AS promised Ubisoft has now released the benchmark mode adding patch v 1.2 for the US version of the stealth shooter game. Get the details right from the source.

Just spotted this at Shacknews.com.

It looks like we're finally about to see Half-Life 2 announced. The most recent issue of Edge magazine overseas is carrying a simple ad with just a crowbar (seen here) and you'll note that the shadow completes the numeral 2. Edge magazine can most closely be compared to the now defunct Next-Generation magazine we had here in the US. Oh, and the May 16 date refers to the news stand date of the magazine.

Codemasters have released a new patch which upgrades TOCA Race Driver for the PC to version 11_120.

Date Uploaded > 9th April 2003: Description > Once installed this upgrade will give improved LAN and internet stability. LAN and internet game modes now allow up to twelve players. Improved wheel force feedback.

There is a new patch for Splinter Cell, upgrading the European edition of the stealthy third-person action game by Ubi Soft Montreal to version 1.2. This release implements a variety of graphics enhancements and fixes, as well as gameplay tweaks and other bug fixes. The US patch is expected soon. This release adds the anticipated benchmark mode!

Final Fantasy XI Public Beta Test: Welcome to the application for the PlayOnline, Tetra Master, and FINAL FANTASY XI Public Beta test. The goal of this Public Beta process is to test connectivity to the PlayOnline network as well as give a few lucky players a sneak peak at the FINAL FANTASY XI and the PlayOnline network. To be considered for participation in the Public Beta test program, you must completely fill out and submit the online application form below.

Join daring archeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones as he travels to 1935 China to prevent a powerful artifact from falling into evil hands. Indy's latest globe-spanning adventure takes you from the jungles of Ceylon and underwater palaces in Istanbul, to the deadly streets of Hong Kong and beyond.

Forget what you know about first person shooters. Walk a week in the Postal dude?s shoes. Freely explore full 3-D open ended environments. Interact with over 100 unique NPC's including Gary Coleman, marching bands, dogs, cats and elephants, protesters, policemen and civilians, with or without weapons. Postal 2 is all about choice; experiment with everyone and everything. And remember ... it's only as violent as you are!

Digitalo and Arush Entertainment sent word that the patch for the retail version of Devastation is now available. It is a 67 MB download which will update the game to V380, and fixes a variety of issues. The major fixes include sound changes for weapons, stability fixes for multiplayer, tweaks to the Territories gametype, a new server browser interface, and tons of other improvements that will make the game smoother and better. Download

Ownt.com has a sorta (even just for the sceenies) cool article about Id Software's upcoming FPS for the PC and Xbox due out in the autumn. The article is basically a regurgitation of an item that appeared in wired magazine recently but if you have any interest in this upcoming title and havent read it in wired then this is worth checking out. Click on Read More... for the link to read the article.

Electronic Arts and Maxis game studio have released the second patch for the well received city management strategy game. The patch is about 9Mb in size and carries the version number 1.0.272.0. I comes in 5 different flavours depending on where you bought the game. Check out the whole lot of performance and bug fixes at the official page.

Take2 and Pterodon studio have released the first update to the recent released tactical first person shooter settled in the Vietnam conflict 1967. The game most notably improves the frame rate of the game. Read more.

In Age of Mythology, players wage war using human armies and diplomacy, progress through development ages, enhance military and economic performance with improvements, and manage economics through resource gathering and trade. Mythology enters the mix when players call upon the gods to act on their behalf or reinforce their armies with more than 20 mythological creatures. The Golden Gift, a new official Age of Mythology campaign produced by Ensemble Studios, follows the adventures of Brokk and Eitri, two dwarven brothers featured in the original Age of Mythology Fall of the Trident campaign. This four-scenario campaign follows the brothers' first encounter with the god Loki and features all-new voice acting by the original actors.

Well if you thought the Half-Life 2 To Be Nvidia Exclusive? was bad news, then this will have you crying in your beer!

HomeLan Fed reports that the latest issue of the Wired print magazine has a new article on the development of Doom III, id Software's upcoming and latest game in their celebrated first person shooter series. Among the more interesting tidbits in the article:

3dgamers.com reports that Epic Games has just issued a tiny patch for the Win32 demo of their multiplayer first-person shooter Unreal Tournament 2003. This update 1 contains a fixed IpDrv.dll file that "addresses a denial-of-service security problem which exists in the UT2003 2206 demo release and affects UT2003 demo servers."

Volition: has issued a new patch for Red Faction II, upgrading the English edition of their recent sci-fi first-person shooter to version 1.01. This release tweaks the Team Arena "Best Of" feature, reduces CPU usage when minimized, and allows the English version to run on German and French operating systems. Patches for those language editions are expected soon.

Planetunreal.com reports that CliffyB has released Ownage Pack #1, which features the first 20 UT2003 Ownage maps in one handy download.

Just came out today. Here is a fast link if you want to download.

Desert Combat is a modern day military modification to the popular war game BattleField1942 from EA. It is focused on conflicts in the middle-east within the last decade between the various nations, from Desert Storm to Somalia. This war game is a total conversion for Battlefield1942 and is based on the same principles of a FPS and arcade style vehicle sim.

Games Domain.co.uk have posted their Jedi Knight III Interview with Graham Fuchs!

When Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast arrived in the GD offices in 2002 the excitement was so palpable you could cut it with a knife, or more appropriately, a lightsaber. Imagine then, such a breathless force-addled crew being invited to Madison, Wisconsin for the official announcement of Jedi Knight III. Trust us, the excitement was nothing to do with Madison, and all to do with the presence of luminaries from LucasArts, Activision and Raven Software, keen to show off a demo of the upcoming series continuation, replete with dark jedi, hokey religions, and possibly the odd storm trooper or 17...

AM:3D The module, DieselPower 3D audio, enhances your ability to hear enemy footsteps, door slamming, talk, doves flapping their wings while ascending into the skies and much more, from any direction.

We have worked with the creators, IO Interactive, to ensure nothing but success in helping 47 take out targets. Hitman 2 has native support for DieselPower which gives you natural smooth 3D sound with full spherical directional perception, giving you the ability to completely pin-point your friends and foes with a blistering accuracy. Even though DieselPower supports other playback setups, all you require is a set of standard headphones to perceive true 3D sound in all directions.