WarBirds, PTO, Pacific Theater of Operations is launched in Beta! Come fly the Battles of the Pacific in the Philippine Islands! The new product launched in Beta today and is expected to go live on 20 March 2003. WarBirds, PTO, Pacific Theater of Operations is a major new product from the award winning WarBirds III Family of products. New Terrains, new airplanes, new flight models, new strategy, new graphic features, and new fun all will be had with this exciting new product! This is the first new product since the release of the original WarBirds III was launched in 2000!

Purge 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. Although still waiting for the official announcement, Freeform Interactive today announced that their hybrid FPS/RPG powered by the LithTech Talon system, Purge, has gone gold, and will ship to US stores on March 31. Freeform Interactive also announced that a new demo will be released soon.

Mid October 2002 Paradox announced the purchase of 20% in Conan Properties. Only four months later Paradox has executed a definitive agreement to acquire all remaining stock of Conan Properties. There is no doubt that Conan is one of the greatest character franchises in the world. The line up of partners surely tells the strength of the property. A wide range of international companies has been working with Conan over the years. Current licensing deals include a feature film option with Warner Brothers, computer games license with TDK, publishing license with TOR books a comic license with Dark Horse Comics and many other key licensees world wide. This, if anything, shows that the great barbarian is a strong and vital character, says Theodore Bergquist, CEO at Paradox Entertainment.

Xicat Interactive Inc., announced today that BlackStone: Magic and Steel, has shipped and is on store shelves. BlackStone is Xicat’s second Japanese RPG release in three months for the Xbox. “BlackStone: Magic and Steel is a unique fusion of RPG elements and multiplayer hack & slash game play. We’re confident it will be a big title for us this quarter,” says Brad Flack, director of sales at Xicat. BlackStone: Magic and Steel will be available for the Xbox and can be found throughout North America. BlackStone is rated T for blood and violence.

Electronic Arts and Lionhead Studios once again join forces to ask the question of whether you are an evil or benevolent deity. From the creative mind of industry icon, Peter Molyneux, Black & White 2 for the PC promises to deliver yet another revolutionary Role Playing God game experience. Currently under development, the PC-based title is the true sequel to the highly-acclaimed original PC title, Black & White which was released more than two years ago.

Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games) today announced that it has obtained the exclusive publishing rights for the world-renowned "Hunter: The Reckoning" franchise. Under terms of the agreement, VU Games has assumed worldwide publishing and distribution responsibilities to future game releases based on the multi-year content license from White Wolf Publishing Inc. The publishing rights were purchased from Interplay Entertainment Corp.

Thrustmaster infiltrates Splinter Cell, the long-awaited PlayStation 2 title from Ubi Soft Entertainment, and will be releasing an official Splinter Cell gamepad and cheatcodes. Fans of the cutting-edge spy thriller will be keen to pick up these two special weapons, both of which will be available for the game’s scheduled release at the end of March 2003.

Developed by Big Huge Games, Rise of Nations combines the epic scope and depth of traditional turn-based strategy games with the pulse-pounding thrill and speed of RTS games, providing unprecedented excitement while maintaining rich gameplay. The game allows players to create new cities, improve their city infrastructure and expand national borders. Read more for a batch of 15 brand new screens ...

Electronic Arts has released a new patch for Medal of Honor: Allied Assault Spearhead, bringing the World War II FPS expansion by EA Pacific to v2.15. This release includes a sizable list of improvements, tweaks and bug fixes. Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

Vivendi Universal & Interplay today announced that Run Like Hell for the Xbox has gone gold. This expanded Xbox version of the survival horror game includes an additional "hydroponics" level, five additional rooms and several new bloodthirsty creatures. Dolby Digital 5.1 and High-definition (HDTV) will be supported in game, and additional mini games and skins will be available at launch via Xbox Live. Run Like Hell is scheduled to ship to retail in early April.

ARUSH Entertainment, Groove Games and Digitalo plan to release a multiplayer demo of the just-finished FPS Devastation. The MP demo will contain two of the maps from the final version of the game, and will showcase Devastation's amazingly detailed levels, beautiful OFX Particles, and real world physics for maximum interactivity with the environment and objects in LAN and net games. Read more for further details and some screens ...

A major number one best seller for PS2, the Xbox/PC edition features more cars on track in every race and adds qualifying rounds to the cut-throat career championships. A superior graphics engine will deliver the close contact, and often dangerous, racing in dramatic detail. TOCA Race Driver delivers a racing experience packed with 42 real touring and sports cars, 13 championships and an incredible 38 internationally renowned race circuits. New to the Xbox/PC edition are the introduction of a qualifying round to championship races; in Australia's championship players will experience the 'Shoot out' qualification system. Call it Toca Race driver, Pro Race Driver or DTM Race Driver, these screens are for one and the same game, njoy!

