SEGA today announced that it will deliver its top-selling franchise of all time -- Sonic The Hedgehog -- to the largest audience of gamers worldwide, launching four new Sonic The Hedgehog games on all next-generation console and handheld platforms this fiscal year. The highly-anticipated "Sonic Heroes," an all-new title in the Sonic The Hedgehog series, will debut on the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo GameCube and the Xbox video game system from Microsoft. Additionally, building off the success of the Sonic franchise on Nintendo GameCube, SEGA will release "Sonic Adventure DX Director's Cut" exclusively for Nintendo GameCube. Finally, Sonic will return to the Game Boy Advance with the release of "Sonic Pinball Party" and "Sonic Battle."

Visual Concepts Entertainment, a SEGA development studio, today announced that it has expanded its relationship with ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Sports, for its "2K4" lineup of video games. Only one year after joining forces to deliver the most authentic and realistic sports simulation video games, including ESPN's trademarked presentation features, the two sports powerhouses are taking integration to the next level. The expanded relationship will incorporate even more ESPN elements into the critically acclaimed "2K" franchises, including ESPN commentators, as well as an increased marketing alliance between the two brands.

Gotham Games announced today that it will release the thrilling driving shooter Starsky & Hutch, under license with Sony Pictures Consumer Products, for the PlayStation, Xbox, and PC in North America this fall.

Alias is a third-person action adventure containing a unique blend of action and stealth that puts you under fire and under pressure. Utilize your incredible spyware and array of disguises to complete the most dangerous covert missions across the globe. Experience all the heart-stopping action and tension of the award winning TV series.

Cries of “He’s on Fire” and “Boomshakalaka” will once again fill the hardwood arenas of the NBA, as Acclaim Sports today unveiled its latest installment of NBA JAM for the next-generation consoles. Developed by Acclaim Studios Austin, NBA JAM, the grand-daddy of all arcade-style basketball games, has sold more than 6 million units worldwide. This fall, 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.

The developer JOYLABS, consisting of the development team of the former game developer WESTKA Interactive (Cologne, Germany) and conducted by industry veteran Thomas Schaefer, has decided to stop the further development on the “The Y-Project” in favour of the complete new PC game title “DAS REICH 2005” (draft title). Read more for some info and a first weapons screen...

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. Eidos has just released their E3 trailer showing off about 30 seconds of movie goodness. Read more for download links ...

New Libyan Village multiplayer beta map. In this mission, IGI operatives have located some papers deep inside the village, which they must retrieve. Once the papers have been recovered a computer virus must be planted in an enemy compound and a fuel dump blown up to cover your tracks. Get it from Codemasters "27.8mb" !

Eidos Interactive today announced it has entered a strategic partnership with Island Records, American Records and Roadrunner Records in the creation of the official in-game soundtrack for Backyard Wrestling: Don't Try This At Home. Read more to check out the list of features bands as well as new screens for the xbox/ps2 versions...

The swashbuckling action of one of this summer's highly-anticipated movies will be coming to life in an interactive PC action adventure game, Atari, Inc. announced today. The Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas game will be based on the upcoming DreamWorks animated film of the same name and will combine the epic adventure of the movie with the latest innovation in PC technology from Intel to deliver a state-of-the-art game experience.

One of the most ingenious and suspenseful films of all time, MGM's The Great Escape is a World War II escape-adventure classic that hits the Xbox, PS2 and PC this summer. Providing an exciting opportunity to take part in the largest breakout in history from the "escape proof" Stalag Luft III German POW camp, gamers are invited to participate in the most memorable and famous motorbike scene in ever to emerge in Hollywood. Following the massive hit Conflict: Desert Storm, The Great Escape, published by SCi Games, offers a unique variety of gameplay that builds you from slow, tension filled stealth scenes to adrenalin-filled action and chase sequences. Fans of the film and all gamers will certainly appreciate this stylish masterpiece. Check out the screens and a nice little tailer mixing movie as well as ingame action!

Shortly after the big success of Conflict:Desert Storm SCI/Pivotal started working on sequels hoping to cash in even more on the trend of today's events. We scored some new screens for the Pc, Ps2 as well as xbox versions of the game. Read more to check them out!

Rockstar Games, the world-renowned publishing division of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc has started shipping Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the PC. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is set to be in stores May 13th in North America and May 16th in Europe.

