Infogrames announces the Spring 2003 release of RollerCoaster Tycoon - the game that has won the hearts of millions of roller coaster fans worldwide - on Xbox, the video game system from Microsoft.

Capcom today announced the release of Devil May Cry 2, the highly anticipated "gothic thriller" for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system. Sequel to Devil May Cry, that has sold nearly three million units worldwide, Devil May Cry 2 sees the return of Dante, a half-human, half-demon, devil hunter and introduces Lucia, a stunning female heroine with the ability to decimate enemies using scalpel-like precision. Devil May Cry 2 is rated 'M' for gamers over the age of 17 by the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) and is now available at retailers across North America.

The U.S. entertainment software industry grew 8% to a record-breaking $6.9 billion in 2002, according to data released today by the Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA), the U.S. association representing computer and video game software publishers. The IDSA today also released results of a new poll that shows that consumers plan to keep spending on computer and video games in 2003, with 41% of all Americans, and almost two-thirds (63%) of parents, saying that they plan to purchase at least one game this year. In addition, a majority of Americans (56%) under the age of 45 plan to buy at least one computer or video game this year; while 37% of 45 to 54 year olds, and 26% of adults ages 55 to 64, also plan to buy at least one game this year. The poll was conducted in mid-January for the IDSA by KRC Research, and dramatically illustrates the industry's popularity among adult consumers.

In a move to promote long-term growth of his businesses, George Lucas announced today that he is bringing his award-winning companies of Lucas Digital, LucasArts Entertainment, Lucas Licensing and Lucasfilm Ltd. into one organization (thanks HomeLan).

Yesterday we posted up the Ikaruga announcement for the American market, today we received details of the European release. Read more for full pressrelease!

ATI Technologies Inc. today announced that it is the title sponsor of GDFest, one of the largest LAN party events held on the West Coast. In addition to its sponsorship, ATI will be giving away 10 RADEON 9700 PRO graphics boards to gamers at GDFest.

Agetec, Inc, today announced the next addition to their Designer Series of games, COLOR QUEST will be available in early May 2003. Created by TAITO with the creative gamer in mind, COLOR QUEST will be released exclusively for the Sony PlayStation2 computer entertainment system.

Ubi Soft Entertainment announces the immediate availability of Scrabble 2003 Edition for the PC. This follows the successful launch of Junior Scrabble in November 2002 and precedes Scrabble for Sony PlayStation 2 scheduled for Q1 2003.

Intrinsic Graphics, developer of the innovative Intrinsic Alchemy game development platform, is announcing today that Flying Lab Software, maker of the award-winning Rails Across America, has selected Intrinsic Alchemy as their engine for game development of their next title on the PC. Recently announced, Pirates of the Burning Sea, is a Massively Muliplayer On-line Role Playing Game (MMORPG) and will be released for the PC in the Fall this year.

From the opening cinematics, players find themselves engulfed in Batmans world; the beginning of an episodic adventure of darkness, danger and deception. In the midst of one of The Jokers twisted schemes, during a struggle with Batman, The Joker falls from a bridge to his death. Crime sweeps Gotham City, as the likes of Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze, Harley Quinn, and other notorious villains step up to fill The Jokers evil shoes. Does the Batman do well on the PC, or should this game be engulfed in darkness...

Shrapnel Games announced today that the the newest Space Empires IV Gold patch is available from their website. This patch, v1.84, adds features changes and enhancements and fixes bugs.. Among the changes and additions are two new target types added for components: "Ships/Planets/Sat" and "Ships/Planets/Sat/Drone", option to strategems to control how many drones are launched per target in combat, and changes to weapons platform damage when planets are under attack. There are also over 25 fixes in this patch. A complete list of additions, changes, and fixes can be found at Shrapnel Games website.

TDK Recording Media France has acquired the distribution rights for France of the games published by ARXEL TRIBE starting April 1st 2003. Both companies will work closely together to make sure games such as DEVASTATION, HANNIBAL or SLAYER will reach top sales when they are launched in the coming months.

The official boards for Unreal II is updated with some info regarding an upcoming video demo instead of a real demo for Unreal II. Here you have the cut and past:

As much as we'd like to create a 'true' demo, it's simply not possible. Legend have moved on to other projects and the production of a demo - even from already existing levels would require time and effort that we just don't have. It would then have to go through QA - another organization that is working on other projects and cannot dedicate time to a UII demo. It's all about the allocation of 'assets'.

However, as I mentioned above, we plan to put something out that as you say - will allow people to see what the game looks and plays like without any editing or 'tricks'. Raw gameplay.

It's going to be hard to get this video out before launch (the game will be on shelves on the 4th (USA), 7th (Europe)), but I hope that we have it online before too long. We'll try to spread it as far and wide as we did the UT2003 demo.

