SI Games are very excited to announce that the English version of CM4 has now officially gone to gold master, and the game will be released in the UK & Eire on March 28th, 2003. The non UK releases are due to go gold in the next couple of weeks, and should be out shortly after the UK release (specific release dates will follow when we have them). We are still working on trying to get distribution sorted for the Americas, and more info will follow about that in the coming weeks. Please note, if you live outside the UK and decide to import the UK version of the game, it is ONLY in English language. An updated demo of the game will be released in due course, a further announcement with regards to this will be made on Friday

Infogrames, Inc. is pleased to announce that robust first week sales of the space epic sequel Master of Orion 3 have made the game the Top-Selling PC Game for the week of February 23 - March 1, according to NPD sales data released last week. The game released worldwide on February 25, 2003.

World Series Baseball 2K3 marks the multi-platform debut of last year's must-have Xbox baseball title. The "King of Diamonds" returns stronger than ever and poised to make a run at a Yankee-like dynasty as it heads to the PS2 (already available on Xbox). And, just like the Bronx Bombers, WSB 2K3 spent the offseason improving what was already THE baseball franchise by adding an all-new ESPN broadcast presentation, more classic uniforms for every team, player-specific batting stances and pitching styles for Hall of Fame players, and historic ballparks. WSB 2K3's unrivaled gameplay gives users what they asked for, including: a jump button for home run-robbing snatches and line drive-snaring grabs, user-controlled leadoffs, drag bunts, improved double play animations, power swings, and more. This year, WSB 2K3 is in a league of its own!

The Saga of Ryzom is designed to appeal to existing online RPG gamers, providing the 'must have' combat, magic and crafting system that players have grown to expect. Ryzom is a third-generation 3D game that features a highly original poetic universe designed for the general public. The Saga of Ryzom is a Science-Fantasy MMORPG and developed by the French company Nevrax, earlier today we had some screens and so we decided to hit Ryzom Manager Sébastien Vidal up for a few short questons...

The official forum for Master Of Orion III is updated with information regarding a upcoming patch. Here is a clip:

Yes, work is in progress on a patch. We have no delivery date at this time.

We are concentrating on the Military AI (offensive, defensive and build queue) and point defense problems, along with some UI glitches and any crash or easy to fix bugs. Changes which require any artwork are extremely unlikely for this patch.

The plan is to release a data-only patch fairly quickly which should help with some of the Military AI problems (and other things) and may also contain some additional documentation on use of the spreadsheets to help the modders.

This will be followed by a code patch. Code changes will be listed here as they are verified internally, so that you know what is coming.

The actual release of the patches will be controlled by the QA departments at Infogrames (for Windows) and Destineer (for Macintosh).

Recognizing that color allows people to express their individuality, Microsoft Corp. is listening to gamers who wanted color options for their Xbox controller. The company is even taking it one step further by putting the choice of colors squarely in the gamers' hands. In an exciting new twist to the Xbox experience, gamers can log onto xbox.com beginning today to help decide the colors of a special line of Xbox controllers.

Codemasters has release a new upgrade to IGI 2: Covert Strike. Introducing a new multiplayer jungle mission, the upgrade also enhances the games online and LAN multiplayer functionality, and is accompanied by an updated dedicated Win32 server. In the mission, IGI operatives have located a Conspiracy base deep inside a jungle. The IGI team's objectives are to turn on the base's generator, hack in to a computer to discover the purpose of the base and finally destroy one of two temple ruins the Conspiracy has been using as cover for the base. Meanwhile the Conspiracy group must defend its base. Read more for details and download links ...

Thrustmaster infiltrates Splinter Cell, the long-awaited PlayStation 2 title from Ubi Soft Entertainment, and will be releasing an official Splinter Cell gamepad and cheatcodes. Fans of the cutting-edge spy thriller will be keen to pick up these two special weapons, both of which will be available for the game's scheduled release at the end of March 2003.

THQ Inc. today announced that it will distribute Empire Interactive's "Big Mutha Truckers" for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo GameCube, Xbox video game system from Microsoft and PC. "Big Mutha Truckers" places players behind the wheel of an 18-wheeled big rig deep in the heart of the South with a cast of colorful characters and plenty of campy humor.

Softwrap today announced three new agreements with gaming companies Blue Tea Games, Alawar Entertainment and Grass Games.com. The three companies will adopt Softwrap's technology to distribute secure versions of their games online. The growing adoption of Softwrap's technology by games developers demonstrates the appeal of 'try before you buy' solutions. Steve Zi Kun Zhao from Blue Tea Games revealed that it was Softwrap's "secure and professional approach to online distribution" that appealed to him in distributing the game Save The Meeklits, along with the "reasonable commission based fee".

Datel, the world's leading developer and manufacturer of innovative video game enhancement products, is proud to announce the release of PowerBoard for the Nintendo GameCube console. The perfect companion for online games like Phantasy Star Online, PowerBoard is the first full-size, computer-style keyboard designed specifically for GameCube.

Majorem Ltd., a developer of massively multiplayer games and technology, is pleased to officially announce that they are now finalizing preparations towards the E3 tradeshow at Los-Angeles California. 'Ballerium' is meant to be the main company's display at the famous tradeshow. Majorem's booth on E3 this year would be located at the Kentia hall, booth #6345. The public is invited to test the game's Beta on site.

