Microsoft Corp. today announced that BioWare Corp., which specializes in creating computer and console video games, has signed a deal with Microsoft Game Studios to develop an exclusive first-party Xbox game to be published by Microsoft. BioWare is known for its extremely popular "Baldur's Gate " role-playing game (RPG) series, of which more than 4 million copies have been sold worldwide. Currently BioWare, in conjunction with LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC, is developing an RPG for the Xbox video game system titled "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic." BioWare recently released "Neverwinter Nights," which debuted at No. 1 in North America and remained there in its first two weeks at retail.

Activision are pleased to announce that Even Balance, Inc. is working on integrating PunkBuster into Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix by Activision and Raven Software. They will release more details as they become available. Any PB supporters who have specific knowledge of where to download hacks and cheats for multiplayer SOF2 should send information to research@evenbalance.com.

Tiscali Games today posted the first movie trailer (4,5 MB, DivX 4.12 format) from the upcoming sci-fi FPS Star Trek: Elite Force II from Ritual Entertainment and Activision, which contains 71 seconds gameplay footage and game features.

Today we scored another bunch of screens from UbiSoft's upcoming expansion pack for the multi-award winning WWII combat flight simulation title, IL-2 Sturmovik. IL2-Sturmovik: The Forgotten Battles will include two new maps for Finland and Hungary, expanding the battlefield for both single and multiplayer modes. It will also feature more than 20 new single player missions and ten cooperative multiplayer missions. Focus today is on the Ju-87 Stuka and I-153 with some technical info (for the history buffs out there) and screens ...

"Cate's eye shadow doubles as a non-lethal Taser, useful for temporarily rendering bad guys unconscious at close range. Its non-threatening appearance allows her to wield it in public places without arousing suspicion. However, the Taser must recharge between uses." Check out the fresh screens ...

Stan Winston Studio, home of four-time Academy Award-winning special effects legend Stan Winston, and Midway Games Inc. a leading software industry publisher and developer, have teamed in a development association for Midway's action-adventure videogame tentatively titled, AREA 51. In addition, Stan Winston Productions has secured the exclusive motion picture rights for the project. AREA 51 is currently in development and scheduled to ship in 2004 for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft and Nintendo GameCube.

Announced a few days ago but then delayed NovaLogic has now released the multiplayer beta of "Delta Force: Black Hawk Down". This beta/demo allows you to try out their upcoming tactical shooter set in Somalia. A mere 46.8 MB download it lets you try Team Deathmatch on one daytime map. The demo is only available for one week (from Friday Aug 2nd through Friday August 9th) and will expire automagically on Aug 16th, so grab it NOW!

We just received one screenshot of pit activity from Sony and their PS2 title, Formula One 2002. From Namco we got two new shots from Ape Escape 2. Read on!

Activision, Inc. announced today that the company has acquired the publishing and distribution rights to Gungrave for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system in Europe and Australia/New Zealand. A third person, all action game featuring anime-style cel-shaded graphics, Gungrave was developed by Red Entertainment™ of Japan, and is expected to ship winter 2002.

Ubi Soft and ubi.com unveiled the details of a first-ever limited edition Shadowbane pre-order box which will contain a code to unlock three restricted races in the final version of Shadowbane. Shadowbane is the highly-anticipated, fantasy-based massively multiplayer online (MMO) game scheduled for release this November.

We just received 4 new screens from Monolith/Sierra's upcoming first person shooter No One Lives Forever 2 : A Spy In H.A.R.M.'s Way. The first two are way cool shots from Ohio. Then we have two very nice shots where Cate is taking on z mimes! in . Check them out ...

The clock is ticking. Can Cate avert a nuclear holocaust and simultaneously keep herself out of H.A.R.M.'s way? The countdown begins with the debut of the teaser site for No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way (tomorrow, July 31st, at 9:00am PST and the first No One Lives Forever 2 trailer available for download. The sequel to the award winning The Operative: No One Lives Forever (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. Head on over to the official website, download the trailer (available in several formats/qualities) or check the screenshots.

Action in this first-person perspective game will be fast and furious as players encounter a relentless onslaught of enemies including Star Trek staples such as the Borg and the devious Romulans. Star Trek Elite Force II is being developed for Activision by Ritual Entertainment. Check out some kewl screens below! Check these 7 new screens!!!

Octagon Entertainment has linked up with developer DarkBlack to secure worldwide publishing for the team’s first-person horror thriller Asylum for console with multiplatform options.

Irrational Games has released a patch for their superheroe RPG, Freedom Force. Download the Freedom Force patch and enjoy new features, fixes and upgrades. v1.1 features skirmish play, allowing players to test their hero recipes in customized scenarios. Pit your skills against the game's advanced A.I, battling either random or pre-generated foes in three modes of play. The patch also features game balance tweaks and bug fixes.

Electronic Arts, the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company, today announced the landing of an elite squad of creative talent that will add an even deeper level of drama and immersion to upcoming games in the popular Medal of Honor franchise. Art Director Mark Lasoff, Lighting Supervisor Tom Allen and Technical Director Laurent Ancessi, will re-enforce the highly-decorated team at EA’s Los Angeles Studio (EALA).

We just received 4 new screens showing off the "Russian" and "Indian" maps in Monolith/Sierr'as upcoming first person shooter No One Lives Forever 2 : A Spy In H.A.R.M.'s Way. Check them out ...

NovaLogic Ltd. and Ubi Soft Entertainment today confirmed the success of the Delta Force 2 & Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Rogue Spear double pack that has been flying off UK retailers shelves since its March 2002 launch.

An illegal street racing game. As in, it's about illegal street racing. You're allowed to buy it and everything... JoWooD Productions Ltd is proud to announce the release of Beam Breakers, one of the most innovative and visually stunning games on the PC. Due for release on 27th September 2002, Beam Breakers takes players into a high flying world of illegal street races.

A day in the life of a playtester? Thats the scoop on RTS Central today. Chris "Swinger" sat down and shared his daily routine about to be a playtester. Here is a clip from the article:

Two of the most common questions I get online from people are "So you actually get paid to play games all day?" (Not exactly, we play a lot less actual games than people think). "Really? Well, ok then, so what IS it like to be a playtester?" So, to answer everyone's questions, Chris "Swinger" wrote up this article about a typical day at ES.

Action in this first-person perspective game will be fast and furious as players encounter a relentless onslaught of enemies including Star Trek staples such as the Borg and the devious Romulans. Star Trek Elite Force II is being developed for Activision by Ritual Entertainment. Check out some kewl screens below! Check these 7 new screens!!!

How about to check out two photos of a PS2 steering wheel, plus a press release in the newly endangered JPEG format?? If you care, I do, Do you? read more below!

Well we round of for this time (or do we?) with some candy for the cube. Check out the screens from following games: Knockout Kings 2003, Madden NFL 2003 and James Bond 007: NightFire..

Developers of the critically acclaimed TRIBES franchise announced today that they have formed Ozo Interactive, a new development studio located in Eugene, OR. The studio, which will focus on state-of-the-art multiplayer content for PC and next generation console platforms, was formed by eight veteran Dynamix developers, who played various roles in the creation of TRIBES.

BAM! Entertainment and Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. today announced an extensive marketing campaign backing the North American launch of Riding Spirits for the PlayStation 2. BAM! representatives will discuss details with retailers during this week's Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association (IEMA) summit. The million-dollar campaign will include television, print and online advertising, national in-store retailer promotions and public relations efforts. Riding Spirits for the PlayStation 2 is scheduled to ship in early September.