First thoughts were that CS 1.6 would be released sometime this month. However new information revealed today at the Steam website states that Steam beta 2.0 and Counter-Strike beta 1.6 are slated to launch in mid-December. Steam is a digital content management system that provides content delivery, component revision control and data security to developers of such content. Steam is embedded within a Steam-enabled application giving it a virtual file system from which it can obtain "resources" (not files) from a local cache, CD or from the Internet.

Ensemble Studios has issued a new patch for Age of Mythology, updating their recently released 3D real-time strategy extravaganza to version 1.01. This release applies a couple of client fixes and numerous networking tweaks, but doesn't change game balance and scenario editor functionality. Using the game's auto-updater is recommended, but you can also download it manually.

Gamesdomain.co.uk have posted a four part look @ online gaming for your console be that a Xbox, PS2 or a Gamecube. Here's a byte:

PC gamers have been the guinea pigs where online gaming is concerned. A once notoriously frustrating, laggy and tiring experience, it's only relatively recently that things have smoothened out to the point that the more mainstream gamers can join in - you know, those not overly excited at the prospect of experimenting with ping times and setting up servers. Strategy games, racers, sims, first-person shooters, massively-multiplayer RPGs... they've all delved online. Who needs AI, or indeed, a live companion anymore?

For Xbox:

Mafia Review: with so many new games being released nowadays, it can be pretty difficult to know which ones to buy, check out this review of Mafia for the PC! Click on the screenshot to start the Review.

JoWood has released a teaser movie trailer for Gothic II, the third-person role-playing adventure sequel that is nearing completion at Piranha Bytes. The movie "Enters the World of Gothic II" in half a minute of in-game footage in regular and high resolutions.

Strategy First has issued the first patch for O.R.B., their newly released 3D space-based RTS. This version 1.01 Stability patch addresses a handful of gameplay issues, fixes an intermittent crash bug, applies some scenario editor improvements, and more.

Here is the full version demo for this racing simulation title by Live For Speed Team

There is a new patch for Soldiers of Anarchy, upgrading this 3D tactical RTS by Silver Style Entertainment to version 1.1.2.177. This release brings a new turn-based play option, selectable ammunition on all vehicles and weapons, and improved pathing/AI and multiplayer.

The 5min long CG intro to Resident Evil Zero on GameCube in 512x288 DivX5 format.

Just spotted this @ Fragland

The guys from ODB Productions went to the World Cyber Games where Epic's Mark Reign did a presentation on Unreal Championship. They shot a 10 minute movie of the whole presentation including in-game footage and we've got the chance to bring the whole movie to you. Download the movie (58 MB zipfile) if you are interested.

Ubi Soft Entertainment has now released the multiplayer demo for Rainbow Six: Raven Shield, allowing you to try out this upcoming squad-based tactical shooter by Red Storm Entertainment. The demo offers two maps called PRISON and CITY STREET LARGE in Survival and Team Survival modes, along with a selection of the weapons and equipment from the full game, and it requires a Ubi.com account to play over the Internet.

I was just over @ Watch.impress.co.jp and they have posted some game previews from a recent event held in Japan: and don't forget the site's in Japanese:

Biohazard 4 P.N.03 Killer 7

Thanks to Evil Avatar for spotting that EA games will launch the Battlefield 1942: The Road to Rome expansion pack on January 28th, 2003.

The multiplayer-focused expansion pack Battlefield 1942:The Road to Rome gives you more maps, more vehicles, more weapons and more fighting forces. The Road to Rome will focus exclusively on the largely underpublicized Italian and Sicilian campaigns of WWII, where you can fight on up to six new maps including Operation Husky (Sicily) and the battles for Anzio and Monte Cassino.

There is now a playable demo for Tiger Hunt, the recent budget-priced arcade tank shooter by Digital Fusion. This trial version offers one training mission and two combat missions, and as usual includes all content of the full game which you can activate after purchasing a license key online.

Digital Fusion has recently issued a playable demo for Pearl Harbor: Defend the Fleet, the 360° first-person arcade shooter released by Running Dog Software in Spring 2001. This is a time-limited trial version that also includes all content of the full game which you can activate after purchasing a license key online.

Prepare to be unnerved as Hannibal Lecter comes to life in the game adaptation of one of the scariest movies of all time! Face up to the beast in this movie straight from the game's pre-alpha development as a 3D Action/Adventure game. Can you make it, up against Hannibal the Cannibal?

Electronic Arts sends along a patch for the recent multiplayer demo of Medal of Honor: Allied Assault Spearhead, updating this World War II FPS to version 2.11. This patch addresses a server problem when "getting on a Mortar and then disconnecting from the server." Also available is the updated Win32 dedicated server for the retail expansion, similarly addressing this crash issue.

Thanks to Majorgeeks.com. Change your Battlefield 1942 CD-key easily. BF1942 key changer is a small program which allows you to easily manage multiple BF1942 CD-keys. This is convenient when you have been banned from a certain server or want your statistics under a different player name.

Accelenation.com have posted a 4 page preview of Doom III, which looks @ technology behind Doom III and its possible impact on the graphics industry.