Leading video games publisher, Namco Hometek Inc. announced today that 'Soulcalibur II', the sequel to one of the most revered weapons-based fighter video games of all-time, shipped over 1.6 million units on its first day, the largest day one release in the history of Namco’s U.S. division.

Continuing its strategy of developing cornerstone franchise properties with widespread commercial appeal, Majesco, one of the fastest-growing publishers of interactive entertainment software, today announced a deal that will take their popular action/horror video game, BloodRayne to the silver screen. Vierte Boll Kino Beteiligungs-GmbH & Co. KG (Boll KG), the production company responsible for several film adaptations of video games including Alone in the Dark and House of the Dead, has purchased the theatrical film and merchandise rights for the game.

Sony Ericsson today announced innovative, fun products to go with their mobile phones. The Gameboard EGB-10 is an attachable game controller, which gives a true console-style feeling to playing mobile games. The Bluetooth CAR-100 is a small racecar that can be controlled with a Sony Ericsson mobile phone, a great example of the variety of ways in which Bluetooth wireless technology can be used.

CDV Software today announced the release of a Cossacks Anthology scheduled for October 10th 2003 in Germany, October 17th in France, October 24th in the UK and October 31st in the USA. The Anthology will be a collector’s bundle, containing all parts of the million-selling Cossacks series: Cossacks: European Wars as well as the add-ons Cossacks: Back to War and Cossacks: The Art of War. The Cossacks products have proven to be the perfect introduction for newbies to the world of strategy, and a real enrichment for collectors. It has sold over one million copies worldwide.

Akella announces the development of a new game, “Alice’s Space Adventure”. Akella, well known as the leading naval games developer, is pushing it’s own boundaries by working in an entirely different genre. Alice’s Space Adventures is an all new arcade game for children in a classic animation style. Joined by Alice, her father-scientist, the melancholy space ship captain, the good-natured and funny monster and Talker the bird, you’ll visit the future, different planets within our galaxy, deep space, pirate caves and will puzzle out some difficult detective stories. Read more for details ...

After two days of thrilling competition, the United Cyber Games Association (UCGA) has announced the winners of the Samsung World Cyber Games 2003 USA Tournament. The 17 gamers competed in regional qualifying and semi-final rounds across the country, and won in their respective categories at the Samsung World Cyber Games USA Finals, August 19th and 20th in Irvine, California.

Atari has released their list of games on display at the ECTS in London, which kicks off end of the week. If you plan on attending, Atari will be located at ECTS stand (#1640). Read more for details ...

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE) announced today that it is finalizing plans to create SOEGames.net , an online game matching service that will allow gamers to find each other and battle it out across the Internet. The first games to take advantage of SOEGames.net will be Lords of EverQuest and Champions of Norrath, two upcoming Sony Online Entertainment titles. SOEGames.net will also be the first game matching system designed to host both console and PC games.

To help voice its upcoming space shooter, Battlestar Galactica, Vivendi Universal Games announced today an all-star cast of actor. The talent signed to lend voices to the highly-anticipated game includes Dirk Benedict and Richard Hatch, who starred as hotshot Viper pilots Starbuck and Apollo in the original television series, as well as Dwight Schultz, known for his roles as 'Howling Mad' Murdock on the A-Team and Lieutenant Barclay on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Kristanna Loken, who plays the T-X in the theatrical release, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.

Further immersing gamers into its gritty, first-person war-torn thriller Call of Duty, Activision, Inc. has enlisted Jason Statham and Giovanni Ribisi to provide their trademark voice talent in key roles. Additionally, accomplished writer/producer Michael Schiffer ("Crimson Tide, "Colors," "Lean of Me," "The Four Feathers" and "The Peacemaker") has added his screenwriting stamp to the game's action-filled script. Call of Duty will be available this fall for the PC and is currently rated "RP" by the ESRB.

Renowned UK game development veterans The Bitmap Brothers, creators of hit titles across almost every generation of hardware, today announced that they are one of the first companies to be accepted for the Government's new 'Access to Finance' initiative for expanding businesses.

3D Prophet 9600, Hercules' new 256MB mid-range graphics board based on ATI's RADEON 9600 chipset, is about to make a splash in the world of 3D gaming. 3D Prophet 9600 is the highly-anticipated newcomer in Hercules's celebrated range of 3D graphics boards, providing fast, high-quality rendering for a lifelike gaming experience with an excellent performance/price ratio.

Mindscape today served gamers a slice of liver 'with some fava beans and a nice Chianti' with the announcement of Hannibal - The Game, an action-packed first person adventure for PC in November priced £29.99.

