The World of Warcraft forums have a new post regarding for the WoW beta end of January. "As many of you know, we are currently conducting an internal Alpha test for World of Warcraft. Our goal for this Alpha test is to provide the best possible experience for players when the Beta launches in early 2004. We would like to announce that sign-ups for the World of Warcraft Beta test will begin at the end of this month." To read more about it (as well as some statement about the alpha leak), head on over to the WorldOfwar forum.

Strategy First has released the first patch for The Disciples II RPG expansion pack Disciples II: Rise of the Elves. This update brings your retail game to v3.01 and addresses some AI issues, game continuity, units balancing and various other fixes (thanks Blues). Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

Hostile Intent is a Total Conversion for Half-life that rose from the ashes from The Sherman Project. Every original feature for The Sherman Project is still in, but the new team has thought of many new original ideas and concepts. The HI Team has released a new patch (available for Windows & Linux) addressing several issues such as telefragging, updated maps and a few other things. Read more for details & download links ...

Gamers who always wanted to play a Massively Multiplayer Online Game but were put off by the costs should take a look at BiosFear, Tiscali Games' forthcoming realease. No need to spend your hard-earned money on the software - the client is free. Also, monthly subscription fees will be cheaper than most other MMORPGs. Combine this with BiosFear's easy accessibility and you have the ideal game for online-gaming beginners. But veterans needn’t panic – there is more than enough hard fighting action to keep your blade sharp!

Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. today announced that total sales for the nine- week holiday period ended January 3, 2004 grew 24.4 percent to $544.4 million, up from $437.6 million for the same period a year ago. Comparable store sales increased by 2.5 percent for the nine-week period, outpacing the company's forecast. Read more for details ...

Diversions Entertainment has issued the first patch for their 3D fighting/action game One Must Fall: Battlegrounds. This upgrade brings your retail game to v2101, no details as to what it fixes are available (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for download links ...

From the far corners of Middle-earth, new adventures come forth to face the growing evil in the East. The forces of Mordor are mobilizing as the Nazgül hunt for the One Ring. The land itself is in peril and its fate lies in the hands of those who possess it. Adventuring alone or in groups, join thousands of players online in the massive world that is Middle-earth. Support the forces of good in an epic struggle to drive back the forces of Sauron. This is Middle-Earth Online, your home in the world of Tolkien. Read more to check some screens ...

Flat-Out is an adrenaline-inducing racing game with an exciting story line, spectacular crashes and a not-too-serious attitude in the best movie-like fashion. The thrill and terror of racing light, cheap and often very dented cars in constant close proximity and contact with other cars brings out the white-knuckled racing spirit as the player faces rapidly changing situations. In third-person mode, the player can rummage around the pit area eyeing out competitor's cars, stop by at a bar for the latest gossip, fix and tune his car and interact with the other in-game characters, carrying out short missions related to the story behind the player's character.

Face of Mankind is a massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG) in a persistent world. Thousands of players throughout the world can compete in a realistic and futuristic world of the 24th century. It combines an epic story-driven mission system over years with a complex economic system which can also affect the story deeply. Face of Mankind tells the epic story of good and evil, justice and intrigues where we have to find our destiny.

Far Cry is set around 2020 on a set of tropical islands in the pacific. And has a strong tropical-paradise feel, scenic in its beauty, but, harbors a terrible threat. It is a mix of jungle / primal / and next-gen technology. As the player you find yourself drawn into a secretive plot involving secret research facilities with scientists involved in military genetic-research, a secret "security" force of mercenaries, and, advanced next-generation weaponry and equipment. Check these new screens...