Atari has released a new update patch for the latest installment in Sid Meiers strategy franchise Civilizations III: Conquests. This upgrade (suitable for the English, German, Italian, Spanish, and French versions of the game) brings your retail game to v1.02 and addresses a few minor bugs (thanks Blues). Read more for details and download links ...

Eidos has released a new patch for Pyro Studios' squad-based tactical strategy game Commandos 3: Destination Berlin. This upgrade brings your retail game to v1.42 and addresses a slew of bugs, tweaks, gameplay & multiplayer issues and several mission problems (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for details and download links ...

City of Heroes is ready to end its “internal testing” phase and slowly open testing participation to committed external gamers... Read more for pressrelease - links and details!

Codemasters has strengthened its relationship with 1C Company, the leading Russian game publishing company already working on Wartime Command, by securing the global* publishing rights to Perimeter – the much anticipated science fiction PC title, which is set to break new ground in RTS gaming. Read more for details & screens ....

Dreamcatcher Games today announced that it is working closely with NVIDIA Corporation, the worldwide leader in visual processing solutions, on the forthcoming release of Painkiller, a first-person shooter of the horror variety.

In addition, Painkiller has been inducted into NVIDIA's 'The Way It's Meant to Be Played' programme, a consumer awareness and marketing campaign designed to promote NVIDIA-based PC hardware as the best way to play and experience PC games.

December 12th will see the launch of the fourth booster pack for Konami of Europe's phenomenally successful Yu-Gi-Oh!TM TRADING CARD GAME. The Pharaoh's Servant booster pack adds over 100 new characters, spells and traps to the series and is certain enjoy the same incredible acclaim as its predecessors.

The all-new creatures, spells and traps in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME: Pharaoh's Servant open up all manner of new gameplay possibilities for fans of the series. The Pharaoh's Servant booster expands upon the enthralling gameplay of the existing packs, and the new cards are fully compatible with all available packs and Starter Decks, and offer users additional adversaries and weapons to use in battles against rival players.

Industry veteran Mark Cale announced today the return of Britsoft originator System 3 to the market. System 3 was a leading developer and publisher in the eighties and enjoyed phenomenal success and worldwide recognition with blockbuster titles including International Karate and The Last Ninja trilogy (my all time favorite c-64 series ed.).

Electronic Arts today announced that The Sims Bustin' Out for the Game Boy Advance has shipped under the EA Games brand in North America. For the first time, Game Boy Advance players will be able to experience the zany and unpredictable world of The Sims. Players can take direct control of their Sim to explore 20 all-new Game Boy Advance exclusive locations as they work their way from rags to riches. The Sims Bustin' Out Game Boy Advance version will support connectivity with the GameCube version scheduled to release in mid-December.

Adding to its library of successful anime properties, Atari, Inc. today announced the release of Yu Yu Hakusho: Spirit Detective for the Game Boy Advance. From the licensors of Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z, Yu Yu Hakusho: Spirit Detective is based on one of the top-rated TV series for males 9-14 and can be viewed on the Cartoon Network.

After rocketing up the charts the past several weeks, the Nintendo GameCube has now reached No. 1 -- it's America's top-selling home video game console, according to direct sales data from the nation's leading retailers.

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. announced today that it has completed the purchase of TDK Mediactive, Inc. ("TDK"), a California based publisher of video game franchises based on popular licensed properties, including The Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Land Before Time, Robotech, The Muppets and Corvette.

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), today announced that its fantasy Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game, Lords of EverQuest, is available now at U.S. and Canadian retail stores. Lords of EverQuest carries a suggested retail price of $49.99.

Atari has signed a blockbuster Hollywood cast to lend voices to its greatly anticipated video game, DRIV3R, scheduled for release in Spring 2004. Michael Madsen, Ving Rhames, Mickey Rourke and Michelle Rodriguez will play the lead roles in the third installment of the gritty, crime-fighting Driver video game series, one of the most successful video game franchises of all time. DRIV3R is being developed by Atari's Reflections Interactive for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox video game system from Microsoft.

You are Paul de Raque, Knight of the Temple, as you set out on a holy crusade across a forbidding, mediaeval Europe to join your order in the Holy Land. Armed with your sword, axe, bow and shield, you must fight with all your strength to complete your journey, for saving the future of the world is your ultimate goal! The core of the game is medieval style fighting with the classical weapons of European knights, coupled with stunning graphics of the historical milieus of the 12th century crusades (thanks GenGamers). Check the new screens ...

The Sims Bustin' Out features an all-new neighborhood with over a dozen new unlockable locations and a cast of over 40 new zany characters to socialize with. Players will purchase a car or scooter in order to get out of the house and head to the Gym to work out with exercise fanatic Goldie Toane or to Club Rubb to rave with club owner Bing Bling. Players will be able to crash parties, create havoc, or just drive their neighbors crazy! Read more for some new screens ...

Enlight Software has released a demo for their upcoming 3D action/strategy title 'Wars and Warriors: Joan of Arc'. The demo was included on the North American retail version of EgoSoft/Enlight's X2: The Threat. The demo lets you try out the 'The Arrival at Orleans' tutorial as well as the 'Imperial Counterattack' mission. Read more for download links ...

Capcom today shipped Resident Evil Code Veronica: X for GameCube. This time you play as Claire Redfield from Resident Evil 2. After narrowly surviving the horrific onslaught in Raccoon City, Claire now seeks clues in search of her missing brother, Chris. To her horror, she discovers Umbrella Corporation’s insidious activities are not isolated to the remote, mid-western city... Capcom also today shipped Gotcha Force for GameCube. It’s toy versus toy in this over-the-top 3-D action shooter. You can create your own fighting force with over 100 unique characters. Use strategy to build the toughest force. Character collecting becomes addictive as the combinations are endless! Four players can battle for control in 4 player battle mode or 2 against 2. Play against your friends or work together to defeat the baddest toys on the block.

Gamespot has the rumour mill going with a follow up on a report from fan site Theforce.net, as they seem to have confirmation from LucasArts that a Battlefield 1942 type multiplayer game set in the Star Wars universe is under development. Star Wars: Battlefront, a Battlefield: 1942 style is said to be in the works for PS2, Xbox as well as the PC, more details (and an official confirmation are expected early next year).

DAS Entertainment is pleased to announce that it has signed a deal to acquire the Freedom Games development studio. DAS Entertainment will continue to support and develop the Squad Assault series, which started with Eric Young's Squad Assault: West Front, released this month to retail stores. DAS Entertainment also plans to use the Freedom Games brand to bring its own titles to the retail gaming market.