Man, talk about a boring Friday. Today only a few trailers for various games were released. Instead of giving them all their own post, we grouped them and so far there are trailers for :

• Vietcong (Take2)
• Rayman 3 'Battery' (UbiSoft)
• Star Wars : Knights Of The Old Republic(LucasArts)
• Splinter Cell PS2 Intro (UbiSoft)
  
  Read more for download links ...

The Netherworld - a realm darker than the deepest abyss, located far beneath where mortals tread. It is a cursed land where evil reigns and foul beings dwell. Nobody knows its whereabouts, but everybody fears its existence... The story takes place two years after the death of King Krichevskoy, the ruler of the Netherworld. His son Laharl awakens from a long sleep, unaware of his father's death. Meanwhile, scheming demons vie for supremacy over the Netherworld. With the help of his subordinate Etna and her underlings, the egocentric, self-absorbed Prince Laharl must fight to regain the throne and claim his birthright.

Atlus U.S.A. released some screens and a trialer for "Lufia: The Ruins of Lore", the next title in the wildly popular Lufia role-playing series. Developed for the Game Boy Advance, the title will be released in North America in the Spring of 2003. This exciting new chapter follows the adventures of Eldin and his childhood friends, Torma and Rami, as they strive to solve the mystery of the ancient ruins and halt the resurrection of an evil beast whose power could eradicate humanity. Read more for the goodies ...

Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided is now entering the final phase of development, and everyone at LucasArts and Sony Online Entertainment is pleased with the game's progress since the beta test program was initiated. Although the game is making good progess LucasArts also says that "to deliver the best possible massively multiplayer experience and ensure stability and breadth of content, LucasArts and Sony Online Entertainment will delay the game's April 15 launch". This will enable us to invest more time into the beta program, and to solicit additional feedback from the tremendous fan base Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided has already developed. No new date has been given, read more for the full press release ...

The year is 2178 and the galaxy is evolving at an alarming pace. Years ago, human scientists introduced a new technology, the “Hyper-drive”, which vastly improved interstellar travel, but instead of forging closer bonds throughout the galaxy, communication between civilizations has ground to a halt. Colonization and a battle for supremacy have become the primary goals but only one race can dominate…and survive. Strategy First has released a new trailer showing off what this game is all about. Read more for download links ...

For those of you who have finished Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell and are craving a fix of your favorite Xbox game: WAIT NO MORE! Beginning today (and NOT yesterday like some other places reported), you can revisit the tense stealth-action of Splinter Cell by simply downloading the Kola Cell mission for Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell from Xbox Live--at no additional charge. But be forewarned! This mission is tough. Real tough. Ubi Soft's Montreal team put a lot of thought into how to best test the skills of the most creative Splinter Cell players. We invite you to guide Sam Fisher through a Georgian warehouse, find cyber-terrorist Philip Masse's computer terminal and steal a sample code. Just don't get caught. If you do, the United States government will disavow any knowledge of your existence.

Syberia II, the sequel of the 2002 Adventure Game of The year, is currently in development at the developer/publisher Montreal-based studios. Microïds is also excited to release today the first images, screenshots and artworks, of Syberia II. The game will be released in the Fall of 2003. Check out these new screens ...

Pirates is broadband only, with high-end hardware specifications for graphics -- a GeForce 3 or better is required in at least a 1GHZ machine, and the game is optimized for the latest DirectX 9.0-class cards. Pirates is being published on-line directly to gamers using Valve's new Steam technology. This is the same delivery system used by Half-Life 2 and Counterstrike 2. Check out the new seaworthy screens ...

ValuSoft, a division of THQ Inc. today announced the release of Round the World Challenge for PC. Developed by PAN Vision, this action-packed game for kids, and adults alike, is rated "E" for Everyone and will be available at retailers nationwide for $19.99 SRP.

Interplay Entertainment Corp. announced today the company has sold all future interactive entertainment publishing rights to the "Hunter: The Reckoning" franchise to Vivendi Universal Games. Interplay retains the rights to the previously published "Hunter: The Reckoning" titles on Microsoft Xbox and Nintendo GameCube. The "Hunter: The Reckoning" franchise is a property of White Wolf Publishing Inc.

