As announced over the weekend we would get word today about the unreal name changes ... Infogrames let us know that Unreal Tournament 2003 is coming this summer, Unreal II will arrive for the holidays. They also announced the name change for Unreal Tournament II to Unreal Tournament 2003. The original report also indicated that Unreal II would also be renamed to Unreal: Episode II, but Tim's post revealed that this was a misunderstanding based on a PR glitch, and this change was still being debated. The release announces that Unreal Tournament 2003, in production at Digital Extremes, is due this summer and Unreal II, being created by Legend Entertainment, is shipping this fall. Unreal Tournament 2003 is not actually described as a name change, as no title for the shooter follow-up had been formally announced.

DVD Region X, the DVD import movie player for PS2, is being given away for free on the cover of the latest issue of PSi-2 Magazine (UK version ONLY). Worth £19.99, the full version of this best-selling product allows you to watch DVD movies from any region on a PS2. It also gives you better picture quality by removing the “green screen” effect that usually appears when trying to watch any DVD movie via SCART or RGB on a PS2. DVD Region X is available exclusively in issue 18 of PSi-2, which is on sale now in all good newsagents and game stores. The product comes supplied in a black DVD case, and full instructions are supplied inside the magazine. PSi-2 is a 132-page monthly PS2 magazine published by Thin Ice Media.

There's a Freedom Force Q&A on the Electric Playground where they chat with Irrational Games' Ken Levine about Freedom Force, Irrational's superhero game that recently went gold. There's also a Dragon Throne Q&A on Games Domain talking with Persy Zhang, executive director at Object Software, about the game (and also a preview). There's (a Warlords Battlecry II Q&A on GameSpyDaily talking with Ubi Soft's Garrett Graham, producer on the recently-released RTS sequel. There's a Kreed Interview on HARDWiRED where they sat down for a face-to-face conversation with Dmitry Andreev of Burut to discuss progress on Kreed, their upcoming first-person shooter.

Today Microsoft tossed up its official site for Ensemble Studios' upcoming 3D RTS, Age of Mythology. The site offers FAQ, features, screens and much more. Check it out!

Midway Sports, the sports brand of leading software industry publisher and developer Midway Games Inc., announced today that NFL Blitz 20-02 will ship tomorrow for the Xbox video game system from Microsoft and Nintendo GameCube. The only dedicated extreme-style football videogame for next-generation systems, NFL Blitz 20-02 showcases exclusive 8-on-8 action and over-the-top, adrenaline-style gameplay and real NFL attributes. NFL Blitz 20-02 is currently available for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and Game Boy Advance.

Africa is lost if the Axis advancement succeeds in the Sahara Desert, and only one military unit stands in their way--the Desert Rats. Gamers can now join these WWII Allied heroes as a member of this hand-picked cadre of men in Elite Forces WWII Desert Rats from ValuSoft, a leading global publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and productivity software.

Ubi Soft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, today announced that it has shipped Mike Tyson Boxing for the Game Boy Advance, offering fans and critics alike the opportunity to climb into the ring and show Iron Mike who's boss. Featuring more than 100 different heavyweights, and a full arsenal of rib-crunching body shots, brain-rattling roundhouses, and jaw-busting uppercuts, Mike Tyson Boxing for the Game Boy Advance gives players the chance to build a boxer and take him to the top. Mike Tyson Boxing has an MSRP of $29.99.

Strategy First and PAN Vision announced today that they have signed a distribution agreement in which PAN Vision acquires the rights to distribute Disciples II and Trainz throughout the Scandinavian territories.

F1 2002 will be the first Formula One game to feature the new 2002 season when it launches. Officially licensed by Formula One Administration Limited, it features real drivers, teams, cars and tracks from the 2002 FIA Formula One World Championship and it will be available at the start of the brand new season allowing the true Formula One aficionado the opportunity to play along as the real life drama unfolds.

Frictionless Insight has posted an extensive interview with Richard Garriott, creator of the Ultima Series, a.k.a. Lord British. They discussed Mr. Garriott's beginnings, the evolution of the Ultima series; the concept of virtue; and its impact on villainy in online worlds. Richard "Lord British" Garriott talked about his alter-ego, his role in the game Lineage, and Lineage's expansion into North America. Finally, he revealed a bit about his life outside of gaming and his love for real-life adventure and exploration. Full interview HERE!

SCi, one of Europe’s leading publishers of computer games, today announces the signing of a licence agreement with Gabby Logan (nee Yorath) to present FourFourTwo, SCi’s latest football manager PC computer game, alongside Terry Venables.

SCi Entertainment Group Plc (SEG), is delighted to announce that its Number One hit The Italian Job has reached Sony Platinum status. The Italian Job was released on Sony Playstation One on 5th October 2001. It immediately secured the number 1 chart position in the UK and has remained high in the charts ever since. Confirmation of Platinum status means that The Italian Job has exceeded sales of 200,000 units. A Platinum version of The Italian Job will be launched in September 2002.

Capcom Eurosoft today confirmed that it will be publishing its first PlayStation 2 titles on Sony Computer Entertainment Europe’s Platinum range this coming June. The first two titles are Onimusha: Warlords and Resident Evil Code: Veronica X both of which topped the charts when released last year.

Purge is an online-only computer game. It is a hybrid Role-Playing-Game / First-Person-Shooter set in the near future accounting a war between the diametrically opposed forces of science-fiction (the Order) and fantasy (the Chosen). Technology versus magic. Science versus religion. Purge is being developed by Freeform Interactive LLC and utilizes the LithTech Talon system. Freeform Interactive will be conducting extremely intensive closed beta tests, currently scheduled for mid-April. Sign-up for the Purge Closed Beta Test now!

Capcom Eurosoft today confirmed it plans to publish Capcom vs SNK Pro for the PlayStation. The game is scheduled to be released this July throughout all PAL territories.

BAM! Entertainment today announced that it has obtained the rights to publish id Software’s Wolfenstein 3D for the Game Boy Advance. Originally developed and released for the PC in 1992, Wolfenstein 3D has become one of the most critically acclaimed and widely recognized gaming franchises ever, including a 1995 induction into Computer Gaming World’s Gaming Hall of Fame. Wolfenstein 3D for the Game Boy Advance is a joint development effort between id Software and Dallas-based studio Stalker Entertainment.