Softimage Co., a subsidiary of Avid Technology, Inc. announced today that the SOFTIMAGE/XSI software, the industry-leading nonlinear 3-D production environment, was used exclusively by Valve to create all the characters, models and props for the new game Half-Life 2. This widely anticipated sequel to one of the best selling PC games of all time introduces life-like in-game characters that herald the next generation of characters for interactive entertainment. To exceed the expectations of a more sophisticated audience and deliver the new title on schedule, Valve converted its production pipeline to the award-winning SOFTIMAGE/XSI environment.

Nintendo today announces a new worldwide retail offer combining its Nintendo GameCube home console with the new Game Boy Player. The combination allows players to enjoy more than 1,200 Game Boy games on the home TV screen, along with the full library of more than 300 Nintendo GameCube titles.

Empire Interactive plc ("Empire"), announces today at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, the signing of an exclusive five-year global licensing agreement with Sony Pictures Entertainment to develop and publish Starship Troopers. The game will be based on the movie of the same name and animated series franchise. Developed internally by Empire's award-winning Strangelite Studio, the game will be released on PC, and all current and next generation consoles. The length of the agreement will allow Empire to produce multiple titles.

Ian Higgins, CEO of Empire, said: "Starship Troopers is a film license that lends itself perfectly to the video game genre. We believe it will have global appeal and, combined with our award-winning development team, we will deliver a franchise that will allow gamers the chance to play their favorite scenes from the blockbuster movie."

The Darkfall Team would like to announce the Darkfall Dungeon Design competition and invite our readers to participate.

"Design a dungeon located in the human kingdom of Mercia, and - assuming you win - we'll build it, fill it with monsters, and create the in-game quests, rumors and lore associated with it. You will receive full credit for your work, and we'll even publish your original description as an in-game book. Some of you might receive more assignments and/or offers from us based on the quality of your submission".

Do you dare enter the magical maze of the Sorcerer? A bewitching game set over 10 expansive worlds with 10 levels of sorcery in each on a panel bashing mission for enchanted jewels. Choose a variety of environments from the vast ocean, highest mountain to the deepest river defeating the evil bosses at the end of each. Assuming the role of our hero Prism you stand under your charmed shield and deflect the attacking to break the glowing shapes above. Your only way through to the next world is to complete each of the 10 levels to face the powerful boss at the end. It's a harsh world of witchcraft, so you're going to need to summon all your powers. By picking up Magic Points in the game you can purchase Magical Orbs giving you awesome power-ups for your shield and your ball.

Russobit-M has released E3 trailer from their upcoming sci-fi FPS, Kreed. The movie clocks 43MB, runs a bit over 2.5 minutes, illustrating gameplay, special effects, and some cut-scenes. Here is a download link (43MB)..

Inspired by Hong Kong action films, the game lets players assume the role of tough-as-nails detective Nick Kang, bent on settling a personal vendetta with the L.A. underworld. As Kang, players will be able to dispense their own personal brand of justice through automotive combat, a variety of rib cracking martial arts moves and the business end of dual 45s.

Garrett finds himself without allies, standing alone between the city and the forces that would crush it. Will his skills be enough to save the dying city? Can he survive betrayal, assassins, and war in the labyrinthine city streets? Will he destroy or be destroyed by the evil he awoke? And finally, what must he do to get what he wants most of all: to be left alone plying his trade as the city's greatest ... thief?

At the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Atari and Turbine today jointly announced plans to bring Wizards of the Coast's incredibly popular gaming universe, "Dungeons & Dragons" ("D&D"), to the world of massively multiplayer games with "Dungeons & Dragons Online." This innovative online role-playing game will be the first project developed, funded and run by Turbine Entertainment, creators of the critically acclaimed "Asheron's Call" and "Asheron's Call 2." "Dungeons & Dragons Online" will provide players with the definitive online "Dungeons & Dragons" experience, complete with dramatic dungeon crawling, terrifying monster combat and challenging puzzles, character advancement and guild-based power struggles.

Command an elite, multinational squad of special operatives against a hidden terrorist foe. In Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3, the third installment in the wildly popular Rainbow Six series, Team RAINBOW races against time to stop terror and unravel a mystery. In locations around the world, from London to the Cayman Islands to Rio de Janeiro, lead Team Rainbow in a desperate effort to battle a madman and foil his doomsday plot.

Another year, another E3. Shrapnel Games unfortunately will not be able to attend E3 this year. Fear not though! For in this news release they unveil several of their upcoming titles that shall be released in 2003 and 2004. By no means a complete list, expect plenty of surprises to be announced over the coming months. And so, without further ado, their upcoming games below...

Sammy Studios Announces Lethal Skies II (PS2): “Lethal Skies II is a thrilling title that will bring gamers a fast-paced, graphically rich jet combat game,” said John Rowe, president of Sammy Studios. “Players will be able to immerse themselves into this game’s single-player mode as an elite pilot commanding a powerful air fleet, or compete with friends for Ace status in 2-player mode.”

Sammy Studios Unveils The Seven Samurai (PS2): “Seven Samurai 20XX is an exciting video game title on many levels,” said John Rowe, president of Sammy Studios. “It takes a film that has transcended generations and recreates it as an intense action game set in the future, and pays proper homage to the masterpiece that inspired it as a collaborative and artistically-driven effort.”

Publisher and developer Strategy First Inc. announced today that their new real time tactical game Nexagon: Deathmatch has gone gold. "We're wrapping up the last few details now and the team is really happy with what we've managed to cook up,” says Guy English, Lead Programmer on Nexagon: Deathmatch. “Nexagon has been a really fun project to work on and we're sure people are going to have a blast playing it."

Ubi Soft today announced XIII, the most stylish FPS ever, now has its own dedicated teaser web page. XIII is a stunning, conspiracy-driven thriller set in a highly stylized graphic-novel world. Fans can log on now and get a sneak preview of one of the most anticipated games of the year. The website features new screens, character images, an interactive storyline and an exclusive high-quality trailer. XIII is scheduled to ship in Fall 2003 to all consoles and PC and the full XIII website will launch in June 2003. Ubi Soft today also announced that Far Cry, the most unpredictable and technologically innovative FPS, now has its own dedicated teaser web page.With features such as its stunning graphics, unique tropical setting, unprecedented long-range view distance, freely explorable indoor and outdoor environments, authentic physics-on-demand, perfect variety of gameplay, frighteningly realistic AI and an universally acclaimed pick-up-and-play level editor.The website features new screens showcasing the amazing graphics and effects, while an exclusive downloadable movie trailer offers a first look at the game's tropical setting infested with deadly enemies.