UbiSoft has released a new patch for their stealth third-person action game Splinter Cell, bringing your European ONLY edition to v1.2. This release implements a variety of graphics enhancements and fixes, as well as gameplay tweaks and other bug fixes. The US patch is expected soon (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for details and download links ...

Mindscape is pleased to announce the May 30th 2003 release of Kasparov Chessmate and Hard Rock Casino, under license from Hexacto Games. Both of these premium PC titles have robust online multiplayer and mulitplatform capabilities combined with exceptional depth of gameplay and eye-popping graphics. Kasparov Chessmate and Hard Rock Casino are bundled with bonus Pocket PC and Palm versions that enable players to save games and transfer play effortlessly between formats.

'Sphinx And The Shadow Of Set' (previously known just as "Sphinx") is an enchanting adventure filled with mystery, action and a deep, compelling storyline. The game is set in an entirely original universe that is styled upon ancient Egypt where players will embark on an epic quest exploring new worlds, uncovering dark secrets, interacting with hundreds of fantastic creatures and discovering new abilities. Traveling the world via magic portals to foil the evil plans of Set, players will guide Sphinx on a journey requiring all his wits, agility and special powers in an attempt to find the stolen mystical crowns of Egypt. Read more for some new screens & character art...

Ubi Soft today announced that Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell has shipped for the PS2 and GameCube. Wildly considered to be the hottest title for the Xbox, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell is infiltrating the PS2 and GameCube with so much tension-filled stealth action it leaves players gasping for more. When Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell ships for the GBA later this month, Nintendo fans will be treated to a slew of new features including exclusive levels and gadgets, accessed by connecting the GBA and GameCube.

Today Hercules send us some details of their new upcoming speakers, the XPS 2.100 and it suffices to say they look awesome. The speakers are made with neodymium, a new material with a higher magnetic value than ferriet used in most traditional speakers (for the tech savvy people neodymium has 12.000 Gaus vs. 4,200 Gaus in ferriet magnets). This allowed Hercules to make a small neodymium speaker that has as much power as big ferriet speakers. Apart from that you can also attach them to the walls. Read more for some screens and details ...

Mad Catz Interactive today announced the anticipated release of SharkByte featuring the official cheat codes for the critically acclaimed spy thriller, Splinter Cell, a Ubi Soft Entertainment game for the PlayStation2. The first SharkByte release from Mad Catz, since acquiring GameShark earlier in the year, will launch the week commencing April 7, 2003 and will retail for $9.99 US

ESPionage challenges players to use their most powerful weapon -- their mind -- as they try to master the first action/stealth game to integrate traditional weapons combat with extensive Psi (psychic) mind powers. Combatting a terrorist movement set to overthrow world order, Nick Geller, an elite American Psi-Operative, fights using telekinesis (lifting and throwing objects), pyrokinesis (controlling fire), remote viewing (going "out-of-body" to plan attacks), mind drain (draining Psi energy from enemies), aura view ("seeing" elements that aren't visible in the real world) and mind control (taking control of enemies) to fight against an army of programmed, psychic terrorist super soldiers that will stop at nothing to reach their goal.

Midway Games Inc announced today that SpyHunter 2, the high-speed, mission-based, action/combat racing game is scheduled to ship in fall 2003 for the PlayStation2, the Xbox and GameCube.

Nintendo is celebrating the anniversary of the European launch of the NINTENDO GAMECUBE with the release of a very special Limited Edition Pak on May 3rd 2003. The celebratory pak will feature an exclusive platinum NINTENDO GAMECUBE and controller coupled with one of the most anticipated video games in history, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, also launched on this date. The Limited Edition Pak also contains a bonus disc featuring the original NINTENDO 64 title, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and The Legend of Zelda: The Master Quest, updated exclusively for NINTENDO GAMECUBE.

You are Sam Fisher. A lone shadow-operative in a world where lost seconds can allow terrorist plans to become deadly reality. You operate in the heart of hostile territory. Spy. Steal. Destroy. Assassinate. Just don't ever be seen. Because when the stakes are this high, the choice between leaving a witness or a corpse is no choice at all. When two CIA agents mysteriously vanish in the former Soviet republic of Georgia, the NSA's secret sub agency, Third Echelon, deploys Sam Fisher-its most capable splinter cell operative-to recover them. Fisher soon uncovers a deeper conspiracy: a plot that threatens to destabilize the world order and spark nuclear conflict.

London's West End is currently playing host to an extraordinary exhibition celebrating the humble pocket in all its forms. High profile guests were invited to the exclusive private viewing of the exhibition and to attend the launch party on the evening of March 27th. Attendees included Ralf Little, artist Dan MacMillan models Sienna Guillory and Catalina and the infamous Cheekie Chappie from Channel 4's Banzai.

Midway Games announced today that 'ESPionage' is in development and is expected to ship in Fall 2003 for the PlayStation2, the Xbox and Nintendo GameCube. "ESPionage is the First and Only Action/Stealth Game to Integrate Weapons Combat with Extensive Use of Psychic Mind Powers Including Telekinesis, Pyrokinesis, Remote Viewing and Mind Control"

Ubi Soft Entertainment is proud to announce strong sales for Rayman3: Hoodlum Havoc. The title ranks number one for Game Boy Advance sales in France, Germany and the United Kingdom* and number two for NINTENDO GAMECUBE sales in France and Germany*. Meanwhile, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell is number one on PC in France and number two in the United Kingdom, Germany and Spain*. Named Console Game of the Year by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, Splinter Cell has performed extremely well since its initial console release. The PlayStation2 version of the game is available in the UK today, March 28th and is greatly anticipated.

