Bigben Interactive UK Ltd. is pleased to announce the forthcoming release of Dance:UK on both the PS one and PlayStation2 formats. As the title suggests, Dance:UK is a 'bemami'-style dance-mat game. The game will be released into an already tough market sector. However, rather than simply emulating existing dancing games, Bigben Interactive UK commissioned extensive research with the game's target audience. A range of focus groups were quizzed with the aim of discovering what the public really want in a dance game. Bigben Interactive believes that the knowledge gained will enable it to deliver the game the masses desire.

Another part of the PlayStation 3 jigsaw puzzle slotted into place today, as Sony announced a partnership with Elpida Memory to supply the Rambus-based memory technology for the console. Japanese firm Elpida is a subsidiary of NEC and Hitachi, and specialises (as the name suggests) in various RAM technologies. The chips it will be supply for Sony are based on the Rambus Yellowstone technology.

Shrapnel Games is pleased to announce that Combat Command 2: Danger Forward Gold Edition has just recently passed the Gold milestone and is expected to begin shipping on June 20th. The Gold Edition is an enhanced version of the award-winning grand tactical game, Combat Command 2: Danger Forward.

From June 26th until June 29th thousands upon thousands of gamers will descend upon Columbus, Ohio for an orgy of game playing. If it's a game, it'll be at Origins 2003. Collectible card games, live action role playing, traditional role playing, and of course, the granddaddy of all tabletop gaming, wargames, will all be represented. Scores of companies will also be on hand, to showcase their latest and greatest products. Among these companies will be none other than Shrapnel Games.

Rise of Power is a game built on Garage Games' Torque engine and aims to be one of the first Role Playing first person shooter games. It is designed for multiplayer online play and will keep a database of player statistics. Its primary purpose is to provide a persistent world in which the player can advance through the ranks and develop skills and experience. Cash and bank accounts will be used to purchase weapons, bots and vehicles used by the player in battle. The player will maintain rank and be able to switch sides / teams at will. The game will feature two major opposing forces. The game pits Police forces against the Underworld. Battles and win / loss data will be kept to help the ranking system... Find out more about this game and check out screens at the official site here!

Eve of Destruction is a mod Battlefield 1942, and they have released a 10% "demo" of the final product. This release will contain not only new skins, vehicles and new objects, it features 8 complete new custom maps. Each map is different in their own way (from realistic to fun maps) and partially adapted to the Indochina Vietnam Conflict. Infantry Combat in EoD is more realistic and more action than in Battlefield and similar to more infantry-based games like Raven Shield or Counterstrike. Read more for download links ...

The Master of Orion III Website now offers an "official beta patch" for the PC and Mac version of Quicksilver's space strategy game sequel. This v1.2 beta patch includes a ton of new changes and fixes for Master of Orion III. The previous data patch is not compatible with the v1.2 code. Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

Noticed on 3D Gamers that they got word from Strategy First that their planned space-combat and first-person shooter combo Zero-G Marines has been cancelled. Word is that the "development studios have shifted their focus to new projects" and are also "still concentrating on the Disciples series."

Cruise Ship Tycoon is a fun and exciting game that lets you take control of a fleet of cruise ships. Features include: colorful and unique characters (including staff and passengers), Challenge, Career and Open Play game modes, various locations ranging from Antarctica to Alaska and Russia to Mexico. There are 4 base model ships to choose from and a large variety of rooms, food, staff and entertainment buildings to create. Don't forget to steer your ship clear of icebergs, land and those pesky sea creatures. Read more for some screens ...

Enlight announced today that Restaurant Empire is receiving high scores from software reviewers across the United States and Europe. Restaurant Empire, shipped to retail stores around the world in March, captures the true experiences individuals encounter as they build and manage their own restaurant business. Read more to know what's cooking ...

Sinister Systems and Arxel Tribe have released yet another patch for their third-person role-playing adventure Mistmare, bringing your retail game to v1.6. This upgrade allows you to swich between 3 game resolutions, fixes crashes and slowdown. Read more for detailed fix list and download link.

In Vietcong you will lead as many as six expertly trained soldiers through 20 dramatic missions, and follow a storyline that captures the danger, fear and unpredictability of the war itself. The full-featured multiplayer mode also allows gamers to play as U.S. Special Forces or Vietcong soldiers and to battle over specially designed levels. Illusion Softworks has released the new Vietcong update patch, bringing your retail game to v1.2. This upgrade adresses new anti-cheat measures, a slew of multiplayer improvements, fixes and tweaks. Read more for details and download links ...

The Italian Job lets gamers recapture the high-octane thrills of the blockbuster movie. Taking on the role of Charlie Croker and his gang members, you are left for dead in Venice after being double-crossed during one of the biggest gold bullion heists ever. Now you and your team of professional thieves must wreak vengeance on the man who betrayed you and reclaim the gold. In order to achieve this, you need to create the biggest traffic jam in L.A. history and attempt your getaway in super-charged new MINI Coopers. Eidos keeps trickling out the screens, another 5 just dripped in...

Trash is a 3D RTS based in a post-apocalyptic future. The surviving humans, mutants, and intelligent machines are the three races battling for control of the primary resource: Trash. Read more to check out a few trashy screens ...

The putrid swamplands of Morak are home to the orks, a barbarian race of fierce and dedicated warmongers. Orkish history is dominated by endless military campaigns, which have involved all other races and creatures within reach. For thousands of years, the orks have lived only for the glory of battle and the thrill of combat. You can read about the Orks of Morak here and you may look at Ork visuals in the Gallery..

An updated playable demo for Will Rock is now available, and contains a single-player level called The Tholos Temple as well as a multiplayer map called The Rotunda. You MUST have DX 9 installed and your video card MUST support hardware transform and lighting (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for details and download links ...

Microsoft has released the first update patch for Digital Anvil's 3D space combat bringing your retail game to v1.1. This upgrade is primarily a server update addressing server stability and cheating. There are some client side fixes, the most important being a multiplayer ID generation issue. There is really no need to install the update unless you are running a server or are unable to play multiplayer because you can't get an ID. Read more for download links ...

Epic Games and Digital Extremes, co-creators of the award-winning Unreal game franchise, along with NVIDIA Corporation, Atari Inc, AMD, and Alias Wavefront today announced the kickoff of the "$1,000,000 NVIDIA Make Something Unreal" contest. The contest, backed by a grand prize worth US $400,000 and one of the largest overall contest prize purses in the video game industry, rewards and publicly recognizes talented individuals from around the world who can create the ultimate game and entertainment mods (a new game or add-on created with tools from the original title) based on the best-selling Unreal Tournament 2003 and upcoming Unreal Tournament 2004.

Activision, Inc.'s Lost Kingdoms II, the sequel to the top-selling, critically acclaimed RPG title Lost Kingdoms, takes gamers on an all-new magical quest with its release exclusively for the Nintendo GameCube. Set 200 years after the events of the original game, the title challenges players to uncover the origin of a new evil force that is threatening to destroy the Kingdom of Argwyll. Lost Kingdoms II is currently available at retail outlets for a suggested retail price of £39.99 and carries a 12+ PEGI rating.

Activision, Inc. has announced that id Software's Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Operation Resurrection for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system is now available at retail outlets nationwide. The epic World War II adventure fuses heart-stopping action and frightening gameplay with the pursuit to topple the Third Reich's fiendish army of elite soldiers, zombies and genetically engineered super-soldiers. Developed by Raster Productions, Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Operation Resurrection carries a suggested retail price of £39.99 and is rated 15+ by the BBFC.