Matrix Games has released a new patch for Freedom Games's 3D WWII strategy title Squad Assault: West Front, as well as an updated demo with the latest code. This upgrade brings your retail game to v1.60 (available for US & UK editions) and includes more Windows 98/ME enhancements, LOS and targeting improvements and solutions for some map-specific issues. Also included for download are the new v1.60 demo, with all the v1.60 fixes, an extra map and a demo update for those with previous demos. Read more for detailed fix list and download links

Digital Jesters has released the first patch for Nadeo's sailing simulation game 'Virtual Skipper 3'. This update brings your retail game to v1.1 and adresses a tons of issues suchs as creating of profiles, ISAF rules, various network code optimizations, graphics & sound issues etc. Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

TKO Software, Inc. today announced an agreement for the exclusive rights for developing a PC and console game based on SAHARA -- Paramount Pictures and Crusader Entertainment's blockbuster movie. SAHARA is based on the international best-selling novel by Clive Cussler, and stars Matthew McConaughey, Penelope Cruz and Steve Zahn. TKO Software will invest $7 million in developing a 3D action adventure game to launch with the film in late 2004.

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. today announced that Champions of Norrath has shipped to North American retail stores. Champions of Norrath, available exclusively on the PS2, brings gamers into its immersive fantasy universe as they experience exciting hack-and-slash action. Champions of Norrath has more game features than any other game in the genre, including five playable character types, randomly generated dungeons and voice chat during online, four players co-op action. Champions of Norrath carries a suggested retail price of $49.99.

Resolution Interactive has acquired full rights from Daydream Software to computer games Clusterball and X-Team Racing, and the game concepts Scarcefreak and Billion Dollar Disc. The agreement includes code, design and community servers, as well as customer databases. One exception is South America, where Daydream keeps the Clusterball and X-Team Racing rights for 3 years in order to complete unfinished business. Daydream is also allowed to use existing Autobahn code in its future production.

The year is 1582 and Takeshi Kaneshiro as Samanosuke is the man who has just returned. The stage is set at the burning Honnoji Temple, as the famous Onimusha warrior Samanosuke Akechi fights. As he faces the demons in front of him, Samanosuke is compelled to move forward by hatred for his true enemy, the undying Nobunaga Oda, ever pursuing his crazed ambition. Samanosuke prepares for the long-awaited final battle against Nobunaga. Read more for a few new screens ...

The player must build a Wildlife Park from the ground up, continually tweaking it so that the little giggling visitors will happily spend their money. He starts out with only the park area, a ticket booth and a decent amount of money. From there the player has to buy some attractive animals, build their surroundings, add a few employees and then open the gates and let the visitors flow in. The game consists of several different terrains in different areas around the globe on which the player can start up his new Wildlife Park business.

NVIDIA Corporation today announced that it will be the main sponsor of the Electronic Sports World Cup (ESWC). NVIDIA also participated in the official press conference that took place in Paris last week. Read more for details ...

Thieves and brigands have driven you and your family from your farmland home. Desperately seeking safety within the walls of Baldur's Gate, your family is ambushed and your sister has been abducted... YOU... are all that stands in the way of one of the greatest threats ever to strike Baldur's Gate and the Sword Coast. From the streets of Baldur's Gate, to the windtorn peaks of the Sunset Mountains, your quest to rescue your sister escalates into staving off a war that will drown the Sword Coast in blood.

Simply Gaming PR is proud to announce eXtreme Demolition, The most over-the-top demolition game ever! Cars and levels are more varied than any other. High tech eXtreme level designs will have you ramping between skyscraper rooftops and dealing with artificial gravity that changes direction and makes driving up walls and on ceilings an option. Add to this a bevy of game modes, ranging from single player to online team modes, and you have a demolition experience like no other.

Take 2 UK has now also released a multiplayer demo for Illusion Softworks' third person tactical shooter Hidden & Dangerous 2. You lead a small squad of Allied soldiers deep behind enemy lines, to carry out secret missions during World War II. The demo features an Occupation map called Normandy3 as well as an Objectives map titled Czech, which are compativle with the retail version of the game (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for download links ...

Take an adventure as Pitfall Harry, the daring, risk-taking explorer who laughs in the face of danger. Featuring over 50 levels of fast-paced action and puzzle solving adventures, the game challenges players to swing, fight, climb and crawl through eight types of treacherous South American environments including lush jungles, dark tombs, ancient Aztec ruins and glacial mountains. Check out some new screens ...

Got Game Entertainment today announced that "A Quiet Weekend in Capri" has "gone gold". A first person adventure for the PC, "A Quiet Weekend in Capri" comes bundled with a bonus CD soundtrack, including extra tracks, and features non-linear gameplay, realistic puzzles, and unique graphics. Awarded an "E" for Everyone rating by the ESRB, the game will retail for $29.99 USD and should hit store shelves across North America in early March.

