LucasArts & Sony Online Entertainment today announced Dantooine as the tenth planetary environment for Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided, the highly anticipated first installment of the upcoming massively multiplayer online game series. In addition, the fan community for the game continues to grow unabated and has now reached 475,000 registered members, nearly a 20 percent increase since December 2002.

You can now sign up for FINAL FANTASY XI Public Beta test @ Square Enix (thanks VE3D). The goal of this Public Beta process is to test connectivity to the PlayOnline network as well as give a few lucky players a sneak peek at the FINAL FANTASY XI and the PlayOnline network. To be considered for participation in the Public Beta test program, you must completely fill out and submit the online application form on their website!

Note: "The Public Beta Test Is Open Only To Legal U.S. And CANADIAN Residents"

Nintendo has cut the royalty rates on GameCube software in a move aimed at encouraging third-party publishers to bring key titles to the platform, and will focus more heavily on third-party software at E3. The company, which last week announced that it had missed its 2002 shipment targets for the Cube by a massive 44 per cent, selling only 5.6 million units, admitted that major third-party titles such as Grand Theft Auto were completely overshadowing its own major franchises such as Mario and Metroid.

The newest installation in the acclaimed stealth ninja series, Tenchu 3: Wrath of Heaven delivers the most realistic, stealth-based, ninja-action/adventure game ever. Coming to the PlayStation2, Tenchu 3: Wrath of Heaven features impressive new stealth attacks, an enhanced fighting engine, new weapons and tools, larger levels, improved character animations and new multiplayer options.

You’re Indiana Jones. Legendary adventurer. Daring rogue. And the most butt-kicking archaeologist the world has ever seen. It’s 1935 and this time you must prevent a powerful Chinese artifact from falling into evil hands. This globe-spanning adventure pits you against evil Nazis and the Asian underworld with a mysterious and alluring partner, Mei Ying. It’ll take more than just a trusty whip and pistol to avoid deadly traps and navigate through all the dangerous environments. Do you have what it takes to make it back alive? This whopping demo offers three levels, Ceylon, a Hong Kong operahouse, and a gondola (thanks Gigex). Read more for download links ...

Here is the Fallout 2 editor, the scripts, and the script compiler. BlackIsle was were able to take some time and put together some documentation for it (and an installer), but a lot of it will require some trial and error. If you want to hammer away at it, well, here it is. Please keep in mind that this editor is not the holy grail. It was never meant to be released to the public. As a result, you may boot the editor up and realize that it doesn't match your expectations for a commercially-released RPG editor. You may suffer some retina burn. Perhaps a strange itching sensation. Constipation. So be prepared - you are about to experience a game editor, intended only for developers. Read more for download links ...

Sequel to the notorious original, this iteration of the envelope-pushing franchise puts players once again in the well-worn shoes of the hair-trigger Postal Dude. POSTAL 2 operates on Epic's Unreal Warfare Engine and benefits from a host of new features including: fully-explorable open-ended 3D environments, innovative first person shooter action and interaction with well over a hundred unique non-playable characters (NPC's) including Gary Coleman (Arnold from 80's TV show 'Different Strokes'). Running With Scissors/WhipTail have now released a 1 level demo, 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.

A new Myth III: The Wolf Age has been officially released bringing Myth 3 up to v1.1. The patch fixes over 40 game play and stability issues for both Mac and PC as well as bringing the bonus maps Pepper Heights and Tides Of Rhi'anon into the general release. Additional variations of the existing maps are also included with enhanced unit sets. Also added are the multiplayer game types Assassins, Stampede, and Balls On Parade which had been previously omitted. This patch also introduces the Fetch and Journeyman units into the Myth 3 World (thanks GameSpyDaily). Read more for download links ...

HILL Project is a real-time 3D shoot'em up with non-stop action. Between the Earth and the Moon, the player will have to defy hordes of drones, destroy gigantic bosses, get through asteroid fields and fulfill various challenges proposed during the game. The game also features an equipment and levelling system directly inspired of RPGs : the player will be able to collect and use new abilities that will let him change the course of his adventure. Read more for additional information ..

