Several weeks ago we revealed that EA would start its BFME II multiplayer beta test mid December, and EA just announced it has now gone live. People who pre-order the game can join in and check out the sequel before anybody else, until the game ships somewhere early 2006. This online multiplayer beta includes two out of the six factions (Dwarves and Goblins), playable on two brand new maps (Harlindon and Withered Heath.) If you haven't done so yet, you can pre-order at EBGames or Gamestop.

When assassins from Agent 47's contract agency, The ICA, are systematically eliminated in a series of hits, it seems a larger, more powerful agency has entered the fray. For Agent 47 it's business as usual, until suddenly he loses contact with The ICA. Sensing that he may be the next target, he travels to America, where he prepares to make a killing.

Battlegoat has released a new patch for its strategy game Supreme Ruler 2010. This update brings your retail game to v4.4.1 and 30-player North America map, an extra mission (East to DC), new scenario (United States), 50 new units, and many small tweaks to the game to improve its performance and its playability.

Battlefront announced today that it has released a large free x-mas update for Dan Verssen Games' air combat strategy game DOWN IN FLAMES! This bundle is completely free and immediately available via the auto-update feature of the game, and includes four new campaigns, one set of updated animations for the F4F Wildcat, a new plane (Brewster Buffalo), and new fatigue rules for pilots as well as a few small bug fixes, too. Read more for details ...

Stranger is a real-time strategy game, with elements of role playing games set in a world, split in two parts, surface and a subterranean one, which are in a tenuous balance. Stranger will also feature multiplayer, although details beyond "The players may play on their own, or unite in teams" are a bit sketchy. Check the fresly launched official website or read more for new screens ...

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Bomber Command"... Map info: "Warring Marines have taken over Icecrown Glacier. Command your bomber force to destroy your opponent's town while scrambling to defend your own." This is a small map size and the suggested no. of players is 3v3. It is based on the "Icecrown Glacier" tileset. Go download it here!

The Guild 2 will be a combination of unique sweeping role-play and a fascinating life-simulation, conjuring the medieval life anew on your PC. As in the successful predecessor Europa 1400: The Guild and the subsequent expansion pack, the newest development by 4HeadStudios awakes the 14th century to a new life. Check the freshly launched official website, or read more to check new screens ...

Matrix Games and Playnet are pleased to announce that Battleground Europe is now available to North America for the first time via the Matrix Games Online Store as a digital download, with boxed copies to follow next week. Take control of a soldier fighting in World War II in a persistent massive multiplayer world of first-person combat with infantry, tanks, planes and ships.

As the only game that offers an open, fast-paced driving action-movie experience, Driver: Parallel Lines features an unfolding storyline of double crossing and revenge. Set in a photorealistic interpretation of New York City, players take on the role of a notorious 18 year old who, free from conscience and rules, is the most sought after driver-for-hire in town.

Frogwares has released another version of the patch for its Jules Verne based adventure game 80 Days. This update brings your English retail game to v1.1, and like the previous French/German patch, improves performance, stability, and adds a tutorial to the game. Read more for download links ...

This Call of Duty 2 update is recommended for Win2K/XP users with Intel Hyper-Threading Technology enabled processors, multiple processors, or systems with a dual core processor. This update will bring any supported version of Call of Duty 2 up to v1.01, and will not affect pure server, nor your ability to join or host multiplayer games with v1.0 players.

The Battlefield 2 expansion pack planned to be launched during spring 2006 is now replaced by two booster packs. The change means slightly lower project revenues during the fourth quarter 2005 than during the third, due to a lower development budget. The anticipation though is that this will be compensated by higher royalty revenues during the first six month 2006.

Valve unveiled a 64-bit version of its Source game engine technology today. The first 64-bit Valve games released will be native 64-bit versions of Half-Life 2 and Lost Coast, and have been developed to take advantage of AMD Athlon 64 FX processor-based systems - the ultimate 64-bit gaming platform for PC enthusiasts.

EA today announced that the French postal service, La Poste, has honored The Sims franchise with an official postage stamp. Published in limited edition of 3 million units, Les Sims is one of 10 stamps in the "Heroes of Videogames" collection featuring the industry's most beloved icons. The set will retail for 2.65 euros (approximately $3.09 USD) and is available now in French post offices and through La Poste's website at http://timbres.laposte.fr/eng/

Empire has released a new patch for Strangelite's FPS Starship Troopers, bringing any Euro/US retail game to v5.24 and adds 4 new deathmatch maps (Bait, Duel, Hill, Offensive), three new coop maps (Bait, Psiops, Stronghold), the usual crash and bug fixes, but also new shader option and several new features. Read more for detailed fixlist and download links ...

The Chronicles of Spellborn is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game set in the Enclave of the Five Sacrifices. Developed by Dutch studio Khaeon Games, previously known for Alpha Black Zero, Spellborn uses the Unreal 2.5 Engine. The closed beta test is currently underway, more people will be allowed to join in the coming months.

KOCH Media has released a new patch for EgoSoft's space-combat exploration game X³: REUNION. This update brings your retail game to v1.3 and adds important features to the game as well as fixing a number of problems that players experienced. It also improves the game-balance in key areas such as combat and the economy. Read more for detailed fixlist and download links ...

When the paparazzi in Lionhead Studios' The Movies game shout, "Who are you wearing?" virtual stars will now respond, "John Malkovich, Uncle Kimono!" Activision, has signed a deal with the popular actor's clothing company to have clothing from his "Uncle Kimono" Collection featured as downloadable costumes for outfitting the stars in The Movies, currently available in retail stores nationwide.

Strategy First and Russian publisher 1C Company announced today that “Cuban Missile Crisis: The Aftermath” has shipped to North American retailers nationwide.

UFO: Aftershock follows directly from one of the endings of UFO: Aftermath, where the player agrees to hand over the Earth to the Alien scientists, who are trying to change the planet into a giant living organism. Cenega has released the first patch bringing your retail game to v1.2 addresses some v1.1 issues, tactical mode problems, several stats displays and Polish localization.