Icculus has issued another updated dedicated Linux server for MoH: Allied Assault Spearhead, allowing Linux PCs to host multiplayer games for v2.15 of the World War II FPS expansion by EA. This is still in beta stage (v4) so not the final product and the developers encourage email support! Read more for details & download links ..

Conflict: Desert Storm lets you take charge of the best known and most feared special operations forces in the world: the elite British SAS or the US Delta Force squads. You're the best trained, best equipped and best organised Special Forces in the world. The area that has been assigned to you is yours for the taking. Seek, locate and destroy enemy targets and personnel. Create havoc and confusion throughout the enemy's lines of communication and supply. What lies before you is an opportunity in a soldier's lifetime. Take your equipment, take your training and use it well.

In Line of Sight: Vietnam your job is to locate elusive enemy soldiers and pick them off one-by-one. Whether patiently waiting for the enemy to show himself or delivering a pre-emptive strike, the method is the same – be quick, be quiet, and be careful. That’s what will get you home alive... The 172MB demo is now available on FilePlanet. When you install the file, you will be given a KEY in a web browser window. You must use this KEY to unlock the demo preview. Also DirectX 9.0 is required!

Capcom has updated the PN03, in development by its internal studio, Production Studio 4, Japanese website. P.N. 03, directed by Shinji Mikami, is described as an action game starring a female soldier named Vanessa Z. Schneider. She's a mercenary armed with a high-powered laser--and she's a robot killer. Robots at a colonial settlement have gone wild on a nearby planet, and it's up to Vanessa--whose parents were killed by the same system overrunning the settlement--to stop them. Not much is known about the game's action, but it is described as containing dodging capabilities and transforming mechs. The game is due to hit Japan in spring of 2003.

Uplink brings players into the depths of one of the world’s most intriguing settings: cyberspace. Players take on the role of an Uplink agent, working for large corporations and hacking into rival computer systems, stealing research data, sabotaging other companies, laundering money, erasing evidence, and framing innocent people. Stock markets can be influenced, personal records can be altered, and money can be transferred... sometimes into the wrong hands.

Man, talk about a boring Friday. Today only a few trailers for various games were released. Instead of giving them all their own post, we grouped them and so far there are trailers for :

• Vietcong (Take2)
• Rayman 3 'Battery' (UbiSoft)
• Star Wars : Knights Of The Old Republic(LucasArts)
• Splinter Cell PS2 Intro (UbiSoft)
  
  Read more for download links ...

The Netherworld - a realm darker than the deepest abyss, located far beneath where mortals tread. It is a cursed land where evil reigns and foul beings dwell. Nobody knows its whereabouts, but everybody fears its existence... The story takes place two years after the death of King Krichevskoy, the ruler of the Netherworld. His son Laharl awakens from a long sleep, unaware of his father's death. Meanwhile, scheming demons vie for supremacy over the Netherworld. With the help of his subordinate Etna and her underlings, the egocentric, self-absorbed Prince Laharl must fight to regain the throne and claim his birthright.

Atlus U.S.A. released some screens and a trialer for "Lufia: The Ruins of Lore", the next title in the wildly popular Lufia role-playing series. Developed for the Game Boy Advance, the title will be released in North America in the Spring of 2003. This exciting new chapter follows the adventures of Eldin and his childhood friends, Torma and Rami, as they strive to solve the mystery of the ancient ruins and halt the resurrection of an evil beast whose power could eradicate humanity. Read more for the goodies ...

The year is 2178 and the galaxy is evolving at an alarming pace. Years ago, human scientists introduced a new technology, the “Hyper-drive”, which vastly improved interstellar travel, but instead of forging closer bonds throughout the galaxy, communication between civilizations has ground to a halt. Colonization and a battle for supremacy have become the primary goals but only one race can dominate…and survive. Strategy First has released a new trailer showing off what this game is all about. Read more for download links ...

For those of you who have finished Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell and are craving a fix of your favorite Xbox game: WAIT NO MORE! Beginning today (and NOT yesterday like some other places reported), you can revisit the tense stealth-action of Splinter Cell by simply downloading the Kola Cell mission for Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell from Xbox Live--at no additional charge. But be forewarned! This mission is tough. Real tough. Ubi Soft's Montreal team put a lot of thought into how to best test the skills of the most creative Splinter Cell players. We invite you to guide Sam Fisher through a Georgian warehouse, find cyber-terrorist Philip Masse's computer terminal and steal a sample code. Just don't get caught. If you do, the United States government will disavow any knowledge of your existence.

Syberia II, the sequel of the 2002 Adventure Game of The year, is currently in development at the developer/publisher Montreal-based studios. Microïds is also excited to release today the first images, screenshots and artworks, of Syberia II. The game will be released in the Fall of 2003. Check out these new screens ...

Interplay Entertainment Corp. announced today the company has sold all future interactive entertainment publishing rights to the "Hunter: The Reckoning" franchise to Vivendi Universal Games. Interplay retains the rights to the previously published "Hunter: The Reckoning" titles on Microsoft Xbox and Nintendo GameCube. The "Hunter: The Reckoning" franchise is a property of White Wolf Publishing Inc.

Today several trailers for various games were released. Instead of giving them all their own post, we grouped them and so far there are trailers for :

• XIII (UbiSoft)
• Humvee Assault (Infogrames)
• Line Of Sight : Vietnam (Infogrames)
• Splinter Cell PS2 Intro (UbiSoft)
• Lock On (UbiSoft)
• Tom & Jerry : War Of The Whiskers (UbiSoft)
  
  Read more for download links ...