City Interactive announced that Tank Killer, an armored combat game powered by the engine from T-72: Balkans on Fire, will be released in Q2 2006. The game is in the works at Ukrainian developer Crazy House.

Vision Videogames has released SpaceStationSim a game made in collaboration with NASA, ESA, JAXA, CSA and RSA over a period of five years and at a cost of $3.5M. Word is "Now you can create and manage your own International SpaceStation and CREW! Get up close and personal with a crew of four astronauts while they live, work and play aboard the ISS. Build your own ISS with a huge variety of real Modules and cool Components. But watch out for the Space Tourist! He will get in your astronaut's way, break equipment, and accidently launch himself into space!" Visit the official here for more details.

Electronic Arts released a new movie for The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II, the sequel which will allow players to engage in heated battles with Elven and Dwarven armies plus heroes and creatures "that have never been seen in a The Lord of the Rings film". Thanks: GameSpot.

Auran has released a pair of demos for Trainz Railway Simulator 2006, giving you the chance to try out their recent 3D train simulation sequel. Thanks: 3DGamers.

Myelin Media sent us new PC screenshots from its upcoming poker game, STACKED with Daniel Negreanu, a "Texas Hold 'em" game featuring a comprehensive poker school in which the player can receive tips and strategies from Daniel Negreanu (2004 ESPN Player of the Year, World Poker Tour Player of the Year, Card Player Magazine Player of the Year and all-time World Poker Tour money winner). Daniel will teach players everything from the fundamentals of Hold 'em to advanced tournament strategies through full motion video, voiceovers and dynamic in-game features. As players progress through the game's career mode, they can apply Daniel's teachings to overcome some of poker's most renowned stars, including Josh Arieh, Jennifer Harman, Erick Lindgren, Carlos Mortenson, Evelyn Ng and David Williams.

CCP Games announced the launch of EVE Online: Red Moon Rising, a new expansion to EVE Online: Exodus provided to subscribers free of charge (check full story for details). Red Moon Rising is the last of the EXODUS chapters and the precursor of the Kali expansion.

Our gallery has been updated with new screenshots from Galactic Civilizations II, illustrating the sequel in the works at Stardock. Galactic Civilizations II takes place in the distant future, when mankind has become a space-faring civilization and must contend with other extraterrestrial powers for domination of the galaxy. The game will offer a new map system, many distinct races, a non-linear campaign, enhanced AI and more. Galactic Civilizations II will be launched in Europe on February 22, 2006.

A new map pack for Far Cry, the popular FPS created by Crytek Studios, has been released. It contains eight new maps created by a number of clans together with some talented mappers on the initiative of -=UBW=- Achilles. Enjoy :)

As promised, RedBedlam declared the pre-order phase open for its Roman Empire based MMORPG Roma Victor - the first 1,500 account keys are available from the Roma Victor website. The accounts, costing £14.98 each, will come complete with £5 worth of in-game currency (sesterces). Pre-ordering will also ensure immediate access to the ongoing Commercial Test phase so participants will have the opportunity to join the ranks of current testers helping to balance the game. Additionally, pre-order participants and the game’s veteran testers will enjoy exclusive access to the post-launch game world on the Ides of March 2006 - a full 2-weeks in advance of the full launch. Press 'read more' for details.

Our gallery has been updated with a new batch of screenshots from Auto Assault, showcasing the Mutant Area from this MMOG in the works at NetDevil. In Auto Assault, players explore a post-apocalyptic future in customizable cars, motorcycles, semis and even tanks. Players battle other players both in arenas and in epic race vs. race wars for control of the regions in a devastated Earth. Auto Assault uses the power of the Havok physics engine to let you make insane jumps, send obstacles flying and even blast bridges, buildings, fences and trees with your car-mounted rockets. Auto Assault is due to be released next year.

DreamCatcher Interactive announced that Painkiller: Hell Wars, the FPS developed by People Can Fly for Xbox, will be launched on February 28th 2006. In Painkiller: Hell Wars, players take the role of Daniel Garner who upon his untimely death finds himself trapped between heaven and hell. To escape purgatory and receive purification, you’re called upon to help stop an imminent war between the forces of good and evil.

Electronic Arts has released a new trailer from Fight Night Round 3, showcasing this sequel due to ship on March 3rd 2006, for PS2, PSP, Xbox and Xbox 360.

2K Games has issued a new patch for Serious Sam II, bringing the FPS sequel developed by Croteam to v2.066. Press 'read more' for changelog.

A new playable demo of TOCA Race Driver 3 is now available for download, giving you another chance to try out the next chapter of the series developed by Codemasters and scheduled for February 23rd 2006, for PS2, Xbox and PC. The demo contains three car (Holden Commodore VZ, AMG Mercedes C-Klasse and K500 Pro Baja Dunerace), and three track (Phillip Island, Hockenheim and International Dirt Speedway).

Vivendi Universal Games today announced they obtained the rights for developing and publishing games based on the upcoming 20th Century Fox's film, Ice Age 2: The Meltdown. Entitled Ice Age 2: The Meltdown Video Game, the game is being developed for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, GBA and Nintendo DS, with an MSRP of $19.99 for PC, $29.99 for Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance and $39.99 for console products. Release is expected during Spring 2006. Check the press release for more details.