Infogrames, Inc. the creators of one of the best-selling outdoor simulation franchises in PC history, scores a bull's-eye with Deer Hunter 2003, set to release this fall. Developed by Sunstorm Interactive, Deer Hunter 2003 will feature new jaw-dropping, photo-realistic 3D environments, advanced AI and the most comprehensive hunting simulation to date.

THQ Inc today announced "Hot Wheels Bash Arena" for PC. Hot Wheels fans will be able to experience the speed, power and performance of Hot Wheels in this ultimate crash and smash, demolition derby-style game for kids. "Hot Wheels Bash Arena" for PC, in development by Micro Forte, is scheduled for release in summer 2002.

Westwood Studios announced today plans to expand the public test of Earth & Beyond to 100,000 players before it's released this fall. Earth & Beyond is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game and will be published by Electronic Arts under the EA GAMES brand in August 2002.

The brutal and spectacular gladiator battles of the ancient world serve as inspiration for Gladius, a turn-based action role-playing (RPG) game from LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC. Gladius follows the grand saga of two young heroes, Ursula and Valens, as they recruit and train a team of warriors to contend in the fiercely competitive gladiator games. The game supports both single and multiplayer modes and is expected to release spring 2003 on PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube.

Electronic Arts unveils plans for its new James Bond game that promises to deliver a complete 007 experience filled with action-packed excitement and intrigue that will leave players shaken… and stirred! James Bond 007: NightFire will take Bond fans higher and deeper than any previous Bond game with breathtaking locations and intense gameplay on multiple platforms. NightFire is currently under development and scheduled for worldwide release in late 2002 for PS2, Nintendo GameCube, Xbox and PC platforms.

Indiana Jones is back and better than ever! From the crocodile-infested waters in Ceylon to the bustling streets of Hong Kong, perennial action hero Indiana Jones' wits, agility, whip lashing and hand-to-hand combat skills will be put to the test as never before in Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb from LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC. The exhilarating third person action-adventure is expected to release fall 2002 for Xbox, PlayStation 2, and PC. The game is being developed in collaboration with The Collective, Inc.

Crave Entertainment, a leading publisher of videogame entertainment products, today announced the addition of Whirl Tour, a title offering a unique combination of action, extreme sports, and adventure, to its 2002 product line-up.

This fall Infogrames, Inc. and FIRAXIS Games will expand the most critically acclaimed strategy game of 2001 with Sid Meier's Civilization III: Play The World game expansion pack. This major expansion will include full multiplayer support, eight additional civilizations, and new map and terrain features providing new challenges and ways to play for veteran and novice Civilization game players around the world. Nothing we didnt know but its official now ...

THQ Inc. the #1 kids’ videogame publisher, and Nickelodeon, the #1 entertainment brand for kids, today announced that Fairly OddParents! (working title) is in development for Game Boy Advance. “Fairly OddParents!,” recently rated the fourth most popular show for kids, is a Nickelodeon animated program starring Timmy Turner and his magical, mystical Fairy Godparents, whose wacky antics often stir up more trouble than help. Fairly OddParents! for Game Boy Advance will ship this November.

Got Game Entertainment and Prograph Research today announced a North American publishing agreement for "Tony Tough and The Night of Roasted Moths," a PC Adventure game with vibrant 2D graphics and "point & click" interface.

100 years in the future Red Rock, mankind's first colony on Mars, is besieged by a brutal alien force and military leaders on faraway Earth are stymied - so they call on Radical Tactics Expert (RTX) Eugene Zeno "E.Z." Wheeler as their best hope in RTX Red Rock from LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC. RTX Red Rock is an epic third-person action-adventure expected to release spring 2003 on PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube.

Infogrames, Inc. announces the fall release of Dirt Track Racing 2 for the PC. Capturing the frantic, fender-to-fender style of racing on dirt, Dirt Track Racing 2 will recreate white knuckle competition on ovals, D-ovals, tri-ovals, egg shaped and figure 8 tracks. Developed by Ratbag Pty Ltd and powered by the company’s critically acclaimed Difference Engine™, the game will also feature ultra-realistic physics and true-to-life graphics, along with 14 different tracks and three classes of cars.

