Several weeks ago we revealed that EA would start its BFME II multiplayer beta test mid December, and EA just announced it has now gone live. People who pre-order the game can join in and check out the sequel before anybody else, until the game ships somewhere early 2006. This online multiplayer beta includes two out of the six factions (Dwarves and Goblins), playable on two brand new maps (Harlindon and Withered Heath.) If you haven't done so yet, you can pre-order at EBGames or Gamestop.

This Call of Duty 2 update is recommended for Win2K/XP users with Intel Hyper-Threading Technology enabled processors, multiple processors, or systems with a dual core processor. This update will bring any supported version of Call of Duty 2 up to v1.01, and will not affect pure server, nor your ability to join or host multiplayer games with v1.0 players.

At the Sony 2005 pre-e3 event, Epic's Tim Sweeney showed off an FPS demo without revealing which title it may be. In July Sony announced it had licensed the Unreal Engine 3 for the PS3 platform, bringing a possible UT2007 release closer to reality. PlayStation Magazine's January 2006 issue now not only confirms UT 2007's arrival on Sony's next-gen console, but also reveals that it will be a launch title and so far is tentatively scheduled for Spring 2006. Epic is also working on another Unreal Engine 3 title, Gears of War, exclusively on X360.

Activision and Infinity Ward today announced plans to release new multiplayer maps as part of a Call of Duty 2 PC update that will also include PunkBuster anti-cheat software and additional support enhancements. The patch is scheduled for release in early 2006, and we will, of course, have it available on our fileserver network as soon as it's released.

Dungeons & Dragons Online will provide players with the definitive online D&D experience, complete with dramatic dungeon crawling, terrifying monster combat and challenging puzzles, character advancement and guild-based power struggles. D&DO: Stormreach will be the first MMORPG to offer integrated voice chat.

With England's World Cup win raising the profile of the sport throughout the UK, bringing with it an influx of more than 50,000 new players since the victory, Pro Rugby Manager is sure to entice fans with its complete and in-depth rugby gameplay, for the rock-bottom price of just £9.99.

With Act of War: High Treason Eugen Systems and Atari are introducing a massive amount of new features and content to enhance and extend the overall experience. High Treason will expand into naval warfare with over a dozen different vessels, such as AEGIS cruisers, frigates, aircraft carriers and submarines. Less scripting, better AI and camera handling.

Paradox Interactive announced that they will be publishing the North American release of two titles from pan-European publisher Deep Silver, Rush for Berlin and Heart of Empire: Rome, both scheduled for Q2 2006.

Valve's SteamPowered website has been updated with details regarding the latest update for its online delivery system Steam. As promised this release add two new models (G.I.G.N and Guerilla), a nade exploit, bot fixes, and various other tweaks and fixes. Just restart Steam for the effects to take place.

Bone: Out from Boneville developer Telltale Games is pleased to announce a multi-title agreement with Big Fish Games to bring retail caliber games direct to consumers over the Internet

Epic Games and Icculus have released a new patch for Epic's sci-fi FPS Unreal Tournament 2004. The Win32 patch contains 2 .DLL files (core.dll and engine.dll) that fixes a server crashing exploit active in the cheating community, while the v3369.2 linux patch has a server exploit fixed for both architectures, and compiler optimizations reenabled for amd64 (they got turned off by accident in 3369.1). Read more for detailed fix list and download links.

For the first time, experience every moment of one of the most popular role-playing adventures ever created. The entire Neverwinter Nights catalog — every challenge, every battle, every update — is now available to RPG fans in one complete package, including Bioware’s Aurora Toolset for easy module creation.

Kingdom Hearts II follows Sora, Donald, and Goofy on their continuing quest to find their friends and King Mickey. Sora and friends are joined by a vibrant new cast of characters, including the king himself! In the effort to help Mulan and stop the villain Hades' devious plots, they will encounter countless dangers both familiar and brand-new.

XSEED announced today that its RPG Wild Arms 4 will ship to North American outlets January 1, 2006. Wild Arms 4 follows the journey of four teenagers as they reshape the future of Filgaia, featuring a new cast of characters, an original storyline, and a new strategic battle system, it appeals to new players of the series while fans will instantly recognize the mainstays of the Wild Arms world of Filgaia.

ALTAR games, Black Element Software and Bohemia Interactive Studio, three independent game developers, announced the creation of the Independent DEvelopers Association today. The point of the association is to give indie developers a better change to compete with big publishers by combining resources.

Reuters is reporting that Sony is on track to double the number of PSP's sold in North America to around 6 million at the end of its first holiday season this year. Although nowhere near the appeal of Apple's iPods, the paperback-sized video game device has increasingly won over movie fans, citing its long load times and akward mini joystick as drawbacks.

Valve lastest Steam Update has a few details on what to expect before the end of 2005. Next week Valve will release two new player models, one for each team, released for Counter-Strike: Source, as well as an update to Day of Defeat: Source, which will include a number of small changes. Early next year we can expect a completely rebuilt version of cs_milita. There is also a mention of Introversion's strategy/adventure Darwinia's four IGF nominations.

Fantasy Earth: Ring of Domination is Square Enix's latest MMORPG which will try to combine RTS, RPG and Action, allowing you to forge alliances, build fortresses and citadels and duke it out with your allies against huge armies. Originally announced in 2004, Fantasy Earth has recently entered its beta phase and is scheduled for released in Japan on February 23.

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences announced today that it has added Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime, Valve's Gabe Newell and several others to the all-star lineup of speakers for the 2006 D.I.C.E. Summit which takes place at the Green Valley Ranch Hotel in Las Vegas February 8 – 10.

BFME 2 takes part in the North where a battle is raging between Sauron's forces vs. elves and dwarves. It will be possible to create/customize your own hero, apart from known figures such as Arwin, and become more powerful as you progress in the game. While BFME was all land based, the sequel will also take the action on the sea, naval battles included.

Empire Earth II: The Art of Supremacy will return gamers to the front lines of the greatest battles in history with new civilizations at their command, new campaigns and a host of new features that make this year's best strategy game more addicting than ever. Bold victories on far-off battlefields, from wintry Russian plains to scorching African deserts, will establish the player's undisputable reputation as the world's greatest leader – past, present and future.

Galactic Civilizations II takes place in the distant future, when mankind has become a space-faring civilization and must contend with other extraterrestrial powers for domination of the galaxy. The sequel is a true evolution for the series, with rethought fundamentals and exciting new changes.

Dreamcatcher announced today that Painkiller: Hell Wars is scheduled to ship to stores February 28, 2006. Painkiller is a first-person horror shooter, designed to satisfy the gamer's hunger for intense, fast-paced action. You are Painkiller, a mercenary for hire, charged with cleaning out nests of the undead. But an unholy pact with a demon unknowingly puts you square in the middle of a fight for control of the underworld... with the future of humanity hanging in the balance.

A Texas Hold 'em game that captures the spirit of the professional poker tour, Stacked utilizes an advanced learning artificial intelligence system that adapts to each player's style of play and a detailed tutorial mode to deliver a thrilling and realistic poker experience.

CDV and developer Deck 13 are delighted to announce their joint publishing agreement for Jack Keane (working title), a classical adventure game for the PC. Slated for a Q1 2007 retail release, this game will highlight Deck 13's newest technology as the player guides hero Jack Keane to face some of his toughest challenges yet.