ARUSH Entertainment, Groove Games and Digitalo are pleased to announce that the 2-level multiplayer demo of the much-anticipated FPS Devastation has been released. The demo lets gamers play Devastation’s “Streetwar” (just like Deathmatch) and Capture the Flag game types over a LAN or online. It features two amazingly detailed environments, the Embarcadero Depot, and the abandoned Union Rail Yard. The maps are stocked with amazing weapons, including the powerful P*Laser and the remote-controlled Rat Drone. Read more for download links ...

Tokyo will be your final stop in Midnight Club 2 and where you will prove your worth and try to truly distinguish yourself as the street racing world champion. Look for Midnight Club II on the PlayStation 2 when it races to stores April 8th. Re-visit the official Midnight Club II website GPS system to find Tokyo unlocked and fully active. Access information on Tokyo challengers, vehicles, and high-speed points of interest. Load up 20 new screens, 4 new vehicle mini-movies, and the world-premiere Tokyo Midnight Club II teaser trailer. Plus more hidden desktops, screensavers and buddy icons. Check out the official website.

Purge Online 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. Purge is an online only game (no singleplayer) and requires no subscription (free online play). Freeform Interactive's hybrid FPS/RPG powered by the LithTech Talon system, Purge, has already gone gold, and will ship to US stores on March 31, here is the official demo, containing a different map than the betas and featuring all 8 player classes. Read more for download links ..

Galactic Civilizations is a turn-based single player game, however players who play on Stardock.net will be able to play as part of a “metaverse” where victories, defeats and campaigns can be recorded. We already had a featured story on the Stardock Central which is a program that consolidates software updates, message boards, chat, documentation updates, and more into a single easy-to-use program. Now Strategy First/Starddock announced that they will release a Galactic Civilizations Bonus Pack, a free set of game enhancements, in conjunction with the games release. The bonus pack will offer some extra features that players will appreciate including additional game session options, enhanced civilization customization interface, the ability to use your own MP3s in the game, two additional ships, and more galactic resolutions.

Already known but finally official, Tri Synergy announced today that Purge, an online-only title that delivers a compelling combination of first-person-shooter gameplay and role-playing character development, has gone gold. Developed by Freeform Interactive LLC, Purge immerses players in a strife-torn world that blends science fiction and fantasy. In Purge, players will find themselves engrossed in a war between two opposing forces, the Order (humans genetically modified to scientific perfection) and the Chosen (religious believers who reject all forms of technology). Read more for details and a batch of fresh screens ...

BioWare has released the first public beta of the Neverwinter Nights Linux Client. They have set up a forum to discuss the client, an email address to use for feedback, and promise frequent updates to the beta. Word is this debut version (build: 1.29.6758 Beta 1) does not support chat or server browsing, but these will be in the next release. Installing the client will require game resources from an existing Windows installation and a CD-Key (thanks Bluesnews). Read more for download links and details on how to install.

3DO has released new patches for the North American versions of 'Heroes of Might and Magic IV' and its 'The Gathering Storm' expansion pack to v3.0. If you have the North American version of the Winds of War expansion you do NOT need any patch, as the retail version is already v3.0. Note that this is the for NA version only and users of other language versions of the game (including UK English) are warned not to use these patches or it will conclude in errors. Read more for download links...

Your dream will soon become a reality! The Sims made a wildly successful transition to the PS2 when it shipped earlier this year and now The Sims for Xbox and GameCube have gone gold and are scheduled for release on March 24, 2003. Players can create and control their Sims on these upcoming platforms with new level-based gameplay and stunning 3D graphics. Customize your Sims’ personality and appearance then move them into the neighborhood. Get a job, make friends, and advance through their career and life’s big moments. Unlock unique new objects and more extravagant houses along the way. Meet, flirt, and fight with a neighborhood full of wild characters. You can also play The Sims with or against each other in challenging two-player games.

With bone crunching intensity, "UFC: Tapout 2" makes its way to store shelves! TDK Mediactive, Inc. announced today the shipping of the newest title based upon the license of the "Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)," the world's leading Mixed Martial Arts sports association. "UFC: Tapout 2" is now shipping to major retail outlets nationwide exclusively for the Xbox.

New weapons, units and civilian transport are provided today for Operation Flashpoint's Resistance fighters with the release of an all-new upgrade. The Operation Flashpoint: Resistance upgrade is freely available from the game's microsite in the Downloads section. Players require the original Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis and the Resistance expansion pack to use the upgrade (thanks Gamershell). Read more below for download links and to check out what this fix/add. There is also an upgrade patch for the GameOfTheYear Edition...

