A dedicated edition of the million-selling military simulator Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis is coming to the Xbox video game system from Microsoft. Codemasters will publish a customised Xbox version of the multi-award winning game this autumn. The Xbox edition is being developed by Bohemia Interactive Studio, creators of the original PC title, and will contain the entire original game along with an additional prequel campaign called Resistance.

ARUSH Entertainment, Groove Games and Digitalo today announce that Devastation, a next-generation Unreal engine-powered first person shooter, is now GOLD. It is currently being sent for duplication and manufacture, and will be on retail shelves throughout North America in a couple of weeks. Devastation features amazing graphics and textures, an intriguing and involved storyline, intelligent NPC and enemy AI, incredible weaponry, the ability to pick up and throw items in the environment, and a brand new style of multiplayer gaming called Territories. Check our recently posted preview here!

Sony Computer Entertainment America announced today that MLB 2004 from the 989 Sports group is now available in stores, marking the first time this critically acclaimed PlayStation baseball franchise hits the PlayStation2 ... Live by honor, kill by stealth ... Activision is calling on gamers to take the ninja oath and step into the shadows in Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven, the only stealth-based ninja game for the PlayStation2. Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven is currently available at North American retail outlets... MVP! MVP! MVP! Electronic Arts today announced the release of MVP Baseball 2003 from EA SPORTS on the PlayStation2 and Xbox. A PC version will ship on March 25, 2003.

"MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries" allows players to play for fortune, not honor, as they become leaders of a fledgling mercenary company in the latest standalone installment of the critically acclaimed MechWarrior action-simulator franchise. Players control 100 ton 'Mechs while leading up to eight hired guns into the heat of battle in the quest for the all-mighty C-Bill. MicroSoft has just released a new patch (Point Release 1) for MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries which mainly adress some cheat explots, crashes and other fixes. Read more for details fix list and download links ...

Sony Corp., the world's second- largest consumer-electronics maker, will introduce the PlayStation 3 video-game console this year, two years ahead of schedule, to widen its lead over rivals, the Commercial Times said, citing unidentified people at Taiwanese parts suppliers. Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. of Taiwan, which assembles the PlayStation 2 for Sony, and other parts suppliers on the island will start trial production next month, the report said.

Warrior Kings - Battles maintains the excitement that made Warrior Kings a leading RTS, but now introduces the player to a proficiency of computer AI not yet seen in an RTS product. AI Generals not only build a functioning economy, offensive / defensive armies, correctly control formations, but intelligently probe your defenses, looking for your weak points. AI Diplomacy, a major new feature, makes you think you are playing a human opponent(s), giving a new depth to single and multiplayer internet gaming. The demo contains a tutorial of four missions along with a skirmish mode, read more for download links ...

The official site for Vietcong is updated with a new developer diary, part #3 (thanks Unrealik).. This time they discuss characters, equipment and missions.. Check it out!

Slow news evening so only a few new trailers for various games were released. Instead of giving them all their own post, we grouped them and so far there are trailers for :

• Outlaw Volleyball (SSI)
• CSI (UbiSoft)
• Splinter Cell (UbiSoft)
• Clock Tower 3 (CapCom)
• PN 03 (CapCom)
• Neighbours From Hell (JoWood)
  
  Read more for download links ...

Publisher Strategy First and developer Stardock are pleased to announce the availability of Stardock Central to players of their upcoming 4x space strategy game, Galactic Civilizations. Stardock Central is a program that consolidates software updates, message boards, chat, documentation updates, and more into a single easy-to-use program.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Oblivion Lost will provide players with extremely dynamic gameplay of fast and tough combats, where players are to oppose dangerous and wise enemies, a large set of multifarious weaponry, possibility to control various machinery, incredible detailing and game world interactivity, story-driven single player with original team gameplay, a well-balanced multiplayer with numerous modes: DeathMatch, CTF, Cooperative, various team games and much more. Read more to check the usual Friday screens ...

Battle your way to the sales counter March 21st - There's a Limited Edition Collector's Edition Pack - While Stocks last! Just to add to the wonder that is Warrior Kings: Battles, Empire Interactive have announced that a special limited edition pack will be available at launch, but at launch only. Reversing the trend for certain companies to milk the franchise after the first couple of months, forcing the die-hards to purchase the game twice - Damn their eyes! The Collector's Edition contains a set of art prints as well as other items that will not be available after the first print run - so I guess if you want it, you'd better hurry or even better still pre-order to be certain of getting one. You have been warned!

Sammy Studios Inc. today announced that it has expanded its U.S.-based video game development operations. The company unveiled a team based in Los Angeles that is currently working on its second internally developed title, a flight combat game for home consoles, along with plans to launch a state-of-the-art studio located in L.A.'s San Fernando Valley before the end of Q2 2003. Sammy Studios' founding team has been working on the company's first-ever U.S.-developed title, a console-based first person shooter, since launching its San Diego studio last year. Sammy Studios also revealed that it will begin development on two additional titles and will be looking at applicants for all projects in both studios at the Game Developers' Conference (GDC) in San Jose, California, on March 5th - 8th, 2003.

