Vivendi has released the first patch for Massive Entertainment's recently released 3D RTS Ground Control II: Operation Exodus. This US/UK patch brings your retail game to v1.0.0.7 and adds automatic content/map download when joining a multiplayer server, Record & Replay feature, GUI optimization, various bug fixes, game balancing, etc. Read more for detailed fix list and download links...

More Doom 3 release date speculations have surfaced today as both EBGames and Gamestop are listing an August 3rd release date for the PC version of Activision/Id Software's DOOM 3. Going an extra step further Gamestop even claims "Official launch date of August 3rd, 2004 confirmed!". We tried to contact several Activision PR people and everywhere we got the same "no comment".

'Road 666: Deathlands', under development at Psycho Craft Studio, is an arcade car shooter. The gamer is one of the new world explorers where you get the opportunity to earn money on the armed car. But danger and lots of enemies are waiting for him in the new world. The gameplay is divided into sequence of missions. During the missions the gamer gets credits for enemy kills and bonus catching. Between missions the car can be upgraded in the shop. Read more for details, screens & trailer...

Vivendi announced today that Ground Control II: Operation Exodus has shipped to retail stores nationwide. Ground Control II: Operation Exodus focuses on tactical combat with minimal time spent on resource management. Instead of harvesting resources and building bases, the game keeps the action hot and heavy by immediately rewarding players for accomplishing objectives. Additionally, the unique multiplayer drop-in mode allows players to instantly join an ongoing game at any time, for any length of time.

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

• D-Day - Trailer #3
• Shadow Hearts: Covenant - Trailer #2
• Nexuiz - Trailer #2

KumaWar, the revolutionary new online game service that allows players to experience re-creations of real war events weeks after they occur has released Fallujah Vigilant Resolve – its latest mission, based on U.S. Marine combat in the Iraqi city of Fallujah, Iraq. Read more for details & screens.

Warhammer 40,000; Dawn of War is the first real-time strategy title in THQ's agreement with industry-leading PC development studio Relic Entertainment Inc. Based on the world of Warhammer 40,000 - the dark, futuristic, fantasy universe traveled by millions worldwide from Games Workshop, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War is scheduled for release in fall 2004. Read more for the first development diary with Lead Designer Jay Wilson & 6 new screens...

Encore and Austria-based JoWooD Productions Software AG, today announced that Soldner: Secret Wars has shipped to retail stores in North America.

Ubisoft today announced that Chessmaster 10th Edition, the best-selling chess brand in history, will be available beginning August 10 for the PC at the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $39.99. A demo is also available giving you the chance to play for 8 hours in singleplayer mode and multiplayer is enabled. Read more for details, screens and download links ...

Yesterday a rumor started going around that the Xbox 2 would not be backwards compatible, but today TeamXbox got an official statement from Microsoft : “Recent stories in the press about future Xbox products are nothing more than pulp fiction. Microsoft hasn’t made any announcements regarding the next generation, so it’s far too early to speculate about specifics, including backward compatibility. In fact, this media conjecture is irresponsible. The credibility of any publication willing to compromise fact in favor of a catchy headline must be questioned. Xbox fans are smart enough to distinguish truth from sensational reporting.”