Midway Games Inc. today announced the launch of the official website for The Suffering. Players can now step into the seedy underbelly of a maximum security penitentiary that is The Suffering by visiting the official The Suffering website. The Suffering will be available on March 8, 2004 for the PlayStation2 and the Xbox.

Atari is expanding the gameplay of Unreal II: The Awakening this December with Unreal II: The Awakening ­ Special Edition for the personal computer. The Special Edition package will include the original single-player campaign, first released in February 2003, as well as an all-new multiplayer experience called XMP, or “Expanded Multiplayer.” Developed by Legend Entertainment (an Atari studio) in conjunction with Epic Games, Unreal II: The Awakening is the follow-up to Epic Games’ 1998 smash hit Unreal and incorporates the same story-driven gameplay, cunningly ferocious enemies and nail-biting tension that made the original title a best seller.

Just in time for the release of "SpellForce - the Order of Dawn", JoWooD Productions Software AG will publish the official strategy book for this unique mix of genres. The 170-page book shall provide players with the easiest possible introduction to the new genre of role-play games (RPG) and also guide genre newbies through the extensive gaming world of SpellForce.

Enlight announced today the official Warlords Battlecry III website is live and players may now access the official Warlords Battlecry III website. The new website features an in-depth storyline, extensive overview of the new features in this series and downloads for fans that include concept art, screenshots and wallpapers. The site will also serve as the comprehensive online information hub for the latest updates on the next installment in the Battlecry series.

Microsoft Game Studios and Big Huge Games today announce Rise of Nations: Throne and Patriots, the expansion pack to the critically acclaimed, best-selling real-time strategy (RTS) game Rise of Nations. Developed by Brian Reynolds and Big Huge Games, Throne and Patriots adds a multitude of new features to Rise of Nations, introducing six new nations, a wide variety of new single player campaigns, more than 20 new units, new wonders and an innovative new Government feature. With the new Government feature, any nation, old or new, can choose exactly how to be governed, which has far-reaching effects on how units perform in various situations. All-new single player campaigns will allow gamers to control the course of history during historical events that changed the world. Rise of Nations: Throne and Patriots is expected to ship in Spring 2004. The original Rise of Nations game is available wherever games are sold and has been reduced to $39.99 (U.S.), just in time for the holidays.

Marking the end of five years of development including a nine-month, large-scale public beta test, There, Inc. today announced the broad consumer availability of its innovative online 3D world. There is the first online getaway that combines the power of chat with the fun and excitement of online games. Found at www.there.com, consumers can sign up now for a 14-day free trial -- no credit card required -- with an option to buy a There membership for as little as $4.95/month with a one time $19.95 activation fee. Read more for details ...

Empire Interactive today announces that a Collector's Edition of the hit PC title Ghost Master is now shipping. This Collector's Edition includes the original game, plus a host of extras (a DVD copy of Scary movie, amongst other things) that will send a shiver down your spine and grin to your face in time for Halloween. Read more for details ...

Encore today announced that it has begun shipping Pirate Hunter and Patrician III, life simulation games developed by Ascaron Entertainment. These two PC games offer a unique combination of trading and fighting, one on the high seas of the Caribbean, the other in the cities of Northern Europe during the Middle Ages. Both will begin reaching store shelves by the end of this week and will retail for approximately $30 and $40, respectively.

P.M. STUDIOS lets us know that they have launced the official website for Project Etrom. Etrom is an epic adventure among realms and cities, democracies and "nazi" dictatorships, a journey through space-time portals, among the Thrones of the Abyss, beyond the gates of the City of Light and many more locations, situations, rituals, secret-services plots, dark spells. Head on over there and check out the goodies!

Eudos has launched the official website for Ionstorms upcoming 3D action game Deus Ex: Invisible War. Deus Ex 2 allows players to participate in the telling of a powerful story, rich in mystery, lies and intrigue. In addition to a host of new conspiratorial friends and foes, players can expect encounters with a variety of characters from the original Deus Ex game. And, once again, players visit a variety of real world locations made more exotic by the passage of time. Approximately 20 years after the events depicted in Deus Ex, the world is only beginning to recover from a catastrophic worldwide depression brought on by technology run amok and a secret conspiratorial war. Read more for some new screens ...

CDV Software Entertainment announces that "Combat Mission 2: Barbarossa to Berlin" Special Edition for the PC is available in retail stores.

After the F1 Nurburgring disaster of 2025, the Extreme Gravity Racing Association, or XGRA, was set up as a regulatory governing body for all heavy gravity race events. The XGRA is the future sports equivalent of NASCAR or the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) – They are the rule makers, organizers and ultimately, the overlords of the racing world.

LucasArts sent out word that the official Secret Weapons Over Normandy web site has launched! The new site features a new Secret Weapons Over Normandy game trailer, the first wave of aircraft from the game, along with a look at the weapons and locations, wallpapers, screensavers and MP3s. Read up on exciting game features in the Game Info area, such as types of aircrafts, weapons and combat theaters! Infiltrate the site today!

