Rise of Nations fans will have the opportunity to enter the Rise of Nations Sneak Preview Beta Contest for a chance to win one of 1000 copies of the Rise of Nations beta. The contest will stay open from February 14 to 11 AM PST, Monday, February 17. Winners will be selected from a random drawing from all eligible entries received. Fans from around the world are invited to participate.

The GBA SP launched today in Japan. Hundreds of gamers were seen lining the streets eager to buy their very own GBA SP - the latest addition to the Game Boy range. The new Game Boy Advance SP is available in silver, black and blue and following its high profile arrival in Japan is set to be a hit with style conscious European gamers. The console is due to launch in Europe on March 28th.

David Gosen, Managing Director, Nintendo of Europe stated:

"As we anticipated, the reception the new GBA SP has received in Japan is fantastic. The stylish pocket-sized design, the front lit screen and rechargeable battery ensure the ultimate playing experience for gamers on the go."

In Ghost Master, you play an afterlife civil servant sent to Gravenville by the Haunter Committee. Your mission: manage resources to scare and manipulate people, then to discover the secrets behind Gravenville. Your control over ghostly beings will allow other ghosts to be laid to rest – therefore making the transition from the material to the ethereal plane. But helping out these wretched souls takes a bit of effort and plasm - that's where the fun-packed scaring comes in! Four ectoplasmic new PC shots.

JoWooD Productions is proud to announce the first official details on the three character classes featured in Gothic II, the breathtaking role-playing action adventure game scheduled for a UK release in Q1 2003 on PC CD-ROM... Details and screens below!

Nicely Crafted Entertainment Ltd. (“NiCE”) today announced the launch of Time of Defiance Skirmish Servers. The new servers will be available exclusively to subscribers to Nicely Crafted Entertainment’s Massively Multiplayer Persistent-Universe Online Real Time Strategy game Time of Defiance. Unlike the normal restriction of only being able to participate in one game at a time, subscribers will be able to make use of the new skirmish servers whilst also participating in their regular game. Running at four times normal game speed, Skirmish Server games will typically last for around seven days, and can be used by subscribers to practice new tactics, settle outstanding disputes quickly and easily, or just for the enjoyment of playing the game.

Hit the jackpot with Casino Inc., the complete sim that drops you right in the glitzy, and sometimes gritty, world of casino management... Konami and Hothouse Creations announce today that the website for their latest game, Casino Inc. has now gone live. The website contains screenshots, 3D objects and downloads with the addition of 6, 360 degree Quicktime movies and a mobile phone theme and screensaver.

Empire Interactive plc, today announced that it has licensed the interactive videogame rights to the eagerly awaited Hollywood action-adventure film, Bulletproof Monk. Licensed from MGM Interactive, the game will follow the premise of the film, which is based on the comic book first published by Flypaper Press in 1999. The film is being produced by John Woo and Terrance Chang's production company Lion Rock Productions, responsible for the critically acclaimed film, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

In Age of Shadows, fans will be introduced to two new professions and an exciting new realm to explore and settle. In addition to the expanded availability of housing, a 'House Design Tool' is also included in this latest version... For all Ultima Online fans, we now serve up another 33 lovley shadow-ageing shots.

Glen Dahlgren, Designer/Producer @ Legend Entertainment posted up a quick update on Infogrames Unreal II forum about what's going on (thanks Blues). Here is the full clip:

I wanted to give you all a quick update about what's happening on the home front. While we Legend guys haven't been posting here as much as we'd like (things are still pretty crazy here), I assure you we have been reading your comments and concerns, and we take them all very seriously.

As you may have read in the forum already, we're planning on releasing a patch sometime soon. It should address a number of the issues that people have raised in these forums. As well, we're going to be releasing a demo, especially targeted at those of you who want to 'try before you buy'. It should be a great benchmark to see how the game runs on your particular system.

In a later post, I'll try to get you some specifics about both of these, but it shouldn't be too long until you've actually got them in your hands.

Thanks to everyone for your support.

The official homepage of Panzers holds some new screenshots for you! You're going to witness fierce street fights and gorgeous graphics. German Tiger vs. the English Sherman is one of the duels..