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.

Featuring pinball tables from past to present, Pinball Advance will capture the hearts and minds of all those who have played the silver ball when it is published for Game Boy Advance by Digital Worldwide in June 2002.. Pinball Advance features the Tarantula, Jailbreak and Daredevil pinball tables, all fully rendered in shiny 3D and each with their own exclusive single and multiball game modes.

5 Great Flight Sims – 6 Amazing Aircraft! Entertainment software developer and publisher NovaLogic, Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of the Air Attack Pack flight simulator compilation. The Air Attack Pack retails at $19.99 and is in stores today.

3 Games. 110 Missions. Are you tough enough? Entertainment software developer and publisher NovaLogic, Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of the Delta Force Trilogy compilation pack. The Delta Force Trilogy is available now on PC CD Rom and costs $29.99

After the huge success of Cossacks: The Art of War, the official first add-on, GSC Game World and CDV Software now return to the battle fields of Europe from the 16th to 18th century. Check some early screens!

Ubi Soft® Entertainment, one of the world's leading videogame publishers, today announced a worldwide licensing deal with Viacom Consumer Products to publish games based on the upcoming motion picture release, The Sum Of All Fears. Paramount Pictures' The Sum of All Fears, is the latest Tom Clancy novel to grace the big screen, this time starring Ben Affleck as Jack Ryan. Ubi Soft plans to launch the PC version of the game in conjunction with the movie release, in May for U.S. and Canadian audiences and in the fall for European fans. Ubi Soft will also release the game on the new generation of consoles in the months following the movie's release.

NetDevil Ltd., an independent developer of massive-multiplayer games, today announced plans for a new episode for Jumpgate, its ground-breaking massive-multiplayer space simulator. Jumpgate: Episode 2, Attack of the Conflux will implement player-owned space stations, new features, and expand the boundaries of the Jumpgate universe far beyond the current 126 explored sectors of the galaxy.

The game that started the computer "Tycoon" craze is getting a sequel this Autumn in RollerCoaster Tycoon II from Infogrames and master game designer, Chris Sawyer. Numerous improvements to the original will be packed into this new game - with more types of roller coasters and rides being just the beginning.

"Pull your vehicle over now!" EA plans to drive the highly anticipated Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2 game for the PS2 to PC, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube. All four titles will be published under the EA GAMES brand and will be available in late summer 2002.

Microsoft Game Studios today announced that one of the best-selling racing franchises of all time, “Midtown Madness,” will become a featured title for the Xbox. “Midtown Madness 3,” an arcade-style racing game developed by Digital Illusions CE AB, scheduled for release in fall 2002, will take full advantage of the power of the Xbox by providing deeper story lines and more user interaction. We already knew about this before, but now its official! UPDATE: We added 2 new screens

Infogrames, Inc. and Nickelodeon will crank up the fun factor later this year with the introduction of Nickelodeon Party Blast – a totally wild, ultra-competitive, all-out Nick party game featuring eight Nicktoons stars! Anything goes in this star-studded, multi-player Nickelodeon Challenge that will launch on the PC, Nintendo GameCube and will be the first ever Nickelodeon title for the Xbox.

This year, the battle for the future of Azeroth comes home, with the up-coming release of three epic Warcraft III action figures: orcish war chief Thrall, dwarven mountain king Muradin Bronzebeard and night elf keeper of the grove Furion Stormrage. Find out more here! "Pretty awesome"

BioWare Corp. and Infogrames Inc. are pleased to present the limited open Beta test for one of the most anticipated PC games of the year - Neverwinter Nights. Selected PC game fans will have an unprecedented opportunity to dig into the rich world of Neverwinter Nights before anyone else.

Dreamcatcher announce a new GORE contest. The contest started April 19th, 2002, at 12:01 P.S.T. and ends May 31st, 2002 at 12:00 midnight P.S.T. Draws will be made on or about June 4, 2002 at 12:01 P.S.T. Representatives from DreamCatcher Interactive Inc., will select the winners from ALL eligible entries submitted by MAY 31, 2002. The names of the winners will be posted at the website on or about JUNE 14, 2002. Find out more here!

Today we announce the winners for our latest contest, "Disciples II: Dark Prophecy". Did you win a copy? Well, find out here. A new contest will be announced soon. So stay tuned!

Following the success of its acclaimed versions of Robot Wars on PlayStation 2 and PC CD-ROM, Climax is pleased to announce the development of heavy metal successor Robot Wars 2. To be published on XBox and PC formats by BBC Multimedia for Christmas 2002, this all-action sequel is set to deliver a whole new bot battling experience.

Adorning a leather jumpsuit and sitting on a new set of rubbers, Titus Software is all set to enter the highly oiled world of ‘no rules’ motor racing with Downforce, due to be published for Game Boy Advance in May 2002. We already posted some screens several days ago, but here is the official announcement.

Ubi Soft Entertainment, unveiled today the latest creation inspired by the works of world renowned novelist Tom Clancy. Splinter Cell is a third person stealth action game, featuring cyber-terrorism, shadow agencies, and covert operations and is set in the realistic, highly detailed geopolitical universe as portrayed in the works by Tom Clancy. In the fall of 2002, Ubi Soft will debut this lone stealth action game worldwide on the Xbox and PC, with further new generation platforms following in 2003. Update: More screens is added!

Renegade Gods is currently hard at work producing its first title: Eden Eclipse, a 3D science-fiction game with RPG influence that utilizes some of today’s most advanced 3D technology. Featuring stunning visuals, a deep story and compelling characters, beautifully composed score and electronic soundtrack - Eden Eclipse is sure to be one hell of a game!

After winning the Best Massively Multiplayer Online Game award from PC Gamer magazine for its game, Anarchy Online, Funcom announces the release of a special retail edition shipping to stores on May 15, 2002. Customers can pre-order a copy of the game later today through Funcom's online store. Full pressrelease below!