Big Time Software and Battlefront.com have just released an updated demo of Combat Mission 2: Barbarossa to Berlin bringing this 3D turn-based war game by to v1.01, in sync with last month's retail patches. This release brings a huge list of changes so read more for the super long list of details and links where to grab this puppy (thanks 3DGamers).

Jaleco Entertainment announces the shipment tomorrow (Wednesday) of Super Bubble Pop, the bubble-popping puzzle game, for the Nintendo GameCube.

Enigma: Rising Tide is an exciting, massively-multiplayer game featuring fast-paced ship-to-ship battles with very high player densities. Enigma: Rising Tide will unfold a detailed backstory in which three Great Power "Empires" wage war against each other using submarines, destroyers, destroyer escorts, corvettes, tankers, merchantmen, and aircraft. The game is designed to be action-filled and easy-to-learn while providing depth of strategy and cinematic cat-and-mouse suspense. Eventually, player actions and decisions will steer the direction of the alternate history story and the evolution of the online war . A new updated demo is now available (version E), read more for links and details (thanks 3DGamers).

Arkane Studios has issued updated retail patches for Arx Fatalis, nonetheless retaining their 3D role-playing game at version 1.15. This release addresses a gameplay bug where you would get stuck "Players reported that Kultar attacks you in the castle, if you did not free him from the prison at the beginning of the game. The player stays stuck because the sewers don't open". Read more for links where to grab this puppy ..

Infogrames and Lost Toys have announced that Battle Engine Aquila has gone gold for Xbox and PS2 and is expected to appear in stores early 2003 (original date is slated January 2003). Set on the planet Allium where climate changes have resulted in the sea raising, Battle Engine Aquila has players fighting with the faction known as the Forseti against another called the Muspell in his battle tank, the Battle Engine Aquila. Check out the official website for more details ...

SEGA of America, Inc. announced the release of "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" for the GameCube. As the most true-to-life hockey simulation, "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" successfully replicates the sport's details such as lifelike goalie maneuvers, strategic line changes, battling for the puck against the boards and extensive individual player and team attributes that result in ultra-realistic play. Produced by Visual Concepts Entertainment, a SEGA development studio, and developed by Treyarch LLC, "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" provides the features that hockey fans covet, from an in-depth Franchise Mode and full lineup of NHL and International teams to its authentic ESPN telecast-style presentation.

On the forsaken remains that were once the proud planet called Astara, the villagers of Rockhaven lead difficult but peaceful lives, until the day the Shadowraith, "Dark Yabu," and his minions sweep down from the sky. With terrible ferocity and ruthless efficiency they descend upon the townsfolk, enslaving them to work deep in the caves that surround their village. The Dark Yabu kills the grandfather of the young Vexx, who manages to slip quietly aboard the enemy's windship. There, locked deep within Yabu's sanctum, lie the last pair of Astani Battlegauntlets. The gloves leap from their chest onto Vexx's outstretched hands, bonding to his arms and giving him special powers. Acclaim will be releasing Vexx for the PS2, GameCube and Xbox this February. Check our new batch vexxilicious screens ...

Last week Infogrames announced that its hugely successful V-Rally brand was speeding onto the Xbox in April 2003. Following on from the unprecedented success of the PlayStation 2 version, V-Rally 3 on Xbox will be the definitive version of this great racer and leave other rally games trailing in its dust. Today we have the first batch of screens to show you what you can expect in terms of "visual persuasion". Njoy!

We received a bunch of screens today from Infogrames and from following Game Boy Advance and Nintendo GameCube games:

• Virtua Tennis (GBA) -- 9 screens
  
• The Revenge of Shinobi (GBA) -- 9 screens
  
• Super Monkey Ball Jr. (GBA) -- 19 screens
  
• Pinball of the Dead (GBA) -- 12 screens
  
• Micro Machines (GBA) -- 16 screens
  
• Super Monkey Ball 2 (NGC) -- 15 screens
  
• Sonic Mega Collection (NGC) -- 21 screens
  
• Skies of Arcadia Legends (NGC) -- 3 screens
  
• Micro Machines (NGC) -- 12 screens

Infogrames, Inc. and Dritte/Vierte Boll Kino Beteiligungs-GmbH & Co KG (Boll Kino) today announced a deal that will take Infogrames' horror classic, ALONE IN THE DARK from the computer screen to the big screen. Infogrames has sold Boll Kino the theatrical feature film rights to the game, which created and spawned the survival-horror gaming genre that exists today.

