Valve has let us know that their plan is to begin the 2.0 beta test of their Steam broadband content delivery system this Thursday, January 16. Included in the beta will be the release of Counter-Strike version 1.6, "which introduces new weapons (riot shield, FAMAS, and more) a new map (de_airstrip), as well as various fixes and tweaks." Also included in the new Steam beta will be a new version of TeamFortress Classic "featuring the introduction of the teleportation pad, a new map (ravelin), and more." (thanks Blues).

eGenesis is proud to announce that A Tale In The Desert will begin commercial service on February 15. The game will be distributed as a free, downloadable client with a monthly cost of $13.95. The free trial will include 24 hours of game-time, or one month of service, whichever comes first.

KOEI Corporation announced today that Dynasty Warriors 3 Xtreme Legends started shipping to retailers throughout North America. Consumers can expect to find the game on retail shelves this week. Gamers can also order Dynasty Warriors 3 Xtreme Legends through online retailers including: EBGames, GameStop, Toy'R US and BestBuy.

Purge, delivers a compelling combination of first-person shooter gameplay and RPG character development, immersing players in a strife-torn world that blends science fiction and fantasy. In Purge, players will find themselves engrossed in a war between two opposing forces, the Order (humans genetically modified to scientific perfection) and the Chosen (religious believers who reject all forms of technology). Players will be able to customize their characters, various skills and innovative weapons. Freeform Interactive has just released a patch for their public beta, no specific detail are available yet so read more for download links.

UPDATE FreeForm Interactive kindly asked us to pull the files since some bugs have creeped into the patch, another version coming SOON...

Scrabble 2003 Edition will be the most updated and accurate Scrabble game available to date. The latest word lists available have been implemented and the computer AI will now pose an even greater challenge to the most experieinced Scrabble players. Ubi Soft is also creating a range of interactive websites dedicated to new and existing Scrabble players who will welcome the new addition of full multiplayer modes allowing up to 4 players to compete Online or via LAN. Read more for download links ...

Originally developed for the PS2 by THQ's Volition studio, these new versions of Red Faction II will feature a number of enhancements and improvements. The Gamecube version, being developed by THQ's Cranky Pants Games studio, will feature custom animations, improved texture resolution and color as well as enhanced lighting specific to the Gamecube hardware. The Xbox and PC versions, being developed by THQ's Outrage Games studio, will include increased texture resolution, and exclusive multiplayer maps and character models. We got 20+ screens for you to enjoy...

On the long journey to the victory the player will stumble across the traces of humanoid alien species. But, unfortunately, aliens do not want to fight against any clan, because their planets are far away from the place where the games plot takes place - no wars for the territory here. Your encounters will be limited to scientific ships of aliens. They search for new technologies for their race and you have those technologies. This is why aliens are interested in contacting you, as long as you are a member of the clan that has a great technological potential. A few new screens ...

Kung Fu Chaos is the newest action extravaganza from director Shao Ting, whose previous films have dazzled audiences with nonstop barrages of thrown chairs, gunshots, explosions and broken limbs. This time, Ting is pulling out all the stops—raging rivers, hungry dinosaurs, alien invasions, sinking luxury liners…it’s almost too much to contend with. But you’ll have to, as well as simultaneously fighting ninjas, your fellow actors, and dodging exploding pigs, if you want to become the ultimate star! Read more for some new screens ...

Splinter Cell will grant players access to the highest echelons of national security, where shadowy operatives have the freedom to do whatever it takes to safeguard America. In Splinter Cell, the player controls Sam Fisher, a field operative of a secretive "black-ops" NSA sub-agency called Third Echelon. Sam Fisher is geared up to infiltrate high-security strongholds, seize critical intelligence, destroy threatening data and neutralize the enemy - all without leaving a trace. Last week UbiSoft announced Splinter Cell going multiplatform, today we serve up some new screens from the PS2/GBA version

Interplay and Vivendi Universal Games today announced the development of Hunter: The Reckoning Wayward for the PS2. Hunter: The Reckoning Wayward, developed by High Voltage Software, continues the story of the successful action adventure franchise Hunter: The Reckoning. High-speed action combined with top-notch graphics translate the dark fantasy world of the White Wolf role-playing game and bring the essence of the game to life, fully submerging the player into the realm of The World of Darkness. Wayward comes to the PS2 this summer with an all new story, game-play features, weapons and terrifying monsters.