Rise of Nations, a strategy game from Microsoft, carries the sweeping scope of epic historical turn-based strategy game, but gives the player the quick decision-making of real-time games such as Age of Empires. Release Date: Spring 2003.. Check out some new screens

Payback "upcoming title from apex" is inspired by Grand Theft Auto, the game engine supports perspective correct texture mapping, environment mapping (reflections), bump mapping, realistic shadows, alpha-channelling (lens flares, explosions and shockwaves), 12 channel 3D sound and realistic physics. The game is currently only available for Classic Amiga systems, but Game Boy Advance, Windows, Linux, Mac and Intent versions are also in the works... Read more to check out some screens!

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is set to launch for Nintendo GameCube on March 24, 2003. But in North America, consumers already are pushing for an early pre-sell effort so they can be guaranteed a copy of the game. Starting Feb. 16, 2003, Nintendo fans can get a double-hit of Zelda. When a customer places a deposit for The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker at a participating retailer, they'll receive a special, limited-edition playable disk featuring two games: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest - an updated version of the game which was never released outside of Japan.

Electronic Arts today announced the release of its highly anticipated PC game, The Sims Online. The Sims Online is the Internet, multi-player version of the top-selling PC game of all time, The Sims. The Sims Online is a massive virtual world created and populated by thousands of players from around the world. In this never-ending alternative reality players can be themselves or "Be Somebody. Else." In The Sims Online, players create and control the actions of a character known as a Sim. Players enter the world with a small amount of money to spend as they wish. They can purchase their own piece of land to do with as they please or they can join with other players to create shared homes and businesses or host wild events.

Illuminati Entertainment a trailblazing management and production company focusing on clients with backgrounds in comic books and video games launches with an A-list talent roster. Illuminati founder Ford Lytle Gilmore is a producer and the former Vice President of Development at Goodman/Rosen Productions, where he worked on licensed properties, including video game franchises "Crazy Taxi" and "Perfect Dark."

CNN Money reports that we can expect another round of price cuts before mid-year, most likely right around the same time as the Electronic Entertainment Expo, the gaming industry's annual trade show. Most execs are predicting another $50 reduction, taking the Xbox and PS2 to $149 and the GameCube to $99. While unlikely, they acknowledge it's not inconceivable that PS2 and Xbox prices could fall to $99 (and, by default, the GameCube would slip to $50).

AIM listed developer Warthog have dramatically expanded their operation with the acquisition of Zed Two Game Design Studio. Warthog plc is one of Europe's leading independent games software developers. The Company, based in Manchester, UK was established in 1997 and has been profitable since creation. Warthog prides itself on its highly experienced 200 + strong development team, whose combined experience covers more than 1500 games titles across all major platforms and most games genres. At present, the Company is working with numerous high profile licensees to develop video game versions of such entities as Robot Wars, Tiny Toon Adventures, Animaniacs and X-Men as well as its own game creations Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter and X10.

WorthPlaying is giving away IronStorm goodies from DreamCatcher. Enter the sweepstakes and have a chance to either win one of 5 IronStorm PC game copies or one of 5 IronStorm T-shirts. IronStorm is a 1st/third person shoot'em-up/action video game set in an alternate world. Imagine, 1964, the First World War never ended and you are in the middle of it! (Earlier winners of IceWind Dale 2 is announced here)

Based on Steven Spielberg’s highly anticipated futuristic thriller, Minority Report is the only game that lets the player relive the movie experience, combining hand-to-hand combat and futuristic weapons and devices straight out of the movie. Today we have 9 new screens from the GameCube version.. Go check them out!

The new Cenega Publishing game 'Korea: Forgotten Conflict' has its own website. It contains all information about this strategy game taking place during the Korean war.. Check out news, screenshots, features and more here!

Splinter Cell will grant players access to the highest echelons of national security, where shadowy operatives have the freedom to do whatever it takes to safeguard America. In Splinter Cell, the player controls Sam Fisher, a field operative of a secretive "black-ops" NSA sub-agency called Third Echelon. Sam Fisher is geared up to infiltrate high-security strongholds, seize critical intelligence, destroy threatening data and neutralize the enemy - all without leaving a trace. Developed by Ubi Soft's Montreal Studio in Canada, Splinter Cell, is a unique experience that will have the player thinly skate on the fine line that separates fact from fiction. A new gameplay trailer and a "making of" are now available for download, read more for links ...

With screaming next generation UNREAL engine technology from Epic Games, Inc., Running With Scissors is locked and loaded like never before. Running With Scissors is getting ready to frag 'em and shag 'em in extra-crispy first-person style. Why? Because everyone knows the POSTAL Dude always delivers. Read more and check out the new trailer (combining Get Milk, Napalm Factory and Vince Errand into 1 file).

Eidos Interactive has released a second playable demo for Hitman 2: Silent Assassin, once again allowing you to step into the shoes of Codename 47 if you don't own the full game yet. This demo contains a mission where you're attending a party, and have to kill a general and retrieve a suitcase (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for links where to grab this beauty ...

To make the experience of modern war as immersive as possible, EA Pacific is using a proprietary state-of-the-art 3D engine, code-named "Sage," which delivers unprecedented detail and interactivity. Because of Sage, Generals' battlefields will include fully modeled urban cityscapes, rugged deserts, vast forests and frozen wastelands. Amazing special effects will allow players to crush cars with hulking tanks, blow out the windows of skyscrapers, or lace the skies with smoke from dueling fighter planes. A new trailer has just been released, read more for download links...

Activision lets us know that they have updated the official Star Trek Starfleet Command 3 website with a new 11 meg single player add-on for Taldren's recent space strategy game. This free add-on lets you pilot the Scimitar warship commanded by Lord Shinzon, based on the just released movie Star Trek Nemesis. Read more for links where to grab this puppy ...

EA and Westwood Studios announced today that Team Player Vs. Player (PvP) will be implemented in this month's content update for Earth and Beyond. The Team PvP gameplay will be introduced as part of a storyline involving the Progen, and will be deliver to E&B players via special areas designed exclusively for this type of gameplay. Earth & Beyond's team-based PvP will be offered in "gladiator-like games" that allow players to compete using a combination of skill, combat and tactics (thanks Gamespydaily).

Building upon championship-caliber gameplay and presentation NFL 2K3 raises the bar with new lifelike player animations, convincing play-calling intelligence, an on-the-fly audible system and a brand new ESPN broadcast system with the famous overlays, scores and highlights beloved by all sports fans. NFL 2K3's new easy-to-use Franchise mode gives you total team control as player, coach and general manager - track the best players, make the smartest trades and build the most dominant team in the league. Complete with all of the updated rosters, new NFL re-alignment changes and authentic stadiums redesigned in full 3D for the 2002 season, NFL 2K3 will deliver the most exhilarating football action experience. The European release of Sega Sports NFL 2K3 is coming to PS2, Xbox and Nintendo 4th April 2002

The "Shining" series, has been popular amongst fans of the RPG genre, and has appeared on the Mega Drive, Game Gear and Sega Saturn (Shining and the Darkness, Shining Force etc). This, the latest installment of the series, comes in the form of an exciting action RPG, taking place a thousand years before that of Shining Force, the Mega Drive game released in 1992. The character designer, Tamaki, has worked on "Shining and the Darkness" and "Shining Force", titles that have garnered critical acclaim over the years.