Microsoft Game Studios and Valve today announced that Counter-Strike" for Xbox has stormed store shelves in North America for an estimated retail price of $49.99 (U.S.). Counter-Strike, the most popular action game on the planet, explodes onto Xbox and Xbox Live, bringing with it unparalleled multiplayer tactical combat and new content exclusive to Xbox. Counter-Strike for Xbox includes all new counter-terrorist and terrorist teams, an impressive array of graphical enhancements and ultra-responsive controls optimized for Xbox. The heart-pounding action spans over 18 highly diverse maps including seven new multiplayer maps and 11 completely enhanced Counter-Strike fan favorites, as well as upcoming maps downloadable via Xbox Live.

Jaleco Entertainment has teamed up with Matchroom Sport and the International Professional Pool Players Association (IPA) to bring the world's best players and most prestigious competitions to WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POOL 2004, the pool simulation video game for PC CD-ROM, PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, and the Xbox video game system from Microsoft.

'WE'RE gonna party, like it's your birthday', 4am are havin' it large in da house with its latest title release; CyberGroove – the first ever PC dance mat game, which will feature downloadable tracks and dance steps, keeping it fresh for many years to come. Read more for details & screens ...

With literally a whole world of water available in Digital Jester's glorious PC CD-ROM sailing simulation Virtual Skipper 3, virtual yachtsmen and women will need of a reliable map charting the oceans of resources available for the game. Welcome, then, to the Virtual Skipper Headquarters - the one-stop-dock for all things Virtual Skipper-related. Designed to appeal to both virtual and real-life yachts-fans, it introduces the Virtual Skipper world alongside news and information from the sailing community.

Lords of EverQuest brings the best elements of the real-time strategy world together with the epic storyline and depth of the legendary EverQuest fantasy roleplaying game. By capitalizing on the rich history, detailed characters and literally hundreds of monsters found in EverQuest, and building upon successful feature sets of the RTS genre, Lords of EverQuest creates a revolutionary gaming experience. Check out some new screens ...

Pursue the world’s most dangerous fugitives across 5 sprawling real world locations. Dole out cruel and unusual punishment as you engage fugitives in fierce hand to hand combat and bring the worlds most wanted to justice! Read more for the full review ...

In this gritty and darkly humorous 3rd person action adventure, players join the courageous Brotherhood of Steel, whose mission is to maintain peace in the grim post-apocalyptic world of Fallout. Battling raiders, mutants and a host of radioactive nightmares, players attempt to save the scattered remnants of the human race. Life is hard, mutation is rampant and the closet thing to law and order is the fusion-powered pistol that you carry on your hip. Read more for some juicy screens and a new trailer ...

Ubisoft's highly-anticipated Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time has officially shipped for all major consoles, with the Nintendo GameCube version heading for retail today. The PC version will follow in the coming weeks. With fluid animations, ingenious and challenging level design, a gripping story and an inimitable hero with the ability to manipulate time, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time delivers an extraordinary, singular gaming experience - one that's been repeatedly mentioned as a strong candidate for Game of the Year by several industry heavyweights.

Eidos today announced that it has shipped Whiplash for PlayStation2 and Xbox to retailers in North America. Developed by Crystal Dynamics, Whiplash delivers an innovative approach to the character-based action genre by combining a unique "chain" gameplay mechanic with in-depth enemy and environment interaction, rich combat and slapstick humor. The result is an action-packed game where player choice triggers an unscripted chain of chaotic, humorous events.

Codemasters announced today that the officially licensed American Idol video game, based on the hit series co-produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19TV, has shipped for Game Boy Advance and Playstation2. The American Idol video game lets players create a virtual representation of themselves to compete as “American Idol” contestants. Like the television show, players will be critiqued by “American Idol” judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. American Idol for Game Boy“ Advance has an MSRP of $29.99, American Idol for PlayStation2 has a MSRP of $39.99, additionally; it is also available on the PC.

Another day, another batch of game trailers were released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for :

• Metal Arms: Glitch In The System - Trailer
• Battlestar Galactica - Trailer
• Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II - Trailer
• Universal Combat - Trailer (5)
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

EA has released a demo for their recently released sports/action title Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup. This demo features only the first (passing the Quaffle) of six training levels, but is still rather big in size due to the intro movie and an included 'making of' trailer (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for download links ...

