SEGA of America Inc. recently released BILLY HATCHER AND THE GIANT EGG, a new platform game exclusively for the Nintendo GameCube. Developed by the creator of SEGA's world-famous SONIC THE HEDGEHOG series, BILLY HATCHER AND THE GIANT EGG challenges players to solve puzzles, complete missions and defeat powerful bosses throughout massive, fantastical environments with the help of magical eggs.

Vivendi Universal Games will ship GROUND CONTROL II: OPERATION EXODUS, the sequel to the award- winning PC realtime strategy game for the PC, to North American stores in the second quarter of 2004.

Tribune Media Services International (TMSI) will launch News In Motion International (www.niminternational.com) in December, to deliver News In Motion and Knight Ridder/Tribune (KRT) animations, TV graphics and related editorial content to television stations and their Websites on a subscription and spot sales basis. Prior to the launch of the international site, producers can access the service at www.newsinmotion.com.

Humongous Entertainment, an Atari company, will release PAJAMA SAM: LIFE IS ROUGH WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR STUFF and PUTT-PUTT: PEP'S BIRTHDAY SURPRISE. Both games are cartoon-style learning adventures that encourage critical thinking and creative problem-solving while including story elements that change each time the game is played.

Sarbakan has announced the completion of a new Flash-animated BATMAN Web game. The online adventure will coincide with the release of the new animated direct-to-DVD feature, BATMAN: MYSTERY OF THE BATWOMAN. The realtime action title was produced for Warner Bros. Online. The 2D interactive animated game will go live at www.wbonline.com in November.

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online gaming, has released the videogame, EVERQUEST: LOST DUNGEONS OF NORRATH, a new expansion for the incredibly popular PC Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG), EVERQUEST. The boxed retail version will contain both a collectible "in-box" gift (while supplies last) as well as a magical "in-game" item and will carry the suggested retail price of $29.99. Additionally, a digital version is available for secure download at www.everquest.com for $27.99.

Recording star Mya will perform the original theme song, “Everything or Nothing,” for the latest videogame in the Bond franchise, JAMES BOND 007: EVERYTHING OR NOTHING, from Electronic Arts.

THQ is developing SCOOBY-DOO! MYSTERY MAYHEM, based on the classic SCOOBY-DOO cartoon series, for Xbox, GameCube and the PlayStation2 and will be released winter 2003. SCOOBY-DOO! MYSTERY MAYHEM for Game Boy Advance is now available at retailers throughout North America.

Electronic Arts has announced the development of THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE BATTLE FOR MIDDLE-EARTH for the PC under the EA GAMES brand. The game will be eveloped at EA Los Angeles by the same team that created the award-winning realtime strategy PC hits COMMANDER & CONQUER RED ALERT 2 and COMMAND & CONQUER GENERALS and is set to hit shelves summer 2004.

For ESPN NHL HOCKEY, Motion Analysis Studios took realism to the next level by teaming with developer Kush Games and setting up motion capture cameras literally on an ice rink. "To get a motion capture shoot set-up and running in just one day, especially at a location outside of our studio, was a major accomplishment," said Jeff Swenty, head of production for Motion Analysis.

Acclaim Entertainment Inc. has announced the formation of Acclaim Connected, which will be dedicated to developing and licensing interactive entertainment content for global mobile gaming platforms. In July of 2003, Acclaim entered the mobile gaming market with an exclusive agreement with Vodafone Live!, offering content based on Acclaim's forthcoming console release, FREESTYLE STREET SOCCER, in Vodafone countries.

Ubisoft, one of the world's largest videogame publishers, has announced it has sold its 100 millionth game in September 2003. In addition, the company unveiled its new logo and visual identity. The corporate re-branding takes effect immediately throughout Ubisoft's worldwide offices.

Square Enix U.S.A. Inc. has announced that FINAL FANTASY X-2 will ship in early December 2003. The company also announced that FINAL FANTASY X has been added to Sony Computer Entertainment America's "Greatest Hits" series.

"We are very pleased with success that FINAL FANTASY X has achieved, both in sales and industry recognition, and excited to continue the journey in FINAL FANTASY X-2," said Jun Iwasaki, ceo and president of Square Enix USA. "While FINAL FANTASY X-2 is a sequel, it is in many ways a new game and the first in the series led by an all-female cast."

In conjunction with its upcoming DVD/home video release of Goro Taniguchi’s epic space drama, INFINITE RYVIUS, Bandai Ent. has launched www.infiniteryvius.net. The Website will showcase the world of RYVIUS, story settings, background, character profiles, image gallery, DVD information and the INFINITE RYVIUS trailer.

Buena Vista Interactive's TRON 2.0 PC game, which debuted Aug. 26, 2003 across North America ($49.99 and Windows® 98/Me/2000/XP compatible), reunites the legendary film's writer-director Steven Lisberger with famed conceptual artist Syd Mead and celebrated visual and computer effects supervisor Richard Taylor. TRON 2.0 is a first-person PC game inspired by the Disney film that delivers immersive gameplay, virtual viral villains and a unique visual style. Mead (BLADE RUNNER, ALIENS) updated the iconic light cycles seen in the title, while Lisberger and Taylor consulted on game.

Midway Games Inc. has shipped MORTAL KOMBAT: TOURNAMENT EDITION, the Game Boy Advance sequel to MORTAL KOMBAT: DEADLY ALLIANCE. The exclusive videogame for the Game Boy Advance from Midway’s best-selling MORTAL KOMBAT franchise delivers multi-link play and “karnage,” allowing up to four players to battle in tournaments and tag-team play.

“Game Boy Advance owners will be able to experience the trademark MORTAL KOMBAT brutality in an entirely new way with multi-linked tournament play,” said Helene Sheeler, vp of marketing, Midway.

A new production company based in South Beach, Florida is launching three new animation series on the Internet, in hopes of catching a wave of interest to develop them into long-form programming for pick-up by cable companies. Shallow Beach Entertainment has worked for 18 months to assemble the creative and technical team to develop three very distinct animated series appealing to vastly different target audiences.

AnimWatch.com is a new Website dedicated to independent short animation. The site was created by animator Steve Ogden, who is working on his short film DOWN IN FRONT. The AniWatch Showcase consists of a selection of 10 short films in various stages of production, including comments from the directors and graphics. In addition, the site contains a monthly feature interview. For August, the site speaks with Brian Taylor (RUSTBOY) with next month being Chris Mullins (BLUE).

Bandai Entertainment has launched www.witchhunteronline.com to help promote the upcoming DVD release of Shukou Murase’s anime series, WITCH HUNTER ROBIN. The site will feature information about the characters, setting, production as well as news reports, background information, DVD release dates and trailers. An interactive Witch Hunting “Experience” is planned to go live at the end of August. 2003

To further immerse gamers into its gritty, first-person war-torn thriller CALL OF DUTY, Activision Inc. has enlisted Jason Statham and Giovanni Ribisi to provide their trademark voice talent in key roles. Additionally, writer/producer Michael Schiffer (CRIMSON TIDE, COLORS, LEAN OF ME, THE FOUR FEATHERS and THE PEACEMAKER) has added his touch to the game's action-filled script. CALL OF DUTY will be available in fall 2003 for the PC and is rated "RP" (Rating Pending) by the ESRB.