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. today announced that EverQuest: Gates of Discord, the newest expansion for the incredibly popular PC Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG), EverQuest, will be available at retail stores tomorrow and will contain both a magical "in-game" item and a unique in-box gift, the Taelosian Staff (while supplies last). The retail version of Gates will carry the suggested retail price of $29.99. Additionally, a digital version will be available on February 10, 2004, for secure download from www.everquest.com for $29.99.

Microsoft Game Studios today announced that the award-winning real-time strategy (RTS) game for Windows, Rise of Nations, is now available at local retailers for an estimated retail price of $29.95 (U.S.). Now is the perfect time for gamers to pick up a game at an unbeatable price that has won several major awards, including Game of the Year and Strategy Game of the Year. The price drop comes hot on the heels of the recent announcement that Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots is slated for a Spring '04 release, and will allow gamers who haven't yet picked up the original to practice and prepare for this expansion pack.

Take 2 UK has released a demo for Illusion softworks third person tactical shooter Hidden & Dangerous 2. You lead a small squad of Allied soldiers deep behind enemy lines, to carry out secret missions during World War II. The demo features a single mission, 'Operation Overlord: Blade Dancer', from the full game. The dedicated server files have also been released (thanks Blues). Read more for download links ...

Strategy First and Made by Kiddies are pleased to announce that their PC arcade shooter hit, Alien Blast – The Encounter is now available on retail shelves in North America. In this first-person arcade shoot'em-up, you must gather up all your courage to defend yourself and defeat the alien horde. Alien Blast is an exciting sci-fi action combat game for everyone.

Ubisoft today announced that it has signed an exclusive agreement with SOE to publish Gates of Discord, a new expansion for the incredibly popular PC Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG), EverQuest, in Europe. This expansion will offer exploration of a newly discovered continent; a new class (the Berserker) and Alternate Advancement Abilities that will offer new and unique skills to master. Gates of Discord will be available February 12th 2004 in Europe, only 72 hours after the American release. Read more for details and some new screens ...

Built from the ground up to deliver the bone-crushing action of championship boxing, EA SPORTS Fight Night 2004 is an all-new boxing game that features revolutionary new gameplay mechanics and a dramatic new-school attitude to immerse players like never before. Innovative new analog Total Punch Control allows gamers to throw punches, block, bob, and weave with unprecedented fluidity and precision. The game also includes a deep create-a-player option, career mode, and online play* for the PlayStation 2 console via EA SPORTS Nation.

While the Cubans revel in their newfound democracy, the Colombian drug cartel that financed the failed revolution has set its sites on a new target. Readying a retaliatory blow against its own American-allied government, the Columbian cartel rocks the capital with severe explosions, including one that severely damages the American embassy. Hearing the Colombian government's cry for support, the U.S. sends in the Ghosts to deliver deadly justice to the Colombian cartel and end their ever-accelerating agenda of terror.

The Sims Bustin' Out features an all-new neighborhood with over a dozen new unlockable locations and a cast of over 40 new zany characters to socialize with. Players will purchase a car or scooter in order to get out of the house and head to the Gym to work out with exercise fanatic Goldie Toane or to Club Rubb to rave with club owner Bing Bling. Players will be able to crash parties, create havoc, or just drive their neighbors crazy!

IGN broke word that, talking about how to create games and how to get a job in the industry, Gas Powered Games' Chris Taylor admitted during the Q&A session after his speech, that a TA sequel is in the works. A member of the student body asked if we would ever see a sequel to Cavedog's RTS Total Annihilation and after a slight pause, Taylor shared a little bit of information about the franchise. While Taylor said he couldn't give too many details to the crowd, he did confirm that Gas Powered Games was working on "an RTS follow-up to Total Annihilation." The game already had a publisher but chris Taylor said "a big one... one that doesn't also publish operating systems", hinting it would NOT be Microsoft, but possibly Atarti who holds the right to the old GT Interactive libary which includes Total Annihilation (thanks VE3D).

Bizzplanet dropped us a note that they have a transcript of the Word Of Warcraft fansite chat that was held a few days ago. The reason of the meeting was to talk about World of Warcraft. Each Fan Site submitted 3 questions by email, and some of them were chosen for the chat. Katricia and Lisa Bucek led the Q&A, followed by George Wang and Gil Shif with few interventions. Topics discussed were Quests, Tradeskills, PvE Combat, Warcraft Lore, The World, Dungeons, Instancing, Cities, User Interface, and Transportation. Head on over to blizzplanet to read the full chat transcript