Infogrames, Inc. announced today that the highly-anticipated and long-awaited sequel in the space epic Master of Orion 3 has been experiencing pre-orders significantly above expectations, and the game will ship out to retail stores globally, to more than 20 major countries around the world.

Today several trailers for various games were released. Instead of giving them all their own post, we grouped them and so far there are trailers for :

• Sarge's War Trailer 1 (3DO)
• Sarge's War Trailer 2 (3DO)
• Praetorians (Pyro Studios/Eidos)
• Moto GP2 (THQ)
• Empire Earth Gold (Sierra)
• Indy Series (Codemasters)
  
  Read more for download links ...

Legendary filmmakers John Woo and Terence Chang of Lion Rock Productions voted for their favorite student ninja film. Now it's your turn. Use your razor sharp wits and eye for detail to judge the five finalist movies in the Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven "Reel Ninja Film Contest." Beginning on March 4 through March 14, students, movie buffs and general ninja fans can log on to www.tenchu.com, view the finalist videos and then vote for their favorite ninja film. The film that earns the most votes will win a First Prize of $5,000.

NDA Productions, a studio of Vivendi Universal Games, and Massive Entertainment, today announce the development of Ground Control 2 : Operation Exodus. The game is the next episode in the award-winning and highly acclaimed Ground Control RTS game series. Read more for details and some new screens ...

Mega Man Network Transmission uses the popular chip system introduced in the original Battle Network RPG. By collecting chips, players can equip Mega Man with special weapons and support items that enhance his abilities. For example one chip will improve Mega Man’s jumping skills, while another creates a protective shield to deflect enemy attacks. Check these 16 new screens ...

Empire Interactive announces a further agreement with Black Cactus on the exclusive rights for the original, multiple award winning, top 10 chart success Warrior Kings title. Empire will publish its sequel, Warrior Kings: Battles, a real time strategy title for the PC, in March 2003. Following on from this Empire and Black Cactus will release an updated and enhanced version of the original, called Warrior Kings: Gold Edition in June at mid price. Empire also has the rights to release the game as a double pack with Warrior Kings: Battles and on its budget label, Xplosiv later in the year.

Astral Tournament is a magic combat simulator with the best features of "Magic: The Gathering". Long ago the Great Tournament was declared in Astral and mages from the Universe has arrived to gain the astral power. And you play for one of these mages who with the help of magical and tactical skills wants to win the Tournament. You can cast numerous spells and summon fantasy creatures to win your opponents. Besides the tournament game there is a capability of playing single duel with computer or your friend. Version 1.16 contains new computer AI and highly improoved sounds, and also enables you to play over local network.

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. Check out fresh batch of devastating screens...

Empire Interactive, an AIM listed UK computer games publisher, announces a further agreement with Black Cactus on the exclusive rights for the original, multiple award winning, top 10 chart success Warrior Kings title.

As snooker fever grips the nation in the run up to the World Championships in a month’s time, Codemasters has launched a dedicated web site for World Championship Snooker 2003. Heralded by the BBC TV Snooker theme music, the online site features downloadable and streaming movie files showing off gameplay, a snooker news feed courtesy of World Snooker, and player profiles of the top professionals including Peter Ebdon, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, John Higgins, Mark Williams, and Ken Doherty. World Championship Snooker 2003 features a full Snooker championship mode, a complete 8-ball and 9-ball Pool simulation, Quickplay fungames and a special Trickshot mode, hosted by John Virgo. Set to continue the series' reputation as the definitive and most complete cue-ball experience, Codemasters will launch World Championship Snooker 2003 for PlayStation 2, Xbox and PC in April, just ahead of the 2003 tournament.

Microsoft today announced that the first batch of new downloadable content is now available for "MechAssault" via Xbox Live. In this first update, players will find two new multiplayer maps which support all five of the current gametypes and two agile new 'Mechs: Raven and Corvus. The new maps include Hell's Kitchen, a fiery volcanic world; and Stone Cold, a frigid snowy environment. These new items will greatly expand multiplayer play, and this update is available for no additional charge.

Ubi Soft Entertainment today announced the relaunch of the company's line of combat simulation games under the Strategic Simulations brand. The category will include three highly anticipated upcoming games, IL-2 Sturmovik : Forgotten Battles, Larry Bond's Harpoon 4, and Lock On : Modern Air Combat, as well as three unannounced combat simulations targeted for 2004 and 2005.

Chaos Legion has been billed in Japan as an ‘intense gothic opera’ which (minus the singing) details the story of master swordsman Sieg Wahrheit and his oldest ally Victor Delacroix. We learn that while Wahrheit is missing for many years on a dangerous mission, Delacroix is tempted and consumed by the forces of Evil. It is Wahrheit’s mission to pursue and prevent Delacroix from bringing chaos to the world. Wahrheit must battle through many gloriously realised 3D environments (featuring stunning architectural exteriors and highly detailed cavernous interiors) against Delacroix and his fearful hoards.

Just noticed on Bluesnews that there is a new version of Netscape available for download. Go to this FTP directory where you can download Netscape 7.02 versions for Windows, Mac as well as Linux. Thanks to FileFlash for bringing this to everybody's attention!

