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.

Created by Texas-based Gearbox Software, Brothers in Arms is the most realistic and authentic WWII shooter ever. While other WWII games have sugarcoated the war experience, Brothers in Arms is based on a true story and will immerse gamers into the gritty, uncensored and emotionally-charged side of war. Ubisoft has launched the official Brothers in Arms website, featuring previously release screenshots, trailers and game info.

The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) announced that Bandai Visual Co. has joined the consortium that is currently almost 100 members strong and comprised of consumer electronics and PC manufacturers and content developers. With this announcement, consumers can expect to enjoy a rich high-definition library of Japanese animation, or Anime, and movies on a Blu-ray Disc.

Oddworld Stranger's Wrath combines first and third-person gameplay with familiar Oddworld elements and an all-new engine to deliver a unique gameplay experience. Set to award-winning visuals, players will be moved by the complex and inspiring story as the Stranger comes to grips with his true nature in the hunt for the ultimate bounty. EA has just launched the official Oddworld Stranger's Wrath website with screens, game info and a few trailers...

JoWooD Productions continues its successful cooperation with the German developer Piranha Bytes by publishing one of the most spectacular titles of the coming year: Gothic III, the third part of the legendary RPG saga. Read more to check out the first screen..

Spiderweb Software announces the upcoming release of Geneforge 3, their newest fantasy epic with a science fiction twist. In Geneforge 3, you can explore strange, hostile lands, choose which side you will fight for, and, as always, make your own horde of completely obedient mutant monsters.

The US Army has released a new updated version for America's Army: Special Forces (Vanguard). This upgrade brings their team-based multiplayer game to v 2.2.1 and fixes/tweaks some of the maps, new PB code, as well as minor other fixes. Read more for details and download links ...

Rumors have been floating around for weeks now, and today Eidos confirmed that Warren Spector, the head of Eidos's Ion Storm Studio in Austin has left the building. Reason given for Warren's departure : "to pursue personal interests." Spector has been responsible for the original Deus Ex, its recent successor as well as Thief: Deadly Shadows. Eidos also said that Warren will stay in their employment of as original IP consultant.

Cenega has launched the official UFO: Aftershock website where you can get fresh updates in news, game features, storyline, exclusive screenshots and latest videos. UFO: Aftershock is the sequel to 2003's UFO: Aftermath and follows from one of the endings of the first title. The player will have to investigate what happened on the Earth surface and fight against new enemies who want the planet for themselves.

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.

Seconf Life developer Linden Lab announced today it has closed a financing round of $8,000,000 led by Benchmark Capital and with participation from Omidyar Network, a new organization lead by eBay founder, Pierre Omidyar. Existing investors including software pioneer Mitch Kapor also participated in the round.

THQ has released its financial figures for its fiscal second quarter 2005 although sales were a little less than same period last year, they came in better than expected mainly due to strong sales from titles like Dawn Of War, Full Spectrium Warrior and WWE Day of Reckoning. Most interesting though is the announcement of Full Spectrum Warrior coming to PS2 (expected March 2005) and slight delay of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl from Q1 2005 to May 2005, and Pandemic's Destroy All Humans from Q1 2005 to April 2005. THQ also opened a new development studio in San Diego by the name of Concrete Games.

The Adventure Company has launched the official website for its Jules Verne based adventure game Return to Mysterious Island. The website will play the role of ground zero for regularly updated reviews, art and downloadable content, including the playable demo. Perspective gamers will find a wealth of info on game inspiration and characters, as well as their chance to buy the game online.

Vivendi Universal Games today announced that Half-Life 2 will ship to retail outlets around the world in November. The Company confirmed that Half-Life 2, developed by Valve Software, has gone gold with a planned retail street date of November 16, 2004. The countdown to the highly anticipated retail street date has begun around the world, as VU Games completes plans to ship localized versions of Half-Life 2 simultaneously in English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Korean, Thai and Japanese

DoubleJump Publishing announced a special offer which will help Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne fans pass the time until its release. Their online store is offering free worldwide priority shipping of the SMT: Nocturne guide. By popular request, this deal will also extend to those who order the official strategy guide for Phantom Brave.

Atari today announced the launching of the official website for RollerCoaster Tycoon 3, the eagerly awaited PC title from Frontier Developments.

Midway today announced the launch of the official Midway Arcade Treasures Web site, http://www.midwayarcade.com. Gamers can now visit online to get the latest in Midway Arcade Treasures and Midway Arcade Treasures 2 gameplay demos, screenshots, news updates and more all in one place.

Take-Two today announced financial results for its third quarter and in comparison to last year, sales & revenue are down and instead of a profit Take2 is running a $14.4 million loss. In its defense it has to be said that last year's thrid quarter has several key titles, with its sequels now due in the fourth quarter. Main revelations in the results are the fact that Take 2 liquidated its Gathering publishing division, and instead syphoned everything under its GlobalStar umbrella. Also of note is the delay of GTA: SA for a few weeks (to give it more polishing time) as well as GTA: San Andreas PC edition early 2005 and on GBA this coming October. You can read the full document here...

Guilty Gear X2Reload, now with Xbox Live support, revives the fighting tournament designed to find humans skilled enough to thwart the Gear threat. Take over 20 playable fighters, with 6 outrageous new characters. Use electrifying new moves and features, like Psych Burst, Faultless Defense, the all-new Burst Gauge system and more. Devastate your opponent with an arsenal of eye-popping, jaw-dropping moves and combos, including trademarks like Overdrive Attack, Gatling Combo, Roman Cancel and signature Instant Kills for each character! check out the freshly launched website.

Mythic Entertainment today unveiled the new website for their upcoming sci-fi themed next-generation MMORPG, "Imperator." Currently in development, the title is set in an alternate future in which the Roman Empire never fell. Check out the brand-spankin' new 'Imperator' website.

Twilight War: After the Fall will be a groundbreaking XORG (Extreme Online Roleplaying Game), with advanced graphics and an integrated FPS combat system, in the Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction genre. Twilight War: After the Fall uses SpeedTree technology to populate the game work with hundreds of thousands of trees. Check out the freshly launched 'Twilight War: After the Fall' website.

Staying true to the classic series of the 80's, this 3rd person action shooter focuses on Sonny Crocket and Ricardo Tubbs, two cops within Miami's Metro-Dade police "Vice" department, and their continuing battle against the illicit drugs underworld. Players embark on dangerous raids and fast-moving gunfights, in a bid to destroy the narcotics empire of Miami. Licensed by Universal Studios; Miami Vice: The Game incorporates all of the original characters and locations from the iconic 80's cop drama.

Metrowerks Corporation and Nintendo have signed an agreement and begun distributing a comprehensive tools suite for the creation of innovative, feature-rich games for the handheld Nintendo DS videogame system.

As the new stealth action game from TimeSplitters creators Free Radical Design, Second Sight comes to PlayStation 2, Xbox and Nintendo Gamecube in just over two weeks' time. Read more for further details ...