With just under one month to go until the February 14th launch of IGI 2: Covert Strike, gamers can today experience covert action IGI style with launch of the single-player demo of Codemasters’ stunning stealth-based shooter. This standalone PC demo is now available for download.. Read more for download links and also a all-new IGI 2 video entitled “Scope”.

THQ Inc. today announced that Disney Princesses for Game Boy Advance is currently in development and is scheduled to release in Spring 2003. The game is based on the Disney Princess characters in Disney's animated classic films "Cinderella," "The Little Mermaid," "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "Sleeping Beauty," "Beauty and the Beast" and "Aladdin."

Electronic Arts today announced that The Sims for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system has shipped. Players will be able to create and control their Sims like never before with all new level-based game play, two-player modes, and dynamic 3D graphics.

At the heart of Gladius is a unique mix of dynamic game play that requires players to develop and manage a school of gladiators who, over time, gain experience, learn new skills, improve their abilities and finally test their might in epic battles. Players fight with deadly weapons and powerful magic, learn vital combat tactics, and enhance and customize characters... Check out six new shots!

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc, the Tokyo based parent of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced that cumulative world-wide factory shipments of the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system had reached 50 million units.

Rick Johnson, Lead Programmer @ Ravensoft updated his .plan file with following information:

Based on feedback we received at the mod maker round table sessions at QuakeCon, we created a private forum for mod makers. This forum is a place for all mod makers of all engines / games (not just Raven games) to come and discuss any issues associated with mod making, such as programming, scripting, mapping, modeling, textures, sounds, etc. This forum is only open to people actively involved in making content. If you wish to join, create an account on our forums and then email me with your account name and I’ll give you access. There is also a small website associated with this whole endeavor. Again, this is for all people making mods for all games / engines.

Celestial Heavens let us know that Christian Vanover from New World Computing announced that Winds of War, the second expansion pack for Heroes of Might & Magic IV, has gone gold.. (thanks Blues) Here is the clip:

I wanted to let everyone know that 3DO has given their stamp of approval to the Winds of War expansion, and the Gold Master is on its way to the duplicators! I'm sure we'll be sneaking some WoW info onto the boards in the next few weeks, and maybe, just maybe, I'll have some early Heroes V info as well.

UK Based Independent Games developer Positech Computing announced today the release of their arcade/strategy game Planetary Defense. Planetary Defense puts you in charge of a variety of worlds, defending them against enemy attack. You have to defend against missiles, laser equipped satellites, cloaked starships, multiple-warhead rockets and flaming meteors, by guiding defensive missiles to their targets. On some levels you have multiple orbiting moons, complete with their own bases and space colonies, ships evacuating your planet to defend, and energy shields that keep the enemy rockets at bay. Its also possible for enemy fire to disable the all-important radar... Screens, gameinfo and demo is available here!

JoWooD Productions is proud to announce the first official details of the characters featured in the breathtaking first-person shoot 'em up, Chaser, the PC CD game scheduled for a UK release in Q2 2003.

Electronic Arts reveals details for NBA STREET Vol. 2, the follow-up to the hit title NBA STREET, to be released under the EA SPORTS BIG brand. NBA STREET Vol. 2 lets players bring their act to the street show and face off against the greatest basketball players of all-time on blacktop courts throughout North America. First team to "21" wins, but in NBA STREET Vol. 2, style and attitude are as important as putting the ball in the basket. Currently under development, NBA STREET Vol. 2 will be available this spring for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, the Nintendo GameCube and Xbox video game system from Microsoft.