PlayStation today announced a unique partnership with International Sports Multimedia (ISM), exclusive licensee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for Interactive Entertainment software, to develop a PlayStation 2 game based on the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Scheduled for release in July 2004 just prior to the start of the next Olympic Games in August, Athens 2004, The Official Videogame of the Olympic Games will be the only official licensed videogame product of the IOC on PlayStation 2.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. today announced the second title to utilize the EyeToy camera technology. EyeToy: Groove, exclusive to the PlayStation2, is the first interactive videogame that enables players to dance in time with one of the 28 licensed songs, from such artists as Elvis, Madonna, Jessica Simpson, Jamiroquai, and Fatboy Slim, with no controller or dance pad necessary. Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment London Studio, EyeToy: Groove is scheduled for release in Spring 2004 and will be available at an SRP of $49.99 with the EyeToy USB camera or $29.99 without.

Vivendi Universal Games today announced the next installments in the best-selling Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon videogame franchises. Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage and Spyro Orange: The Cortex Conspiracy are scheduled to ship on the Game Boy Advance video game system in second quarter 2004. For the first time, the two renowned characters will meet up in each other's respective adventures in these upcoming action platformers. Albany, New York based studio, Vicarious Visions, is developing the games.

What does the future of gaming look like? What are your hopes, dreams and fears? Do you wish you could influence game developers’ decisions, but feel powerless to do so? Microsoft’s “If You Ruled the Gaming World” contest gives you the power to change gaming forever. Tell us what games would be like if you ruled the world and be heard by the biggest developers and publishers in the business. Read more for details ...

Mythic Entertainment announced “Dark Age of Camelot: New Frontiers,” a free downloadable expansion that reinvents the game’s unique Realm vs. Realm combat system, where player characters from the game’s three different Realms engage in life and death struggles across numerous battlegrounds, keeps and through the expansive frontier areas. Mythic plans to make “New Frontiers” available in Q2 2004.

You are a part of the CT Special Forces unit, the elite Counter-Terrorist Special Forces commando and have all the necessary means for putting an end to the threat of terrorism. In CT Special Forces players take on the role of three elite soldiers--a paratrooper, a helicopter pilot, and a sniper--who are equipped with high-tech weaponry.

Sony Online Entertainment has exciting news for all EverQuest players. As the world of Norrath evolves and expands, so too does the technology powering EverQuest. Sony Online Entertainment is making significant upgrades to the EverQuest engine which will allow SOE to provide players with the great game, but on a much more stable and efficient platform. SOE anticipates patching in the new engine sometime during the next month or two.

With the launching of Profiteer, a new era opened up in Browser-Based Massive Multiplayer On-line Gaming. Profiteer has added an innovative level of player interactivity with its Quest Design Interface (QDI). The QDI allows players to direct the future of Profiteer, by writing and designing quests that set others off into a universe of adventure. Incorporated into all quests is the name of the creator thus allowing the best designers to quickly build a reputation within Profiteer.

Nintendo's Vice President, Merchandising, John A. Sakaley III, retires at the end of this month from the position he served with distinction for more than 16 years. Sakaley, who joined Nintendo of America Inc. in 1987, pioneered the first shop-within-a-shop in-store display in the video game industry. He also created the first hands-on interactive displays allowing customers to try video games before they buy them. Since 2000, his team at Nintendo has placed more than 40,000 interactive displays at more than 15,000 retail locations.

Hell Forces is a classical FPS (First Person Shooter). Stephen Geist – the main hero of HF is trying to find out, what has happened to his missing friend. During this search he is mired in a satanic conspiracy, and is trying to stop dread forces of Baphometh, the servant of Satan. Infernal legions are uncountable, but Stephen is not. Only with Your help he can find out the truth and stop the invasion...

The world's intelligence services suspect the evil terrorist organizations. These criminals would have created a new molecule capable of modifying human DNA. By reinforcing agression and strength genes, they create a new breed of superwarriors. Only the CT Special Forces can defeat such powerful enemies. You will need to lead your team through the most dangerous and demanding missions. Use your skills and all the modern weaponry available! Put an end to the threat of terrorism!

An unprecedented approach to video game play -- holding two separate game screens in the palm of your hand -- hits the scene later this year when Nintendo introduces a new portable game system, code-named Nintendo DS.

Who says video games are a waste of time? Certainly not those who will be competing for thousands of dollars in this year's V Games (www.thevgames.com), sponsored by Ziff Davis Media Group and EB Games. From March to October of 2004, 30 cities will host qualifying rounds of the 2004 V Games, the first ever live-action, console and PC based video game tournament. An estimated 30,000 people will compete in eight top video games nation-wide.

