Computer gaming fans can expect to see one of the most realistic games to date when Sony Computer Entertainment Europe releases "The Getaway" on December 6. The long-awaited Playstation 2 game promises high-speed chases, fires, explosions and gun battles that make players feel like they're part of an action-packed film. The setting is a 30-mile section of the foggy streets of London so realistic that players can see the cracks in the pavement. The more than 100 life-like characters and elaborate scenery would have been impossible to create in a timely manner without the help of new 3D scanning and facial morphing technologies.

Codemasters today confirms it has secured the global publishing rights to "World War II: RTS" (development title only) from 1C Company, the leading Russian game company renowned for the acclaimed flight simulator, IL-2 Sturmovik. Designed to take players closer to the entire, gruelling war experience than any strategy game previously, "World War II: RTS" will capture both the tactics and the emotions of being a commander in WWII’s key battles. The game has already attracted much attention for its historical detail and dramatic use of impressive visuals. The title is now in full development at 1C, with Codemasters consulting on game design; a release is planned in the spring of 2004. Check out six new ingame screens!

Blizzard Entertainment, a studio of Vivendi Universal Games, today announced plans to premiere a new cinematic trailer for "Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos" in theaters beginning Nov. 22, 2002, with the opening of "James Bond: Die Another Day." The new trailer will appear on more than 20,000 screens across the country before such movies as "Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers," "Star Trek: Nemesis," and "Solaris," along with the new Bond film. Additionally, patrons of AMC Theatres will be able to take home a free "Warcraft III Game Sampler" CD-ROM when they purchase a large Coke and a Butterfinger candy bar at the concession stand. This exclusive disc includes a playable demo of the game, featuring three new Warcraft III single-player missions, and three new multiplayer maps to be used with the full version of the game.

THQ and Nickelodeon today announced the release of SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. They also today shipped SUPER MONKEY BALLJR. for Game Boy Advance and MX Superfly Featuring Ricky Carmichael with Xbox Live support; first ever motocross title available for Microsoft's online gaming network. EA SPORTS NCAA March Madness 2003, is released today by Electronic Arts for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and Dead to Rights, Namco's first M-rated game and biggest US-developed project to date, is now available with all new features for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and Nintendo GameCube video game console. Minority Report from Activision is also available in retail stores nationwide for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance.

CDV today opend up the officiall site for their upcoming RTS that is in works at MadCat Int. Software. The webpage presents a vast collection of screens and artworks from the developer, so check ‘em out! The release is scheduled for 1st half 2003.

Massive Assault is Wargaming.net's upcoming 3D global domination strategy game. Take the command of "Axis-of-Good" forces and defeat the secret alliance of "Shadow Clique" on one of 6 distant planets. The rebels decided to seize the power on Earth by first conquering the space colonies, which provide vital energy resources to A.O.G. The war for global domination will unroll on continents, at sea and in the air. Lead your divisions, fleets and air squadrons against those, who dared threaten our freedom and democracy! Wargaming was so nice to send us some new screens showing off the new graphics and effects.

It is 776 BC. The age of the first Olympics in Ancient Greece. The Greek city states of Athens, Sparta, Macedonia, Elis, Crete, Troy, Thebes and Carthage have gathered at Olympia. It is the last day of the historic event. The five full days of frenetic athletic activities are coming to an end. But the pinnacle of all the Olympic events is yet to commence. As one of the privileged competitors, the expectations of thousands rest on your shoulders…Chariots: The First Olympics is announced for PC (Windows), Linux, Apple Mac, PlayStation2, Xbox and GameCube. Read more for features and screens!

In Evolution Skateboarding, players control their riding experience by designing their own deck, building and saving signature combo tricks and even creating the riders' personalized look. Should gamers want to stick with the pros, they can choose from eight pro-skaters including famed riders Danny Way, Arto Saari, Stevie Williams and more. ReEad more for the verdict ...

Polish developers Mirage have just released a new update patch for their recently released first-person shooter "Sniper: Path of Vengeance" This upgrade brings your retail game to v2.01. Being a whopping 40mb in size it brings quite a few changes to the table such as upgrading to the latest build of the LithTech engine, fixes and tweaks for various crashes and bugs. Read more detailed fix list and links where to grab the goods ...

NVida today released some new Unreal II - The Awakening screens, showing off the Unreal sequel on the GeForce FX technology. "Unreal II - The Awakening is the sequel to the original Unreal and takes place in the same fictional universe - but the main player character and the locations are different than those found in the first game." Read more for the impressive shots!

Ubi Soft today announced Rocky for the PlayStation 2 has shipped to retail stores nationwide. Developed by UK-based Rage Games, LTD, and licensed by MGM Interactive, Rocky lets gamers relive each dramatic fight and memorable moment from the Rocky through Rocky V movies. Rocky is rated "T-Teen" and is available for a suggested retail price of $49.99.

Capcom today announced the release of its number one arcade hit, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 for the PlayStation 2. Delivering absolute arcade perfection in classic Capcom style, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 pits Capcom’s legendary characters and Marvel’s world famous super heroes against each other for dream matches of epic proportions. They also announced the release of Steel Battalion, the exciting new battle-mech simulator exclusively for the Xbox. Using an exclusive 40-button controller, players “take a seat” inside the cockpit of 19 different mechanized VT’s (Vertical Tanks) duringa rebellious attempt to over-throw the government.

iEntertainment Network, developer of the Warbirds TotalSim series, announced today that it has signed an exclusive U.S. distribution agreement with Activision, a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products, to ship three of IENT's newest air and land combat game titles to stores for the Christmas 2002 retail season.

