Microsoft Corp. today announced that it has entered a publisher partner deal with renowned Japanese game developer Capcom which will see Microsoft publish the widely anticipated title 'Steel Battalion' in Europe. Steel Battalion will be exclusively available on Xbox, the future-generation video game console that delivers new and unforeseen gameplay experiences.

SEGA of America, Inc. announced the release of "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" for the GameCube. As the most true-to-life hockey simulation, "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" successfully replicates the sport's details such as lifelike goalie maneuvers, strategic line changes, battling for the puck against the boards and extensive individual player and team attributes that result in ultra-realistic play. Produced by Visual Concepts Entertainment, a SEGA development studio, and developed by Treyarch LLC, "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" provides the features that hockey fans covet, from an in-depth Franchise Mode and full lineup of NHL and International teams to its authentic ESPN telecast-style presentation.

We received a bunch of screens today from Infogrames and from following Game Boy Advance and Nintendo GameCube games:

• Virtua Tennis (GBA) -- 9 screens
  
• The Revenge of Shinobi (GBA) -- 9 screens
  
• Super Monkey Ball Jr. (GBA) -- 19 screens
  
• Pinball of the Dead (GBA) -- 12 screens
  
• Micro Machines (GBA) -- 16 screens
  
• Super Monkey Ball 2 (NGC) -- 15 screens
  
• Sonic Mega Collection (NGC) -- 21 screens
  
• Skies of Arcadia Legends (NGC) -- 3 screens
  
• Micro Machines (NGC) -- 12 screens

Shrapnel Games announced today the release of Thunder Pack Platinum by Stormcloud Creations, their new development partner. Thunder Pack Platinum brings four games to the strategy gamer just in time for Christmas. A demo is available from the Shrapnel Games website (24.9MB)..

The CPL Pentium 4 Processor Winter 2002 Event, opening tomorrow, December 18th and boasting an attendance of 1,500 gamers representing 25 different countries, will center on the $140,000 official tournaments for Counter-Strike, Unreal Tournament 2003 and Team Fortress Classic. The press and media coverage for this event will likely focus on the tournaments as well. There are, however, numerous other activities beyond the tournaments that are certain to appeal to any gaming or computer enthusiast.

THQ and Nickelodeon today announced the release of "SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman" for the Nintendo GameCube. This underwater adventure is based on Nickelodeon's pop culture phenomenon, "SpongeBob SquarePants" -- the highest rated program on kids' TV -- drawing 61.5 million viewers per month, more than 21 million of them aged 18-49. "SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman" for GameCube is now available at retailers nationwide.

Sega and Capcom today announced that Auto Modellista for PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system will utilize SEGA Network Application Package (SNAP) technology for networked gameplay. Tapping into Sega.com's extensive experience in online gaming, SNAP provides Capcom with a reliable, easy-to-use online gaming solution to take their cutting edge game to the next level. SNAP technology is the ideal custom network transport to provide optimal gameplay for Auto Modellista and SNAP Services will assist Capcom with operation, maintenance, and development of a networked game environment, as well as server hosting, in-game web development, implementation consulting, and network quality assurance.

Rise of Nations, a strategy game from Microsoft, carries the sweeping scope of epic historical turn-based strategy game, but gives the player the quick decision-making of real-time games such as Age of Empires. Release Date: Spring 2003.. Check out some new screens

Payback "upcoming title from apex" is inspired by Grand Theft Auto, the game engine supports perspective correct texture mapping, environment mapping (reflections), bump mapping, realistic shadows, alpha-channelling (lens flares, explosions and shockwaves), 12 channel 3D sound and realistic physics. The game is currently only available for Classic Amiga systems, but Game Boy Advance, Windows, Linux, Mac and Intent versions are also in the works... Read more to check out some screens!

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is set to launch for Nintendo GameCube on March 24, 2003. But in North America, consumers already are pushing for an early pre-sell effort so they can be guaranteed a copy of the game. Starting Feb. 16, 2003, Nintendo fans can get a double-hit of Zelda. When a customer places a deposit for The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker at a participating retailer, they'll receive a special, limited-edition playable disk featuring two games: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest - an updated version of the game which was never released outside of Japan.