Some new screenshots from Ubisoft’s upcoming flight combat sim HAWX. The game is due out on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 this Fall.

Ubisoft has released the first screenshots for the recently announced Prince of Persia title. The game is set for release this Holiday season on PC, PS3, Xbox 360 and DS.

Ever thought of who would be the actor to play the Prince in the coming Prince of Persia movie? Well, think no more - Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Jake Gyllenhaal has been cast to be the lead actor in the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time film in the titular role of the Prince. He will play opposite Gemma Arterton as the princess Tamina.

Gyllenhaal has had a pretty interesting career, known best for his roles in Brokeback Mountain and Donnie Darko.

The movie is being produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and is being directed by Mike Newell. It is start filming this July on a script penned by Jordan Mechner, the person responsible for the creation of the Prince of Persia series back in 1989.

Following rumors that Splinter Cell: Conviction had been pushed back for a major redesign, Ubisoft has commented on the matter, dismissing said rumor with two words - “pure speculation”.

The rumor originates from a report in Xbox World 360 magazine that claimed the game wasn’t groundbreaking enough and was already outdated by Assassin’s Creed, hence the redesign.

Conviction has Sam Fisher stripped of his gadgets, instead relying on old-school techniques such as crowd blending and the like. More information is expected from the upcoming Ubidays event.

A new Rainbow Six Vegas 2 trailer has been released, showing off about two minutes of cinematic footage. The game is in development for release on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 this March.

Ubisoft has finally opened the lid on Rainbow Six Vegas 2, the forthcoming sequel to their popular tactical shooter series. Currently in development for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 for release in March 2008, the game will expand on the original by featuring more multiplayer modes, as well as new maps, two new adversarial modes, more rewards and a more intuitive matchmaking system; customizable experience; improved co-op mode, allowing the second player to join in the middle of the game; advanced AI; eleven new weapons and more.

The game will also feature even more of the sin city, letting players explore all new hot spots and more. Below are the first two screenshots from the title; a trailer was also released.

The very first trailer from Rainbow Six Vegas 2, the upcoming sequel to the tactical shooter.

A teaser trailer for Rainbow Six Vegas 2, Ubi’s upcoming team-based shooter, is now available for viewing. Girls, guns and explosions - what more can you want from a trailer!

Veronica Mars actress and newcomer Heroes Kristen Bell will appear in Assassin’s Creed, which is due out on PS3 and Xbox 360 later this month. She will play a key character in the game, whose role is an important part of the game’s storyline, though details weren’t provided.

“It was crucial to find an actress who could convey the emotional range and talent needed to play this key character in the Assassin’s universe,” said Jade Raymond, producer for Assassin’s Creed. “Kristen Bell is a remarkable actress who was able to bring her character to life in a dynamic way that I don’t think anyone else could have done properly. Her professionalism and dynamic personality were a perfect fit for this project.”

“I was a big video gamer growing up, so working on Assassin’s Creed is my chance to be a part of video game history,” said Kristen Bell. “It’s something completely different than what I’ve done before, so it’s cool I get to branch out and try another entertainment medium. I was attracted to this project because of the intelligent storyline and the character I play. Plus I admire the artistry of the graphics of video games. I look forward to seeing what my character will look like and I can’t wait to play the game and see if I can beat it!”

The game will also be available for PC later on. It will be available in standard and limited editions retailing for $59.99 and $69.99, respectively.

French publisher Ubisoft announced that it has acquired Japanese developer Digital Kids. Established with offices in Nagoya and Osaka, DK currently has a team of 20 developers specialized in games for the DS. The studio has worked for a number of Japanese publishers and has developed Ubi’s Petz line of games.

The upcoming video game adaptation of the big-screen adaptation of the Old English epic poem Beowulf has gotten an all-star voice cast comprising of the actors from the forthcoming movie.

Sir Anthony Hopkins, most popular for his amazing rendition of cannibalistic Hannibal Lector in the “Silence of the Lambs” film, will reprise his role of King Hrothgar from the film. He will be joined by Ray Winstone, who plays the titular role of Beowulf; Brendan Gleeson in the role of Wiglaf; and Sebastian Roche as Wulfgar.

The game is expected out next month, alongside the film, for the PC, PS3, Xbox 360 and PSP.

Ubisoft has posted its second quarter financial results earlier this week, noting a 25% increase in revenue to 127 million Euros ($118 US million) for the three months ending September 30. However, despite such good news, the company has announced that it has delayed four of its titles into the next fiscal year, which begins on April 1.

Though no specific titles were mentioned, the publisher did note that three of the four delayed titles are from new brands. These games haven’t been announced yet, so no worries from gamers.

Interestingly, in its revenue report, the company noted that the DS brought in the highest percentage of revenue during the current quarter, followed by -surprisingly- the PS3, which accounted for 20% of sales. It was followed by Xbox 360, PC and then PSP and Wii.

An achievements list for Assassin’s Creed has been posted online. There are a total of 44 achievements, with 13 of them secret. Do not read if you are not into spoilers.

Apparently nu-metal band Korn was “inspired” by Haze so much that they composed and performed a song just for it. The track, titled “Haze”, will be launched to radio and video next month to coincide with the release of the game. It will also be available for purchase via online music download sites.

“Gaming for me is a religion and Haze is the shit!” said Jonathan Davis. “I had to come up with a track that can hit up that kind of rush I get from the game and I think we really rocked it!”

The game is set to launch next month exclusively on PS3.

Serving as an insult to SCi, Reuters reports that Paris-based Ubisoft no longer has any interest in buying the Eidos parent company. Apparently, the purchase would be too expensive, according to an Ubi representative.

“Ubisoft has no intention of making an offer for SCI-Eidos,” said an unnamed Ubi spokesperson. “We are looking at other opportunities for external and internal growth which can create more potential value for shareholders.”

Though Ubi may no longer be interested, SCi is still courting two possible suitors - Time Warner and an unnamed Chinese corporation.