Freeform Interactive opens the beta signups for Phase 4 of the Purge Closed Beta Test. This is an extremely intensive closed beta, currently scheduled for September 1st, 2002. "3000 people will be able to test". Find out more and sign up here! (thanks Shacks)

John Carmack confirms that the graphically impressive first-person shooter will come out for the Xbox and will match the visual fidelity of the PC version. Get the full scoop at Gamespot! (thanks TTG)

The Saga of Ryzom is designed to appeal to existing online RPG gamers, providing the 'must have' combat, magic and crafting system that players have grown to expect. The Saga of Ryzom is a Science-Fantasy MMORPG and developed by the French company Nevrax. Read more below!

The world of Largo Winch lends itself perfectly to video games: the character is the epitome of the ultimate hero, and his adventures are packed with action and suspense. In the beginning, Largo - a Yugoslavian orphan - is adopted by the world's wealthiest man, who is in search of an heir. When his adoptive father dies, the now 26-year-old Largo inherits the Winch Corporation, a financial consortium worth more than 10 billion dollars. Drawn to the challenge of presiding over such a vast empire, Largo takes over from his father, and plunges headfirst into a new, unexpectedly vicious world. You know we like to get snap crazy, so here go another 40 or so screens!

The game that started the computer "Tycoon" craze is getting a sequel this Autumn in RollerCoaster Tycoon II from Infogrames and master game designer, Chris Sawyer. Numerous improvements to the original will be packed into this new game - with more types of roller coasters and rides being just the beginning.

Rocky features superb free-flowing motion captured animation using real-life boxers and a huge range of punches from attacking hooks, jabs and uppercuts to defensive blocks, ducks and weaves. It also has varied fight locations from rundown gyms to the world's best-known arenas.

Yesterday Blizzard let us know their newest patch v1.02 was available through the auto-updater and today they have released the manual/standalone patch to upgrade their recently released 3D RPG Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos to v1.02. Read more for details and links where to grab it ...

Strategy First and Monte Cristo are pleased to announce that the first four titles in their multiple title co- publishing agreement, Airline Tycoon Evolution, Dino Island, The Partners and Micro Commandos have gone gold this week.

Agetec, Inc today announced that it has secured the rights to release IREM's sleeper hit, Zettai Zetsumei Toshi, for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system in the United States and Canada. Zettai Zetsumei Toshi, which garnered the #3 ranking in Famitsu Weekly Magazine upon its April release in Japan, will be localized and released under the name Disaster Report. Disaster Report is currently slated to reach store shelves during the fourth quarter of this year.

The owner of the factory, Anna Voralberg, has just died. The Heir to the factory, Anna's brother, Hans, who is a genius inventor, has been missing for decades; lost somewhere between the Alps and Siberia… Kathe must find this enigmatic man to finalise the deal. But, in her journey from the West to the East, she will progressively discover and understand the reasons, which have made Hans, leave his family and never return. Dreamcatcher will release this game in Northern America and send us some screens to show off how beautiful this 3D adventure game truely is ... Njoy!

Microsoft Game Studios and Gas Powered Games today announced that the Dungeon Siege Tool Kit is now available for download. The Dungeon Siege Tool Kit grants gamers the freedom to rework nearly every aspect of the Dungeon Siege world, making this best-selling title not only a game, but also a platform for those who wish to create their own spells, dungeons, and even their own entire worlds.

EA Europe has just released a playable demo for their upcoming football manager sim, Total Club Manager 2003. Weighing in at a whopping 270mb the EA page claims the demo is playable to the max, it'll give you the TCM experience you need before the game is released in September. Go get it and live out every single one of your manager dreams.

ValuSoft, Inc. today announced the release of Hard Truck: 18 Wheels of Steel. Gamers can now be their own boss behind the wheel of 6 big rig trucks, including 18 wheelers, flatbeds and tankers, as they build their trucking business. Players will bid on jobs, weighing the hazards and payoffs of each delivery, and then hit the road to deliver their goods faster than the competition.

Explosions echo throughout the mean streets of Gotham as rival gangs battle for control of the city. Anarchy reigns supreme with the sudden disappearance of Police Commissioner James Gordon and the lockdown of Arkham Asylum, home for the criminally insane. By using all of his skills, both mental and physical, as well as a variety of gadgets, Batman must stop the gang war, infiltrate Arkham Asylum and rescue the Commissioner. During this time, Batman must also piece together clues to discover the mastermind behind these seemingly unrelated events and stop an evil plan that threatens the fate of the entire world! Yesterday we met up with some Kemco people (cant beat free food and drinks!), check out the 26 exclusive Gamecube screens!

Jowood just informed us that they have opened the official website for "Europa 1400 - The Guild". "Europa 1400 - The Guild" takes players into the fascinating world of the Middle Ages after 1400: A world full of luxury and wealth, conspiracy and intrigue. In one of five German cities, up to 500 virtual inhabitants pursue their daily business- trading and competing for titles and offices each of which bestows reputation and influence. All this is presented in a wealth of detail.This site offers the first look into the sequel to Europa 1400 - The Guild. Even now, at the site's launch, you can already see detailed game information and screenshots here. Check it out!

Neocron is one of the three remaining cities on Earth emerged from the ruins of World War III. Partake in criminal activities, live peacefully, become a spy, choose to be a PSI-Monk with extraordinary powers or be a Tank Warrior, and go for some evil destruction. But bear in mind one thing… “It’s a new world, a new life… live it!”. Read more for links and previous issues...

Developed by Climax, Race of Champions challenges players to master authentic road, desert and mountain tracks on their quest for the cup. Featuring incredibly detailed visuals as well as real-time damage modeling and dirt effects, players can select their dream machine from the top makes and models in the sport including Mitsubishi, Toyota, Ford, Lancia, Peugeot, Audi, Porsche and Seat as they race against industry legends like France’s Didier Auriol, Germany’s Armin Schwartz and Finland’s Tommi Makkinen , all of which have been participants in the annual event. Five new GameCube shots below, fortunately not fused together.

This multiplayer demo of Battlefield 1942 is now available for download (130MB), and it includes one map from the upcoming 3D vehicle-shooter set on Wake Island and a single game mode, Conquest. The full game will allow gamers to take control of multiple Classes and Vehicles such as tanks, dive-bombers, submarines and aircraft carriers while they fight in World War II, against other players online. Grab this puppy at FragZone, GamePlanet, Games Telstra, AusGamers, FileShack, 3DGamers!

XBOX Screenshot Mania #2! This time we got a bunch of mixed XBox screens from following games:

• Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon (6)
  
• Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell (3)
  
• Steel Battalion (16)
  
• Sega GT 2002 (12)
  
• James Bond 007: NightFire (4)
  
• NFL 2K3 (4)
  
• Gladius (2)
  
  Read more below for the candy!

Set against the backdrop of WWII, Return to Castle Wolfenstein plunges players into a maelstrom of action, espionage and covert operations, as an American soldier tasked with infiltrating the heart of Nazi Germany and stopping the darkest plans of the Third Reich. Four new scary-lookin' PS2 screenshots.