Sony Computer Entertainment UK (SCE UK) today announced further details of its plans for PlayStation2 broadband network gaming. Consumer trials for the service will commence from March 31st 2003.

The Dynasty continues for KOEI Corporation and developer Omega Force as Animation Magazine named Dynasty Warriors the winner for Best Overall Game Animation at the 2003 Game Developers Conference in San Jose. The category represents the best use of animation in all aspects of game design. As Overall Winner, Dynasty Warriors series developer Omega Force will receive one seat of 3ds max courtesy of Discreet.

Highland Warriors has over 30 single player missions and allows players to create an infinite number of multi-player missions and stage epic battles using the game’s map editor and hundreds of battle units. The game’s unique customizable game interface allows users to redesign the game presentation to suit an individual player’s ability. Drag and drop buttons, screens, a mini map, and direct access to characters can be customized according to a player’s sensibility. DataBecker just let us know that the first patch for Highland Warriors has been released! The patch updates graphics, bugs, and adds some features to the game (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for download links ...

Activision Value, a division of Activision, Inc. and Baric/Maxwell LLC are giving gamers the opportunity to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the forces of the Union or the army of the Confederacy with the release of a new PC game "Gods and Generals." Based on the events portrayed in the feature film of the same name, "Gods and Generals" puts the player in the role of a company captain serving on the front lines and challenges them to lead a cadre of soldiers through the hellish battlefields of the Civil War. "Gods and Generals" is currently available at retail stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $19.99 and has been rated "T" (teen) by the ESRB.

Logitech today announced that the Logitech NetPlay Controller is scheduled to arrive on retail shelves in the U.S. and at www.logitech.com later this month for a suggested retail price of $69.95 USD. The NetPlay Controller will be on display at the Logitech booth (#1008) at the Game Developers Conference.

Set on post-apocalyptic Earth where survival and ultimate dominance are all that matters, Devastation is a high action, teamplay oriented first person shooter. Powered by heavily modified, next generation Unreal Engine technology, it pits teams of rebelling street fighters, gang leaders, mercenaries and ex-military fighters against overwhelming armies of high-tech corporate troopers.

A few weeks ago Ubi Soft Entertainment announced plans to release Kola Cell, a new level for the highly successful videogame Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell available for download via Xbox Live. Sam Fisher fans won't have to wait much longer! The new mission for Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell will be available to Xbox Live subscribers beginning March 14, 2003. UbiSoft was so kind to send us a few new screens to keep you happy ...

Slow news evening so only a few new trailers for various games were released. Instead of giving them all their own post, we grouped them and so far there are trailers for :

• PlanetSide (SOE)
• Strike Fighter (Strategy First)
• Apache Air Assault (Activision)
  
  Read more for download links ...

On the heals of signing a game publishing deal with leading U.K. video game developer Bits Studio Ltd., global video game publisher, Kemco U.S.A., INC., announced today that it is on a mission at this week’s Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Jose to acquire additional externally-developed game properties. Director of R&D for Kemco, Colin Gordon will be attending the show and will be reachable to prospective game developers.

Sammy Studios Inc. today announced that Rick Olafsson has been appointed to the position of chief financial officer. Rick comes to Sammy Studios after having served financial management positions in high-tech and interactive entertainment at such companies as Mattel Inc., eParties.com, and most recently TheBrain Technologies Corporation.

Activision Value Publishing, a division of Activision, Inc. is launching a first strike against the competition with "Apache Air Assault", a first-person combat-action flight game for the PC. At the controls of the legendary AH-64 Apache, players will be able to pound hard targets and tanks into submission and engage in air combat with hostile aircraft. "Apache Air Assault" is currently available nationwide for a suggested retail price of $19.99 and carries a rating of "T" for teen by the ESRB, with a descriptor for violence.

Now is your chance to fulfill Dr. John Hammond’s dream by successfully designing and managing the ultimate dinosaur theme park. Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis allows gamers to create the most amazing theme park he world has ever seen. As the first ever fully 3D action-sim, Operation Genesis gives players two games in one. Either build the ultimate dinosaur theme park or engage in 12 action-packed missions that will truly test your gaming skills. Dream it. Build it. Survive it. This truly is Jurassic Park... your way! We had a near final build and decided to let loose the dino's! Read more and find out what happened next!

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation for the PC game rights were exclusively licensed from CBS Consumer Products. Based on the hit television series from CBS, the CSI game will challenge players to solve a series of crimes, acting as members of the Las Vegas CSI team. A classic, first-person adventure, the CSI game will test players' nerves and intellect as they question witnesses, examine crime scenes, and analyze evidence utilizing the latest in forensic equipment. Check the huge new batch of screens ...