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 ...

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 ...

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.