Ubisoft Europe has now released the first patch for its stealth action game Splinter Cell Chaos Theory. This update brings your European, French Canadian and Australian retail game to v1.01 and addresses a few game crashes, multiplayer issues, profile bugs, and the usual general improvements. Read more for download links ...

Belgian magazine PC GamePlay has the first details on a new title from Dutch publisher HD Interactive. Under development at Mithis Interactive, Joint Task Force is a brand new RTS title deals with various conflicts in the imminent future. The United States has formed a Joint Task Force to restore peace in trouble spots such as Somalia, Bosnia and the Middle-East. JTF uses a hi-tech 3D engine taking advantage of all the latest DX9 features, as well as the Megon Physics Engine (being used in Duke Nukem Forever). A first in an RTS game, the infantry units will all be using motion capture animations. JTF is scheduled for Q2 2006, an official announcement will probably follow shortly (thanks Gamer.nl).

Following the launch of Nintendo DS in Europe on March 11, 2005, the new handheld console is proving to be a success with European gamers, having snapped up over 500,000 units by Easter Saturday – that's 77% of the consoles that were in stores across Europe for launch. Many stores have reported they are out of stock; however, more deliveries are being made to replenish the supply.

Bethesda Softworks is looking for a Level Designer to join their team that is pushing the bleeding-edge of RPG development for the PC and future-generation consoles. Bethesda is looking for someone to design, create, build, and script levels for future Elder Scrolls and Fallout products. Includes working in our proprietary toolset to design, build, light, and script game areas. Interested parties should check the Jobs section of the Bethesda Softworks web site.

Step into the shadows of Gotham City's perilous criminal underworld as DC Comics' legendary Dark Knight in the Batman Begins video game. Slated for release day and date with the Warner Bros. Pictures film, Batman Begins challenges players to use fear as their ultimate weapon. Read more for new screens ...

Rising Star Games has revealed that the guiding light behind its forthcoming Nintendo DS title 'Space Invaders Revolution' is none other than the creator of the 1978 original. Mr. Tomohiro Nishikado occupies the role of CEO at development company Dreams and has personally been overseeing the development of this 're-imagining' of the original Space Invaders.

City Interactive is working on an addon for its Terrorist Takedown action game, Payback. Scheduled for an April release, Terrorist Takedown: Payback is a standalone expansion pack in which the player once againtakes on the role of GIs fighting against terrorrism. The expansion incorporates various gameplay improvements over the original title and adds 10 new missions, and lets you fly AH 64-Apache, control the .50 caliber humvee machine gun, or take aim with an antitank cannon.

Creature Conflict: The Clan Wars is a game heavy on humor! It takes place in a galaxy populated by four different animal clans, each faction battling for control over all the planets. Players can look forward to an extensive single player campaign as well as a multiplayer mode: team up with friends and take on all rivals in a last animal standing competition! Ascaron has launched the official Creature Conflict: The Clan Wars website. Head on over there for the latest updates, screens, wallpapers, movies and faq.

Pariah focuses on a robust immersive storyline that weaves survival elements into the traditional run-and-gun style of first-person action games. Unsurprising will be the graphic marvel and fine-tuned gameplay of Pariah, a trademark gamers have come to expect from any Digital Extremes game.

Matrix Games and 2by3 Games announced today that Gary Grigsby's World at War is now available in retail stores in the US and Canada and available online via direct download from the Matrix Games online store.

Activision has released new Linux patches for Infinity Ward's WW2 based FPS Call of Duty: United Offensive. The patch brings your dedicated server to v1.51b and closes some exploits, fixed MG42 bug, other crashes. Read more for download links ...

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 :

• DOOM 3 [Xbox] - Trailer #3
• Darkwatch - Trailers (2)
• Empire Earth 2 - Peter Calabria Dev Diary Part 1
• Splinter Cell Chaos Theory - TV Commercial #2

In Elite Warriors: Vietnam, you will fight along side Green Beret commandoes as you conduct classified missions deep in Southeast Asia. By using patrol techniques still being used today in Iraq and Afghanistan you will rescue downed pilots, ambush convoys, seize enemy prisoners, and discover targets for air attacks. This single/multiplayer demo contains five tutorials missions, one singleplayer campaign, and two multiplayer maps playable in deathmatch and co-op (thanks GameSpot). Read more for download links ...

Dreamcatcher has released the first patch for Wargaming's turnbased strategy game Domination. This patch brings your retail game to v2.0.127 and addresses various game crashes, bugs and implements a few gameplay changes. Read more for details and download links ...

Jade Empire is set in a new fantastical world based on mythical China, where sinister events have upset the peaceful harmony of an isolated martial arts school. Featuring furious action previously found only in Hong Kong cinema, the game lets players master more than 30 fighting styles and a wide range of mystical powers.

VUGames dropped us a note to inform Empire Earth II fans out there that a multiplayer demo will be released Monday April 4th. The demo will offer three of the game's fifteen epochs (Renaissance, Imperial, and Enlightenment), and three of the game's nine multiplayer modes (Conquest, King of the Hill, and Territory Control), playable for up to 10 players. The demo will also include the previously released singleplayer contentbut with updated content, new features, and the ability to set variables such as: game pace, starting resources, population cap, diplomatic settings, and weather & environment details before the game starts. Of course we will have the demo available on our fileserver network the minute its released.

Capcom today announced Flipnic: Ultimate Pinball for the PS2. Forget all you think you know about pinball – it’s not just about flippers and bumpers anymore! Flipnic redefines the pinball experience as players go on a wild journey through surrealistic 3D environments and encounter outrageous gameplay variations that must be seen to be believed.

SpecForce is Techland's latest futuristic tactical shooter with a plot connected to already known Chrome. Game development has been underway for some time now, and will use an optimized Chrome Engine. Read more for some new screens ...

Every year, Oktoberfest in Munich attracts millions of people from across the world. The event is synonymous with fun, a great atmosphere and wild partying, a good enough reason for 10Tacle Studios to now also develop PC, video and mobile phone games set in the pavillions, fun rides and fairground booths of the famous venue Münchner Wiesn. Consequently, 10T recently secured the exclusive worldwide licensing rights with regards to the biggest public festival and its official mascot, a Bavarian dachshund referred to as "Wies'n Wastl."