Sony Online Entertainment announced that EverQuest Online Adventures, exclusively for the PS2, hits retail stores nationwide today, ending months of anticipation for gamers awaiting this historic release. The launch of EverQuest Online Adventures marks the first time ever that North American PS2 owners can experience a persistent and vast living virtual world filled with thousands of other players from the "real" world. EverQuest Online Adventures includes a free 30-day trial and gives players what they've been looking for with non-stop action, the opportunity to explore an exciting new land, a world of fun and interesting people to meet and play with, quests, combat and more.

Capcom today announced that one of its leading fighting titles, Capcom vs. SNK 2: EO, is now available for the Xbox video game system from Microsoft and playable via Xbox Live. Capcom vs. SNK 2: EO brings together 44 brawlers from the Capcom and SNK franchises and pits them against each other in cyberspace

NASCAR Racing 2003 Season has shipped to retail locations nationwide. Developed by Massachusetts-based Papyrus Racing Games and published by Sierra Entertainment, NASCAR Racing 2003 Season features new 3D graphics, an enhanced physics model developed with the input of official NASCAR team engineers, and informative driving aids for both seasoned and novice drivers. In addition, the game is the first to include 2003 NASCAR Cup series teams, sponsors, and tracks.

Summitsoft Corporation announced today it has obtained the publishing rights in North America for Empire of Magic. Developed for the PC platform over the past three years by Mayhem Studios in Slovak Republic, Empire of Magic features an absorbing magical fantasy world with elements of adventure, strategy and role-playing.

"We are very pleased to acquire such a richly detailed game as Empire of Magic," said Bruce Lowry, President and CEO of Summitsoft Corporation. "Thanks to its artificial intelligence and intricate layer of side-quests and extra tasks, every scenario becomes unique to players even after extensive replay."

Electronic Arts Inc. and Swedish developer Digital Illusions, C.E. (DICE) today announced a strategic investment and long-term publishing agreement for video games made by DICE studios. EA has purchased a minority interest in DICE and licensed the worldwide publishing rights for future products developed by DICE. In 2002, DICE and EA partnered to release the global blockbuster, Battlefield 1942. The critically acclaimed online multi-player game is in distribution in more than 36 countries and has shipped more than 900,000 games to date. In January 2003, EA released a Battlefield 1942 expansion pack titled Battlefield: The Road to Rome, with all new content to accompany the original game.

Praetorians is an epic 3D strategy game set at the time of Julius Caesar's campaigns to expand the frontier's of the Roman Empire. Taking on the role of a Roman General you are transported back to the deserts of Egypt, the frozen lands of the Gauls and to the heart of the Empire itself, Italy. Eidos has released some screens earlier today giving us a glimpse at the Gauls showing "Barbarian troops destroying armies, villages, basically anything that stands in their way".

"Lufia: The Ruins of Lore", the next title in the wildly popular Lufia role-playing series has been delayed from its original shipping date in March to late April. Developed for the Game Boy Advance, the title will be released in North America in the Spring of 2003. This exciting new chapter follows the adventures of Eldin and his childhood friends, Torma and Rami, as they strive to solve the mystery of the ancient ruins and halt the resurrection of an evil beast whose power could eradicate humanity.

You are Skye of Lynlora, a shepherd with a restless spirit, a taste for adventure, and a smart mouth. Your humdrum existence of Dwentil herding is changed forever the day you find a strange orange object - a Skittle. No sooner do you seize it than you are gifted with mysterious power - of the fireball hurling variety. Unfortunately, a nasty rift also opens up in reality, belching forth a horde of nightmare creatures who seem to regard you as Public Enemy Number One. They want your little discovery. There was never a demo released by US publisher SSI, but now UK publisher Oxygen released an official demo featuring one playable level from the retail product (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for download links ...

Battlefront.com has just released the v1.02 patch for Combat Mission: Barbarossa to Berlin (PC Gamers Turn Based Strategy Game of the Year). This patch includes 17 new and improved vehicle and gun models, refinements to several commands and further tweaks to the fatigue and moral systems. Added Features include a new "pure armor" Quick Battle force type which will only allow "armor" units to be purchased plus dozens of unit and weapon/armor data updates and bug fixes. CDV will be releasing the v1.02 for the European Windows version of CMBB in the next few days, if not sooner. Read more for download links and detailed fix list ...

Somewhere far away lays the land of powerful demons and breath taking beauty. The land of brave knights, doom and salvation. Land of many faces where marvelous adventures await your arrival. Sharpen your swords and gather up enough magic power because in the end of this summer a strategic delicacy arrives - Empire of Magic. Check out the new batch of screens as well as a DiVX trailer ...

Players will experience fast-paced shooter action through 10 huge varied levels and additional expertly designed multiplayer maps. The Ancient Greek/Roman setting allows for unique weapons that support the game's theme, including a Medusa Gun, Flaming Crossbow and Acid Rifle. The game's "real-time shattering" technology allows for a wealth of breakable objects, providing gamers with the experience of a truly interactive environment. With Will Rock's advanced gameplay technology and level design, players must rely on both quick thinking and reactions to solve environmental puzzles and survive the hardcore action!

Electronic Arts has just released the long-anticipated patch for James Bond 007: NightFire, bringing the superspy first-person shooter by Gearbox Software to version 1.1. This release adds two new multiplayer maps (Combat Training map Istanbul and CTF map Space Station), a dedicated server executable, gameplay tweaks, AI and crash fixes, and more (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for details and download links ...

Ubi Soft Entertainment announced today that the popular squad-based combat game Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon for the Nintendo GameCube has shipped and will arrive on store shelves shortly.

For 2003, Hasbro, Inc. delivers a host of new Milton Bradley, Parker Brothers and Tiger Electronics games that are fresh and contemporary for today's kids (both young and old), yet provide a familiar game play pattern that is comforting for all members of the family.

id Software and Activision announced today they are canceling the retail release of Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory. Despite a strong effort from talented developers, the single player portion of the game did not progress as anticipated. Canceling the release was a difficult decision made in the best interest of the Wolfenstein franchise and fans. However, we remain excited about the progress and direction of Enemy Territory multiplayer. Over the next several months the focus of our development will be to complete the multiplayer portion of Enemy Territory and provide it as a free downloadable expansion to Return to Castle Wolfenstein.

Origin Systems, an Electronic Arts development studio, today announced that it has begun shipping Ultima Online: Age of Shadows, an exciting new expansion in the award-winning Ultima Online (UO) series. Ultima Online: Age of Shadows delivers just what fans requested including a new house building tool, more professions, a new land to explore and settle and a new magic items system.

Codemasters, a UK-based videogame publishing giant, today announced that its upcoming title, IndyCar Series, will feature Penske Racing, the most successful Indy car racing team in history. Read more for details and a batch of fresh screens ...

Infogrames Europe and Thrustmaster are pleased to announce that they have joined forces to take aim at the world of Xbox gaming with two exclusive new offerings for hours of adrenaline-filled excitement. Thrustmaster will launch its Beretta 92FS light gun for Xbox to coincide with Infogrames' European release of The House of the Dead III, the latest installment in Sega's blockbuster series and the first Xbox title to feature light gun support.

Konami of America, Inc. announced today that Yu-Gi-Oh! Dungeon Dice Monsters for the GBA has shipped to retail outlets nationwide. We'll try to get our hands on a copy asap and give it the WP treatment (not sure wether that is a good thing or not though ;)