The president of the Japanese software game maker, Satoru Iwata, said Friday that game consoles equipped with super-large chips and ever more functions may not be the answer for the future of the struggling games industry. Instead, easy-to-play games requiring no prior knowledge may be a better way to attract potential users, Iwata said, referring to Nintendo's surprise hit series of Pokemon software including "Pokemon Ruby" and "Pokemon Sapphire."

Electronic Arts today announced an exclusive relationship with NASCAR for worldwide rights to develop, publish and distribute NASCAR-branded interactive racing games through 2009. Terms of the deals were not disclosed. This agreement allows EA to create interactive games on a number of gaming platforms, including consoles and PCs, using NASCAR properties. EA's NASCAR Thunder 2004 video game features over 65 drivers including Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Jeff Gordon, as well as 23 official tracks and 175 cars of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series.

War Times takes real time strategy to a new level as you follow the tumultuous era of the 2nd World War through Germany, Great Britain, the USA and the USSR. You can play up each nation’s unique strategies in their attack and defense as you trudge through Europe’s war zones. All campaigns are based on historical events – bringing an unparalleled realism to the fight! What does this soon to be released real time strategy game set in World War II have to offer the genre? We received a fairly advanced beta of the game to see for ourselves.

The owner of the factory, Anna Voralberg, has just died. The heir to the factory, Anna's brother, Hans, who is a genius inventor, has been missing for decades, lost somewhere between the Alps and Syberia. Kate must find this enigmatic man to finalize the deal, but in her journey from the West to the East, she will progressively discover and understand the reasons which have made Hans leave his family and never return.

Vivendi Universal's video game arm has sued one-time partner Interplay Entertainment Corp., alleging Interplay breached a distribution deal between the two. The suit, filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, accused Interplay, which is controlled by French publisher Titus Interactive, of trying to get out of a product distribution deal by making claims of unpaid payments under the pact (thanks Gamers.nl).

Armed with her camera, aikido staff, and resolute investigative skills, Jade sets out to expose the truth and to liberate the minds of her deceived people. Pushed to the very edge of her physical and spiritual will, she soon discovers that even these limits are not what they seem … Her quest for the truth knows no bounds. Check these spiffy new screens ...

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 the new Xbox screens ...

Secret Service II Security Breach is an upcoming title from Activision Value's. The game is being developed by 4D Rulers using the latest version of the AMP II. In Secret Service II Security Breach you play the role of a secret service agent starting out by investigating a counterfeit ring, but the game quickly changes to a game about protection. In nearly every level, you will need to escort and protect someone through a hostile environment. Eventually, your duty will be to protect the president of the United States. Read more for some screens ...

Havana, 2009. Castro is dead, and Cuba is under threat of a drug lord's power. The Ghosts, an elite faction of the U.S. Army Green Berets, are deployed. Take command of an elite squad of military personnel equipped as you battle against opponents in Cuba's lush jungles, tropical islands, and deadly, decaying urban streets. Grab a friend to form a two-player team and get to your local iGames center to battle against competitors from across North America in the Ubisoft-sponsored Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Island Thunder tournaments on Xbox LIVE!

Conflict: Desert Storm II focuses on the events of the 1991 Gulf War, and follows the activities of Bradley, Foley, Connors and Jones 300 km further behind enemy lines; taking the level of gameplay and realism to new heights, with a story-led campaign across a variety of missions, beginning with an urgent call to rescue a downed UH-60 Black Hawk's crew in a heavily fortified city, and ending with the allied endeavours to liberate Kuwait City. Read more for some screens ...

Pack your gear, head to the Pacific, and fight Japanese imperialism in Medal of Honor Rising Sun. In this installment of the top-selling Medal of Honor series, Marine Corporal Joseph Griffin must endure some of the fiercest battles fought during WWII; crucial assignments ranging from surviving the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor, destroying the Bridge over the River Kwai, a midnight raid on Guadalcanal, and triumphing in the final showdown with Colonel Shima. Check these new screens ...

Encore today announced that Grooverider: Slot Car Thunder for the Xbox and Nintendo GameCube has begun shipping to retailers. This completely new game brings the nostalgia and excitement of slot car racing to consoles for the first time. Designed for ages eight to adult, it retails for approximately $20 and carries an "Everyone" rating.

BioWare is currently developing Jade Empire exclusively for Xbox and wile not many details are available, today we are getting the first screens. BioWare, whose publishing relationship with Microsoft was announced one year ago at the Microsoft press event X02 in New York, has most recently been recognized for the smash hit Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. More information about Jade Empire will be revealed in Japan at the Tokyo Game Show, starting tomorrow, in the meantime check these 30 screens ...

