IL-2: Forgotten Battles is the full-featured sequel to the hugely popular, multi-award winning IL-2: Sturmovik World War II combat flight simulation. Created by 1C Maddox Games, IL-2 Sturmovik: Forgotten Battles adds new maps and missions for both single and multiplayer play, as well as dozens of new World War II aircraft, including the American P-47 "Thunderbolt" and German Ju-87 "Stuka," a new dynamic campaign system, and several other features for almost limitless replayability. A new batch of screens showing off some raw Geforce4 power, various aircrafts and cockpit details ...

CDV Software Entertainment UK has upped the ante in its virtual War of Independence by doubling the amount on offer to entrants. Thanks to the generosity of the sponsors - The Overclocking Store, Pure Digital, Saitek, Gainward and Logitech - the total value of prizes available to players competing in this prestigious online tournament has now topped an astonishing $20,000 - the largest ever offered by CDV to its players.

Xbox, the future-generation video game console that delivers new and unforeseen gameplay experiences, today announced that Xbox owners can get caught up on the journey of Ryo Hazuki to avenge his father's death through the "Shenmue The Movie" DVD. The DVD will come bundled with the Xbox exclusive "Shenmue II" when the game ships in Europe on 21st March. The DVD is 90 minutes long and features English or Japanese voice-overs with the option for Japanese subtitles, and is playable on the Xbox with DVD remote or PAL DVD players.

Konami of Europe has announced that Silent Hill 3 - the latest title in the hugely popular horror series - will be released for PlayStation 2 on May 23rd - several weeks before Japanese and US fans can sample its macabre delights.

Microsoft today announced that the first batch of new downloadable content is now available for "MechAssault" via Xbox Live. In this first update, players will find two new multiplayer maps which support all five of the current gametypes and two agile new 'Mechs: Raven and Corvus. The new maps include Hell's Kitchen, a fiery volcanic world; and Stone Cold, a frigid snowy environment. These new items will greatly expand multiplayer play, and this update is available for no additional charge.

Entertainment software developer and publisher NovaLogic, Inc. is pleased to announce the arrival of the ultimate covert operations compilation – The Special Forces Pack. This exciting three game pack contains two of the best selling titles in the history of the tactical first person genre: Delta Force and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six. Combined, these ground breaking franchises have sold more than 10,000,000 units. In addition, the pack also includes the acclaimed title Shadow Force: Razor Unit. The Special Forces Pack is in stores now, SRP $19.99

Octagon Entertainment, Inc., the video game industry’s leading agency, today announced an agreement to represent Primal Software to find a worldwide publisher for Besieger, a 3D real-time strategy game set in a medieval fantasy world. Besieger is in development for PC and is scheduled to be completed Q3 2003.

Thrustmaster is pleased to introduce its first cordless controller for PlayStation 2: Firestorm Wireless. With a design based on the Firestorm RF for PC, Thrustmaster's new radio frequency gamepad will be available from February 2003, providing gamers with a new level of enjoyment and unprecedented freedom of movement in games.

Codemasters is attending this year's Game Developers Conference [GDC], March 4 – 8 in San Jose, California, with a clear mandate to acquire five A to triple-A game titles. As part of Codemasters' aggressive product acquisition programme, its team is ready to meet game developers with exceptional projects to discuss global publishing opportunities. Codemasters recently won the highly-contested publishing rights to 1C's "WWII:RTS" (to be published as Battlefield Command). With a particular interest in US-centric games, Codemasters is prioritising titles for PC, PC online, PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube formats.

CDV Software Entertainment is asking gamers to make love AND war this Valentine's Day, through a series of radio competitions in which listeners can win replica antique duelling pistols. The competitions will be held on Friday 14th February and have been placed to celebrate the day's release of American Conquest – the latest real-time strategy epic from Cossacks developer GSC Game World. Listeners will have the opportunity to win a duelling pistol and a copy of the game on across the country local radio stations from Forth FM in the north to BBC Radio Devon in the South West. These competitions will be broadcast throughout the day, so gamers keen to get their hands on the game and replica pistols will need to keep their ears 'peeled'.

Telia, one of Europe's largest telecom and Internet providers, and MindArk, the creators of Project Entropia, have entered into an agreement where Telia provides MindArk with access to the Internet backbone at various locations around the world. In addition to Internet backbone access, Telia provides server-hosting services for servers to be used for Project Entropia. Project Entropia is a three dimensional virtual universe available to download free of charge..

ARXEL TRIBE is proud to announce that the upcoming adventure RPG MISTMARE has reached Release Candidate status. The game is now entering the last phase of tests and shall reach final manufacturing green light before the end of February. Release of MISTMARE throughout the world is therefore scheduled for the end of March 2003. Developed on Lithtech's JUPITER engine (NOLF2) by Sinister Systems and Arxel Tribe, MISTMARE features a solid scenario, splendid graphics and more than 60 hours of gameplay.

