Data Becker has released a German demo for Related Designs' fast paced medieval RTS game Castle Strike featuring a turorial and a single mission. Although strategically demanding, its core is based on action. That's why all the time consuming handling of resources and civilians is reduced to a minimum with the help of a special, never before seen peasant management system and lots of automatic functions. Castle Strike is scheduled for Q4 2003 (thanks Giga/(Gengamers)). Read more for download links ...

This mission-based 3D adventure will allow the player to be placed in the role of a brave firefighter, who will have to hone their abilities and battle through dozens of intense, highly detailed and involving missions which will put their skills to the ultimate test. Game play in Firefighter 259 will take place in a highly-detailed 3D environment using Criterion’s Renderware technology, and although still under development, initial game concepts include over 10 massive mission environments such as a factory and an office complex, as well as the inclusion of various firefighting instruments such as hoses, wet and dry extinguishers, gas masks, ladders, and more (thanks 3DGamers).

Further extending its already deep ties within the entertainment community, Atari, Inc. today unveiled another "convergence first" between Hollywood and the interactive entertainment company. Atari announced that it has retained Ridley Scott Associates (RSA) - the commercial production company owned and run by legendary filmmakers Ridley and Tony Scott - to produce an original three-minute live-action film inspired by Atari's highly anticipated upcoming game, DRIV3R. The film short, which is the first of its kind in the video game industry, is titled "Run The Gauntlet" and will be the core component of both the DRIV3R web site, www.DRIV3R.com, and an extensive marketing and advertising campaign for DRIV3R being launched globally by Atari, beginning in late January.

“Alias” is a third-person action adventure video game that allows players to step into the role of the series’ lead character, Sydney Bristow, an agent for the CIA. Bristow must use her cunning, extensive knowledge of martial arts and array of high-tech gadgetry to accomplish dangerous missions. “Alias” will encompass all of the key elements behind the series’ success, including high-action combat, stealth missions and time-based objectives, espionage, intriguing plot twists, high-tech weaponry and stunning gameplay locations that span the globe. Read more for a massive load of butt-kicking screens ...

The Bloody Magic is single and multiplayer, 3rd person RPG for PC where the weapon of choice is magic. The game is set in a richly detailed medieval-style world, allowing the player a wide variety of choices both in individual quests and character development. The Bloody Magic is different from most other popular RPG titles in that the player characters are all of one type: magician. There are over a dozen different fields of magic, allowing players many choices for specialization. Check a few new screens...

Launching the next generation of solo play and online combat, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero is imminent. The #1 online action game of all time goes single-player with Counter-Strike: Condition Zero. A stand-alone product, Condition Zero is the comprehensive successor to the 2000 Multiplayer Game of the Year. Condition Zero completely replaces the current Counter-Strike, and combines six story-driven episodes, three different single player modes and multiplayer enhancements to drive the future of Counter-Strike gamers everywhere.

The game is developed on original high-tech engine The Firestarter Engine, which uses the possibilities of the latest graphics cards. Among the engine possibilities are work with outdoor and indoor areas, coloured dynamic lighting, dynamic shadows, vertex and pixel shaders, T&L, procedure textures, various classes of particle system-based effects, interactive and destructible level objects, realistic physics, high-polygonal character and monster models (up to 5000 of polygons), skeleton animation. Read more to check out new screens ...

Space Hack is a sci-fi RPG/action title with Diablo-inspired gameplay mechanics. The storyline puts you on board of a quite 'peculiar' spaceship, trapped inside a space warp. Being a tough guy, whose axe is almost as quick as his wit, it's not surprising that you promptly find yourself confronting angry monsters, one wave after another. Space Hack is scheduled to be released in first half of 2004. Read more for a few new screens ...

Third Wire Productions has released their second service pack for the Strike Fighters: Project 1! The SP 2 provides more reliable multi-player experience over the internet, and it also contains additional single-player enhancements and fixes based on the user feedback. In order to install this you "need" to have SP1 installed first. Read more for download links ...

