GarageGames announced today the launch of its partner site Gamebeavers.org and the demo version of the content now available for independent game developers who want to contribute to gain membership in the nonprofit organization.

Interplay Entertainment Corp. and Vivendi Universal Games announced today that the highly anticipated "Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II has gone gold and will ship to retail on January 20, 2004. The game will be distributed by VU Games in North America and Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan).

Data Becker has released a German demo for Related Designs' fast paced medieval RTS game Castle Strike featuring a turorial and a single mission. Although strategically demanding, its core is based on action. That's why all the time consuming handling of resources and civilians is reduced to a minimum with the help of a special, never before seen peasant management system and lots of automatic functions. Castle Strike is scheduled for Q4 2003 (thanks Giga/(Gengamers)). Read more for download links ...

This mission-based 3D adventure will allow the player to be placed in the role of a brave firefighter, who will have to hone their abilities and battle through dozens of intense, highly detailed and involving missions which will put their skills to the ultimate test. Game play in Firefighter 259 will take place in a highly-detailed 3D environment using Criterion’s Renderware technology, and although still under development, initial game concepts include over 10 massive mission environments such as a factory and an office complex, as well as the inclusion of various firefighting instruments such as hoses, wet and dry extinguishers, gas masks, ladders, and more (thanks 3DGamers).

Further extending its already deep ties within the entertainment community, Atari, Inc. today unveiled another "convergence first" between Hollywood and the interactive entertainment company. Atari announced that it has retained Ridley Scott Associates (RSA) - the commercial production company owned and run by legendary filmmakers Ridley and Tony Scott - to produce an original three-minute live-action film inspired by Atari's highly anticipated upcoming game, DRIV3R. The film short, which is the first of its kind in the video game industry, is titled "Run The Gauntlet" and will be the core component of both the DRIV3R web site, www.DRIV3R.com, and an extensive marketing and advertising campaign for DRIV3R being launched globally by Atari, beginning in late January.

“Alias” is a third-person action adventure video game that allows players to step into the role of the series’ lead character, Sydney Bristow, an agent for the CIA. Bristow must use her cunning, extensive knowledge of martial arts and array of high-tech gadgetry to accomplish dangerous missions. “Alias” will encompass all of the key elements behind the series’ success, including high-action combat, stealth missions and time-based objectives, espionage, intriguing plot twists, high-tech weaponry and stunning gameplay locations that span the globe. Read more for a massive load of butt-kicking screens ...

The Bloody Magic is single and multiplayer, 3rd person RPG for PC where the weapon of choice is magic. The game is set in a richly detailed medieval-style world, allowing the player a wide variety of choices both in individual quests and character development. The Bloody Magic is different from most other popular RPG titles in that the player characters are all of one type: magician. There are over a dozen different fields of magic, allowing players many choices for specialization. Check a few new screens...

Launching the next generation of solo play and online combat, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero is imminent. The #1 online action game of all time goes single-player with Counter-Strike: Condition Zero. A stand-alone product, Condition Zero is the comprehensive successor to the 2000 Multiplayer Game of the Year. Condition Zero completely replaces the current Counter-Strike, and combines six story-driven episodes, three different single player modes and multiplayer enhancements to drive the future of Counter-Strike gamers everywhere.

The game is developed on original high-tech engine The Firestarter Engine, which uses the possibilities of the latest graphics cards. Among the engine possibilities are work with outdoor and indoor areas, coloured dynamic lighting, dynamic shadows, vertex and pixel shaders, T&L, procedure textures, various classes of particle system-based effects, interactive and destructible level objects, realistic physics, high-polygonal character and monster models (up to 5000 of polygons), skeleton animation. Read more to check out new screens ...

Space Hack is a sci-fi RPG/action title with Diablo-inspired gameplay mechanics. The storyline puts you on board of a quite 'peculiar' spaceship, trapped inside a space warp. Being a tough guy, whose axe is almost as quick as his wit, it's not surprising that you promptly find yourself confronting angry monsters, one wave after another. Space Hack is scheduled to be released in first half of 2004. Read more for a few new screens ...