VR1 Entertainment President Richard P. Wnuk announced today the company has joined with Jaleco USA, a publisher of entertainment software, to form the multi-platform software gaming publisher Jaleco Entertainment.

New Riders announced today that "Get in the Game! Careers in the Game Industry" by Marc Mencher, an informative guide to employment and careers in the game industry is hitting store shelves this week. The book will be distributed to major retailers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. announced today that its Gotham Games subsidiary has shipped Conflict: Desert Storm for the PlayStation2, the Microsoft Xbox and the PC. Licensed from SCi (SEG.L) and developed by UK based Pivotal Games, Conflict: Desert Storm is now available at stores in North America. This is the first product release from Gotham Games, a publishing label established by Take-Two earlier this year.

Electronic Arts today announced the release of The Sims Deluxe Edition, the definitive version of the top-selling PC game of all time, The Sims. The Sims Deluxe Edition combines the full version of The Sims, the best-selling Sims expansion pack The Sims Livin' Large, and exclusive new content including the all-new Sim customization tool: The Sims Creator. The Sims Deluxe Edition combines the full version The Sims with the first in the series of Sims expansion packs, The Sims Livin' Large. The Sims Livin' Large allows players to put their Sim families into zany situations and settings. Its content adds dozens of extreme items like a home chemistry lab, a heart shaped bed and a crystal ball as well a cast of wild characters like the Grim Reaper, the Genie and the Tragic Clown to the lives of The Sims.

TDK Mediactive, Inc announced today a worldwide licensing agreement with E.C. Publications, Inc., the publishers of MAD Magazine, to bring the mischievous and iconic "Spy vs. Spy" cartoon strip to next generation gaming console systems.

7FX today released a new demo 50MB of their upcoming shooter game, Team Factor. Now you can test drive all the new features of just recently released version 1.1 of the Team Factor game in the most favorite level Mekong Delta (mini-manual is available here). Also LINUX server software 10MB (#190) is available for dedicated hosting of the game demo version 1.6.

Westka Interactive closes its doors!! The German game developer Westka Interactive GmbH will cease its business operations today, October 1st 2002. Westka was founded in 1993. Westka had to file for insolvency at July 31, 2002 after the necessary funding for the companies biggest project "The Y-Project" could not be ensured although an LoI for the project with one of the leading worldwide publishers had been signed. Despite several measures to restructure the company, an additional agreement with another publisher and a very positive feedback from the international press on the versions of the "The Y-Project" and "Race Tracks Unlimited" shown at the the Games Convention and the ECTS, the sustainable funding of the company couldn?t be ensured. All remaining 44 employees had been laid off at September 30, 2002. Since September 2000 BRAINPOOL TV AG, one of the leading German TV producing companies, owned a 60 % majority equity stake in Westka.

Radica UK Ltd, the manufacturer of peripherals under the highly rated Gamester brand, is to launch an NXT based compact speaker system, the 'MINI WOOFER' for use with the Game Boy Advance. The MINI WOOFER was developed by Radica UK in conjunction with NXT's engineering teams in the UK and Hong Kong. Stylish and simple to use, it easily attaches to the Game Boy Advance and by using NXT's SurfaceSound™ technology, is able to create a unique audio experience from a flat speaker panel. This latest accessory is expected to prove a hit with gaming enthusiasts when it becomes available next month (October) from leading high street retailers including Comet, Argos, John Lewis and Game.

Cinemaware, Inc recently announced the release of two new entries into its Digitally Remastered series of classic remakes. Enhanced versions of the legendary Cinemaware titles, Wings and Lords of the Rising Sun, have now been produced.

Gearing up for what's sure to be the wildest BMX ride ever created for the next-generation video game systems, AKA Acclaim, a division of Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. today announced it has launched the official web site for its November release, BMX XXX. The first action sports video game designed specifically for today's mature gaming audience, BMX XXX is one of the most talked about titles for this holiday season. Combining outrageous Hollywood humour and characters, beautiful women from New York's famous Scores club and incredible arcade action, BMX XXX will deliver an unparalleled interactive entertainment experience.. Read more for full announcement, link and six new shots!

Under its license agreement with Warner Bros Consumer Products, Thrustmaster announces the launch of its range of video game console accessories based on Harry Potter's magical world. The products will be released from the end of September 2002, in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, prior to the highly anticipated second film - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

The greatest UK wrestlers will, for the first time ever, be immortalised as Acclaim Entertainment today announces the inclusion of legendary wrestlers Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks, Mick McManus and Kendo Nagasaki in Legends of Wrestling II. Out on all next-generation consoles in November, the UK greats join an already breathtaking cast of characters including Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, "Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner and Jerry "The King" Lawler.

Hitman 2’s storyline begins in a Sicilian monastery. Codename 47 has been attempting to distance himself from his violent past, however the local criminal underworld discover his true identity and blackmail him into returning to his trade. Caught in the middle of a ring of deception, Codename 47 soon discovers that he has been manipulated and the hunter must now watch his back, as he has become the hunted.. Check out some new screens below!

It’s the massively popular world of Baldur’s Gate as you have never seen it before. Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance is a revolutionary action adventure with an epic tale of intrigue, fierce alliances, explosive spell effects and highly detailed creatures and environments. Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance is a benchmark of technology and gameplay. 13 new screens for you to enjoy while waiting for the game to appear on the shelves .. Njoy!

Game Chronicles has up a Q&A with John Linn of Xicat talking about the recently released Lithtech engine powered first person shooter, Sniper. GameZone has a new Q&A with LucasArts' Jon Knoles talking about the upcoming PS2-GameCube action game centering on Episode II villian Jango Fett, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter. Apolyton has a new Q&A with Big Huge Games co-founder Jason Coleman as he talks about their upcoming historical RTS game, Rise of Nations. Gamer's Click has a Q&A with Maxis' Kevin Hogan talking about their upcoming next game in their city simulation series, Sim City 4. The GSpot has a Q&A with Yuji Naka from Team Sonic (Sega) talking about Phantasy Star Online Version 1 & 2 (GameCube and Xbox). The Wargamer has a Q&A GSC Gameworld's Mario "Mayo" Gerhold talking about upcoming their RTS stand-alone expansion. Cossacks: Back to War. GameSpyDaily has a Q&A with Rival Interactive's lead designer Jim Omer, talking about their just gone gold military RTS game, Real War: Rogue States.

GameKult tossed up a bunch of new screens from the upcoming XBox title, Unreal Championship. "release date Q4/2002" Go check them out!

"Hitman 2 is GOLD" is the announcement on GameSpot.. Eidos Interactive's stealth action title for PC, XBox and PS2 has gone gold and will ship later this week to stores all over the world. (thanks Blues)

The release of ARXEL TRIBE's upcoming RPG MISTMARE has been delayed officially this day in order to give the development team the time to polish its game-play up to the last corner. The release is officially announced worldwide for February 2003. Constant updates of the game's site will start in the coming weeks.

ARXEL TRIBE announces today that THE GLADIATORS is nearing completion with a whole set of new features since they last presented the game at ECTS: full implementation of the multiplayer functions (LAN and Internet), new maps, full integration of pre-rendered and RT animations and final level design treatment of the maps, and a lot more... They also confirm a Europe wide launch of the title between October 15th and November 15th and a launch in the USA and Asia early Q1/2003.

The Shrouded Isles beta testing signup sheet is now open, and will be for the next 24 hours. They will choose a number of testers at random from all valid entries, so it doesn't matter whether you sign up now, tonight, or tomorrow morning.