Galactic Civilizations is a turn-based single player game, however players who play on Stardock.net will be able to play as part of a “metaverse” where victories, defeats and campaigns can be recorded. We already had a featured story on the Stardock Central which is a program that consolidates software updates, message boards, chat, documentation updates, and more into a single easy-to-use program. Now Strategy First/Starddock announced that they will release a Galactic Civilizations Bonus Pack, a free set of game enhancements, in conjunction with the games release. The bonus pack will offer some extra features that players will appreciate including additional game session options, enhanced civilization customization interface, the ability to use your own MP3s in the game, two additional ships, and more galactic resolutions.

Already known but finally official, Tri Synergy announced today that Purge, an online-only title that delivers a compelling combination of first-person-shooter gameplay and role-playing character development, has gone gold. Developed by Freeform Interactive LLC, Purge immerses players in a strife-torn world that blends science fiction and fantasy. In Purge, players will find themselves engrossed in a war between two opposing forces, the Order (humans genetically modified to scientific perfection) and the Chosen (religious believers who reject all forms of technology). Read more for details and a batch of fresh screens ...

BioWare has released the first public beta of the Neverwinter Nights Linux Client. They have set up a forum to discuss the client, an email address to use for feedback, and promise frequent updates to the beta. Word is this debut version (build: 1.29.6758 Beta 1) does not support chat or server browsing, but these will be in the next release. Installing the client will require game resources from an existing Windows installation and a CD-Key (thanks Bluesnews). Read more for download links and details on how to install.

3DO has released new patches for the North American versions of 'Heroes of Might and Magic IV' and its 'The Gathering Storm' expansion pack to v3.0. If you have the North American version of the Winds of War expansion you do NOT need any patch, as the retail version is already v3.0. Note that this is the for NA version only and users of other language versions of the game (including UK English) are warned not to use these patches or it will conclude in errors. Read more for download links...

Your dream will soon become a reality! The Sims made a wildly successful transition to the PS2 when it shipped earlier this year and now The Sims for Xbox and GameCube have gone gold and are scheduled for release on March 24, 2003. Players can create and control their Sims on these upcoming platforms with new level-based gameplay and stunning 3D graphics. Customize your Sims’ personality and appearance then move them into the neighborhood. Get a job, make friends, and advance through their career and life’s big moments. Unlock unique new objects and more extravagant houses along the way. Meet, flirt, and fight with a neighborhood full of wild characters. You can also play The Sims with or against each other in challenging two-player games.

With bone crunching intensity, "UFC: Tapout 2" makes its way to store shelves! TDK Mediactive, Inc. announced today the shipping of the newest title based upon the license of the "Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)," the world's leading Mixed Martial Arts sports association. "UFC: Tapout 2" is now shipping to major retail outlets nationwide exclusively for the Xbox.

New weapons, units and civilian transport are provided today for Operation Flashpoint's Resistance fighters with the release of an all-new upgrade. The Operation Flashpoint: Resistance upgrade is freely available from the game's microsite in the Downloads section. Players require the original Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis and the Resistance expansion pack to use the upgrade (thanks Gamershell). Read more below for download links and to check out what this fix/add. There is also an upgrade patch for the GameOfTheYear Edition...

Netamin Corporation has concluded its initial phase of alpha testing for Ultimate Baseball Online. Ultimate Baseball Online is the first ever Massively Multiplayer Online Sports Game (MMOSG), allowing two teams to compete in a 3D virtual stadium. Each participant controls a player for a specific position on a team and gamers can build their athlete’s skills by practicing pitching, fielding or batting. The UBO universe will allow league play, pick up games and a farm system, just like the real life big leagues. The season begins in early 2003.Read more for details and additional screens

Releasing simultaneously with the “X2” feature film, X2 Wolverine’s Revenge is the only PS2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance and PC action-adventure that allows players to assume the role of Wolverine. After discovering that a deadly X-Virus has been activated within Wolverine’s body, the player has 48 hours to acquire the antidote from the evil organization that not only gave them the disease, but also their mutation. Read more to check out some new screens for all platforms...

Sphinx is an enchanting adventure filled with mystery, action and a deep, compelling storyline. The game is set in an entirely original universe that is styled upon ancient Egypt where players will embark on an epic quest exploring new worlds, uncovering dark secrets, interacting with hundreds of fantastic creatures and discovering new abilities. Travelling the world via magic portals to foil the evil plans of Set, players will guide Sphinx on a journey requiring all his wits, agility and special powers in an attempt to find the stolen mystical crowns of Egypt.

Activision and Disney Interactive today announced a new video game that gives skateboarding a magical twist. Designed to appeal to children and teens ages 6 – 14, 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. Furthermore, as an Activision first, the company is holding a nationwide casting call search for 10 real kids who will become digitised characters in the game.