'Warrior Kings: Battles' maintains the excitement that made Warrior Kings a leading RTS, but now introduces the player to a proficiency of computer Artificial Intelligence not yet seen in an RTS product. Empire Interactive & Black Cactus have released the first patch for their recently released RTS, Warrior Kings Battles. This upgrade brings your retail game to v1.1 and fixes problems related to multiplayer games (this patch is valid for ALL versions). There are also 2 German only patches available adressing fixes problems with music & sound (and are much larger). Read more for details and download links ...

Gamesradar reports that the current war in Iraq could soon be coming to a PlayStation 2 near you - if Sony have anything to do with it. According to a report in today's Guardian, the console giants have already taken out a patent on the phrase "Shock and Awe" for usage in videogames. The phrase was adopted by the White House to describe the US's heavy bombing of Baghdad.

GMX Media today announced that it has secured the rights to publish the Moon Tycoon in most European territories. Moon Tycoon is part of a two-title deal signed with the developers. MOON TYCOON allows players to have total control of all aspects of colony life, from building construction to commerce, colony morale and monthly expenses. Read more for additional details & screens ...

Zuxxez is proud to announce the PC demo release for it's casual gaming phenomena Chicken Shoot. Featuring one great level of this excellent shooting orgy, players find themselves in the Nevada Desert portrayed in a wonderful hand drawn backdrop and with no end of gags and hilarious chickens. This is only a small taste of what is to come when the very promising full version is released very soon and this small taste is quite a mouthful. Read more for download links ...

UbiSoft has released a new patch for their stealth third-person action game Splinter Cell, bringing your European ONLY edition to v1.2. This release implements a variety of graphics enhancements and fixes, as well as gameplay tweaks and other bug fixes. The US patch is expected soon (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for details and download links ...

Atari adds to the success of the Dragon Ball Z franchise by introducing an all new role playing adventure game for the Game Boy Advance. Capitalizing on the success of Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku, the best-selling role playing game for the Game Boy Advance in 2002, Atari today announced Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku II. Slated to release in June 2003, Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku II adds a thrilling new chapter that invites players to experience even more of the Dragon Ball Z story.

GameCaptain.de send word about that JoWoods recently announced Railroiad-Strategy game "Railroad Giant: The Pioneer" has been renamed to the final worldwide title "Railroad Pioneer".

Microsoft wants to let people know that DVDs aren't just for viewing anymore. Users of Windows-based PCs can participate in movies in ways never before imagined by creating their own commentary or actually becoming movie characters. And everything necessary is likely included in the DVDs users probably already own.

IOL reports that a mother in Israel actually stabbed her 26-year-old son to death in a dispute over his refusal to get off the computer and make his bed. The mother, Yelena Avramenko, 49, even later admitted to killing her son, Denis, and re-enacted the crime in front of investigators.

"I asked him a number of times to stop playing on the computer and to go and make his bed," the Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot quoted the mother as saying. "After a while I saw him lying on his bed. I asked him again to make his bed but he just cursed me. I got angry and went to the kitchen, and in the heat of the moment I took a knife and stabbed him."

Twilight Software is proud to announce that its adventure game The Sydney Mystery is now available for online purchase at the official website. The Sydney Mystery is an adventure game photographed and filmed on location in Sydney, Australia by a small group of enthusiasts and friends on a shoe-string budget. The Sydney Mystery contains over 240 scenes, 11 characters, 17 authentic Sydney locations and loads more puzzles, music and exploration. In the adventure, you play the niece of a retired private investigator. When your uncle is kidnapped, it's up to you to unravel the mystery. Who kidnapped your uncle? Who is behind the bombings in Sydney? Why is this happening? Only by playing the Full Game while you discover all this and more!

After the U.S. version of the game already made it's way into the stores, the 1503 A.D. web team are proud to announce that the international version, entitled ANNO 1503 - The New World, is now available in more than 70 countries around the world. To celebrate this event and to give you a first impression of the tensing story line, they present you an audible appetizer of the game's first mission briefing in five different languages.

HD Interactive today announce that the European version of Devastation, the next-generation Unreal engine-powered first person shooter, is now GOLD. It is currently being sent for duplication, and will be on retail shelves throughout Europe in the next couple of weeks. Devastation features amazing graphics, an intriguing and involved storyline, intelligent NPC and enemy AI, incredible weaponry, the ability to pick up and throw items in the environment, and a brand new style of multiplayer gaming called Territories. Read more for details ...