Star Trek: Away Team is the first squad based strategy game based in the Star Trek Next Generation universe. In Away Team, you'll have the opportunity to form your own strike teams from seventeen different characters, all with their own special skills and weapons. With an epic storyline that spans the Star Trek galaxy, you'll take your team on away missions to dangerous locations and inhospitable planets, like the Romulan home world, the Klingon home world, and Borg Cubes! [Download: DemoNews]
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Microsoft Corp. NTT Communications Corp. have announced a strategic alliance to establish a dedicated high-quality, high-speed broadband online gaming service in Japan for use of the Microsoft Xbox video game system. This new service, expected to launch in 2002, will offer gamers in Japan a new way to experience gameplay and propel the idea of connected gaming from a novelty into a necessity. NTT Com, Japan's leading telecommunications company, will provide Microsoft with access to ADSL through OCN's broadband services. Microsoft's Xbox Division in Japan will co-manage the build-out of the online gaming service. This division will also provide support for the game developers creating online-enabled Xbox games.
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Activision has announced that it will meet or exceed current revenue and earnings expectations for the 2001 fiscal year. The company also announced that it will buy back $15 million in debt. Although the company's overall revenue, earnings, and earnings per share were lower than in the same period the year before, the company attributed this to the transitional nature of 2001 as the industry moves toward next-generation platforms. Activision also released a number of popular PC games in the past year, including Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2, Quake III: Team Arena, and Star Trek: Voyager Elite Force.
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Konami of America, Inc., has announced that Zone of the Endersfor the PlayStation 2 has shipped today to retail outlets nationwide. Zone of the Enders includes a free playable demo of one of the most anticipated games of all time, Metal Gear Solid 2 Sons of Liberty. The game and demo are bundled in a single two-disc package, and offered at a suggested retail price of $49.99.

In Zone of the Enders, players take control of a fully armed mechanized robot to fight enemies during a space colony hijack. As the game s hero, Leo Stenbuck, players experience the consequences of fighting first hand, and learn the true meaning of life and death. Zone of the Enders features fast-paced gameplay, intuitive controls, and a sophisticated computer AI that evolves over time and reacts to the player s actions. The combat system allows for close quarter weapon attacks and long-range assaults. In addition a Versus Mode is available for heated two-player battles. Zone of the Enders is rated M for mature by the ESRB.
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Prima Communications (makers of video and computer game strategy guides) has agreed to be acquired by Random House, Inc. The purchase was announced yesterday in New York and Sacramento, where Random House and Prima are respectively headquartered. Terms of the agreement between the two companies, both of which are privately held, were not disclosed. The purchase is expected to be finalized within the next few weeks. Prima’s video and computer game guides publishing line, holds approximately 50% of the U.S. market for strategy guides, selling more than ten million copies of their titles annually.
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The 3DO Company announced that it has begun shipping the PlayStation 2 version of the High Heat Major League Baseball 2002 game to retail outlets throughout North America and online stores. This year's edition of the High Heat Major League Baseball 2002 game features new graphics, and is endorsed by Montreal Expos superstar outfielder Vladimir Guerrero and his brother, infielder Wilton Guerrero of the Cincinnati Reds.
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Spring is in the air, and we have some serious PC building to do here, but spring-loving patsies need not apply. Building the best gaming system requires money, and lots of it: one thing we promise right off the bat, we won't be cutting any corners concerning you gamers. Our goal here is to layout the best gaming rig money can buy, which will give you plenty of excuses to stay inside and play games. Check out Sharky's new High-End Gaming PC Buyer’s Guide here.
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