Netamin Corporation has concluded its initial phase of alpha testing for Ultimate Baseball Online. Ultimate Baseball Online is the first ever Massively Multiplayer Online Sports Game (MMOSG), allowing two teams to compete in a 3D virtual stadium. Each participant controls a player for a specific position on a team and gamers can build their athlete’s skills by practicing pitching, fielding or batting. The UBO universe will allow league play, pick up games and a farm system, just like the real life big leagues. The season begins in early 2003.Read more for details and additional screens

Releasing simultaneously with the “X2” feature film, X2 Wolverine’s Revenge is the only PS2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance and PC action-adventure that allows players to assume the role of Wolverine. After discovering that a deadly X-Virus has been activated within Wolverine’s body, the player has 48 hours to acquire the antidote from the evil organization that not only gave them the disease, but also their mutation. Read more to check out some new screens for all platforms...

Sphinx is an enchanting adventure filled with mystery, action and a deep, compelling storyline. The game is set in an entirely original universe that is styled upon ancient Egypt where players will embark on an epic quest exploring new worlds, uncovering dark secrets, interacting with hundreds of fantastic creatures and discovering new abilities. Travelling the world via magic portals to foil the evil plans of Set, players will guide Sphinx on a journey requiring all his wits, agility and special powers in an attempt to find the stolen mystical crowns of Egypt.

Activision and Disney Interactive today announced a new video game that gives skateboarding a magical twist. Designed to appeal to children and teens ages 6 – 14, Disney’s Extreme Skate Adventure will use cutting-edge technology from Activision’s latest Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 engine to allow characters from three beloved animated films: Walt Disney Pictures’ presentation of Pixar Animation Studios’ “Toy Story 2,” “Disney’s Tarzan” and “Disney’s The Lion King” to skateboard just like the pros in their respective worlds for the first time. In addition to these characters, the new game includes a Create-A-Skater option where players can customize a youthful skater’s “look” by selecting clothing and accessories. Furthermore, as an Activision first, the company is holding a nationwide casting call search for 10 real kids who will become digitised characters in the game.

EA's The Sims Superstar is a new expansion pack to the top-selling PC game of all time, The Sims. Players can now realize their fantasies of fame and fortune as they pursue the dream of being a Rock Star, Movie Star or a Supermodel and live the lifestyle of a celebrity. All new gameplay, new social interactions and a whole new in-game destination offer players an all access pass to the world of superstardom. In The Sims Superstar, The Sims are ready for their close up.

Ubi Soft today announced that the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon action/adventure game will ship for retail in August 2003. Developed by Genki under license from Sony Pictures Consumer Products and based on Sony Pictures Classics' Academy Award winning movie, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon will be available for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system. Ubi Soft China will also develop Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon for the GBA. In a related matter, HomeLAN has the word that there will be NO PC version, although it was originally planned.

Set in Somalia in 1993, Delta Force – Black Hawk Down is based upon and around the Operation Restore Hope and Task Force Ranger campaigns and follows members of the elite Delta Force and US Army Rangers as they participate in a number of daring raids against the oppressive Somali warlords in and around Mogadishu.

With an impeccable pedigree behind them, the team at new Warsaw-based developer City Interactive have brought the Destruction Derby genre bang up to date with one of their first titles, Smash Up Derby. Formed by the talented individuals who were previously responsible for such hits as Project Earth and Aces of World War 1, City Interactive has now turned its attention to the mid-price PC market with some dynamic arcade action that's fast, furious and pure fun.

UFO: Aftermath is a 3D isometric, turn-based strategy game (TBS) with a rich and compelling sci fi story. Combining global strategy with small squad tactical combat, the challenge offered is to fight against an alien invasion. Featuring run time generated tactical missions with innovative simultaneous combat action; the genre is also enhanced with strong RPG elements, offering a quite unique mix of strategic ideas. Check out the new screens!

In "Vultures" the gamer lives the hard gladiator life: in different arenas and with classical or modern/futuristic weapons at his disposal the gladiator has to defeat his enemies in a duel in order to survive. The aim is to win to become undefeated champion of the "Vultures".

Nina - Agent Chronicles is one of the first two titles from City Interactive, the new Polish development house formed by the brains behind such hits as Project Earth and Aces of World War 1. But this is an action adventure with a difference, performed in an environment where completing tasks and solving puzzles is just as vital has eliminating your opponents - where tactical use of available weaponry beats just being quick on the draw! Read more for a few new screens ...

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. Today we have another trailer showing off Team RAINBOW moving through a tropical villa and encountering a number of hostiles.!

Disney Interactive is releasing two new games for kids, ages four and up: Piglet's Big Game for Game Boy Advance and Piglet's Big Game CD-ROM. Inspired by Walt Disney Pictures' upcoming animated feature film, Piglet's Big Movie, both titles place Piglet, one of the most beloved characters from the Hundred Acre Wood, front and center in his very own interactive adventure. The movie opens nationwide March 21.

Darkfall Online tossed up a new section to the site, the Dev Letters section where they communicate what they feel needs to be said. The first of their dev letters features a long overdue message from the Darkfall team to the Darkfall community.