Linden Lab today introduced Second Life v1.1, an updated version of the acclaimed online world created by and for its residents. Second Life v1.1 includes more detailed and realistic 3D landscapes, an improved mapping and navigation system, an economic system that allows groups of residents to jointly own and govern land, and the ability to create and drive a variety of vehicles. The Second Life v1.1 upgrade is available today to current residents. New residents can experience Second Life through a free 7-day trial by registering at the official Second Life website.

Noticed on VE3D that EA has updated the official Battlefield 1942 site with a new community update. This week the impending 1.4 patch is discussed further: Here are more features that you can look forward to in the 1.4 patch:

• New and improved sounds in 1st person view, such as increased volume of impacts, louder grenade explosions and a new sound for the Axis Assault rifle STG44
• Scoreboard now shows current server's name, IP address and map name. Scoreboard also shows each player's ID number, which is used for creating your buddy list/voting to kick a player
• Rear gunner for Stuka/SBD/Ai-chi-val now has crosshair. Incremental patching will be available for clients (smaller 1.31-1.4 download)
• Added a new blood effect for additional feedback when you are hitting another soldier

Much, much more.

Kenn Hoekstra send out word that he posted an update on the RavenSoft forums giving some more details about what we can expect in 'Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy'. ReavenSoft is working on the title for LucasArts (NA) and Activision (world wide). He gives details about multiplayer, engine, AI and so on .. Check it out!

Lionhead Studios is delighted to announce a collaborative project between two of the games industry's most respected veterans, Peter Molyneux and Jeff Minter... Lionhead Studios will work closely with Minter on a new game, "Unity" which is being developed for the Nintendo Gamecube, a new development platform for Lionhead Studios. Day to day development of Unity will take place in Minter's welsh studio, but he will have access to all Lionhead resources including audio, game testing, production and PR.

Liquid Entertainment developer "Ed Del Castillo" will be personally available for a community chat session on Nov20th at 19:00h to answer questions about the recently released Battle Realms add-on, Winter Of The Wolf. If you want to attend, here is the info : Server: DALNet, Channel: #wow-chat, Nov 20th at 19:00 Hrs.

The community chat organized by the Nexus and the GDC which was originally scheduled for this Sunday past, has been moved to tonight at 8pm EST. The topic will be: "What is the player community's Next Step? How can the community of players, DMs, and Creators best organize themselves to provide quality gaming experiences for as many people as possible?" Find out more below! (thanks Neverwinter Vault)

UPDATE: 'Neverwinter Haven Beta Contest' Neverwinter haven is proud to present a Beta Contest for 2 spots in the Neverwinter Beta. Time is of the essence contest Ends JUNE 2nd. More about beta test here!

It's time for a new 1503 A.D Community update, A King's Tale - Part XVIII: A Trip into the Cold.. Here is a clip from it:

"I am still trying to push aside those sinister pictures of the human bones inside the Aztec pyramid." Jeremy nods in affirmation, as we sit and wince into the rising sun outside Zang Phoon's open door. "This religion Zang Phoon is practicing is really unusual. At least we now know that Tezcatlipoca is one of his Gods." Take me there!

TimeGate Studios announced their recent efforts to further develop and strengthen the Kohan community, since the release of Kohan: Ahriman's Gift earlier this month.