In the 23rd century, after having stimulated a subspatial breach and opened our solar system to an unknown system, a scientific expedition is attacked under appalling conditions by a quarrelsome species : a terrible war engaged between these two worlds. Men, in their will to maintain peace and discover new civilisations engaged into a military campaign in order to explore new planets and understand the major motivations of this species. You, Captain Demetrio, you lead a troop of elites and will discover during a perilous adventure the mysteries and dangers of areas filled of history and past and maybe reveal the secrets of ancestors who will lead you to the victory. Read more for features, screens and trailer...

Here is a news story on a growing gaming culture seen growing mostly in the bigger cities... As the editorial deadline draws nearer for the forthcoming edition of Twin Galaxies' Official Video Game & Pinball Book of World Records, more and more champions are surfacing to represent the many distinct genres of gaming. And, most interesting among the new genre are the dancing games... More about it below!

Nintendo today announce the eagerly anticipated news that a limited edition bonus disk will be included with The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker at launch on 3rd May. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, will include a bonus disk containing two additional Gamecube games: The N64 Classic The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and previously unreleased title The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest, which was originally designed for the N64DD. Also on the bonus disk will be additional gameplay footage including the all-new F-Zero, 1080° Avalanche, Time Splitters 2, Phantasy Star Online, Rayman 3 & Super Monkey Ball 2, all for Gamecube

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. We finally had a chance to sit down with Digitalo's Lead Producer Vic DeLeon and fired off some annoying questions. Read more to check out our devastating interview!

It is 1588 A.D., a critical year of an alternate history hauntingly familiar yet fantastically alien to our own. Because of one fateful event during the Third Crusade, the history of this world diverged. This event, the Disjunction, ripped open a long-sealed breach to other worlds. Magic energy and powerful spirits flowed into the world, changing the lands and the people forever. Cast into this world, you are a character of your own devices, strengths, and abilities. Set upon by human factions and powerful spirits, you must decide how to best develop your skills in order to triumph over obstacles that lie between you and your true fate. A fresh batch of Lionheart screens has arrived!

Activision is giving gamers an all access pass to go behind-the-scenes for its highly anticipated stealth-based, ninja action game at the official Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven web site. The site will kick off with an exclusive cinematic trailer showcasing the game's epic storyline and heart-pounding stealth action featuring all three playable characters - Rikimaru, Ayame and Tesshu. Additionally, the site will be updated weekly and will roll out a host of other downloads and information including custom wallpaper, character and weapon features, links to the online Ninja community and news updates. Named one of GameSpy's "Most Wanted Console Games of 2003," Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven will be available at retail early next month for a suggested retail price of $49.99.

Konami of America, Inc. today revealed a brand new title in the mega-popular Yu-Gi-Oh! series of videogames, Yu-Gi-Oh! Worldwide Edition: Stairway to the Destined Duel for Nintendo Game Boy Advance. Slated for release on April 15, 2003, Worldwide Edition: Stairway to the Destined Duel will ship with three limited edition Trading Game Cards inside the game box; Harpie's Feather Duster, Sinister Serpent and Valkrion The Magna Warrior.

Rise of Nations fans will have the opportunity to enter the Rise of Nations Sneak Preview Beta Contest for a chance to win one of 1000 copies of the Rise of Nations beta. The contest will stay open from February 14 to 11 AM PST, Monday, February 17. Winners will be selected from a random drawing from all eligible entries received. Fans from around the world are invited to participate.

KOEI announced today that the Yuki Koyanagi single, “Cross Colors”, would appear in Dynasty Warriors 4. Koyanagi re-recorded the song in English for the game’s closing credits. Current hot commodity on the “J-Pop”, or Japanese pop music scene, Yuki Koyanagi, established herself alongside reigning J-Pop divas Utada Hikaru and Ayumi Hamazaki with a string of top ten hits. The soulful songstress with the powerful and dynamic voice continued her run at the top, in 2002 when she recorded, “intimacy” an album with Nathan Morris and Shawn Stockman of BOYZ II MEN. A sample of the song, “Cross Colors”, can be found in Windows Media and Real Player formats at: http://www.warnermusic.co.jp/artists/domestic/koyanagi/

The last studio linked to the iconic video game company is winding down its operations this month. More than a hundred employees are losing their jobs. Some of these staffers date back to Atari's heyday in the 1970s. One employee worked on Atari's second game, Tank. Parent company Midway Games, which bought Atari's arcade division in 1996, said the downsizing is necessary to cut costs.

A few days after Battlefront.com released the v1.02 patch for the US version of Combat Mission: Barbarossa to Berlin, now CDV has released the Euro patch (but its quite a big bigger). This patch includes 17 new and improved vehicle and gun models, refinements to several commands and further tweaks to the fatigue and moral systems. Added Features include a new "pure armor" Quick Battle force type which will only allow "armor" units to be purchased plus dozens of unit and weapon/armor data updates and bug fixes. Read more for download links and detailed fix list ...