Callisto Interactive would like to present their first game - The Polaris Project, a 1st person action adventure PC game being developed using the open source game engine - Genesis3D. Working in association with Hostway UK, they aim to develop market and publish the game them selves. Their main aim is to build up a large supportive community to provide ideas and support while their team of 4 enthusiastic friends exploit their talents developing the game itself.

Noticed on Bluesnews that the German Anno 1503 Homepage has word that "Die Demo ist da," or that the German demo version of SUNFLOWERS' city-building trading strategy prequel is now available. This playable demo version for Anno 1503 contains four different game modes and scenarios. In two introduction games the player learns the first steps of establishing a settlement, discovering of civilizations, the trade with natives and the setting-up of commercial routes. When the two introduction games are successfully completed, 2 new scenarios ("settling" and "fight") will unlock. Read more for links where to download it ...

THQ Inc. today announced that Disney Princesses for Game Boy Advance is currently in development and is scheduled to release in Spring 2003. The game is based on the Disney Princess characters in Disney's animated classic films "Cinderella," "The Little Mermaid," "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "Sleeping Beauty," "Beauty and the Beast" and "Aladdin."

UK Based Independent Games developer Positech Computing announced today the release of their arcade/strategy game Planetary Defense. Planetary Defense puts you in charge of a variety of worlds, defending them against enemy attack. You have to defend against missiles, laser equipped satellites, cloaked starships, multiple-warhead rockets and flaming meteors, by guiding defensive missiles to their targets. On some levels you have multiple orbiting moons, complete with their own bases and space colonies, ships evacuating your planet to defend, and energy shields that keep the enemy rockets at bay. Its also possible for enemy fire to disable the all-important radar... Screens, gameinfo and demo is available here!

Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. has announced that its award-winning, top-selling arcade racing video game Burnout 2: Point of Impact will be available for Xbox and Nintendo Gamecube in the spring. Developed by Criterion Games Limited, Burnout 2: Point of Impact received worldwide praise for its release on the PlayStation 2 from both media and consumers alike.

Bits Studios, together with NDA Productions, a studio of Vivendi Universal Games today announce that New York's unluckiest cop, John McClane, returns in a new adventure on PS 2. The first-person action adventure Die Hard: Vendetta - in which McClane fights to save his kidnapped daughter - is being developed under licence from Fox Interactive, and will be released in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Interplay and Vivendi Universal Games today announced the development of Hunter: The Reckoning Wayward for the PS2. Hunter: The Reckoning Wayward, developed by High Voltage Software, continues the story of the successful action adventure franchise Hunter: The Reckoning. High-speed action combined with top-notch graphics translate the dark fantasy world of the White Wolf role-playing game and bring the essence of the game to life, fully submerging the player into the realm of The World of Darkness. Wayward comes to the PS2 this summer with an all new story, game-play features, weapons and terrifying monsters.

Midway Sports announced today that MLB SlugFest 20-04 is currently in development for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance.

THQ today announced that its critically acclaimed action game Red Faction II will be coming to Nintendo Gamecube, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft and PC in March. Featuring an enhanced Geo-ModTM engine that allows players to strategically alter and destroy the game environment in real-time, Red Faction II expands and builds upon the experience and technology of the original game with blistering action, an engaging storyline, highly detailed graphics and a number of multi-player options.

Games development is set to get cheaper and quicker, following the announcement today of a new development tool for the Nintendo GameCube, by SN Systems Ltd, the leading provider of development tools to the console games industry. The new hardware, developed as part of a collaboration between SN Systems and Nintendo, can be used with SN's development tools "ProDG for Nintendo GameCube" to build, debug, view and optimise games.

The stars are coming together for a great cause ­ TO BEAT THE HELL OUT OF EACH OTHER! Gotham Games has released the list of sacrificial celebs who have signed on to lend their likeness to MTV’s Celebrity Deathmatch, a new game coming later this year to the PS2, Xbox, PSOne and GameCube. Based on the gore-filled, MTV claymation hit, MTV’s Celebrity Deathmatch will feature digitally rendered versions of teeny-boppers, tabloid princesses and other notorious superstars. Read more for details ...

Entertainment software publisher NovaLogic, Ltd. today announced the release of the official single player demo for Highland Warriors. Featuring two single player missions from the Mackay and Cameron clans campaigns, the 154 MB playable demo lets gamers re-enact the Scottish battle for freedom. The demo will be available for download from www.novalogic.com.

Atari today announced that the World of Greyhawk, one of the most popular Dungeons & Dragons campaign settings of all time, will make its first interactive appearance with the upcoming release of "Greyhawk: The Temple of Elemental Evil." Developed by Troika, creators of the critically acclaimed "Arcanum", "Greyhawk: The Temple of Elemental Evil" will feature an exciting party-based single player campaign, an engaging storyline based on the classic D&D adventure of the same name as well as a faithful translation of the latest 3rd Edition rules. Read more for details ...

