Smart Watches for MSN® Direct are now shipping for broad retail availability, as announced by Microsoft Corp. Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates during his keynote address at the 2004 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

The US Army has finally released the linux version of the latest patch for America's Army: Operations. This upgrade brings their team-based multiplayer game to v 2.0a and adds a various improvements and fixes as well as adding a totally new map 'Sandstorm". Read more for details and download links ...

Another day, another batch of game trailers were released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for :

• Blowout - Trailer
• NFL Street - Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Blizzard has released new update patches for Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos as well as The Frozen Throne. This upgrade brings your retail game to v1.14 and fixes some bugs and addresses various game balancing issues. Read more for download links ...

After an unfortunate production delay due to the recent Christmas holidays Stormcloud Creation's fantasy gladiatorial management simulation, Coliseum, has begun to ship worldwide... Coliseum retails for $24.95 and is available for the Windows OS from Shrapnel Games' online store, the Gamers Front. A text-based simulation engine powers the experience, which sees players taking on the role of managing a team of gladiators in a bloodthirsty fantasy world.

Take-Two Interactive's Gathering publishing division has shipped Conflict: Desert Storm II: Back to Baghdad for the GameCube. GameCube owners will be able to storm the sands of Iraq in this intense, squad-based shooter alone or with up to three other friends in four-player cooperative multi-player mode for the ultimate in team-based combat.

Climax Portables, an integral studio of the pioneering Climax Group, today confirmed the forging of a new relationship with industry giant ATI. And, thanks to the chip manufacturer’s awesome Imageon 3D accelerator and Climax’s exceptional programming skills, the two companies have broken new ground in mobile gaming.

Activision, Inc. announced today the release of the Medieval: Total War Battle Collection, an all-new compilation of the Creative Assembly's critically acclaimed Medieval: Total War and the expansion pack Medieval: Total War Viking Invasion. The title is currently available at retail outlets nationwide for a suggested retail price of $29.95 and is rated "T" (Teen - with Blood and Violence descriptors) by the ESRB.

Midway Games Inc. announced today new appointments to its North American marketing and sales teams. Leading these new appointments is Steve Allison, who was named chief marketing officer, a new position at the Company. Midway also announced the marketing appointments of Mona Hamilton, vice president of marketing; Greg Mucha, director of channel marketing; and Reilly Brennan, director of media relations. Additionally, further bolstering the leadership of its North American sales team, Midway named Brad Wildes director of sales and Paul Flynn as regional sales manager of its operating subsidiary.

Square Enix U.S.A., Inc. announced today milestones that were reached due to the successful holiday sales of Final Fantasy XI. The PlayOnline service has surpassed 500,000 registered users in North America and Japan combined, with the total online community population (number of active characters) of "Final Fantasy XI" at nearly one million characters.

THQ Inc. and SEGA of America today announced that "Sonic Battle" for the Game Boy Advance is now available at retail outlets across North America. Coinciding with SEGA's new "Sonic Heroes" console release, "Sonic Battle" will benefit from Sega's multi-million dollar "Sonic Heroes" marketing campaign.

James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing, as the world’s greatest secret agent returns in his fifth interactive adventure under the EA GAMES brand. First, you will think like Bond, using espionage, tactical skills, and gadgets from the Q-Lab to analyze your situation. Then you will act like Bond, using his stylish physical skills, clever subterfuge, and bold personality to once again save the world. Check these 40 new screens ...

Following on from the success of Perfect Ace last summer, International Golf Pro is Oxygen Interactive's second sports title, founded on the same firm principles of ease-of-play and accessibility. From the power of the drive to the precision of the putt, International Golf Pro puts you in control. Compete with a score of individual computer opponents, or go head-to-head with your friends across a selection of international courses that will push your skill and test your mental strength.

