While Microsoft has publicly avoided discussing its next generation machine, it has been quietly conducting studies on the consumer appeal of a hybrid device that would play both PC and Xbox games. The B/R/S Group, a California-based market research company that lists Microsoft and the Xbox division specifically as clients, has been gathering consumer feedback on a device it refers to as Xbox Next PC – "a videogame console system with a hard drive and a built-in fully functional PC." Mention of the device came on one of several slides shown to focus groups. Read more of it over at CNN Money.

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 :

• Guilty Gear Isuka - Trailer (2)
• The Urbz - Trailer
• The Red Star - Trailer
• Dark And Light - Trailer
• UT 2004 - Make It Unreal Trailer
• Combat Elite: World War II Paratroopers - Trailer

'The Fall: Last Days of Gaia' is an innovative Post-Apocalyptic Role Playing Game with tactical combat and a highly original, disturbing storyline. The game is scheduled for Q3, 2004. The Fall will be the first 3D-RPG set in an endtime scenario on the market. Read more for details and some new screens ...

Officially licensed by the Indy Racing League, IndyCar Series 2005 gets a boost with a host of new features to complement the action-packed oval track racing at speeds up to 235mph! The game's new online racing will see up to 12 players getting fiercely competitive out on the circuits on Xbox, with up to 8 players on PS2.

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. Read more for some new screens & teaser trailer...

Midway Games Inc. today announced that MLB SlugFest: Loaded is expected to be the first ever video game to implement Microsoft’s recently announced updates to Xbox Live 3.0 via customizable, online tournaments. MLB SlugFest: Loaded is scheduled for release on June 21, 2004, for the Xbox.

Ground Control 2 : Operation Exodus takes place during the year 2741 AD, roughly 300 years after the events in the original game. The democratic and freedom caring Northern Star Alliance (NSA) is being hard pressed by the warmongering Terran Empire. The war has recently entered a new stage; a brutal and deadly ground war, as the Empire has managed to land their first troopships on the last NSA controlled planet – Morningstar Prime...

Everyone's favorite yellow cab is back! You might remember the original Space Taxi. It was a very popular Commodore 64 title back in 1984 when it was first released. This is the first official sequel. It was created by Twilight Games with the help of the original author John F. Kutcher.

Running With Scisscors has released the first patch for their recently released multiplayer addon Postal 2: Share The Pain. This upgrade brings your retail version to v1409 and adds a new multiplayer map (Red Light), various other game balacing/improvement and the usual fixes. Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

Wish defines a new category of online game, the "Ultra Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game" (UMMORPG). Unlike existing MMORPGs that confine players to a server with only a few thousand other players, Wish's highly-scalable server cluster infrastructure allows the game to support tens of thousands of simultaneous players in a single shared world. Wish is the first massively multi player online role playing game that truly tells a story, and lets player actions have lasting implications on the world.

Panzers takes you into the heady battles of World War II. Whether you play in towns with bullet-riddled buildings, bleak mountain landscapes or treacherous swamps - Panzers gives you real-time combat rampages in awesome 3D graphics. Experience the nerve-jangling thrill of strategic gaming - in Panzers! We got the chance to play with an updated build, read more to find out how it went ...

Mistland (Paradise Cracked developers) have another project lined up for the near future, "Alfa: AntiTerror" (expected 2nd quarter 2004). The sad reality of life in many countries. The global problem of modern times. A war, which can neither be won nor lost. The unpromising forecasts of scientists and experts concerning further development of things. Terrorism is waiting for our answer. An answer we are about to deliver. Read more for details and new screens ...

Shockwave Productions announces today that it has officially changed the name of it’s upcoming PC title Air Power to Wings of Power: WW II Heavy Bombers and Jets for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004. Shockwave chose Wings of Power because it is a better representation of the titles content and sim-play.

Larian Studios has released the first patch for their Divinie Divinity RPG sequel Beyond Divinity. This update patch brings your English retail game to v1.45 and fixes various settings, a savegame problem and several other small issues and other. Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

In ‘Blood Magic’ the weapon of choice is magic. Graphically stunning, the game is set in a richly detailed medieval-style world, allowing the player a wide variety of choices both in individual quests and character development. There are a dozen different fields of magic, over 100 weapons in the game and nearly limitless spell possibilities.

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 :

• Juiced - Trailer
• El Matador - E3 2004 Trailer
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2- Trailer
• The Saga Of Ryzom - Trailer

Ubisoft updated the official Far Cry website letting us know that they are working on the next patch (v1.2) for Crytek's FPS FarCry, and can be expected between June 7th-14th. Crytek is also working on the promised Mod SDK, also scheduled for released June 14th. Totop it all off the Win/Linux dedicated FarCry servers will be released between June 15th and June 18th. Of course we will have all the goodies on our fileserver network...

By the creators of Desperados and Robin Hood, The Legend of Sherwood, Chicago 1930 will plunge players into the 30's and drag them from the Chicago shallows to a pretended respectable community. The Mafia rules the city. A special police task force is formed to take down his gang. This squad is managed by two cops. An open war breaks out throughout the city of Chicago. Now it’s your turn to choose your side! XS Games has signed Chicago 1930 for North American released, expected in stores June 18, 2004

Today Epic Games and OC3 Entertainment released tools, samples, and documentation for Impersonator. Epic integrated a licensed version of the Impersonator speech and facial animation tool from OC3 Entertainment, making it easy for mod authors to create realistic and emotive talking characters. Impersonator support is integrated directly into the UT2004 game editor, UnrealEd, once UT2004 is patched to version 3204. Read more for download links ...

Due out in late 2004, Fight Club, developed by Genuine Games, is set to deliver an intense experience that will combine the characters, settings, artistic style, and story elements from the movie with a realistic fighting system that will appeal to both hardcore and casual gamers. Read more to check some new screens ...

Gamers can enlist for a second tour of duty on the intense front lines of WWII with Call of Duty: United Offensive. Delivering a compelling, all-new single player campaign filled with new weapons, character abilities and other expanded features, Call of Duty: United Offensive also offers a robust multiplayer experience introducing new maps and modes of play. Read more for new screens ...

JoWooD announces a strategic alliance with the US developer/publisher Fluent Entertainment. The partnership shall include the acquisition of a non-controlling stake in JoWooD by Fluent, and the co-publishing of the other partner’s product portfolios by both partners. The long-term objective of the partnership with Fluent is to improve JoWooD’s presence in the strategically important US-market and to improve the sales potential for JoWooD’s proven product portfolio.

Developed internally by Empire's award-winning Strangelite Studio, the game will be released on PC, and all current and next generation consoles. The length of the agreement will allow Empire to produce multiple titles. The game will be based on the movie of the same name and animated series franchise.

Soldiers is a third-person tactical action complete with a stunning 3D visual engine. Pitching the player headlong into the war-torn battlegrounds of Europe, gameplay delivers extremely realistic yet explosive combat scenarios. Commanding a highly trained team of special forces behind enemy lines, your job is to get them in, execute the mission your way and get out - fast!

'Gun Warrior' is an action shooter game placed in the realities of Wild West. The major Player's activity is eliminating hundreds enemies passing through mission-based bloody journey as well as during the duels. Gun Warrior is not only mission-based shooter. The length play of game has been increased by implementing three extra game modes: Target Range trainings, Multiplayer duels, and Gunfighter's Tournament. Read more for new screens...