Microsoft Game Studios yesterday announced its first tennis title for the Xbox video game system is in development. Developed by Power and Magic Developments, "Top Spin," an Xbox exclusive and Xbox Live enabled tennis experience, will offer gamers and tennis fans a pulse-pounding glimpse into professional tennis. Today we bring up some screens, Check them out!

In the 13th century, the Aztecs lived in the north of Mexico. The name "Aztec" derives from the name of their legendary former home Aztlan. Under the reign of a glorious chief, the Aztecs moved, until finally settling on the banks of Texcoco, on the Chapultepec (or "grasshopper") hill. The Aztecs lived on fish, crawfish and waterfowl, and procured land on which to sow seeds from the bottom of the lake. They bought everything else, including stone, wood, and drinking water (the water of lake Texcoco being salty) from their neighbors. More info regarding the Aztecs HERE!

GMX Media has today released the movies for its upcoming PC RPG game – Heath. Heath is a massive RPG game with loads of innovative features including;

• Unpredictable ending of the game
• 35 unique filled playing locations
• over 150 different kinds of NPC
• over 50 kinds of enemies
• about 30 quests, that can be solved in a different ways
• over 500 useful items
  
  Video clip now available, if you're wondering what GMX's RPG looks like on the move, read more for download links!

In a timeless battle for the fate of the Earth and all humanity, the player assumes the role of the archangel Abaddon (name meaning “Destroyer”). Set in a dark contemporary environment, the fallen angel faces possessed zealots, demons and four giant, eternal forces of the Apocalypse: Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death. During this epic struggle, Abaddon must find and protect the three humans known as the Chosen. By strategically using and combining the powers of the Chosen, the archangel prepares for the ultimate battle against the Horsemen. Hand-to-hand, sword, and projectile combat combine with fantastic abilities to create a surreal, cinematic experience. Especially for HalloWeen, 3DO released screens from one of the characters, WAR. Check him out!

Midway Games Inc. a leading software industry publisher and developer, announced today that revolutionary FreeFormer gameplay will be featured in Haven: Call Of The King, a groundbreaking action and fantasy console videogame, which is in development and scheduled to ship Nov. 18 for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. The title is also scheduled to ship for the Xbox video game system from Microsoft and Nintendo GameCube in 2003. Haven: Call Of The King is being developed by acclaimed U.K.-based developer, Traveller's Tales.

Stratics Central Fiction recently began publishing their own fictional series, "The Hunted".. "Welcome to a world of mighty warriors, dark magic, majestic bards, devious villains, and chaotic gods. "The Hunted" follows the story of the young bard Lanister ty`Val and a mysterious young woman on the run named Kalisha. For reasons unknown, she is hunted by the sinister Zen Rahl, a Mord Sedehi from the capital city of Andor. The plot goes far deeper than it seems, as the pair soon find themselves, along with others, on the run from forces far greater than they ever could have imagined. Visit a tale full of friendship, war, betrayal, and a grand political struggle for the Iron Throne of Andor, and even control of the world of Aryth itself." The feature will be published every Wednesday.

Sabotain combines a classic first person shooter style with role playing elements and a fascinating mission design. As an undercover agent you are on a secret mission in Miracle City, and will be faced with a myriad of choices and direction to reach goals, either in a rather peaceful matter or by force of arms if necessary. Following old traditions, the website launch today features the start of the banner contest:

Dragon Empires Stratics site launched earlier this week. The site includes an FAQ, dev diaries, dev musings (quotes), dev profiles, an extensive clan database and guide, and exclusive bird armor concept screenshots.

“The Westerner”, developed Revistronic, is the sequel to “3 Skulls of the Toltecs”, released by Warner Interactive in 1996, with more than 180.000 copies sold in Europe. Today we serve up some screens and game info ...

Etherlords II is the sequel to the innovative turn-based strategy game originally released in November 2001. Similar to Etherlords I, which was highly praised for its tactical depth and stunning graphics, Etherlords II promises to be even more spectacular, changing the emphasis of the game from simple exploration and resource gathering to a more enriching story-driven adventure.

