NovaLogic today announced a contest to find out who can build the best Joint Operations: Typhoon Rising Fan Site in the US. Call for entries start on July 1st and end July 30th, 2004. A check for $500 is up for grabs for the first place winner, as well as other prizes including signed copies of the game, posters and exclusive Joint Ops merchandise. All fan sites entered in the contest will also be up for a special Community Award, as voted by NovaWorld community members World Wide.

Electronic Arts announced today that Harry Potter fans can experience the magic of Harry's third year at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban videogame, available in stores now.

Microsoft Game Studios today announced the arrival of new downloadable content for the popular Xbox golf game, Links 2004. The download takes players to The Gallery Golf Club's most private course -- the renowned North Course in Marara, Arizona. Starting today, players can download the new course via Xbox Live for $4.99 (U.S.).

Strategy First and Game Factory Interactive are pleased to announce that they have entered into a contract that will see MiST Land South (Game Factory’s development studio) develop the following titles on behalf of SFI: Jagged Alliance 3D, Disciples III and Jagged Alliance 3, all for the PC platform. MiST Land South, located in Russia has already begun work on the projects, but no specific release dates have been set.

Universal Pictures has optioned Doom for producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura and John Wells, with Enda McCallion attached to make his directorial debut, reports Variety. The script, originated by Dave Callaham, is adapted from the plotline for the id Software and Activision video game "Doom 3," slated for release July 15. The story is set at a Mars space station, where an aerospace conglom is conducting secret experiments when something unleashes a demonic force that threatens to overtake the facility.

Publisher Strategy First and developer Guild Software have teamed up to bring Vendetta Online to a retail store near you this summer. Vendetta Online is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), set in space. Thousands of players will interact as the pilots of spaceships in a vast universe and users may build their characters in any direction they desire, becoming rich captains of industry, military heroes, or outlaws. Read more for details & screens ...

“D-Day”, an historically accurate RTS from the makers of Desert Rats vs. Afrika Korps, starts making tank tracks to PCs everywhere. There is no stopping games publisher Digital Jesters as it announces yet another signing: D-Day will be released in the UK, in August 2004, for a SRP of £29.99. Read more for details and some screens ...

Further expanding their burgeoning release schedule, Oxygen have now added two new FPS titles to their release schedule, with PS2 and PC versions in simultaneous development. Due in September, Vietnam: The Tet Offensive will feature a range of action-packed missions and an innovative damage system, packed with accurate historical details. Following a month later, SAS: Against All Odds boasts counter-terrorist missions based on contemporary politics, with stealth-heavy, tactical gameplay.

SCi Games has signed a US publishing deal with Atlus U.S.A. Inc. a leading publisher of interactive entertainment, to publish GALLEON on Xbox, in North America. GALLEON, the latest creation from Toby Gard the creator of Lara Croft, is an epic tale of action, adventure, romance and mystery and will be available in the US from Autumn 2004.