KOCH Media today announced the signing of Paradox Entertainments Global Strategic War Game, Hearts of Iron. Set during the entire Second World War global struggle, Hearts of Iron is the first ever PC game to truly give players the decisions, that will change the course of history.

Take the wheel of a flying car and don't be late for a second term at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Electronic Arts announced today it has shipped Harry Potter and Chamber of Secrets, J.K. Rowling's second book in the worldwide best-selling series on seven game platforms. The games will be on store shelves November 15, 2002, the same day the highly anticipated movie sequel from Warner Bros. Pictures is released in U.K. and U.S. theatres. Debuting for the first time on next generation game consoles, players get to "Be Harry Potter" on the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, Xbox video game system from Microsoft and Nintendo GameCube in addition to PC, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation and Game Boy Color.

Microsoft Game Studios today announced that "Kakuto Chojin," the brutally realistic 3D fighting game created by Dream Publishing for the Xbox video game system, is now available in stores across North America for the estimated retail price of $49.95. Players will take to back alleys, burned out warehouses and the streets for a chance to prove their worth in the ultimate fight club. "Kakuto Chojin" features 12 different fighters, stunningly realistic strikes and a revolutionary Battle Royal mode, which allows four players to compete at the same time..

Atari has shipped Superman: The Man of Steel, a third person action/adventure game featuring the World's Greatest Super Hero, to retail stores this week, exclusively for the Xbox video game system from Microsoft. Based on a story co-written by DC Comics, Superman: The Man of Steel challenges players to protect Metropolis from super-villains Brainiac 13 and Lex Luthor, as well as a legion of malevolent robots intent on taking over the world.

Jimbo from Termite Games has once again revealed more info about New World Order (that will be out in Europe tomorrow Friday). Here is a clip from the info:

First of all, the entire game has been upgraded in the sense that everything is a ton more stable and runs smoother - for multiplayer we have especially speeded up player rendering and animation, which in the Betas were in debug mode and slowed down the game seriously when more than 8 players were in the game.

There are five game-modes in NWO;

• Team Deathmatch
  
• Plant The Bomb
  
• Hostage Rescue
  
• Team Escape
  
• Fallout
  
  We are going to continously maintain and upgrade NWO with new features and more fun! We have also already begun work on the expansion pack for NWO.

SGN has yet finished a new version of their popular Sudden Strike II Mod called SSNM. The new version not only enables the default combat in WWII, but also allows you to participate in WWI with all of the original weapons from all parties. If you want to play with a "(Cannon d Ássault) Schneider" or the British "Mark-V", you're free to do so. SSNM brings WWI warfare to the realms of Sudden Strike II ! Get more info on the mod here!

Electronic Arts Inc. and Fox Interactive today announced the North American release of The Simpsons Skateboarding for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. Join Bart, Homer, Marge, Lisa and Maggie and other famous neighbors from the popular television show, as they enjoy a wild skateboarding ride through Springfield. The Annual Skate Tour has come to Springfield, and the entire town has gone skate crazy on the half-pipes, ramps, and rails. Springfield has been converted into a skate park jammed with skate-able objects and landmarks that mirror images in the TV series, from Itchy and Scratchy Land to Sir Putt-A-Lot's, from the Springfield Gorge to Krusty-lu Studios. The Simpsons world comes to life with characters' voices recorded by the actual voice talent from the television show. The Simpsons Skateboarding was developed by United Kingdom-based The Code Monkeys. The game is rated "T" (Teen) by the ESRB and carries an MSRP of US $39.99.

The spectacle and valor of the Roman arenas will be recreated on the PC with the release of "The Gladiators of Rome" from Activision Value, a division of Activision Publishing, Inc. The real-time strategy game challenges players to train, equip and lead a troop of gladiators as they progress through small arenas to the great coliseums of Rome. "The Gladiators of Rome" is available at retail stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $19.99 and has been rated "M" for Mature by the ESRB.

Talk about a southern island fantasy! Imagine being in Paradise for two whole weeks, with no-one but the lovely ladies of Dead or Alive to keep you company! Except instead of fighting - it's all about another exciting and reaction testing activity - beach volleyball. In "Dead or Alive Extreme Beach Volleyball", you play as a character you select out of all seven of the Dead or Alive ladies, along with one new character and enjoy holidays at various spots on the island playing beach volleyball games. Another 19 pics, still curiously light on actual volleyball-playing.

Peddle power is back with a massive bang this Christmas as AKA Acclaim, a division of Acclaim Entertainment, Ltd. today announced the hottest title this Christmas, BMX XXX, will be released on all next-generation consoles on Friday 6th December 2002. The first 18-rated extreme sports video game to feature both tricks and strips will be loud and lewd combining adult humour, beautiful girls from New York's famous Scores club and a fully licensed soundtrack including Motley Crue, Green Day and N.E.R.D.. Best send mums and dads out of the room before viewing these six shots from the PAL version.