A couple weeks ago Activision released a Call Of Duty v1.3 beta patch, and today they brought us up to speed by means of a new "communique". Apparently next week we can expect the full patch which, apart from the fixes in the beta version, will also feature 2 new multiplayer maps (Neuville and Bocage), as well as server browser enhancements, sniper rifle scope fixes and cheat exploits. Punkbuster support is to follow after the v1.3 patch, in the meantime read more to check out some screens from the new mp maps...

French developer Galilea (previously known for PC titles such as Jack The Ripper, Pax Romana) today revealed that they are working on new title for PC & Console. Vanguard Project! is an action adventure game in full 3D with an Artificial Intelligence offering a strong level of interactivity, in a universe with disconcerting realism… Read more for details ...

A sultry wizardress… a soaring gunslinger… a powerful swordsman… a dark huntress. Four heroes, about to be hurtled over the edge into a flight into darkness. Sudeki will push the limits of what you think an RPG can be with bigger worlds, more powerful heroes and sexier heroines all wrapped around Hong Kong-style cinematic combat. And it is all only possible on Xbox. Read more for some new screens ...

Whiptail Interactive has released a small fix to address a rare stability issue with its recently released Gangland multiplayer demo. For people who did not download the demo yet, there is a fully updated demo available as well. Read more for download links ...

Ubisoft has released a patch for their cell-shaded FPS XIII. This update brings your retail game to v1.01 and adds the winning character from their "You in the game" competition, a clarification of the game's save game system, and bug fixes (thanks blues). Read more for download links ...

Hip Interactive has released a playable demo for Namco's Kill.Switch, featuring one full mission of the game. Developed by the Bitmap Brothers, 'Kill.Switch' is an innovative military shooter game that emphasizes realistic cover tactics and awesome firepower for the ultimate experience in combat gaming. Read more for download links ...

UPDATE : Hip Games has informed us that yesterday's demo has a small glitch in the introduction, and issued a new version. We replaced the demo with the updated version.

Sly 2: Band of Thieves is a comic crime caper, action-adventure game designed exclusively for the PlayStation2. Created by Seattle-based developer, Sucker Punch Productions, Sly 2: Band of Thieves incorporates many of Sucker Punch's signature talents including award winning toon-shaded animation and art direction, visual style, immersive storylines, strong characters, and highly interactive worlds. Expected in stores September 2004. Read more to check out some new screens ...

Electronic Arts today announced that Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban will be the first third-party title to fully utilize the EyeToy technology for the PS2. For the first time, gamers will play as friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger as well as Harry Potter, switching between characters and utilizing their key attributes and skills to resolve challenges and overcome enemies. Players will unravel the mystery surrounding Sirius Black and his escape from the infamous wizard prison Azkaban, as they take part in the most exciting and challenging Harry Potter videogame adventure yet.

SpellForce: The Order of Dawn offers a new Single Player Campaign with over 40 hours of gameplay, giving to our fans another episode from our RPS Franchise SpellForce filled with a number of new and original features, like the Co-operative Multiplayer “Free Mode”, where you can join your allies in battling in one of the many maps offered by the campaign. Read more for some new screens ...

In a rapid chain of events, earlier today CDV cancelled the long in development Xbox title "The Kore Gang" and shortly thereafter developer UDS announced they are shutting down business. CDV has posted a 2003 fiscal net loss of 10million Euro and has been cancelling several of their products lately (Psychotoxic and Galaxy Andromeda, now known as Nexus) to focus on a few of their franchises being Codename: Panzers, Cossacks, Blitzkrieg and Breed.

Get ready to meet Diddy Kong once again and the all-new character Dixie Kong, as they endeavour to rescue Donkey Kong from the evil tyrant. From pirate galleons to muddy swamps, Donkey Kong Country 2 offers players a diverse terrain to explore, with over 40 new action packed levels and many hidden bonuses to collect in each one.

The new v.2 release of Galactic Conquest places you on Hoth and seven new maps from the Star Wars universe. Blaze over snow and forest foilage on speeders, man anti-personnel cannons, and ready those blasters for a long battle between the Empire and Rebel forces. Read more for download links ...

Maintaining law and society order is veteran Headhunter Jack Wade, older, wiser and battle hardened. At his side is the reluctant new sidekick, the rebellious street kid Leeza X. Whether ripping up the highways of the silver metropolis on a super bike or stalking the criminal masterminds of the shadowy underworld, they are led into the greatest danger of their lives and must overcome something much more sinister than a simple human threat. Each must face their darkest fears. Together they must redeem a world facing chaos...

Sammy Studios, Inc. today announced that "Seven Samurai 20XX" is now available in retail outlets in the US. Released exclusively for PS2, "Seven Samurai 20XX" is a fast-paced action game inspired by Akira Kurosawa's masterpiece "The Seven Samurai." The game takes the samurai epic's timeless tale of a courageous few standing up against evil and recreates it for the videogame generation. "Seven Samurai 20XX" is rated T for Teen and will debut at $39.99.

