Add one more reason to buy an Xbox video game system today: a new, lower price. Effective immediately, Xbox video game system will retail for $179.99 in the United States and $249.99 in Canada. Right out of the box, Xbox enables the most advanced online and offline gaming experiences with its built-in hard drive and built-in Ethernet port. With an attractive new price, a tremendous lineup of games, and the rapidly growing Xbox Live online gaming community, Xbox represents the best choice for a wide range of consumers. In addition to this new price, Xbox is featuring an impressive line-up of new games for the coming year this week at E3, as well as enhancements to its online gaming service and innovative new entertainment products to expand the definition of video game entertainment.

Unsigned Independent Developer LogicalVice, an Orlando based Interactive Entertainment and Games Studio announced today its plans to release a multi-genre video game for the PC/X-BOX. The game, "BoomTown" is based on a loose interpretation of the American Wild West frontier, its players, and the mystique of witchcraft, and is scheduled for the 3rd quarter of 04. Boomtown will host single player campaigns and multiplayer online scenarios in a third person default, or first person perspective. Running on Epic Games' Unreal Warfare and the Karma Physics Math Engine it infuses a fresh look and an untapped genre with action packed scenarios and gaming modes like Last Man Standing, Dueling, Siege, or 25 Card Draw. It is six-shooters and sorcery. It is bullets and blood sacrifice. It is a game that will reshape the vivid landscape of pulse-pounding, white-knuckle action.

Players will saddle up as one of 25 frontier personalities. Choose from Bryce Blackburn, a steely gunslinger that makes "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" look more like "The Meek, The Lame, and The Puny" to Elspeth, the spiritual leader of a displaced witches' colony capable of hurling an arsenal of deadly spells. Bryce, Elspeth, and an assortment of other colorful characters will traverse stunningly detailed terrain, eerie settlements, and amazingly textured towns either on foot or more quickly by horseback, stagecoach, or train. In addition, over 30 different weapons will be at the player's disposal. Classic western favorites like the Colt 45 Peacemaker and Parker Shotgun will announce their presence with authority. Finding mystical alternatives like the Angelic Bone Sword and Mace of Devouring will unlock a whole new way of disposing of your enemy.

id Software and Activision, Inc. confirmed today that id Software's DOOM 3, the most anticipated game of the year, is headed to the Xbox video game system from Microsoft. Built on id's revolutionary new 3D graphics engine, DOOM 3 draws players into the most terrifying and riveting 3D gaming experience ever created. id Software and Activision will feature a new trailer of the PC version at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, beginning Wednesday, May 14, in Activision's booth #1224 in the South Hall.

Set in the near future, Shadow Ops: Red Mercury is a gritty, real-world first-person shooter (FPS) in which the player fills the combat boots of an elite Delta Force operative. When a female Russian double-agent discovers information on "Red Mercury" - a secret substance that can be used as a nuclear accelerant - the player is hand-picked by the National Security Agency (NSA) to pursue the Red Mercury before it is used to build backpack nuclear devices and sold to terrorist organizations. Check out the nifty screens ...

Activision is unleashing a one-man cybernetic wrecking crew with the announcement of TRINITY, a new first person action game for the PC and Xbox. Set in the year 2013, TRINITY transports players into a dark alternate future where a deadly plague threatens to destroy the city of New Orleans. As the mysterious "Nightstalker," a bio-technically enhanced one-man vigilante force, players will cut a swath of destruction through the Big Easy as they attempt to uncover the source of the deadly virus, and save the city from impending disaster. The PC version of the game is being created by Gray Matter Studios the development team behind Return to Castle Wolfenstein. The Xbox version is being developed by Vicarious Visions. TRINITY is expected to ship in 2004

Earlier today we had a quick press release with some of the highlights of the pre-e3 MicroSoft/Xbox press event held yesterday, now we have the first screens coming in from our reporter in the field. Later on we will have impressions/first look articles coming as well... For now enjoy the Halo2, Grabbed by the Ghoulies, Project Gotham Racing 2, Kameo: Elements of Power, Conker: Live and Uncut, True Fantasy Live Online, Xbox Music Mixer, Amped, BC, Links 2004, Crimson Skies, CounterStrike, Fable, Voodoo Vince, MidTown Madness3, TopSpin, Sudeki, NHL Rivals 2004 and NFL Fever 2004 ... Njoy!

