Jowood has released yet another first patch for Wing Simulations' multiplayer shooter SÖLDNER: Secret Wars. This v30770 beta patch optimizes camera code, addresses plenty of gameplay issues, bug and game crash fixes but also adds new maps (St Rebecca / Hell Village), new vehicles, and new weapons. Read more for details and download links ...

As has been rumored the past few days, 'Half-Life 2' is indeed being sold early at various big stores in the U.S., such as BestBuy, Wal-Mart and even a few select EBGames. The lucky ones who managed to purchase a copy will get a major disappointment, as Vivendi ordered Valve to not activate the Half-Life 2 Steam authentication servers. Basically, anybody who bought HL2 can't play it yet. Valve issued a statement saying it is not their decision, but Vivendi who threatened Valve with breach of contract if they did.

Atari has released the first patch for its strategy game Chris Sawyer's Locomotion. This update brings your retail game to v1.76 and addresses about a dozen game balance issues, crash fixes, as well as interface adjustments (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Hinterland Raid"... Map info: "Deep in the woods, you'll track down the enemy encampment and prepare to launch a final, decisive strike. Assemble your forces quickly: the peril is great, and time grows short." This is a small map and the suggested no. of players is 2v2 or 3v3. It is based on the "Ashenvale Forest" tileset. Go download it here!

140 kp/h…….150 kp/h……160 kp/h………and no airbag! Ski Racing 2005 feat. Hermann Maier has the farthest jumps, the steepest slopes, the toughest skiers! Total concentration – An extreme risk - Brutal falls - Every mistake will be penalized without mercy! Thousands of fans – Breathtaking atmosphere – An unforgettable experience: The fight for the World Cup 2005 has now begun!

The Bard's Tale combines the development team's collective knowledge of compelling RPG gameplay with brilliant graphics and major motion picture quality story and dialogue. The Bard's Tale eschews genre cliches in favor of intelligent humor for an original and truly entertaining experience.