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. Rounding out the music roster for Amplitude with additional rock, dance, rap and electronica, newly signed acts include P!nk, BT, The X-ecutioners, Slipknot and Game Boyz. These artists will join other major recording artists on the Amplitude roster that include Baldwin Brothers, blink 182, David Bowie, Dieselboy, Garbage, Herbie Hancock, Logan 7, Mekon, Papa Roach, P.O.D., Quarashi and Weezer. Developed by Harmonix Music Systems, Amplitude allows players to become a rhythmical DJ and jam with more than 25 diverse songs in virtual, vibrant interactive musical environments while mixing and remixing hit songs during offline and online gameplay.

Vivendi Universal Games announced today that it has shipped "Enclave," for the personal computer to retailers nationwide. A third-person, 3D action game, "Enclave" is set in a fantasy environment where long ago a rift formed separating the lands of light from the plains of darkness by an impassable chasm. Over time, the Enclave of light grew strong and prosperous, while those confined to the war-ravaged plains of the outlands harbored nothing but hatred and jealousy. Now, after hundreds of years, the rift is closing and it is only a matter of time before a full-scale war erupts. At the start of the game, players must make an important decision and choose to take on the role of either an agent of light or of darkness.

Zapper is an action-packed and addictive game that starts with the “avoid-em-up” game play mechanics of Blitz Games’ own Frogger 2: Swampy’s Revenge, and then takes the action to a whole new level. It will take fast-footed skill and timing to conquer all the worlds and survive the final showdown with the magpie queen.

A few weeks ago Ubi Soft Entertainment announced plans to release Kola Cell, a new level for the highly successful videogame Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell available for download via Xbox Live. Sam Fisher fans won't have to wait much longer! The new mission for Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell will be available to Xbox Live subscribers beginning March 14, 2003. In the meantime UbiSoft was so kind to once again send us a few new screens to keep you happy ...

EA has just released the earlier announced update patch for their recently released RTS, C&C Generals. This upgrade brings your retail version to v1.4 and adds several fixes and game balance adjustments (thanks BluesNews). Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

Just noticed on GameSpyDaily that BigHugeGames has delayed the release of their highly anticipated RTS, Rise Of Nations. According to Gamespy beta tester feedback compels Big Huge Games to hold off until May 20th. In Rise of Nations, you'll create new cities, improve city infrastructures and expand national borders. Conquer foes through military might using everything from sling-shots to cannons to stealth bombers to nuclear weapons; corner the market on key commodities and consolidate power under your rule; wheel and deal across time with history's eminent cultures.

In Hitman 2: Silent Assassin you must enter the mind of a genetically engineered assassin Codename 47, whose deadly efficiency is now needed more than ever. Lured back into a global ring of deception, you must kill not only to make a living, but to continue living. This time it's not just business. It's personal. A new batch of GameCube screens ...

"The Hobbit" is a third-person action/adventure game set in the world of Middle-earth. In the game, you take the persona of Bilbo Baggins, an unassuming Hobbit who has been unwittingly thrust into an epic adventure. Explore the mystical world of Middle-earth where you'll need to jump gaping chasms, climb treacherous mountains, solve mind bending puzzles and battle hordes of enemies just to survive. Meet enchanting Elves, battle-ready Dwarves, a powerful Wizard, massive Trolls, bloodthirsty goblins, and more as you traverse from the peaceful lands of the Shire to the harrowing forests of Mirkwood. And that's just the beginning.

CDV Software Entertainment today announced "No Man's Land," the historical real-time strategy game for the PC, will be in North American retail stores this summer. Covering expansion of North America from 1600 to 1900, "No Man's Land" features lush environments, accurately detailed units, and heart-pounding battle sequences. Read more for details and a few new screens ...

Set in a Mad-Max style post-apocalyptic wasteland, Bandits is a vehicular-based combat game that offers unprecedented action packed gameplay in single-player campaign mode or up to 8 players, over LAN or Internet, in multiplayer mode. Bandits is the game where your cannon mounted combat car takes you on an adventure across green fields, desert canyons and deep snow, bombing and blasting all sorts of enemies and cargo trucks, defending your gang and your glory! In charge of the action are the notorious leaders of the Wolfpack gang, Fennec and Rewdalf. You take control of the action while Fennec & Rewdalf do the talking – they do a lot of that. Expected in the US any day now, TriSynergy now released a singleplayer as well as multiplayer demo.

It is 1588 A.D., a critical year of an alternate history hauntingly familiar yet fantastically alien to our own. Because of one fateful event during the Third Crusade, the history of this world diverged. This event, the Disjunction, ripped open a long-sealed breach to other worlds. Magic energy and powerful spirits flowed into the world, changing the lands and the people forever. Cast into this world, you are a character of your own devices, strengths, and abilities. Set upon by human factions and powerful spirits, you must decide how to best develop your skills in order to triumph over obstacles that lie between you and your true fate. A fresh batch of Lionheart screens has arrived!

From the creator of award-winning Capitalism series and Seven Kingdoms series, Trevor Chan, here comes a break through in business simulation genre. The game that takes the art of cooking and running a restaurant to new heights, Restaurant Tycoon is a gastronome's dreams come true. Starting with nothing except some cash, a passion for food and a great idea, you start by building a restaurant from the bottom up - hiring waiters, decorating, even cooking the meals. Buy, build, outsell and undermine your competition in the world's culinary capitals, all faithfully recreated in stunning 3D environments.