Codemasters has won the global publishing rights to Soldiers: Heroes of World War II (previously known as Outfront): a dramatic, fast-paced tactical strategy game, due summer 2004 exclusively for PC. Created by Ukrainian company Best Way, under the development title of "OutFront", Soldiers is a further signing for Codemasters from 1C Company. Codemasters will also publish two other 1C Company titles: Perimeter and Wartime Command. Read more for details, screens and the first teaser trailer...

TKO Software, Inc. has announced the launch of a public beta program for its MMORPG "Ashen Empires." From today, all subscribers can download a free beta license of the game at www.ashenempires.com. The retail launch of Ashen Empires is scheduled for March 2004.

Sammy Studios, Inc. today announced "Darkwatch: Curse of the West," an all-new 1st person shooter (FPS) with an original premise blending Vampire-Horror and Western genres. The game is a cinematic FPS, with explosive action and great gameplay variety framed by a story and visual design that delivers a frightening re-imagination of the Wild West. "Darkwatch: Curse of the West" is the first title developed internally at Sammy Studios, created by the team who launched Sammy's US-based game development studio and publishing headquarters in 2002. The game is slated for release on PlayStation2 and Xbox in Q4 2004. Read more for details ...

Davilex Games is proud to announce the development and publishing of Knight Rider 2. This new title, based on a license from Universal Studios Consumer Products Group, is slated for a worldwide release in Q4 of 2004 and will appear on the PS2 and PC platforms. The decision to develop the second sequel of the popular game follows the success of the first Knight Rider game, which was released in November 2003. More than 170.000 units have been sold in Europe so far.

Davilex Games is proud to announce the development and publishing of a new sensational game based on the popular 80's TV series Miami Vice. This new title, licensed by Universal Studios Consumer Products Group, is slated for a worldwide release in Q4 of 2004 and for the PS2, XBOX and PC.

Nokia, together with Electronic Arts, today announced that The Sims Bustin' Out is in development for the N-Gage game deck. The Sims fans will be able to create their own characters and take them anywhere, while on the move and interacting with the mobile community. The Sims Bustin' Out on the N-Gage platform will have exclusive objects, as well as unique "mini games" where players can earn extra Simoleons.

Konami Digital Entertainment - America today announced three new games to be released in the blockbuster Yu-Gi-Oh! series. Further expanding the rich Yu-Gi-Oh! world, Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament 2004 will be available for the Game Boy Advance, Yu-Gi-Oh! Xbox (working title) for the Xbox, and Yu-Gi-Oh! Power of Chaos: Kaiba the Revenge for PC, in spring 2004. Each game stars the ever-popular Yugi and his loyal card-battling friends and ships with three exclusive limited edition game cards. Read more for details & screens ...

Konami Digital Entertainment America today announced Dance Dance Revolution Extreme (DDR Extreme) – the newest game in the mega-popular Dance Dance Revolution series for the PlayStation2. Delivering the ultimate interactive dancing experience for today’s pop culture, DDR Extreme surpasses previous games in the series with new innovative gameplay, more licensed songs, more features and more game modes than ever before! Read more for details and screens ...

Konami Digital Entertainment - America today unveiled plans for a fourth terrifying installment of the wildly popular Silent Hill series. Continuing to blur the lines between reality and horrific alternate worlds, Silent Hill 4: The Room for the PlayStation2 and Xbox is set to once again strike terror into the hearts of gamers in Fall 2004. Read more for details and screens ...

Konami Digital Entertainment - America today revealed Neo Contra, the latest game in the highly popular action series Contra. Following the success of 2001’s side-scrolling shooter, Contra: Shattered Soldier, Neo Contra has been designed for the PlayStation2 and takes players into an action-packed and stunningly-detailed 3D environment. Read more for details and the first in game screens ...

At the company’s annual gamers’ day, Konami Digital Entertainment today revealed a brand new PlayStation2 3D action title, Nanobreaker. Developed by Koji Igarashi, the famed producer behind the legendary Castlevania series, Nanobreaker is poised to become another celebrated Konami action game franchise. Read more for details and the first ingame screens ...

Volkswagen AG and TDK Mediactive Europe have entered into a worldwide cooperation agreement. The partnership will allow the masses worldwide to experience Volkswagen vehicles virtually, as part of a computer game. This racing game will be marketed as World Racing 2 and is being developed in the studios of racing software specialist Synetic to run on current next generation game consoles and PC. Read more for details ...

