems and logic issues, addresses multiplayer incompatibility problems between the Gold Edition and Shadow of the Phoenix addon, optimized netcode allowing players with different language versions to play, both in coop and pvp games. Read more for download links ...

Swords of Destiny is an action-packed sword combat game from Marvelous Interactive, with hyper-active, high-flying battling focusing on air combat action (including "Sword Time" for intense juggling airborne combos.) Not much info is available, as for now this is a Japan only title, no details who might bring this to Europe or North America are available...

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. This preview features nudity, so parental discretion advised...

"Dragonshard" will incorporate classic role-playing themes, a powerful and dynamic real-time strategy engine all woven together with a rich storyline involving a global conflict for an immensely powerful artifact with the power to change the fate of Eberron itself.

The Punisher finally makes his debut on the PS2, in an action-packed game that will test your wits and your reflexes. Play as classic anti-hero Frank Castle as you brutalize the seamy underbelly of New York, giving criminals their just desserts. With a host of guest stars and action ripped right from the pages of Marvel Comics, this game is a must-have for any Punisher fan.

Ubisoft has announced that its naval combat game Silent Hunter III has been delayed, luckily only a few weeks. "We are sorry to announce that Silent Hunter III has been postponed a couple of weeks in order to be polished and fine-tuned, the new release date is 17th March 2005. However, we do have a live chat scheduled for Tuesday 25th at 18:00 CET, server type: beyondIRC (irc.beyondirc.net), channel: #SH3." In 'Silent Hunter III' you take the role of the U-boat commander, seek your enemy with sonar and periscope, attack the enemy with torpedoes, destroy them with the deck gun, or command their crew to do the job.

Will of Steel is a modern warfare tactical 3D Real Time Strategy game set in the early 1990s. As a young Marine officer, William Steel is the son of the highly decorated USMC General Thomas Steel. Players must assume command and responsibility of the battalion at his control and defeat your opposing in forces in hostile locations around the globe. Head on over to the official Will of Steel website for the latest screens, movies, artwork and gameplay information.

THQ today announced the release of the highly anticipated title The Punisher for the PlayStation2, Xbox, and PC. The Punisher is based on Marvel's darkest antihero, a revenge-driven vigilante from the popular comic book series. Developed by THQ's Volition studio, The Punisher has shipped nationwide with a suggested retail price of $49.99 on console and $39.99 on PC.

Empire has released an updated demo for Bugbear's racing game, Flat-Out, bringing it in synch with the previously released retail patch. The demo features 3 tracks: Finchley Forest, Fairgrass Grounds and Grand Slam Stadium (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for download links ...

A few years after disaster was barely averted on Dinosaur Planet, Lylat Central Command gets wind of a new threat spreading throughout the solar system. The Star Fox team is sent in to engage this new enemy but what begins as a standard combat mission quickly takes a drastic turn. Classic team members, Fox McCloud, Slippy Toad, Peppy Hare and Falco Lombardi, join forces with some new faces to create the most formidable team in the history of this celebrated series: the Star Fox armada!

As we mentioned a few days ago, Valve announced it would release the official Counter-Strike Bot, as well as an updated version de_tides, rebuilt by Turtlerock Studios. True to their word, it is now available through steam, which also updates a few other maps and a few other tweaks. Read more for details ...

In TimeSplitters Future Perfect, Cortez - the hero from previous installments - returns with humanity on the brink of destruction. With the help of some familiar faces (some very familiar!) he must chase a mystery foe across different time periods to trace the origins of the TimeSplitters and save the day.

Vivisector: Beast Inside developed by Action Forms (creators of Chasm and Carnivores series) is a unique mixture of 3D Action/Horror. The game blends a thrilling interactive story with intense, high-adrenaline action and immerses players in a rich and fascinating storyline.

DreamCatcher Games today announced it has joined forces with MC2 to publish and distribute Obscure in North America. This Survival Horror game will be available for the PlayStation2, Xbox and PC, in March 2005.

After EA previously locked down the NFL, today it has signed a long-term agreement for the development and integrated marketing of EA SPORTS games containing ESPN content. The relationship will include established EA SPORTS franchises -- which will be enhanced by ESPN telecast, print and online content – as well as new sports games to be published by EA based on ESPN media properties.

Paradox has released the first patch for its strategy game Hearts of Iron 2. This update brings your retail game to v1.1 and adds interface inhancements, gameplay changes, AI improvements, addition of mod support, and a long list of bug fixes and balance adjustments. Read more for download links ...

"Stranger" is a real-time strategy game, with elements of role playing games set in a world, split in two parts, surface and a subterranean one, which are in a tenuous balance. 'Stranger' will also feature multiplayer although details beyond "The players may play on their own, or unite in teams" are a bit sktechy.

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 ...

After 2 months, 1.4 million mod profile visitors and 8,000 different voters, the 2004 Golden Spanner Mod of the Year Awards have been decided, by the visitors and gamers who know best. As expected, Half-Life based mods polled well, although mods from over 10 other games also finished up top, a testament to the talent out there. Head to the feature and read up on the top three mods from all gameplay styles (action, adventure, racing, etc.) and also the top three mods for each design area (best models, textures, maps, etc.)

The add-on to the successful game Transport Giant takes you to the Earth's most fascinating and mysterious, but also most dangerous continent – Down under to Australia!

JoWooD invites players into a world of mishap and mayhem where the practical joker is king. Neighbors From Hell challenges players to solve hundreds of puzzles in order to play the best prank possible in this hilarious animated adventure.

Majestic Chess has everything you have ever wanted in a computer chess game: A powerful A.I. opponent that can be adjusted to any strength or style of play, stunning graphics and dazzling animations and free 24-hour online play.

While Donkey Konga 2 is not even out yet in Europe/North America until March or April, the Asian market is already preparing for Donkey Konga 3, and here are some of the first screens ...

SCi Games Ltd. confirms that Roll Call is still in full production. Originally developed by Argonaut Games Plc for PS2 and Xbox, the game is now being developed by a newly formed company, Rocksteady Studios.