The holidays are still months away, but Strategy First has some gifts for all of us in the meantime. They just send us 9 brand new screenshots from Galactic Civilizations, the new strategy game from developers Stardock that is going to have people racing for their PCs in February 2003. Check them out!

BMT sees the player take command of an 18-wheel rig, trucking from city to city, wheeling and dealing and upping the stakes as they battle to build up a personal fortune. Today we serve up a lorryload of brand new screenshots. Well, six. Njoy!

Shrapnel Games announced today that the Space Empires IV Gold has surpassed the one half million dollar mark in internet sales. To mark this momentous occasion, Shrapnel Games is releasing a Commemorative Space Empires IV Gold digital art print.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced that PlayStation 2 broadband network gaming will be launched in the Spring of 2003, beginning with the UK. This will be followed by a phased rollout into Germany, France, Spain, Australia other SCEE territories throughout 2003.

CDV Software Entertainment AG has today signed the rights to publish the 3D tactical combat title PANZERS. The game, to be published on the PC format, is developed by Hungarian studio Stormregion and to be released end of 2003. More info below with some early screens!

GameOverGames and Russia's developer and publisher Alawar Entertainment signed an agreement on the publishing of the localized version of Brave Dwarves 2. More info and screens below!

Microsoft Game Studios yesterday announced its first tennis title for the Xbox video game system is in development. Developed by Power and Magic Developments, "Top Spin," an Xbox exclusive and Xbox Live enabled tennis experience, will offer gamers and tennis fans a pulse-pounding glimpse into professional tennis. Today we bring up some screens, Check them out!

In the 13th century, the Aztecs lived in the north of Mexico. The name "Aztec" derives from the name of their legendary former home Aztlan. Under the reign of a glorious chief, the Aztecs moved, until finally settling on the banks of Texcoco, on the Chapultepec (or "grasshopper") hill. The Aztecs lived on fish, crawfish and waterfowl, and procured land on which to sow seeds from the bottom of the lake. They bought everything else, including stone, wood, and drinking water (the water of lake Texcoco being salty) from their neighbors. More info regarding the Aztecs HERE!

GMX Media has today released the movies for its upcoming PC RPG game – Heath. Heath is a massive RPG game with loads of innovative features including;

• Unpredictable ending of the game
• 35 unique filled playing locations
• over 150 different kinds of NPC
• over 50 kinds of enemies
• about 30 quests, that can be solved in a different ways
• over 500 useful items
  
  Video clip now available, if you're wondering what GMX's RPG looks like on the move, read more for download links!

In a timeless battle for the fate of the Earth and all humanity, the player assumes the role of the archangel Abaddon (name meaning “Destroyer”). Set in a dark contemporary environment, the fallen angel faces possessed zealots, demons and four giant, eternal forces of the Apocalypse: Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death. During this epic struggle, Abaddon must find and protect the three humans known as the Chosen. By strategically using and combining the powers of the Chosen, the archangel prepares for the ultimate battle against the Horsemen. Hand-to-hand, sword, and projectile combat combine with fantastic abilities to create a surreal, cinematic experience. Especially for HalloWeen, 3DO released screens from one of the characters, WAR. Check him out!

Midway Games Inc. a leading software industry publisher and developer, announced today that revolutionary FreeFormer gameplay will be featured in Haven: Call Of The King, a groundbreaking action and fantasy console videogame, which is in development and scheduled to ship Nov. 18 for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. The title is also scheduled to ship for the Xbox video game system from Microsoft and Nintendo GameCube in 2003. Haven: Call Of The King is being developed by acclaimed U.K.-based developer, Traveller's Tales.

Stratics Central Fiction recently began publishing their own fictional series, "The Hunted".. "Welcome to a world of mighty warriors, dark magic, majestic bards, devious villains, and chaotic gods. "The Hunted" follows the story of the young bard Lanister ty`Val and a mysterious young woman on the run named Kalisha. For reasons unknown, she is hunted by the sinister Zen Rahl, a Mord Sedehi from the capital city of Andor. The plot goes far deeper than it seems, as the pair soon find themselves, along with others, on the run from forces far greater than they ever could have imagined. Visit a tale full of friendship, war, betrayal, and a grand political struggle for the Iron Throne of Andor, and even control of the world of Aryth itself." The feature will be published every Wednesday.

Sabotain combines a classic first person shooter style with role playing elements and a fascinating mission design. As an undercover agent you are on a secret mission in Miracle City, and will be faced with a myriad of choices and direction to reach goals, either in a rather peaceful matter or by force of arms if necessary. Following old traditions, the website launch today features the start of the banner contest:

Dragon Empires Stratics site launched earlier this week. The site includes an FAQ, dev diaries, dev musings (quotes), dev profiles, an extensive clan database and guide, and exclusive bird armor concept screenshots.

“The Westerner”, developed Revistronic, is the sequel to “3 Skulls of the Toltecs”, released by Warner Interactive in 1996, with more than 180.000 copies sold in Europe. Today we serve up some screens and game info ...

Etherlords II is the sequel to the innovative turn-based strategy game originally released in November 2001. Similar to Etherlords I, which was highly praised for its tactical depth and stunning graphics, Etherlords II promises to be even more spectacular, changing the emphasis of the game from simple exploration and resource gathering to a more enriching story-driven adventure.

Splinter Cell invites gamers to delve into the dark shadows of cyber-terrorism, shadow agencies, and covert operations. The player controls Sam Fisher, a solo operative directed by a top secret, "black ops" wing of the National Security Agency. Alone, yet armed with some of the best hi-tech weapons on the market, Sam walks the fine line between what is legal and what is necessary. He must infiltrate enemy territory and neutralize the opponents—all without leaving a trace. Check these 6 new screens .. Njoy!

Electronic Arts and Def Jam Records just unveiled their new fighting game, 'Def Jam Vendetta'. Read more for some screens, features and some in game footage movie ...

Another reality awaits those who dare to enter the world of Chemicus. Shrouded in secrecy and intrigue, the mysterious city of Chemicus is the repository of chemical knowledge from the beginning of time. It begins with a young scientist’s discovery of an ancient amulet with the power to unlock the portal to the forgotten land. Soon, strange, cloaked men kidnap him, claiming that he has disrupted the delicate balance between our world and theirs. Players find themselves in a virtual mission to unlock the secrets of Chemicus, to restore harmony, and rescue the abducted scientist.