The U.S. entertainment software industry grew 8% to a record-breaking $6.9 billion in 2002, according to data released today by the Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA), the U.S. association representing computer and video game software publishers. The IDSA today also released results of a new poll that shows that consumers plan to keep spending on computer and video games in 2003, with 41% of all Americans, and almost two-thirds (63%) of parents, saying that they plan to purchase at least one game this year. In addition, a majority of Americans (56%) under the age of 45 plan to buy at least one computer or video game this year; while 37% of 45 to 54 year olds, and 26% of adults ages 55 to 64, also plan to buy at least one game this year. The poll was conducted in mid-January for the IDSA by KRC Research, and dramatically illustrates the industry's popularity among adult consumers.

Yesterday we posted up the Ikaruga announcement for the American market, today we received details of the European release. Read more for full pressrelease!

Ubi Soft Entertainment announces the immediate availability of Scrabble 2003 Edition for the PC. This follows the successful launch of Junior Scrabble in November 2002 and precedes Scrabble for Sony PlayStation 2 scheduled for Q1 2003.

Intrinsic Graphics, developer of the innovative Intrinsic Alchemy game development platform, is announcing today that Flying Lab Software, maker of the award-winning Rails Across America, has selected Intrinsic Alchemy as their engine for game development of their next title on the PC. Recently announced, Pirates of the Burning Sea, is a Massively Muliplayer On-line Role Playing Game (MMORPG) and will be released for the PC in the Fall this year.

From the opening cinematics, players find themselves engulfed in Batmans world; the beginning of an episodic adventure of darkness, danger and deception. In the midst of one of The Jokers twisted schemes, during a struggle with Batman, The Joker falls from a bridge to his death. Crime sweeps Gotham City, as the likes of Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze, Harley Quinn, and other notorious villains step up to fill The Jokers evil shoes. Does the Batman do well on the PC, or should this game be engulfed in darkness...

Shrapnel Games announced today that the the newest Space Empires IV Gold patch is available from their website. This patch, v1.84, adds features changes and enhancements and fixes bugs.. Among the changes and additions are two new target types added for components: "Ships/Planets/Sat" and "Ships/Planets/Sat/Drone", option to strategems to control how many drones are launched per target in combat, and changes to weapons platform damage when planets are under attack. There are also over 25 fixes in this patch. A complete list of additions, changes, and fixes can be found at Shrapnel Games website.

TDK Recording Media France has acquired the distribution rights for France of the games published by ARXEL TRIBE starting April 1st 2003. Both companies will work closely together to make sure games such as DEVASTATION, HANNIBAL or SLAYER will reach top sales when they are launched in the coming months.

The official boards for Unreal II is updated with some info regarding an upcoming video demo instead of a real demo for Unreal II. Here you have the cut and past:

As much as we'd like to create a 'true' demo, it's simply not possible. Legend have moved on to other projects and the production of a demo - even from already existing levels would require time and effort that we just don't have. It would then have to go through QA - another organization that is working on other projects and cannot dedicate time to a UII demo. It's all about the allocation of 'assets'.

However, as I mentioned above, we plan to put something out that as you say - will allow people to see what the game looks and plays like without any editing or 'tricks'. Raw gameplay.

It's going to be hard to get this video out before launch (the game will be on shelves on the 4th (USA), 7th (Europe)), but I hope that we have it online before too long. We'll try to spread it as far and wide as we did the UT2003 demo.

Silver Creek Entertainment is proud to announce the arrival of a new age of computer solitaire games with the launch of Hardwood Solitaire III . The game is the latest in Silver Creek’s award winning line of card games that present Solitaire as it should be – an exciting game, not just another application bundled with a computer. Hardwood Solitaire III is available now for only $24.95. A free demo is also available.

Beach Volleyball brings the excitement of Spring Break to the PlayStation2 taking you to the world’s hottest Spring Break locations to compete in 2-on-2 beach volleyball! Straigth from the Acclaim press event, another batch of screens!

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. This is the full introduction movie showcasing the lovely, volleyball playing ladies of Dead or Alive Extreme Beach Volleyball. Seems some people were in need to see the intro to this game, so here it is. Read more for download links ...

Lionhead Studios is delighted to announce a collaborative project between two of the games industry's most respected veterans, Peter Molyneux and Jeff Minter... Lionhead Studios will work closely with Minter on a new game, "Unity" which is being developed for the Nintendo Gamecube, a new development platform for Lionhead Studios. Day to day development of Unity will take place in Minter's welsh studio, but he will have access to all Lionhead resources including audio, game testing, production and PR.

Evil Dead: A Fistful of Boomstick allows players to assume the role of Ash, the chainsaw-armed hero from the Evil Dead trilogy. Players will fend off hordes of Deadites with several weapons including the shovel, gatling gun, shotgun and chainsaw. Massive game environments include all new Evil Dead locations as players attempt to save the town of Dearborn from the influence of the Necromonicon ex Mortis – the Book of the Dead. Evil Dead: A Fistful of Boomstick mixes the comedy and fun of a campy horror movie with intense combat missions for the most complete Evil Dead game yet. Another batch of screens for you to enjoy!

