Updates to Steam have been released. The update will be applied automatically when your Steam client is restarted. This release includes a number of very specific CPU and memory footprint optimizations brought over from the Half-Life 2: XBOX development codebase. The release also includes all of the engine groundwork to enable the Day of Defeat: Source launch that will happen Monday, September 26 at 3:00 PDT.

Wondering how Valve's super-duper Lost Coast level is going to play on your system? We've run it through a range of different setups to find out what's playable and what's not. We also have an awesome preview video of the level to tide you over!

Bit-Tech

2K Games now sends along the playable demo for Serious Sam II, allowing the chance to pull out all the stops in this frantic first-person shooter sequel that is nearing completion at Croteam. Word is: This demo contains the complete Seriousopolis Uptown level from the game, which can be played solo, or over LAN or online by up to four people. It also contains all the weapons from the game (although you may have to cheat to see all of them), one of the game's vehicles and a nice variety of the insane enemies that Sam is well known for.

Ubi Soft have released the playable demo for Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood, offering the first opportunity to try out the now-complete World War II first-person tactical shooter sequel by Gearbox Software. This demo includes a single-player mission (Close Quarters), a skirmish map (Last Stop) playable in single- and multiplayer (LAN only), as well as assorted extras.

Good news for all the Serious Sam fans, as 2K Games just let us know that a Serious Sam 2 demo is being released tomorrow! The 250mb download includes one level which can be played solo, or co-op over LAN or online with up to four people. It also includes all of the game's weapons, one of the vehicles and several enemy types. Look for the demo at 9AM CST.

ShackNews

When Activision asked me to be a part of their Call of Duty 2 event in Poland, I figured we?d be playing their latest Xbox 360 creation Call of Duty 2 in some swank club in Warsaw. Little did I know that the setting for the ?mother of all PR events? would be an area of Poland filled with remnants of Germany?s WWII occupation of this beautiful country.

TeamXbox

The short demo was the exact same one showed at E3, however, this time running on the final Xbox 360 development kits. So what is so significant about that? Well, it means this is the first real indication of what Gears will look like when you take it home in 2006.

TeamXbox

This is footage is made by CryTek (the people who brought us FarCry) on the DX10 API, shown at the PDC Microsoft Conference. It looks simply amazing!

TheTechNews

Quake 4 needs no introduction. We recently had the opportunity to play parts of the singleplayer campaign and test multiplayer.

FiringSquad

Hello, Tokyo. The first day of the Tokyo Games Show 2005 has come and gone. We learned a whole lot about Nintendo, but that is for another post. A lot else has happened to day, both in Tokyo and elsewhere, so here is a quick recap:

Joystiq

I went to San Francisco recently to preview Quake 4 for GamersHell and was not disappointed by what I found. Moreover, as I entered the presentation room, I was amazed to see two Xbox 360s set up as well. Needless to say, this got my heart racing before even turning my attention to Quake 4. But, the moment of truth was finally here, and it was likely to bowl me over considering the ten or so PCs lining the walls with accompanying Logitech mice and a connected sound system designed to blow out eardrums.

Before the big HD video, get a tiny glimpse of what is Gears of War by now with this video: 10 minutes of gameplay (basically the E3 levels), at Microsoft's pre-TGS conference. It's beautiful, smooth and action-packed, looks very promising.

Xboxyde.com

Capcom has released the first screenshots of the Xbox 360 version of Resident Evil (BIOHAZARD) 5. Survival horror games never looked so good!

TeamXbox

It has sound and everything, but no commentary ... You can choose between the teams arsenal, chelsea, real madrid and valencia. And same 2 stadiums like in pes4 demo last year.. cant remember their names ... the game plays really well.. no slowdowns etc and really verrryyy smooth gameplay (it just looks as good as watching a real match) and also AI is very good.."

Valve's technology showcase, Half-Life 2: Lost Coast, is nearly here. We sent Geoff Richards right to the 'Source' to bring you the full scoop on HDR, Valve, Lost Coast, Day of Defeat and the future of PC graphics. Also featuring a cameo appearance from Piloux's Black Mesa!

Some leaked OXM (Official Xbox Magazine) scans have made their way onto the internet.

Funcom announces that the free Anarchy Online offer has been a tremendous success and will be extended throughout all of 2006 and into 2007*. It?s the long-term goal for Funcom to make sure that the removal of subscription fees, client costs and the need to have a credit card when registering for Anarchy Online remains a permanent offering. Now, and for the year to come, anyone curious about the heralded qualities of the ultimate sci-fi MMORPG can play without any financial commitments.

New patch for World of Warcraft has been released. Current Patch 1.7, includes new instance, BG, talents, fixes and more!

World of Warcraft

Someone sent in these leaked in-game screenshots of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Advanced Warrior. I encourage you to check out the screens for yourself, but I must say this one is looking very good, and remember these are in-game!

PlanetXbox360

Day of Defeat: Source, the highly anticipated update to the classic online WWII mod, will be made available to gamers everywhere on Monday 26th September, Valve have announced. But what of Lost Coast?

Bit-Tech