Pocketeers are delighted to announce that their company has recently signed a deal with New Jersey based Destination Software Inc. to produce Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed for the Nintendo Gameboy Advance platform. The game will utilise their renowned C2 engine technologies, to produce fully featured 3D environments and vehicles along with a realistic physics engine to give the gamer as thrilling racing experience as possible on GBA. The product will feature a much upgraded version of the Pocketeer 3D racing engine shown on their 3D racing engine pages

THQ today announced that it will publish Rainbow Studios' "Splashdown 2," the sequel to the critically acclaimed, top-selling "Splashdown." Inspired by the spectacle and excitement of theme parks and thrill rides, "Splashdown 2" will have players blasting through massive, imaginative locales with amazing sights and startling events around every corner. "Splashdown 2" is scheduled for release on the PlayStation 2 in summer 2003. Read more and check out the first screens ...

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. A new "making of" trailer is now available for download, featuring in game footage and comments from UbiSoft Canada producer Mathieu Ferland. Read more for links where to grab it...

Set during the last year of the war in Europe, June 1944 to May 1945, the Medal of Honor: Allied Assault Expansion Pack gives players a sense of the courage it took to parachute behind enemy lines during Operation Overlord, halt the German counter offensive during the Battle of the Bulge, and engage the Germans as they desperately try to defend their capital, Berlin. Check out the review, as short as the add-on itself!

"Spellforce – The Order of Dawn", the latest game by Volker Wertich, inventor of the successful "Settlers" series, is an exquisite combination of well-known RTS elements and the best features of roleplaying and tactical games. Check out these 4 breathtaking new screens ...

Although the Splinter Cell PC demo was embargoed until 6PM CET (12PM EST) it seems that the people at FilePlanet have jumped the gun and decided to beat the crowd. Either way, now that the cat is out of the bag, we decided there was no point in waiting any further and activated out links. This demo features Tbislisi 1, Tbilisi3 and Kalinatek missions from the full game. Read more for links where to grab the goods ...

SEGA of America, Inc. announced the release of "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" for the GameCube. As the most true-to-life hockey simulation, "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" successfully replicates the sport's details such as lifelike goalie maneuvers, strategic line changes, battling for the puck against the boards and extensive individual player and team attributes that result in ultra-realistic play. Produced by Visual Concepts Entertainment, a SEGA development studio, and developed by Treyarch LLC, "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" provides the features that hockey fans covet, from an in-depth Franchise Mode and full lineup of NHL and International teams to its authentic ESPN telecast-style presentation.

THQ and Nickelodeon today announced the release of "SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman" for the Nintendo GameCube. This underwater adventure is based on Nickelodeon's pop culture phenomenon, "SpongeBob SquarePants" -- the highest rated program on kids' TV -- drawing 61.5 million viewers per month, more than 21 million of them aged 18-49. "SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman" for GameCube is now available at retailers nationwide.

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. Developed by Ubi Soft's Montreal Studio in Canada, Splinter Cell, is a unique experience that will have the player thinly skate on the fine line that separates fact from fiction. A new gameplay trailer and a "making of" are now available for download, read more for links ...

SEGA Sports NBA 2K3 powers forward with the kind of improvement that only results from an off-season dedicated to perfection. Imagine jump shots so real players actually adjust their movement in mid-air based on distance from the hoop and defensive pressure, a passing touch that gives you the control to skirt a defender or start a fast break, and dribble moves that let you jab left, rock right, crossover, spin and much more. It's all here in NBA 2K3.

Once again the official forum for Splinter Cell over at Ubi.com has been updated with more info regarding the upcoming demo for Splinter Cell.. Here is the full clip:

• The demo will be around 90 MB.
  
• A complete level from the first mission of the game is included.
  
• You get access to numerous items including the optic cable, night/thermal vision goggles and disposable lock picks.
  
• Revolutionary graphics with dynamic lighting and environmental effects.
  
  The full retail version will be available for the PC on January 21st.

Just noticed on Shacknews that according to this post on the official Ubi Soft forums, we PC gamers will finally get the chance to play Splinter Cell next week. The PC demo will debut next Thursday, December 19. Thanks, Kurashu! Now THAT is something to be all excited about!!!

SpellForce is the latest creation of Phenomic Games , the team surrounding Volker Wertich, whose claim to fame includes designing and creating the world-famous 'Settlers' series... Today JoWooD launched the official website for Spellforce: The Order of Dawn. The site includes weekly news updates, screenshots and general game information, they will also be giving you a glimpse behind the scenes with making-of videos, concept art, sketches and other goodies. In addition, every month will feature a closer look at a new race – first in line are the Elves.

