Sammy Studios send us some new screens from Galerians: ASH, their upcoming sequel to the “survival horror” classic Galerians (coming Q1 2003). Galerians redefined quest-driven thriller games, with innovative play and psychic-induced weaponry, and a textured storyline that masterfully blended horror and science fiction genres. Galerians: ASH continues the tradition, using the power of the PS2 to fully immerse players into a frightening future-world, where an epic struggle between artificial and organic intelligence is being waged. With incredible 3D graphics, dynamic cinematic sequences and intense, heart-thumping gameplay, this title takes the Galerians series into the next chapter, with new story twists and heavy concepts from a world where mind and matter have melded.

MonteCristo has just let us know they have released the European demo so the moment has come for you to try out Platoon for yourself. Take command of more than a dozen soldiers throughout an entire mission from the game. It will be up to you to secure a road for a passing convoy. You'll have to run a sweep-op to clear any mines laid on the road as well as confront any Vietnamese troops lying in wait to ambush you! Read more for links where to grab the demo ...

Vivendi Universal just released a new patch for their horror action title, The Thing. This patch upgrades your version to v1.2 (you need to have v1.1 applied already). This patch for the US PC version of The Thing adds a mouse-look option to the game. To use the mouse look option, enter the Options menu, then Advanced Controls, and turn the Mouse-Look option ON. Read more for links where to grab it ...

Ubi Soft Entertainment announced Pro Rally has shipped for the Nintendo GameCube. The first and only Rally Racing game made exclusively for the Nintendo GameCube, it delivers white-knuckling action, challenging racecourses and officially licensed cars. Pro Rally has a rating of "E" for Everyone and an MSRP of $49.99.

Real-time-strategy fans rejoice! Age of Mythology has started hitting stores across North America. Combat Flight Simulator 3 has hit store shelves! Also Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 for console is now out in North America and Canada. The official site for 3DO's Four Horsemean went alive today, loaded with screens and gameinfo (flash required).

Infogrames' one wicked cricket, Zapper is coming November 5 to all next-generation systems - an ideal holiday gift the entire family will enjoy! In this action-packed, addictive character-action game, Zapper, is on a mission to save his brother, make his way through four interactive worlds, each with dangerous hazards he must avoid, eggs he must capture, and all the while meeting both friends and enemies that help and hinder his progress. We have a bunch of GBA screens for you to enjoy!

With the launch of this year's most talked about video game only weeks away, AKA Acclaim today announced it has released a second trailer for BMX. The Company's first trailer was met by incredible demand from consumers, who downloaded the film more than one million times from the game's official site. Read more for some new screens and links where to grab the trailer ...

The Official Shadowbane Web site just updated its new series detailing the stories and legends inside the worlds of Aerynth. This new series is called the Aerynthian Codex: A Bard's Travel Guide which concentrates on the landmarks, villages, and cities inside the newest world fragment of the Shadowbane beta test. The Codex contains close to 30 screenshots of the newbie continent of Tyrranth Minor, including stories and legends about the founding of Silverlance, one of the starting cities for players.

DreamCatcher Interactive and Digital Reality are pleased to announce that Hegemonia: Legions of Iron has gone gold in North America. The game will ship on November 14th. Read more for some new screens ...

The Adventure Company today shipped The Cameron Files™: Pharaoh's Curse for the PC. The second in The Cameron Files™ series, Pharaoh's Curse transports gamers to Egypt to investigate an ancient curse.

Eidos Interactive announces that the No.1 selling Hitman 2: Silent Assassin is to be released on GameCube. Since its release on PlayStation 2, PC and Xbox in October this year, the game has enjoyed worldwide success having shipped in excess of one million units. Hitman 2: Silent Assassin on GameCube is currently being developed by IO Interactive and will be released in Spring 2003. Check out the first few screens from the Gamecube version!

"Spellforce – The Order of Dawn", the latest game by Volker Wertich, inventor of the successful "Settlers" series, is an exquisite combination of well-known RTS elements and the best features of roleplaying and tactical games. Check out the first 3 breathtaking screens ...

