Master Chief has a new mission, and this time he is battling the Covenant on Microsoft Windows-based personal computers. Microsoft Game Studios, Bungie Studios and Gearbox Software today announced that "Halo" for Windows is available at retailers across the United States for an estimated retail price of $49.99 (U.S.).

Joan of Arc is a 3D epic saga that allows players to relive some of the most intense battles during the Hundred Years War. In Joan of Arc, players will slowly transform from a single warrior into a forceful military leader as they develop and master the art of chivalry and tactical warfare. Read more for some new screens ...

Colony Activated! Gathering announced today that Space Colony, the much anticipated personality sims-style strategy PC game has gone gold. In Space Colony, players are challenged to build and establish a colony, manage a motley crew of 20 operatives and defend the bases from attacking aliens, all while trying to make a profit. Developed by Firefly Studios, the masterminds behind the wildly successful Stronghold series, Space Colony is set to ship nationwide October 14, 2003.

THX Ltd., the leading provider of product certification and venue design for the entertainment and consumer electronics industries, today announced the creation of a new sound and visual certification standard for videogame development environments. Electronic Arts is the first company to develop and publish THX Certified Games using these standards. EA has incorporated the THX performance standards into its mixing rooms and studios worldwide, ensuring the quality and integrity of creative content is maintained at every stage of video game development. The first THX Certified Games will be "SSX 3," "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," which is based on New Line Cinema's upcoming film, and "Medal of Honor Rising Sun."

The Bard's Tale combines the development team's collective knowledge of compelling RPG gameplay with brilliant graphics and major motion picture quality story and dialogue. The Bard's Tale eschews genre cliches in favor of intelligent humor for an original and truly entertaining experience.

It's been an action-packed few months for Nintendo, with some truly astounding games being released in Europe. Take a look below at some of the awards that Nintendo and these classic titles have received..

ARUSH Entertainment today announced that the PC title Hunting Unlimited 2 (HU2) is now for sale at retailers across North America. HU2 is like no other hunting game on the market; its unique features include fast-paced missions that drop the player into exciting hunting scenarios such as being charged by an angry bear, or taking down the largest trophy bull in a stampeding herd of bison or elk.

Microsoft has issued a small patch for their just released Halo: Combat Evolved. No specific details are available as to what exactly it adresses. Read more for download links ...

Fire Warrior follows one day in the tumultuous life of a young Tau warrior who must battle alone against a force that shows no mercy: The Imperium. The Tau will soon learn there is a darker foe at hand and become entangled in a frightening story that leads them through an ongoing war. Read more to check out a big batch of new screens ...

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 :

• Max Payne 2 - (6) Trailer
• Crimson Skies - Trailer
• Return Of The King - Movie Trailer
• Far Cry - Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Play the Greatest Story Ever Written . . . The quest to destroy the One Ring continues in the first real-time strategy game based on The Lord of the Rings saga. Massive battles erupt as the peoples of Middle-earth fight for control of Tolkien’s World. Gamers can play as the forces of good and valiantly fight for the One Ring’s destruction or assume command of the forces of evil to claim control over Middle-earth forever. Read more for some new screens ...

Valusoft has released a demo for their FPS game Navy Seals: Weapons of Mass Destruction. Be prepared (or be the victim), as you navigate the rough terrain of Iraq, North Korea, and Bosnia, assessing and executing your objectives in three combative missions through 10 massive levels. This demo limits your play to 60 minutes, but contains the full product, which can be unlocked by purchasing a license key online (thanks 3DGamers ). Read more for download links ...

Just as in the "Magic" card game, in "Magic: The Gathering - Battlegrounds" players will choose a duelist and up to two of "Magic's" five colors -- red, green, white, blue, and black -- to attempt to reduce their opponent's life to zero. Of course, getting an opponent to zero will not be easy; players will have to utilize lightning reflexes, strategic brilliance and, on occasion, raw power to overcome an enemy. Check these spiffy new screens

Experience the huge world of "Tortuga", with its 16 very different scenarios either as a buccaneer in service of his Majesty or as a feared pirate. Your riches will expand through successful piracy, theft of ships, plundering of towns or completion of missions from the town governments. But make haste, and be wary of the treachery and mutiny that can reduce all of that to nothing. Read more for details & screens ...

Brace Yourselves! Your Sims have Magic! In this supernatural edition, Sims are granted magical powers with the ability to cast spells that are playful or deviant. Players can venture to an all-new magical, carnival-themed destination, experience exciting new gameplay, gain over 150 new items, and encounter a whole new cast of quirky characters in this powerful pack of magical high jinx. Check the new magical screens ...

Sammy Studios Inc. has announced that it will publish Spy Fiction, an exciting new action-stealth video game for Sony PlayStation2, in North America. Spy Fiction is the first title developed by Access Games, a company formed in 2002 when a group of veteran developers came together to create the ultimate original action-stealth game. Spy Fiction is slated for release exclusively for PlayStation2 in Spring 2004. Read more for details & screens ...

DreamCatcher Games today announced that it has shipped Spirits & Spells for the Nintendo GameCube to stores. This fun new 3D platform game takes the younger gamer on an unforgettable journey into a spooky world full of magic, eerie environments and weird creatures. Players take on the role of Alicia, dressed as a witch, and Greg, disguised as a masked-devil.

Gamers...mark your calendars! "HQ" has confirmed October 29 as the date for Activision, Inc.'s Call of Duty to invade retail outlets nationwide. The highly anticipated, first-person, WWII action-thriller has been given its orders and will be deployed to manufacturing, setting the stage for an all-out assault on game fans everywhere. Developed by Infinity Ward, Call of Duty for the PC is rated "T" (TEEN - blood and violence) by the ESRB.

Asterix & Obelix are returning in style on next-generation consoles, with an XXL game in which they battle up to 70 Romans at a time. Asterix & Obelix XXL makes full use of the technical features of new consoles to produce an extraordinary image of the universe of Asterix and Obelix, through 6 gigantic levels and 49 challenges, each more astounding than the next. Read more for screens...