Midway today announced that Area 51 is currently in development for the PC and is scheduled to ship in April 2005 alongside its console counterparts. Developed internally by Midway Studios Austin, the game features intense first-person shooting action, a secret alien base on earth, government cover-ups and a blockbuster Hollywood cast, proving AREA 51 is a must-have game for players of any system.

While it has been known for some weeks now, there has not been an official announcement, until today. CDV Software announced today that Codename: Panzers, Phase Two, the sequel to CDV's critically acclaimed WWII real-time strategy title, Codename: Panzers, Phase One, is in development for the PC and is scheduled to invade U.S. retail stores in June 2005. Read more for details and screens ...

THQ and Relic Entertainment today announced the expansion pack to their critically acclaimed real-time strategy hit Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War. Featuring a deeper single player experience and even more intense Dawn of War action, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Winter Assault will also include a brand new, fifth race - The Imperial Guard. Read more for the first screens...

The third in the series of ultra realistic war games from Digital Jesters, 1944: Battle of the Bulge uses Digital Reality's acclaimed RTS engine, which has consistently delivered explosive gameplay coupled with historical accuracy. 1944: Battle of the Bulge covers 20 new single player missions, featuring battles playable from either side of the war. Digital Jesters has launched the official Battle of the Bulge website.

Atari announced today that a wet, wild and totally soaked new expansion pack to RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 will ride into stores this June. RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Soaked!, the first expansion pack to RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 will let players create and control their own water parks for the first time. Read more for details and the first screens ...

LEGO Star Wars combines two childhood favorites, LEGO and Star Wars, to create an innovative and exciting action-adventure title designed for young gamers. The game is based on The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones and the eagerly awaited Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, slated for worldwide release in May 2005. In the meantime, check out the freshly launched LEGO Star Wars website...

Ubisoft has launched the official Cold Fear website, head on over there for a gruesome inside-look into Darkworks survival horror title and find all the most up-to-date content and assets about the game and to participate in community forums.

EA and Viacom today announced a videogame based on The Godfather fiction is under development and will put gamers at the center of the action in one of history's most revered masterpieces. The book by Mario Puzo and classic film by Paramount Pictures serve as inspiration for the game as gamers will join the Corleone family and earn respect through loyalty and fear as they rise through the ranks to become Don in a living 1945-1955 New York. The game is scheduled for release in fall 2005 under the EA GAMES brand for the Xbox, PS2, PSP and PC.

While its existence was already widely report, EA today officially announced that Need for Speed Underground 2 for the Nintendo DS handheld game system will hit retail stores nationwide this spring. Gamers can dominate the tuner racing underground with new features and gameplay only made possible by the Nintendo DS.

Tekken 5 brings back the popular cast of characters from the previous Tekken games, along with three new characters, for a total of 20 default characters to start and more to unlock as players progress in the game. Tekken 5 allows players to use their fight money to customize their characters with various accessories such as hats, glasses and an assortment of different costumes. Check the freshly launched official Tekken 5 website for news, visual and all the latest updates...

EA today announced financial results for the third quarter ended December 31, 2004. Net revenue was slightly down, while titles such as NFSU2, NBA Live 2005, Battle For Middle Earth, and Third Age sold more than 1 million copies apiece. EA commented that they were also in the running for the MLBPA license but did not think the economics made sense, so did not fully pursue it. The ESPN license will open the door to new franchises such as Poker, Fishing and possible X-Games based titles. In regards to Ubisoft, EA says it wants to be a good shareholder and and will keep options open, which could mean acquiring additional shares (but it stressed it would not overpay), or simply selling the current stock. Most importantly, it was revealed that Battlefield 2 and MoH: Dogs of War have been delayed until Q1 2006 (April through June). Read more for the detailed financial information..

Groove Games today announced the official ship date for the highly touted first-person action game, Pariah. The game, being developed by First-Person Shooter (FPS) aficionados, Digital Extremes will hit retail worldwide on May 3, 2005 for the Xbox and the PC.

