Essential Reality, Inc. a developer and integrator of leading-edge sensory and real-time remote tracking devices, announced today that the P5 Software Development Kit (SDK) for PlayStation2 is now available for download on the Sony Computer Entertainment America developer website. The SDK, which is being offered exclusively to licensed members of the PlayStation2 game development community, is being released in an effort to support the development of P5-enabled gaming content.

Midway Games Inc. announced today that Freaky Flyers, the first-and-only, fast-and-furious, 3-D airplane cart racing-adventure game is scheduled to ship in July for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft and Nintendo GameCube.

GarageGames today announced its Game Developer's Conference (GDC) showcase of games. The company plans to premiere ThinkTanks a cartoon styled tank game from BraveTree Productions, preview a new release of Orbz with a single player mode from 21-6 Productions and display the highly acclaimed Marble Blast from GarageGames and Monster Studios.

Eidos Interactive, one of the world's leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, announces an exciting partnership with multi-platinum recording artists the Insane Clown Posse (ICP) and Psychopathic Records for the forthcoming video game Backyard Wrestling. The partnership allows Eidos usage of ICP songs for the in-game soundtrack and multiple marketing co-opportunities at ICP concerts and Juggalo Championship Wrestling (JCW) events in addition to events at retail. Gamers will be able to unlock exclusive ICP content on the game disc as well as play as ICP's lead-singers Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope in the game.

Set in Somalia in 1993, Delta Force – Black Hawk Down is based upon and around the Operation Restore Hope and Task Force Ranger campaigns and follows members of the elite Delta Force and US Army Rangers as they participate in a number of daring raids against the oppressive Somali warlords in and around Mogadishu. Read more for a batch of new screens ..

Jaleco Entertainment brings exciting new car action to North American audiences this fall with the tentatively titled Lowrider, exclusively on the PS2. Read more for details ...

Eidos Interactive today announced its exciting partnership with multi-platinum recording artists the Insane Clown Posse (ICP), Psychopathic Records and the Backyard Wrestling: Don't Try This At Home video games for the PS2 and Xbox. The games are scheduled for release this summer. Read more for details ...

Konami of America today announced that the celebrated videogame franchise Castlevania will debut on the Sony PS2 in Fall 2003. Castlevania for PS2 is being reinvented from the ground up by legendary game producer, Koji Igarashi at Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo, and the creative team behind the critically acclaimed Castlevania Symphony of the Night (PS1), the award-winning Castlevania Harmony of Dissonance (GBA) and the all-new adventure Castlevania Aria of Sorrow scheduled for release on May 6, 2003 (GBA). Set against the backdrop of a gothic Transylvania, Castlevania for PS2 will plunge players into a fantastic new vampire-hunting adventure. Maximizing the processing power of the console, the ominous drama of the franchise will be realized through exhilarating action, a rich story, breathtaking environments, dazzling next-generation graphics and a sweeping musical soundtrack.

Kemco and Vidis, two veterans of the games industry, agreed exclusive distribution for all Kemco-titles for the German market... Since 1984, Kemco has produced over 100 titles including the popular Top Gear racing games and Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle series for a wide variety of video game platforms. An original Nintendo licensee, Kemco works closely with DC Comics, Warner Bros. and Universal Studios on ongoing video game projects. Currently Kemco's development teams are creating games for Nintendo's next generation platforms, as well as Sony PlayStation 2 and Microsoft's Xbox.

Sony are once again accepting applications for the PlanetSide Public Beta Test. Those of you who have already submitted beta applications will not need to re-apply. PlanetSide is a Massively Multiplayer Online First-Person Shooter involving thousands of players fulfilling all the roles needed to wage war across the face of ten gigantic continents. The war will involve infantry, ground vehicles, and air battles in a science-fiction setting.

Planet Duke now got an updated version of the official Duke Nukem Forever FAQ. Pretty much everything known about DNF can be found in the official FAQ. If it's not there then it's probably not known. So we urge you all to check out the FAQ for all your questions. Today's update of the FAQ adds several new pieces of information including info about all the talk on shipping DNF out in DVD cases, Bombshell and whether or not she's still in the game, system requirements and more. Head on over to the official DNF FAQ now!

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.