Activision, Inc. announced today the release of the Medieval: Total War Battle Collection, an all-new compilation of the Creative Assembly's critically acclaimed Medieval: Total War and the expansion pack Medieval: Total War Viking Invasion. The title is currently available at retail outlets nationwide for a suggested retail price of $29.95 and is rated "T" (Teen - with Blood and Violence descriptors) by the ESRB.

KOEI Corporation today announced the development of 'Naval Ops: Commander' exclusively for the PlayStation2. The action shooting game will ship to North American Retailers in March 2004. The original Naval Ops: Warship Gunner was honored with PSM's Must Buy Bronze Award in August 2003. Read more for details & screens ...

Ubisoft today announced that Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3 will be released for the PlayStation2 in March 2004. Developed by Ubisoft's Shanghai studio, the game offers the most thrilling and realistic single- and multi-player counter-terrorist experience available anywhere. Read more for details & 20+ screens ...

Empire Deluxe Enhanced Edition (a.k.a. EDEE) will be version 4.0 in the continued evolution of the classic abstract turn-based strategy games of the Empire Series which has been popular for almost three decades. In Empire Series the basic objective of Empire Deluxe is global domination on a strategic scale. Read more for details ...

Hidenori Tanaka of Japan became the first Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup videogame world tournament champion, Electronic Arts announced today. The thrilling international videogame tournament finals took place yesterday at the Tower of London in the UK, where competitors between the ages of eight and fourteen years, from twelve countries around the world, including France, Germany, Spain, Australia, Japan, Italy, USA, UK, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, Holland, and Brazil competed for the prestigious world champion title.

CCP today announced the deployment of their "Tech Level 2" expansion. Available as a free download, this update augments the richness of the existing sophistication of EVE's dynamics considerably, bringing new strategical opportunities to seasoned players as well as newcomers. The expansion, impacting the game universe as a whole, incorporates numerous new gameplay features - developed in close collaboration with the ardent EVE community - as well as many improvements to present functionality, performance and user interface. Read more for details ...

Featuring everything from Fantasy Bowling on a Pirate Ship to authentically detailed tournaments, Crave Entertainment announced today Strike Force Bowling for the PlayStation2. Blurring the line between fiction and reality, this multi-player arcade game offers something for everyone.

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. announced today that it has secured the licensing rights to develop videogames based on the internationally acclaimed anime series, "Shaman King" (by Hiroyuki Takei) for the North American and the European regions. The company will publish games based on "Shaman King" starting with one for PS2 and one for GBA. The games are slated for release in North America in summer 2004 and 4Kids Entertainment will be responsible for the licensing program for this title. The games will also ship in Europe, coinciding with the launch of the animated TV series. Read more for details ...

Electronic Arts today announced that Harry Potter fans will experience the magic and peril of Harry's third year at Hogwarts in the highly anticipated Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban videogame. For the first time gamers will play as friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger as well as Harry Potter, switching between characters and utilizing their key attributes and skills to resolve challenges and overcome enemies. The three friends will need to combine their strengths and master a variety of new spells as they face Harry's most terrifying opponents yet: the escaped convict Sirius Black and the Dementors, the sinister guards of Azkaban prison. Read more for details & screens...

Rockstar Games is pleased to announce Red Dead Revolver for the PlayStation2 and Xbox. Developed by Rockstar San Diego, this stylish, western gun-fighting extravaganza is expected to hit retail shelves in Spring 2004. Read more for details ...

The second rule of Fight Club is you do not talk about Fight Club. However, gamers will surely be talking, as Vivendi Universal Games announced today the development of Fight Club for the PlayStation2 and the Xbox. Due out in late 2004, Fight Club, developed by Genuine Games, is set to deliver an intense experience that will combine the characters, settings, artistic style, and story elements from the movie with a realistic fighting system that will appeal to both hardcore and casual gamers. Read more for details and the first screens ...

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. today announced Gates of Discord, a new expansion for the incredibly popular PC Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG), EverQuest. This expansion will offer exploration of a newly discovered continent; a new class (the Berserker) and Alternate Advancement Abilities that will offer new and unique skills to master. Gates of Discord will be available February 2004 at retail outlets such as Electronics Boutique, Best Buy and Gamestop, and as a secure digital download from SOE. The retail version of Gates of Discord will also come with a unique in-box gift and special in-game magic item. By purchasing the retail version of Gates of Discord, players will be able to claim the in- game item.

Eidos today announced the eagerly awaited return of the world's deadliest assassin in Hitman: Contracts. The game is the third installment in the critically acclaimed, multi-million selling Hitman series. Hitman: Contracts is being developed by Io Interactive and will be available for PlayStation2, the Xbox, and PC in spring 2004.