Laminar Research has released a new upgrade for X-Plane, bringing their comprehensive flight simulation to version 6.50. As with most releases, there is a large patch from the previous v6.40 as well as a full update that also serves as a time-limited demo, and this release adds scenery improvements, numerous flight model enhancements, the new F-35 plane, general tweaks, bug fixes and more (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for details and download links.

Noticed on HomeLan that the official Tactical Ops web site announced a new 20 map pack for their Unreal engine powered team shooter. The map pack is a collaboration between Tactical Ops developer Kamehan Studios and AIM-IT and also contains two new mutators: a structured single player campaign and Monster Attack. Read more for details and download links ...

Tweak Town posted up a Tweak Guide for Battlefield 1942, which brings together all the performance tweaks, tips and .con file settings, along with troubleshooting help and handy reference material like the console commands and working No-CD/blood patch links – all to make sure you get BF1942 running at its very best on your machine. Take a wander through the guide here!

Miles from Sports Interactive revealed some more information about their upcoming Championship Manager 4 demo in his Christmas speech. Here follow a small clip:

So, what will 2003 bring? Well, Eastside should see the light of day towards the end of the year, but there are a couple of other Sports Interactive products out before then...

The first will be the CM4 magazine (issue 2), and the demo for CM4. These will be released on Friday, February 14th.

The second will be Championship Manager 4. This is now looking hopeful for release on February 28th on PC & Mac in the UK, with non UK Eidos releases a few days later (Germany, France, Holland, Spain, South East Asia).

Read the full speech here and check out new screens here!

Planet Soldier Of Fortune posted up some more info regarding the next upcoming patch for Soldier Of Fortune II (thanks Blues). Here is the full clip:

The patch will be released in 2 versions, a full (50mb) and lite version (16mb). The Full version will upgrade any version of SoF2, with the Lite version updating 1.02 to 1.03 (Gold). So whats new I hear you ask?! Well amongst a mass of code/map updates Raven are bringing us 3 new THREWAVE MAPS. The patch will be coming to us in early January.

In SimCity 4, you don't just build your city, you breathe life into it. With god-like powers, sculpt mountains, gouge riverbeds and seed forests to lay the groundwork for your creation. Then, as Mayor, construct the most realistic city you can imagine. Your city comes alive with the hustle and bustle of construction crews, the snarl of traffic and the activity of your Sims. The game is scheduled for release on January 14, 2003.. Six new screenshots showing life, leisure, and landmarks!

The newest installation in the acclaimed stealth ninja series, Tenchu 3: Wrath of Heaven delivers the most realistic, stealth-based, ninja-action/adventure game ever. Coming to the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, Tenchu 3: Wrath of Heaven features impressive new stealth attacks, an enhanced fighting engine, new weapons and tools, larger levels, improved character animations and new multiplayer options... Today we have some new screens and also a 12MB movie that runs for 30 seconds and showing some ingame action.. Read more for the candy!

Freedom Games & Strategy First have released a new patch for their WWI Strategy game G.I. Combat. This upgrade brings your retail version to v1.03 and adresses several multiplayer fixes, moraly adjustments and several other tweaks. Read more for detailed fix list and links where to grab the goods ...

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Oblivion Lost will provide players with extremely dynamic gameplay of fast and tough combats, where players are to oppose dangerous and wise enemies, a large set of multifarious weaponry, possibility to control various machinery, incredible detailing and game world interactivity, story-driven single player with original team gameplay, a well-balanced multiplayer with numerous modes: DeathMatch, CTF, Cooperative, various team games and much more. Read more for 4 new X-mas screens!

Etherlords II is the sequel to the innovative turn-based strategy game originally released in November 2001. Similar to Etherlords I, which was highly praised for its tactical depth and stunning graphics, Etherlords II promises to be even more spectacular, changing the emphasis of the game from simple exploration and resource gathering to a more enriching story-driven adventure.

Subsim Review, Doutel Software Services, LLC, and the Wolfpack League have succeeded in converting the Silent Hunter II multiplayer engine from rTime to Microsoft DirectPlay. As you may have experienced, the original rTime engine was notoriously unstable and players were treated to constant drops and errors. Now Silent Hunter II players can look forward to a bunch of new features! Find out more and download here!

Massive Assault is a 3D global domination strategy game from WarGaming. The game utilizes Wargaming.net’s high-performance 3D engine giving revolutionary look and feel to turn based global-scale games. The gameplay is smooth and easy-to-learn... Check out some new screens below and sign up for their concept test !

Infogrames, Inc. has announced the release of Steel Tide and Pacific Gunner, two new games for the PC, steeped in fast-paced, authentic battle action. Pacific Gunner (MSRP $19.99) brings fast-paced WWII arcade-style warfare against wave after wave of Japanese attacks in the Pacific and Steel Tide (MSRP $19.99) is high seas naval warfare at its best. The game follows the exploits of the R.M.S. Triumphant, a highly modified T-class submarine armed to the teeth with devastating torpedoes, blistering anti-aircraft and a powerful deck gun.

The official website for EA's 3D RTS Command & Conquer Generals is now online, loaded with screenshots, wallpapers and detailed information about the the powerful U.S. forces, the vast Chinese war machine, the resourceful Global Liberation Army and much more!

We at Worthplaying wish all our readers, fans and outer space visitors a very Merry Christmas. Hope Santa brought all the games you wished for, and may the coming year be merry for everybody! It's been a long year with loads of goodies, and we have PLENTY more in store for you in the coming year. Thank you for sticking around, spread the word, and let's make things even better! News will be few, as you have undoubtedly noticed, but we will do our best to round up whatever we can find. Our new/faster/bigger and better link deal is secured, and we should hopefully be seeing the results in a few days! In the meantime, Njoy the Holidays!

Highland Warriors is the epic story of bloody feuds, Scottish patriotism and English Invaders begins with the original founding of Scotland around 850 AD and peaks with the fight for independence during the 13th / 14th century. Play as one of three Scottish clans or risk your life for the British Crown in 35 historically founded missions. Highland Warriors also supports up to eight players through the Internet or LAN. As Christmas gift, Soft Enterprises and Data Becker have released an updated demo for their upcoming 3D real-time strategy game Highland Warriors. This demo includes two single player missions from the Mackay and Cameron clans.

Westwood Studios has released the fifth and final map pack for Yuri's Revenge, adding not the usual pair but five new maps to their Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 expansion. The five multiplayer maps are titled Deep Freeze, Spirit of Mojo One, Monster Movie, River Rampage, and Sink or Swim (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for details and links where to download ...

On a storm-swept ship, the adventure begins.You are the Queen of Halassar. Thousands have fought and died for you. Millions adore you as the “goddess reborn.” Your fate is written in the Book of the Prophets. You are the savior of all creation. But your enemies are strong. The King of Galdyr wants you dead. Sinister factions plot your downfall. The armies of Urath march on your borders. Below Munari City, the mysterious Unseen weave a dark conspiracy. And now one of your own has betrayed you. A thief robs your inner sanctum. Intrigue lures you to the Midnight Sea. In a howling tempest, your destiny begins to unfold.