Namco announced today the launch of the official Web site for I-Ninja, the popular new action adventure game scheduled for release on PS2, Xbox and GameCube in Q4 2003. The Web site provides a wealth of information, including the latest news, detailed game information, screenshots and a short movie of game play footage. The diehard I-Ninja follower will feast on the latest online toys, including wallpaper designs, instant message icons, message board avatars and a soon-unveiled desktop communicator. Additionally, an online message board allows I-Ninja fans to discuss the upcoming release and participate in “Sensei’s Dojo,” a forum dedicated to the creation of new Ninja principles.

Cauldron and JoWooD have released an additional map pack for Chaser, including 5 new multiplayer maps (CTF, DM, TDM). Chaser is set in the year 2044 with players taking the role of John Chaser who, at the beginning of the game, wakes up suffering from amnesia on board the spaceship HMS Majestic being pursued by a crack team of heavily armed shocktroop soldiers. The game then takes players into an apocalyptic future set on Earth and Mars. Read more for details and download links ...

Microids has launched the official website for Benoir Sokal's eagerly anticipated adventure game Syberia 2. The website features story details on Kate Walker's second adventure, some new/small screens and the usual tidbits. Syberia 2 can be expected in Spring 2004 and the website mentions a trailer & demo "coming soon". Head on over there to check all the goodies ...

The CIA is set to spend several million dollars to develop a video game aimed at helping its analysts think like terrorists, The Washington Times has learned. The agency's Counter Terrorist Center, or CTC, is working with the Los Angeles-based Institute for Creative Technologies on a project designed to help its analysts, "think outside the box," a CIA spokesman said. The project is close to approval, but officials wouldn't comment on the exact cost of the program.

Piggyback has again joined forces with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. This time piggyback will develop and publish the Jak II: Renegade official strategy guide for PlayStation 2 across Pal territories for simultaneous release with the game. The guide will be published in four separate language SKUs: English, German, French and Spanish.

Players return to the world of Aranna and start an all-new adventure in the Dungeon Siege expansion pack, an addition to the popular Dungeon Siege PC title. Players are drawn outside the original Kingdom of Ehb into the wilds of Aranna to solve an ancient mystery. Microsoft/Gas Powered Games have launched the official 'Dungeon Siege: Legends of Aranna' website featuring new screens (read more to check them out locally), game info & wallpapers. Head on over to the official 'Dungeon Siege: Legends of Aranna' website, or read more for some new screens ...

DreamCatcher Games today launched its dedicated Arx Fatalis Xbox site. After considerable success on the PC, Arx Fatalis on Xbox is the RPG that console gamers have been waiting for… and the new site lives up to the game! the official Arx Fatalis Xbox site features the official trailer, an assortment of unique wallpapers, rare concept art, in-game music files and more. The site will also feature regularly updated previews, reviews and interviews, as well as an extensive screenshot gallery. The game is set to ship in November, 2003 with an SRP of $39.99.

Encore today announced that Pirate Hunter and Patrician III, life simulation games developed by Ascaron Entertainment, have gone gold. These two PC games offer a unique combination of trading and fighting, one on the high seas of the Caribbean, the other in the cities of Northern Europe during the Middle Ages. Both are expected to be on store shelves in October and will retail for approximately $30 and $40, respectively.

Already revealed a while ago, Data Becker today officially announced its upcoming PC game Castle Strike. Developed by Related Designs (previously known for America & the upcoming No Man's Land), Castle Strike is a fast paced RTS game with a very detailed and authentic presentation of medieval Germany, England and France. Although strategically demanding, its core is based on action. That's why all the time consuming handling of resources and civilians is reduced to a minimum with the help of a special, never before seen peasant management system and lots of automatic functions. Castle Strike is scheduled for Q4 2003. Read more for details ...

Just in time for the biggest video game thrills of the fall, Nintendo of America Inc. today announced a new MSRP of $99.99 for its Nintendo GameCube, effective tomorrow, Sept. 25. This great new price opens an $80 price advantage over its two console competitors. While the price of GameCube hardware is falling, the variety and affordability of great software is soaring. Coupled with expansion of the GameCube library to more than 320 games by the end of the year, the new MSRP of $99.99 and added exclusive offers will further boost momentum for the console throughout the holidays.

Some of the nation's favourite video games are to be sold in a special pack to raise money for young people's charities. The video games industry's official charity, the ESC (Entertainment Software Charity), has lined up a special limited edition games pack for the PlayStation 2 which will be in all video games stockists from 26th September.

ESCAPE 2003 Special Edition pack will comprise three titles: Commandos 2: Men of Courage from Eidos, WRC II Extreme from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and SSX Tricky from Electronic Arts.

KOEI today announced that the official Dynasty Warriors4 Xtreme Legends website has gone live. With a distinct artistic style and story-based format, dw4xl.com will take gamers on an exciting journey through the compelling universe of Dynasty Warriors. Created by BigSmallWeb, dw4xl.com will be the premiere online destination for news, information, downloads and more- directly from the game's creators.