JoWooD Productions is proud to announce the first official details of the 50 defensive and destructive magic spells set to feature in Gothic II, the breathtaking role-playing action adventure game... Read more for all details of the game's 50 magic spells - just the ticket for making it through Friday 13th, and four screenshots of spells in action.

On Wednesday, the 4th of December techland finished working on FIM Speedway Grand Prix. After two weeks of testers' intensified work and final improvements of the game, it was sent to replication on Thursday, the 5th December at 11.15. Despite of the extreme tiredness and sacrifice of all the SGP Team, all people who worked on FIM SGP have been very satisfied with the achievement. The game will apear in Poland before Christmas. Distributors for other countries will be found soon and the game will be released worldwide in Q1 2003.

Infiltrate terrorists' positions, acquire critical intelligence by any means necessary, execute with extreme prejudice, and exit without a trace! You are Sam Fisher, a highly-trained secret operative of the NSA's secret arm: Third Echelon. The world balance is in your hands, as cyber terrorism and international tensions are about to explode into WWIII. We have heard and seen plenty, but now it is time for it to withstand the gruesome WP test ... or something like that. Read more for our final answer (and it's quite a lenghty read)!

Grand Theft Auto Vice City for PS2 format continues to break all records, receiving a staggering three awards in its first two weeks of release. Publishers Take 2 were awarded the ELSPA Silver, Gold and Platinum Awards for sales of more than 100K, 200K and 300k respectively.

"Spyro 2: Season of Flame" tells the story of Spyro's return to the Dragon Realms where he is surprised to discover that a mysterious enemy has stolen the Fireflies, the source of all dragon firepower, including Spyro's. Now it is up to everyone's favorite purple dragon to save the Fireflies before it is too late! Does the purple little monster score or get scorched? Read more and find out!

Fans who create game modifications (mods) based upon characters and elements in titles by LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC can now post their works on the Internet at LucasFiles. The new site, created by Lucas Fan Network (LFN), an independent collection of web sites dedicated to LucasArts and its games, is an exclusive and sanctioned online location offering a variety of mods inspired by LucasArts titles. The LucasFiles database also hosts unique fan produced content, levels, and an array of other media.

Simon & Schuster Interactive announced today additional details of its next installment in the Outlaw series of sports games that is being developed by New Jersey-based Hypnotix Inc. "Outlaw Volleyball: Spike or Die" (shipping: June 2003; Rated: "RP" by the ESRB) for Xbox, will feature 10 courts, 16 characters, and will be the first volleyball game on Xbox Live. Check out the asselicious screens ..

Got Game Entertainment today announced that the massively multiplayer "DarkSpace" has shipped and is in retail stores now. The action-packed massively multiplayer strategy game set in space, puts players in command of a massive starship.

Alawar Entertainment has released a few new things of interest to the gaming public today including an updated demo of Brickshooter, and a free level pack for its Gold Sprinter game. Gold Sprinter is a classic 2D platformer, while Brickshooter is a classic game similar to Breakout. You can find demos for both games, along with a bunch of other classic games, over at the Alawar site (thanks GamespyDaily). What can i say, its a slow news day ;)

Infogrames has just announced that its hugely successful V-Rally brand is speeding onto the Xbox in April 2003. Following on from the unprecedented success of the PlayStation 2 version, V-Rally 3 on Xbox will be the definitive version of this great racer and leave other rally games trailing in its dust.

In 2002, Spyro will make his much-anticipated debut on the Playstation 2 Computer Entertainment System. In this all-new adventure Spyro will face his toughest adventure yet. Step in and foil Ripto's evil plan to capture all of the dragonflies in the land and defeat the helpless dragons before it is too late!!

A few days ago the Managing Director of Techland signed an official contract under which the company was granted a license by Benfield Sport International, a sole owner of the Speedway Grand Prix competitions, for the production of a speedway game. Owing to that contract, for the first time in the history of the black sport, you will have a possibility to play an extremely realistic and original speedway game - FIM Speedway Grand Prix. You will become one of the real Grand Prix riders and participate in speedway competitions on the original stadiums of this year’s Grand Prix series. FIM SPEEDWAY GRAND PRIX is coming out soon. Now the officiall English site has gone live, loaded with screens, gameinfo and much more...