Galactic Civilizations II: Dreadlords isn't just some v2.0 of the same game, it's a significant departure in terms of gameplay. You can pre-order Galactic Civilizations II now by clicking on the purchase link on the left. You get a discount on the price (the final SRP is expected to be $49.95) and you'll be able to get the March beta of the game (thanks Blues). Head on over to the official GalCiv2 website for news, info, screens and dev journals.

LucasArts revealed today that it will give PC players the opportunity to control the fate of the galaxy in an all new real-time strategy (RTS) game titled Star Wars: Empire at War. Set a few years before the events of Episode IV A New Hope, the game will let players rewrite history as well as experience the aftermath of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, the creation of the Rebel Alliance, and Darth Vader's rise to power. Read more for details and screens ...

Devil May Cry 3 unfolds an earlier chapter in Dante's history, before the original Devil May Cry, to the fateful clash between Sparda's twin sons, divided by the divergence of their chosen paths. Along the way, Dante encounters formidable foes and unusual characters including a mysterious man named Arkham and a female hunter named Lady whose mission is to take down all demons, including Dante. Capcom has launched the official Devil May Cry 3 website, so head on over there for the latest news, screens and updates.

SWAT 4 allows players to take control of a squad of up to five police officers tasked with performing dangerous operations such as high-risk arrests, hostage rescue and counter-terrorism. Vivendi has just launched the official SWAT 4 website, Irrational Games' tactical shooter. Head on over there for news, game info, screenshots, or sign up for the SWAT 4 newsletter.

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.

As we already revealed last night, Ubisoft today announced that Cyan Worlds will launch its final adventure, Myst V: End of Ages, in fall 2005 (PC and Mac hybrid disk format). Rand Miller, co-creator of Myst and founder of Cyan Worlds, leads the Spokane-based development team in creating this final episode, bringing closure to the Myst storyline via its most dramatic and immersive experience to date.

Star Wars: Republic Commando is a squad-based first-person shooter that lets you explore the elite world of the Star Wars military. LucasArts has launched the official website, head on over there to check info on the dozen deadly weapons at your disposal and the enemies you will use them on, and meet the most powerful weapon of all - your squad. In addition, the Producer of Star Wars Republic Commando, Chris Williams, will be posting weekly on the boards.

CT Special Forces: Fire For Effect will feature unique missions in the fight against worldwide terrorist networks. The game also benefits from a cutting-edge engine as well as a specific physics system. For the first time in this genre, physics will have a major impact on how you play the game.

FullMetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel brings a fresh new action RPG to this year's Square Enix lineup. Based on a wildly popular Japanese animation and comic of the same name, FullMetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel traces the journey of two brothers on a life-changing quest. Square Enix has launched the official website, so head on over there for the latest info & screens...

Set in historical Japan, Tenchu: Fatal Shadows features two playable ninja warriors - returning heroine Ayame and newcomer Rin. This installment of the fan-favourite franchise offers a tight balance of melee combat and shadow stalking, and its levels are structured to avoid the frustrating trial-and-error patterns that are all too familiar in the stealth genre. Check out the official 'Tenchu: Fatal Shadows' website for flash-induced screens, trailers and game details ..

In Battlefield 2, players will choose to fight for one of three military superpowers: the United States, China, or the newly formed Middle East Coalition. Armed with the latest modern weaponry, players can take control of any of the game's 30+ vehicles to engage in major conflicts with over 100 players. Check out the freshly launched BF2 website, which at this point only featuring previously released screens & trailers. For new goodies, check our 30+ new screens & movies from yesterday.

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Azeroth Grand Prix." Unlike previously released maps, this one actually turns Warcraft III into a kart racing game. Map info: "Legends speak of a hidden race track north of the border where representatives from the far reaches of the land gather to test their skills and racing prowess. This event is known to break even the mightiest of combatants with its no-rules-barred arena." This is a huge map and the suggested no. of players is 4 to 8. It is based on the "Lordaeron Winter" tileset. Go download it here!

Digital Jesters have announced the launch of the official Bet on Soldier website for its forthcoming FPS, featuring screenshots, movie footage and a dedicated forum on which to chat about the game.