Activision, Inc. today announced an expansion pack for Medieval: Total War, the critically acclaimed PC strategy game which was honored as the top PC game of all time by PC Gamer (UK). Developed by The Creative Assembly, Medieval: Total War - Viking Invasion turns the clock back to 790AD, when the Viking hordes descended from their Scandinavian strongholds to pillage their neighbors. This is not the Rome : Total War from Creative Assembly but a mere addon for the original game.

Nintendo today unveils the latest incarnation of the Game Boy Advance, the Game Boy Advance SP. Guaranteed to meet the needs of the hippest gamers who demand premium quality both in design and technology, this sleek new addition to the range is set to launch in Europe on 28 March 2003.

An entirely new computer role-playing system is already in development at CrossCut Games! CrossCut Games is taking all the great parts of their past efforts, pulling out all the stops, ramping up the graphics, charging up the game editor, electrifying the thrill and blasting into a brand new gaming experience. This time rather than travel the well-trod road of fantasy themes, CrossCut Games is rocketing out in the direction of hard sci-fi. In RuneSword 3: Worlds Apart, laser rifles, alien planet-scapes, fantastic creatures and stellar mysteries abound in a story brimming with adventure. Read more for features and a CrossCut Games developer Q&A.

THQ today announced that it will publish Rainbow Studios' "Splashdown 2," the sequel to the critically acclaimed, top-selling "Splashdown." Inspired by the spectacle and excitement of theme parks and thrill rides, "Splashdown 2" will have players blasting through massive, imaginative locales with amazing sights and startling events around every corner. "Splashdown 2" is scheduled for release on the PlayStation 2 in summer 2003. Read more and check out the first screens ...

InterActive Vision announced the development of Pacific Warriors II, the follow-up to its World War II air combat action PC game (aka in North America as Beyond Pearl Harbor: Pacific Warriors). Pacific Warriors II will offer the same instant-action gameplay formula that the first game offered, along with the ability to play as either the US or the Japanese. Other new features include a pilot 1st person view in addition to the external 3rd person views, a choice of plane before each mission, accurate weapons and mission themes, animated ground troops and vehicles, American and Japanese-style in-game commentary and much more. ValuSoft will publish the game in the US. The game is scheduled for gold status in August 2003 (thanks gamespydaily).

THQ Inc. today announced that agreement in principle has been reached to settle the class action lawsuit first filed against the Company in February 2000. The settlement remains subject to negotiation of a final written agreement between THQ and the plaintiffs, as well as court approval.

Game developer, Ganymede Technologies, has announced its latest title – frantic car based combat game Armobiles that offers unprecedented action packed gameplay that mix the adrenaline rush of racing with the challenge of great driving skills.

Today GameDale are happy to officially announce their new game project - WASTED: Hostile Mechanoids Zone. Genre of the game could be best described as 3D First Person Arcade, because the main point of the game is non-stop action, without any storyline mysteries and unanswered questions (well, almost... :), no switches to activate, no keys to find, no doors to open, no stupid riddles to solve, and no hero characteristics to improve. From a gameplay point of view WASTED will remind you of the funny 3D FPS - "Serious Sam", but without everything mentioned above... Check out some screens and features below!

Today Global Star Software has announced plans to release Austin Powers Pinball for the PC platform. Under license from New Line Cinema, and developed by Wildfire Studios, Austin Powers Pinball will feature a score of characters from the blockbuster Austin Powers feature films, including Dr. Evil, Vanessa Kensington, Felicity Shagwell, Fat Bastard, Mini-Me, the Fembots and many more.

Majesco today announced one of its newest offerings for 2003, BlowOut, a next generation 3D side-scrolling shooter intended for release for the PlayStation2, Xbox, and PC. Developed by Kaos Kontrol, BlowOut is slated for release next fall.

UPDATE: Just added the first few screens .. Njoy!

WorthPlaying is giving away IronStorm goodies from DreamCatcher. Enter the sweepstakes and have a chance to either win one of 5 IronStorm PC game copies or one of 5 IronStorm T-shirts. IronStorm is a 1st/third person shoot'em-up/action video game set in an alternate world. Imagine, 1964, the First World War never ended and you are in the middle of it! (Earlier winners of IceWind Dale 2 is announced here)

Batter up! EA takes fans out to the ballgame with the first season of MVP Baseball from EA SPORTS. Currently under development, MVP Baseball 2003 will be available next spring on the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox video game system from Microsoft. A PC version will be released in summer 2003.