Eidos Interactive, one of the world's leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, announces Backyard Wrestling for PlayStation 2 and Xbox. Backyard Wrestling is being developed by Paradox and will be released this summer. The game is based on the best-selling Backyard Wrestling video series that has become a worldwide phenomenon selling millions of copies of VHS tapes and DVDs in addition to successful pay per view events...

ARXEL TRIBE is proud to announce that the upcoming adventure RPG MISTMARE has reached Release Candidate status. The game is now entering the last phase of tests and shall reach final manufacturing green light before the end of February. Release of MISTMARE throughout the world is therefore scheduled for the end of March 2003. Developed on Lithtech's JUPITER engine (NOLF2) by Sinister Systems and Arxel Tribe, MISTMARE features a solid scenario, splendid graphics and more than 60 hours of gameplay.

Nexagon: Deathmatch is a fast paced action packed game of mortal arena combat emphasizing small unit tactics and featuring character and fortress building in a high stakes blood sport... Now Strategy First posted up a sneak peek at their upcoming Real-Time Tactical hit, Nexagon: Deathmatch, from the developers’ eyes. Take a look inside Producer Jay Podilchuk’s diary.

So, you’ve been playing the Dragon Claw Studio’s innovative and highly graphic web-based role-playing and strategy game for the past 6 months? You’ve had fun but felt that something was missing? All your soul-searching hasn’t led to any clear path? Rest your weary eyes and look no further...FaitH’s Era III has implemented changes and new features that will rock your world..! Read more for full pressrelease!

Turn-based magic moments from the life of Artemian, a budding mage... Sharpen your swords and gather up enough magic power because in the end of this summer a strategic delicacy arrives - Empire of Magic... Read more for game story and key features!

BioWare has released a new patch for Neverwinter Nights, updating their role playing game to v1.28. There have been some Aurora toolset changes, there's new ATI code for the Catalyst 3.0/3.1 drivers, and there have been some stability fixes among other things. Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

Republic: The Revolution is the ground breaking new strategy title boasting jaw-dropping visuals utilising the most advanced graphic engine ever seen. Republic: The Revolution is being developed by London based Elixir Studios and is already one of the most talked about titles of the year. Elixir Studios also let us know that they, as of today, will start a daily Q&A on their Forum with key members of the Republic Team where you will be able to ask questions, discuss topics and debate the fine details of the forthcoming Republic: The Revolution. They also released a new batch of screens, so read more and check them out!

The Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide site is updated with a new Creatures of the desert unite wallpaper. This new wallpaper features an abundance of many-legged creatures massing in the desert! Also in upcoming weeks, they will be showcasing aspects of the 3 new Shadows of Undrentide tilesets, starting this week with the Giant Statue Head, Chasm Stairs, and Oasis tiles from the Desert tileset! (thanks gamezone.cz)

Play from a distance so great you can't see the telly any more with this new Xbox controller. And Logic3 has its own S-styled one too... SpectraVideo plc are now shipping the new Logic3 FreeBird RF Wireless Game Pad and the S-Pad– both for the Xbox console. These two new controllers feature an improved ergonomic design, but with out losing any of the functionality found in the earlier, larger controllers.

WarBirds just got a new makeover! WarBirds, Pacific Theater of Operations is an upcoming major update to the award winning WarBirds III family of products. New terrain, new airplanes, new flight models, new strategy, and new fun all will be had with this exciting new version! The remarkable game play featured in WarBirds PTO is incomparable to any previous versions of WarBirds!

Mike at the German racing site Race-Zone let us know that they now have a complete list of all 109 vehicles from Synetic's upcoming racing game, Mercedes Benz World Racing.. The game features a revolutionary 3D Landscape Engine, which not only creates separate race tracks but facilitates the creation of kilometre long 3D sceneries allowing a virtually realistic full driving experience. The player can select his favourite model car from a nearly complete range of cars from Mercedes-Benz. Each model is sculptured based on original data from Mercedes-Benz.

Today Infogrames announced World of Outlaws Sprint Cars - the greatest show on dirt - will be available in all major retail outlets for Windows PC. The product's mind-blowing graphics are a direct-result of developer Ratbag's award-winning Difference Engine. We also got a batch of new screens for your enjoyment ...

Sierra has just launched the official website for their dinosaur theme park sim Jurassic Park Operation Genesis (developed by Blue Tongue Software). The new web site features a bunch of new but lo-res screenshots, links to the previously released demo (which we have mirror'd here), as well as a new trailer (also mirror'd here). Go check it out!