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 :

• Rome: Total War - (3) Trailer
• Daredevil (PS2) - Trailer
• Ghost Recon: Jungle Storm (PS2) - Trailer
• R-Racing Evolution (PS2/Xbox) - Trailer
• Crash Nitro Kart (Xbox) - Trailer
• Pax Romana - Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Microsoft today announced that Voodoo Vince is shipping to retailers throughout North America for an estimated retail price of $39.99 (U.S.). Voodoo Vince is an innovative new Xbox title where the only way Vince can hope to prevail is by getting his butt kicked.

Lock On: Modern Air Combat lets players fly a variety of combat aircraft in the most graphically rich, audio-intense game environment ever created for a combat flight simulation. Filled with action-packed missions, realistic flight modeling and flexible game options, Lock On provides unlimited gameplay action to both novice and veteran flight simulation fans. Read more to check out the new movie and screens!

Players return to the world of Aranna and start an all-new adventure in the Dungeon Siege expansion pack, an addition to the popular Dungeon Siege PC title. Players are drawn outside the original Kingdom of Ehb into the wilds of Aranna to solve an ancient mystery. Microsoft/Gas Powered Games have launched the official 'Dungeon Siege: Legends of Aranna' website featuring new screens (read more to check them out locally), game info & wallpapers. Head on over to the official 'Dungeon Siege: Legends of Aranna' website, or read more for some new screens ...

Midway Sports announced today that NHL Hitz Pro, the re-invented version of the NHL Hitz videogame franchise, shipped today for the PS2, Xbox and GameCube. The head-to-head online play in NHL Hitz Pro features online player rankings and tournaments. NHL Hitz Pro also includes 100 percent NHL legitimate, 23-man player rosters that bring together pro players and authentic team lines with real offensive and defensive team formations in precise correlation with each NHL team.

Atari today announced that Beyblade: Super Tournament Battle for the Nintendo GameCube video game system has shipped to retail outlets nationwide. Based on the Japanese sensation that has become a hit TV series and a blockbuster line of Hasbro toys, Super Tournament Battle invites legions of fans to become active competitors and live the complete Beyblade experience on console.

Developed by Related Designs (previously known for America & the upcoming No Man's Land), Castle Strike is a fast paced RTS game with a very detailed and authentic presentation of medieval Germany, England and France. Although strategically demanding, its core is based on action. That's why all the time consuming handling of resources and civilians is reduced to a minimum with the help of a special, never before seen peasant management system and lots of automatic functions. Castle Strike is scheduled for Q4 2003, in them eantime check these 100+ screens ...

Massive Assault is Wargaming.net's upcoming 3D global domination strategy game. Take the command of "Axis-of-Good" forces and defeat the secret alliance of "Shadow Clique" on one of 6 distant planets. The rebels decided to seize the power on Earth by first conquering the space colonies, which provide vital energy resources to A.O.G. The war for global domination will unroll on continents, at sea and in the air. Lead your divisions, fleets and air squadrons against those, who dared threaten our freedom and democracy! Check the new strategic screens ...

Achim Heidelauf, Producer of PC games like 'EARTH 2150', 'Knights & Merchants' and 'No Man’s Land', would like to welcome you to his website, where you will find valuable info on his projects, starting with lots of 'PANZERS' exclusives like screenshots, work-in- progress and unit galleries, photos from the motion capture sessions and much, much more!

You’ll get a look behind the scenes of upcoming titles and on past releases including 'Odium/Gorky17', 'Septerra Core' and 'World War III'. Beside photos from the E3 conventions and news on other games and music releases you might find interesting..

Commandos 3 takes the stunningly detailed graphics and compelling gameplay of the series to a whole new level. The game features a new interior engine that enables you to rotate the detailed environments and zoom in and out. Prepare your Commandos as enemy bombing raids lay waste to environments, requiring you to change your tactics and approach... Check out 10 new screens and details of the Normandy beach assault. Don't forget your bucket and spade.

DreamCatcher Games today held the mother of all toga parties with the announcement of Pax Romana, an epic historical strategy game for PC in November 2003. Pax Romana will be distributed in the UK by Mindscape.

Designed by the creators of Europa Universalis, Pax Romana is based in ancient Rome and features both strategic and political gameplay. The strategic aspect is very much a battle of cunning and well-planned field tactics, whereas the political side involves the manipulation of senators and generals alike, as politicians seek to gain military and financial power. Wannabe politicians can even assume the role of characters such as Caesar, Pompey or Crassus and lead their factions into 40 different political and battle scenarios.