Whiptail showing off Gangland, multiplayer Postal 2, Postal Classic & Uncut, Blade and Sword and RC Cars... For its debut appearance at ECTS, game publisher Whiptail Interactive will be calling on the heavy mob for first looks at its new game Gangland, due to launch in November this year. Developed by Danish gaming experts MediaMobsters, Gangland combines the best elements of real-time strategy, role-play and simulation games to deliver a menacingly fresh PC gaming experience. Launched in time for Christmas, Gangland is set to be a massive hit...

NDL, a developer of 3D graphics technology for the computer and video game industry, announced today that it has issued a publishing license of its Gamebryo 3D graphics engine and toolkit to Vivendi Universal Games. The agreement, which covers all major game platforms, will allow Vivendi Universal Games' development teams to create unique and compelling interactive content for the PC and video game console systems.

The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, has sent a goodwill message to London Games Week and has praised the creativity of the games industry in general. His message comes in a week when nearly every major company has confirmed their participation in the event, set to take place in Earls Court in four weeks time.

The Mayor says in his message: "Trade shows and conferences like London Games Week have a major role to play in developing industry, creating an environment where deals can be done and new ideas are generated.

Crave Entertainment, a publisher of videogame entertainment, announced today that three new titles: Mojo!, eJay Clubworld and Butt Ugly Martians: Zoom or Doom! for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system have shipped to retailers.

GarageGames announced today it has signed an agreement to electronically publish titles from PomPom Games. The award winning UK developer is now going to have its games, Space Tripper and Mutant Storm added to the "Garage".

Expanding its diverse portfolio of licensed entertainment properties, Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. today announced that it has signed an exclusive agreement with Archangel Studios to develop video games based upon its award-winning, computer-generated comic series, The Red Star. Currently under development with Acclaim Studios Austin for the next-generation gaming systems, The Red Star takes place in a parallel fantasy universe, in which a mythic empire based on the Soviet Union sets the landscape for an epic battle of militarized sorcery and monolithic technology.

Last April, Senior U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh ruled that computer and video games had "no conveyance of ideas, expression or anything else that could possibly amount to free speech" in a St. Louis County case that sought to limit children's access to mature video games. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed, saying a "particularized message" is not required when it comes to the First Amendment. Read more for details ...

Buena Vista Games, Inc., the global interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Company, today announced its new line-up of exciting PC and video game titles designed to rivet players of all ages to their gaming devices at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). Leading the portfolio is the much-awaited TRON 2.0 for PC. The game's new high-speed multiplayer light cycle racing feature is debuting on the show floor at the company's booth, number 924, South Hall.

Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. is mulling a bid for the videogames business of Vivendi Universal SA, which the French media conglomerate has put up for sale to reduce its borrowings. Take-Two Interactive, based in New York, would make a bid for VU Games with financial partners, according to a person familiar with the situation.

The stereotype of video games as a children's-only pursuit is as outdated as a classic Pong console. Sure, teens still play them, but the first wave of gamers that grew up playing video games in the 1970s and 80s has now reached adulthood -- and many of these avid gamers have children of their own. As a result, millions of people today are playing, buying and even learning to create new games and other interactive entertainment products.

Entertainment software developer and publisher NovaLogic, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has signed a contract to add an additional 100 mbits/sec of bandwidth to the NovaWorld Games Network, increasing the quality of the service provided to users.

Strategy First Inc., worldwide publisher and developer of PC games, announced today that it is launching a new games division, Big City Games, which will publish top quality value priced software in the North American market.

Capcom today announced the release of Clock Tower 3 for the PS2. In this chilling mystery, an ordinary girl must unlock the mystery of her heritage and stop the evil powers that have enslaved her ancestors for generations. Clock Tower 3 promises to evoke fear with unnerving visuals and an equally intense storyline. Clock Tower 3 carries an “M” rating for mature audiences from the ESRB and is now available at retailers across North America... THQ and JAKKS Pacific today announced the release of their newest World Wrestling Entertainment licensed video game, WWE Crush Hour for the PS2 and GameCube. WWE Crush Hour takes the intensity, competitiveness and brute strength of the squared circle and drops it into the world of vehicular combat. The game is now available at retail outlets nationwide. SEGA officially announced today the release of "SEGA Sports World Series Baseball 2K3" for the PS2. "SEGA Sports World Series Baseball 2K3" launches with a host of gameplay and visual enhancements, including an ESPN telecast-style presentation, Hall of Fame legends, retro uniforms and ballparks, and new player moves and animations.

Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games) today announced that it has obtained the exclusive publishing rights for the world-renowned "Hunter: The Reckoning" franchise. Under terms of the agreement, VU Games has assumed worldwide publishing and distribution responsibilities to future game releases based on the multi-year content license from White Wolf Publishing Inc. The publishing rights were purchased from Interplay Entertainment Corp.