Due to be published by ARXEL TRIBE, Hannibal - The Game brings all the suspense, fear and psychology of Ridley Scott's original movie release to the PC, with a unique blend of action, adventure, investigation and a new plot; enough to whet the appetite of the tubbiest man-eater.

Global Star Software has announced plans to release the Friday Night 3D series of popular leisure games for PC, beginning with Friday Night Bowling this summer. Individual games will consist of Bowling, Pool and Darts, with Slots and Casino arriving next year, and all will feature gorgeous 3D graphics coupled with authentic rules and physics. The M.S.R.P. for each of these titles will be $19.99. Read more for some bowling details ...

Today Global Star Software has announced plans to release Mall Tycoon 2 for the PC. Under development at Fusion Digital, Global Star plans to incorporate all the features of the popular original Mall Tycoon which to date has sold more than 300,000 copies, while adding scores of new features and improvements. Global Star Software currently plans to release Mall Tycoon 2 in the fall of 2003, just in time to double your shopping pleasure for Christmas. Read more for the first screens ...

Ubi Soft rounded out its AAA cast of voice talent for its highly anticipated action-shooter, XIII, by signing David Duchovny as its title character as well as Adam West (TV's Batman) as General Carrington. Previously Ubisoft already signed actress/musician Eve. XIII is an epic, conspiracy-driven thriller set in a highly stylized graphic-novel world and is scheduled to release on all game consoles as well as the PC in Fall 2003.

KOEI Corporation, the creators of the Dynasty Warriors series, announced today that in a continuing effort to listen to your opinions, KOEI has launched a new polling feature on koei.com. “Over the years, we have sensed what our customers want to see in future KOEI games - from letters, emails, and even phone calls. Now with the Polls, we have a way to accurately measure our customers' opinions on a variety of issues,” said Ben Stockwell, Webmaster for koei.com. “It's an invaluable tool and a major step forward in KOEI's efforts to incorporate user feedback in the development of our games.“ Check out the poll (questions will change periodically) right here ...

iEntertainment Network announced today the launch of Dawn of Aces III, a major new addition to the award winning TotalSims series of products. The new release, Dawn of Aces III, includes a new World War I terrain, 7 new airplanes, and new flight models designed to perfectly match the flying characteristics of World War I aircraft.

Vivendi announced today the development of Contract J.A.C.K. – the official prequel to GameSpy’s 2002 PC Game-of-the-Year, No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.’s Way. Contract J.A.C.K., developed by one of the industry’s elite developers, Monolith Productions, showcases the award-winning storytelling of Monolith in a new singleplayer standalone experience focused on giving PC gamers more action and less stealth while adding new robust multiplayer content as well as a suite of mod-making tools.

Today Global Star Software has announced plans to release Jetfighter 5 for the PC Platform. This latest installment of the successful Jetfighter franchise is under development at Interactive Vision and will be featuring licensed aircraft from Lockheed Martin, and is scheduled for release in the winter of 2003. Read more for details ...

NovaLogic Ltd. today announced plans to release Joint Operations, a brand new multiplayer based PC title during Q4 2003. Set in Indonesia in the near future, Joint Operations takes the player to a country on the verge of disintegration. Regional independence movements have acquired advanced weaponry as the nation's military splits into competing factions. Escalating violence threatens innocent civilians and Western economic interests. Read more for details & screens...

Prepare to unleash the absolute latest in modern weapons technology against the world's most powerful Generals in Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour (working title). Published by Electronic Arts and developed by EALA, Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour is the first expansion pack* for Command & Conquer Generals and is targeted for release on the PC this fall 2003 under the EA GAMES brand.

Today Global Star Software has announced plans to release Emergency Services Sim for the PC Platform. This Real-time city builder simulation will allow players to control every aspect of a large city’s fire, police and health care services. By performing these duties well, players will enable their cities to grow and prosper. The game is currently under development at Interactive Vision and will release during the fall of 2003 at a M.S.R.P of $29.99.

Apparently ignoring the launch debacle the first 2 days, LucasArts' Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided, the first Star Wars massively multiplayer online (MMO) game, experienced unprecedented success in its first week of availability, garnering more than 125,000 users and receiving accolades from gaming press and players alike.

Today Global Star Software has announced plans to release Airport Tycoon 3 for the PC Platform. Under development at Interactive Vision, Global Star plans to incorporate all the features of the popular original Airport Tycoon, and its sequel Airport Tycoon 2, while adding scores of new features and improvements. Global Star Software currently plans to release Airport Tycoon 3 in the winter of 2003.