THQ Inc. today announced the latest interactive installment of the Matchbox brand, Matchbox Cross Town Heroes for Game Boy Advance and PC. The videogame adventure takes place in a dynamic world in which players take the wheel and courageously “drive” Matchbox search and rescue vehicles into the heart of the emergency action. Matchbox Cross Town Heroes is scheduled for release in summer 2002.

Titus Interactive Studio today announced that the original Robocop arcade game will be brought to the Game Boy Advance with Robocop: The Future of Law Enforcement in October 2002. Based on the eponymous classic sci-fi movie, Robocop: The Future of Law Enforcement sees the player assume the role of Officer Murphy in this stainless steel action adventure.

Softwrap, the British-based company that allows software to be virtually 'shrink-wrapped' and securely distributed electronically, today announced a deal with Stardock, a PC games developer. The partnership will enable Stardock's customers to try the popular PC game, LightWeight Ninja, before going on to buy, whilst the software remains totally secure against piracy.

Got Game Entertainment and Prograph Research today announced a North American publishing agreement for "Tsunami 2265", a futuristic "shoot’em up" PC action game. "We are thrilled to be bringing ‘Tsunami 2265’ to the North American market," said Howard Horowitz, President of Got Game Entertainment, "Prograph has definitely created a truly unique and exciting PC game." Read more below for full announcement and first screens!

Knowledge Adventure, a studio of Vivendi Universal Publishing, today announced the expansion of it's popular Fisher Price range with the launch of three all-new titles specifically for boys ages 5 plus, on the PC and the Sony PlayStation One console this Easter, based on Fisher Price's best-selling Rescue Heroes toy line and their best-selling battery powered ride-on vehicle, Power Wheels.

id Software and Activision, Inc. announced that Activision will be the worldwide licensed distributor for DOOM III, the latest installment in one of the most successful franchises in PC gaming history. Built on id's revolutionary new 3D graphics engine, DOOM III draws players into the most frightening and gripping 3D gaming experience ever created. DOOM III is currently in development for the PC by id Software and will debut at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo in Activision's booth #1224 in the South Hall.

Continuing on the success of the original EverQuest and in line with its tradition of consistently providing new and exciting content, Sony Online Entertainment Inc., a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online gaming, today announced it is developing EverQuest II. Scheduled to launch in Winter 2003, EverQuest II adds significant improvements over the first, widely popular, iteration.

UPDATE: Official site is now available HERE!

Computer and video game publisher Gathering of Developers, a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. and UK-based developer FireFly Studios Ltd today announced “FireFly Studios’ Stronghold: Crusader” for the PC. “Stronghold: Crusader” is a dynamic “castle sim” set in a distant Arabian land, that combines the finest aspects from the city builder and a real-time strategy genres. The game is set to ship this summer.

TriLunar, LLC, a leading developer of interactive entertainment products, today announced the addition of David O’Connor as their Vice President, Technology. As a member of the TriLunar executive team, O’Connor will be responsible for technology leadership for the firm, including strategic planning of core technologies, planning and execution of product-related technical development, and human resource management of the technical team.

Rockstar Games, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.'s high-end videogame publishing division, is pleased to announce that "Smuggler's Run: Warzones" is crossing the border and heading for a release on GameCube this summer. The first Smuggler's Run title to grace the GameCube console, this off-road driving adventure offers the most dynamic smuggling challenge yet with five huge maps, over 30 missions and 2-4 person multiplayer action. "Smuggler's Run: Warzones" is set for release July 2002.

Anarchy Online: Shadowlands is the new expansion pack currently in development to compliment Anarchy Online, Funcom's award-winning massively multiplayer online game. Shadowlands is currently planned for a 4th quarter 2002 release and will contain many new areas to explore, profession specialisation, additional breed variations, higher quality armour and item options, improved graphic effects, and much more.

Electronic Arts today announced that the long-awaited 4th generation of the PC game SimCity, SimCity 4, is in development at the company's Walnut Creek-based Maxis studio. Featuring new simulation and graphics engines, new regional game play and the new ability to track the lives of individual Sims as they go about their daily routine, SimCity 4 is the most realistic, powerful and personal SimCity experience ever. SimCity 4 will make its debut to industry insiders on May 22nd at the Electronic Entertainment Exposition in Los Angeles.