Do you feel it? Do you feel the need for speed? Well, buckle up as EA announced today the North American release of Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2 for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, Xbox video game system from Microsoft and Nintendo GameCube. The PC version will shortly follow on Monday, Oct. 21.

Konami of Europe has announced that the highly anticipated Pro Evolution Soccer 2 for PlayStation 2 will be released across Europe on October 25th.

Ubisoft's official Shadowbane site is updated with a new video interview, and this time it's Ashton Kai, one of the original artists for the Shadowbane team that got tricked into the interview.. In this interview, fans will learn about the 3D art process for Shadowbane, at least from Ashton's point of view. He also gives some advice to aspiring artists about breaking into the gaming industry. And as a special treat, fans can hear about some of the names Wolfpack considered for Carnage.net during a brainstorming session, before they decided on Shadowbane.

Horizons is the next generation online epic adventure. It is based in the massively multiplayer fantasy world of legend and lore. Filled with humans, fiends and dragons, Horizons allows thousands of players to adventure together in the civilized or untamed frontiers of the world. Artifact Entertainment, developer and publisher of the highly anticipated massively multiplayer online game Horizons is very pleased to present the newest installment of the Horizons beta trailer for your viewing pleasure.

Resistance patch (1.85) will be out soon, it is currently in the final developement stages. The same is true for linux dedicated server. The patch will contain over 100 new features, improvements, bug fixes and much more.. Read more on the official OFP: Resistance forum for all fixes! (thanks Blues)

It's the 1970's, and the American military is working on an top-secret new space shuttle project which goal is to study the "black hole" phenomenon recently discovered by western scientists.As the shuttle's construction is coming to an end, the mission is entrusted to Officer Greg D. Callahan, a former US Marines major.The shuttle is launched under heavy secrecy towards an asteroid field where a physical phenomenon resembling that of the famous "black holes" has been detected.As the mission is approaching the asteroid field, the NASA loses all contact with the crew and receives no further signal from the shuttle. It is as if the spacecraft has vanished into deep space. Read more for links where to get the demo ... (Thanks Gamershell)

Strategy First just let us know that they have release the first update patch for their recently released Real Time Stragy game, The Celtic Kings. The patch adds 20 new maps in single and multiplayer modes, improved AI and multiplayer performance, and a several other miscellaneous enhancements. Read more for links where to grab it ...

Blizzard Entertainment announced today plans to bring The Lost Vikings to the Game Boy Advance under its newly created Blizzard Classic Arcade label. Further information regarding upcoming titles to be published by the new label as well as country specifics will be announced in the months to come.

XGR will hold a LIVE Unreal Tournament 2003 chat tonight at 9:30PM EST with Cliff "Cliffy B" Bleszinski from Epic Games! Find out more about this LIVE chat here. "You can also send in your questions for Cliffy B". (thanks HomeLan)

Metro3D, Inc. announced today the nationwide release of Dual Blades, an exclusive fighting game for Nintendo Game Boy Advance, which hit store shelves today. Developed by Vivid Image, Dual Blades features an ESRB Rating for “Mature” Audiences and an MSRP of $29.95.

Metro3D, Inc. the multi-platform video game developer and publisher today announced the release of Cinemaware’s Defender of the Crown for Nintendo Game Boy Advance, which began shipment today at retail stores nationwide. Developed by Cinemaware, Inc., Defender of the Crown is a medieval action combat and strategy game based on one of the most successful award-winning software classics originally created for the personal computer. This new and enhanced game features an ESRB Rating for “Everyone” and an MSRP of $29.95.

Get off the bench and onto the court with EA SPORTS NBA LIVE 2003, released today by Electronic Arts for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Xbox video game system from Microsoft and the Nintendo GameCube. The game was originally slated to ship in late October. The ninth installment of the best-selling basketball franchise, NBA LIVE 2003 allows players to get into the action and live their dreams of NBA superstardom.

Simon & Schuster Interactive announced today that its Real Time Strategy (RTS) game "Soldiers of Anarchy" for the PC has gone gold. A Next-Generation 3D Strategy Game Set in Post-Apocalyptic 2014 To Arrive At Retail in Mid October.

THQ Inc. and SEGA Corporation today shipped VIRTUA TENNIS for Game Boy Advance featuring Venus and Serena Williams. With Exhibition, Tournament, and World Circuit Modes, VIRTUA TENNIS enables you to perfect your game, triumph in world tournaments, develop and train players or challenge the world as Venus or Serena Williams.

THQ Inc. today announced that development on its highly anticipated action title, Red Faction II for the PlayStation2 is complete. Created exclusively for PlayStation 2 by THQ's Volition studio, Red Faction II is the sequel to one of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed original game franchises of 2001. Featuring an enhanced Geo-Mod™ engine that allows players to strategically alter and destroy the game environment in real-time, Red Faction II builds upon the experience of the original game with non-stop action, highly detailed graphics, new multi-player options and an engaging storyline. Red Faction II is scheduled to ship on October 16.

Robin Hood – The Legend of Sherwood arrives on store shelves on November 5, but today Strategy First and Gigex are giving you the chance to play it by downloading the never before seen demo! Read more for details and links where to grab it ...

Sports Interactive announces date for first Championship Manager 4 details.. It’s a good job that there are no UK football fixtures scheduled for October 24th, as that is the day fans around the world will be sat glued to their PC screens, digesting the first official Championship Manager 4 news, which will available for download on www.sigames.com and on the The Official Championship Manager Magazine coverdisc.

Time of Defiance developers Nicely Crafted Entertainment (NiCE) haven’t been resting on their laurels since the release of the world’s first massively multiplayer real time strategy game - as proved today, with the launch of a new client which enables players old and new to benefit from the comments of the game’s many users.

Primal is the first PlayStation 2 title by SCEE Studio Cambridge, the Bafta Award winning studio behind C-12 and the MediEvil series. Primal features state-of-the-art motion capture animation, advanced AI and integrated cut scenes. Dynamic loading and detail management methods are used to present environments of exceptional size, beauty and complexity with no load delays.. Check out character profiles of the Wraiths and prime yourself for 16 new screenshots.

Empire's Trucking extravaganza Big Mutha Truckers has been deemed too rude to be shown before the 9PM TV watershed by the BACC. Bear in mind this is the same BACC that allowed a rather sexual beer ad which blatantly suggests fellatio from a vacuum cleaner for the robotic drinker. Yet again it seems to be either a case of games paranoia by the powers that be or simply the age-old problem of big blue chip companies not having to play by the same set of rules as the smaller companies.

In support of its strongest lineup ever of video games designed for older players, Nintendo of America today announces it will spend $140 million in marketing during the holiday season, a 25-percent hike over last year. Much of the funds will target teen and 20-something players. The marketing focus mirrors several noteworthy and highly anticipated game releases over the remaining weeks of 2002. Both the teen-rated Metroid Prime and the mature-rated Resident Evil Zero arrive this fall exclusively for Nintendo GameCube. They are among 80 new game launches supporting the platform before year-end.

SEGA of America, Inc. announced today the simultaneous release of "SEGA Sports NBA 2K3" for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft and the Nintendo GameCube.

TimeSplitters 2 is the sequel to the hugely successful and critically acclaimed TimeSplitters, which was released to coincide with the US and European launches of PlayStation 2. The game is developed by Free Radical Design of Nottingham, England.. Check out more character profiles below. Today meet the residents of the Notre Dame and Planet X levels.