Gotham Games announced today that it will release the thrilling driving shooter Starsky & Hutch, under license with Sony Pictures Consumer Products, for the PlayStation, Xbox, and PC in North America this fall.

Cries of “He’s on Fire” and “Boomshakalaka” will once again fill the hardwood arenas of the NBA, as Acclaim Sports today unveiled its latest installment of NBA JAM for the next-generation consoles. Developed by Acclaim Studios Austin, NBA JAM, the grand-daddy of all arcade-style basketball games, has sold more than 6 million units worldwide. This fall, NBA JAM returns with its trademark over-the-top, arcade-style 3-on-3 gameplay, “On Fire”, “Big Head” mode and hot spots, as well as all-new rim-rocking moves specifically designed for the next-generation gaming systems.

Eidos Interactive today announced it has entered a strategic partnership with Island Records, American Records and Roadrunner Records in the creation of the official in-game soundtrack for Backyard Wrestling: Don't Try This At Home. Read more to check out the list of features bands as well as new screens for the xbox/ps2 versions...

Today, Argonaut Games is delighted to announce Carve, the watercraft based racer for Xbox, featuring intense team-based AI, a mass of extreme tricks and full online racing via Microsoft's Xbox Live. Carve harnesses the sheer power of Xbox to create a race experience that mixes thrills and authenticity in equal measures. Each of the twenty-seven levels are visually resplendent with an authentic atmosphere, ensured by the dedicated team jetting off to Thailand, Iceland, Amsterdam and the Grand Canyon on research matters, before channelling their discoveries back into the game. Read more for details & the first screens ...

TOCA Race Driver delivers a racing experience packed with 42 real touring and sports cars, 13 championships and an incredible 38 internationally renowned race circuits. New to the Xbox edition is the introduction of a qualifying round to championship races; in Australia's championship players will experience the 'Shoot out' qualification system. Lets take a few laps and see if Pro Race Driver continious Codemasters' racing excellence ...

As many other companies, Midway will be present at the upcoming E3 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, May 14-16, 2003. Today we have another big batch of screens representing their entire E3 lineup. We got screens from the following titles:

• Roadkill
• The Suffering
• ESPionage
• Freaky Flyers
• FreeStyle Metal X
• Justice League: Dark Reflections (GBA)
• Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition (GBA)
• NBA Ballers
• NFL Blitz Pro
• NHL Hitz Pro
• Spy Hunter 2
• Static Shock (GBA)
• Super Duper Sumos (GBA)
• 
  
  Read more and check out the goodies!

I noticed over at gamesindustry.biz that hacker-engineer Andrew "Bunnie" Huang says he's already pre-sold between 400 and 500 copies of his self-published tell-all "Hacking the Xbox: an Introduction to Reverse Engineering," weeks before its scheduled May 27th publication date, despite -- or perhaps because of -- looming suspicions by some that the book skirts the edges of legality. "It' s about getting the book out there on principle, because I can't find a publisher willing to publish it," says Huang. "I think it's controversial, but not illegal." Read the complete article here!

'The Great Escape’ video game is based on the 1963 Oscar nominated film staring Steve McQueen and revolves around actual events during WW2. The game is set in a number of unique locations, from POW camps to a mountain-top castle. Game levels include a busy hospital, a chase through a moving train and escape from an active Luftwaffe airfield.

LucasArts unleashes the wrath of the gods in the highly anticipated original title Wrath Unleashed, a brutal action game where mythological creatures roar to life in a spectacular and deadly fantasy world. Players engage each other in mighty battles in a struggle to gain dominion over vast magical islands, awesome beasts and enchanted temples. Wrath Unleashed is being developed in collaboration with The Collective, and is expected to release in winter 2003 for the PS2 and the Xbox. Read more for details and screens ...

Bethesda today announced that it will release a Morrowind Game of the Year (GotY) edition for the Xbox that will include the original version of its award-winning RPG The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, along with content from the two Morrowind expansions: Tribunal and Bloodmoon. This new product will allow gamers to continue their existing games of Morrowind and experience the new quests and areas offered by the expansions, while players who have never played the Best RPG of 2002 can experience Morrowind on Xbox for the first time with all of the added content. Read more for details and screens ..