A series of grisly murders brings Lara into conflict with a sinister Alchemist from the past, and a secret alliance of powerful individuals shrouded in mystery. Accused of the murder of her one time mentor, Lara Croft becomes a fugitive on the run. Pursued by the police, she follows the Alchemist into a dark world of blood, betrayal and vengeance where it is up to her to defeat this unholy alliance, and stop them from unleashing their incredible powers on the world. Eidos released 3 new trailers, so read more for download links...

Devastation is a next-generation Unreal Engine-powered, team-based FPS set in a near future technology dark age, where corporations rule and deadly Pacification Squad Troopers enforcing their will. Developed by Digitalo, and co-published by ARUSH Entertainment and Groove Games, Devastation features Hollywood-style special effects, an engrossing single player story, frenetic multiplayer modes and Karma physics for incredible real world interactions and rag doll deaths. Read more to check out an action packed in game trailer!

It will take nerves of steel and lightning fast reflexes to make your way through these crowded streets. Introducing Speed Kings, the full-on adrenaline rush of street motorcycle racing, right in your living room. It’s a mixture of Burnout meets Road Rash that will have players weaving through traffic, pulling off insane stunts, running from police and racing to the finish line. Do you have what it takes to be a Speed King? Read more for a batch of fresh screens ...

Silver Creek Entertainment is proud to announce the arrival of a new age of computer solitaire games with the launch of Hardwood Solitaire III . The game is the latest in Silver Creek’s award winning line of card games that present Solitaire as it should be – an exciting game, not just another application bundled with a computer. Hardwood Solitaire III is available now for only $24.95. A free demo is also available.

A Warrior Slave…Chosen by the Gods…to Re-store the Glory of an Empire In the Year 106AD the Roman Empire is in terrible decline. After the untimely death of the much-liked Emperor Trajan, the despotic Emperor Arruntius has bled the once powerful Rome to its knees. Badly fought wars, famine and plague are rife in all corners of the Empire, whilst the Emperor and his elite enjoy every excess and vice that the emptying coffers can afford. As herald to this age of degradation, Arruntius has destroyed large portions of the city of Rome to create the battleground for the bloodiest gladiator event ever staged…

The world’s most insane off-road rally race returns to the consoles bigger and badder than ever before with Dakar 2: Special Stages Racing for the GameCube and Xbox. Choose from a vast assortment of fully licensed trucks, cars and motorcycles in which you’ll compete against the elements that mother-nature has placed in your path to victory. This is a no holds barred quest for world rally supremacy! Check out these new screens as well as an in-game trailer ...

Soul Calibur 2 will feature 13 fighters, platform specific characters such as Link (GameCube), Heinachi (PlayStation 2) and Spawn (Xbox), 7 gameplay modes including: Arcade, Vs, Time Attack, Survival, Team Battle, Practice, and Weapon Master, and 200 weapons when released. The newly launched site has official forums, screenshots, e-mail and news updates. In addition to all that, small, medium and large versions of the Soul Calibur 2 trailer are available at the site, which we have mirror'd here. Read more for download links ...

Talk about a southern island fantasy! Imagine being in Paradise for two whole weeks, with no-one but the lovely ladies of Dead or Alive to keep you company! Except instead of fighting - it's all about another exciting and reaction testing activity - beach volleyball. In "Dead or Alive Extreme Beach Volleyball", you play as a character you select out of all seven of the Dead or Alive ladies, along with one new character and enjoy holidays at various spots on the island playing beach volleyball games. This is the full introduction movie showcasing the lovely, volleyball playing ladies of Dead or Alive Extreme Beach Volleyball. Seems some people were in need to see the intro to this game, so here it is. Read more for download links ...

Atari shipped the eagerly-anticipated "Battle Engine Aquila" to retail stores nationwide this week for the PS2 and the Xbox. Developed by Lost Toys and published by Atari, "Battle Engine Aquila" is a fierce and frenetic shooter that puts players at the helm of the most advanced war machine ever created -- the "Battle Engine Aquila." Tasked with protecting a world from hostile rebel forces, players will utilize an impressive and visually stunning arsenal of pulse cannons, micro missiles, spread bombs and much more, each critical to prevailing in the game's continuously evolving war zone. We are currently reviewing our Xbox copy, so stay tuned!

Atari Interactive today announced they will be releasing the much-anticipated hit Japanese game Ikaruga for the Nintendo GameCube next generation console system. With an MSRP of $39.99, Ikaruga is expected to land in America in April 2003. Read more for details ...

Vegas - it's like nowhere else on Earth. It looks bizarre in pictures and on TV and even madder to the naked eye. Fairy tale castles, pirate ships, roman palaces and even a pyramid; top quality restaurants, high class entertainers, world champions sports events and shows with albino tigers, it's got the lot all thrown together... and in the middle of a desert. But it works. Millions of people flock there every year and millions of dollars are lost at the gambling tables, but the people are still happy and they still keep coming.