Noted on Bluesnews that the Project Magma Website now offers a new version 1.3.2 patch for Myth II as their first update to Bungie's strategy game, adding carbonization to allowing Myth II to run natively under OS X and a fix for the flashing cursor bug that appears for users of Direct 3D under Windows 2000/XP. "Other improvements include improved keyboard and mouse responsiveness and reduced chat lag. Myth II v1.3.2 is entirely backwards compatible with Myth II v1.3." All this paves the way for their planned release of version 1.4, which will offer significant changes and improvements to the game. Read more for download links ...

The line-up of X-Box live titles has been announced for the March 14th opening of the service. Read more to check out the Euro titles!

Microsoft Corp. which launched an online service in Europe for its Xbox game consoles Thursday, is struggling to win over makers of the top titles. Microsoft, whose Xbox has sold about a sixth as many as Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 2, will launch the Internet service in eight countries without the backing of Electronic Arts Inc., the biggest U.S. computer-game maker, or Tomb Raider creator Eidos Plc... Full scoop at Tribnet.com!

Today several trailers for various games were released. Instead of giving them all their own post, we grouped them and so far there are trailers for :

• XIII (UbiSoft)
• Humvee Assault (Infogrames)
• Line Of Sight : Vietnam (Infogrames)
• Splinter Cell PS2 Intro (UbiSoft)
• Lock On (UbiSoft)
• Tom & Jerry : War Of The Whiskers (UbiSoft)
  
  Read more for download links ...

Hunter: The Reckoning returns to the Xbox with even more frenetic multi-player action than the original game. Based on the gothic fantasy world of White Wolf's pen and paper RPG system, players act as human monster-hunters combining melee, ranged and spell-driven attacks. In Hunter: The Reckoning - Redeemer, the hunt continues as a new Hunter joins the original team of 4 in their fight to save the citizens of Ashcroft from a twisted plot to take over the innocent town. Players battle against hordes of supernatural enemies in single-or multi-player mode - they do whatever it takes to get the job done.

"Kung Fu Chaos" allows up to four people to battle it out on huge interactive movie sets that provide an added challenge to the mayhem. In true Hong Kong style, the combat features over-the-top gigantic leaps, suicidal stunts and multiple-opponent action. Gamers can choose from an outrageous cast of characters, each with unique brawling capabilities.

XIII features a conspiracy of epic proportions, and players will unravel clues behind the story's compelling and mysterious events. XIII includes themes of amnesia, in which players must uncover sinister plots against themselves, the U.S. government, and even the president himself. The only clues players have are the roman numerals XIII tattooed on their shoulder and a key to a safe deposit box in a New York bank.

Blomberg.com reports that Sony Corp. plans to move production of its PlayStation 2 console to China next year, as the rivalry from Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox forces the world's largest video-game console maker to tighten control on costs and prices. Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. currently makes half of its PlayStation 2s at two plants in Japan. Sony expects to move all of its production to Chinese plants run by Taiwanese companies Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. and Asustek Computer Inc. next fiscal year, Sony Computer spokesman Koichiro Katsurayama said. Shifting PlayStation 2's assembly operations to China may allow Sony to increase profit margins at its video-game unit, which accounted for 36 percent of the company's operating profit in the three months ended Dec. 31. China's lower labor costs may also give Sony room to cut the PlayStation 2's retail price, giving Sony an edge over Microsoft's Xbox.

You’re Indiana Jones. Legendary adventurer. Daring rogue. And the most butt-kicking archaeologist the world has ever seen. It’s 1935 and this time you must prevent a powerful Chinese artifact from falling into evil hands. This globe-spanning adventure pits you against evil Nazis and the Asian underworld with a mysterious and alluring partner, Mei Ying. It’ll take more than just a trusty whip and pistol to avoid deadly traps and navigate through all the dangerous environments. Do you have what it takes to make it back alive? LucasArts is pleased to announce that Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb for PC has Gone Gold and will be in stores March 26th! PlayStation2 version is coming soon.

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.