Another day, another batch of game trailers were released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for :

• Far Cry - Trailer
• Unreal Tournament 2004 - Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Cyber X Gaming has selected Ultimate Arena Inc., the leading online action game tournament site, to run the ATI/AMD Cyber X Games 2004 Counter-Strike online qualifiers. Ultimate Arena's guaranteed cheat-free platform was a key factor in Cyber X Gaming's decision.

R-Type is a classic in video game history; the legacy goes back a full 16 years since the original arcade shoot-'em-up hit the streets. With the game being so popular in Japan earlier this year, a number of high profile UK specialist games magazines including Play couldn't wait to see the European version and took it upon themselves to import the Japanese version, giving it 89%. Read more for details and a batch of new screens ...

Activision Publishing challenges players to once again test their virtual hunting skills with an all-new Cabela's Dangerous Hunts for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system and Xbox video game system. The latest title in the best-selling Cabela's franchise provides players with a hunt or be hunted experience, where they stalk or get stalked by prey through detailed surroundings enveloped by such natural boundaries as canyons, mountains, dense forest and lakes. The game features changing seasons and realistic weather conditions which deliver an added adrenaline rush of excitement as players encounter more than 27 big game animals in 12 exotic locations around the world with the reality of dangerous encounters. Cabela's Dangerous Hunts is currently available at retail stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $29.99 and is rated "T" by the ESRB.

Atari will bring Terminator 3: War of the Machines, a singleplayer and online multiplayer first person shooter set in the ravaged battlefields of the Tech Com-versus-SkyNet conflict from the Terminator world, to personal computer this winter. Currently in development by Hungary-based Clever's Games, Terminator 3: War of the Machines will allow up to 32 players to face off online as either technologically-advanced SkyNet Terminators or battle-hardened Tech Com Special Forces in an epic multiplayer struggle for supremacy. Read more to check out some new screens ...

Armed & Dangerous, the outlandish new LucasArts action-action game that is stealing all the laughs this holiday season, has officially GONE GOLD for Xbox! It is scheduled to explode into stores for Xbox and PC on Tuesday, December 2, 2003. Meet the Lionhearts. With more than 17 outrageous weapons and absolutely no common sense, they're out to blow up everything in sight across 21 action-packed missions. All the player has to do is battle through dastardly enemies, giant war machines and an army of psychopathic robots. But don't worry; you'll have plenty of ammo. Victory is yours in 12,000 bullets or less! For more information on Armed & Dangerous, please visit the official product website at: http://armed.lucasarts.com.

iGames Publishing and developer Idol FX have released a patch for Nosferatu: The Wrath of Malachi that will address known sound and video issues with ATI videocards. Read more for download links ...

Climax today reaffirmed its position as one of the most ambitious video game developers in the industry after striking a development agreement with leading international developer and publisher Fluent Entertainment. Under the agreement Climax will develop two new games for Fluent Entertainment, one at its London office and the other at its Solent studio.

Can you save the world from the ICEWorm microchip? You are special agent Ethan Hunt — back to battle international espionage as the fate of the free world hangs in the balance! A microchip nicknamed ICEWorm is disabling the security systems of the world’s largest organizations, and providing free access to the highest bidder. Your mission – should you choose to accept it – is to destroy the chip and prevent its creators from bringing the free world to its knees. Serving up today are some new PS2/Xbox screens...

Goblin Commander: Unleash The Horde ships to stores for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, Jaleco Entertainment announced. Goblin Commander: Unleash The Horde is the highly anticipated action-strategy video game designed specifically for next-generation consoles. Experience the rush of amassing hordes of goblins under your control, embark on thrilling adventures, and engage in spectacular battles with enemy clans.

Buka Entertainment, one of the European publishers, and Microforum Italia S.p.A., one of the well-known software distributors in Italy, are pleased to announce a new deal, which includes the following titles:

• Echelon: Wind Warriors
• Midnight Nowhere
• March!: Offworld Recon
  
  The titles will be fully localized and distributed in Italy in DVD boxes at the price of 9.90 euro per unit.

The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3Expo), the world's leading interactive entertainment trade show, today invited industry leaders from across the globe to apply to speak at the show's conference program. E3Expo conference speakers provide hands-on training and expertise to the industry professionals who gather annually to acquire insight from this esteemed faculty and to preview thousands of never-before-seen computer and video game related products. The 10th annual E3Expo, "Where Business Gets Fun," is scheduled for May 11-14, 2004 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.