Activision, Inc.'s Medieval Total War: Viking Invasion, the add-on pack to the multi award-winning game of 2002, Medieval: Total War, has shipped to retail stores throughout North America. Developed by The Creative Assembly, Medieval: Total War - Viking Invasion takes gamers back to 793AD as hordes of marauding Vikings sail from Scandinavia to ravage Britain. Medieval: Total War - Viking Invasion is available for the PC at a suggested retail price of $29.99 and carries a "T" (Teen - Blood, Violence - content suitable for persons ages 13 and older) rating by the ESRB.

Transporting players to an era when emperors reigned and warrior slaves battled savagely to their deaths, Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. today unveiled Gladiator Sword of Vengeance for the next-generation consoles. Currently under development with Acclaim's Manchester studio, Gladiator Sword of Vengeance is an epic adventure set in ancient Rome, where warriors' fates are decided by the cold steel of a sword. Gladiator Sword of Vengeance will feature an intuitive fighting system that allows players to fight multiple opponents and unleash an array of deadly combo attacks and bloody finishing moves.

Electronic Arts today announced an extension of the relationship with MGM Interactive and Danjaq LLC to extend the exclusive worldwide rights to develop, publish and distribute the ongoing series of interactive games based on the world-renowned James Bond franchise. The agreement, for one of the most popular video game licenses in history, will be continued until 2010. The agreement allows EA to create games based on the world of James Bond, including the entire library of Ian Fleming books, the existing 20 feature films produced by MGM and Danjaq and all new James Bond films released during the term of the agreement. EA also announced details about the next Bond game: James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing, which is scheduled for a holiday 2003 release.

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.

Respected developer Lost Toys today announced that it has developed a GeForceFX2 (aka NV35) version of its acclaimed shooter Battle Engine Aquila to be made available for bundling through OEM specialists Vector OEM Content. The fully optimised PC version has been approved by nVidia and will be shown on the company's booth at E3 as part of its 'The Way It's Meant To Be Played' campaign.

Lunkwill Labs and GarageGames announce the first annual Robot Battle programming contest; a battle of wits to see who can design and code the smartest most adaptable fighting robot. The contest challenges players to devise their own autonomous robot for a head to head fight to the finish.

'Rayman3: Hoodlum Havoc' is a cartoon fantasy in which the ever-popular hero Rayman, comes face-to-face with some of his greatest adversaries yet. In addition to vibrantly detailed worlds and innovative game play, it features a deep story line that will immerse players in this unique experience. All of this sound too good to be true? Well read more and find out what we thought about Rayman3!

The brutal and spectacular gladiator battles of the ancient world serve as inspiration for Gladius, a turn-based action role-playing (RPG) game for the PS2. Gladius follows the grand saga of two young heroes, Ursula and Valens, as they recruit and train a team of warriors to contend in the fiercely competitive gladiator games. We had a chance to look at an early build so read more for our first impressions!

TimeGate Studios, Inc. announced today (thanks VE3D) that it is developing KINGS OF WAR, a fantasy real-time strategy game inspired by TimeGate’s critically acclaimed Kohan series.

Disney's Extreme Skate Adventure will use cutting-edge technology from Activision's latest Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 engine to allow characters from three beloved animated films: Walt Disney Pictures' presentation of Pixar Animation Studios' "Toy Story 2," "Disney's Tarzan " and "Disney's The Lion King" to skateboard just like the pros in their respective worlds for the first time. In addition to these characters, the new game includes a Create-A-Skater option where players can customize a youthful skater's "look" by selecting clothing and accessories.

Extreme 4x4 is not a racing game, it is an ACTION RACING game which will give you the extreme fun on enjoying the thrill of racing and the suspense of adventures. Unpredicted happenings such as a tornado, exploding mines, the falling of huge rocks which you will encounter during the game will not require a mere driving skill to be successful. We now have a trailer showing off some wicked in game action! Read more for download link...

Lords of EverQuest features an enthralling storyline drawing gamers to the land of Antonica as they control one of 15 Lords and manage massive armies in their quest for domination. Lords of EverQuest will set new standards for the traditional RTS genre with thousands of items, hundreds of spells, the ability for all units in the game to gain experience and abilities, and free online multiplayer options for up to 12 players per game. Lords of EverQuest is being developed by Rapid Eye Entertainment and published by Sony Online Entertainment. We had a close encounter with Lords of EverQuest Producer James Parker and fired off some of our usual annoying questions...