As expected Codemasters has released their announced patch for the recently released Colin McRae Rally 3 demo. This patch brings the codebase up to date with the final retail version of the game, and improves steering wheel & force feedback support, updates sound effects and volume balancing, gives a better frame rate, etc. Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

Ubi Soft is pleased to announce that in conjunction with Nintendo, it will produce NINTENDO GAMECUBE playable demo disks to mark the launch of Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell on the console in June 2003. The demo will consist of an introductory trailer and one level from the Chinese Embassy 2 map in the game, where Sam Fisher must use his stealth abilities to the highest level. It will also include the unique Game Boy Advance connectivity features such as the radar, the wall mine and the sticky bomb.

Already available through the auto-updater earlier, Blizzard has released a new patch for its 3D RTS Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos. This upgrade brings your retail game to v1.6 and adresses balance issues for several characters, weapons, items, structures, and plenty more. Replays are incompatible between v1.05 and v1.06. Read more for a detailed fixl ist and download links ...

With just 18 days on store shelves, Atari's Enter The Matrix has sold through more than 1 million units in North America, making it the fastest-selling game in that territory in the Company's history. Enter The Matrix is a third-person action game that parallels Warner Bros. Pictures' and Village Roadshow Pictures' action blockbuster, The Matrix Reloaded, the second chapter in the Wachowski Brothers' revolutionary film trilogy. The game was released in North America on May 15 for the PS2, the Xbox, GameCube and the PC.

Return to Middle-earth in the only video game based on the epic final chapter of the highly acclaimed The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Developed using the same digital assets as the film, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King recreates, in stunning detail, the final events of the War of the Ring. Become the heroes who determine the fate of Middle-earth as you traverse the haunted Paths of the Dead, defend Minas Tirith from the onslaught of thousands of Sauron's minions, and even play co-op multiplayer with a friend as you march against the impenetrable Black Gates of Mordor. The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King game is scheduled for release in late 2003 on the ALL platforms. In the meantime check these GBA screens, as well as a trailer showing in game footage...

LucasArts is pleased to announce RTX Red Rock for PlayStation2 has gone gold! This out-of-this-world original action-adventure will be available in participating domestic retail stores starting the week of June 19. We will have a hands on preview of RTX Red Rock later on tonight!

The Italian Job lets gamers recapture the high-octane thrills of the blockbuster movie. Taking on the role of Charlie Croker and his gang members, you are left for dead in Venice after being double-crossed during one of the biggest gold bullion heists ever. Now you and your team of professional thieves must wreak vengeance on the man who betrayed you and reclaim the gold. In order to achieve this, you need to create the biggest traffic jam in L.A. history and attempt your getaway in super-charged new MINI Coopers. Eidos keeps trickling out the screens, another 5 just dripped in...

Last April, Senior U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh ruled that computer and video games had "no conveyance of ideas, expression or anything else that could possibly amount to free speech" in a St. Louis County case that sought to limit children's access to mature video games. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed, saying a "particularized message" is not required when it comes to the First Amendment. Read more for details ...

Silent Storm is a true 3D game combining turn-based tactical combats and role-playing set against the background of the WWII. As the war rages on, you will lead a squad of elite troopers deep behind enemy lines to perform secret missions and prevent a disaster the true scale of which could be fully appreciated by neither of the involved parties. Read more for a fresh batch of screens, as well as a new "English" trailer.

German GameStar got word that the unofficial addon for CDV's latest real time strategy game Blitzkrieg reached the gold status. Total Challenge is expected to be released in the next few weeks and apart from the obvious new missions it will also contain 2 additional editor manuals.

Bigben Interactive today announces it has become the publisher for the JoWood range in both the UK and Scandinavian territories with immediate effect. The deal is part of an agreement that sees the Bigben Interactive Group publishing the JoWood range across Europe. Bigben Interactive UK will be responsible for all forthcoming titles such as, Chaser, Silent Storm, Söldner: Secret Wars and Spellforce: The Order of the Dawn in addition to the entire back catalogue, budget range and OEM opportunities.

GMX Media today announced that it has secured the rights to publish the PC Strategy title - Massive Assault in Western Europe. "We are extremely excited about Massive Assault." Commented Barry Leonard COO of GMX Media. "Strategy gamers are going to love this title. It has astonishing graphics, a great soundtrack, unparalleled gameplay and the AI is simply incredible." Read more for details and new screens ...

Another day, another batch of game trailers were released. Instead of giving them all their own post, we grouped them and so far there are trailers for :

• Nexuiz - Trailer
• Carve (Xbox) - Trailer
• ViviSector: Beast Inside - E3 Trailer
• One Must Fall: BattleGrounds- Trailer #2
• Splinter Cell (GBA/NGC) - Trailer
• MechMinds - E3 Trailer
• Nexagon: Deathmatch- E3 Trailer
• 
  
  (thanks 3DGamers).Read more for download links ...

Shanghai Dragon is a first-person arcade rail-shooter by Chinese company E-Pie Entertainment (already released in China). They have released a playable demo letting you try out the first two missions from the full game (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for download links ...

Novalogic just send out word announcing the first expansion pack for Delta Force: Black Hawk Down. As the US army’s elite special operations soldiers you are the most potent ‘smart weapon’ known to man. You are the ‘tip of the spear’ for covert operations around the world - you are the first line of attack. Nothing stands in your way. From the war torn streets of Somalia you have been re-deployed to take out targets in Colombia and Iran. As the US military’s preemptive strike force you must work with your team to get the job done. Read more for some features and the first hi-res screens ...

Activision sends word that Splash Damage are working on a patch for their recently released "free" Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory product. The server side patch will fix a server crash problem as well as memory leaks. No release date has yet been given.

Ubi Soft today announced that it will be the European publisher for the highly-anticipated massively multiplayer online role-playing game EverQuest II and the recently announced Lords of EverQuest real-time strategy (RTS) game from Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE). EverQuest II and Lords of Everquest are currently set for a worldwide release in Winter 2003/04.

Will Wright, creator of video game sensation "The Sims," has signed a first-look development deal with Fox Broadcasting Co. "It could be a sitcom or something completely different," said Mike Darnell, Fox executive VP alternative programming and specials. "This deal's not about taking a game and turning it into a TV show; it's about creating new entertainment franchises."

Atari is bringing all of the drama and fast-paced action of the Old West exclusively to the Xbox this autumn with Dead Man's Hand, a first person shooter chock full of gun fights and dripping in frontier lore. In development by Human Head studios, the creators of Rune, Dead Man's Hand uses the latest Unreal technology from Epic Games to provide amazing graphical performance, non-stop action and enhanced multiplayer capabilities through Xbox Live!