Splinter Cell invites gamers to delve into the dark shadows of cyber-terrorism, shadow agencies, and covert operations. The player controls Sam Fisher, a solo operative directed by a top secret, "black ops" wing of the National Security Agency. Alone, yet armed with some of the best hi-tech weapons on the market, Sam walks the fine line between what is legal and what is necessary. He must infiltrate enemy territory and neutralize the opponents—all without leaving a trace. Check these 6 new screens .. Njoy!

Electronic Arts and Def Jam Records just unveiled their new fighting game, 'Def Jam Vendetta'. Read more for some screens, features and some in game footage movie ...

Another reality awaits those who dare to enter the world of Chemicus. Shrouded in secrecy and intrigue, the mysterious city of Chemicus is the repository of chemical knowledge from the beginning of time. It begins with a young scientist’s discovery of an ancient amulet with the power to unlock the portal to the forgotten land. Soon, strange, cloaked men kidnap him, claiming that he has disrupted the delicate balance between our world and theirs. Players find themselves in a virtual mission to unlock the secrets of Chemicus, to restore harmony, and rescue the abducted scientist.

GMX Media announced its first console game today. The title, Kien, will be released for the Gameboy Advance Console early 2003. Kien is an action/platform game with RPG elements. The player's task is to complete an epic, non-linear quest in a fantasy-inspired world, helping the two young heroes in their challenge to defeat the Powers of Evil. The world of Kien is composed of 23 long, challenging levels, each boasting richly detailed and colourful 2D graphics, appealing features, well-animated characters as well as eye-pleasing environments and backgrounds. Read more for some nice looking screens ...

Noticed at Blues that the Firaxis Games Files Page is offering a new v1.04f patch for the brand-new Play the World expansion for Civilization III. The patch is just under 7 MB and adds autopatching and a pillage function along with several fixes addressing things such as multiplayer stability, a memory leak with adviser screens, a bug in play-by-email mode, and more. There is also a new patch for Iron Storm available updating 4X Studios' alternate-history World War I shooter to v1.02. Here's what the patch addresses: "The game will crash to desktop while attempting to rebind keys. This problem primarily occurs when the user has a USB keyboard or USB Mouse or both." Read more for links where to get all of these goodies ...

From Brian Reynolds, designer of Civilization 2 and Alpha Centauri, comes Rise of Nations, combining the fast-paced action of real-time strategy games with the strategic depth and epic scope of turn-based strategy games. Rise of Nations allows players to improve their city infrastructure, create new cities, and expand national borders. Players have the option to win through military might using everything from sling-shots to canons to stealth bombers; corner the market on key commodities; and wheel and deal with a wide variety of civilizations. Unlike other historical real-time strategy games, Rise of Nations allows the gamer to quickly play through to the modern age. Today we serve up 10 new screens for you to enjoy!

Publisher Strategy First and Developers Paradox Entertainment, the same team behind the award-winning Europa Universalis II, are proud to announce that Hearts of Iron¸ the first World War II game of true grand strategic scope, has gone gold. Read more for details and 10 new screens ...

TDK Mediactive, Inc. announced that "Shrek Extra Large" has shipped for the GameCube. The title will be available at major retail outlets throughout North America. “We are glad to be able to bring Shrek to the GameCube,” said Stefan Serwe, vice president of global marketing, TDK Mediactive. “Shrek Extra Large is the perfect product to address the emerging and growing GameCube market, and with its zany fairy tale characters, we are confident that the game will deliver the charm and twists of Shrek to a wide audience.”

Arriving just in time to put the "ho" in "ho-ho-ho,' Simon & Schuster Interactive announced today it has shipped "Outlaw Golf" for the GameCube (Rated: "T" by the ESRB; $49.95 estimated street price; also available for the Xbox). A gift that 'keeps giving' for the golfer in your life, "Outlaw Golf" is a hardcore golf game with a humorous side that takes gamers to three different courses where you'd never find PGA members.