Electronic Arts has released an English demo for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, allowing you to try out the game developed by EA's UK studio. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire offers co-operative play with up to two players, and an all-new spell-casting system, as well as playable characters from the movie (Harry, Ron, and Hermione).

From the creators of Smash My Ipod comes Smash My Xbox, a plan to purchase an Xbox 360 as one of the first in the world, only to smash it with a sledgehammer in front of other customers. The short video is released, but a longer documentary like video will be released in just a few days, so keep an eye out for the longer version in our download archive. $430 was donated by over 50 people to make all this possible and plans for smashing Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Revolution are already underway.

We have added Helium Dreams by Joulukuu to our downloads section, which is a 10:06 minute during video where Joulukuu and friends perform freestyle moves in Quake 1. There are some spectacular rocket jumps in this video, which is accompanied by upbeat trance music. Enjoy!

There is a new patch for Dungeon Lords bringing to v1.4 this 3D fantasy RPG designed, written and developed by award-winning computer game author, D.W. Bradley ("Wizards & Warriors" and three of the legendary "Wizardry" titles) and his team at Heuristic Park. Thanks: The Patches Scrolls. Don't forget to grab the demo if you haven't done so already.

As promised, Firaxis Games has issued the first patch for Civilization IV, bringing their strategy game to v1.09 (press 'read more' for changelog). A playable demo is locally mirrored here.

Our gallery has been updated with two screenshots from Heroes of Annihilated Empires, an upcoming real-time strategy game in the works at GSC Game World. Combining aspects of RTS and RPG genres, Heroes of Annihilated Empires promises 18 heroes, 100 different units, 70 animated buildings, 50 magic items, large-scale battles with up to 64.000 units on the battlefield, completely unique races (units, tech trees, spells, artifacts and buildings), six unique landscapes corresponding to the six nations and many more. The game will be published in France by Focus Home Interactive .

Atari has released new screenshots from Desperados 2: Cooper's Revenge, the 3D action shooter sequel in the works at Spellbound scheduled for March 2006. The game is using Vision Game Engine which is allows players to switch between isometric and third-person combat views at any time. This facility creates new gameplay possibilities where, during brawls or gunfights for example, players can choose to take in the action from a distance to gain a strategic advantage, or get down and dirty in the thick of the fight.

New beautiful screenshots from Test Drive Unlimited have been added in our gallery, illustrating this racing game in the works at Eden Games. Test Drive Unlimited will offer more than 125 licensed vehicles from exclusive manufacturers including Lamborghini, Ducati, Aston Martin, Mercedes, Saleen, Shelby, and Jaguar; more than 1000 miles of Hawaiian roads; realistic cars and bikes, and more. The game will be released by Atari for Xbox 360 - check full article for more details about the game.

Our gallery has been updated with new screenshots from the PC and Xbox 360 versions of TimeShift, the first-person shooter previously known as Chronos (story) which will be released in the spring of 2006 for Xbox 360 and PC, and in the summer of 2006 for Xbox. In the works at Saber Interactive, TimeShift will feature more than 30 combat missions, each showcasing time control elements and challenges that players must complete using both their extraordinary capabilities and combat expertise. An array of devastating and unique weaponry from the world's alternate timeline will be at the player's disposal, including bizarre incarnations of traditional sniper guns, machine guns, pistols and more, as well as never-before-imagined armaments from an era humanity has never seen.

We have new screenshots from Perfect Dark Zero, illustrating this game developed by Rare, exclusively for the Xbox 360. This is the prequel to Perfect Dark, also developed by Rare, where Joanna Dark and her father, Jack, are caught up in the fight for the planet's future. A routine bounty hunting mission rips open a global conspiracy that will change Joanna's destiny forever. Press "read more" for details.