Majesco today announced one of its newest offerings for 2003, BlowOut, a next generation 3D side-scrolling shooter intended for release for the PlayStation2, Xbox, and PC. Developed by Kaos Kontrol, BlowOut is slated for release next fall.

UPDATE: Just added the first few screens .. Njoy!

Shrapnel Games announced today the release of Thunder Pack Platinum by Stormcloud Creations, their new development partner. Thunder Pack Platinum brings four games to the strategy gamer just in time for Christmas. A demo is available from the Shrapnel Games website (24.9MB)..

The CPL Pentium 4 Processor Winter 2002 Event, opening tomorrow, December 18th and boasting an attendance of 1,500 gamers representing 25 different countries, will center on the $140,000 official tournaments for Counter-Strike, Unreal Tournament 2003 and Team Fortress Classic. The press and media coverage for this event will likely focus on the tournaments as well. There are, however, numerous other activities beyond the tournaments that are certain to appeal to any gaming or computer enthusiast.

THQ and Nickelodeon today announced the release of "SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman" for the Nintendo GameCube. This underwater adventure is based on Nickelodeon's pop culture phenomenon, "SpongeBob SquarePants" -- the highest rated program on kids' TV -- drawing 61.5 million viewers per month, more than 21 million of them aged 18-49. "SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman" for GameCube is now available at retailers nationwide.

Sega and Capcom today announced that Auto Modellista for PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system will utilize SEGA Network Application Package (SNAP) technology for networked gameplay. Tapping into Sega.com's extensive experience in online gaming, SNAP provides Capcom with a reliable, easy-to-use online gaming solution to take their cutting edge game to the next level. SNAP technology is the ideal custom network transport to provide optimal gameplay for Auto Modellista and SNAP Services will assist Capcom with operation, maintenance, and development of a networked game environment, as well as server hosting, in-game web development, implementation consulting, and network quality assurance.

Rise of Nations, a strategy game from Microsoft, carries the sweeping scope of epic historical turn-based strategy game, but gives the player the quick decision-making of real-time games such as Age of Empires. Release Date: Spring 2003.. Check out some new screens

Payback "upcoming title from apex" is inspired by Grand Theft Auto, the game engine supports perspective correct texture mapping, environment mapping (reflections), bump mapping, realistic shadows, alpha-channelling (lens flares, explosions and shockwaves), 12 channel 3D sound and realistic physics. The game is currently only available for Classic Amiga systems, but Game Boy Advance, Windows, Linux, Mac and Intent versions are also in the works... Read more to check out some screens!

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is set to launch for Nintendo GameCube on March 24, 2003. But in North America, consumers already are pushing for an early pre-sell effort so they can be guaranteed a copy of the game. Starting Feb. 16, 2003, Nintendo fans can get a double-hit of Zelda. When a customer places a deposit for The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker at a participating retailer, they'll receive a special, limited-edition playable disk featuring two games: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest - an updated version of the game which was never released outside of Japan.

Electronic Arts today announced the release of its highly anticipated PC game, The Sims Online. The Sims Online is the Internet, multi-player version of the top-selling PC game of all time, The Sims. The Sims Online is a massive virtual world created and populated by thousands of players from around the world. In this never-ending alternative reality players can be themselves or "Be Somebody. Else." In The Sims Online, players create and control the actions of a character known as a Sim. Players enter the world with a small amount of money to spend as they wish. They can purchase their own piece of land to do with as they please or they can join with other players to create shared homes and businesses or host wild events.

Illuminati Entertainment a trailblazing management and production company focusing on clients with backgrounds in comic books and video games launches with an A-list talent roster. Illuminati founder Ford Lytle Gilmore is a producer and the former Vice President of Development at Goodman/Rosen Productions, where he worked on licensed properties, including video game franchises "Crazy Taxi" and "Perfect Dark."

