Microsoft has released a demo for Big Huge Games' 'Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots'. The demo features four nations: the Persians from the expansion pack, and three others from the original game. Players will be able to play through the tutorial and then get a taste of the Alexander the Great campaign, one of four historical campaigns in the retail version. Gamers will also be able to try their hand on the battlefield on one of three different random map types.

The North American version of Trackmania will contain enhanced Internet play, a unique avatar system, a new survival mode, ghost competition cars and 60 new building blocks such as tunnels, land transitions, signs and turbos. TrackMania's multiplayer network game is built to allow every player to participate, from the casual gamer with a low-speed connection to the more experienced gamer with a high-speed connection. Check the freshly launched official Trackmania website or read more for some new screens ...

Digital Jesters has released a new patch for Nadeo's sailing simulation game 'Virtual Skipper 3'. This update brings your retail game to v1.2 and adds new features include improved ISAF rules, team racing etc. Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

NCsoft Corporation today announced its exciting lineup of games for next month's E3. The games on display will include Guild Wars, the much anticipated Tabula Rasa from gaming pioneer Richard "Lord British" Garriott and the smashing, fast-paced, Auto Assault from the developers at NetDevil. NCsoft will also be showing off the visually stunning Lineage II and City of Villains, the first major expansion to Cryptic Studios' highly anticipated City of Heroes comic-book-inspired online game.

Strategy First announced today that it has signed a contract with Game Factory Interactive Ltd to publish MiST Land South’s upcoming turn-based tactical combat simulator ALFA: Antiterror in North America. ALFA: Antiterror is scheduled to ship in Q3 2004 for the PC.

Monte Cristo Games has announced their E3 line-up. On display will be : "Fire Captain: Bay Area Inferno", "D-Day" and "Medieval Lords: Build, Defend, Expand". Read more if you want details & screens ...

HD Interactive and 1C Company are proud to announce a worldwide publishing deal for ‘Blood Magic’, the highly anticipated 3rd person RPG for PC. 1C Company will publish ‘Blood Magic’ in Eastern Europe, whilst HD will publish throughout the rest of the world.

While we already revealed it several days ago, Electronic Arts today announced the development of Need For Speed Underground 2 under the EA GAMES brand. Need for Speed Underground 2 is the sequel to Need for Speed Underground, which has sold more than five million copies worldwide since its release in November 2003.

As King, it is your duty to lead your people in their struggle to raise your kingdom from its humble beginnings to a position of power and prestige. War, diplomacy and a burgeoning economy are the means by which you increase your power and expand your influence. A unique Knight-management system will offer you brand new possibilities to enhance your personal strategy.

Addicts of Ubisoft's Splinter Cell now have a dramatic new mission with Sam Fisher – to win the first tournament on the Xbox Live service featuring Ubisoft's long-awaited Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow. Gamers that pride themselves on their strategy, weapons skills and stealth manoeuvres now have the chance to prove themselves in the Xbox Live tournament - running from 26th April to the 26th May 2004.