War and Peace is a revolutionary game in the RTS genre. For the first time, players will really be in charge of the entire strategy of their nations: politics, economy, diplomacy, army, tactics, etc. On a unique, full 3D map of the entire world, you'll be able to take full commands of your nationn a true historical context. You will discover and enjoy the experience of being a major statesman at the dawn of the fascinating 19th century! Check these 15 brand new screens ...

A few days ago Master Creating announced the development of their first title, Restricted Area. Restricted Area is an action-based roleplaying game with realtime combat, which combines a fascinating gameplay similar to Diablo 2 with innovative technology, tactic-shooter elements and a dark futuristic scenario. We thought this all sounded interesting enough to have a lengthy chat with Jan Beuck Master Creating's Managing Director and one of the lead designers of 'Restricted Area'.

The fusion pack people has released their latest Fusion Pack 10 today for Counter-Strike (thanks VE3D). Here is their announcement:

This version: Fusion Pack 10 is the biggest update since Fusion Pack 6.5 and is set to be the best version yet! Incorporating many of the enhancements made in version 9.5 Fusion Pack 10 includes a wide variety of replacements including bug fixes and additional enhancements. To further enhance the look and identity of our Fusion Pack we have done a majority of the 2D work our self including weapon HUD sprites, VGUI menu graphics and console graphics. One of the biggest enhancements comes in the form of an entirely new Counter-Terrorism and Terrorist team. Furthermore we have also replaced a majority of the pistols and also added a new AUG replacement! Additionally Fusion Pack 10 incorporates a list of long awaited bug fixes to further enhance the user’s experience. For full details and download click here!

The eagerly anticipated "Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth" is due for release Q3/Q4 2003 on both Xbox and PC formats. Production of the game is now at full pace and Headfirst are in a position to discuss this exciting franchise with potential partners.. Check out nine new rain-soaked PC screens. Bring a brolly.

Nintendo and Retro Studios have combined their creative genius to bring the video game event of the year, the long awaited release of Metroid Prime, exclusive to Nintendo GameCube. 21st March marks the European launch of this blockbuster title, and the return of Samus Aran, the ice-cool bounty hunter who'll once again lock horns will the evil Space Pirates. Metroid Prime has already received outstanding reviews in the US, selling a staggering 250,000 copies within one week of its release.

Infogrames Entertainment today releases its preliminary fiscal 2003 half-year revenue. The Group expects to release its fiscal 2003 half-year results for the period ending December 31, 2002 on February 13, 2003.. Scarcely riveting reading, but there's mention of Unreal 2 and Ikaruga.

The newest installation in the acclaimed stealth ninja series, Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven delivers the most realistic, stealth-based, ninja-action/adventure game ever. Coming to the PlayStation 2, Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven features impressive new stealth attacks, an enhanced fighting engine, new weapons and tools, larger levels, improved character animations, new multiplayer options and hidden characters. One of those hidden characters, Tesshu, has been revealed now...

Publisher Strategy First is happy to announce a publishing agreement with European Publisher and Developer Just Flight to bring 4 add-ons for Microsoft Flight Simulator and Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator series to the North American market in 2003. Read more for details...

WorthPlaying is giving away goodies from Electric Artists... Enter the sweepstakes and have a chance to either win one of 5 Lord Of The Rings : The Two Towers music cd's (Enhanced cd's with exclusive 2 sided, printed collector's cards, screen savers, the two towers trailer, score music video and more) or one of 5 NTSC (region 1) UnderCover Brothers DVD's (with Denise Richards).. The contest ends January 31th!

Dungeon Lords is a real-time 3D full freedom 3rd person perspective fantasy role-playing and action game. It comprises a unique offering of Personal Character (PC) development in a world filled with NPC interactive characters and game quests, as the player journeys through an enchanted land of ancient castles and dungeon lairs to engage in real-time tactical combat action against a variety of deadly foes, from monstrous creatures to powerful wizards, from undead lords to greater demons. Dungeon Lords can be played either single-player stand alone, or in multi-player group sessions.

War and Peace is a revolutionary game in the RTS genre. For the first time, players will really be in charge of the entire strategy of their nations: politics, economy, diplomacy, army, tactics, etc. On a unique, full 3D map of the entire world, you'll be able to take full command of your nation in a true historical context. You will discover and enjoy the experience of being a major statesman at the dawn of the fascinating 19th century! Microids has just released a new patch for their 3D real-time strategy game War and Peace bring your retail copy to v1.0.2. Read more for details and download links ...

Master Creating, an independent Studio located in Hamburg, Germany, announces the development of Restricted Area. Restricted Area is an action-based roleplaying game with realtime combat, which combines a fascinating gameplay similar to Diablo 2 with innovativ technology, tactic-shooter elements and a dark future scenario. Read more for details and the first few screens ...