Anyone who has ever fancied themselves a detective to rival Poirot can test their mettle when Agatha Christie's murder mysteries become PC games. Christie's grandson, Mathew Prichard, has given permission for computer game experts to develop a series of five computer games over the next six years. He hopes it will bring her many novels to life for a whole new audience (thanks EvilAvatar).

Atari and Digital Bros have collaborated to bring intrigued gamers a free seven day trial of the Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game Horizons: Empire of Istaria. Horizons: Empire of Istaria takes place in the world of Istaria, with huge environments which include cities, towns, castles, strongholds, villages and mystical structures. The environments range from tropical jungles and arctic tundra to windswept plains and mountainous wilderness.

Novalogic has released the first patch for their Joint Operations multplayer demo addressing server stability, game fixes and weapon balancing. Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

The Wildlife Park AddOn "Wild Creatures", appearing in spring 2004, will transfer you into a world of amazingly exotic and wild animals from the present - and from the past! The new research centers and genetic labs offer you the possibility to breed back endangered animals and even extinct species, as well as different kinds of plants. Read more for some new screens ...

Crimson Tears takes place in Tokyo--50 years from now--where a biotechnology company named Weponix secretively controls the world as an underground manufacturer of war machines. Crimson Tears consists of randomly generated dungeons. In the beginning of each dungeon, the player is situated in a base where characters and equipment can be chosen. Once in the dungeon, the player must fight enemies, find items, beat the middle boss, and then return back to the base.

Set in the 60s and using the Cold War as its inspiration, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater forces the player to adopt a number of new skills to survive in Snake's new jungle environment. Danger lurks everywhere as Snake explores the beautifully-realised forests, encampments and rivers, with guards patrolling key routes, dangerous animals to contend with, and the uneven terrain and noisy foliage making the silent approaches the Metal Gear hero is famed for virtually impossible. Read more for some new screens ...

With the GBA’s large market and relentless good sales, established studio; Talos Interactive announces the public revealing of their “DeltaAdvance Engine” . The “DeltaAdvance Engine” supports First-Person Shooter games in a full 3D dynamic experience. The engine even boasts MIP-mapping so that means no more random pixel-fests as you otherwise find in many games on the GBA!

Developer Intelligent Systems, who brought us the original Paper Mario on the N64, is back to make the sequel Paper Mario 2 for GameCube. Mario and the other characters are 2D, but they move in a fully 3D world. The result is a game like no other, a full-bodied adventure with a whimsical look and feel and all those great touches you've come to expect.

Thrones and Patriots adds a multitude of new features to Rise of Nations, introducing six new nations, a wide variety of new single player campaigns, more than 20 new units, new wonders and an innovative new Government feature. With the new Government feature, any nation, old or new, can choose exactly how to be governed, which has far-reaching effects on how units perform in various situations. All-new single player campaigns will allow gamers to control the course of history during historical events that changed the world. Read more for a batch of new screens ...

Painkiller is a first-person horror shooter, designed to satisfy the gamer's hunger for intense, fast-paced action. You are Painkiller, a mercenary for hire, charged with cleaning out nests of the undead. But an unholy pact with a demon unknowingly puts you square in the middle of a fight for control of the underworld... with the future of humanity hanging in the balance. Read more for 30+ new screens ...

Atari has released a new update patch for Civilizations III: Conquests. This upgrade (suitable for the English, German, Italian, Spanish, and French versions) brings your retail game to v1.22 and addresses a few minor issues uncovered since the v1.20 patch from a few days ago (thanks Blues). Read more for details and download links ...

Terminator 3: The Redemption will take players for a thrill ride into the post-apocalyptic universe as they play the series’ signature icon, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger’s voice and likeness, Terminator 3: The Redemption will surprise players with innovative and exciting gameplay presented in a number of different styles utilizing vehicles and machines straight from the Terminator universe, pitting the Terminator against numerous ground and air-based and enemies. Read more for 20 new screens ...

Microsoft Corp. today announced a pairing of epic proportions: a limited-edition retail special featuring the Xbox and all-time Xbox best-seller "Halo" for only $169. Shipping to U.S. retailers April 13, the coveted combo features a special "Halo"-branded, green Xbox console and "Halo" jeweled controller with a copy of the game. However, only the best and brightest - or at least the fastest - fans will taste the glory: Just 200,000 of the boxed sets are available.

Another day, another batch of game trailers were released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for :

• Catwoman - Trailer
• Ryzom - Trailer
• Crimson Tears - Trailer
• Dark Sector - Teaser Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

The latest Settlers game takes the franchise and pushes it to the next level. Fans will enjoy fully animated 3D technology and enhanced gameplay features, but still be able to relive the experience that makes the Settlers series such a big hit. The game will take the player to a medieval setting, to re-conquer the kingdom currently under the domination of an evil tyrant. Read more for details & screens ...

ValuSoft has signed “Nitro Family,” a new hardcore First Person Shooter developed by Delphieye, Inc. Powered by the world-renowned Serious Sam Engine, “Nitro Family” mainly focuses on images of the deepest desires of man like violence, sensuality and beauty, with a pure enjoyment of game. Read more to check out some new screens ...

Atari has released a patch for Clever's Software Development's sci-fi FPS Terminator 3: War of the Machines. This upgrade brings your retail game to v1.16 (only for the US edition of the game) and fixes various issues while connecting via the GameSpy (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for details and download links ...

Hitman: Contracts delivers more action-packed and suspenseful missions, with a greater variety of ways to make the perfect hit and an increased arsenal of firearms and close-combat weapons. A new graphics engine showcases Hitman's 'work' in brutal detail and brings new locations to life. An improved control system and more gradual learning curve will ensure that the game is accessible to all aspiring hitmen.

Atlus U.S.A., Inc., announced today that, Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, a game in the best-selling role-playing series from Japan, will debut in North American on the PlayStation2 and will ship to retailers in the fall of 2004. Read more for details & screens...

"Iron Phoenix" is the title is the first ever 16 -player fighting game, introducing a new genre to online games as a squad-based kung-fu brawler. "Iron Phoenix" is slated for release on Xbox in Holiday 2004 and is not yet rated. Read more to check out some new screens ...