C.Net reports. Taking a break from working on his doctoral thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) graduate student Andrew "Bunnie" Huang decided that it might be fun to poke around the security systems protecting Microsoft's Xbox game console. With a little creative tinkering and a measure of precision soldering, Huang quickly isolated the main public security keys. Although legally prevented from sharing the keys with the world, he described his methods in detail in a widely distributed research paper, helping spur a wave of Xbox-hacking that has led to the development of Xbox versions of Linux and other homemade software. After graduating from MIT last year, Huang set up his own consulting business, specializing in reverse engineering. But he still has some more Xbox insights that he'd like to share with the world--that is, if only he can find a way.

This weekend Infinite Interactive updated the official site for their upcoming turn-based fantasy strategy game, Warlords IV, with details on three special units, The Orkish Bunny, The Hot Cross Goblin and The Egg Chukka.

Rich Vogel Executive Producer for Star Wars Galaxies has updated the official forum with a status report (thanks Blues). Here is a clip from the posting:

Well, it’s been a while since I last posted. Some people probably don’t know who I am. I am the Executive Producer of SWG. I thought I would give you guys an update on where we are in development.

The client team is busy working on adding more visual effects, polishing and enhancing UI, adding more optimizations to the client, and fixing bugs. The Beta Testers have already seen the results of some of our efforts with a faster frame rate, less hitching as you walk around town, new character system features (such as pitch-pointing weapons in combat, or the soon-to-be-released head-turning towards your look-at target). There’s more to do here, and like art, we’re grateful to have a little time to really polish up the client.

Our current plan is to go to Open Beta in early May. This all depends on how polished we are. I realize lots of you want to play but it is important that we make your play experience an enjoyable one.

Asylumsoft Inc. has updated the official Dransik site with news of the latest patch (server update, version 1.02). This update provides some new content as well as fixes to many bugs and problems (thanks GameSpy). "DRANSIK is a Medieval Fantasy Massively-Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game. Interact with players from around the world. Go hunting alone or with others for powerful artifacts. Gain knowledge in dozens of skills that keep the world functioning". Listed below are all the changes!

Kaan, the young and fierce Barbarian hero, has to retrieve the Orb to save his world. 27 enemies, 6 weapons, 5 shields with special powers, 7 combos & 4 special attacks: the renewal of hack and slash, by award-winning Eko Software. Kaan will be published by The Adventure Company on PS2 and PC next month. Read more to check out some screens ...

In India, Emperor Asoka Maurya has embarked on a non-violent campaign to bring prosperity to his people and promote Buddhist philosophy. In China, the king of Qin struggles to unite the seven kingdoms and stave off invasions by Hun tribes. To the west, a fledgling Rome battles with Carthage for Southern Europe and the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, Egypt and Seleucid Persia wrestle to control Syria and the Near East. Choose your side and lead your empire to Strength and Honor! Check out the new batch of screens ...

AKI, the development team behind the insanely popular Wrestlemania 2000 and No Mercy WWE games for the Nintendo 64, has been keeping busy during the past several months developing Ultimate Muscle. When you consider that Ultimate Muscle moves much faster than just about any other wrestling game to date, it's clear that the game will keep you on your toes. In addition, its slick cel-shaded look, solid animation, and brisk frame rate really add to the overall arcade feel of the game.

Activision has launched the teaser website for Infinity Ward's PC, and Spark Unlimited's console, version of the upcoming WWII action series, Call of Duty. Apart from a few screens of the PC version the website merely offers some info. More to come...

Tactical Commanders is an on-line real time strategy game that definetely earns the name massive: Up to 100.000 players fight in a connected universe at the same time for the supremacy of their faction, for resources and areas. In battles, with which each faction commands up to 400 units per battleground the adrenaline shock is guaranteed. From infantry robots to air and air defense units, from artillery and armored units to support units the warlord gets unlimited tactical possibilities. Sign up at the betatest registration site NOW, or read more for details ...

Kaan: Barbarian's Blade (developed by Eko Software) is an upcoming hack & slash arcade game. Kaan is a young and fierce Barbarian hero who must retrieve the Orb to save his world. Eko/Adventure Company released a playable demo (English), allowing you to play 2 levels from the full game. Kaan will be published by The Adventure Company on PS2 and PC next month (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for download links ...

