Eventhough an update patch was already released yesterday, Publisher Strategy First and Developers Paradox Entertainment, the team behind the award-winning Europa Universalis II, are proud to announce that Hearts of Iron¸ the first World War II game of true grand strategic scope, has shipped to retail stores nationwide.

Ignore dribbling, elderly relatives and forget about boring old repeats of movies after Christmas dinner because Eidos Interactive and Sports Interactive have the perfect Christmas present for you. The release date of the Xbox-exclusive Championship Manager: Season 02/03 has been announced as 6th December 2002.

Gamers Fight Their Way Downhill In Konami’s New Extreme Sports Title For Sony PlayStation2. Konami of America, Inc. announced today that Evolution Snowboarding for PlayStation® 2 has shipped to retail outlets nationwide.

Firaxis has released a new patch for Civilization III: Play The World that fixes the multiplayer bugs in their recent turn based strategy game expansion (thanks HomeLan). Read more for detailed fix list and links where to grab it ...

The Ultimate Trainz Experience has arrived – get onboard now! Publisher Strategy First and Developer Auran are pleased to announce that the Ultimate Trainz Collection has shipped to retail stores nationwide.

Continuing to strengthen its senior management team with proven expertise and leadership, Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. today announced that it has appointed Marc Metis to the position of Senior Vice President of Brand. Reporting directly to Edmond Sanctis, President and Chief Operating Officer of Acclaim North America, Metis will be responsible for managing the company's existing product franchises, as well the ongoing creation of new brands.

THQ today shipped PHANTASY STAR COLLECTION and ALTERED BEAST: GUARDIAN OF THE REALMS for Game Boy Advance. PHANTASY STAR COLLECTION, a compilation of the first three Phantasy Star games released by SEGA, and ALTERED BEAST: GUARDIAN OF THE REALMS, are available now at major retail outlets nationwide. They also today announced that Rugrats Royal Ransom for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and Nintendo's GameCube is available at retailers nationwide. Rugrats Royal Ransom represents THQ's 18th and 19th Rugrats releases in the long-running, top-selling kids' franchise.

Total Immersion Racing is a driving game with an emphasis on the highest quality driving technology linked to compelling and immersive gameplay. Empire Interactive has just released a playable demo of Total Immersion Racing, giving you the opportunity to try out this modern racing simulation. The Total Immersion Racin lets you race two different cars in Single-Lap and Time Trial modes on the Monza and Talheimring tracks. Read more for links where to grab the goods ...

The '80s are back with Activision's classic gaming collection Activision Anthology for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. Jam-packed with over 45 Atari 2600 favorites from Pitfall! and Kaboom! to River Raid, Activision Anthology also features never-before-released titles and an '80s-themed soundtrack that will let gamers play their way down memory lane. The title is currently available at retail outlets nationwide for a suggested retail price of $29.99 and is rated "E" ("Everyone" content suitable for persons six years or older) by the ESRB.

Activision, Inc. introduces a new dimension in rally racing onto the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and Xbox video game system from Microsoft, with the release of Rally Fusion: Race of Champions. The game allows players to choose from 19 fully licensed rally cars and tear up the terrain on massive tracks in fully interactive environments, against some of the best drivers in motorsport. Rally Fusion: Race of Champions is currently available at retail outlets nationwide. Read more for some screens and new fact sheet!

X-Men: Next Dimension plunges players into a powerful enemy’s plot to rid the world of mutants. Leaving traditional arena-based fighting games in its wake, X-Men: Next Dimension is the only console fighter game that carries epic super hero showdowns across expansive 3-D levels. Players fight as 24 different X-Men characters through interactive environments replete with combat-induced damage.

UPDATE: We have added two new trailers with some awesome in-game action, read more for the links!

In conjunction with the launch of Xbox Live, the broadband service for the Xbox, Atari has shipped the hotly anticipated game, Unreal Championship to retail stores this week. Exclusively for Xbox, Unreal Championship is the latest addition to the award-winning and top-selling Unreal franchise, known for its intense first-person action, fine-tuned gameplay and awe-inspiring graphics.

