Rise of Nations, a strategy game from Microsoft, carries the sweeping scope of epic historical turn-based strategy game, but gives the player the quick decision-making of real-time games such as Age of Empires. Release Date: Spring 2003.. Check out some new screens

CNN Money reports that we can expect another round of price cuts before mid-year, most likely right around the same time as the Electronic Entertainment Expo, the gaming industry's annual trade show. Most execs are predicting another $50 reduction, taking the Xbox and PS2 to $149 and the GameCube to $99. While unlikely, they acknowledge it's not inconceivable that PS2 and Xbox prices could fall to $99 (and, by default, the GameCube would slip to $50).

Activision lets us know that they have updated the official Star Trek Starfleet Command 3 website with a new 11 meg single player add-on for Taldren's recent space strategy game. This free add-on lets you pilot the Scimitar warship commanded by Lord Shinzon, based on the just released movie Star Trek Nemesis. Read more for links where to grab this puppy ...

JD from tiscali games let us know that ALTAR granted them permission to post full-version (289MB) of the puzzle game FISH FILLETS as Xmas present for their readers. More info about Fish Fillets can be found here.. They also posted up 5 exclusive screenshots from UFO: Aftermath showing mission in Eastern Europe.

Constantine "Chantz", producer @ Infogrames has updated the MOO3 forum with some news regarding that Master of Orion 3 has not gone gold yet (thanks VE3D). Here is the full clip:

I'm going to keep this brief. The game has *not* gone gold yet, as i've said before, when it does, we'll let you know.

PLEASE stop the speculation. The game is SIMPLY NOT READY ACCORDING TO IG STANDARDS. We're very pleased that *some*, NOT ALL, of our beta testers feel it can go; that says a lot about the state of the game. However, there ARE crash bugs and we want them fixed. This is a collective decision made DOWN THE LINE by QA, PD, Marketing, Sales and QSI. Period, end of story.

The topic of the game is the Scottish battle of freedom against the English agressor which took place at William Wallece's time. The mass of atmosphere and the wuite detailed graphic as well as a extensive system of battle and economy stamp the game. New features like changing seasons during a mission, the buildings of castles onto mountains and the consequent use of 3D - Engine for tactical possibilities make the RTS - Genre get new impulses. Today we got a new batch of 30+ screens, njoy!

Vivendi Universal has held talks with at least three potential suitors to sell its video game arm but no deal is believed to be near, according to banking sources familiar with the situation. Vivendi Universal Games has talked to Microsoft Corp., Sony Corp. and Electronic Arts Inc. about a possible acquisition, though those conversations were described by the sources as preliminary. The talks come as Vivendi Universal Entertainment, which encompasses the Franco-American conglomerate's TV, film, music, theme park and game assets, has itself been the subject of a takeover bid, with oilman Marvin Davis spearheading a deal worth about $15 billion for the unit.

Today Global Star Software has announced that they have signed a agreement with developer Digital Fusion to release an as-yet-unnamed 3D Bowling title for the PC Platform. Although still in the early stages of development, the game will feature multiple characters and environments, as well as online play. The game is tentatively set for release some time next summer. Apart from these 2 screens, not much else known about the product ..

Paradox Entertainment has licensed the British developer Virtual Programming Ltd the right to convert the award-winning historical strategy games Legion and Hearts of Iron to Apple´s PowerMac. The games will be released during 2003. Paradox Entertainment has previously licenced the Macintosh rights to Europa Universalis 2 to Virtual Programming Ltd who has specialist competence in converting into the MacOS.

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. Read more for links to grab the very first trailer with in-game footage from Black Isle Studios/Reflexive Entertainment's "Lionheart". Njoy!

Sammy Studios Inc. today announced the addition of Clinton Keith. Clinton comes to the company from Rockstar San Diego, the developer formerly known as Angel Studios, Inc., where he served as director/lead programmer. He joins Sammy Studios as lead tools programmer, working with teams currently creating the company’s first internally-developed video games in North America.

The action moves into high gear with the release of Activision, Inc.'s Rally Fusion: Race of Champions. Based on the Michelin Race of Champions, which is held annually in the Canary Islands, the game lets players take on the top racers from the world of motorsport with the ultimate goal of becoming the "Champion of Champions." Developed by Climax, Rally Fusion: Race of Champions for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system and Xbox video game system from Microsoft has been rated "E" (Everyone) by the ESRB and has a suggested retail price of $49.99.

Wild Earth, which will be officially announced next month, is a departure from the sci-fi reputation of the studio. Wild Earth is set deep in Africa on the plains of the Serengeti, where the player takes the role of a photo-journalist on assignment for a fictional news magazine by the same name. Amazingly lifelike animation and immersive environments will make it a winner for all ages.

