Newsarama.com has word from that Image comic book Sword of Dracule is making its way into a first person shooter under development at Critical Mass Interactive (previously known for SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman on PS2). While the comic series has a broader narrative, in the game, the player will be an agent under the command of Veronica “Ronnie” Van Helsing, who leads a UN-connected and armed to the teeth covert operation called the Polidorium. Unlike traditional vampire stories, the Cain said the CMI creators have patterned Sword of Dracula after games like Medal of Honor and Call of Duty, where action is wide, relentless and highly technological (thanks HomeLAN).

Battlefield: Pirates is a mod for EA's Battlefield 1942 and shortly after last update the BFP team has released another update mainly to address the lag introduced with the Alpha.22 update. Well, they're not going to leave you stranded on lag island, so they've released Alpha.23. This was mainly to fix the lag, but they've made a few other minor adjustments to increase your piratey pillaging pleasure. Read more for download links ...

Eventhough the game is still several week away from release, Sierra has already released the first patch for their RTS title Lords of the Realm III. This update will being your retail gamer to v1.1 and adresses several game crashes, gameplay fixes. Lords of the Realm III has already gone gold according to our Sierra source and is expected in stores Mid March. Read more for details fix list and download links.

Vivendi Universal Games today announced the next installments in the best-selling Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon videogame franchises. Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage and Spyro Orange: The Cortex Conspiracy are scheduled to ship on the Game Boy Advance video game system in second quarter 2004. For the first time, the two renowned characters will meet up in each other's respective adventures in these upcoming action platformers. Albany, New York based studio, Vicarious Visions, is developing the games.

Bethesda sent out notice to announce the launch of the official Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth web site. The new site includes info on gameplay and story in Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth, as well as new screenshots, renders, and wallpapers. Learn about the player character, Jack Walters, the creepy town of Innsmouth, and find out more about HP Lovecraft and the Cthulhu Mythos he created. In addition, Bethesda Softworks producer Dennis Cheng's team diary provides an update on the game. Read more for some new screens ...

Publisher Whiptail Interactive and developer MediaMobsters have released the highly anticipated single-player demo for their upcoming action game Gangland, scheduled to ship on March 3rd. The demo lets gamers take on the role of Mario, an up and coming mafia foot soldier, and features two Conquest Missions and one Challenge Mission from the game. Read more for download links ...

Hitman: Contracts delivers more action-packed and suspenseful missions, with a greater variety of ways to make the perfect hit and an increased arsenal of firearms and close-combat weapons. A new graphics engine showcases Hitman's 'work' in brutal detail and brings new locations to life. An improved control system and more gradual learning curve will ensure that the game is accessible to all aspiring hitmen. Hitman: Contracts is being developed by Io Interactive and will be available for PS2, Xbox, and PC in spring 2004.

Enlight has released the demo for Nemesis of the Roman Empire (aka Celtic Kings: Punic Wars) featuring two playable nations, the Carthaginians and Romans and features two missions, one from each of the single player campaigns. There's also a multiplayer mode and tutorial play. Plus, in the Carthaginian campaign, players can control the Great General Hannibal. Read more for download links ....

Scheduled to ship in spring 2004, Freedom Force vs. the Third Reich is a comic book-inspired tactical role-playing game features a brand new league of heroes and villains, overhauled combat system, and spectacular graphic enhancements. Read more for details & screens...

Eve of Destruction is a mod for EA's Battlefield 1942, and they have released a new & massive v0.3 update that includes 8 new vehicles, 6 new weapons, 5 new levels, and a huge number of tweaks and fixes. Eve Of Destruction will contain not only new skins, vehicles and new objects, it features 8 complete new custom maps. Each map is different in their own way (from realistic to fun maps) and partially adapted to the Indochina Vietnam Conflict. Head back to the jungles in this modification replicating the deadly and vicious Vietnam War. Read more for download links ...