Activision today announced the UK release of X-Men: Next Dimension for the PS2 and Xbox and the release of Rally Fusion: Race of Champions for PS2 and Xbox. Midway Games Inc. announced today that Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance has shipped for the PlayStation 2, the Xbox, the GameCube and Game Boy Advance.

JoWooD Productions is proud to announce official details of the game engine behind the eagerly awaited AquaNox 2: Revelation, the incredible underwater action game. The developers have built the impressive krass-engine to power the game, creating a number of stunning features that are set to make AquaNox 2: Revelation one of the most amazing PC games of 2003.

Neverwinter Nights, developed by BioWare Corp. and published by Atari, has captured the minds and hearts of PC gamers world wide with one of the most captivating Dungeons & Dragons role-playing experiences to ever grace a computer screen. Now, millions of units sold and countless awards later, gamers have a chance to rediscover the magic, extend the experience or even explore it anew with the Neverwinter Nights™ Collector’s Edition.

Highland Warriors is the epic story of bloody feuds, Scottish patriotism and English Invaders begins with the original founding of Scotland around 850 AD and peaks with the fight for independence during the 13th / 14th century. Play as one of three Scottish clans or risk your life for the British Crown in 35 historically founded missions. Highland Warriors also supports up to eight players through the Internet or LAN. The demo contains level 2 from the English single-player campaign, accessible on the normal and hard difficulty levels. Read more for links where to grab the demo ...

JoWooD today released the demo of their underwater shooter Aquanox 2: Revelation. The demo is 380MB to grab and is in German language only, it contains six campaign missions and a single mission. Download it here!

THQ and Nickelodeon today announced the release of SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. They also today shipped SUPER MONKEY BALLJR. for Game Boy Advance and MX Superfly Featuring Ricky Carmichael with Xbox Live support; first ever motocross title available for Microsoft's online gaming network. EA SPORTS NCAA March Madness 2003, is released today by Electronic Arts for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and Dead to Rights, Namco's first M-rated game and biggest US-developed project to date, is now available with all new features for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and Nintendo GameCube video game console. Minority Report from Activision is also available in retail stores nationwide for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance.

It is 776 BC. The age of the first Olympics in Ancient Greece. The Greek city states of Athens, Sparta, Macedonia, Elis, Crete, Troy, Thebes and Carthage have gathered at Olympia. It is the last day of the historic event. The five full days of frenetic athletic activities are coming to an end. But the pinnacle of all the Olympic events is yet to commence. As one of the privileged competitors, the expectations of thousands rest on your shoulders…Chariots: The First Olympics is announced for PC (Windows), Linux, Apple Mac, PlayStation2, Xbox and GameCube. Read more for features and screens!

In Evolution Skateboarding, players control their riding experience by designing their own deck, building and saving signature combo tricks and even creating the riders' personalized look. Should gamers want to stick with the pros, they can choose from eight pro-skaters including famed riders Danny Way, Arto Saari, Stevie Williams and more. ReEad more for the verdict ...

Ubi Soft today announced Rocky for the PlayStation 2 has shipped to retail stores nationwide. Developed by UK-based Rage Games, LTD, and licensed by MGM Interactive, Rocky lets gamers relive each dramatic fight and memorable moment from the Rocky through Rocky V movies. Rocky is rated "T-Teen" and is available for a suggested retail price of $49.99.

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.

iEntertainment Network, developer of the Warbirds TotalSim series, announced today that it has signed an exclusive U.S. distribution agreement with Activision, a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products, to ship three of IENT's newest air and land combat game titles to stores for the Christmas 2002 retail season.

Microsoft has just released a demo for their recently released "Zoo Tycoon Expansion Pack", it contains four tutorials (one from Dinosaur Digs and three from Marine Mania), and one Marine Mania map. The dinosaurs and animals featured in the trial version include the likes of the velociraptor, allosaurus, polar bear, manta ray and pacific walrus. This demo also includes an orca, a show animal that can perform a series of tricks (thanks evilavatar). Read more for links where to grab the goodies ...

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!