Majesco Sales Inc. today announced a three-year agreement with 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. to publish a total of 12 episodes of 4Kids' high-profile cartoon programs as part of its new Game Boy Advance Video product line. The resulting new products will allow the 20 million Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP owners to view cartoons produced by 4Kids on their portable handheld system.

CDV Software Entertainment and City Interactive signed a distribution agreement. CDV will distribute City's upcomming space action game "Project Freedom" in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The game will be released end of April/ beginning May 2004 at SRP of 29,99 EURO.

Xpand Rally developer Techland has today started the registration of beta testers for the game. On www.xpandrally.com web page everybody can declare his readiness to become an official Xpand Rally Beta Tester. After learning the minimum system requirements of a beta tester computer and approving the non-disclosure agreement one must fill out a simple form stating his identification data, his hardware details and his preferences regarding computer racing games.

Digital Jesters is seeking to continue its reputation as one of the UK's foremost publishers of innovative and critically-acclaimed games with the news that it has signed the UK publishing rights to ambitious fantasy sports game Chaos League from French Developer Cyanide. The game is due for release on PC CD-ROM in June 2004. Read more for details & screens ...

In Beyond Divinity, Larian Studios takes what made Divine Divinity so deeply appealing, and pushes it one step further. Using an enhanced version of the original engine, the final product delivers infinite character development, unparalleled levels of interactivity, a wide variety of enemies; tons of quests and a brand new combat system. Read more for a few new screens ...

Gathering announced today that Mafia for the Xbox has shipped to North American retailers. The English language PAL version of the title will ship to stores in the UK on March 26th and the non-English language versions will be available in Europe on April 2nd. Mafia for the PlayStation2 is available now. In the United States, Mafia is rated M for Mature and is available for the SRP of $49.99.

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 :

• Combat Elite: WWII Paratroopers - Trailer
• Star Wars: Battlefront - Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Obscure is Hydravision Entertainment's upcoming survival horror game where all the action centres around a group of three students, trapped in an eerie school, where the teachers have been performing obscene experiments on their classmates. Read more for some new screens ...

Electronic Arts has released an updated version for the Battlefield 1942 Mod Development Tool. The v2.0 MDT introduces tools and guides for both the beginning and advanced Battlefield 1942 modder. This version adds full compatibility with Battlefield Vietnam, 3ds max 5 and 3ds max 6 Support, an updated menu editor and a few other fixes. Read more for download links ...

Konami of Europe has confirmed what football fans have wanted to hear for years: that its hugely successful Pro Evolution Soccer franchise is to make its debut on the Xbox. The first Pro Evolution Soccer for Xbox will be released in Q4, 2004, and is certain to wow an all-new audience of fans by adding the fantastic graphics sounds and gameplay that Xbox is known for to the series.

Ground Control 2 : Operation Exodus takes place during the year 2741 AD, roughly 300 years after the events in the original game. The democratic and freedom caring Northern Star Alliance (NSA) is being hard pressed by the warmongering Terran Empire. The war has recently entered a new stage; a brutal and deadly ground war, as the Empire has managed to land their first troopships on the last NSA controlled planet – Morningstar Prime... Read more to check out some new screens ...

Far Cry is set around 2020 on a set of tropical islands in the pacific. And has a strong tropical-paradise feel, scenic in its beauty, but, harbors a terrible threat. It is a mix of jungle / primal / and next-gen technology. As the player you find yourself drawn into a secretive plot involving secret research facilities with scientists involved in military genetic-research, a secret "security" force of mercenaries, and, advanced net-generation weaponry and equipment. Earlier we covered Far Cry's singleplayer portion, now we tackle the multiplayer part ...

"Unreal Tournament 2004" builds on the success of past installments, taking the franchise to the next level with the introduction of the hyper-charged Onslaught mode, the return of the fan-favorite Assault mode, which last appeared in the original "Unreal Tournament," and the introduction of land-, air- and space-based vehicles. Expected in stores next week, we took it for a quick spin...

Deployed to any location at any time - if there are innocent lives at stake, you will be there. You are a member of a highly trained team to handle negotiations, mobile assaults, high-risk arrests, and manhunt operations. Activision Value has issued a patch for Idol FX's budget FPS FBI Hostage Rescue, although no patch details are available at this point (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for download links ...

Steel Battalion – Line of Contact gives players the opportunity to once again use the most elaborate controller interface ever created to partake in futuristic military warfare. Ultra realistic visual effects and mech battles in the first or third person perspective create the ultimate mechanized military combat experience. Time to drag the massive SB controller out of the closet, read more for our full & lenghty review (thanks to SBC for the screens assitance).