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!

Blizzard has revealed info about their next patch "v1.10" for Diablo II.. Here is the cut and past:

We’ll be adding many new Horadric Cube recipes to Diablo II with the upcoming 1.10 patch. Some of the new recipes allow you to upgrade your Unique weapons. For instance, 1 Ral Rune + 1 Sol Rune + 1 Perfect Emerald + 1 Normal Unique Weapon results in an Exceptional version of that weapon with the same Unique Item bonuses. Using this recipe, an Axe will be transformed into a Cleaver! This is useful for upgrading the damage of your Unique Weapons. You can use another recipe to upgrade to the Elite version: 1 Lum Rune + 1 Pul Rune + 1 Perfect Emerald + Exceptional Unique Weapon results in the Elite version of that weapon with the same Unique Item bonuses. Using these new formulae, players can create new special versions of Unique items that were not previously possible. Players can then further customize these weapons by adding a socket to them and their own favorite gem, jewel, or rune.

Although we do not have a release date set for this patch, we are working hard to get it out as soon as possible.

A post on the official Battlefield 1942 website let us know following about the recent leaked 1.4 patch:

It has come to our attention that a non-final version of the 1.4 patch has surfaced on the web. Please note that this is NOT the final version of 1.4, and it WILL NOT be compatible with the final version of 1.4. We strongly recommend that you do not install it. If you have installed it, our suggestion is that you reinstall BF 1942.

Stay tuned to the official Battlefield 1942 website for our regularly scheduled community update this Friday.

EAComMike

FilePlanet is now offering Techland's upcoming first-person shooter "Chrome" as one of their "exclusive" demo's for paid FilePlanet subscribers only. A whopping 340 MB download can only be activated by a key generated for subscribers. As usual this exclusivity lasts for about a a week, so us regular folks will have to be patient a few more days. Of course we will have it available here, free as always ...

Crowd Control Productions has issued another patch for EVE Online: The Second Genesis, bringing their just-released MMO space game to v1058. This patch can be used if the auto-updater doesn't work, and as usual there are no details on the changes in this patch. Read more for download links ...

Infogrames has released a new patch for their mod gone retail team-based tactical shooter Tactical Ops: Assault on Terror. This rather huge upgrade brings your retail game to v3.4.0 and adresses a slow of additions, changes and fixes (thanks 3DGamers). This patch is for the retail version of Tactical Ops: Assault On Terror only. Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

Men of Valor: The Vietnam War is an historical action experience that portrays infantry combat during the Vietnam War. Combining the latest Unreal technology with the gameplay expertise of 2015, Men of Valor immerses the player in the humid jungles of Southeast Asia in the most controversial conflict of the modern era. At E3 2003, attendees were treated to live Xbox demonstrations of 2015's Men of Valor: Vietnam and now Vivendi is offering parts of the movie to the public. The 3rd and final chapter is now available at Gamespot, while last week GameSpy had the first part, and the second episode is available at IGN. Njoy!

3000 AD has release a patch for their their space and planetary simulation Battlecruiser Millennium Gold. This upgrade adresses numerous improvements, fixes and other changes to the general game and its new multiplayer features. Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

MechMinds is an action role-playing game that immerses players in a world inhabited entirely by robots…a world which is, in fact, a giant military test zone. Players will assume the role of an AI robot traveling on a glider – a special floating vehicle with antigravity engines. The game combines combat action, trade, exploration, and sends players on a variety of quests and missions. Developed by SkyRiver Studios. Read more for download links ...

Earlier today we had the official launch announcement of the Charlie's Angel's related online game "Angel X" and now you have the possibility to check out the demo. Charlie's Angels: Angel X, inspired by the motion picture "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle," which is set for release in theaters nationwide on June 27, 2003, gamers are charged with the mission of catching the Thin Man before his army of assassins destroys his secret lair. Read more for download links ...

