Recognizing that color allows people to express their individuality, Microsoft Corp. is listening to gamers who wanted color options for their Xbox controller. The company is even taking it one step further by putting the choice of colors squarely in the gamers' hands. In an exciting new twist to the Xbox experience, gamers can log onto xbox.com beginning today to help decide the colors of a special line of Xbox controllers.

Codemasters has release a new upgrade to IGI 2: Covert Strike. Introducing a new multiplayer jungle mission, the upgrade also enhances the games online and LAN multiplayer functionality, and is accompanied by an updated dedicated Win32 server. In the mission, IGI operatives have located a Conspiracy base deep inside a jungle. The IGI team's objectives are to turn on the base's generator, hack in to a computer to discover the purpose of the base and finally destroy one of two temple ruins the Conspiracy has been using as cover for the base. Meanwhile the Conspiracy group must defend its base. Read more for details and download links ...

Thrustmaster infiltrates Splinter Cell, the long-awaited PlayStation 2 title from Ubi Soft Entertainment, and will be releasing an official Splinter Cell gamepad and cheatcodes. Fans of the cutting-edge spy thriller will be keen to pick up these two special weapons, both of which will be available for the game's scheduled release at the end of March 2003.

THQ Inc. today announced that it will distribute Empire Interactive's "Big Mutha Truckers" for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo GameCube, Xbox video game system from Microsoft and PC. "Big Mutha Truckers" places players behind the wheel of an 18-wheeled big rig deep in the heart of the South with a cast of colorful characters and plenty of campy humor.

Midway Sports announced today that MLB SlugFest 20-04 has shipped for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance.

Softwrap today announced three new agreements with gaming companies Blue Tea Games, Alawar Entertainment and Grass Games.com. The three companies will adopt Softwrap's technology to distribute secure versions of their games online. The growing adoption of Softwrap's technology by games developers demonstrates the appeal of 'try before you buy' solutions. Steve Zi Kun Zhao from Blue Tea Games revealed that it was Softwrap's "secure and professional approach to online distribution" that appealed to him in distributing the game Save The Meeklits, along with the "reasonable commission based fee".

Vulcan Software has unveiled details of Hybrid, a brand new First Person Shooter currently in development for the PC platform. Hybrid is Vulcan's first game to be entirely developed using their Mother3D engine, and benefits from an impressive array of engine features, which include advanced physics, complex AI, and fully interactive environments. Vulcan has spent the last four years developing Mother, along with their digital distribution software the Vulcan Portal and PC conversions of their back catalogue.

Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced is the sequel to the smash hit Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure. The story takes place directly after the events of the first, but takes gameplay to a whole other dimension. The nefarious N. Tropy is back and up to no good again. This time, he has teamed up with an all new partner-in-crime, the hypnotically evil N. Trance, to brainwash Crash's friends and turn them into bad guys! Now Crash must face off against his friends and bring them back to the side of good... or lose them to the villainous duo forever! A link to the game's new site, the game itself having been released on Friday.

In The Lost Vikings, players must employ the skills of 3 unique Viking characters cooperatively to solve puzzles, conquer enemies, and navigate their treacherous voyage back home. The game provides hours of arcade-style action with over 35 levels, numerous enemies, and hundreds of mind-bending puzzles to solve... Here you have link to a Flash Lost Vikings demo, to get you fired up for the real thing.

Datel, the world's leading developer and manufacturer of innovative video game enhancement products, is proud to announce the release of PowerBoard for the Nintendo GameCube console. The perfect companion for online games like Phantasy Star Online, PowerBoard is the first full-size, computer-style keyboard designed specifically for GameCube.

A good news for the gaming community keen on sequel to Echelon. The two German enthusiasts of this game created a fansite for Echelon: Wind Warriors action/sim... More about it below!

Majorem Ltd., a developer of massively multiplayer games and technology, is pleased to officially announce that they are now finalizing preparations towards the E3 tradeshow at Los-Angeles California. 'Ballerium' is meant to be the main company's display at the famous tradeshow. Majorem's booth on E3 this year would be located at the Kentia hall, booth #6345. The public is invited to test the game's Beta on site.

This is quite simply a genuine match made in heaven! eJay Entertainment GmbH, one of the world's leading providers of music software, has teamed up with Ministry Of Sound's infamous record label Data Records to promote DJ Sammy.

Nintendo is celebrating the launch of Game Boy Advance SP and its connectivity to Gamecube by running a €20 million pan European promotion. The first 400,000 Game Boy Advance SP to be sold include a '£30 discount' voucher for Gamecube.

CDV announces the official name for its action adventure title, formerly known as Core: The Kore Gang! It will be released exclusively for the Xbox. The renowned Swedish development studio UDS is preparing a masterpiece that already shows tremendous potential of becoming a cult hit. Offering outstanding graphics and sound, The Kore Gang goes to the hilt in utilizing Xbox's graphical strengths. This action adventure is scheduled for release at the end of 2003. Read more for details and screens ...

Icculus has issued another updated dedicated Linux server for MoH: Allied Assault Spearhead, allowing Linux PCs to host multiplayer games for v2.15 of the World War II FPS expansion by EA. This is still in beta stage (v4) so not the final product and the developers encourage email support! Read more for details & download links ..

At the heart of Gladius is a unique mix of dynamic game play that requires players to develop and manage a school of gladiators who, over time, gain experience, learn new skills, improve their abilities and finally test their might in epic battles. Players fight with deadly weapons and powerful magic, learn vital combat tactics, and enhance and customize characters... Check out new screens and big batch of artwork!

Conflict: Desert Storm lets you take charge of the best known and most feared special operations forces in the world: the elite British SAS or the US Delta Force squads. You're the best trained, best equipped and best organised Special Forces in the world. The area that has been assigned to you is yours for the taking. Seek, locate and destroy enemy targets and personnel. Create havoc and confusion throughout the enemy's lines of communication and supply. What lies before you is an opportunity in a soldier's lifetime. Take your equipment, take your training and use it well.

In Line of Sight: Vietnam your job is to locate elusive enemy soldiers and pick them off one-by-one. Whether patiently waiting for the enemy to show himself or delivering a pre-emptive strike, the method is the same – be quick, be quiet, and be careful. That’s what will get you home alive... The 172MB demo is now available on FilePlanet. When you install the file, you will be given a KEY in a web browser window. You must use this KEY to unlock the demo preview. Also DirectX 9.0 is required!

Capcom has updated the PN03, in development by its internal studio, Production Studio 4, Japanese website. P.N. 03, directed by Shinji Mikami, is described as an action game starring a female soldier named Vanessa Z. Schneider. She's a mercenary armed with a high-powered laser--and she's a robot killer. Robots at a colonial settlement have gone wild on a nearby planet, and it's up to Vanessa--whose parents were killed by the same system overrunning the settlement--to stop them. Not much is known about the game's action, but it is described as containing dodging capabilities and transforming mechs. The game is due to hit Japan in spring of 2003.