Namco Hometek Inc. announced today that Pac-Man vs. has begun shipping to retail outlets nationwide. Packaged with Pac-Man World2, the newest entry into the Player’s Choice library, Pac-Man vs. is now available exclusively for the GameCube and uses the special connectivity feature to link the Game Boy Advance to the Nintendo GameCube. With an MSRP of $19.95 and rated E for Everyone, Pac-Man vs. brings an old favorite back to the limelight just in time for the Holiday season.

Atari has released a new update patch for the latest installment in Sid Meiers strategy franchise Civilizations III: Conquests. This upgrade (suitable for the English, German, Italian, Spanish, and French versions of the game) brings your retail game to v1.02 and addresses a few minor bugs (thanks Blues). Read more for details and download links ...

Eidos has released a new patch for Pyro Studios' squad-based tactical strategy game Commandos 3: Destination Berlin. This upgrade brings your retail game to v1.42 and addresses a slew of bugs, tweaks, gameplay & multiplayer issues and several mission problems (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for details and download links ...

You are Paul de Raque, Knight of the Temple, as you set out on a holy crusade across a forbidding, mediaeval Europe to join your order in the Holy Land. Armed with your sword, axe, bow and shield, you must fight with all your strength to complete your journey, for saving the future of the world is your ultimate goal! The core of the game is medieval style fighting with the classical weapons of European knights, coupled with stunning graphics of the historical milieus of the 12th century crusades (thanks GenGamers). Check the new screens ...

The Sims Bustin' Out features an all-new neighborhood with over a dozen new unlockable locations and a cast of over 40 new zany characters to socialize with. Players will purchase a car or scooter in order to get out of the house and head to the Gym to work out with exercise fanatic Goldie Toane or to Club Rubb to rave with club owner Bing Bling. Players will be able to crash parties, create havoc, or just drive their neighbors crazy! Read more for some new screens ...

Enlight Software has released a demo for their upcoming 3D action/strategy title 'Wars and Warriors: Joan of Arc'. The demo was included on the North American retail version of EgoSoft/Enlight's X2: The Threat. The demo lets you try out the 'The Arrival at Orleans' tutorial as well as the 'Imperial Counterattack' mission. Read more for download links ...

Gamespot has the rumour mill going with a follow up on a report from fan site Theforce.net, as they seem to have confirmation from LucasArts that a Battlefield 1942 type multiplayer game set in the Star Wars universe is under development. Star Wars: Battlefront, a Battlefield: 1942 style is said to be in the works for PS2, Xbox as well as the PC, more details (and an official confirmation are expected early next year).

DAS Entertainment is pleased to announce that it has signed a deal to acquire the Freedom Games development studio. DAS Entertainment will continue to support and develop the Squad Assault series, which started with Eric Young's Squad Assault: West Front, released this month to retail stores. DAS Entertainment also plans to use the Freedom Games brand to bring its own titles to the retail gaming market.

Mythic Entertainment, developer and publisher of the award-winning massively multiplayer online role-playing game "Dark Age of Camelot," today announced that, for the first time, a one-week trial copy of the critically-acclaimed "Dark Age of Camelot" is available free with the January issue of Computer Gaming World.