Our gallery has been updated with new screenshots from American Conquest: Divided Nation, showcasing this real-time strategy game based upon events in early American history. In the game, players will take on the role of Civil War general, Texas militia leader or pirate captain. The game will offer nine campaigns played across more than 50 maps, more than 100 new units, 20 new building types and a variety of unique game play and combat model enhancements apropriate for the time. In the works at GSC Gameworld and Revolution of Strategy, American Conquest: Divided Nation will be available from 10th February 2006, exclusively distributed by KOCH Media in the UK.

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     Writers Wanted:
     We need writers willing to do editorials (Xbox 360 vs PS3/etc) Interviews (ask companies questions on upcoming titles) and maybe other articles. As of now our current staff is busy with school and reviews, so they have no time to do interviews and editorials. If you want to start working for us, this is a good place to start. Please, serious inquiries only. If you can't write, don't bother, our editors are busy enough as it is :) If you can write the English language very well and are interested in writing please inquire within. English does not have to be your native language, only well written. You can live anywhere in the world. You must have a desire to write, and write a lot. Knowledge of computers and games is a plus. Ages 16 and up. If you fit this profile please send a sample a text of something gaming related to kurt . k @ gamershell . com. Sample text should be in the context of gaming. 2-4 pages only.

     1. STEP Creative Group released a screensaver with beautiful locations from Star Heritage 1: The Black Cobra, demonstrating change of weather and daytime is now available for download from our web-site. Click here to download it.
     2. New content download service Mobile Hotdog will, for the first time ever, enable mobile phone users to download content-rich games and applications from a worldwide computer catalog into their Symbian OS phones. Details here.
     3. Astraware and Revolution Software announced the release of Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars for Palm OSR handhelds. The game has been developed by Revolution Software, the original creators of the Broken Sword series, and is published by Astraware. The game was released for specified high resolution Palm OSR 5.0 handhelds priced $29.95. The Windows MobileR for Pocket PC version will follow in February 2006. Click here for more info.
     4. Ganymede Technologies has launched a new online games site in Turkey - the project is a result of cooperation between Ganymede Technologies and Antoloji.com, one of the biggest internet groups in Turkey.
     5. Aspyr Media announced the final system requirements for Sid Meier's Civilization III: Complete Collection for Macintosh, expected to ship in December: Operating System: Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later; CPU Processor: PowerPC G4/G5; CPU Speed: 500 MHz or faster; Memory: 256 MB or higher; Hard Drive: 2 GB free disk space; Video: Display supporting 1024x768 resolution required; Multiplayer: LAN or Internet Connection required for some multiplayer modes; Broadband Internet connection is recommended for 5 or more players; Multiplayer is Mac to Mac only via GameRanger; Disc Drive: DVD drive required to install and play.

GarageGames announced the release of a new version (1.4) of Torque Game Engine (TGE), featuring hundreds of technology enhancements, from improved work flow and tutorials, to localization support and editor updates. The new release also features integrated Unicode font rendering, enhanced map2dif interiors, and better support for Mac OS X and Theora video codec. Press 'read more' for details.

Activision and id Software have released a playable demo of Quake IV, giving you the chance to try out the very popular sequel available in retail stores since this October. In Quake IV, you are Matthew Kane, an elite member of Rhino Squad and Earth's valiant invasion force. Fight alone, with your squad, and in hover tanks and mechanized walkers as you engage in a heroic mission into the heart of the Strogg war machine. But, in this epic war between worlds, the only way to defeat the Strogg is to become one of them. Battle through early missions as a deadly marine, then after your capture as a marine-turned-Strogg with enhanced abilities and the power to turn the tide of the war.
Update: Activision announced that the multiplayer portion of the demo doesn't work online at the moment. The final version of the demo will be released early next week.

Slitherine Software announced the launch of SOL (Slitherine On Line), their new digital download service that allows players to order the games over the Internet, download them and automatically register them without the need for entering complex authorization codes. They also announced a 50% discount for Thanksgiving - all you have to do is to visit the website and order Gates of Troy or Spartan using the following coupon code: 34431206. Press 'read more' for details.