Nintendo of America Inc. and Square Enix today announced three new titles in the incomparable 'Final Fantasy' and 'Mana' game series will be published and distributed by Nintendo of America Inc. for exclusive play on Nintendo platforms. Developed by Square Enix, the three titles, 'Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles', 'Final Fantasy Tactics Advance' and 'Sword of Mana' are each scheduled to launch in North America this year, followed by European launches shortly thereafter.

Enter the Matrix is the story-within-the-story. It features awesome gunplay and spectacular martial arts that bend the rules of the Matrix, as well as insane driving and stunts, and the chance to pilot the fastest hovercraft in the fleet. This game isn’t just set in the Matrix universe – it’s an integral part of the entire Matrix experience, weaving in and out of the highly anticipated 2nd installment in the film trilogy, The Matrix Reloaded . A fresh batch of screens .. Njoy!

Vivendi Universal Games today announced development of Tribes: Vengeance, the next installment in the world-renowned and award-winning Tribes videogame series. Due in late 2004 only for PCs, the game is being developed by Irrational Games, known for some of the game industry’s most respected and revered titles, including System Shock 2 and Freedom Force (thanks TribalWar). Read more for details ...

Freestyle MetalX features nine of the sickest riders pulling endless eye-popping tricks in stunning open environments. Pro rider legends include: Clifford “The Flyin’ Hawaiian” Adoptonte, Jeff Tilton, Nate “Destroyer” Adams, Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg, Trevor Vines, “Mad” Mike Jones, Kris “The Rock” Rourke, Kenny Bartram and Ronnie “Kung Fu” Faisst. Freestyle MetalX is totally customizable, allowing gamers to choose from 16 riders, options of motocross gear and unique bike models to create the ultimate hardcore, bone-breaking freestyle motocross experience. Gamers can create their own motocross arenas with an advanced level editor and take on creative sub-games, like riding off a cliff and turning into a human dart aimed at a giant dartboard. We got 30+ new screens for you to enjoy!

With the creation of the transatlantic railway, built with blood, sweat and tears into the murderous wilderness in 1869, the American dream of freedom and prosperity was finally to be fulfilled. With "Railroad Pioneer" you'll be able to experience all this at close quarters and, at the end of a dramatic journey, leave your mark as a railway magnate in the eventful history of steamers and pioneers. Read more to check out some new screens ...

UbiSoft has now released an updated Euro patch for their stealth third-person action game Splinter Cell, bringing your Euro ONLY edition to v1.2b. This release implements essentially the same as the original v1.2 with the addition of a small diagnostic tool that was left out of the first one, as well as a variety of graphics enhancements and fixes, as well as gameplay tweaks and other bug fixes (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for details and download links ...

Praetorians is an epic 3D troop based strategy game set amidst the political machinations of an emerging Roman Empire. Gamers will be transported back to the dusty battlefields of Egypt, the combat theatres of Gaul and finally to the heart of the Empire itself, Italy in the crusade to become Emperor. Eidos has just released a new patch for their 3D real-time strategy game Praetorians bringing your retail copy to v1.04. This upgrade adresses a bunch of fixes for gameplay, multiplayer, interface, playback, and other fixes.

SUNFLOWERS will be presenting their new product line-up in a pleasant ambience behind closed doors at the E3 2003. The publisher's meeting rooms can be found in Kentia Hall. In addition to the Austrian development team Max Design SUNFLOWERS are currently working with the Berlin-based SEK team and Bulgaria's Black Sea Studios. This year's E3 will feature exclusive sneak previews of new projects from both SEK and Black Sea Studios. Hit title ANNO 1503 - The New World remains in the news at the fair: initial details on the planned add-on will be released. SUNFLOWERS also reserves the right to hold the odd surprise in store.

Namco Ltd. and Todd McFarlane Productions Inc. have announced today that a mutual agreement has been signed in which both parties are allowing the use of each other’s characters for different business opportunities. Namco Ltd. will be granted the use of Spawn for the creation of a brand new video game and TMP will be granted the use of various SOULCALIBUR II characters for the creation of brand new action figures. Read more for details and some fresh Spawn screens ...

A space combat simulation, with an epic story. Wing Commander Prophecy features a memorable, diverse cast of characters who will live or die, depending on how well you fight alongside them in the game's classic deep-space dogfights. Featuring a branching campaign that can take several completely separate courses, depending on your success or failure in your missions. Your actions determine how the story will end.

CNN today tossed up a pretty interesting article about Half-Life 2 that is under developement by Valve and will be published again by Vivendi. The story includes some game information / features and also some new screens. Here is a small clip:

You are once again Gordon Freeman," described Gabe Newell, managing director and co-founder of Valve. "You are awakened in the future. Several of the characters from [the original game] are back, including Barney the security guard, the G-Man, about whom you learn more and in whose employ you now are, and several of the scientists. There are new characters as well, most prominently Alyx, whose mother was killed during the events of the original game. The story is once again conveyed entirely within the course of playing the game.

Full article here!

Russobit-M has signed the contract with CITY Interactive about publishing of two extremely interesting projects in CIS and Baltic countries. The first one is 3D space strategy Project Earth 2 (working title). Release is planned in Q4 2003. The second - Aces WW 1 (working title) seems to become the founder of action-adventure flying sim genre. Release is planned in Q3 2003. Read more for details ...

