Earlier today VU Games president of international operations, told Reuters the source code theft would result in a four month delay (Valve, though, has not confirmed that delay), pushing Half-Life 2 back to April 2004 (story). Now CNN reports following:

When hackers broke into the computing system of Valve Software, they stole more than just the source code to Half-Life 2. They also stole enough game maps and other components to put together a playable build of the game. Today, five days after the first leak, they have released that build.

Today's release of a playable version of the game brings Vivendi's comments from earlier today into question. Ramboz told Reuters "a third of the source code was stolen". However, with the stolen game now out, it's possible a more complete version of the source code was taken...

PC.IGN let us know that Commandos 3: Destination Berlin from Eidos has received gold status and is heading to production. While this applies to both the German and English versions of the game, the only shipping date confirmed is for Germany, where the game is set to ship October 24.

Halo Dedicated Server 1.02 has been released; it adds the ability to run multiple instances of the server on a single machine, and enables RCON functionality (you can remotely control the server, without needing direct access to the machine). Gearbox and Bungie are making this available tonight, so that folks running dedicated servers can be prepared when the client patch goes live, DO NOT INSTALL THIS YET, nobody will be able to play on your server. Simply get it to your server tonight, so that you're ready when the switchover occurs tomorrow. The mapfiles are not included, they will be released tomorrow, for those who don't already have them.

Another day, another batch of game trailers were released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for :

• War Of The Ring - Good & Evil Trailer
• Total Club Manager 2004 - Trailer
• Metal Arms: Glitch In The System - Trailer
• Korea: Forgotten Conflict - Trailer
• Hunter The Reckoning Redeemer - Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Sierra has released a demo for their upcoming action/adventure title The Hobbit. In cooperation with McDonalds they are releasing 3 separate demo's (only available in North California, Portland, Eugene & Medford OR) but we managed to bribe Ronald with some extra cheeze burgers and for your convenience we merged all of them into one. This is the complete demo, all 3 parts of it! Read more for download links ...

Battlestar Galactica delivers a compelling and immersive space action experience as players move seamlessly between stunning cinematics and epic space battles against the insidious, mechanical power of the Cylons. Fight the insidious Cylons in epic space battles utilizing advanced tactics and an arsenal of weaponry, including the greatest weapon mankind ever conceived — The Battlestar Galactica. Read more to check out some new screens ...

Shortly after the demo, Cinemaware/Capcom sends word that they have released the first patch for their recently released 3D action strategy Robin Hood: Defender of the Crown. This upgrade brings your retail game to v1.01 and addresses 3 minor bugs. Read more for details and download links ...

In this gritty and darkly humorous 3rd person action adventure, players join the courageous Brotherhood of Steel, whose mission is to maintain peace in the grim post-apocalyptic world of Fallout. Battling raiders, mutants and a host of radioactive nightmares, players attempt to save the scattered remnants of the human race. Life is hard, mutation is rampant and the closet thing to law and order is the fusion-powered pistol that you carry on your hip. Read more for some juicy & exclusive screens, wallpapers and some new trailers ...

After a long exclusivity period, Cinemaware has finally released the demo for their 3D action strategy remake "Robin Hood: Defender of the Crown". This is a limited DEMO version which covers the introductory part of the game, the player can play the entire Sherwood Forest sequence and try to defeat the Sheriff. It ends once you open up to England.. Read more for download links ...

Capcom today announced the release of Viewtiful Joe for the GameCube. An all-new concept in video games, Viewtiful Joe blends the latest cel-shaded graphic advancements with classic side-scrolling action gameplay tointroduce the world’s quirkiest action superhero, Joe! Viewtiful Joe redefines the action genre by mixing innovative “viewpoint” fighting and amazing cartoon-noir environments, resulting in a visual experience unlike any other.

Loaded Studio is working on a new upcoming fast-paced action game Storm Angel. It combines the latest 3D visual effects with the classic side-scrolling shoot'em up formula. Storm Angel is a very fast-paced action game with 13 full-action packed level. The player will have to take control of the Storm Angel, an attack and defense ship ,which can support 10 different weapons with 7 levels of power. Read more for some screens ...

In SÖLDNER - Secret Wars the player takes command of one of these special teams. As Commander he leads the small high tech army consisting of soldiers, light armoured vehicles, helicopters and VTOLs to fulfill a wide variety of mission. The Simulation of a highly complex political system creates a dynamic campaign: each decision has direct impact on the flow of the game. Read more to check some awesome screens ...