After a nationwide search for a PR firm to take Mythic Entertainment, developer of one of the fastest-growing online games, Dark Age of Camelot, to the next level, the company has settled on The Bohle Company, Los Angeles, as its new agency. The company's Dark Age of Camelot, a Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG), has become the fastest growing titles in its category and one of the most acclaimed online games of all time.

'MechAssault' is a futuristic sci-fi third-person shooter game that will allow gamers to command a huge walking tank known as a BattleMech. Players will battle foes and take out enemy structures while manoeuvring a huge BattleMech, or ’Mech, through a variety of environments. A dozen powerful BattleMechs are available in 'MechAssault', each with massive firepower. 'MechAssault' features complete destruction on a level never seen before – everything in the world can be destroyed bit by bit. Gamers can play a variety of missions with multiple objectives that require tactics and skill. Day1 Studios & Microsoft are gearing up to release yet again new content in form of 2 new maps (Midtown Mayhem& Desert Storm), 2 new mechs (Loki&Hellfire) all in a nice CTF jacket! Check out some new screens ..

Ice Nine takes place in first person mode. The player will not only have access to gadgets such as bugs and a high-tech PDA but also heavy ballistic equipment such as rocket launchers and remote mines. The player is also able to take on many disguises in the course of the game from enemies he has neutralized. Mission briefings are supplied at the beginning of each mission, and also updated mid-mission as the scenario changes to reflect the player's decisions. Read more for screens ...

EA's official BF1942 website features a new Community Update, revealing details on the upcoming 1.4 patch. This patch addresses a ton of stuff ranging from cheats to new weapons, as well as word of a dedicated linux server. Read more for details ...

Bethesda Softworks released some new screens for The Elder Scrolls III: Bloodmoon, the second expansion for its RPG-of-the-Year, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind for PC. Scheduled for release in May, Bloodmoon takes you to the frozen Island of Solstheim where the Empire is establishing a new mining colony - a venture being threatened by the prophecy of the Bloodmoon and rumors of werewolves. Read more to check them out ...

Inspired by its celebrated Secret Weapons series of classic World War II flight combat games, LucasArts announces Secret Weapons Over Normandy, which brings the historic air battles of that era to PS2, Xbox, and PC this fall. Secret Weapons Over Normandy presents a dynamic, deeply engaging story-driven flight action experience that puts players in control of authentic World War II aircraft and challenges them to undertake the war's most dangerous missions. Read more for details & some screens ...

Set in Somalia in 1993, Delta Force – Black Hawk Down is based upon and around the Operation Restore Hope and Task Force Ranger campaigns and follows members of the elite Delta Force and US Army Rangers as they participate in a number of daring raids against the oppressive Somali warlords in and around Mogadishu. NovaLogic has released another patch for Delta Force: Black Hawk Down, upgrading their new special forces tactical FPS to v1.2.0. This upgrade adds more cheater validation checks and a new server option, tweaks several single-player levels, and fixes an "erroneous punting problem. Read more for download links ...

EVE ONLINE is a new breed of computer game. Played online with thousands of other players, EVE draws people into what is essentially an alternate universe set some time far in the future in a place one can only dream of. Simon & Schuster is giving Worthplaying readers a chance to get in on the fun and sign up to beta test EVE Online. We have 1,000 beta test slots available, ONLY for the Worthplaying audience. All you need to do is get your sorry ass over to this EVE Online beta sign-up page and fill out the form. It's as simple as that. Keep in mind, the slots are limited and once they are all gone, they ARE gone. So head over there NOW! If you have no idea what Eve is about, check our Eve Online preview.

Icculus has released a dedicated Linux server for the retail edition of Devastation, the new first-person shooter by Digitalo Studios. The server is compatible with clients updated to the latest (version 380) patch, and word is that running a devastation server is very much like running a UT2003 server, so most of the stuff at UnrealAdmin.org is relevant (thanks 3DGamers). This is an updated linux server (v380) for the retail version of the game. Read more for details and download links ...