Gamers can suit up for top-secret covert operations with the release of Activision's highly anticipated first-person action game, Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix, for the Xbox. Based on the critically acclaimed PC title from Raven Software, the game features all of the intense, gritty action found in the original, plus full Xbox Live support for mayhem-packed, all-out multi-player combat. Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix for the Xbox is currently available at North American retail outlets for a suggested retail price of $49.99 and carries an "M" (Mature -- Blood, Violence -- content suitable for persons ages 17 and older) rating by the ESRB.

Moving 'off world', KOCH media is delighted to announce the signing of EGOSOFT's highly anticipated space flight / trading sim - X²: The Threat. With over two years of development time going into the project, the team at EGOSOFT have crafted a dynamic, active universe, in which to immerse the player. Tagged as the "21st Century Elite" by PC ZONE, the game has already received vast amounts of coverage; with press overwhelmed by the quality of graphics and depth of game play. Read more for details and a batch of new screens ...

Namco announced today that the company has signed a five-year exclusive licensing agreement with Hip Games for the rights to publish million unit-selling video game property, Dead to Rights for the PC. Hip Games will begin shipping Dead to Rights PC in North America in fall 2003. Dead to Rights PC will launch in Europe in October 2003 and will be distributed by L.S.P. Read more for details ...

GarageGames announced today it has begun shipping the company’s first two titles, Gadgets (formerly Chain Reaction) and Marble Blaster, to retailers throughout North America. The Windows versions of the games are being published and distributed by eGames through a licensing agreement with GarageGames.

And Patch Monday continues as JoWood has issued not one, but 2 patches for their just released FPS Chaser (only for UK, not available in the US yet). There's an install fix that needs to be run before re-attempting to install the game, and an executable (aka as .exe) fix that provides a new game executable in case the original won't launch the game (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for download links ...

FINAL FANTASY XI is a massively multiplayer online RPG which is already live in Japan and will be available in North America for both the PlayStation 2 console and PC. Square Enix USA in association with several online magazines is giving you the chance to win a spot on the beta test for FINAL FANTASY XI for PC. This giveaway is open only until 11:59pm on Wednesday, June 25th. While Gamespy only offers slots to its FilePlanet subscribers, Gamespot to its paid subscribers, IGN's Final Fantasy Vault offers the chance to all users, but you have to answer a 10 part questionnaire. If all of this is not enough, Stratics also seems to offer the beta to its paid members. And now also gfx card manufacturers Nvidia, as well as revil ATI are offering free slots,

Focus Interactive/Cyanide Studio have released the first patch for their recently released cycling simulation game Cycling Manager 3. This upgrade brings your retail game to v1.1b (beta, full version available next week) and fixes the 'time bug', adjusts some ratings, improves AI, fixes a few problems in editor etc. Read more for detailed fix list and download list.

Hot on the hells of last week's beta patch, Illusion Softworks has released now released another patch for their Vietnam based FPS Vietcong. This upgrade brings your retail game to v1.27b (beta) and details as to what this new version adresses are not available yet, last weeks improved anti-cheat protections, fixes & crashes, map problems, improves M60 aiming (thanks Unrealik). Read more for details and download links ...

Alienware is the first PC manufacturer to offer the new Klipsch GMX A-2.1 speakers. The GMX A-2.1 speakers deliver the dynamic sound quality and innovative design that Alienware customers demand. These state-of-the-art speakers are available now with all Alienware systems. Read more for details ...