Ubi Soft announced today that Chessmaster for the PS2 has shipped to retailers in North America. The most comprehensive chess game available, Chessmaster offers experts and novices alike an elegant and fun way to refine and elevate their game, and features support for online play via Sony Online. Chessmaster is rated "E" for everyone and is available for the suggested retail price of $29.99.

Sierra just send out word that the team responsible for the award-winning NASCAR Racing franchise Papyrus Racing Games has released additional tracks for NASCAR Racing 2003 Season. The NASCAR Racing 2003 Season Track Pack contains three fictional tracks: Eight Bowl Superspeedway, Hillside International Speedway and Papyrus Motorsports Park. Each track offers players a unique and exciting driving experience, and may be played in both single player or multiplayer modes. Read more for download links ..

According to SimRacingWorld we can expect a patch for the recently released Colin McRae Rally 3 demo. The patch, currently being tested at Codemasters and will weigh in at about 20mb, will include "all the fixes from the final build including steering, sound, etc.," and a release is expected either Wednesday evening or Thursday morning. First we get flooded with game patches, now its the age of demo patches .. lovely!

Although the official BlowOut website still mentions KaosKontrol, word got out that Terminal Reality has taken over development of "BlowOut." No idea what "BlowOut" is all about? Here is an official blurb "You will be leading a platoon of the fifth Marine commandos to cleanse 65,000 metric tons of space hulk of the galaxy's most vicious alien bugs. You probably won't make it, but we're giving you the hardware to do the job. Check this out: A 7.68mm General Electric Minigun, 75lbs. Industrial ChainSaw, 20mm Pump-Action Shotgun, 8-meter FlameThrower, Plasma Rifle, Machine Gun, 8'' NailGun and more."

Noticed on VE3D that Cyber Warrior Inc, today announced the launch of its bold new massively multiplayer RPG, "Rubies of Eventide." With a retail launch aimed for later in the year, currently, "Rubies of Eventide" provides a free, downloadable game client which includes a free 10-day trial of the game. Read more for details ...

C&VG has a little article on some interesting/upcoming Namco games. Perhaps recognising a greater global strategy is now in order, Namco has pledged to focus on overseas markets in the coming months - that means Europe and the US. 18 titles are expected for European release this year, doubling last year's total of nine releases. But what games can we expect from the venerable developer? Hit after cash-seeking hit, by the sounds of things. New games in the Soul Calibur and Ridge Racer series will appear more regularly, with Namco aiming to release new episodes every two years. Specifically pencilled in for 2004 are new games in the Tekken and Ace Combat series, as well as a sequel to Dead To Rights.

“The Witcher” is an Action RPG game for PC platform, which combines the features of such games as Dungeon Siege, Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance, Gothic and Neverwinter Nights. The game is supposed to ensure entertainment to a broad group of older players, incorporating simple yet interesting game system, along with a complex plot and attractive 3-D graphics. Read more for details & screens ...

Vivendi Universal Games announced today the upcoming sci-fi action game Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter has gone gold for the Xbox and the PlayStation2. Both versions are scheduled to ship to retailers on June 19, 2003. Versions of the game for GameCube and PC are scheduled to ship September 2, 2003.

Sony Pictures Digital Networks announced today that Charlie's Angels: Angel X is now available. The network-delivered game can be accessed via the film's official Website, The Station, and a series of premiere distribution partners. Read more for details & new screens ...

Buka Entertainment is pleased to inform its Friends and Partners that we have published 100 games both Russian and localized ones! The company was founded in 1994 as a distributor of computer and videogames. Six years ago the company entered the publishing business with its own title "Russian Roulette" and since that time Buka Entertainment has reached notable success in game-making industry. Our games are distributed in 60 countries of the world. Shipping of the title Rayman 3 became a 100 milestone in the history of our company. Buka Entertainment is working on and during fall-winter 2003/04 all the addicts of PC games will see our new line-up, including The Entente: World War I Battlefields, Fair Strike and Battle Mages.