Interactive Magic have revealed Red Fury, a new sci-fi game for the PC scheduled to be released in January 2000. “It’s basically an action title,” said a spokesperson. “Red Fury is based on Mars in the future. The planet has been terraformed so it’s mostly covered in water. A special dynamic water engine has been developed for this high-tech combat title.” Red Fury is expected to make an appearance at E3, along with Flashpoint and Mortyr.

It would appear that Lionhead Studios’ legend Peter Molyneux is as excited as the rest of us about the PlayStation 2. “PlayStation 2 is the most exciting entertainment machine I can ever imagine,” he enthused. “It is rather hard to imagine a world where the PlayStation 2 does not emerge as the winner in this race – provided it has great software to support it.” Here’s hoping for even better versions of Populous and Black & White.

Yet more crazy bonkers news has emerged from Japan, this time in the shape of Pepsiman. The metal-clad hero of Pepsi’s Japanese advertising campaign has achieved some kind of cult status, with his ability to save thirsty punters by plucking cans of pop from thin air, so the PlayStation game comes as no surprise. Gameplay is similar to Crash Bandicoot’s running levels – Pepsiman legs it around real-world locations, leaping trenches and running through people’s living rooms, in order to fulfil the punter’s need for the sticky-sweet soft drink. And it’s only about £15.

PlayStation 2 mania is not just for the huddled masses – the rich and famous are gagging for it too! Top pop groupie Meg Matthews has been rifling through Noel Gallagher’s wallet so that she can place a deposit for Sony’s super-console. And she’s not the only one – other pop-notables on the waiting list include Jay Kay, All Saints and The Prodigy. Well at least they can while away the long months in St. Tropez.

Pre-orders for the upcoming online RPG EverQuest have broken industry records. The pre-sale program, which began on February 1, has already attracted well over 8,000 gamers, and there’s still a week to go. “EverQuest is literally the most detailed and visually stunning role-playing game ever developed,” said Jeffrey Fox, 989 Studios’ vice president of marketing. In order to join the in the fun you’ll need to buy the software when it’s released on March 16, then pay $9.89 (ha!) per month to access the game world.

Activision have announced details of their first foray into Dreamcast publishing. Toy Story 2 is due to be released this autumn, to coincide with the cinema release of the movie. Believed to be a ‘free-roaming 3D platformer’, Toy Story 2 will also appear on the N64, PlayStation and PC.