Playboy Enterprises today announced a global licensing deal with ARUSH Entertainment in conjunction with Groove Games to create, market and distribute a set of interactive simulation video games. The first Playboy- branded game, which will be playable on multiple platforms including PC, Sony PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Xbox consoles, is targeted to be in stores in 2004.

Wanadoo has signed an agreement with Nevrax, a developer of massively multiplayer online role playing games, covering the publication and operation of the new "Ryzom" game, beginning in late 2003. Building on the success of "Dark Age of Camelot," launched in January 2002, Wanadoo is gearing up to offer a new massively multiplayer online role playing game called "Ryzom." "Ryzom" is a third-generation 3D game that features a highly original poetic universe designed for the general public. Online gaming aficionados will discover innovative game mechanisms, along with sumptuous graphics.

Tecmo announced today that Controversial King Dennis Rodman has signed on to play the voice of Zack in the newest chapter of the million-selling "Dead or Alive" Series, "Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball." The first-ever "Sports Fantasy Simulation" video game featuring Zack and all the sexy fighting girls from "Dead or Alive 3" is coming to Xbox video game this January.

Battlefield 1942: The Road to Rome is currently under development by Swedish-based Digital Illusions and is scheduled to be released in 2003 under the EA GAMES brand. The multiplayer-focused expansion pack will give players more of what they have grown accustomed to with the original BattleField 1942 title, including more maps, more vehicles, and more fighting forces.. Check out latest fact sheet below!

Revolt Games, developer of the forthcoming space simulator Homeplanet has registered the name 3MapGames as a trademark. From now on the spacesim Homeplanet, the futuristic first person shooter Neuro and all other games from this team will also be released under the new name.

German development team Deck 13 is the newest addition to Octagon's client portfolio. Octagon will be shopping the team's vehicular tactical action game Stealth Combat to publishers in North America, South America and Asia. Development for the PC title is complete... Players take on the role of a military special unit leader that has been assigned the task of averting nuclear conflict in threatened areas. Jeeps, tanks, choppers, amphibious units and even walking vehicles (Mechs) are all part of the armory. Players may assume the command of any vehicle or order units to carry out tasks independently. The player can often solve missions by careful exploration of the area, sneaking towards the enemy and a executing fast and effective attack. Other missions are more fire-intensive and the player must prove that he has the quickest finger on the trigger.

We just received 22 Blackthorne wistfully nostalgic screenshots - taken from, probably, the SNES original and 16 Rock N' Roll Racing screenshots. Most likely SNES ones, by the looks of it... Njoy!

In The Lost Vikings, players must employ the skills of 3 unique Viking characters cooperatively to solve puzzles, conquer enemies, and navigate their treacherous voyage back home. The game provides hours of arcade-style action with over 35 levels, numerous enemies, and hundreds of mind-bending puzzles to solve.

Codemasters just send us the latest "IGI2: Covert Strike" status update. This time they let us know that there is a new music track from the full game available for download and we also received a selection of questions that the public have sent in over the last few weeks to Codemasters founder and Creative Director, Richard Darling. Read more for music download link and the Q&A..

For many gamers, the chance to work in the games business and shape the way future titles are created is a real career goal. Now Codemasters has launched a series of career guides, available online for those seeking advice on the background, education and skills needed to get a job in the business. Aimed at helping people to take their first step towards a career in the video games industry, the guides are an ideal reference point for people still at school or college level and who are deciding which courses to take.