GG Mania reports that LucasArts has released the first patch for Knights of the Old Republic, updating this BioWare's Star Wars role-playing game to version 1.01. The patch fixes a rare crashes on startup under Windows 98, some memory leaks, gamma issues after movies finish playing and adds two new "swkotor.ini" sound options: Environment Effects Nonstreaming=1 and Environment Effects Streaming=1".

GSC Game World has released a playable demo for FireStarter, their first-person shooter.The demo includes a level from the first game episode and one playable character - Policeman. Both single- and multiplayer modes are available. A valuable addition to the demo is a benchmark mode providing you with a possibility to test the performance of your machine.

Just spotted this bit of info over at 3DGPU.com!

Kaptain Kangaroo posted a scan of PC Gamer in our forums, showing a page with some games on there, and one of them is Half-Life 2, with the logo "Only On Xbox" stamped on it. Now we shouldn't jump to conclusions, but I think a lot of people still remember how Microsoft snatched Halo from us PC gamers, and if they managed to somehow wrangle Half-Life 2 away from us, I can't begin to imagine how many upset and very disappointed people there will be all over the world.

Neowin.net reports that confirmed tonight by several Microsoft Xbox insiders; the 4th of April 2004 will mark the date for the widely anticipated Xbox game - Halo 2.

The official Doom 3 website has been updated with a new version of the E3 2003 trailer , screenshots and wallpapers!

Gamer's Hell reports that City Interactive has also released a playable demo of The Chickenator, allowing you to try out this funny 3D action shooter. Different chickens on each, wacky level: fat chickens, skinny chickens, robo chickens, army chickens, ninja chickens and even more stupid chickens.

The eagerly-anticipated playable demo of Broken Sword: the Sleeping Dragon is now available, offering an opportunity to try out the new 3D adventure game by Revolution Software. Unlike the German version that's also floating around, this demo is completely in English and pits you in the shoes of George after having crash-landed in the Congo jungle at the beginning of the game.

The promised XMP (Expanded Multiplayer) demo for Unreal II: The Awakening has been released, allowing you to try out this imminent multiplayer expansion to the originally single-player only FPS by Legend Studios. This demo offers the XMP-Garden map and two of the three new vehicles.

Gamer's Hell reports that Redfire Software and Interactive Strip have released a playable demo of Airline 69: Return to Casablanca, allowing you to try out this funny erotic simulation featuring more than 30 different locations, 30 characters, many video sequences, and a special 'online assistance' with Penthouse Model Sasha Woman

CDV has now released the final single-player demo for Breed, the upcoming sci-fi first-person shooter by Brat Designs. Details on the demo's contents are scarce as it's simply offering a mission labelled 'Single Player Demo Part 1' where "One of your USC units is under heavy fire from the BREED.

They desperately need support against the overpowering enemy. CDV also announced that there will be a sequel in the near future which will continue the mission. The second part of the demo can only be played once the first part has been installed.

Ceql over at CGTalk.com has thrown up some new DOOM III scans from a german gaming magazine.

An in-depth look at the Making of Halo 2; interviews with Bungie personnel, clips of Halo 2 footage, discussions of what works and doesn't work. Originally shown at X03 in France, in September, 2003, later released on a media DVD bundled with a 3rd party controller (and sold at Best Buys across the US). This version has been sanctioned by both Film Oasis (the creators) and Bungie. The clip is encoded in QuickTime 5 format and has an approximate running time of 7:40.

Gamespot has confirmation of plans for Battlefield 1942-style first-person shooter set in the Star Wars universe called Star Wars Battlefront. They have no details on the game, which they say will be officially announced early next year, though they refute rumors that this would be a PS2-only offering, saying the game will be released for the PC, the PS2, and the Xbox.

Finally, SWG will introduce vehicles into there MMRPG beginning in December. First in the test center, and then to the regular servers. This should be a BIG improvement to the game. The movie gives you a nice taste of what to expect. Click on the picture to get the scoop and link for the movie.

Californian developer Enemy Technology has released a playable demo of I of the Enemy, allowing you to try out this upcoming sci-fi RTS. The demo offers the first 3 missions from the first campaign.

Raven Software has released the public SDK and tools for Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy, expanding the modification support for their sci-fi 3D action game. The distribution includes a shader editor/viewer, model viewers, the Icarus script editor and compiler, the public multiplayer source code, documentation, and more.

Introducing Fusion Pack v12 Final Edition, the last ever Fusion Pack for Counter-Strike 1.6. Fusion Pack 12 Final is the first fully featured, fully compatible replacement pack for Counter-Strike 1.6. The final edition of Fusion Pack 12 builds upon the previous version to produce an outstanding pack for Counter-Strike and what is easily the best Fusion Pack yet! Fusion Pack 12 Final includes many new weapon models, sounds and features to make it a fresh new experience over previous versions. Fusion Pack v12 Final continues on from its predecessors by essentially replacing the complete look and sound of Counter-Strike 1.6.

Russian developer SkyRiver Studios has released a playable demo of MechMinds (a.k.a. Mechanoids), offering the first opportunity to try out their upcoming glider-robot action/role-playing game. There are no details on the demo's contents as it's entirely in Russian, so be prepared for some serious guesswork if you don't speak the language beyond 'da' and 'njet'.

Eidos has released a demo for Deus Ex 2: Invisible War a bit earlier than expected, offering you a chance to play this upcoming first-person action RPG sequel in the works at Ion Storm Austin. The game will be in stores across North America for PC and Xbox on December 3rd.

FilePlanet users are invited to preview the demo of Deus Ex: INVISIBLE WAR, the sequel to the mega-award winning Deus Ex. Experience the Absolute Power to create your own experience in an open gameplay environment. Sneak, Hack, Bribe, Kill. In the future war on terror, how will you choose to fight?