A usual Friday it seems .. plenty of demo's get released right before the weekend ... First the announced updated Mobile Forces demo at 3D Gamers. The enhanced version of Rage Software's vehicular team-based shooter (74.1 MB) offers the same level and Holdout mode as previous version but includes a dedicated server option, enhanced networking code, rebalanced weapons, tweaked physics, particle effects, a spectator option, gameplay tweaks, bug fixes (thanks Blues). Second there is the 'Tony Hawk 3' demo which allows you to skate the Foundry as Tony Hawk. This 50mb skating pleasure is available at FilePlanet.

Westwood Studios announced today plans to expand the public test of Earth & Beyond to 100,000 players before it's released this fall. Earth & Beyond is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game and will be published by Electronic Arts under the EA GAMES brand in August 2002.

The brutal and spectacular gladiator battles of the ancient world serve as inspiration for Gladius, a turn-based action role-playing (RPG) game from LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC. Gladius follows the grand saga of two young heroes, Ursula and Valens, as they recruit and train a team of warriors to contend in the fiercely competitive gladiator games. The game supports both single and multiplayer modes and is expected to release spring 2003 on PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube.

Nintendo Co., Ltd. and Namco Limited announced today they have joined forces to bring multiple Namco software titles to the GameCube and Game Boy Advance.

Electronic Arts unveils plans for its new James Bond game that promises to deliver a complete 007 experience filled with action-packed excitement and intrigue that will leave players shaken… and stirred! James Bond 007: NightFire will take Bond fans higher and deeper than any previous Bond game with breathtaking locations and intense gameplay on multiple platforms. NightFire is currently under development and scheduled for worldwide release in late 2002 for PS2, Nintendo GameCube, Xbox and PC platforms.

Crave Entertainment, a leading publisher of videogame entertainment products, today announced the addition of Whirl Tour, a title offering a unique combination of action, extreme sports, and adventure, to its 2002 product line-up.

100 years in the future Red Rock, mankind's first colony on Mars, is besieged by a brutal alien force and military leaders on faraway Earth are stymied - so they call on Radical Tactics Expert (RTX) Eugene Zeno "E.Z." Wheeler as their best hope in RTX Red Rock from LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC. RTX Red Rock is an epic third-person action-adventure expected to release spring 2003 on PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube.

Infogrames, Inc. announces the fall release of Dirt Track Racing 2 for the PC. Capturing the frantic, fender-to-fender style of racing on dirt, Dirt Track Racing 2 will recreate white knuckle competition on ovals, D-ovals, tri-ovals, egg shaped and figure 8 tracks. Developed by Ratbag Pty Ltd and powered by the company’s critically acclaimed Difference Engine™, the game will also feature ultra-realistic physics and true-to-life graphics, along with 14 different tracks and three classes of cars.

THQ Inc. today announced the latest interactive installment of the Matchbox brand, Matchbox Cross Town Heroes for Game Boy Advance and PC. The videogame adventure takes place in a dynamic world in which players take the wheel and courageously “drive” Matchbox search and rescue vehicles into the heart of the emergency action. Matchbox Cross Town Heroes is scheduled for release in summer 2002.

Titus Interactive Studio today announced that the original Robocop arcade game will be brought to the Game Boy Advance with Robocop: The Future of Law Enforcement in October 2002. Based on the eponymous classic sci-fi movie, Robocop: The Future of Law Enforcement sees the player assume the role of Officer Murphy in this stainless steel action adventure.

LucasArts announced that a playable demo of Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast is slated for release on Friday, May 10. The demo will feature a previously unavailable/new level. The demo will include 5 of the weapons in the full game and the Jedi Powers. Rage let us know that they will release an updated playable demo of Mobile Forces tomorrow. The new demo will have several improvements, such as dedicated server option, tweaked physics, enhanced networking code, a spectator option, rebalanced weapons, particle effects, several bug fixes and gameplay tweaks.

