In addition, when consumers purchase specially marked boxes of Backyard Baseball 2001, they can enter to win several prizes including a trip for four to the World Series; a vacation package to one of Cal Ripken, Jr.'s famous baseball camps ; and, 200 third-place winners will receive a Cal Ripken, Jr. autographed baseball card. In addition, everyone who participates will receive an unsigned limited edition Cal Ripken, Jr. Backyard Baseball trading card.

Army Men World War is a new episode in the ongoing war between the Green and Tan Armies. Based loosely on such historical battles as the Battle of Normandy, Army Men World War puts players in command of the Green Army as it attempts to breach Tan soil and establish a beachhead, facing down a withering hail of enemy fire. The game features 15 brutal infantry-level missions covering three different terrains and multiple environments including beaches, jungles, war-torn cities, and abandoned countryside settings. The developers have put a heavy emphasis on tactical action; players must take control of strategic weaponry, flamethrowers, grenades, mortars, and bazookas at various points throughout the course of the game. Players must also seize control of vehicles and pound the enemy battalions into submission using all-new heavy artillery. Players may also take their battles online with 15 maps designed specifically for Internet play.

The unified branding concept will extend beyond product wrapping and promotions. This fall, when consumers purchase new EA titles, a clear and consistent set of in-game images will move them through start up screens and into the games. A new interface is being engineered to ensure the games are more accessible for both novices and veterans. The consistent imagery and interface of EA titles will allow experienced users to get into games faster and beginners to browse the opening screens to learn more about the rules.

As captain, the player controls a Special Forces unit of 22 highly trained specialists recruited by Starfleet for their unique combat, stealth and problem solving abilities. Individual team members are comprised of three to six specialist, chosen by the player at the start of each mission. As in the series, the commando team will have access to standard Starfleet equipment such as tricorders, phasers, hyposprays and phaser rifles as well as a number of other unique classified special issue items.

Played from a 3/4 perspective Star Trek Away Team combines strategy and action elements to immerse players in the world of Special Forces missions. To succeed, players will have to make use of the unique skills of each of the team members. Medical staff can heal the injured, engi neers can access control panels and systems, science officers can scan the environment for needed information and security personal will provide firepower. Players will also want to make sure their entire team gets out intact since team members' effectiveness will increase as they complete missions and gain experience.

3-D Ultra Pinball: Thrill Ride adds a fanciful arcade twist to traditional roller coaster rides. The game integrates 3-D Ultra pinball arcade game mechanics with the excitement of a roller coaster to render a fun-filled spree through a fanciful amusement fair. Thrill Ride offers 15 rides represented on the game's main and mini tables, complete with a special nighttime mode. This product is also scheduled for release in August.

"Shiny, who delivered such classics as Earthworm Jim and MDK, bring us Messiah, a third-person action/adventure title. Those of us who like to keep up with all the gaming gossip and news will most probably have heard of Messiah some time ago. As is the trend in the computer gaming industry, Messiah was plagued by an overly long development time and therefore was delayed enough to cause frustration for those waiting for the game. To be brief, Messiah is an above average game, which has suffered from minor design issues, which, in turn, cause major gameplay problems."

Be sure to check out the rest of our Messiah review including a pocket full of visuals. Enjoy!

"Graphically, SOF is pretty impressive considering it's using the venerable Q2 engine and has to compete with the next-gen engines powering Q3 and UT. Raven has done a pretty commendable job of hiding the limitations of the Q2 engine and making some very nice and memorable levels. The gun models and animations are pretty well done, I especially like the reloading. The player models are decent, the enemies are all quite varied thanks to a feature that allows the same model to use a variety of head textures and clothing textures. I thought it would be a lot more impressive than it actually is though, all the enemies still look pretty similar. One player model that I think looks pretty bad is the person you play. What's with the goofy moustache buddy? If you're trying to create the image of a cool dangerous mercenary, why did you create such a chumpy skin?"

Be sure to check out the rest of our Soldier of Fortune review including a grenade full of visuals. Enjoy!

The two companies have had a partnership since the Gathering's inception in 1998 when TAKE 2 provided initial funding, European co-publishing capabilities and a North American distribution infrastructure. In January 1999, TAKE 2 became a minority equity partner with a 19.9 percent interest in the Gathering. TAKE 2 has entered into agreements with the Gathering's CEO Michael Wilson and President Harry Miller for five and three years to continue in their current capacities. Gathering's management will remain in place and the Board of Developers will continue to handle product submission evaluations.

In Infiltrator, people will have to react fast to an ever-changing environment that contains both human as well as AI opponents. Tom Maugh, CEO of Orbital Frog, said, "We are creating an environment reminiscent of the James Bond movies. All of us at Orbital Frog grew up watching Bond, Mission Impossible and The Avengers. We wanted a game that captured the best of these worlds." The campaigns will therefore be set in an online realmfilled with intricate details. An isometric perspective will give people an expansive view of the world and their surroundings, though Orbital Frog is adding a few twists. Incorporating true line of sight means not seeing what is around the next corner, for instance.

The world of Infiltrator will be further enhanced with the addition of an advanced physics system that delivers realistic interaction between gamers and their surroundings. Digital tacticians will be able to detonate structural supports to obstruct entrances to other areas as well as bring the ceiling down on their opponents. Other possibilities include blasting through debris, using night vision scopes, and combining tools with other devices to complete the missions.

The solo game will feature a story of intrigue and deceit, pitting people against powerful adversaries. Orbital Frog is also promising an interactive online universe that will allow for the missions to be run online as one-on-one, one-on-many or many-vs.-many contests. The results in one mission will affect the entire online world. The game will be supported through Infiltrator Online, an Internet service being designed from the ground up to support the technical requirements of Infiltrator.