Team Lazarus today announced that the long awaited and highly anticipated remake, Ultima V: Lazarus, has released a playable demo to the public. Ultima V: Lazarus is a complete recreation the classic role-playing game Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny, utilizing the Dungeon Siege engine. This demo is available in English, French, and German, and is fully compatible with both the Mac and PC versions of Dungeon Siege (thanks RPGDot). Read more for download links ...

Gas Powered Games is growing! In addition to developing the action/RPG title Dungeon Siege 2, GPG is now working on a next-generation Real Time Strategy game. GPG are looking for 3D environment artists, 3D modelers, animators, and 3D cinematic artists, for full-time positions. We’re also looking for a temporary concept artist (all positions will be on site at our Kirkland, Washington USA offices). Both organic and mechanical artistic imagery aptitude is valuable. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit demo reels and code samples through email attachments, web links, or physical mail. Note that physical material will not be returned, and cannot be delivered personally. Please see GPG's jobs page for more info.

Microsoft today announced the launch of the Crystal Limited Edition Xbox, "clearly" aimed at gamers who crave some added style along with their fantastic Xbox game experiences. Available across Europe from Spring 2004, the "crystal clear" new console comes with two crystal controllers and will retail for €199/£139 (SRP). Read more for details and some screens ...

The most successful role playing game franchise ever, returns to Nintendo in this stunning fantasy adventure. Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles is set to launch in Europe on March 11th 2004 exclusively for Nintendo GameCube. For a limited time only, every game will also include a free Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Advance Cable, enabling you to access valuable data on your Game Boy Advance and enjoy multi player action with up to three friends.

Jesper Kyd (www.jesperkyd.com) is following up his work on the award-winning soundtracks for IO Interactive’s Hitman series and Freedom Fighters (recipient of GameSpot’s 2003 Best Original Music in a Game Award) with an entirely new original score for Hitman: Contracts. Music composed and produced by Kyd is also featured in the debut movie trailer for Hitman: Contracts.

Lagsters is an arcade racing title, where the action takes place in closed environments - tubes. The player will be able to use a vast number of different weapons and upgrades to their cars to become the winner of one of the 32 races. The tracks are compiled into 4 different championships of the single player mode. The multiplayer mode will offer three different modes of play: 'Last Man Driving', 'Fox and Hounds' and 'Divided Glory' where up to 8 players may participate in one race.

Koch Media today announced that "Singles", developed by German development team ROTOBEE, has gone gold and will be available in stores Feb. 14th (Valentine's Day) 2004. Singles – Flirt up your Life! is the simulation of the exciting relationship between Mike and Linda. The game shows them in their shared flat, which means that everyday routines are focused as well: Cooking, watching TV and cleaning are as important as talks and a cuddle. And of course the two have to work for a living as well … Read more for some new screens ...

Far Cry is set around 2020 on a set of tropical islands in the pacific. And has a strong tropical-paradise feel, scenic in its beauty, but, harbors a terrible threat. It is a mix of jungle / primal / and next-gen technology. As the player you find yourself drawn into a secretive plot involving secret research facilities with scientists involved in military genetic-research, a secret "security" force of mercenaries, and, advanced next-generation weaponry and equipment. Check these 20 new screens...

This Mercury News article has more details on Microsoft's next-gen Xbox which according to the "rumors" will feature three 64-bit IBM processors, as being used in the Apple's G5, an ATI processor that'll rival the upcoming R400, 256/512 MB DDR RAM, either DVD or Blu-Ray DVD format discs, and most shockingly of all no hard drive. TeamXbox, known for their often spot on inside sources & rumors, reveal more on the graphical side of things with revelation of HDTV visuals with full screen Anti-Aliasing, etc. More details to be found on TeamXbox's Sunday coverage (thanks Cesar).

Step into war-torn China of the 2nd and 3rd centuries, assume the rank of ruler, and deal with fast-paced military and political affairs in the latest game in Koei's popular series. Along the way, you'll earn points and items to upgrade officers. Romance of the Three Kingdoms IX will ship to North American retailers on Feb 24, 2004, in the meantime check these new screens ...

Road to Fame combines the main features of the arcade and rally games, using realistic physics. Road to Fame lets you start as an unknown driver who's aim to climb the seven race classes of the game. Reaching the top is simple: You will have to win as much races as you can to upgrade your car and succeed in higher level. You can test your skills either as a beginner or as a professional driver in different tracks. During the races you will also have to face the changing road and weather conditions, and there will be multiple ways of completing a track. Read more to check out some new screens...

Freeform Interactive LLC releases Purge Jihad 2.0.1. This new version adds many player requests including weapon balance issues, new feature requests, and improved netcode. Purge Jihad is an online-only hybrid First-Person-Shooter / Role-Playing-Game set in the near future accounting a war between the diametrically opposed forces of science-fiction (the Order) and fantasy (the Chosen). Technology versus magic. Science versus religion. Using ESD (Electronic Software Distribution), Purge Jihad is offered in both a free (unregistered) and paid (registered) mode. The free, unregistered trial includes the full game without any time limits but is simply limited to 4 classes. Registered players will have access to all 8 classes.

Data Becker has now released the English demo for Related Designs' 3D RTS title Castle Strike. This demo features the 'The Duke Remembers' tutorial and the 'At the End of the Road' mission from the German campaign (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for download links...

The Natural Selection team has released an updated patch for the latest version of their Half-Life mod Natural Selection v3.0. The beta 2 patch features some balance tweaks, map updates and plenty of bug fixes. Read more for details and download links for the Windows client and dedicated server files patches ...

Another day, another batch of game trailers were released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for :

• Crimson Sea 2 - Trailer
• Star Wars: Battlefront - Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Demon's Crossing"... Map info: "The most loathsome and malevolent of creatures have settled here. Sleepless malice keeps them locked in eternal conflict, so that even the river stinks of death. This is a medium map and the suggested no. of players is 2v2 or 3v3. It is based on the "Black Citadel" tileset. Go download it here!

'Crimson Sea 2' features over 60 missions and 3 two-player modes. Work together to bring down the enemy and clear a stage in "Co-op" mode, battle head-to-head "death match" style in "Versus" mode, or try to outscore your human opponent in "Competition" mode. Read more for details and new screens ...

City of Heroes is the first superhero themed online RPG and will offer a host of exciting and compelling gameplay features. Players create their own heroes, choosing from hundreds of different powers, skills, abilities, and items and design their own unique costumes. Then they can band together with other players to fight evil, build their own secret headquarters and strive to become the premiere hero group in the city. Check out some new powers and new screens ...