Vivendi Universal Games announced today that it has shipped "Enclave," for the personal computer to retailers nationwide. A third-person, 3D action game, "Enclave" is set in a fantasy environment where long ago a rift formed separating the lands of light from the plains of darkness by an impassable chasm. Over time, the Enclave of light grew strong and prosperous, while those confined to the war-ravaged plains of the outlands harbored nothing but hatred and jealousy. Now, after hundreds of years, the rift is closing and it is only a matter of time before a full-scale war erupts. At the start of the game, players must make an important decision and choose to take on the role of either an agent of light or of darkness.

Sony Computer Entertainment America announced today that MLB 2004 from the 989 Sports group is now available in stores, marking the first time this critically acclaimed PlayStation baseball franchise hits the PlayStation2 ... Live by honor, kill by stealth ... Activision is calling on gamers to take the ninja oath and step into the shadows in Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven, the only stealth-based ninja game for the PlayStation2. Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven is currently available at North American retail outlets... MVP! MVP! MVP! Electronic Arts today announced the release of MVP Baseball 2003 from EA SPORTS on the PlayStation2 and Xbox. A PC version will ship on March 25, 2003.

The world market for video games is growing at a faster rate than ever before, according to a new report by analysts Screen Digest on behalf of ELSPA, the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association. The popular games console systems, Sony PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube and Microsoft Xbox have sold 30 per cent more than the previous generation of gaming technology at the equivalent point in time.

3DO today announced that its baseball game High Heat Major League Baseball 2004 for PC is now available. "With a completely rebuilt graphics engine, 27 different pitches and new motion captured player animations, High Heat Major League Baseball 2004 is sure to impress even the most seasoned player". Microsoft announced that Freelancer is landing on US store shelves today. Developed by Digital Anvil and Microsoft Game Studios, Freelancer enables gamers to "experience the adrenaline rush of fast-action combat with the engrossing story of a dynamic living universe". Infogrames, Inc. announced today that its fishing game, Pro Bass Fishing 2003, is shipping today for Windows PCs. The game is "a challenging and highly accurate bass-fishing simulation complete with real bass-fishing locations, authentic bass behavior and changing weather and water conditions, and complete personal customization for the ultimate virtual fishing experience". Rayman, the only gaming hero with no arms, no legs, helicopter hair, and brand new powers, is headed for store shelves! Ubi Soft today announced that Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc for the GameCube and Rayman 3 for the GBA have both shipped for retail.

Vivendi Universal Games announced today a multi-platform title line-up for its Vivendi Universal Games Faire in Berlin, Germany, February 25, 2003. Providing a pre-E3 preview for the European markets, the event showcases a number of the Company's 2003-2004 releases from studios including Black Label Games, Sierra Entertainment and Universal Interactive. In the meantime it was also revealed that The Hobbit is not only scheduled for NGC, but also PS2/Xbox/PC and GBA.

Here is a news story on a growing gaming culture seen growing mostly in the bigger cities... As the editorial deadline draws nearer for the forthcoming edition of Twin Galaxies' Official Video Game & Pinball Book of World Records, more and more champions are surfacing to represent the many distinct genres of gaming. And, most interesting among the new genre are the dancing games... More about it below!

For 2003, Hasbro, Inc. delivers a host of new Milton Bradley, Parker Brothers and Tiger Electronics games that are fresh and contemporary for today's kids (both young and old), yet provide a familiar game play pattern that is comforting for all members of the family.

THQ Inc. today announced the release of PRIDE FC for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. Created exclusively for PlayStation 2 by Anchor of Japan, PRIDE FC is now available at major retail outlets nationwide... Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today that World Tour Soccer 2003 from the 989 Sports group is now available in stores, marking the latest release of the critically acclaimed videogame franchise, developed exclusively for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system.

The Observer reports that violent computer games are to be regulated by a film-style classification system that will warn parents about graphic sex or horrific images. The move comes after complaints about the content of games such as Hooligans: Storm over Europe, State of Emergency and Carmaggedon, which show graphic images of fighting, death and reckless driving. From April all computer games sold in the EU will carry the new classifications. Those with no violent content or sex will be rated 3+, indicating the age from which they can be played. There will also be classifications of 7+, 12+, 16+ and 18+.

Revolt Games, developer of the forthcoming space simulator Homeplanet has registered the name 3MapGames as a trademark. From now on the spacesim Homeplanet, the futuristic first person shooter Neuro and all other games from this team will also be released under the new name.

Entertainment industry powerhouses are lining up to support the highly anticipated “Video Games Live At The Hollywood Bowl” concert taking place in spring 2003. Mystical Stone Entertainment has bolstered its industry’s presence through partnerships with the entertainment agency Endeavor and public relations firm Bender/Helper Impact. Endeavor will spearhead several business and development initiatives for Mystical Stone Entertainment including broadcast rights, cross-promotional partnerships and other strategic alliances.