Exclusive to Xbox, Breakdown is a sci-fi thriller that combines the best elements of shooters and fighters in a first-person action/adventure game. The game's intense storyline is told through high-quality real time rendered graphics that bring an unprecedented level of realism to the player. The game features fierce weapon-based first-person shooter combat, challenging puzzles to solve, surreal dream sequences, advanced AI, and massive detailed environments for exploration. Read more for some new screens ...

ESPN Videogames today announced details of the ESPN Videogames Online Leagues for PlayStation 2 gamers who eagerly await the company's sports game lineup for the 2003-04 season. ESPN Videogames Online Leagues invite ESPN NFL Football, ESPN NBA Basketball, and ESPN College Hoops players to create and manage their own leagues with other sports gamers across the country. The leagues are now accessible at the ESPN Videgames' website by clicking on the 'PS2 Online Gaming' link. This feature can be accessed through any PC with an Internet connection.

Desert Rats vs. Afrika Korps fis a real-time tactical game boasting single and multiplayer modes, Desert Rats vs. Afrika Korps immerses you into the explosive campaigns that took place in North Africa during World War II. Set across two campaigns and twenty missions, you take the role of either friend or foe as you follow the fascinating destinies of an English and a German hero who were once friends and who are now constrained to fight each other in this “war without hate” (thanks Gamestar). Read more for some new screens ...

Specnaz is a first person shooter from Byte Software, and it's built on the outdoor 3D engine (Amoeba), in which main character passes through real environments and uses real weapons. Specnaz: Project Wolf is a shortcut of the military name called SPECIALNOGO NAZNACENIYA, which means SPECIAL FORCES.. Check out 3 new screens!

Today Buka Entertainment is pleased to announce that it has signed a software licensing agreement with The SeVeN M Group. This agreement includes three games of different genres:

• Battle Mages RTS/RPG elements
  
• Fair Strike helicopter action/sim
  
• Steamland RTS

Atlus U.S.A. announced today that "DemiKids: Light and Dark Versions" for the Game Boy Advance, an offshoot of the insanely popular Shin Megami Tensei series in Japan has shipped to retailers nationwide..

Join Timon, Pumbaa and Simba in the greatest Disney's The Lion King adventures yet. Disney Interactive, a publishing label of Buena Vista Games, Inc., today announced the availability of "Disney's The Lion King 1 1/2" for Game Boy Advance and "Disney's The Lion King PC Game Collection" in retail stores nationwide. Created with the same spirited fun and humor as the cherished films, both titles will capture kids' hearts as they journey through the many awaiting challenges, activities and surprises. With the Game Boy Advance title, kids also get to view exclusive film clips for The Walt Disney Company's upcoming film, "Disney's The Lion King 1 1/2: Hakuna Matata," coming to DVD and video in February 2004.

Enter the world of urban street racing and high performance tuner cars with the latest title in the hit Need for Speed series: Need for Speed Underground. Take on today’s most popular tuner cars from Mitsubishi Motors, Subaru, Toyota and many more, building the ultimate street machine by earning cash to pay for custom body kits and a host of licensed car performance mods. But just creating a custom street racing machine will not get you to the top; it takes a certain amount of attitude and razor sharp driving skills to compete in the tough world of urban racing. Check out them shiny screens!

Designed by the creators of Europa Universalis, Pax Romana is based in ancient Rome and features both strategic and political gameplay. The strategic aspect is very much a battle of cunning and well-planned field tactics, whereas the political side involves the manipulation of senators and generals alike, as politicians seek to gain military and financial power. Wannabe politicians can even assume the role of characters such as Caesar, Pompey or Crassus and lead their factions into 40 different political and battle scenarios.

Mistland (Paradise Cracked developers) have another project lined up for the near future, "Alfa: AntiTerror" (expected 1st quarter 2004). The sad reality of life in many countries. The global problem of modern times. A war, which can neither be won nor lost. The unpromising forecasts of scientists and experts concerning further development of things. Terrorism is waiting for our answer. An answer we are about to deliver. Read more for details and 4 new screens ...

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time takes place within an exotic, mysterious world representing Persian architecture, animals and attire. After his father invades the palace of the Maharajah, the Prince, tricked by a treacherous vizier, uses a magic dagger to release the dangerous Sands of Time from an ornate hourglass. With the aid of a beautiful, mysterious, and potentially untrustworthy ally, players embody the Prince to recapture the Sands of Time and restore peace to the land. Read more for screens & trailer ...

iGames Publishing and developer S2 Games announced today that the long awaited demo for the hit real-time strategy shooter Savage: The Battle for Newerth is now available online. The Savage demo includes two levels of gameplay and introduces players to the Human Race. The full game includes both the human and beast races. Read more for download links ...

