Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today the worldwide fall 2003 release of Jak II, created exclusively for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system. Developed by Naughty Dog Inc., the company responsible for 2001's smash hit Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy and the highly acclaimed multi-million unit selling Crash Bandicoot series on PlayStation, the newest installment of the Jak and Daxter series, Jak II, takes action-adventure gaming to a whole new level.

Vulcan Software has unveiled details of Hybrid, a brand new First Person Shooter currently in development for the PC platform. Hybrid is Vulcan's first game to be entirely developed using their Mother3D engine, and benefits from an impressive array of engine features, which include advanced physics, complex AI, and fully interactive environments. Vulcan has spent the last four years developing Mother, along with their digital distribution software the Vulcan Portal and PC conversions of their back catalogue.

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.

Vivendi Universal Games and Interplay Entertainment Corp. today announced the development of Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel for the PlayStation2 and the Xbox. Read more for details & the first screens ...

The true spirit of pinball has been captured. Pure Pinball is the definitive next-generation flipper fest extravaganza, featuring real-time 3D table designs powered by hundreds of thousands of polygons! With super-responsive flipper control and ball movement, Pure Pinball gives players the feeling of experiencing full size pinball machines on hand. Featuring the Excessive Speed, World War, and Runaway Train pinball tables, Pure Pinball delivers an unprecedented level of silver-ball realism, making it the state-of-the-art computer pinball simulation of all time. Readm ore for details, new screens as well as an in-game trailer...

Strategy First announced today that it is releasing two new stand- alone expansion packs for its award-winning strategy game, Disciples II – Dark Prophecy. Read more for details ...

GameHouse, the industry leader in creating fun, high quality Puzzle and Arcade style games, announced today an agreement with United Developers, parent company of MacPlay and Mumbo Jumbo. The partnership is taking GameHouse's most popular online games and distributing them in national retail outlets.

Microsoft Game Studios announced today that two-time grand slam winner Lleyton Hewitt, along with two tennis superstars yet to be disclosed, will be featured on the cover of “Top Spin,” the new Xbox tennis title set to launch in the fall of 2003. Created exclusively for Xbox by PAM, “Top Spin,” which will be Xbox Live-enabled, provides tennis fans with the ultimate on court and online tennis experience.

Jaleco Entertainment announced today that it is developing and will publish Goblin Commander: Unleash The Horde, an innovative action-strategy game for the next-generation consoles set in an epic fantasy universe. A fourth quarter release is planned.

WorthPlaying is giving away goodies from Ubi Soft. Enter the sweepstakes and have a chance to win one of 5 PS2 Reign Of Fire (PAL) games or 5 Reign Of Fire watches & 5 mousepads... Sign Up Here!

1503 A.D. (a.k.a Anno 1503) – Return to the dawn of a New World in an epic saga of adventure and discovery. As a young lad, you've heard tales of opportunity and unimaginable power and fortune in this New World. Now grown up, you're ready to embark on and venture into these unfamiliar lands of the Renaissance world in ANNO 1503, an exciting new PC title that blends the excitement of real-time strategy with the depth of empire building. It's not only the challenging gameplay that makes 1503 A.D. something very special, it's also the carefully crafted details. The vivid gaming environment is supported by numerous cutscenes, absorbing the player even deeper into the living, breathing world that is 1503 A.D.

GRIN and CDV today announced that Vultures official website is online.. The official homepage has a nice set of screens and also a developer diary from the Swedish developer GRIN. The screens already convey a nice, gothic mood, which is especially unique for the beat 'em up genre! Loads of arenas filled with traps and in complete 3D featuring the latest technology await you, so don’t be square and visit the official homepage! The game features motion capture animation and real-time shadows which will make your Xbox melt!

Logitech today announced that the Logitech NetPlay Controller is scheduled to arrive on retail shelves in the U.S. and at www.logitech.com later this month for a suggested retail price of $69.95 USD. The NetPlay Controller will be on display at the Logitech booth (#1008) at the Game Developers Conference.

WorthPlaying today announced the winners of Lord Of The Rings : The Two Towers music cd's (Enhanced cd's with exclusive 2 sided, printed collector's cards, screen savers, "The Two Towers" trailer, score, music video, and more) and 5 NTSC (region 1) Undercover Brother DVD's, starring Denise Richards..

