History Channel’s Battle of Britain 1940, published by Activision Value, Inc. and developed by iEntertainment Network Inc., will be including a free online dogfighting arena. This will be the first time that a flight simulation will offer a FREE massively multiplayer online gaming arena. The arena will include topographically accurate terrain of the English Channel and surrounding areas. Pilots will also be able to test their flying skills in a historically accurate Axis ME 109 or an Allied Spitfire 1. Choose a side, Axis or Allied, and dogfight away, all for FREE!

THQ has now released an updated demo for their sci-fi flying action game Yager . The demo offers the same 3 missions as before but includes mouse support and now works on older processors without SSE instructions (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for download links ...

Vivendi Universal Games UK has released a demo for their space combat-FPS Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter. The PC version of Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter will NOT be released in the US, it was cancelled a few weeks ago, so seems that the US folx will either have to import it, or be content with this demo (thanks C&VG). Read more for download links ...

Atari sent out notice that they have launched the official website for their upcoming stealth action game Mission Impossible: Operation Surma. The site features trailers, latest screenshots, message forums, details about the game, weapons & gadgets, and more. You can expect Mission: Impossible Operation Surma in stores November for the Gamecube, PS2, Xbox and GBA. Head on over to the official Mission Impossible: Operation Surma website to check out the goods ...

Inspired by the world of online gaming phenomenon EverQuest, 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. As expected the 2nd demo for Lords of EverQuest has been released on the Nvidia website. This demo allows you to play online as the Elddar Alliance faction, including the previously released Shadow Realm tutorials. Read more for download links ...

Wanadoo today announced the sale of its subsidiary Wanadoo Edition (28.2 million euros of revenues in 2002) to MC2 Entertainment, the company created in order to take over Microids on June 27 of this year. Upon completion of the transaction Wanadoo will hold 12 percent of MC2 Entertainment.

Tecmo and DreamWorks Studios, the movie studio headed by Steven Spielberg, announced new details surrounding the movie based on Fatal Frame, the hit survival-horror series that will once again unleash its terror with a sequel, Fatal Frame 2, coming out this November.

Microsoft today announced that the new Xbox Live update “Xbox Live Now” is now available for download. "Xbox Live Now" is a free update that gives gamers what they want most: a host of innovative features they can use to interact with friends online. With "Xbox Live Now", gamers are always connected to Xbox Live, so from the moment the Xbox power indicator glows green gamers are plugged into their online network of friends.

A real-time strategy game of epic scope and breadth, Empires: Dawn of the Modern World lets players command legendary civilizations as they battle to forge mighty empires during the days of longbows and charging knights to the awesome land, air and sea battles of WWII involving Tiger Tanks, Storm Troopers, Spitfires, and stealthy submarines. Read more for some new screens ...

Another day, another batch of game trailers were released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for :

• Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer - Trailer
• LotR: Return of the King - Trailer
• Chrome - Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Microids has launched the official website for Benoir Sokal's eagerly anticipated adventure game Syberia 2. The website features story details on Kate Walker's second adventure, some new/small screens and the usual tidbits. Syberia 2 can be expected in Spring 2004 and the website mentions a trailer & demo "coming soon". Head on over there to check all the goodies ...

Microsoft Game Studios and Ensemble Studios today announced that Age of Mythology: The Titans has stomped onto store shelves in North America for an estimated retail price of $29.95 (U.S.). International versions are scheduled to be released later in October. Gamers will now be able to take control over the gigantic and super-powerful Titans and use their unique abilities to wreak destruction upon their enemies.

Legacy Interactive announced today that the latest addition to its popular “Law & Order” computer game franchise, Law & Order II: Double or Nothing, has shipped to retail outlets with an SRP of $29.95. Exclusively for PC/CD-ROM, Law & Order II: Double or Nothing is distributed by Vivendi Universal Games and is rated T for Teen. You can also check our Law & Order 2 preview.

