Kaydara Inc. today announced the upcoming release of MOTIONBUILDER 4.0, a new generation of its award winning real-time 3D character animation software previously named FiLMBOX animation. With a completely new, redesigned drag-and-drop user interface, MOTIONBUILDER 4.0 is a compelling professional 3D character animation solution that is substantially more powerful, faster and easier to use than any other product on the market. MOTIONBUILDER 4.0 will be available to customers in August 2002.

Mythic Entertainment, creator of the multiple award winning massively multiplayer online role-playing game Dark Age of Camelot, today announced that the game's highly anticipated first expansion pack is currently in development. Dark Age of Camelot: Shrouded Islesä is set for a late 2002 release and will continue setting new standards for online game-play. The game will be developed by Mythic Entertainment and co-published with Abandon Entertainment.

THQ Inc. today announced that "Bob the Builder: Bob Builds A Park" for PC is in development. Just what we been waiting for ... NOT

Through a carefully planned effort that includes the participation of key retailers and third-party publishers, Microsoft Corp. today unveiled its plans for a North American price reduction of the Xbox. Effective immediately, Xbox will have an estimated retail price of $199.99 in the United States ($299.99 CAN). The price reduction will be supported by a multimillion dollar national merchandising and marketing campaign set to begin this weekend. Microsoft also announced it is reducing the price of Xbox in Japan to 24,800 yen effective Wednesday, May 22.

A new era of world conflict. Go where most men don’t dare and do what most men won’t. Arrive by sea, air and land prepared for unconventional warfare, counter-guerilla tactics and clandestine operations in the most turbulent hot spots in the world. Push your stamina and strength beyond your physical and mental limits, ready to lay down your life in service of your country. HOOYAH!

Matrox Graphics Inc. today unveiled the revolutionary Matrox Parhelia-512 high-fidelity GPU delivering a new level of visual quality, superior performance and a wide range of innovative new technologies. World's first 512-bit GPU delivers unparalleled image quality, superior performance and wide range of innovative features for the ultimate visual experience

Hercules is pleased to announce the impending Gamesurround Muse5.1 DVD, an amazing new sound card in the 5.1-channel market segment. Gamesurround Muse5.1 DVD - the successor of the widely renowned Gamesurround Muse XL - now includes advanced features such as its 6-channel outputs and comes bundled with Cyberlink's PowerDVD 4.0 XP, the hugely popular DVD playback application.

Empire Interactive has announced that Antonio Fargas, aka Huggy Bear, has been signed for the in-game voice-overs and to help promote the PlayStation 2 and PC versions of its new “Starsky & Hutch” game. Helping Starsky and Hutch clean up the streets, Huggy was present in almost every episode of the hugely popular 70’s show.

THQ Inc. announced that it will unveil "Red Faction II" at the (E3) in Los Angeles on May 22. Developed exclusively for the PS2 by THQ's studio, Volition, "Red Faction II" is the sequel to one of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed original game franchises of 2001. Featuring an enhanced Geo-Mod engine that allows players to strategically alter and destroy the game environment in real-time, "Red Faction II" builds upon the experience and technology of the original game with more blistering action, highly detailed graphics, new multi-player options and an engaging storyline. "Red Faction II" is scheduled to release in holiday 2002.

Rage Software announced today that their 'vehicular team-based shooter' "Mobile Forces" has gone gold. "Mobile Forces is expected in stores in Europe end of May 2002 (retail price of £24.99). US people will have to be a little bit more patient as US Publisher Majesco has not yet confirmed a street date. If you cant wait then you can always check out the demo.

Infogrames, Inc. the creators of one of the best-selling outdoor simulation franchises in PC history, scores a bull's-eye with Deer Hunter 2003, set to release this fall. Developed by Sunstorm Interactive, Deer Hunter 2003 will feature new jaw-dropping, photo-realistic 3D environments, advanced AI and the most comprehensive hunting simulation to date.

THQ Inc today announced "Hot Wheels Bash Arena" for PC. Hot Wheels fans will be able to experience the speed, power and performance of Hot Wheels in this ultimate crash and smash, demolition derby-style game for kids. "Hot Wheels Bash Arena" for PC, in development by Micro Forte, is scheduled for release in summer 2002.

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!