Infogrames Europe and Thrustmaster are pleased to announce that they have joined forces to take aim at the world of Xbox gaming with two exclusive new offerings for hours of adrenaline-filled excitement. Thrustmaster will launch its Beretta 92FS light gun for Xbox to coincide with Infogrames' European release of The House of the Dead III, the latest installment in Sega's blockbuster series and the first Xbox title to feature light gun support.

THQ Inc. today announced the release of PRIDE FC for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. Created exclusively for PlayStation 2 by Anchor of Japan, PRIDE FC is now available at major retail outlets nationwide... Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today that World Tour Soccer 2003 from the 989 Sports group is now available in stores, marking the latest release of the critically acclaimed videogame franchise, developed exclusively for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system.

Unleashing an exciting new action hero within the popular platform gaming genre, Acclaim today announced that it has shipped its eagerly anticipated title, VEXX, for the PS2, Xbox and GameCube. Developed by Acclaim's internal development studio in Austin, Texas, VEXX is an original game that allows players to assume the role of the title character as he embarks on a heroic, combat-laden quest to seek vengeance on those that enslaved his people.

AlienPants Ltd has been contracted by Nicely Crafted Entertainment, creators of the Massively Multiplayer Real Time Strategy Game Time of Defiance to provide Public Relations for the company and the game. AlienPants will bring their expertise in large online communities to assist Nicely Crafted in raising the profile of Time of Defiance in the UK and Europe, as well as managing the release of information regarding the monthly updates.

Thrustmaster is pleased to introduce its first cordless controller for PlayStation 2: FirestormT Wireless. With a design based on the Firestorm RF for PC, Thrustmaster's new radio frequency gamepad will be available from February 2003, providing gamers with a new level of enjoyment and unprecedented freedom of movement in games.

The team 17's official forum is updated with information about that Worms 3 for the PC is the only version to support online multiplaying (thanks GameSpy). Here is the clip:

At this stage in our schedule, for consoles, no, not unless the publisher really needs it. Simply because it will take at least 6 months extra work - 3 months to implement everything (including specific console interfaces/system link-ups etc) and then at least an additional 3 months testing the online play.

We certainly never planned for GC online since it wasn't on the radar (rumours aside), PS2 was coming too late and XB live wasn't running when we designed the game (and also committed to a publisher schedule).

The PC version was obviously always planned to be online, but just doesn't have the same issues as console (i.e. we know the interface, we don't have hardware submission procedures with).

And we thought our puns were grim. Still, this Cheshire company reckons it's cracked the old "games for girls" chestnut... A UK Computer Games Company "Nissimo" has created a computer game which is more popular with women than men. Fruitfall is a game so simple that anyone of any age or ability can grasp how to play, with enough of a challenge to keep even the most ardent gamer amused for hours. Sales figures to January 31st 2003 show that female purchasers outnumber males by 3 to 1.

To mark the success of Junglewar: Vietcong gaining over 14,000 signups since its launch in late Dec, PC videogame publishers, Gathering have created a new scenario to keep players entertained until the release of Vietcong on the 21st March 2003 (UK release).

Xicat is set to release ChopLifter: Crisis Shield (the name was changed from ChopLifter: Search and Rescue, due to a combination of license and trademark issues). Xicat adds the finishing touches to their exciting helo-rescue title set for release in March 2003 for PS2. ChopLifter allows players to select from six different helicopters as they charge through the skies, engaging in perilous missions rescuing the wounded and helpless from certain doom. Sweat will pour from their helmets as players save victims within the game’s 22 missions - which include a hotel fire, an erupting volcano, chasing an explosive-packed bus or a mountain-top plane crash. With ChopLifter: Crisis Shield, lives are on the line, including yours. Available throughout North America for PS2 in March of 2003.

Last week we revealed that Nokia was working on a new handheld console and today Activision, Inc. confirmed that the company plans to support Nokia's highly anticipated N-Gage platform. Activision also confirmed that it expects to work closely with Nokia on developing games that would support the platform at launch. Starting to sound exciting indeed!

Screen Daily reports that the Danish computer game Hitman looks to be the next hit game to get the Hollywood treatment. The game's international distributor EIDOS is currently negotiating with unnamed Hollywood studios - although it has an existing relationship with Paramount for the Tomb Raider franchise. The Danish developers at IO Interactive have so far produced two games based on the Hitman character, and both have been international hits... Hitman 3 is set for a spring 2004 release.

THQ Inc. today announced "Moto GP 2" for the Xbox video game system from Microsoft and PC. Scheduled for release in summer 2003, "Moto GP 2" is the only game that lets gamers talk trash online at 160 miles per hour.

THQ Inc. today shipped GT Advance 3: Pro Concept Racing for the Game Boy Advance. Handheld fans can get behind the wheel of the world's top cars, race multiple tracks spanning various weather climates and challenge the world's best drivers for the championship. GT Advance 3: Pro Concept Racing is available now at major retail outlets nationwide.