Sony Online Entertainment announced today that it has expanded operations with the formation of a development studio in Seattle, Washington. SOE Seattle will be headed up by Matt Wilson, who some of you may remember from Microsoft’s cancelled Mythica MMO. Ed Fries (formerly of Microsoft) will also be working with the SOE Seattle team in an advisory role, but will not be joining the company full-time.

Eugen Systems' general director and vice chairman Alexis le Dressay revealed in an interview with C&VG that they have plans to build the Act of War into a franchise and Eugen systems is "saving some really cool stuff for the expansion packs and the sequel!"

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.

Namco announced today it has partnered with Hori U.S.A. to offer a limited edition TEKKEN 5 premium bundle set to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the fighting franchise. The bundle will retail for $99.99 and include a copy of the game, a Hori customized peripheral and a special six-disc collectors DVD case for storage of all games in the TEKKEN franchise. TEKKEN 5 and its limited edition premium bundle will be available in stores in Q1 2005.

2K Games today announced a co-publishing agreement between Take-Two and Bethesda Softworks, granting Take-Two co-publishing, sales and distribution rights to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. 2K Games has also signed an agreement to co-publish Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth, a first-person horror game that combines intense action and adventure elements.

World Snooker Championship 2005 offers gamers the ultimate simulation of the beloved game. As you might expect, this game has all the big names, but this time there's simply a lot more than any snooker game gone before. More features, options, game modes and faces to make this the ultimate must have snooker title for any serious fan. Check out 100+ screens ...

Based on Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the Dynasty Warriors series of action games takes players back in time and onto the battlefields of Ancient China. In the games, players experience the thrill of fighting single-handedly against nearly endless legions of enemy soldiers in historical battles that shaped an empire.

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 #3
• Timesplitters Future Perfect - Trailer #5
• Cold Fear - Trailer

UEFA Champions League will offer soccer fans the opportunity to guide their chosen club from qualification anxiety through to big night glory, adding an element of the unexpected allowing lower league teams into the glamour world of European football. Throughout the game, players need to negotiate 50 unique and challenging on- and off-field missions successfully to take control of their UEFA Champions League destiny.

Following Shrek 2's ranking as the #1 children's video game in the U.S. for calendar 2004, Activision and DreamWorks Animation announced that Activision will develop and publish video games based on the upcoming animated film, "Shrek 3," which is scheduled for release in summer 2007.

Ubisoft today announced that it has chosen Montreal for the next phase of its international development. Ubisoft plans to create 1000 new jobs in its Montreal division, which is internationally reputed for innovation and creativity.

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 :

• Moment of Silence - Trailer (2)
• Phantom Dust - Trailer #2
• Empire Earth 2 - Dev. Diary #1
• Red Ninja: End of Honor - Trailer #7
• Castlevania [NDS] - Trailer

Square Enix and Disney Interactive today announced they have shipped a total of 1 million units of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories in North America and Japan just two months after its launch. Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, an action role-playing game exclusively for the GBA, has been available in Japan since November 2004, followed by the release in North America on December 7, 2004.

Legion Arena is an online RPSG or Role Playing Strategy Game, and blends core gameplay elements from the RTS & RPG genres. Set in ancient Rome, Legion Arena puts the player in charge of their own army, which they must develop, nurture and train, transforming a bunch of peasants into a fearsome fighting force. Check these new screens, showing off the user interface.

Last Thursday in San Francisco, Konami held their annual Gamers' Day event to announce the games in their 2005 lineup. Arguably the biggest announcement of the event was Castlevania: Curse of Darkness.

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 :

• Champions : Return to Arms - Trailer #3
• Full Spectrum Warrior - PS2 Trailer
• Nanobreaker - Intro Movie
• Resident Evil: Outbreak File No.2 - Trailer #2
• Rainbow Six 4: Lockdown - Trailer

EA predicts the results of this weekend's 'Super Bowl XXXLX' game between the Patriots and the Eagles. The New England Patriots defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 26-21 and we have the complete scoring breakdown and summary for you. Read more to check out a rundown of the game, including new screens ...

Operation Air Assault is a fast-paced 3D attack helicopter game that takes place in a conflict not unlike those presently faced around the world. Follow this unique storyline through many dangerous missions to victory - provided you have the skills and courage of an elite chopper pilot!

Nobilis today announced they have signed a distribution agreement with publisher Kando Games for its latest aerial combat arcade game Rebel Raiders : Operation Nighthawk. Featuring 16 missions, and multiple unlockable bonus missions, Rebel Raiders : Operation Nighthawk is under development for PS2 and PC and expected to hit retail in April. No details as to when, and by who, it will come to the rest of Europe, or North America. Read more to check out some screens...

Ubisoft has released a second demo for its action/adventure Prince of Persia Warrior Within. Details are a bit limited but apparently, this new demo features two levels different than those in the first demo - mixing intensive action and platforming - with CG cinematics and a trailer at the end. Read more for 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 :

• Worms 4: Mayhem - Trailer
• Battlefield 2 - Trailer & Video Interview
• Pro Rugby Manager 2 - Trailer
• Splinter Cell Chaos Theory - Mega64 Trailer
• GTR: The Ultimate Racing Game - Trailer #5

Based on Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the Dynasty Warriors series of action games takes players back in time and onto the battlefields of Ancient China. In the games, players experience the thrill of fighting single-handedly against nearly endless legions of enemy soldiers in historical battles that shaped an empire.

Winning Eleven 8 will once again raise the bar for the critically acclaimed series with even more in-depth gameplay, improved realism and increased control. The game features more teams, players and stadiums than ever before, including all the teams from the Italian, Spanish and Dutch leagues under the official license. Check the freshly launched website, or read more for new screens...

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.

Retribution is a new FPS currently in production by U-235 Studios, with the prototype set to hit publishers doorsteps in November 2005. U-235 Studios have secured a licensing agreement for the state of the art engine "Reality" developed by Artificial Studios. Read more for new screens..