Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. has announced that MAX PAYNE, the new action PC game from its GodGames publishing subsidiary, has shipped to retailers in North America and Europe. The game was developed by Remedy Entertainment and 3D Realms. George Broussard, president of 3D Realms, said, "MAX PAYNE captures the mood and feeling of a classic film noir detective thriller and Remedy has crafted a movie quality script in the process. It's all about action, but there is a deep and rich plot here to uncover as you play.

Vans Inc., the leading worldwide brand for Core Sports, has announced that Microsoft's Xbox will be a title sponsor of the Vans Triple Crown Series. The Series features athletes competing in three championship events in each of the following sports: skateboarding, wakeboarding, surfing, snowboarding, BMX and freestyle motocross. Xbox titled events include: the Xbox Pro of Freestyle Motocross, the Xbox World Championships of Skateboarding and the Xbox Pipeline Masters of Surfing, as well as ongoing sponsorship of the overall Vans Triple Crown Series.

Discreet has signed a licensing agreement with Microsoft Corp. to create, publish and distribute gmax game packs for multiple Microsoft game titles. The first confirmed title is MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR 2002: PROFESSIONAL EDITION, which is set for delivery in the third quarter of this year. With gmax and the FLIGHT SIMULATOR game pack loaded, users can import game content — aircraft, buildings, trees and other 3D objects — and customize those objects.

Atomic Cartoons has posted the Web series DOG IN A BOX WITH 2 WHEELS on their Website (www.atomiccartoons.com). The series is a co-production between Atomic Cartoons and Honkworm International. The five-show series features a justice-hungry, hind-legless canine with two back wheels. "We are very pleased to finally have the opportunity to showcase this wonderful little property," said Rob Davies, one of show's original creators. "This adds new life and energy to the dusty old dog!" Also new to the Atomic Cartoons Website is an all-Flash interactive studio tour.

Treat, the commercial production arm of Dogmatic, Inc., has created a thirteen Webisodes series for Pepsi, spoofing the cola company's successful Britney Spears commercial campaign. The 60 to 90-second long Webisodes, directed by the comedy directing team of Larry Shanet and David Rosenthal, combine Flash animation with live-action. The first eight installments follow an inept camera crew - ordered by Mr. Butch R.

CartoonNetwork.com has announced that the second quarter 2001 was its busiest quarter ever. Time spent on the site increased by almost ten minutes, peaking at a record 44 minutes 42 seconds in June. Cartoon Network attributed this rise to Cartoon Orbit, the Website's online trading community for kids; its Web Premiere Toons; and Toonami: Reactor, a 12-week broadband test, which featured on-demand anime content. The Website set a monthly record in June, attracting 3,102,000 unique users, a 100% increase from the previous year.

Mondo Media announced that four of its popular Web shows, including the award-winning ELMO AARDVARK OUTER SPACE DETECTIVE!, will now air on Microsoft Corp.’s WindowsMedia.com. The Flash-created series will be available using the Windows Media player. The Mondo Mini series to air on WindowsMedia.com will include ELMO, THUGS ON FILM, HAPPY TREE FRIENDS and THIS MODERN WORLD.

Warner Bros. has launched a highly immersive Website to promote their upcoming live-action/animated feature OSMOSIS JONES at www.osmosisjones.com. Opening in the U.S. on August 10, the feature film teams a white blood cell and pill in a race to destroy a lethal virus that has infiltrated the body of Frank Detorri. Visitors to the film's site who select game mode will sign on as cops on the same immunity police force that employs Officer Osmosis, chasing down a lethal virus through the City of Frank, investigating suspects and tackling games of skill in a special arcade.

Nick.com has announced the launch of its first online comic book, THE CRIMSON CHIN, an interactive spin-off of Nickelodeon's animated comedy series, THE FAIRLY ODDPARENTS. The TV series follows the adventures of 10-year-old Timmy Turner and his troublesome fairy godparents Cosmo and Wanda. In August, in a move for TV and online convergence, THE CRIMSON CHIN Webisodes will debut as one-minute interstitials on Nickelodeon.

Children's software publisher Knowledge Adventure has announced the release of two new 3D action/adventure games on CD-Rom -JURASSIC PARK III: DANGER ZONE! and JURASSIC PARK III: DINO DEFENDER. DANGER ZONE! has players racing against time to collect dinosaur DNA before the ancient reptiles become extinct again. DINO DEFENDER has gamers trapping or tranquilizing renegade dinosaurs. "Kids love dinosaurs and Jurassic Park is the premier dinosaur brand the world over," said Leslie House, vice president, Knowledge Adventure.