Since Hercules and Cyberlink (the makers of PowerDVD) announced a collaboration earlier today to bring you the best possible sound to your home, Hercules now introduces their upgraded GameTheatre XP to support and take full advantage of CyverLink's PowerDVD Pro 6.1! I want one!

id Software and Activision, Inc. announced that Activision will be the worldwide licensed distributor for DOOM III, the latest installment in one of the most successful franchises in PC gaming history. Built on id's revolutionary new 3D graphics engine, DOOM III draws players into the most frightening and gripping 3D gaming experience ever created. DOOM III is currently in development for the PC by id Software and will debut at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo in Activision's booth #1224 in the South Hall.

TriLunar, LLC, a leading developer of interactive entertainment products, today announced the addition of David O’Connor as their Vice President, Technology. As a member of the TriLunar executive team, O’Connor will be responsible for technology leadership for the firm, including strategic planning of core technologies, planning and execution of product-related technical development, and human resource management of the technical team.

Rockstar Games, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.'s high-end videogame publishing division, is pleased to announce that "Smuggler's Run: Warzones" is crossing the border and heading for a release on GameCube this summer. The first Smuggler's Run title to grace the GameCube console, this off-road driving adventure offers the most dynamic smuggling challenge yet with five huge maps, over 30 missions and 2-4 person multiplayer action. "Smuggler's Run: Warzones" is set for release July 2002.

You are a part of the CTSF unit, the elite Counter-Terrorist Special Forces commando and have all the necessary means for putting an end to the threat of terrorism. Some screens and a packshot.. Njoy!

The game that started the computer "Tycoon" craze is getting a sequel this Autumn in RollerCoaster Tycoon II from Infogrames and master game designer, Chris Sawyer. Numerous improvements to the original will be packed into this new game - with more types of roller coasters and rides being just the beginning.

"Pull your vehicle over now!" EA plans to drive the highly anticipated Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2 game for the PS2 to PC, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube. All four titles will be published under the EA GAMES brand and will be available in late summer 2002.

Infogrames, Inc. and Nickelodeon will crank up the fun factor later this year with the introduction of Nickelodeon Party Blast – a totally wild, ultra-competitive, all-out Nick party game featuring eight Nicktoons stars! Anything goes in this star-studded, multi-player Nickelodeon Challenge that will launch on the PC, Nintendo GameCube and will be the first ever Nickelodeon title for the Xbox.

This year, the battle for the future of Azeroth comes home, with the up-coming release of three epic Warcraft III action figures: orcish war chief Thrall, dwarven mountain king Muradin Bronzebeard and night elf keeper of the grove Furion Stormrage. Find out more here! "Pretty awesome"

Following the success of its acclaimed versions of Robot Wars on PlayStation 2 and PC CD-ROM, Climax is pleased to announce the development of heavy metal successor Robot Wars 2. To be published on XBox and PC formats by BBC Multimedia for Christmas 2002, this all-action sequel is set to deliver a whole new bot battling experience.

Microsoft today announced that the European price of its Xbox video game system will be reduced to an estimated street price of €299/£199, effective from 26th April 2002.

Fast on the heels of one of the company’s most successful years featuring the Dragon Warrior series, Enix America Inc. today announced two new games for 2002. Available this Fall are Robot Alchemic Drive (RAD) and Grandia Xtreme, both for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system.

Activision, Inc. confirmed today that Treyarch is in development on a Minority Report game for the PlayStation2 , the Xbox and Nintendo GameCube. Inspired by Steven Spielberg’s upcoming feature film, “Minority Report,” a 20th Century Fox and Dreamworks co-production starring Tom Cruise slated for release on June 21, the Minority Report video game puts players in the role of a PreCrime Police Officer wrongfully accused of murder. Throughout the 3rd person action/adventure game, players will explore many of the locations from the film, as well as make use of advanced weapons and gadgets straight out of the movie in an attempt to clear their name. Minority Report the game will be released in the winter of 2002 and has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

From Infogrames, Inc straight to a Nintendo Game Boy Advance near you comes Blender, a mutant dog with super long ears, in his first adventure for a handheld video game system: Blender Bros.™ Blender, leader of the Cosmos Keepers, must battle to save the universe from the evil Zooligans with the help of his allies the “Mini-Bros.” Blender is looking for new Cosmos Keeper recruits as Blender Bros. ships to game software retailers today.