Ubisoft, announced today that Lock On: Modern Air Combat, the highly-anticipated flight simulation game has shipped to retailers nationwide. Developed by The Fighter Collection, Lock On features today's most modern, technically advanced military aircraft in the most graphically rich, audio-intense game environment ever created for a combat flight simulation. Lock On: Modern Air Combat is rated "E" for Everyone and is available for a suggest retail price of $39.99.

'Richard Burns Rally' is the first true rally simulation game, bringing the most realistic and exhilarating rally experience to all major gaming platforms. This true to life rallying requires tactics, intelligence and perseverance as well as speed, aggression and risk taking. World Champion Richard Burns, Britain’s top rally driver for the past three seasons, in association with SCi Games is pleased to announce the first game in the 'Richard Burns Rally' series to be released in early 2004. Check out the new screns ...

Microsoft Game Studios and Big Huge Games today announce Rise of Nations: Throne and Patriots, the expansion pack to the critically acclaimed, best-selling real-time strategy (RTS) game Rise of Nations. Developed by Brian Reynolds and Big Huge Games, Throne and Patriots adds a multitude of new features to Rise of Nations, introducing six new nations, a wide variety of new single player campaigns, more than 20 new units, new wonders and an innovative new Government feature. With the new Government feature, any nation, old or new, can choose exactly how to be governed, which has far-reaching effects on how units perform in various situations. All-new single player campaigns will allow gamers to control the course of history during historical events that changed the world. Rise of Nations: Throne and Patriots is expected to ship in Spring 2004. The original Rise of Nations game is available wherever games are sold and has been reduced to $39.99 (U.S.), just in time for the holidays.

Team17 Software has released a patch for European & Australian versions of their 3D turn-based strategy game Worms 3D. This upgrade brings your retail game to v1053 (aka service patch 1) is mainly for people who play online, improves Pigeon AI, addresses some bugs and fixes, as well as networking enhancements. Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

Acclaim Entertainment International today announced World Championship Rugby for the PlayStation2, Xbox and PC. The game is being developed by Swordfish Studios, one of the UK's respected independent game development studios. Based in Birmingham and with over 10 year's development experience, the team was responsible for one of the most critically acclaimed rugby video games – Jonah Lomu Rugby. Read more for details and screens ...

Bigben Interactive UK Ltd is pleased to announce that JoWooD Productions' genre-defining Role-playing Strategy game, SpellForce - the Order of Dawn, has now gone gold! SpellForce is the latest creation of Phenomic Games, the team behind the world-famous "Settlers" series. SpellForce marries the RPG and RTS genres together to give an Innovative new game experience. SpellForce takes place in an awe-inspiring 3D environment. The player can control huge armies via an isometric view and then zoom into a first person mode to control individual units.

Savage Eden, the US version of the popular Asian online multiplayer game Laghaim, is nearing its release in America. The Nako engineers from Korea are at the iENT center of operations in Cary, NC working hard to make final developments and fine tuning for the United States game launch. The closed beta registration for the game was well received by the RPG community with over 2,000 applicants in the selection pool. The beta stage is set to begin sometime in early December.

Tantalus Interactive today confirmed the release of three new titles, rounding out a stellar year for the company. Tantalus CEO Tom Crago chose the opening day of the annual Australian Game Developer’s Conference (AGDC) in Melbourne to make the announcement. “Gamers will be well aware of all of these titles, but with the occasion of the AGDC it’s fitting to set these releases within the context of the Australian game development community,” Crago said. “As an industry here we’ve gathered a lot of momentum in recent years, and at Tantalus we’re very proud of the contribution we’ve been able to make.”

As was promised, Activision has released the Mod/Editing tools for Infinity Ward's WWII FPS Call of Duty. A few weeks ago there was a leaked & then re-called (aahhhnold!) linux server, but they now also released the final version of that, including the required library and some minor docs. The editor includes the CoDRadiant level editor & tools, the Dawnville sample map, etc. A Call Of Duty retail game is required for both applications. Read more for details & download links ...