Shiny Entertainment has also confirmed that it will showcase their upcoming title Sacrifice at E3. Previously scheduled to appear at the now defunct GamesCon, Shiny will finally unveil the game which industry insiders are calling a technological advancement. Too bad E3 is still a few months away.

The game is set in the trail of world devastation, when survivors are scattered throughout the solar system in a vast web of outposts and space stations. Anarchy reigns as violent factions wage war over limited resources. As the story goes, remnants of world government have sanctioned bounty hunting in a desperate attempt to control the growing chaos. Players carve out their destiny in a violent struggle for fortune and fame. One can begin a career as a bounty hunter, pursuing a target from Mars to the moons of Jupiter, and then face off in an ice mine on Europa. Or one can choose a more evil path hunting law-abiding citizens as an assassin.

People can band together in formal syndicates, attempting to invade and secure resource fortresses, or hold grudge matches in challenge arenas. They can wager on matching their abilities against others, competing in team battles and ladders. An advanced engine featuring a new hardware renderer will exploit the latest advances in graphics technology such as transform and lighting, advanced animation, multi-texturing, enhanced surface lighting, and other improvements. Space flight will allow people to travel between space stations and engage in dog fights. As DARK SECTOR evolves, new elements will be introduced to enrich and expand the experience. The title is in development, though a release date has yet to be determined.

n Monopoly Tycoon, people will decide what and where to build in a 3D Monopoly-themed city environment. A city of traditional properties will come to life as people buy real estate, construct buildings, and watching their city grow. Interaction with game characters, which includes reading their thoughts, will help players formulate strategies. This title will be available in October 2000.

Hasbro will also introduce a live Internet-based game show title called You?re Full of It, which is described as a ?hip television game show and a fast-paced interactive experience.? It will be available this September along with game show-themed offerings Family Feud, Wheel of Fortune 2, and Jeopardy 2.

With the addition of the NASCAR and Formula One licenses, Hasbro has entered the motor sports category. With NASCAR Heat, Hasbro is claiming great graphics, authenticity, and ease of use. The game includes 30 NASCAR drivers and Winston Cup racing courses, and will be available this October. A Formula One licensed simulation that covers a complete Grand Prix season, Grand Prix 3?s open-wheel racing will include accurate reproductions of all the circuits, teams, drivers and cars. Grand Prix 3 also has a new physics model and full tumble. It is slated for a Quarter 2 2000 release.

Hasbro is resurrecting its lucrative and adventurous amphibian for a sequel to the three million-selling Frogger. Frogger 2 will come with dozens of new levels spread over wild environments. New characters, including Frogger?s female friend, Lillie, along with vivid 3D graphics, will be hitting stores in September 2000. Raise your hand if you did not see this one coming. Hmmm... Not too many hands up.

The classic maze game of the 1980s returns in full 3D with the all-new Pac-Man CD-ROM. The story: Five magical power pills that strengthen Pac-Man's planet have been stolen and scattered across time at the hand of his archenemies--any guess who that would be?--the Ghosts. Pac-Man?s quest is to retrieve the pills from the different eras, which range from ancient Egypt to the Wild West of the 1800s, and return them to the planet core before it cools. This one will be hitting stores in September.

Although we have previewed this one based on a pre-release alpha, it is good enough to mention again: Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim--in a slight renaming to no doubt encourage people to associate the title with the current wave of popular Sim releases--is coming in March. You have been crowned King, and from the walls of your castle are challenged to meet the needs of your growing empire and its varied inhabitants. Each decision has an impact on the well being of your property, and those upon whom you depend to carry out your wishes. Each quest will require you to develop a unique strategy, build your tax base, collect moneys owed to the crown, explore your surroundings, and vanquish your enemies. Remember that it is a ?sim? game now.

Risk II posits people in the year 1812. Napoleon's army is on the march, and it is every empire for itself. As supreme commander, players seize territories, crush their enemies, and betray their allies in a fast-paced quest for world domination. People can play the classic game or the new same-time-turn option. This release will be in stores in March 2000.

Cavedog rose to fame with its first title, the real-time strategy game Total Annihilation. However, Total Annihilation: Kingdoms, released last year, was met with less enthusiasm. Meanwhile, other projects, such as the first-person shooter Amen: The Awakening, were canceled.