Austrian software developer and publisher JoWooD Productions Software AG today announced the conclusion of an exclusive agreement with Infogrames for the international marketing of their role-play game sensation "Gothic II". With the exception of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the agreement covers the worldwide publishing, marketing and distribution of the title.

Pocket PC Films, the worldwide leader in multimedia distribution for handheld devices (Pocket PC, Palm OS, PDA’s and portable media devices), today announced that their Portable Media Devices unit has formed a joint venture with Pocketainment, to market and distribute the Pocket Pix Cartridge™, a plug and play adaptor that enables full-length feature films, video, and MP3’s to be played on Nintendo’s Game Boy Advance, and Game Boy Advance SP.

UbiSoft has now released an updated US patch for their stealth third-person action game Splinter Cell, bringing your US ONLY edition to v1.2. This release implements essentially the same as the original v1.2 with the addition of a small diagnostic tool that was left out of the first one, as well as a variety of graphics enhancements and fixes, as well as gameplay tweaks and other bug fixes (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for details and download links ...

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. today announced that Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits, the continuation of the popular Arc the Lad series, will launch in June 2003 exclusively for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system. Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits, a true, traditional role-playing game (RPG), takes place thousands of years after the last installment in the series with an all-new captivating storyline, an innovative battle system and a variety of playable characters with unique abilities. Set in a visually stunning world of life-like graphics and using motion-captured cut scenes to enhance an intriguing storyline, Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits delivers an epic role-playing adventure perfect for fans of strategy, adventure and RPG games.

SYLVANIA Advanced Technologies, a division of Unical Enterprises, Inc, announced today an alliance with Go Direct International Ltd, a developer and manufacturer of consumer retail products. The first products to be shipped as a result of this agreement include a two-player RF WirelessPort, an innovative and timely product for PlayStation, PS one and PS2 consoles. In addition, scheduled for release in Q3 2003, Sylvania will launch the RadioWave RF wireless controller, bringing next generation wireless technology to the most successful game console, Sony PlayStation.

Both the Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance versions of Splinter Cell contain all of the most popular elements of Splinter Cell: compelling storyline and characters inspired by acclaimed novelist Tom Clancy, revolutionary lighting and graphical effects that create an astonishingly realistic, tension-filled experience guaranteed to blow Nintendo fans away. Protagonist Sam Fisher has what it takes to get the job done. Armed with the latest high-tech gadgets night and thermal vision, prototype weapons and surveillance gear, Sam executes stunning athletic moves such as the split jump, rappelling and zip lining. The wide variety of gadgets and moves available combined with the wide-open gameplay-never play it the same way twice-gives gamers an unparalleled freedom of action totally unique to Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell.

ChampMan 4's reign at the top has lasted just two weeks, as Ubi Soft's all-conquering Splinter Cell finally hit the all-important No.1 spot, some 19 weeks after its initial Xbox debut. Since its March 28 release on PS2, the stealth action classic has rocketed up the charts, and now the initial rush for CM4 has subsided, the game looks set to dominate the upper echelons of the listings for some time to come - especially with demand for the PC and Xbox versions still strong, and GBA and Cube versions due next month.

Splinter Cell will grant players access to the highest echelons of national security, where shadowy operatives have the freedom to do whatever it takes to safeguard America. In Splinter Cell, the player controls Sam Fisher, a field operative of a secretive "black-ops" NSA sub-agency called Third Echelon. Sam Fisher is geared up to infiltrate high-security strongholds, seize critical intelligence, destroy threatening data and neutralize the enemy - all without leaving a trace. Does the game leave without a trace as well? Or will it leave a mark in gaming history!?

UbiSoft has now released the US patch for their stealth third-person action game Splinter Cell, bringing your US ONLY edition to v1.2. This release implements a variety of graphics enhancements and fixes, as well as gameplay tweaks and other bug fixes. Read more for details and download links ...

Nintendo of Japan has announced that it will launch a new battery pack for the GBA SP in mid-May, which will apparently deliver 75 per cent more play time than the original pack. The new battery will go on sale on May 17, priced at 1980 Yen (just short of £10), and has a capacity of 1000mA - giving GBA SP owners 17.5 hours of backlit play time.

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