At the end of World War I, a group of Nazi war criminals fled to South America. There, they heard rumors of strange creatures in the area… and what they uncovered promised to give them the ability to reclaim their intended glory. Their evil research has pieced together ancient lore connecting three ancient artifacts that promise a power never before seen on earth if all are brought together. However, to the Nazi’s chagrin, there is an older, deeper evil at work here. And the only person who can save the world from these two terrible evils, is our super-sexy, super-lethal, super-natural heroine. Check out our horrific review!

Ubi Soft Entertainment, one of the world's largest video game publishers, announced today that it will release Batman 2 (working title) during the Fall of 2003. A licensing agreement signed with DC Comics and Warner Bros. Consumer Products, divisions of Warner Bros., provides Ubi Soft with full production and publishing rights for the game. The brand new arcade-style action game features enhanced fighting scenes and will be available for next generation consoles.

The holidays are still months away, but Strategy First has some gifts for all of us in the meantime. They just send us 9 brand new screenshots from Galactic Civilizations, the new strategy game from developers Stardock that is going to have people racing for their PCs in February 2003. Check them out!

Shrapnel Games announced today that the Space Empires IV Gold has surpassed the one half million dollar mark in internet sales. To mark this momentous occasion, Shrapnel Games is releasing a Commemorative Space Empires IV Gold digital art print.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced that PlayStation 2 broadband network gaming will be launched in the Spring of 2003, beginning with the UK. This will be followed by a phased rollout into Germany, France, Spain, Australia other SCEE territories throughout 2003.

CDV Software Entertainment AG has today signed the rights to publish the 3D tactical combat title PANZERS. The game, to be published on the PC format, is developed by Hungarian studio Stormregion and to be released end of 2003. More info below with some early screens!

GameOverGames and Russia's developer and publisher Alawar Entertainment signed an agreement on the publishing of the localized version of Brave Dwarves 2. More info and screens below!

Microsoft Game Studios yesterday announced its first tennis title for the Xbox video game system is in development. Developed by Power and Magic Developments, "Top Spin," an Xbox exclusive and Xbox Live enabled tennis experience, will offer gamers and tennis fans a pulse-pounding glimpse into professional tennis. Today we bring up some screens, Check them out!

In the 13th century, the Aztecs lived in the north of Mexico. The name "Aztec" derives from the name of their legendary former home Aztlan. Under the reign of a glorious chief, the Aztecs moved, until finally settling on the banks of Texcoco, on the Chapultepec (or "grasshopper") hill. The Aztecs lived on fish, crawfish and waterfowl, and procured land on which to sow seeds from the bottom of the lake. They bought everything else, including stone, wood, and drinking water (the water of lake Texcoco being salty) from their neighbors. More info regarding the Aztecs HERE!

In a timeless battle for the fate of the Earth and all humanity, the player assumes the role of the archangel Abaddon (name meaning “Destroyer”). Set in a dark contemporary environment, the fallen angel faces possessed zealots, demons and four giant, eternal forces of the Apocalypse: Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death. During this epic struggle, Abaddon must find and protect the three humans known as the Chosen. By strategically using and combining the powers of the Chosen, the archangel prepares for the ultimate battle against the Horsemen. Hand-to-hand, sword, and projectile combat combine with fantastic abilities to create a surreal, cinematic experience. Especially for HalloWeen, 3DO released screens from one of the characters, WAR. Check him out!

Midway Games Inc. a leading software industry publisher and developer, announced today that revolutionary FreeFormer gameplay will be featured in Haven: Call Of The King, a groundbreaking action and fantasy console videogame, which is in development and scheduled to ship Nov. 18 for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. The title is also scheduled to ship for the Xbox video game system from Microsoft and Nintendo GameCube in 2003. Haven: Call Of The King is being developed by acclaimed U.K.-based developer, Traveller's Tales.

Stratics Central Fiction recently began publishing their own fictional series, "The Hunted".. "Welcome to a world of mighty warriors, dark magic, majestic bards, devious villains, and chaotic gods. "The Hunted" follows the story of the young bard Lanister ty`Val and a mysterious young woman on the run named Kalisha. For reasons unknown, she is hunted by the sinister Zen Rahl, a Mord Sedehi from the capital city of Andor. The plot goes far deeper than it seems, as the pair soon find themselves, along with others, on the run from forces far greater than they ever could have imagined. Visit a tale full of friendship, war, betrayal, and a grand political struggle for the Iron Throne of Andor, and even control of the world of Aryth itself." The feature will be published every Wednesday.