Noticed on HomeLan that the development of Akella's "Sea Dogs II" has been suspended and that title will not be released this year. We want everyone who had been looking forward to Sea Dogs II to be aware that Pirates of the Caribbean offers outstanding role-playing gameplay in a similar setting. Since Bethesda just announced their new 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and judging that Akella is also the developer on that product, it would be safe to say that the game just got "renamed" (thanks Bluesnews).

You are Sam Fisher. A lone shadow-operative in a world where lost seconds can allow terrorist plans to become deadly reality. You operate in the heart of hostile territory. Spy. Steal. Destroy. Assassinate. Just don't ever be seen. Because when the stakes are this high, the choice between leaving a witness or a corpse is no choice at all. When two CIA agents mysteriously vanish in the former Soviet republic of Georgia, the NSA’s secret sub agency, Third Echelon, deploys Sam Fisher–its most capable splinter cell operative–to recover them. Fisher soon uncovers a deeper conspiracy: a plot that threatens to destabilize the world order and spark nuclear conflict. Release date changes as well as a batch of new screens

The official site for Spellforce: Order of the Dawn is updated with new screens and wallpapers. On their screenshot section you can watch the player avatar fight a horde of trouble seeking Goblins and on their new wallpaper you can watch a Demon in action, casting a massive fire spell. Additionally they offer you a new making-of shot. On it you can see a meshed Orc fighter and the same model finally texturized. Spellforce: Order of the Dawn is a upcoming fantasy strategy game from JowooD.

"Operation Iraqi Freedom" brings on surge of interest in military titles.. CNN reports that PC and video games may generally serve as nice breaks from reality, but the U.S. war on Iraq has sparked gamer interest in current events. Military-themed games, which were already experiencing a sales surge well before the war, are becoming even more popular. Titles such as "Medal of Honor: Allied Assault" (letting gamers recreate the storming of Normandy) and "Battlefield 1942" (a fictional version of World War II, letting players choose any of five nationalities) have been fixtures in the Top 10 selling games list for months now, but with last week's military action by the U.S., retailers say consumer demand has increased. Full article here!

Top Spin is the complete tennis experience, that allows gamers to define their own playing style, take risks, pull off world-class tennis shots, argue calls and work the crowd to develop their own unique image on the court. In addition, gamers can train with a coach to master different shots and playing surfaces and work their way up the online rankings to become the best in the world. "Top Spin" offers gamers singles or doubles matches with 16 of the world's top pros including cover athlete and the world's #1, Lleyton Hewitt.

Mad Catz Inc., the world's leading third party manufacturer and marketer of video game accessories, today unveiled their extensive range of accessories for the Game Boy Advance SP, Nintendo's latest handheld console. All accessories, comprised of ten innovative products, will be available in Europe at the end of March. Mad Catz has timed the introduction of these accessories, retailing from £3.99 - £19.99, to coincide with the launch of the Nintendo GBA SP.

Live for Speed, developed by Scawen Roberts, Eric Bailey and Victor van Vlaardingen, is a realistic racing simulator for the PC platform. Now they have released a test demo that is available for download at liveforspeed.net. Since it's release in august 2002, Live for Speed has proved to be doing what they have focussed on: Bringing realistic, intense and fun driving on the pc for everyone. For more info, screens and download links, Click Here!

Galactic Civilizations is a turn-based single player game, however players who play on Stardock.net will be able to play as part of a “metaverse” where victories, defeats and campaigns can be recorded. We already had a featured story on the Stardock Central which is a program that consolidates software updates, message boards, chat, documentation updates, and more into a single easy-to-use program. Now Strategy First/Starddock announced that they will release a Galactic Civilizations Bonus Pack, a free set of game enhancements, in conjunction with the games release. The bonus pack will offer some extra features that players will appreciate including additional game session options, enhanced civilization customization interface, the ability to use your own MP3s in the game, two additional ships, and more galactic resolutions.

Sphinx is an enchanting adventure filled with mystery, action and a deep, compelling storyline. The game is set in an entirely original universe that is styled upon ancient Egypt where players will embark on an epic quest exploring new worlds, uncovering dark secrets, interacting with hundreds of fantastic creatures and discovering new abilities. Travelling the world via magic portals to foil the evil plans of Set, players will guide Sphinx on a journey requiring all his wits, agility and special powers in an attempt to find the stolen mystical crowns of Egypt.

Re-discover Popeye in this tense 2D-race game. Change vehicles, characters and race modes throughout crazy tracks. Exclusive : in the multi-player mode, you can mess with the controls of your friend's GBA ! Read more to check out a batch of screens ...

The Adventure Company announced today it has shipped The Omega Stone: Riddle of the Sphinx II for the PC. The second in the Riddle of the Sphinx series, this title takes gamers on an incredible adventure. The Omega Stone sends intrepid explorers on a quest to prevent a terrible disaster prophesized by the ancients. Beautiful rendered scenery from Stonehenge, Easter Island, and the Lost City of Atlantis sets the tone for this evocative mystery.

Spirits & Spells, DreamCatcher's first title on the Gamecube, is platformer that blends action, puzzle solving and interesting characters. Players take on the role of Alicia, a little girl disguised as a witch, or Greg, a young boy disguised as a devil as they explore a haunted house, a cemetery, an eerie forest and abandoned laboratory. By gathering "sparks" players gain the ability to switch between the two characters and discover both of their special talents. Expected this fall in the US. Read more for the first screens ...