Based on the TV series airing on BBC Two, FightBox brings together computer gaming, Internet and TV technology to create a new entertainment format. Taking the best FightBox warriors, created by members of the public for the first televised tournament, plus the 'in-house' Sentient characters, the computer games offer players the unique opportunity to recreate the FightBox experience on home PC, PS2, or even GBA. BBC Multimedia is set to launch FightBox as a multi-format gaming title on February 6, 2004. Read more for details & screens ...

EverQuest II returns to the culturally diverse world of Norrath in the future of the original EverQuest, with the sheer size and graphical detail greater than ever seen before. Larger in scope than its predecessor, EverQuest II will allow players from every corner of the earth to explore familiar areas and new, undiscovered territories of Norrath. Read on to check out the latest screenshots!

Developed by The Fighter Collection, Lock On features today's most modern, technically advanced military aircraft in the most graphically rich, audio-intense game environment ever created for a combat flight simulation. Ubisoft has released the first patch for Lock On: Modern Air Combat and is designed to address many of the significant bugs identified with the initial release of the product. This patch is however not designed to fix all identified bugs. We plan to provide additional patch(es) that will address problems not fixed in this first patch. Read more for download links ...

With Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Ubi Soft and Jordan Mechner are channeling their combined talents to breathe new life into the action/adventure genre. They’re creating rich characters, white-knuckle action and a plot with more twists than the exotic, elaborate castle featured in the game,” said Serge Hascoët, Editor in Chief, Ubi Soft Entertainment. “We’re thrilled to move forward with the legendary Prince of Persia brand and eagerly await the launch of the next masterpiece from our world-famous Montreal studio.

Havok announces today it has signed license agreements with Vivendi Universal Games for "Tribes Vengeance" and with Atari's Shiny Entertainment for an undisclosed title enabling these AAA game developers to integrate Havok 2 real-time physics into their acclaimed titles. Both Shiny Entertainment and Vivendi Universal Games made the choice of the Havok 2 dynamics solution after lengthy technical review for functionality and after assessing its ease of implementation into their existing game engines. With these two titles, Havok now adds the 100th and 101st names to their list of successful games using its award winning physics.

NCAA March Madness 2004 storms the court with new schools, improved gameplay, and an incredibly deep Dynasty Mode. Dick Vitale, the voice of college hoops, takes you through the sport's strategy and drama all the way to the "Big Dance" like no one else can. The unique, fast-paced game comes to life with players applying pressure D, diving on loose balls, and throwing it down against rival schools.

The World of Warcraft forums have a new post regarding for the WoW beta end of January. "As many of you know, we are currently conducting an internal Alpha test for World of Warcraft. Our goal for this Alpha test is to provide the best possible experience for players when the Beta launches in early 2004. We would like to announce that sign-ups for the World of Warcraft Beta test will begin at the end of this month." To read more about it (as well as some statement about the alpha leak), head on over to the WorldOfwar forum.

Strategy First has released the first patch for The Disciples II RPG expansion pack Disciples II: Rise of the Elves. This update brings your retail game to v3.01 and addresses some AI issues, game continuity, units balancing and various other fixes (thanks Blues). Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

Hostile Intent is a Total Conversion for Half-life that rose from the ashes from The Sherman Project. Every original feature for The Sherman Project is still in, but the new team has thought of many new original ideas and concepts. The HI Team has released a new patch (available for Windows & Linux) addressing several issues such as telefragging, updated maps and a few other things. Read more for details & download links ...

Gamers who always wanted to play a Massively Multiplayer Online Game but were put off by the costs should take a look at BiosFear, Tiscali Games' forthcoming realease. No need to spend your hard-earned money on the software - the client is free. Also, monthly subscription fees will be cheaper than most other MMORPGs. Combine this with BiosFear's easy accessibility and you have the ideal game for online-gaming beginners. But veterans needn’t panic – there is more than enough hard fighting action to keep your blade sharp!

Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. today announced that total sales for the nine- week holiday period ended January 3, 2004 grew 24.4 percent to $544.4 million, up from $437.6 million for the same period a year ago. Comparable store sales increased by 2.5 percent for the nine-week period, outpacing the company's forecast. Read more for details ...