Activision has just released the official beta patches for Star Trek Starfleet Command III, bringing the US and UK editions of the space strategy game by Taldren to v1.01. This release brings a handful of new features along with a massive list of client and server fixes, and for multiplayer it requires you to play on a beta server instead of a regular Dynaverse 3 server. Read more for a detailed fix list and download links ...

Microsoft has released a playable demo of Freelancer, allowing you to try this imminent 3D space combat by Digital Anvil. This demo "offers the chance to explore the entire Liberty System, giving access to more than a dozen bases and five flyable ships. Experience the trading system, sample the open-ended nature of the game and immerse yourself in the intense combat of Freelancer today". Unlike the exclusive Fileplanet demo a few days ago, this one is totally free! Read more for download links ...

Sony Computer Entertainment held a press conference in South Korea earlier to reveal upcoming titles for the Playstation 2. During that event, Ken Kutargi showed off some major "online" titles that will hit South Korea sometime this year or in 2004. One of the titles that got revealed was Syphon Filter Online. Rumours about a new SF game are not new but no further details about its online capabilities were revealed. I am sure we can all expect more details at this year's E3 (in May) where Sony will showcase their latest. Stay tuned for more details (thanks GamingHorizon)!

Eidos Interactive today announced its exciting partnership with multi-platinum recording artists the Insane Clown Posse (ICP), Psychopathic Records and the Backyard Wrestling: Don't Try This At Home video games for the PS2 and Xbox. The games are scheduled for release this summer. Read more for details ...

Konami of America today announced that the celebrated videogame franchise Castlevania will debut on the Sony PS2 in Fall 2003. Castlevania for PS2 is being reinvented from the ground up by legendary game producer, Koji Igarashi at Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo, and the creative team behind the critically acclaimed Castlevania Symphony of the Night (PS1), the award-winning Castlevania Harmony of Dissonance (GBA) and the all-new adventure Castlevania Aria of Sorrow scheduled for release on May 6, 2003 (GBA). Set against the backdrop of a gothic Transylvania, Castlevania for PS2 will plunge players into a fantastic new vampire-hunting adventure. Maximizing the processing power of the console, the ominous drama of the franchise will be realized through exhilarating action, a rich story, breathtaking environments, dazzling next-generation graphics and a sweeping musical soundtrack.

Mega Man Network Transmission uses the popular chip system introduced in the original Battle Network RPG. By collecting chips, players can equip Mega Man with special weapons and support items that enhance his abilities. For example one chip will improve Mega Man’s jumping skills, while another creates a protective shield to deflect enemy attacks. Check these 16 new screens ...

Sammy Europe Ltd. today announced the release date for great beat-em-up title in PAL region for PS2. Guilty Gear X2, the newest sequel in the exceptional 2D anime fighter series, will be available on 21st March 2003. The title will have an RRP 29.99 GBP. With fan momentum for the Guilty Gear series continuing to dramatically escalate worldwide, Guilty Gear X2 brings the newest and most complete title in the series to European PS2 players. The title combines the traditions that set the fighter apart with new characters, new moves, new animation and bonus features, with improved reaction speed by 50Hz/60Hz option added answering users’ requests. Guilty Gear X2 adds six new characters to the most unique cast ever conceived for a total 20 playable fighters, and delivers new modes like Story, Mission, Medal of Millionaires and Gallery to build on the series story of war between humans and the bio-weapon Gears. Guilty Gear signatures such as amazing character and backdrop animation, super-fast gameplay speed and eye-popping special moves return, as does the brilliant character design of renowned artist Daisuke Ishiwatari.

Rainbow Six: Raven Shield features a brand new Tom Clancy storyline in which Team RAINBOW is led all over the world in a string of dramatic operations. The game will utilize graphics technology provided by the next-generation Unreal engine to power 15 new single-player missions that include the discovery of a cache of biological weapons and stopping an armed gang from terrorizing a London bank. More Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield intel available today. This time: key strategic information for multiplayer missions. Read more for screens and in game trailer ...

Hang on for your life in Wakeboarding Unleashed featuring Shaun Murray as you get ripped across a lake by a high-powered speedboat and trick through dangerous terrain. Feel the rush as you crash into houseboats and catch huge air in nine exotic levels with seven world-class wakeboarders. Tired already? Then drive the boat and help your friend pull off challenging technical tricks on the most realistic looking water ever. A new batch of screens as well as a new trailer. Njoy!

Empire Interactive announces a further agreement with Black Cactus on the exclusive rights for the original, multiple award winning, top 10 chart success Warrior Kings title. Empire will publish its sequel, Warrior Kings: Battles, a real time strategy title for the PC, in March 2003. Following on from this Empire and Black Cactus will release an updated and enhanced version of the original, called Warrior Kings: Gold Edition in June at mid price. Empire also has the rights to release the game as a double pack with Warrior Kings: Battles and on its budget label, Xplosiv later in the year.