Of all places, an online retailer in South Africa has a listing for an upcoming Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-earth expansion pack. No additional information was listed, apart from it being scheduled for release in September 2005. We contacted EA to see if there was any truth to the matter, and all we got was, "Rumors and speculation, no comment," but also a friendly piece of advice: "I wouldn't line up outside the store." A very popular franchise, a good RTS, and EA so an expansion pack would not be unheard of, but only time will tell ...

Close Combat: First to Fight has shipped and is currently available in retail stores across North America and Europe for PC. A version for the Xbox was released on April 9th.

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 :

• 50 Cent: Bulletproof - Trailer
• Unreal Championship 2 - Trailer #6

FATE's quests are fast and fun with richly detailed artwork, 3D graphics and interactive content delivered exclusively via download. Players will be able to customize their character, their pet, and the type of weapons they’ll use. Through battles with hundreds of monsters and fantastic creatures, characters evolve over time with experience of game play. A built-in random level generator will provide an infinite number of adventure possibilities!

In "Shogun Warrior," players assume the role of one of two brothers who are locked in bloody combat in feudal Japan. Conquering neighboring territories and amassing formidable armies, only one warrior will be able to survive the deadly endgame to realize his ambitions and claim the title of Shogun.

... and then there were two. Citing fears that Sony and Microsoft might copy some of the revolutionary ideas, Nintendo head honcho Satoru Iwata decided to withdraw previous statements and has now decided to not show the new Nintendo Revolution at E3 next month. Instead, visitors will have to be content with rolling demos of titles in development, a better look at the Nintendo online service, new Pokemon titles, and a new playable version of the latest Zelda title. We will be on site and report live if anything exciting does happen.

Dreamcatcher announced today that it is pushing backthe release date for its strategy game Domination from its original April 22nd date to May 20th. Domination features a renewed global conflict between the Free Nations Union and the Phantom League on distant planets, including sci-fi land, sea and air warfare at a grand-strategy level.

Midway announced today that Unreal Championship 2, the latest entry in the long established Unreal franchise and the sequel to Unreal Championship (2002), has shipped for the Xbox.

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 :

• Trackmania Sunrise - Trailer #5
• Fantastic Four - Trailer
• Empire Earth 2 - Trailer

Digital Jesters is set to further expand its portfolio of titles for 2005 as the firm announces a fresh partnership with French publisher Nobilis. The deal provides Digital Jesters with exclusive UK distribution rights for a range of new titles, with eight confirmed releases both on PC and PS2 over the coming year.

While Codemasters may not have a booth or lineup of titles at E3 , that does not mean it won't be present. Codemasters announced today that its Chairman and CEO David Darling has assigned a new multi-million dollar war chest, mainly due to a recently secured investment, to acquire and fund new gaming properties from development studios.

The FBI has arrested four Chinese nationals in New York for allegedly distributing video game consoles that contain Nintendo's famous game software. With approximately 40 FBI agents, they seized more than 60,000 illegal products during five raids on April 13. The illegal products, marketed under the brand name "Power Player," contain dozens of pirated versions of popular Nintendo games like Donkey Kong, Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt.

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 :

• Pariah - Trailer (2)
• Metal Combat - Trailer

Get behind the wheel and experience the sensation of racing actual cars. As in the real world, Enthusia emphasizes pure driving skills and ensures that winning is a result of ability rather than how much money has been spent tuning a car. Maintaining a subtle balance between the power of the car and the driver’s skill, Enthusia promises to deliver the ultimate driving experience for racing fans of all abilities.

Crave Entertainment today announced that World Championship Poker: Deluxe Series has shipped for the Nintendo DS. Developed by Sensory Sweep Studios, World Championship Poker: Deluxe Series offers players the opportunity to take their poker game to the next level using the NDS system's dual screens, wireless connection and other unique capabilities.

THQ today announced Evil Dead Regeneration for the Xbox, PS2, and PC. The game explores a "what if..." continuation from Evil Dead 2, one of the most unhinged films from famed director Sam Raimi. Voiced by Bruce Campbell, players will control Ash, the reluctant hero of the series, as they're thrown into a masquerade of evil events, equipped with the latest in prosthetic fashion.

Act of War: Direct Action, developed by Eugen Systems, is Atari new action game with a storyline and game universe created in cooperation with Dale Brown, 15-time New York Times best-selling author and expert on US military, global conflict and future military technology.

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 :

• Guild Wars - Trailer #7
• Pariah - Trailer #10

Atari has released a new update patch for Eugen Systems RTS Act of War: Direct Action. This update brings your retail game to v1.04 and adds a new multiplayer map and various bug fixes and game tweaks.Read more for download links ...

Today Ubisoft announces new maps, missions and modes exclusively for the Xboxversion of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon 2. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon 2 MultiMission (working title) will provide a wealth of new single and multiplayer missions that plunge Xbox players into the dangerous, heart-racing world of the Ghosts, an elite military team who is the first and last line of defense on the battlefield.

Jester Interactive Publishing announced today that Duke Marketing is appointed sole UK & Ireland distributors for its PS2 title TT Superbikes. The game has been developed by Jester over 3 years with input from Duke, the Isle of Man Department of Tourism & Leisure, and several leading ‘road racers’ to give an unprecedented level of realism to the entire 37.73 mile TT course. Game modes include ‘Mad Sunday’, TT races, tutorials and over 40 different bike selections.

Bringing its heritage of being the definitive cricket game series, Brian Lara International Cricket comes ten years after Codemasters launched the original Brian Lara game and over five years since the series appeared on any platform. Brian Lara returns to game screens this summer in Brian Lara International Cricket for PS2, Xbox and PC.

Shrapnel Games has released the first patch Illwinter Game Design's turn-based fantasy game Dominions II: The Ascension Wars. This update brings your retail game to v2.16 and adds some mod features, and the usual gameplay tweaks and bug fixes. Read more for details and download links ...

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 :

• Killer 7 - Trailer #7
• Psychonauts - Trailer (2)
• Cold Winter - Trailer #4
• ER - Trailer #2
• Drive'N'Kill - Trailer #2

Foundation 9 Entertainment today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Pipeworks Software, an independent studio focusing on development of entertainment software titles for major software publishers. After the transaction is completed, Pipeworks will continue to develop video games for the PS2, Xbox, and the PSP.