Developer Valve has revealed that it plans to offer a $9.99 monthly subscription system to purchasers of Half-Life 2, as well as releasing three separate versions of the game - which has now seemingly slipped to November. (thanks Gamesindustry.biz)

In an email, later confirmed as authentic, posted to forums on Half-Life2.net, and a later follow-up on the forum thread, Valve boss Gabe Newell confirmed that the company intends to offer an optional subscription which will grant members free additional content for Half-Life 2, delivered over the Steam digital distribution system.

A real-time strategy game of epic scope and breadth, Empires: Dawn of the Modern World lets players command legendary civilizations as they battle to forge mighty empires during the days of longbows and charging knights to the awesome land, air and sea battles of WWII involving Tiger Tanks, Storm Troopers, Spitfires, and stealthy submarines. Read more for some new screens ...

Hegemonia: The Solon Heritage will provide a thrilling playing experience through 50 new inventions, new skills and heroes, new spaceships and strategy options as well as an improved Artificial Intelligence. Furthermore, 15 new levels will be specifically designed both for a great multiplayer and singleplayer experience. Read more for some new screens ...

Battle.net's Warcraft III site now offers a new 127 KB bonus map named Ice Forge.. "In the frozen tundra, dark powers and magical weapons were forged upon the cold, perilous lands of Ice Forge". Download it here! (thanks Blues)

Pack your gear, head to the Pacific, and fight Japanese imperialism in Medal of Honor Rising Sun. In this installment of the top-selling Medal of Honor series, Marine Corporal Joseph Griffin must endure some of the fiercest battles fought during WWII; crucial assignments ranging from surviving the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor, destroying the Bridge over the River Kwai, a midnight raid on Guadalcanal, and triumphing in the final showdown with Colonel Shima. Check these 10 new screens ...

Glass Rose is an upcoming psycho adventure game under development at Capcom in Japan for Gamecube/PS2. The story involves a young reporter Takashi Kagetani (modelled after an, apparently famous, Japanses tv/rockstar) who is investigating an old unsolved police case involving a mass murder, while at the scene of the crime he gets warped back to 1929. In the progress he receives the power to look into people's hearts, revealing their inner thoughts and secrets. Using this power, Takashi has to explore the mystery behind the murders and find a way back to his own time before something big and nasty kills him in the past. Read more for some screens ...

KOEI Corporation today announced that it has shipped Dynasty WarriorsR4 for the Xbox. Gamers throughout North America can order the game now through most online retailers including ebgames.com, gamestop.com, and toysrus.com.

With Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time no detail has been left to chance, from the sophisticated game design, gorgeous graphics, and ability to manipulate time to the incredibly lifelike animations, the groundbreaking fight system, and the compelling storyline. Everything works in concert to create an immersive, thrilling gaming experience. This depth and harmony is also evident in the audio elements of the game. Whether creating a mood, delivering cues and hints to players, maintaining momentum or accentuating the other elements of the universe, the sounds and music that accompany the Prince in his race against time help make Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time the game to beat in 2003. Read more for details and some new screens ...

Gamespy has word that Troika's D&D RPG Greyhawk: The Temple of Elemental Evil has gone gold. Wnen we contacted an Atari spokes person they declined to comment only to say "maybe, maybe not .. you'll know more tomorrow" so it is safe to assume the official announcement will be made tomorrow. The game is scheduled to hit shelves Sept 23. If you haven't yet, read our Greyhawk: The Temple of Elemental Evil interview with Troika's Tim Cain.

Developer Beenox has revealed their Twister project which is in fact "Wakeboarding Unleashed featuring Shaun Murray"! THE one and only amazing Wakeboarding action title is coming for the PC and Macintosh! The title is being ported by Beenox and will be published by Aspyr Media. Read more for some details ...

Alienware announced today the launch of the redesigned Area-51m mobile gaming system. The new Area-51m features user upgradeable graphics modules, exclusive magnesium alloy case design, and the most advanced components available. This innovative mobile gaming system reaffirms Alienware’s position at the forefront of the industry and continues its tradition of delivering the ultimate gaming experience.

High-tension Battle : The graphic concept of Lineage II is made up assuming that there is a tremendous siege by dozens of charaters which has the most advanced 3D details like those in fighting games. Rampart standing high in the way of surging forces, Plains overlooked by one riding on dragon high in the sky, Archers on the rampart sniping at the coming enemy from far place. These powerful scene will be produced with the latest 3D technology. Read more for some nifty screens ...

Namco's new R: Racing Evolution is being created by the same team that developed the critically-acclaimed Ridge Racer and MotoGP franchises. The game will be available on all three console platforms and will ship in Q4 2003. Featuring licensed cars, 11 real-world and fantasy tracks, and eight different race types. Some new screens raced in so read more to check them out!

Thanks for Michiel from TAFN for sending us a note about the previously released Commandps 3 demo that supposebly came from a "Spanish" magazine. Eidos has this to say about it "It’s simply an unfinished demo. The one that is out there was not properly tested and was released pre-maturely. We’re working on a proper demo as well as the final game and both are far better than the demo presents. We’re unsure as to when the final demo will be ready as we are very focused on finishing the full version in a timely manor." Guess we'll have to wait and see, but in the meantime you can still download the old demo ...

Medal of Honor Allied Assault™ Breakthrough for the PC has gone gold and will ship on September 22, 2003. The new expansion pack for the critically acclaimed Medal of Honor Allied Assault takes players from chasing Rommel in North Africa to the heart of Italy in the struggle to breakthrough the fortified lines of the Third Reich.

Batman fans and toy collectors alike have a reason to celebrate! Ubi Soft Entertainment joins with Mattel Inc., DC Comics, and Warner Bros. Consumer Products to commemorate the launch of a new villain in the Batman universe by creating special collector's items exclusively for the Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu videogame. 15,000 copies of Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu Commemorative Edition will include an exclusive Mattel Batman action figure and another 15,000 Commemorative Edition units will include an exclusive Mattel Batgirl action figure. Both will be dressed in classic costumes - Batman in his classic blue and grey costume and Batgirl in classic black and yellow. Read more for details ...

Atari, Inc. announced today that it will ship Yu Yu Hakusho: Spirit Detective for Game Boy Advance this December. Based on the popular TV series, Yu Yu Hakusho airs weekdays on the Cartoon Network's top-rated Toonami Block, and is one of the top-rated animated series for males 9-14. Yu Yu Hakusho is licensed in the United States by FUNimation Productions, the force behind such hits as Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z.

Westward Ho! In No Mans Land, the player leads the colonization of the American continent between 1600 und 1900. In three campaigns, divided into 30 diversified missions, the player sees the historical development of this era from the viewpoint of six different ethnic groups: Englishmen, settlers, American patriots, Spaniards and forest- and prairie Indians. Expected to appear in German/UK retail stores on Sept 26th, US stores on Oct 10th. Read more to check out the new screens ...

Command an elite, multinational squad of special operatives against a hidden terrorist foe. In Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3, the third installment in the wildly popular Rainbow Six series, Team RAINBOW races against time to stop terror and unravel a mystery. In locations around the world, from London to the Cayman Islands to Rio de Janeiro, lead Team Rainbow in a desperate effort to battle a madman and foil his doomsday plot. Some new Xbox screens just rushed in. Check them out!