Hell Forces is a classical FPS (First Person Shooter). Stephen Geist – the main hero of HF is trying to find out, what has happened to his missing friend. During this search he is mired in a satanic conspiracy, and is trying to stop dread forces of Baphometh, the servant of Satan. Infernal legions are uncountable, but Stephen is not. Only with Your help he can find out the truth and stop the invasion...

Konami Digital Entertainment - America today announced three new games to be released in the blockbuster Yu-Gi-Oh! series. Further expanding the rich Yu-Gi-Oh! world, Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament 2004 will be available for the Game Boy Advance, Yu-Gi-Oh! Xbox (working title) for the Xbox, and Yu-Gi-Oh! Power of Chaos: Kaiba the Revenge for PC, in spring 2004. Each game stars the ever-popular Yugi and his loyal card-battling friends and ships with three exclusive limited edition game cards. Read more for details & screens ...

Logitech is introducing its latest controller for the PlayStation2 - the Logitech Flight Force joystick - during this week’s 2004 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. With a suggested retail price of $49.99 in the U.S., this force feedback joystick lets gamers experience the sensations of flight combat, including weapon recoil, explosions and other effects, in compatible games for PlayStation 2.

Inimitable mad cow developer Running With Scissors stole a little of the media-sucking luster usually reserved for the likes of Britney Spears and Sadaam Hussein. They did it by transporting company spokesperson Gary Coleman and a clutch of Postal Babes to the Cyber X Game Tournament, held in Las Vegas as part of the massive 2004 Consumer Electronics Show.

Nyko blew away gamers last year with the introduction of the Air Flo controller, the world's first air-cooled video game accessory. This year the award-winning Air Flo goes wireless at the International Consumer Electronics Show. Nyko Technologies, manufacturer of innovative peripherals, introduces the Wireless Air Flo controller for Sony PlayStation 2, a cable-free unit that utilizes Nyko's patented Air Flo technology to provide gamers with a consistent flow of fresh air through the controller handgrips. Gamers can prevent problematic sweaty hands as well as employ increased mobility during competitive video games such as SOCOM 2 or Madden 2004.

The player starts of as a normal citizen in the society governed by the UCF. The "Freedom Front" offers the player a chance to join the group. The player can either join, or decline and join the UCF group. The player is then assigned the post of an army general, commanding a small army. From here, the story can go in any direction based on the way the player plays (thanks 3DGamers). Raptor Entertainment released some new screens & trailers with in game footage ...

CCP today announced the deployment of their "Tech Level 2" expansion. Available as a free download, this update augments the richness of the existing sophistication of EVE's dynamics considerably, bringing new strategical opportunities to seasoned players as well as newcomers. The expansion, impacting the game universe as a whole, incorporates numerous new gameplay features - developed in close collaboration with the ardent EVE community - as well as many improvements to present functionality, performance and user interface. Read more for details ...

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. announced today that it has secured the licensing rights to develop videogames based on the internationally acclaimed anime series, "Shaman King" (by Hiroyuki Takei) for the North American and the European regions. The company will publish games based on "Shaman King" starting with one for PS2 and one for GBA. The games are slated for release in North America in summer 2004 and 4Kids Entertainment will be responsible for the licensing program for this title. The games will also ship in Europe, coinciding with the launch of the animated TV series. Read more for details ...

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. today announced Gates of Discord, a new expansion for the incredibly popular PC Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG), EverQuest. This expansion will offer exploration of a newly discovered continent; a new class (the Berserker) and Alternate Advancement Abilities that will offer new and unique skills to master. Gates of Discord will be available February 2004 at retail outlets such as Electronics Boutique, Best Buy and Gamestop, and as a secure digital download from SOE. The retail version of Gates of Discord will also come with a unique in-box gift and special in-game magic item. By purchasing the retail version of Gates of Discord, players will be able to claim the in- game item.

Think you can steady your nerves to hit a game-deciding free throw with no time left on the clock? How about smash a cross-court backhand winner in the final set of a championship tennis match? Can you hole a 30-foot putt on 18? What about ride the rails on the world’s hottest mountains? Now try it with $25,000 on the line. Welcome to the XSN Sports World Championship, the most competitive and intense online sports tournament in the history of console video games. Read more for details ...

Rockstar Games, the world-renowned publishing division of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is proud to announce that Max Payne is set to make its debut on the Game Boy Advance and will be in stores on December 16th, 2003 in North America.

The first annual Spike TV "Video Game Awards" (VGAs), hosted by David Spade, were held last night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and revealed winners in sixteen wide-ranging video game categories. The two-hour fete will telecast on Spike TV this Thursday, December 4 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT).