EverQuest II returns to the culturally diverse world of Norrath in the future of the original EverQuest, with the sheer size and graphical detail greater than ever seen before. Larger in scope than its predecessor, EverQuest II will allow players from every corner of the earth to explore familiar areas and new, undiscovered territories of Norrath.

In The Sims 2, you direct your Sims over a lifetime and mix their genes from one generation to the next. You set your Sims' goals in life; fame, fortune, family, romance or knowledge. Give them a long, successful existence or leave their lives in shambles. Take them to extremes, from getting busted to seeing a ghost, from marrying an alien to writing a great novel.

In Sid Meier's Pirates! you take the leading role of a Pirate Captain in the 17th century Caribbean amassing fortune and fame in an attempt to seize your rightful place as one of the most revered (and feared!) pirates in history.

Omens of War will allow players to adventure solo, in groups, and in multiple player raids to complete "Epic Quests" and earn specialized Epic weapons to assist them in their battles. All-new character levels, items, spells, and quests will challenge the most veteran of players and a new task system will offer new players an easier way to gain experience and items.

A Real-Time 3D Strategy, Besieger is set in a medieval fantasy world in which rival players wage war as either Viking or Cimmerian warriors. The easy economic system will allow players to construct or upgrade 40 types of buildings and more than 50 different units for battle.

Chessmaster 10th Edition will attract both brand-new and experienced chess players. Animated chess pieces, a simplified learning section and skill-appropriate AI-controlled opponents will entertain new and casual players. Intermediate players can take advantage of the opportunity to hone their skills by learning the best attacking moves as taught by chess champion Larry Christiansen in the Academy.

Omens of War will allow players to adventure solo, in groups, and in multiple player raids to complete "Epic Quests" and earn specialized Epic weapons to assist them in their battles. All-new character levels, items, spells, and quests will challenge the most veteran of players and a new task system will offer new players an easier way to gain experience and items.

Trade with over 60 towns and create your own production facilities in the 17th century Caribbean. You will not only increase your trading empire, but you will also have a larger influence on the development of the New World. Trade is not everything though, as pirates and military fleets threaten your trade convoys.

Sony Online and LucasArts are gearing up for their October launch of the first Star Wars Galaxies expansion pack, Jump To Lightspeed, which finally takes the online multiplayer game into space. Earlier this week Sony Online also announced that people might find their accounts lost in space because a character deletion procedure will occur just prior to launch. This week's editorial takes a look at the what's and why's ...

I have a confession to make to my loyal readers – most likely all two of you: I am burnt out on MMOG’s. I have a hard time logging into my favorite online games, much less keeping track of the ones I have a professional interest in. The reason for that, is every damn one of them is a horse of a different color, but a gelding nonetheless.