Dead Ball Zone

An abandoned research complex on a remote jungle island, a team of special forces operatives, a horde of vicious velociraptors, and one big, mean Tyrannosaurus rex constitute the setting and cast of Dino Crisis, the latest masterpiece from the makers of Resident Evil. Dr. Edward Kirk is supposed to be dead. Three years ago while working to establish a new type of energy technology code-named Third Energy, an experiment went awry and terminated the brilliant scientist's life -- or so it was thought. It was recently learned, however, that Dr. Kirk is very much alive and continuing his work at a Borginia Republic research facility on Ibis Island.

The year is 1944. On the eve of what will be known ever after as the D-day invasion, the Air Transport Corps initiated the largest drop of troops yet seen by the Allied Forces. The plan couldn't have gone any worse: planes flew past their targets, those that came close were quickly shot down, and the inclement weather made it difficult to see where the pilots were heading. Yet in the midst of this colossal failure, a glimmer of hope emerged. A 24-year-old Lieutenant by the name of Jimmy Patterson persevered through the chaos and made sure that his regiment reached its scheduled drop zone. At least until his C-47 transport plane was cut to shreds by enemy fire. Faced with a group of injured men and harrowing odds, Patterson took it upon himself to fend off repeated attacks from German patrols until help arrived. When all was said and done, the young Lieutenant killed six men and was nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery. He was a hero.

EA SPORTS' best-selling soccer series continues with 2002 FIFA World Cup, featuring all 20 official stadiums in Japan and Korea complete with team mascots. Animation has been improved in the area of ball jostling between players, "Moment Zooms" intensify the action by providing athlete close-ups, and "World Cup Moments" offer multiple angles of key plays during the match set to music by the Vancouver Symphony. Tournament mode offers a seven-game series punctuated by a storyline, while a new feature entitled "Air Play" is designed to simplify more complicated maneuvers such as headers, scissor kicks, and so forth by binding them to a single button. The atmosphere surrounding the sport has been enhanced as well, with home crowds showing team colors, waving flags, throwing confetti, and cheering for their country.