Activision, Inc. is looking for a few good console gamers with the announcement that the company's highly acclaimed first-person action game, Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix, will be migrating onto the Xbox(tm) video game system from Microsoft. The Xbox version of Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix will feature all of the over-the-top gritty action found in the PC version including visceral multiplayer combat, which will be available via Microsoft's Xbox Live. Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix for the Xbox video game system is being developed by Gratuitous Games and is currently rated "RP" Rating Pending by the ESRB.

Telewest Broadband has announced ahead of the start of Microsoft's X02 event in Seville, that it is an official broadband network partner for the European launch on 14th March 2003, a year after the launch of the console in Europe. Xbox owners will need a starter kit to get going, which will retail at around £39.99. It contains an Xbox Communicator kit, subscription to the Xbox Live network, and two free online titles. Consumer beta tests of Xbox Live are set to take place with 3,000 gamers in the UK, France and Germany from 30th October, with an open beta test scheme launching on November 30th.

Vivendi Universal Publishing (VU Publishing) and Crave Entertainment today announced the signing of a worldwide publishing agreement granting VU Publishing's Games division (VU Games) exclusive rights to the multi-platform release of Whirl Tour. Scheduled for launch in the fourth quarter 2002, Whirl Tour offers players a unique combination of action, extreme sports and adventure-based game play. The title will be available for the Nintendo GameCube and PlayStation2 computer entertainment system.

As announced and expected a few days ago, RavenSoft has just let us know that they have released the v1.02 update patch for "Soldiers Of Fortune II : Double Helix". Weiging in at a hefty 20mb it has a slew of fixes, updates, new maps and other additions. Read more for detailed fixlist and links where to get it!

Ubi Soft Entertainment announced today that it would be bringing the popular game Batman Vengeance to PC enthusiasts this fall. Now PC gamers can become the Dark Knight and follow a twisting, unpredictable plot through stylish environments based on the hit television animated series The New Batman Adventures. Not really much of a surprise since there was a demo available already a few weeks back, but now its official!

THQ and Volition have announced that a Nintendo Gamecube version of Summoner 2 is currently in development and will be available in early 2003. "Summoner 2" for Gamecube is being developed by Cranky Pants Games, THQ's newest game development studio located in Seattle, Washington. Summoner 2 is the sequel to one of the PlayStation 2's top-selling launch titles, Summoner. Developed by Volition, creators of Red Faction. Summoner 2 for PlayStation 2 is available now at retail stores nationwide.

THQ Inc. and SEGA Corporation today shipped SEGA SMASH PACK for the Game Boy Advance, the latest title in THQ's exclusive, 16 title Game Boy Advance co-publishing agreement with SEGA.

Monster Force GBA is a fast action game that re-introduces the best-known monsters in the history of movies to a new generation of video game players. Players can choose between younger versions of Frankenstein, Dracula and Wolfman, designed with Japanese anime flair. With more than 30 levels and 3 playable characters, Monster Force offers a well-rounded gameplay experience for anyone that picks it up. Read the verdict!

Electronic Arts today announced that Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2 is GOLD. The game will be available in stores October 1 for PS2, NGC and Xbox. The PC version will be available October 21st. Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2 stays true to the heritage of housing a stable of over 20 exclusive and exotic cars from the world's most coveted licensors including Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini.

Sierra Entertainment, Inc., a studio of the Games division of Vivendi Universal Publishing, and Fox Interactive(tm) announced today No One Lives Foreverä 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Wayä has indeed gone gold. The sequel to the award winning The Operative: No One Lives Foreverä continues the adventures of super spy Cate Archer, pitting her once more against H.A.R.M. and the ever-present threat of global catastrophe.

Back in the driving seat, Acclaim Entertainment today announced it will release Dakar 2, the all-action arcade version of the most radical endurance rally in the world, across all console platforms in February 2003. The game sees a radical departure from the original, offering a wealth of options and gameplay advancements which will leave off-road race fans gripped and on the edge of their seat as they battle for the finish line. "Dakar 2 Builds On Success Of Paris-Dakar Rally By Delivering Exciting New Features, Adventure And Full-On Arcade Action"

NVIDIA Corporation, the worldwide leader in visual processing solutions, today announced that it is working closely with Square Co., Ltd., (‘Square’), Japan's leading third-party developer and publisher of home video game console software, on the development of Final Fantasy XI for the Microsoft Windows platform. Square has selected NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti graphics processing units (GPUs) for the development and deployment of the next instalment in the Final Fantasy series, one of the best-selling game franchises of all time. The first PC game developed by Square and the first massively multiplayer online game in the Final Fantasy series, Final Fantasy XI delivers crisp 3D graphics and unique visual effects, made possible only by NVIDIA GPUs.