ATI Technologies, Inc. a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative 3D graphics and digital media silicon solutions, announced today that it has entered into a technology development agreement with Nintendo Co., Ltd. Under the agreement, ATI and Nintendo are developing technologies for use in Nintendo products. No other details regarding the nature of this agreement are being made available at this time.

In a time before time, in a world you’ve only imagined, a shadow has been cast, six heroes have been chosen and the greatest of all challenges has been laid down. With the awesome elemental powers of the Toa at your fingertips, it has fallen to you to defeat Makuta and return the island of Mata Nui to light. Be the Toa – Live out the Legend… See the most successful toy-range in LEGO Company history come to life in 2003 on PS2, Gamecube, PC & Xbox. Live out the "Bionicle" legend in an action adventure epic of good versus evil, with combat, collection, puzzle-solving and exploration. Read more for details and some of the first screens ...

On the heels of the successful “Law & Order: Dead on the Money” CD-ROM game launch in North America, games developer and publisher Legacy Interactive announced today that the company has signed a domestic distribution deal with Vivendi Universal Games for the game’s sequel, scheduled to ship in 2003. In addition, an international distribution deal has also been signed with DreamCatcher Interactive for the rights to both the first "Law & Order" game and "Law & Order II: Double or Nothing".

An ensemble of hilarious characters featured on Cartoon Networks's top-rated television programs go interactive, as Majesco, one of the fastest-growing publishers of interactive entertainment, introduces Cartoon Network Speedway for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance. Developed by DC Studios, the game is slated for release this July and will be the first in a series of Cartoon Network titles to be released by Majesco on GBA.

Step into the boots of a Marine Corporal, survive the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor, and drive the Japanese Army from the Pacific in Medal of Honor Rising Sun from Electronic Arts. Developed by EALA, Medal of Honor Rising Sun creates an immersive and authentic WWII experience in either single-player or multi-player modes. Medal of Honor Rising Sun will be available for the PS2, GameCube and the Xbox in the fall of 2003.

Ubi Soft today announced it is developing a brand new Prince of Persia game: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Jordan Mechner, creator of Prince of Persia, is working hand in hand on the latest title in the series with Ubi Soft's Montreal production studio, most recently renowned for creating Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell. Scheduled to ship for all platforms starting in Q4 2003, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is poised to become the latest success story in a series of hit games from Ubi Soft.

Octagon today announced it is working with Bihrle Applied Research of Hampton, Virginia and Third Wire Productions of Austin, Texas to create a flight simulator game based on the 1903 Wright Flyer. A training simulator is being developed to teach an elite team of pilots how to successfully fly an authentic replica of the Wright aircraft during December’s Centennial of Flight Celebration in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The training software will be modified to create a commercial flight simulator that will be geared toward the flight sim and aviation enthusiast markets. The computer game is scheduled for completion in late spring 2003.

GarageGames today announced its Game Developer's Conference (GDC) showcase of games. The company plans to premiere ThinkTanks a cartoon styled tank game from BraveTree Productions, preview a new release of Orbz with a single player mode from 21-6 Productions and display the highly acclaimed Marble Blast from GarageGames and Monster Studios.

Riding it hard, fast and anywhere, Freestyle MetalX is a totally unique offering that caters to the action sport and mass-market gamer with diverse, lawless freestyle motocross mayhem. Gamers and motocross fanatics can “be sick all over” as they experience firsthand the extreme thrills and spills of the first freestyle motocross videogame. Featuring a seemingly unlimited stunt system, expansive worlds, eight insane game modes and sub-games, Freestyle MetalX lets players cancan and rodeo their way through vast environments as they interact with and trick-off everything from swimming pools to skyscrapers. Freestyle MetalX also offers extreme side events where players can gain popularity and money in career mode by executing flawless maneuvers such as Bus Jumping, Wall of Death, Longest Wheelie, and more.

Ubi Soft announced today an exclusive agreement with Natsume Inc. to distribute Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life on the Game Cube and Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town on the GBA. The agreement will cover all PAL territories and is expected to ship on both formats in October 2003. "Ubi Soft is looking forward to distributing the delightful Harvest Moon games later this year. The series has a loyal following and a well-deserved reputation for top-quality gameplay" Commented Sally Cormack, Product Manager for Ubi Soft "The latest titles will bring many exciting new elements to the series"

CyPR Media invites you to rediscover the soul of PC gaming, the independent developer. At the 17th annual Game Developers Conference in San Jose next week, CyPR Media will showcase four titles that are excellent examples of what independent developers can create.