Fueled by a highly touted lineup of new game titles and the growing popularity of its unified online gaming service, Microsoft Xbox is outpacing the industry as the only next-generation console to continuously demonstrate positive market share growth on a year-over-year basis (August 2002 to August 2003). According to NPD Group Inc., (NPD Funworld TRSTS, August 2003), sales of the Xbox console increased 6 percent from this same period last year, while the Sony's PlayStation 2 dropped 36 percent and Nintendo's GameCube fell 22 percent. Xbox now captures 27 percent of the United States industry market share for next-generation consoles and is on track to capture additional market share this holiday season.

ValuSoft a division of THQ today announced the release of 18 Wheels of Steel: Across America. This PC trucking sim is rated "E" for Everyone and will be available at retailers nationwide for $19.99.

DreamCatcher Games today announced the first details of the renamed Universal Combat for PC, due to be distributed by Mindscape in the UK in November 2003. A playable demo is expected in the first week of October. Universal Combat brings the greatest components of war together in a single game. Conceived in late 2001 as Battlecruiser Generations, the fifth in the Battlecruiser series, the game has grown into much more than a massive space simulation.

SEGA of America today announced the release of "Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg," a new platform game exclusively for the Nintendo GameCube. Developed by the creator of SEGA's world-famous Sonic The Hedgehog series, "Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg" challenges players to solve puzzles, complete missions and defeat powerful bosses throughout massive, fantastical environments with the help of magical eggs.

As "American Idol" fans prepare for the scheduled November 2003 release of the official American Idol video game for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, Game Boy Advance and PC-CD ROM, Codemasters has launched the game's dedicated Web site. The new Web site is packed full of surprises, including audio messages from Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul; new gameplay images; and a complete virtual backstage tour that is certain to fulfill every Idol fans' craving until the game's release.

Codemasters has announced that IndyCar Series, the official video game of the U.S.-based open-wheel Indy Racing League, has shipped for the PC CD-ROM with an MSRP of $29.99. The PC version includes direct input wheel support to give gamers the ultimate IndyCar Series racing experience. Now over 313 million IndyCar Series racing fans can capture the same invigorating, ultra-close pack racing at home on their computer.

Electronic Arts today announced the release of The Sims Double Deluxe, the ultimate compilation of the top-selling PC franchise, The Sims. The Sims Double Deluxe delivers the original #1 PC game of all time, The Sims, as well as The Sims Livin' Large and The Sims House Party expansion packs in one value-packed product. With the most Sims content ever assembled in one place, there has never been a better time to join The Sims phenomenon.

This weekend at the EA SPORTS 500 race at Talladega Superspeedway, the competition heats up early and often amongst top NASCAR drivers. In addition to the race excitement on Sunday, several other weekend activities are planned, including head-to-head racing between top drivers of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series as Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, and Ryan Newman pick up the controllers and race in the 3rd Annual EA SPORTS Drivers Challenge on Friday night. On Saturday, Dale Earnhardt Jr., last year's EA SPORTS 500 race winner and avid videogame player, is scheduled to trade paint with an EA SPORTS NASCAR Thunder 2004 video game fan. The EA SPORTS 500 race will be telecast on NBC Sunday, September 28 at 12:30 p.m. EST.

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 2004, the number one golf title from Electronic Arts is available in stores today on four platforms. EA, continuing its exclusive partnerships with the PGA TOUR and the world's best and most famous golfer, Tiger Woods, brings new features that appeal to golf and videogame fans alike. Still the most realistic golf videogame available, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 2004 is packed with new modes and gameplay.

Lacing up its high tops and taking to the air with its legendary NBA video game action, Acclaim today announced that it has shipped its eagerly anticipated title, NBA JAM, for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox video game system from Microsoft. Developed by Acclaim Studios Austin, 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.

Nokia today announced the ConnectCoder, N-Gage Mobile Game Deck Game Battle 2003, a competition for game developers across Europe, the United States and Canada to find the hottest game ideas that take advantage of the unique mobile online functionality of the Nokia N-Gage game deck. Helping to unleash the creative and innovative spirit of the game community, the competition runs until January 31, 2004.

Horizons is the next generation online epic adventure. It is based in the massively multiplayer fantasy world, Istaria. A world of legend and lore filled with humans, fiends, dragons and many other traditional fantasy roles, Horizons allows thousands of players to adventure together in the civilized and untamed regions of the world. It's been a while since we had some good Horizons screens, so njoy!

Poised to be released almost a year after the original game, The Titans expansion for Age of Mythology offers several worthy additions to an already highly regarded game. What can we expect from The Titans, and how will it make a good game even better? We check out a nearly complete preview of the game to find out.