Along with hosting the official No One Lives Forever 2 Demo, Nvidia has a sweet little interview posted with Monolith's Craig Hubbard (Lead Game Designer) and Chris Miller (Fox Producer). There are some nice screens included as well. Go check it out.

As the commander of the emergency services, you must control your team of rescue staff and vehicles, including police, K-9 unit, fire and ambulance services. Infiltrate traffic pile-ups, contain nuclear power plant meltdowns, rush victims to safety and even extinguish raging forest fires amongst other life threatening situations. Let police psychologists negotiate with extortionists and let sharpshooters do their job... Sounds exciting? Read more for some facts & screens .. Njoy!

Singularity Software, a division of Brightstar Entertainment Ltd, today announced the release of its European summer hit, Team Factor, in the US. Going under the title U.S. Special Forces: Team Factor, it will be published through Xicat Interactive, a Ft. Lauderdale-based video game publisher. This first person shooter, available September 24, takes you to the very limits of military endurance and drops you head first into the world of covert military operations.

Today we received some new information concerning an upcoming patch for Raven Software's hit selling FPS "Soldier Of Fortune II: Double Helix". The 1.02 patch will address several fixes/bugs, including a few new "additions". Read more for a full detailed list.

Ubi Soft Entertainment today announced features of IL-2 Sturmovik: Forgotten Battles, its forthcoming expansion pack for use with the multi-award winning IL-2 Sturmovik World War II combat flight simulation. The expansion pack will add 30 new missions, 27 additional flyable aircraft and a new dynamic campaign system offering almost limitless replayability. IL-2 Sturmovik: Forgotten Battles is expected to ship to North American retail shelves this winter, with an MSRP of $19.99.

As expected the demo version of No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way has been released and can be found on FilePlanet (registration required) and also at Gigex. The demo is a 158 MB download, and according to plan, offers "four levels total from three of the game's 15 chapters. The locations will include Japan, Siberia and the never before seen, Underwater Base." (thanks Blues). Some new screens can also be found at NOLFGIRL.com.

MSI Computer Corp. and the Death Enforcement Agency announce the formation of the MSI Black Dragons Professional UT2003 ladder team.

Co-publishers, Groove Games and Hip Interactive, announced that the PC title Incoming Forces has gone Gold. The game, developed by Rage, is the sequel to the hugely successful, multi-million unit selling title, Incoming. Bundled with the original game, Incoming Forces will ship to North American retailers on September 23 for a value price of $19.99 (U.S.).

The UNITY Operatives have uncovered several internal confidential memorandums and phone taps revealing that Sierra and Fox Interactive are planning to release the highly anticipated No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way Demo sometime in the next week! All UNITY Operatives in training have had the chance to face off with the H.A.R.M. Ninjas while overcoming a treacherous tornado on the recent mission to Ohio. All UNITY Operatives in training will have to get ready for the three new levels and be prepared to face even more dangerous H.A.R.M. foes. UNITY Headquarters are expected to receive additional details and will transmit to all UNITY operatives in training. Be on the lookout for more details on how to get your hands on these confidential levels!

NovaLogic releases the Delta Force: Black Hawk Down Official Multiplayer Demo, the demo features one multiplayer level and includes day and night settings. The demo is playable over the NovaWorld Games Network and via LAN. The 60 MB file is available on this NovaLogic Downloads Page which has a list of mirrors. Or grab it directly off 3DGamers.

UPDATE NovaLogic sends word that there is an updated version of the Delta Force Black Hawk Down Demo available that removes the NetQuartz ezpad technology that's been causing problems. Update 11 can be apply by clicking the "update game" button. Word is "once this update has installed, consumers will then be able to uninstall the ezpad technology and play with the demo as normal. To fully uninstall ezpad, right click on the ezpad icon on the task bar, and select quit, then uninstall the software via the ADD/REMOVE Programs option in the control panel."

CDV Software Entertainment UK is today cracking open the vodka to celebrate the publication of this week's Charttrack sales figures, which show that Cossacks, its classic real-time strategy game, has just sold its 100,000th unit in the UK and therefore qualifies for a coveted Silver Award from the European Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA).

Shrapnel Games is now offering a playable demo of the new tactical war game from the creatures of Brigade Combat Team, Armored Task Force. The game represents a whole new approach to wargaming as they "have modeled the entire battlefield, practically down to the bolts on the road wheels!". The full game is expected to go gold on September 27, and they are accepting pre-orders for that now. Read more for features and links where to grab the demo...

The official Red Faction 2 web site now has a sign-up page where people can fill in to receive a free Playstation 2 demo disk containing a partial build of Volition and THQ's upcoming "destroy everything" first person shooter sequel. Only the first 20,000 people who sign up will receive demo disks and only accept US and Canadian entries.