Breed is continuing to win awards and honors from the industry. The title, being developed by newcomer Brat Designs, is one of the latest to be signed up by the market-leading graphics processing unit (GPU) developer NVIDIA Corporation for its The Way It's Meant To Be Played program. This programme is designed to showcase the very best PC games which take advantage of the hardware features of NVIDIA's award-winning GeForce technology. Check some new vehicle screens ...

THQ Inc. today announced that THQ will publish LEGO Interactive titles for the Game Boy Advance in Europe and Asia Pacific. THQ will be developing and publishing titles based on the LEGO universe, including Drome Racers and BionicleTM. Drome Racers, the first title under the multi-title exclusive publishing agreement, is scheduled to ship May 2003.

Reel Fishing III sets itself apart from other Bass Sports Fishing titles by offering a true to life fishing experience. Using the PlayStation 2 technology, Reel Fishing III will offer beautiful scenery, a real-life 3-dimensional fishing engine, true sounds of nature in Dolby Surround Pro Logic II, inspiring soundtracks and fish so real that most will want to keep them in an aquarium. Read more for details and some fishy screens ...

Codemasters will reveal the breathtaking new visual style, enhanced landscape engine and character races for its MMORPG Dragon Empires at this year's E3 exhibition (booth 746, South Hall, Los Angeles Convention Centre, May 14 –16). Dragon Empires is set to deliver a online fantasy world that is immersive and compelling, where thousands of players will socialise, trade and fight alone or in clans to battle for control of the game's 50 cities. Read more for details and new screens ...

Shrapnel Games is extremely pleased to announce that the very first game in Shrapnel's upcoming line of boardgames, Mark H. Walker's Lock 'N Load, has been endorsed by the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum (NVVAM), located in Chicago, Illinois. NVVAM's collection began in the late '70s and has since grown to over one thousand works of art done by over 130 artists. While most artists are American almost every group that was touched in some way by the Vietnam War is represented, from Cambodians to former Viet Cong.

Atari announced today the development of a videogame based on "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines," the upcoming summer blockbuster motion picture from Intermedia, IMF and C-2 Pictures, scheduled for nationwide release by Warner Bros. Pictures on July 2. The film will also be released overseas through Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International and in Japan by Toho Towa. A first-person action game currently in development for all major console gaming platforms, "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" will -- for the first time on next-generation console systems -- allow players to become the Terminator Series signature icon, Arnold Schwarzenegger as the original Terminator. This marks the first time Arnold Schwarzenegger's voice and likeness has ever appeared in a home videogame.

Electronic Arts announced today that NBA STREET Vol. 2 will be available Tuesday, April 29th under the EA SPORTS BIG brand for the PlayStation 2, the Nintendo GameCube and the Xbox.

"Sonic Adventure DX" is Sonic The Hedgehog's third blazing-fast quest on the Nintendo GameCube, and the ultimate version of one of Sonic's biggest SEGA Dreamcast blockbusters. Featuring enhanced graphics, sound and Game Boy Advance connectivity, "Sonic Adventure DX" pits Sonic and his pals against the dastardly Dr. Eggman and his wicked plans for world domination. This updated version will come complete with enhanced graphics, more than 5 hours of new gameplay, and even 12 hidden classic SEGA Game Gear titles! "Sonic Adventure DX Director's Cut" is due out in June - but we've got new screens for you today!

1503 A.D. "Metropol" is a free download in five different languages. Take the opportunity to prove yourself as a skilled master builder in a peaceful corner of the world, colonize large islands and benefit from the rich ore deposits and fertility offered in "Metropol". And maybe you will receive a little surprise when your population exceeds 100.000 inhabitants. More about it and download here!

Project Entropia, the world's only virtual universe incorporating a real economy with a convertible currency, has been taken over by MindArk PE AB. Project Entropia has had an excellent reception from its users, with market penetration surpassing expectations. The intense development phase, during which some 15 million USD was invested, has now been completed.

The stereotype of video games as a children's-only pursuit is as outdated as a classic Pong console. Sure, teens still play them, but the first wave of gamers that grew up playing video games in the 1970s and 80s has now reached adulthood -- and many of these avid gamers have children of their own. As a result, millions of people today are playing, buying and even learning to create new games and other interactive entertainment products.

With the aid and powers of the titan Prometheus, Will Rock rampages through Lost Olympus, seeking the safe return of his love, Emma, and revenge for the murder of his mentor, Dr. Headstrong. Prometheus, fusing his spirit into Will's able body, seeks to wage a bloody vendetta against the god Zeus, who robbed him of physical form long ago. Half mortal, half Titan, Will Rock will stop at nothing short of toppling the pillar of the gods to wreak vengeance of mythic proportions, and to save a terrified woman in the name of love. They don't have much time, though—on the eve of the next thunderstorm, Zeus will be able to take a new wife—and this time his sights are set on a mortal: Emma Headstrong.

Empire Interactive plc. is pleased to announce a key distribution deal with Canadian company Digital Leisure Inc. to launch the eJay music software range for PC in North America. The deal, which covers the USA and Canada, consists of 24 SKUs scheduled to debut from mid May 2003.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today the worldwide fall 2003 release of Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando, a weapons-based, action-adventure game designed exclusively for the PS2. Created by Insomniac Games, the developer of last year's critically-acclaimed Ratchet & Clank and the highly acclaimed and record-setting series Spyro the Dragon on PlayStation, Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando incorporates many of Insomniac's signature gameplay elements, including fun-filled action, inventive character designs and an imaginative storyline -- plus tons of new explosive additions!