The entire Worthplaying team wishes everybody a Happy New Year! We hope everybody had a safe transition from old into new and may 2004 be even better than last year. We here at Worthplaying have tons of exciting new stuff lined to even better serve you all. Behind the scenes we are working very hard to expand the website in various ways which will start showing in the months ahead, until then, party on!

James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing, as the world’s greatest secret agent returns in his fifth interactive adventure under the EA GAMES brand. First, you will think like Bond, using espionage, tactical skills, and gadgets from the Q-Lab to analyze your situation. Then you will act like Bond, using his stylish physical skills, clever subterfuge, and bold personality to once again save the world. Check the new screens ...

Wartime Command: Battle For Europe 1939-1945 is the stunning World War II tactical real time strategy game from Russian developers 1C Company in Russia. The game development project has been retitled from Battlefield Command to give it prominence in a cluttered market of similar product brands. Wartime Command will launch for PC in the spring of 2004. Read more for some new tank screens ...

Set in the rich historical tapestry of sixteenth century Russia, Cleric puts you in the role of a faithless ex-priest in this first person survival horror title for the PC. Cleric will immerse you in a world of rich visuals, strong dramatic story lines, highly interactive characters, and challenging gameplay (thanks GenGamers). Read more to check a few new screens ...

Catdaddy Games has released a demo for their upcoming sim/strategy title School Tycoon. Run your school the way you want to in School Tycoon! Keep an eye on pupils and make sure they're learning, otherwise it's time for some detention. Read more for download links ...

Ubisoft today announced its most impressive retail promotion ever. During the month of January, anyone who purchases Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time for the PlayStation2, Nintendo GameCube, the Xbox video, or the PC, will receive a copy of Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell on the same platform - PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Xbox (platinum edition), or PC - for FREE! This special offer will be available at all major retailers.

Hostile Intent is a Total Conversion for Half-life that rose from the ashes from The Sherman Project. It was taken over by a group of hardcore fans that didn't like seeing the project die. So they put together a small team that soon went out and became a huge team consisting of the most talented people from the Half-life community. Eventhough the concept behind Hostile intent hasn't changed, it is infact different from The Sherman Project. Every original feature for The Sherman Project is still in, but the new team has thought of many new original ideas and concepts. After 3 years in development, let the madness begin! Read more for details & download links ...

Wizards of the Coast Inc., the manufacturer of trading card games and role-playing games, will close its chain of 64 retail stores in 15 states. Wizards, a subsidiary of Hasbro Inc., announced Sunday that the closure of its Wizards of the Coast and The Game Keeper stores will allow it to focus on its core business of game design. Wizards' games, which include "Magic: The Gathering" and "Dungeons & Dragons," are among the biggest brands in the hobby game industry. The company has retained Gordon Brothers Group LLC of Boston to assist with the closures, which should be completed in about 60 days.

Zdenek Mezihorak, former designer at the Czech game development company Pterodon/Illusion Softworks (Vietcong, Flying Heroes), has created the new game development studio Hra01 Ltd. together with his brother this past November in Brno, Czech Republic. Their first project is a yet undisclosed third person action game for PC, with possibility to migrate to the PS3/Xbox2. Read more for details ...

Urban Chaos is a Modification for Sir-Tech's Strategy/RPG game Jagged Alliance 2 (license now in hands of Strategy First). UC was developed by the JA2 MOD Squad for the JA2 Community and features new video sequences, new quests & maps, new NPC's, additional factions and much more (only works with the English version). Read more for details and download links ...

GarageGames announced today that it will unveil the preview, core release of Dark Horizons: Lore and the Mac Alpha release of GravRally at MacWorld January 6-9 in San Francisco. The two titles that beat out the competition in the Indie Games Con '03 Players Choice Awards will premiere at MacWorld as part of a first look of the exciting GarageGames line-up for 2004. Departing from the typical family based, non-violent lineup of GarageGames, these truly unique titles will appeal to both action gamers and race fans alike.