Namco announced today the company’s stellar line up of video games to be unveiled during the E3 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, May 14-16, 2003. At booth #946 in the South Hall, Namco will be showcasing the following new titles:

• Soul Calibur II
• R: Racing Evolution
• Spawn
• Breakdown
• kill.switch
• Time Crisis 3
• I-Ninja
• Tales of Symphonia
• Extreme Force: Grant City Anti-Crime
• 
  
  Of course the Worthplaying screen junkies that we are, we have screens for each and every title. Read more and check out the goodies!

Eidos Interactive today announced the development of Whiplash for the PS2 and Xbox . Whiplash features a shackled animal duo on a mission to sabotage an animal product-testing corporation. Providing an innovative approach to the character-based action genre, Whiplash combines a unique "chain" gameplay mechanic with in-depth enemy and environment interaction, rich combat and slapstick humor. The result is an engaging game where player choice triggers an unscripted chain of chaotic, humorous events. Read more for details ...

Not really a major secret anymore but today Eidos Interactive announced that the next instalment in the Thief series is currently in development for Xbox and PC. The game is being developed by Ion Storm, creators of the award-winning Deus Ex franchise, and is due for release winter 2003. Read more for some new screens ...

L.S.P. announced today that they have signed a licensing agreement with Universal Studios Consumer Products Group to develop interactive games inspired by Universal Home Entertainment Production's first season of The Mummy animated television series. The Mummy, the game, will release on Xbox, Playstation® 2 and PC CD-ROM in 2004. Read more for details ...

Extreme Force is an action adventure game with a heavy emphasis on strategy and tactics; Casting gamers into the role of an elite member of the Grant City Anti-Crime Squad, players will be inundated with a bevy of special weapons and items (like the night vision goggles, grenades, and door charges), while simultaneously implementing several stealth maneuvers not unlike the disarm techniques of Dead to Rights. Action fans needn't worry either though, as there are plenty of mindless run-and-gun combat missions to compete in as well. Expected in stores on PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube in Q4 2003. Read more for some of the first screens ...

Lead Sidd, Eva or the bot “C1” on a mission to free mankind from the V-Space network that controls the near-future. V-Space is dominated by DroneZ,reptiloids, insectoids and more cyber enemies who forbid people to disconnect. With the help of a hacker living in the “real world” you must move to and from network memory locations (platforms), avoiding lasers to stay alive. Defeat the computer enemy protections with rapid fire weapons. Down the DroneZ! Check out the sweet screens!

Earlier today EA unveiled their lineup for the upcoming E3 convention in LA and now we have fresh screens for most of those titles, and they keep coming in. So far we got screens for:

• Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (PS2/GBA)
• Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup (PS2)
• James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing (Xbox/GBA/NGC)
• Bionicle (PC/PS2)
• FIFA Football 2004 (PS2)
• Freedom: Soldiers of Liberty (PS2/PC/Xbox)
• Looney Tunes: Back In Action (PS2)
• Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 2004 (PC/PS2/Xbox)
• Madden NFL 2004 (GBA/NGC/Xbox/PS2)
• NBA LIVE 2004 (Xbox)
• NHL 2004
• NASCAR Thunder 2004 (Xbox/PS2)
• NCAA Football 2004 (NGC/Xbx/PS2)
• NCAA March Madness 2004
• SSX 3 (NGC/Xbx/PS2)
• SimCity4 Rush Hour
• Battlefield 1942: Secret Weapons of WWI
• Need For Speed Underground(PS2)

Noticed on VE3D that Microsoft has announced the pricing structure for Xbox Live that will come into effect during the third quarter of this year: Xbox Live one year renewal/subscription - $49.99, Xbox Live monthly rate - $5.99, Xbox Live Voice Communicator - $29.99, Xbox Live Starter Kit - $69.99 (contains demos, headset and one year subscription). In a brief interview with GameSpy, Xbox Live Group PR manager David Hufford suggested that Microsoft might include free trial subscriptions with certain titles that feature online play.