Kenn Hoekstra let us know, through his website Kenn's World, that effective Wednesday, June 30th will resign from Raven Software. "I'm sure the question many of you are asking is 'why?' (Then again, maybe you aren't!) Put simply, I've reached a point in my life where it's time for me to move on to new challenges…to take some risks and make some time for a few things I've always wanted to do. I don't deal well with 'what might have been' scenarios. That said, there are some shots I need to take and I believe now is the time for me to take them. The way I see it, if I don't do it now, I may never get the chance again."

Pirates is broadband only, with high-end hardware specifications for graphics -- a GeForce 3 or better is required in at least a 1GHz machine, and the game is optimized for the latest DirectX 9.0-class cards. Pirates is being published on-line directly to gamers using Valve's new Steam technology, the same delivery system used by Half-Life 2 and Counterstrike 2. Check out the new seaworthy screens ...

NCsoft Corporation today released the first major update to it's acclaimed massively multiplayer online game Lineage? II: The Chaotic Chronicle. The update, Chronicle 1: Harbingers of War, adds stirring castle sieges, new fierce monsters, items and quests, and a significantly expanded 3D world. The update is free to all Lineage II subscribers via automatic download.

Enlight announced today that it will publish Scrapland, with executive producer and ground breaking game auteur American McGee. Developed by Mercury Steam, Scrapland is a deeply immersive 3rd person 3D action/adventure set in a bizarre robotic world made of scrap parts. Scrapland is scheduled for release in Q4 2004 for the Xbox and PC.

Codemasters announced today the company's innovative real-time strategy game, "Soldiers: Heroes Of World War II," has shipped to North American retail outlets. Developed by Ukrainian company Best Way, "Soldiers" is now available exclusively for PC.

Jackie Chan Adventures features the martial arts hero scouring the globe as an ancient artefact expert looking for talismans with his 11-year old niece Jade as his apprentice. Each talisman unlocks additional powers for Jackie, allowing him to access new areas within the worlds. Jackie must also play his part in protecting the world from ancient Chinese demons, and a group of ninjas known as the Dark Hand.

Chaos League combines sports, fantasy and brutal, chaotic action on a playing field where the primary objectives are typical but the gameplay is anything but. Players must score points, win games, advance to championship rounds, and of course compete for the ultimate trophy, but Chaos League serves up some extra excitement with its absence of rules, corrupt referees and mythical, powerful opponents.

Going where no previous James Bond game has dared to tread, the upcoming GoldenEye: Rogue Agent first-person shooter from Electronic Arts breaks all the rules by transporting players to the dark side of the Bond universe to experience life as a high-rolling, cold-hearted villain. To commemorate the 25th movie anniversary of the classic James Bond film, Moonraker, EA sent us a few new screens ...

Medieval Lords takes aspiring city governors to the middle ages, combining rich city-building challenges with evolving military forces to defend against relentless attacks from neighboring enemies. A first for the genre, Medieval Lords features a full 3D engine that enables innovative new gameplay elements. The city building game genre will take on a whole new dimension when Monte Cristo Games ships "Medieval Lords: Build, Defend, Expand” in Fall 2004.