WarBirds 2004 adds improved graphics (3D cockpits for B17 and B24), new aircraft (the Japanese Mitsubishi J2M2 and J2M3) and a lot of tweaks, such as a better balanced Ki44 (this formerly deactivated aircraft is now available to all players). The J2M2, conceived as an interceptor, was first used in 1942. Due to technical and production problems only 500 J2M2’s were built. In WarBirds 2004, the fast J2M2 with its superior weaponary is the dream of veteran pilots, while its flight model is very challenging.

NovaLogic, Inc. today announced that the official multiplayer consumer demo for Joint Operations: Typhoon Rising will be released on Wednesday June 9th, 2004. The demo replaces the existing beta demo released earlier this year.

The Adventure Company has released a demo for Streko-Graphics Inc.'s puzzle/adventure game Aura: Fate Of The Ages, featuring the The Ademika Valley level. Aura is a challenging first person puzzle exploration game that uses an easy to navigate mouse driven, point and click interface. The game features vast panoramic landscapes and some of the best pre-rendered graphics adventure has ever seen. Read more for download links ..

Mastiff today announced Technic Beat, an innovative and addictive music game for the PlayStation 2 that allows players to actually create, alter and dance on screen to their own music. Developed by Arika and featuring tunes from some of Namco's most popular games, Technic Beat is expected to release in late summer 2004. Read more for details and screens ...

Sumthing Else Music Works, Inc., through its licensing relationship with Microsoft Game Studios is pleased to announce the release of the original soundtrack for the upcoming Xbox video game, Sudeki, developed by Climax Group Inc. The soundtrack will be released to stores in the U.S. through Nile Rodgers’ Sumthing Else Music Works record label on June 8, 2004 at a suggested retail list price of $15.98.

Vivendi Universal Games announced today that it is currently taking applications for the Tribes: Vengeance beta testing program, which will begin June 14th and run for several months. The closed beta program will begin with a very limited group but expand weekly until later this Summer when the public will be invited to partake in the testing. Tribes: Vengeance will ship to retail stores worldwide in October 2004.

Konami announced today that it has signed a worldwide video game agreement with Alliance Atlantis Communication Inc. for Alliance Atlantis' new children's animated property, Dragon Booster. Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. will develop, manufacture and distribute the game based on the highly anticipated animated series that is expected to debut in the US on Jetix (ABC Family and Toon Disney's branded block) Saturday, October 23, 2004 and on CBC in Canada on Tuesday, October 26, 2004, before rolling out around the world in early 2005.

NCsoft Corporation announces the appointment of Jon Van Caneghem as Executive Producer at NCsoft North America. Van Caneghem is best known as the founder of New World Computing and the creator of some of gaming's most prominent franchises, including the Might and Magic role playing game series and the Heroes' strategy game series.

Take-Two announced today the Company has signed a binding letter of intent with SEGA Corporation to co-publish and exclusively distribute on a worldwide basis all SEGA ESPN Videogames sports titles, including ESPN NFL Football, ESPN NHL Hockey, ESPN NBA Basketball, ESPN College Hoops and ESPN Major League Baseball.

Atari, Inc. has reached an agreement with Epic Records and Nimrod Productions to create a dynamic and artistically unique soundtrack for DRIV3R, the third-installment in the best-selling Driver video game franchise. Titled DRIV3R - The Soundtrack, the stand-alone soundtrack is scheduled for U.S. release on June 21, day-in-date with the launch of the DRIV3R video game on the Xbox and the PlayStation2.

Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner takes console role-playing games to an all new level of storytelling and drama. The gritty sci-fi world is brought to life with breathtaking cel-shaded graphics and a battle system that will satisfy even the most battle h gamer. Fans of the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, as well as role playing gamers everywhere won’t want to miss the beginning of this stunning new series. Read more for some new screens...

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 :

• Geist - Trailer
• FIFA 2005 - E3 2004 Trailer
• Killer 7 - E3 2004 Trailer
• Advance Wars: Under Fire - Trailer (2)
• Prince Of Persia 2 - E3 2004 Trailer #2
• Juiced - Trailer #2
• Showdown: Legends of Wrestling - Trailer #2

Test Drive: Eve of Destruction blends the best elements of racing and demolition and is packed with 25 different events, including Demo Derby, where the last car standing wins; Gauntlet, where the player climbs behind the wheel of a hearse and tries to finish a set number of laps while the rest of the field attempts to stop them; Trailer Race, a new brand of racing event, where players compete while towing various types of trailers and must finish the race with something resembling a trailer still attached.

