Blomberg.com reports that Sony Corp. plans to move production of its PlayStation 2 console to China next year, as the rivalry from Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox forces the world's largest video-game console maker to tighten control on costs and prices. Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. currently makes half of its PlayStation 2s at two plants in Japan. Sony expects to move all of its production to Chinese plants run by Taiwanese companies Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. and Asustek Computer Inc. next fiscal year, Sony Computer spokesman Koichiro Katsurayama said. Shifting PlayStation 2's assembly operations to China may allow Sony to increase profit margins at its video-game unit, which accounted for 36 percent of the company's operating profit in the three months ended Dec. 31. China's lower labor costs may also give Sony room to cut the PlayStation 2's retail price, giving Sony an edge over Microsoft's Xbox.

You’re Indiana Jones. Legendary adventurer. Daring rogue. And the most butt-kicking archaeologist the world has ever seen. It’s 1935 and this time you must prevent a powerful Chinese artifact from falling into evil hands. This globe-spanning adventure pits you against evil Nazis and the Asian underworld with a mysterious and alluring partner, Mei Ying. It’ll take more than just a trusty whip and pistol to avoid deadly traps and navigate through all the dangerous environments. Do you have what it takes to make it back alive? LucasArts is pleased to announce that Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb for PC has Gone Gold and will be in stores March 26th! PlayStation2 version is coming soon.

WarBirds, PTO, Pacific Theater of Operations is launched in Beta! Come fly the Battles of the Pacific in the Philippine Islands! The new product launched in Beta today and is expected to go live on 20 March 2003. WarBirds, PTO, Pacific Theater of Operations is a major new product from the award winning WarBirds III Family of products. New Terrains, new airplanes, new flight models, new strategy, new graphic features, and new fun all will be had with this exciting new product! This is the first new product since the release of the original WarBirds III was launched in 2000!

Track down and eliminate dangerous forces from behind the wheel of the world’s most relied upon front-line vehicle — the HUMVEE. Whether rumbling through a sun-baked desert, steaming tropical jungle or frozen tundra, it’s up to you to deliver a knockout punch to America’s enemies. With simple pick-up-and-play controls and immediate arcade-style action, this is your war to win. This is HUMVEE Assault! Read more for details and a few hi-res screens ...

Purge delivers a compelling combination of first-person shooter gameplay and RPG character development, immersing players in a strife-torn world that blends science fiction and fantasy. Although still waiting for the official announcement, Freeform Interactive today announced that their hybrid FPS/RPG powered by the LithTech Talon system, Purge, has gone gold, and will ship to US stores on March 31. Freeform Interactive also announced that a new demo will be released soon.

Mid October 2002 Paradox announced the purchase of 20% in Conan Properties. Only four months later Paradox has executed a definitive agreement to acquire all remaining stock of Conan Properties. There is no doubt that Conan is one of the greatest character franchises in the world. The line up of partners surely tells the strength of the property. A wide range of international companies has been working with Conan over the years. Current licensing deals include a feature film option with Warner Brothers, computer games license with TDK, publishing license with TOR books a comic license with Dark Horse Comics and many other key licensees world wide. This, if anything, shows that the great barbarian is a strong and vital character, says Theodore Bergquist, CEO at Paradox Entertainment.

Xicat Interactive Inc., announced today that BlackStone: Magic and Steel, has shipped and is on store shelves. BlackStone is Xicat’s second Japanese RPG release in three months for the Xbox. “BlackStone: Magic and Steel is a unique fusion of RPG elements and multiplayer hack & slash game play. We’re confident it will be a big title for us this quarter,” says Brad Flack, director of sales at Xicat. BlackStone: Magic and Steel will be available for the Xbox and can be found throughout North America. BlackStone is rated T for blood and violence.

In their immeasurable greed and constant thirst for power, the thirteen most powerful Mages of all time doomed the land, hurling it into an endless spiral of chaos and despair. Entire countries were wiped out in the blink of an eye when the devastating power of the Elements was unleashed – Elements summoned by dark rituals. Continents shattered like glass, the pieces strewn about like leaves in the wind. Huge armies, bound by the the power of ancient runes, brought war and destruction to the lands that survived the initial onslaught. All that was left were a few islands, connected by magic portals.

Electronic Arts and Lionhead Studios once again join forces to ask the question of whether you are an evil or benevolent deity. From the creative mind of industry icon, Peter Molyneux, Black & White 2 for the PC promises to deliver yet another revolutionary Role Playing God game experience. Currently under development, the PC-based title is the true sequel to the highly-acclaimed original PC title, Black & White which was released more than two years ago.

Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games) today announced that it has obtained the exclusive publishing rights for the world-renowned "Hunter: The Reckoning" franchise. Under terms of the agreement, VU Games has assumed worldwide publishing and distribution responsibilities to future game releases based on the multi-year content license from White Wolf Publishing Inc. The publishing rights were purchased from Interplay Entertainment Corp.

Thrustmaster infiltrates Splinter Cell, the long-awaited PlayStation 2 title from Ubi Soft Entertainment, and will be releasing an official Splinter Cell gamepad and cheatcodes. Fans of the cutting-edge spy thriller will be keen to pick up these two special weapons, both of which will be available for the game’s scheduled release at the end of March 2003.

Developed by Big Huge Games, Rise of Nations combines the epic scope and depth of traditional turn-based strategy games with the pulse-pounding thrill and speed of RTS games, providing unprecedented excitement while maintaining rich gameplay. The game allows players to create new cities, improve their city infrastructure and expand national borders. Read more for a batch of 15 brand new screens ...

Electronic Arts has released a new patch for Medal of Honor: Allied Assault Spearhead, bringing the World War II FPS expansion by EA Pacific to v2.15. This release includes a sizable list of improvements, tweaks and bug fixes. Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

Vivendi Universal & Interplay today announced that Run Like Hell for the Xbox has gone gold. This expanded Xbox version of the survival horror game includes an additional "hydroponics" level, five additional rooms and several new bloodthirsty creatures. Dolby Digital 5.1 and High-definition (HDTV) will be supported in game, and additional mini games and skins will be available at launch via Xbox Live. Run Like Hell is scheduled to ship to retail in early April.

Perfect Ace! – Pro Tournament Tennis. Oxygen Interactive can today announce Perfect Ace, for the Playstation 2 and PC. Developed by Leamington Spa based Aqua Pacific Ltd (UK), the title is currently being developed by Aqua Pacific, a Leamington Spa based studio headed by notable Games Veteran of 20 Years – Paul Ranson. Perfect Ace presents the next evolution of PS2 Tennis Game play, offering a pulsating and electrifying tennis Simulation environment offering Gamers the chance to experience the exaltations and despondency of a professional tennis player.

ARUSH Entertainment, Groove Games and Digitalo plan to release a multiplayer demo of the just-finished FPS Devastation. The MP demo will contain two of the maps from the final version of the game, and will showcase Devastation's amazingly detailed levels, beautiful OFX Particles, and real world physics for maximum interactivity with the environment and objects in LAN and net games. Read more for further details and some screens ...

A major number one best seller for PS2, the Xbox/PC edition features more cars on track in every race and adds qualifying rounds to the cut-throat career championships. A superior graphics engine will deliver the close contact, and often dangerous, racing in dramatic detail. TOCA Race Driver delivers a racing experience packed with 42 real touring and sports cars, 13 championships and an incredible 38 internationally renowned race circuits. New to the Xbox/PC edition are the introduction of a qualifying round to championship races; in Australia's championship players will experience the 'Shoot out' qualification system. Call it Toca Race driver, Pro Race Driver or DTM Race Driver, these screens are for one and the same game, njoy!

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today that five additional major recording artists have agreed to provide music and video content for the upcoming rhythm-action game, Amplitude, developed exclusively for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system. Rounding out the music roster for Amplitude with additional rock, dance, rap and electronica, newly signed acts include P!nk, BT, The X-ecutioners, Slipknot and Game Boyz. These artists will join other major recording artists on the Amplitude roster that include Baldwin Brothers, blink 182, David Bowie, Dieselboy, Garbage, Herbie Hancock, Logan 7, Mekon, Papa Roach, P.O.D., Quarashi and Weezer. Developed by Harmonix Music Systems, Amplitude allows players to become a rhythmical DJ and jam with more than 25 diverse songs in virtual, vibrant interactive musical environments while mixing and remixing hit songs during offline and online gameplay.

Vivendi Universal Games announced today that it has shipped "Enclave," for the personal computer to retailers nationwide. A third-person, 3D action game, "Enclave" is set in a fantasy environment where long ago a rift formed separating the lands of light from the plains of darkness by an impassable chasm. Over time, the Enclave of light grew strong and prosperous, while those confined to the war-ravaged plains of the outlands harbored nothing but hatred and jealousy. Now, after hundreds of years, the rift is closing and it is only a matter of time before a full-scale war erupts. At the start of the game, players must make an important decision and choose to take on the role of either an agent of light or of darkness.

Zapper is an action-packed and addictive game that starts with the “avoid-em-up” game play mechanics of Blitz Games’ own Frogger 2: Swampy’s Revenge, and then takes the action to a whole new level. It will take fast-footed skill and timing to conquer all the worlds and survive the final showdown with the magpie queen.