Immersion Corp. today released TouchWare Gaming, a breakthrough software product for the PC gaming industry that adds force feedback effects to the vast majority of all PC Windows-based games, whether they were originally designed with force feedback or not.

As the anticipation builds this fall for the third season of "American Idol," fans will be able to get an interactive fix of their favorite program wherever they go, in Codemasters' American Idol video game for Game Boy Advance. The game features celebrity judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell and will also be available for the PS2 and the PC in time for the holiday shopping season.

Your mission is to lead an army of urban guerillas now that Electronic Arts has shipped Freedom Fighters on the PlayStation2, Xbox, GameCube, and PC under its EA GAMES brand. Based on an alternate history in which the Soviet Union won the Cold War and invaded modern-day New York City, Freedom Fighters lets you join and eventually lead a revolution in this third-person action game that unfolds in the besieged streets of New York.

Hercules is thrilled to introduce two new ultra-powerful graphics boards in its range of high-quality products, 3D Prophet 9800 XT and 3D Prophet 9600 XT. These innovative new boards have been designed to transform a PC into the ultimate gaming station. Hercules will benefit from the best solution based on ATI’s high-end RADEON visual processors to answer the needs of the cream of the gaming crop. Featuring best-in-class quality, design and stability, 3D Prophet 9800 XT and 3D Prophet 9600 XT deliver an extreme gaming experience unlike anything seen before.

SEGA of America, Inc. today announced that Hideaki Irie has joined SEGA of America as president and chief operating officer, effective October 1, 2003. As president and COO, Irie's responsibilities will include directing SEGA's console software gaming businesses in North America, including all product and business development, marketing, sales, operations and content. Irie brings more than a decade of leadership experience to the helm, which includes a previous presidential role.

Combining third person action, horse-riding and sneak'em up assassination with a cinematography inspired rail shooter FPS mode, Wanted Guns is a story driven action game for the PC set in Mexico and the Wild West during the American Civil War. You play as Reverend Devlin, an unforgiving priest whose dubious past as former leader of Los Gauchos, a Mexican gang of gold-thieving gunslingers, has finally come back to haunt him.

Take a band of gun-toting rebels -a robot, a madman, a mole and a criminal mastermind. Put them in a vividly stunning fantasy realm. Then give them an impossible mission - pulling off the biggest heist of all time in the middle of a war. All you have to do is battle your way through dastardly enemies, giant war machines and an army of psychopathic robots. But don't worry; you have plenty of ammo and absolutely no common sense. Victory is yours in 12,000 bullets or less! Check out the new screens ...

Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes thrusts players into the stunning 3D world of espionage and stealth action created by celebrated producer, Hideo Kojima. Playing as legendary videogame hero, Solid Snake, gamers will infiltrate an Alaskan nuclear missile disposal facility occupied by a terrorist organization called FOXHOUND. Only in this game will players truly feel like they are in the heart of the action, as if every step taken leads them closer to danger.

Once again we are expanding our review staff and are looking for several additional volunteer reviewers who are interested in contributing to the continuing success and growth of Worthplaying... If you think you possess other "qualities" that could assist our cause, feel free to drop us an email... Get all information here!

In Advent Rising, a common legend pervades the galaxy - that of a powerful, ancient race that will one day unite the universe. Millions of cultures from vastly distant worlds revere and hallow these mythological beings known as humans. One race, the Seekers, know humans actually exist and are threatened by their potential power. Under the guise of benevolent explorers, the Seekers travel throughout the galaxy in a desperate attempt to eradicate any human society they unearth. Check out some new screens ...

TeamXbox has an interesting story from one of their anonymous sources who informed them today that Microsoft and IBM have signed a multi-million dollar agreement under which IBM Microelectronics will manufacture a next generation CPU for the Xbox 2. Work on the new processor has already started, but the deal was inked just a few days ago. To be taken with a truckload of salt, but for the people who like rumours, check out the full article here.