NovaLogic has a new patch for their tactical first-person shooter Delta Force: Land Warrior. This upgrade brings your retail game to v1.00.42. and is labeled as a "maintenance release incorporating fixes to various cheats". Read more for links where to grab this puppy ...

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. Today we have some more info and screens covering the "Cameron Clan". Njoy!

The CMBB Strategy Guide for 'Combat Mission: Barbarossa to Berlin' has been released today! The 300+ page CMBB Strategy Guide by acclaimed author Mark H. Walker covers… "everything from reconnaissance to reverse slope defense, flank attacks to foolish moves. If the vast array of tactics inherent to Combat Mission are twisting your brain into knots, this is the book to straighten you out." Moreover, the majority of units in the game are listed in charts with all the relevant data and statistics, providing a great printed guide what to purchase for your next QuickBattle. The Strategy Guide is available immediately for $15 (plus S&H) directly online from battlefront.com.

Echelon: Wind Warriors is the next evolution in futuristic flight combat that delivers the latest technical and gameplay innovations demanded by today's experienced game playing audience without sacrificing accessibility for newcomers. Players fly a variety of futuristic aircraft through a number of new missions set on a spectacular continent that takes seven hours of real-time flying to cross. Echelon: Wind Warriors is expanding the futuristic universe of Echelon - the "first-rate flight-combat title that set some lofty new standards for a joystick-controlled game." Echelon : Wind Warriors is being published by Buka Entertainment. Check out the new batch of 20 screens ...

Black Cactus' Warrior Kings: Battles is to follow in the successful footsteps of its RTS Warrior Kings, but will offer a somewhat different experience to the original title. Today the Warrior Kings Battles official site is online. The site features trailers, gameinfo, wallpapers and much more.. There is also 14 fresh new screens posted over at FactorNews.. Njoy!

The UT2003 Troopers team has decided to release a public beta of Troopers: Rise of the Rebellion in the coming weeks. This beta will contain at least two Rebel Alliance player models, two Imperial player models, four weapons, and one or two original game types alongside CTF and Team DM, all played on four to five brand-new maps... They also announcing the development of Troopers: The Clone Wars, that will have, at its core, the character models, weapons, and battlefields of this often-discussed great war of the galaxy.

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. We sat down with Black Isle producer Chris Parker and had a few words about their upcoming RPG, Lionheart!

Earlier this morning we reported that the popular CS franchise has moved developers once again, now Randy Pitchford "programmer" at Gearbox Software updated his .plan file with some more information regarding the development of Counter-Strike: Condition Zero. Here is the full update:

Gearbox Software suspended development of Counter-Strike: Condition Zero in July of 2002. Counter-Strike: Condition Zero introduces single player gaming to the world's #1 online action game. Valve Software has overseen development since July. Gearbox is aware of and endorses Ritual Entertainment's involvement. After developing several Half-Life games, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 and James Bond 007: Nightfire, Gearbox Software is refocusing its efforts on future technology and more interesting and innovative game play. Gearbox Software will be discussing Halo: Combat Evolved for the PC and our vision for the future of interactive entertainment at The CPL's December 2002 event in Dallas, Texas.

Any inquiries may directed to press@gearboxsoftware.com

-Randy Pitchford

As was rumored earlier today (due to CPL's schedule mentioned Ritual giving a CS Condition 0 workshop) it has now been confirmed that the singleplayer version of the ever popular CS franchise has moved developers once again, the 3rd to be exact. Designated to finish the product is Ritual Ent, who are also working on Elite Force2). Valve has finally confirmed this : "The primary development of Counter-Strike: Condition Zero (CS:CZ) has moved to Ritual Entertainment. Counter-Strike: Condition Zero introduces single player gaming to the world's #1 online action game. Representatives from Ritual and Valve will be presenting the latest on CS:CZ during a seminar at the The CPL's upcoming Counter-Strike Championships in Dallas, Texas". Will we ever see this product or will it go the same route as Duke Nuke'm? Delayed, delayed and delayed!

JoWooD Productions is proud to announce official details of the enemy Artificial Intelligence used in the eagerly awaited AquaNox 2: Revelation, the incredible underwater action game.. Revelations about the enemy AI and five new watery, explodery screenshots below!

Steel Battalion is an exciting battle-mech simulator that uses the most elaborate controller interface ever created. Take a seat inside the cockpit of a mechanized VT (Vertical Tank) and enter into futuristic military warfare, where you pilot 20 different mechs in a multinational task force operation in an effort to overthrow the government. Included with the game is an exclusive 40-button controller to completely maximize the gaming experience, making you feel as if you were actually piloting a mechanized Vertical Tank! Was the gaming experience worth the $200, or was it a waste?

Crave Entertainment today announced that Beyblade, for the PlayStation game console, shipped. Beyblade captures the excitement of the popular television series based on a traditional Japanese spinning-top game called Bei-goma, which is emerging as a sports entertainment phenomenon.