EA's The Sims Superstar is a new expansion pack to the top-selling PC game of all time, The Sims. Players can now realize their fantasies of fame and fortune as they pursue the dream of being a Rock Star, Movie Star or a Supermodel and live the lifestyle of a celebrity. All new gameplay, new social interactions and a whole new in-game destination offer players an all access pass to the world of superstardom. In The Sims Superstar, The Sims are ready for their close up.

Ubi Soft today announced that the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon action/adventure game will ship for retail in August 2003. Developed by Genki under license from Sony Pictures Consumer Products and based on Sony Pictures Classics' Academy Award winning movie, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon will be available for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system. Ubi Soft China will also develop Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon for the GBA. In a related matter, HomeLAN has the word that there will be NO PC version, although it was originally planned.

Nina - Agent Chronicles is one of the first two titles from City Interactive, the new Polish development house formed by the brains behind such hits as Project Earth and Aces of World War 1. But this is an action adventure with a difference, performed in an environment where completing tasks and solving puzzles is just as vital has eliminating your opponents - where tactical use of available weaponry beats just being quick on the draw! Read more for a few new screens ...

Rainbow Six: Raven Shield features a brand new Tom Clancy storyline in which Team RAINBOW is led all over the world in a string of dramatic operations. The game will utilize graphics technology provided by the next-generation Unreal engine to power 15 new single-player missions that include the discovery of a cache of biological weapons and stopping an armed gang from terrorizing a London bank. Today we have another trailer showing off Team RAINBOW moving through a tropical villa and encountering a number of hostiles.!

Disney Interactive is releasing two new games for kids, ages four and up: Piglet's Big Game for Game Boy Advance and Piglet's Big Game CD-ROM. Inspired by Walt Disney Pictures' upcoming animated feature film, Piglet's Big Movie, both titles place Piglet, one of the most beloved characters from the Hundred Acre Wood, front and center in his very own interactive adventure. The movie opens nationwide March 21.

At the turn of the fourth millennium, pessimistic speculation led philosophers to believe that Earth was bound for troubled times and that great suffering would engulf the helpless inhabitants. As usual, they were wrong. In fact, in the years following the brutish skirmishes near the Orion Nebula, a strong feeling of general well being seemed to permeate even into the darkest corners of parliament, where a wild and daring decision concerning the treatment of prisoners was made; a chance for freedom that would supply the Galaxy with an extraordinary new form of entertainment …

Re-discover Popeye in this tense 2D-race game. Change vehicles, characters and race modes throughout crazy tracks. Exclusive : in the multi-player mode, you can mess with the controls of your friend's GBA ! Read more to check out a batch of screens ...

The Adventure Company announced today it has shipped The Omega Stone: Riddle of the Sphinx II for the PC. The second in the Riddle of the Sphinx series, this title takes gamers on an incredible adventure. The Omega Stone sends intrepid explorers on a quest to prevent a terrible disaster prophesized by the ancients. Beautiful rendered scenery from Stonehenge, Easter Island, and the Lost City of Atlantis sets the tone for this evocative mystery.

OpenTV one of the world's leading interactive television companies, will roll out a suite of interactive multiplayer games to viewers in the UK in May, with plans to introduce the service at a later date in the United States, France and South Africa.

Spirits & Spells, DreamCatcher's first title on the Gamecube, is platformer that blends action, puzzle solving and interesting characters. Players take on the role of Alicia, a little girl disguised as a witch, or Greg, a young boy disguised as a devil as they explore a haunted house, a cemetery, an eerie forest and abandoned laboratory. By gathering "sparks" players gain the ability to switch between the two characters and discover both of their special talents. Expected this fall in the US. Read more for the first screens ...

Psychotoxic is a first person shooter with an exceptionally exciting story line. The setting is New York, in the year 2020. Three of the four horsemen of the apocalypse have caused terrible damage on Earth. The fourth horseman is now preparing for his return. Violence and aggression are increasing drastically. Humanity's last hope is protagonist Angie Prophet. Basically a human, she is also an angel and guardian, marked centuries ago to save mankind. Play on two different levels: The reality level contains the main elements for the battle against the horseman, including both indoor and outdoor scenes. In the mind level, Angie enters other people's thoughts - here time and space have no meaning. Check the new batch of screens ...

New World Order is a single- and multiplayer tactical team-based shooter developed in Sweden by Project Three’s studio Termite Games. This title stands out in the crowded FPS genre because it is one of the first built on next generation technology and promises to take the first person shooter genre to the next level by combining uncanny graphic detail with adrenaline pumping action and fun. Realistic gameplay and unparalleled game physics are brought to life by the in-house developed DVA-engine from Termite Games. Read more for download links ...

Purge Olnine delivers a compelling combination of first-person shooter gameplay and RPG character development, immersing players in a strife-torn world that blends science fiction and fantasy. Purge is an online only game (no singleplayer) and requires no subscription (free online play). Freeform Interactive's hybrid FPS/RPG powered by the LithTech Talon system, Purge, has already gone gold, and will ship to US stores on March 31, a demo is expected later this week. In the meantime check these purty colorful screens!