CNN Money reports that we can expect another round of price cuts before mid-year, most likely right around the same time as the Electronic Entertainment Expo, the gaming industry's annual trade show. Most execs are predicting another $50 reduction, taking the Xbox and PS2 to $149 and the GameCube to $99. While unlikely, they acknowledge it's not inconceivable that PS2 and Xbox prices could fall to $99 (and, by default, the GameCube would slip to $50).

AIM listed developer Warthog have dramatically expanded their operation with the acquisition of Zed Two Game Design Studio. Warthog plc is one of Europe's leading independent games software developers. The Company, based in Manchester, UK was established in 1997 and has been profitable since creation. Warthog prides itself on its highly experienced 200 + strong development team, whose combined experience covers more than 1500 games titles across all major platforms and most games genres. At present, the Company is working with numerous high profile licensees to develop video game versions of such entities as Robot Wars, Tiny Toon Adventures, Animaniacs and X-Men as well as its own game creations Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter and X10.

WorthPlaying is giving away IronStorm goodies from DreamCatcher. Enter the sweepstakes and have a chance to either win one of 5 IronStorm PC game copies or one of 5 IronStorm T-shirts. IronStorm is a 1st/third person shoot'em-up/action video game set in an alternate world. Imagine, 1964, the First World War never ended and you are in the middle of it! (Earlier winners of IceWind Dale 2 is announced here)

In Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon, you are invited to lead this brand-new squad as they focus on covert military strikes and international peacekeeping missions that do not always go as planned. You and your team conduct extensive missions on foot, but you’ll occasionally have assistance from troops in tanks, helicopters and close air support. In many cases, you will be working with international military forces and NATO to fight against rising dictators and rebel groups.

Based on Steven Spielberg’s highly anticipated futuristic thriller, Minority Report is the only game that lets the player relive the movie experience, combining hand-to-hand combat and futuristic weapons and devices straight out of the movie. Today we have 9 new screens from the GameCube version.. Go check them out!

The new Cenega Publishing game 'Korea: Forgotten Conflict' has its own website. It contains all information about this strategy game taking place during the Korean war.. Check out news, screenshots, features and more here!

Splinter Cell will grant players access to the highest echelons of national security, where shadowy operatives have the freedom to do whatever it takes to safeguard America. In Splinter Cell, the player controls Sam Fisher, a field operative of a secretive "black-ops" NSA sub-agency called Third Echelon. Sam Fisher is geared up to infiltrate high-security strongholds, seize critical intelligence, destroy threatening data and neutralize the enemy - all without leaving a trace. Developed by Ubi Soft's Montreal Studio in Canada, Splinter Cell, is a unique experience that will have the player thinly skate on the fine line that separates fact from fiction. A new gameplay trailer and a "making of" are now available for download, read more for links ...

With screaming next generation UNREAL engine technology from Epic Games, Inc., Running With Scissors is locked and loaded like never before. Running With Scissors is getting ready to frag 'em and shag 'em in extra-crispy first-person style. Why? Because everyone knows the POSTAL Dude always delivers. Read more and check out the new trailer (combining Get Milk, Napalm Factory and Vince Errand into 1 file).

Eidos Interactive has released a second playable demo for Hitman 2: Silent Assassin, once again allowing you to step into the shoes of Codename 47 if you don't own the full game yet. This demo contains a mission where you're attending a party, and have to kill a general and retrieve a suitcase (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for links where to grab this beauty ...

To make the experience of modern war as immersive as possible, EA Pacific is using a proprietary state-of-the-art 3D engine, code-named "Sage," which delivers unprecedented detail and interactivity. Because of Sage, Generals' battlefields will include fully modeled urban cityscapes, rugged deserts, vast forests and frozen wastelands. Amazing special effects will allow players to crush cars with hulking tanks, blow out the windows of skyscrapers, or lace the skies with smoke from dueling fighter planes. A new trailer has just been released, read more for download links...

Activision lets us know that they have updated the official Star Trek Starfleet Command 3 website with a new 11 meg single player add-on for Taldren's recent space strategy game. This free add-on lets you pilot the Scimitar warship commanded by Lord Shinzon, based on the just released movie Star Trek Nemesis. Read more for links where to grab this puppy ...