Activision, Inc. announced today that two of its acclaimed titles for the Xbox video game system from Microsoft -- Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and WRECKLESS: The Yakuza Missions -- have been selected for inclusion in Microsoft's "Xbox Platinum Hits" program. The new "Platinum Hits" program launched on February 11, 2003 with over a dozen best-selling Xbox games, repackaged with the "Platinum Hits" banner. The titles carry a suggested retail price of $19.99.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today that five additional major recording artists have agreed to provide music and video content for the upcoming rhythm-action game, Amplitude, developed exclusively for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system. Expanding upon a top-tier music roster covering hip-hop, rap, electronica and rock, the newly signed bands include blink 182, P.O.D., Mekon, Freezepop and Dieselboy. These artists will join other major recording artists on the Amplitude roster that include David Bowie, Garbage, Weezer, Quarashi and Logan 7. Developed by Harmonix Music Systems, Amplitude allows players to become a rhythmical DJ and jam with more than 20 diverse songs in virtual, vibrant interactive musical environments while mixing and remixing hit songs in both offline and online gameplay.

Sony Online Entertainment announced that EverQuest Online Adventures, exclusively for the PS2, hits retail stores nationwide today, ending months of anticipation for gamers awaiting this historic release. The launch of EverQuest Online Adventures marks the first time ever that North American PS2 owners can experience a persistent and vast living virtual world filled with thousands of other players from the "real" world. EverQuest Online Adventures includes a free 30-day trial and gives players what they've been looking for with non-stop action, the opportunity to explore an exciting new land, a world of fun and interesting people to meet and play with, quests, combat and more.

Capcom today announced that one of its leading fighting titles, Capcom vs. SNK 2: EO, is now available for the Xbox video game system from Microsoft and playable via Xbox Live. Capcom vs. SNK 2: EO brings together 44 brawlers from the Capcom and SNK franchises and pits them against each other in cyberspace

NASCAR Racing 2003 Season has shipped to retail locations nationwide. Developed by Massachusetts-based Papyrus Racing Games and published by Sierra Entertainment, NASCAR Racing 2003 Season features new 3D graphics, an enhanced physics model developed with the input of official NASCAR team engineers, and informative driving aids for both seasoned and novice drivers. In addition, the game is the first to include 2003 NASCAR Cup series teams, sponsors, and tracks.

Summitsoft Corporation announced today it has obtained the publishing rights in North America for Empire of Magic. Developed for the PC platform over the past three years by Mayhem Studios in Slovak Republic, Empire of Magic features an absorbing magical fantasy world with elements of adventure, strategy and role-playing.

"We are very pleased to acquire such a richly detailed game as Empire of Magic," said Bruce Lowry, President and CEO of Summitsoft Corporation. "Thanks to its artificial intelligence and intricate layer of side-quests and extra tasks, every scenario becomes unique to players even after extensive replay."

Electronic Arts Inc. and Swedish developer Digital Illusions, C.E. (DICE) today announced a strategic investment and long-term publishing agreement for video games made by DICE studios. EA has purchased a minority interest in DICE and licensed the worldwide publishing rights for future products developed by DICE. In 2002, DICE and EA partnered to release the global blockbuster, Battlefield 1942. The critically acclaimed online multi-player game is in distribution in more than 36 countries and has shipped more than 900,000 games to date. In January 2003, EA released a Battlefield 1942 expansion pack titled Battlefield: The Road to Rome, with all new content to accompany the original game.

Chrome, a Tactical First Person Shooter, is a dramatic story of heroism, friendship and betrayal; a story full of sudden twists and turns mixed into tons of Sci-Fi action. Players assume the role of Logan; a veteran mercenary turned bounty hunter who is out to make it rich. Using a system of implants, the player is able to manipulate Logan’s personality and abilities in order to accomplish all of the 14 enormous and varied missions. We had a little sit down with Techland designer Paul Bartek and fired off some annoying questions, stole some brand new screens, and got out guns blazing!

Super Bust-A-Move 2 is a highly-addictive screen clearing puzzle action game for one or two players. Play it at a party, with a friend, or by yourself as you compete in four challenging modes, including the new edit mode where you design your own levels for almost limitless replayability! With all of your favorite classic characters plus two new ones, more than 10 stages for each character to clear in their own unique story modes, and the ever popular head-to-head battle mode, Super Bust-A-Move 2 is destined to be a fan favorite. Could a puzzle game still be worth your while? Read more and find out!

Praetorians is an epic 3D strategy game set at the time of Julius Caesar's campaigns to expand the frontier's of the Roman Empire. Taking on the role of a Roman General you are transported back to the deserts of Egypt, the frozen lands of the Gauls and to the heart of the Empire itself, Italy. Eidos has released some screens earlier today giving us a glimpse at the Gauls showing "Barbarian troops destroying armies, villages, basically anything that stands in their way".