VU Games president of international operations Christophe Ramboz has been quoted on saying that "A third of the source code was stolen. It's serious because it forces us to delay the launch of the game by at least four months, that is to April 2004. Just the time to rewrite parts of the game." While previously Vivendi US had said it was delayed until the holiday season, with the recent source code leaked (and earlier this morning there are rumours of an actual BETA game leak) things probably got delayed further. To be continued!

Nokia, together with Electronic Arts (EA) today announced that the true authority in soccer gaming, FIFA Soccer 2004 will be released for the Nokia N-Gage game deck. The soccer season of FIFA Soccer 2004 on the Nokia N-Gage game deck will get players into amazing 3D stadium graphics, and head-to-head multiplayer gameplay via Bluetooth wireless technology.

Prepare to command legendary civilizations and create mighty empires as Activision, Inc.'s Empires: Dawn of the Modern World has gone gold. Developed by acclaimed game designer Rick Goodman and Stainless Steel Studios, Empires: Dawn of the Modern World represents the only truly global RTS where players control unique civilizations across a timeline that spans from the Middle Ages to World War II. The PC game, which is scheduled for release on October 21, is rated "T" ("Teen" -- blood and violence) by the ESRB and carries a suggested retail price of $49.99. Check our download section for single/multiplayer demo's

Celtic Kings: The Punic Wars appeals to both RTS and RPG players searching for a new experience in already known genres. The multiplayer provides new strategic gameplay tuned towards the traditional RTS players. Celtic Kings: The Punic Wars continues the traditions of the award winning Celtic Kings: Rage of War and will be exploring the three Punic wars between Rome and Carthage in the period 264BC – 146BC which includes the famous campaigns of Hannibal and Scipio Africanus.

Matrix Games and Tri Synergy are pleased to announce that Eric Young's Squad Assault: West Front by Freedom Games has gone gold and will be released into retail outlets by October 20th. InSquad Assault: West Front, you command troops in both the Allied and German Armies of the Western Front of World War II in an fully immersive 3-D continuous time environment. Squad Assault: West Front features detailed models for all the major armies that fought in France in 1944, including American, German, British, Canadian, and Free French. Read more for details & screens...

Leading Italian developer Milestone, part of the Leader Group of companies, today announced FX Racing for Xbox, PS2, PC and GameCube as part of its line-up for 2004. The arcade racing game is being developed by respected race game developer Milestone, who is based in Milan, Italy. Milestone previously created Super Bikes for EA and Racing Evoluzione (aka Apex in the USA) for Atari.

Following up last season's successful football management games, Just Football are set to release 17 club specific games for this season in October. Fans of Arsenal, Chelsea, Leeds Utd, Southampton, Manchester City, Everton, Portsmouth, Sheffield Utd, Sunderland, Hibs, WBA, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Wolves, Charlton, Ipswich and Norwich City are all set to have their own specific management games, where they take charge and manage their own club season by season.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time takes place within an exotic, mysterious world representing Persian architecture, animals and attire. After his father invades the palace of the Maharajah, the Prince, tricked by a treacherous vizier, uses a magic dagger to release the dangerous Sands of Time from an ornate hourglass. With the aid of a beautiful, mysterious, and potentially untrustworthy ally, players embody the Prince to recapture the Sands of Time and restore peace to the land. Read more for the full preview ....

Project3/1C have released a single/multiplayer demo for their upcoming arcade racing game R.C. Cars, featuring radio controlled cars with high physical models. All action takes place on polysurfaces designed in such a manner that a car could bounce on big rocks, pits and bumps do acrobatic feats in the air while small surface irregularities could be plausibly and visually damped by a suspender. Both demo's features 1 level (Surf) en 1 RC Car (4x4 Off Road Rage). Read more for details and download links ...

One Must Fall: Battlegrounds promises to deliver the next-generation of hand-to-hand robot action-combat bringing players the most intense and visually stunning 3D fighter on the PC. Building on the growing popularity of PC fighting games, One Must Fall: Battlegrounds features unique, out-of-this-world characters; stunningly detailed graphics; lightning-paced and fluid gameplay; and a unique 3rd person fighting point of view. Check the new screens ...

After the F1 Nurburgring disaster of 2025, the Extreme Gravity Racing Association, or XGRA, was set up as a regulatory governing body for all heavy gravity race events. The XGRA is the future sports equivalent of NASCAR or the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) – They are the rule makers, organizers and ultimately, the overlords of the racing world.