Microsoft has just released a demo for their recently released "Zoo Tycoon Expansion Pack", it contains four tutorials (one from Dinosaur Digs and three from Marine Mania), and one Marine Mania map. The dinosaurs and animals featured in the trial version include the likes of the velociraptor, allosaurus, polar bear, manta ray and pacific walrus. This demo also includes an orca, a show animal that can perform a series of tricks (thanks evilavatar). Read more for links where to grab the goodies ...

Video Games Live At The Hollywood Bowl is the first ever concert showcasing the greatest music in video games and will be performed at the Hollywood Bowl, May 16th. This highly energized event will be taking place on the closing night of the 2003 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), the largest interactive entertainment exposition in the United States.

Simon & Schuster Interactive announced today its arcade shooter title "SeaBlade" for the Xbox has shipped and will be available at retailers nationwide by the weekend. In SEABLADE (Rated: "T" by the ESRB), gamers take control of a futuristic spacecraft that can fly as well as dive below water with the goal of defeating insidious warlords who have overrun the northern hemisphere in the year 2350.

Splinter Cell invites gamers to delve into the dark shadows of cyber-terrorism, shadow agencies, and covert operations. The player controls Sam Fisher, a solo operative directed by a top secret, "black ops" wing of the National Security Agency. Alone, yet armed with some of the best hi-tech weapons on the market, Sam walks the fine line between what is legal and what is necessary. He must infiltrate enemy territory and neutralize the opponents—all without leaving a trace. European gamers have to wait one more week for Splinter Cell to arrive, in the meantime Ubisoft send us a new clip showing off some Sam Fisher movie action, quite impressive. Read more to download it ...

The story is set in the mine valley of Khorinis. The glorious days of the once productive mines in this small seaside region are long over. Instead, the mines are now akin to a natural prison that is surrounded by an impenetrable magic barrier where slaves eked out their miserable existence. Khorinis is facing an uncertain future. Due to the farmers' decreasing production, more and more of the food deliveries are not taking place, and the stocks diminish continuously. The militia's strength ends at the town gate. Outside the town wall, nobody is safe from the bandits' armed raids. There is war in Khorinis. A civil war.. Six new screenshots of people getting medieval.

IPOdesktop.com presents "What's Going on in the Game Industry," a web radio show with Trip Hawkins, CEO of The 3DO Company. THDO provides advanced entertainment systems including the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the PlayStation game console, the Nintendo GameCube system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft Corp., the PC, and the Game Boy Advance system. The interview includes:

• Why the market is taking off
• Why publisher results are mixed despite the market taking off
• 3DO's outlook for 2003 -- why the market will be much more favorable
• 3DO products in 2003 -- raves for High Heat Baseball, Street Racing Syndicate (SRS), and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
  
  Links and full scoop here!

Strategy First today offers a new patch v1.16b to their action role-playing game Prince of Qin. The 22.5MB patch Includes several game optimizations and bug fixes. Download and read more about bug fixes here.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe today moved to quash speculation that it would be reducing the price of its PlayStation2 computer entertainment console before Christmas. The move follows news coverage of a reduction in the wholesale price of the PlayStation 2 in Japan, to bring it into general alignment with the current console price in Europe and North America. The Japanese price cut was made possible by increased production yields of the NTSC format console for the Japanese market (Europe use the PAL TV format). Sony Computer Entertainment Europe confirmed today that there were no plans to reduce the price of PlayStation 2 in the PAL territories before Christmas. We are very content with the sales of PlayStation 2 in Europe following our price reduction at the end of August this year,” said David Reeves, EVP Sales and Marketing at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. “This Christmas sees a phenomenal line-up of PlayStation games, from Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, to The Getaway, GTA Vice City, This is Football 2003, Formula 1 2002 and WRC II Extreme.

Universal Interactive today announced that its shipped Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly for GameCube. Agetec also announced the shipping of Fighter Maker 2 to retail outlets across North America for PlayStation 2 and TECMO GAMES announced the release of Monster Rancher Advance 2 for Nintendo GBA. Activision has unleashed more high-speed driving missions and mayhem onto the PlayStation 2 and GameCube with the release of WRECKLESS: The Yakuza Missions.

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. announced today the acquisition of Angel Studios, Inc. a leading developer of next generation interactive entertainment software. Take-Two acquired Angel Studios for an aggregate $28 million in cash and 235,679 shares of restricted Common Stock. The Company does not anticipate the acquisition of Angel Studios to have any effect on its previously issued fiscal 2003 financial guidance. Angel Studios will be renamed Rockstar San Diego effective immediately.

"Midtown Madness 3" provides something for both the hardcore and casual gamer. With three challenging single race modes, Blitz, Checkpoint and Cruise, gamers will experience ambient traffic, pedestrians and voice-over effects particular to neighbourhoods.. Six new screenshots featuring a Mini Cooper that probably ought to be locked up.