Capcom today announced the release of its number one arcade hit, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 for the PlayStation 2. Delivering absolute arcade perfection in classic Capcom style, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 pits Capcom’s legendary characters and Marvel’s world famous super heroes against each other for dream matches of epic proportions. They also announced the release of Steel Battalion, the exciting new battle-mech simulator exclusively for the Xbox. Using an exclusive 40-button controller, players “take a seat” inside the cockpit of 19 different mechanized VT’s (Vertical Tanks) duringa rebellious attempt to over-throw the government.

The story is set in the mine valley of Khorinis. The glorious days of the once productive mines in this small seaside region are long over. Instead, the mines are now akin to a natural prison that is surrounded by an impenetrable magic barrier where slaves eked out their miserable existence. Khorinis is facing an uncertain future. Due to the farmers' decreasing production, more and more of the food deliveries are not taking place, and the stocks diminish continuously. The militia's strength ends at the town gate. Outside the town wall, nobody is safe from the bandits' armed raids. There is war in Khorinis. A civil war.. Six new screenshots of people getting medieval.

IPOdesktop.com presents "What's Going on in the Game Industry," a web radio show with Trip Hawkins, CEO of The 3DO Company. THDO provides advanced entertainment systems including the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the PlayStation game console, the Nintendo GameCube system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft Corp., the PC, and the Game Boy Advance system. The interview includes:

• Why the market is taking off
• Why publisher results are mixed despite the market taking off
• 3DO's outlook for 2003 -- why the market will be much more favorable
• 3DO products in 2003 -- raves for High Heat Baseball, Street Racing Syndicate (SRS), and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
  
  Links and full scoop here!

Strategy First today offers a new patch v1.16b to their action role-playing game Prince of Qin. The 22.5MB patch Includes several game optimizations and bug fixes. Download and read more about bug fixes here.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe today moved to quash speculation that it would be reducing the price of its PlayStation2 computer entertainment console before Christmas. The move follows news coverage of a reduction in the wholesale price of the PlayStation 2 in Japan, to bring it into general alignment with the current console price in Europe and North America. The Japanese price cut was made possible by increased production yields of the NTSC format console for the Japanese market (Europe use the PAL TV format). Sony Computer Entertainment Europe confirmed today that there were no plans to reduce the price of PlayStation 2 in the PAL territories before Christmas. We are very content with the sales of PlayStation 2 in Europe following our price reduction at the end of August this year,” said David Reeves, EVP Sales and Marketing at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. “This Christmas sees a phenomenal line-up of PlayStation games, from Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, to The Getaway, GTA Vice City, This is Football 2003, Formula 1 2002 and WRC II Extreme.

Universal Interactive today announced that its shipped Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly for GameCube. Agetec also announced the shipping of Fighter Maker 2 to retail outlets across North America for PlayStation 2 and TECMO GAMES announced the release of Monster Rancher Advance 2 for Nintendo GBA. Activision has unleashed more high-speed driving missions and mayhem onto the PlayStation 2 and GameCube with the release of WRECKLESS: The Yakuza Missions.

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. announced today the acquisition of Angel Studios, Inc. a leading developer of next generation interactive entertainment software. Take-Two acquired Angel Studios for an aggregate $28 million in cash and 235,679 shares of restricted Common Stock. The Company does not anticipate the acquisition of Angel Studios to have any effect on its previously issued fiscal 2003 financial guidance. Angel Studios will be renamed Rockstar San Diego effective immediately.

"Midtown Madness 3" provides something for both the hardcore and casual gamer. With three challenging single race modes, Blitz, Checkpoint and Cruise, gamers will experience ambient traffic, pedestrians and voice-over effects particular to neighbourhoods.. Six new screenshots featuring a Mini Cooper that probably ought to be locked up.

Today we serve up 12 of the very freshest PS2 screenshots from Rages' upcoming racing title, Lamborghini. On top of that we also got 26 new PS2 shots from their "get your skates on" title, Rolling. Njoy!

I saw that 3DGamers tossed up a 72MB demo of Search and Rescue: Coastal Heroes.. This demo allows you to try out the new civilian rescue chopper simulation from InterActive Vision, but details on its contents are apparently first in line to be rescued as they're currently not available.