Today, DoubleJump Publishing, Inc., in partnership with NIS America, Inc., announced that DoubleJump will publish and distribute the official guide for the upcoming strategy-RPG, Phantom Brave.

THQ Inc. today announced the release of Nitro Family for PC. Published by ValuSoft, Nitro Family is rated "M" for Mature and will be available at retailers throughout North America for $19.99.

THQ Inc. and SEGA Corporation have announced that 'Sonic Advance 3' has shipped and is currently available at retail outlets throughout North America for a suggested retail price of $29.99. 'Sonic Advance 3' is poised to build upon the top selling, critically acclaimed Sonic Advance franchise, which now boasts sales in excess of 1.5 million units according to NPD TRSTS.

In The Sims 2 you control your Sims over an entire lifetime for the first time. With the ground-breaking addition of genetics, your Sims now pass their DNA down through generations, giving you a more vivid and in-depth Sims experience. Every life choice you make has a relevant and dramatic effect on the lifetime of your Sim. It’s up to you to take your Sims from the cradle to the grave, fulfill their dreams, and push them to extremes in The Sims 2.

Released in 1998, Starsiege: Tribes was the first major online-only first-person action game. The combination of team-based gameplay, expansive outdoor terrains, multiple play modes, customizable characters, and controllable vehicles created a game that was an instant hit among fans and press alike. As a promotion for the upcoming Tribes Vengeance, Sierra/Vivendi have released the full game (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for download links ...

Atari, Inc. and Reflections Interactive are pleased to announce that development is complete on DRIV3R, the highly anticipated driving action game for the Xbox and the PlayStation2. DRIV3R will be available in North America on June 21 and in Europe and Australia on June 22.

KumaWar, the revolutionary new online game service that allows players to experience re-creations of real world military events weeks after they occur via advanced gaming technology, has launched a pack of three tactical exercises designed for multiplayer and created by Kuma military advisor Staff Sergeant Dan Snyder and a team of award winning multiplayer map designers. Read more for info & screens...

More Interplay related woes as now its parent company, French publisher/developer Titus, has "asked" for its stock to be suspended from the Paris Exchange. "The trading of shares of Titus Interactive was suspended monday on the Paris stock exchange, circa 11/26 AM, at a last traded value of 0,16 Euro (-5,58%), announced today Euronext. This suspension was made by request of the videogames company in preparation for the release of an official statement." This can't be good...

PT Boats is the first simulator of the Mosquito-fleet, created with the use of technologies of a level never seen before in naval combat simulator games. The key features are: astonishingly beautiful dynamic sea, historically authentic World War II ships and weapons, possibility to control any member of the crew and a multiplayer game. Patrol Torpedo Boats were used in WW2 mainly to attack large cruiser due ot their maneuverability and speed. Check out the new screens ...

World War II springs to life as you experience the most epic battles in the history of mankind. For the first time, the world's five superpowers battle for control on truly global scale. Direct the military and economic destiny of Japan, England, Germany, Russia or Germany. With each battle fought in real-time, comes the opportunity to create a new destiny as you change the course of history itself.

Following up on the success of its premiere digital video guide)for UbiSoft's Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3 video game, GameTime Media, Inc. today announced it has shipped the dvG strategy guides for Atari's TRANSFORMERS, which is made under license from Hasbro, Inc. and Vivendi Universal's The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay video games to retail stores.

'Kult: Heretic Kingdoms' is a 3D isometric RPG, that combines 3D technologies and the traditional ways of isometric RPG's. Enter the fantasy kingdom of ancient Rywennia and enjoy this action adventure at its fullest. 'Kult: Heretic Kingdoms' will take you from heroic fights against hidious monsters - using weapons and spells - to seeking wisdom and clues for your quests, while interacting with the many NPC's such as spirits and astral enemies. Read more for details and screens ...