Alter Echo features innovative action gameplay and a groundbreaking visual style based on pioneering technology. TimeDilation and real-time morphing between three combat modes add tactical depth, and the revolutionary PostFX camera system intensifies the action with spectacular visual effects that heighten the drama of every combo and special attack. All sounds very nice, so read more for the full review and find out if it actually is..

Konami of America, Inc. today announced a national promotional partnership with the Langer Juice Company Inc., in support of Boktai: The Sun Is In Your Hand, the groundbreaking new game for Nintendo Game Boy Advance. Boktai is the world's first game to incorporate natural sunlight into gameplay via a solar-sensor located on the Game Boy Advance cartridge. In celebration of the game's unique sun-sensitive design, Langer Juice Company and Konami are inviting consumers to enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip to sunny Hawaii. The Langer-Boktai Sweepstakes will be specially marked on over 1 million Langers Juice Bottles.

Red Ninja: End of Honor is an action-adventure title, developed by Tranji, a new studio formed by the Japanese developers New Corporation and Opus, which will feature a variety of innovative game-play features blending action, adventure, stealth, seduction and fighting. These elements have been placed in a historical Japanese environment with an event-driven story written by famed Japanese feature film director, Shinsuke Sato.

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. today announced its line-up of all-star voice talent for Lords of EverQuest, the next-generation of Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games. The stellar roster of Hollywood talent has been brought in to give voice to the hero characters, complementing the game's exciting storyline and thrilling gameplay. Lords of EverQuest is expected to ship to U.S. and Canadian retail stores this Fall.

Exclusive to PS2, Hardware: Online Arena is a massive, broadband exclusive, multiplayer experience that puts the player in the driving seat of some of the most powerful military fighting vehicles in existence today. The players are brought together online, placed in a purpose built environment, equipped with some awesome weaponry and then let loose on each other with their primary purpose being to destroy their opponents as many times as possible. Read more for some new screens ...

Time Crisis 3 marks the return of Namco's premier light-gun shooting franchise. Compatible with the GUNCON2 light-gun, this fast-paced shooter delivers superior shooting action and supreme excitement. A new weapon select system enables players to chose from 4 weapons (machine gun, hand gun, shotgun and grenade) and optimize their game play strategy. Time Crisis 3 includes the original arcade game as well as console-exclusive game modes. Sniper combat provides intense and lethal sharp-shooting action, sure to be a winning combination for this popular franchise. A preview is coming up soon but in the meantime read more for a few new screens ...

The Battle for Middle-earth utilizes the Generals game engine, and in the game players can select from the different "good" or "evil" campaigns, where they will be given the freedom to command a variety of major armies from the films, each with their own distinct strengths and weaknesses. Prepare for war by creating offensive and defensive strategies set in the memorable battle locations taken straight from the big screen. The Battle for Middle-earth RTS game will utilize the digital assets created for the films and will feature exclusive voiceover from the real actors as well as actual movie footage from the three films. Earlier today we were invited over to EA's HQ in Redwood City to see the game in action and brought back some awesome screens. Expect a preview SOON.

Mech Arena: Beauty VS Machine is an action-packed, an awesome firepower and fast-paced battlefield action with incredible graphics, detailed environments, and sophisticated A.I. It features the most explosive one on one battle fare and complicated strategy of any PC RPG. Read more for details and screens ...

Reality Pump Studios and Atari have now released an English language version of their wacky cow-themed real-time strategy game, Once Upon A Knight. The rather huge demo includes first part of The Long Path to the Throne campaign, and one role-playing quick mission, entitled The Call. Read more for download links ...

Midway Sports announced today that NHL Hitz Pro will feature cover athlete Nicklas Lidstrom, star defenseman of the Detroit Red Wings, as well as coaching legend Scotty Bowman. NHL Hitz Pro, the reinvented version of the successful NHL Hitz videogame franchise, is in development and scheduled to ship September 25, 2003 for the PlayStation2, the Xbox and Nintendo GameCube.

Celtic Kings: The Punic Wars appeals to both RTS and RPG players searching for a new experience in already known genres. The multiplayer provides new strategic gameplay tuned towards the traditional RTS players. It is easy to start playing the game but there are a lot of new options to explore. Celtic Kings: The Punic Wars continues the traditions of the award winning Celtic Kings: Rage of War and will be exploring the three Punic wars between Rome and Carthage in the period 264BC – 146BC which includes the famous campaigns of Hannibal and Scipio Africanus. We got some new in-game images from Celtic Kings: The Punic Wars show aspects of the life which Carthaginians had those days. Their markets often shared space with the barracks - a combination best describing an expansionist nation of merchants. Their key to success was simple - strong economy fueling constantly campaigning imperial army of skilled and highly paid mercenaries.