Ubi Soft announced today that Chessmaster for the PS2 has shipped to retailers in North America. The most comprehensive chess game available, Chessmaster offers experts and novices alike an elegant and fun way to refine and elevate their game, and features support for online play via Sony Online. Chessmaster is rated "E" for everyone and is available for the suggested retail price of $29.99.

Sierra just send out word that the team responsible for the award-winning NASCAR Racing franchise Papyrus Racing Games has released additional tracks for NASCAR Racing 2003 Season. The NASCAR Racing 2003 Season Track Pack contains three fictional tracks: Eight Bowl Superspeedway, Hillside International Speedway and Papyrus Motorsports Park. Each track offers players a unique and exciting driving experience, and may be played in both single player or multiplayer modes. Read more for download links ..

According to SimRacingWorld we can expect a patch for the recently released Colin McRae Rally 3 demo. The patch, currently being tested at Codemasters and will weigh in at about 20mb, will include "all the fixes from the final build including steering, sound, etc.," and a release is expected either Wednesday evening or Thursday morning. First we get flooded with game patches, now its the age of demo patches .. lovely!

Although the official BlowOut website still mentions KaosKontrol, word got out that Terminal Reality has taken over development of "BlowOut." No idea what "BlowOut" is all about? Here is an official blurb "You will be leading a platoon of the fifth Marine commandos to cleanse 65,000 metric tons of space hulk of the galaxy's most vicious alien bugs. You probably won't make it, but we're giving you the hardware to do the job. Check this out: A 7.68mm General Electric Minigun, 75lbs. Industrial ChainSaw, 20mm Pump-Action Shotgun, 8-meter FlameThrower, Plasma Rifle, Machine Gun, 8'' NailGun and more."

Noticed on VE3D that Cyber Warrior Inc, today announced the launch of its bold new massively multiplayer RPG, "Rubies of Eventide." With a retail launch aimed for later in the year, currently, "Rubies of Eventide" provides a free, downloadable game client which includes a free 10-day trial of the game. Read more for details ...

C&VG has a little article on some interesting/upcoming Namco games. Perhaps recognising a greater global strategy is now in order, Namco has pledged to focus on overseas markets in the coming months - that means Europe and the US. 18 titles are expected for European release this year, doubling last year's total of nine releases. But what games can we expect from the venerable developer? Hit after cash-seeking hit, by the sounds of things. New games in the Soul Calibur and Ridge Racer series will appear more regularly, with Namco aiming to release new episodes every two years. Specifically pencilled in for 2004 are new games in the Tekken and Ace Combat series, as well as a sequel to Dead To Rights.

“The Witcher” is an Action RPG game for PC platform, which combines the features of such games as Dungeon Siege, Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance, Gothic and Neverwinter Nights. The game is supposed to ensure entertainment to a broad group of older players, incorporating simple yet interesting game system, along with a complex plot and attractive 3-D graphics. Read more for details & screens ...

Vivendi Universal Games announced today the upcoming sci-fi action game Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter has gone gold for the Xbox and the PlayStation2. Both versions are scheduled to ship to retailers on June 19, 2003. Versions of the game for GameCube and PC are scheduled to ship September 2, 2003.

The game is set in year 2010 where player's conscience is entrapped by an up-to-date virus-infected virtual reality-playing machine called FireStarter. The virus-caused failure resulted in computer changing the rules of the game - to break out of the trap, the player is to complete the game within 48 hours. Immerse in an unbelievable world, created by super-modern playing machine, where you are to make it a winner of the adrenaline-brimming action. Read more for some new screens!

P3int let us know that while the latest 1.41 patch for New World Order offered some amazing new features like improved networking, new weapons behavior, freeze and round-time, it did not stop Lead Programmer Jim Malros to start his plan update on 1.42.. This new folowup will tweak the DVA engine even further and is more focused on NWO's multiplayer and animation system. Expect more information about 1.42 in the coming weeks