Valve has released a new Half-Life 2: Deathmatch map, dm_runoff, which is now available via Steam. If you have HL2:DM installed in your Steam games list, you will receive the new maps automatically. This release also includes a Source Engine update which moves default Steam port to 27009 (UDP) from 27030. Use -steamport to override this setting.

THQ and Relic Entertainment today announced their latest RTS game Company of Heroes. A real-time strategy game set in World War II, Company of Heroes brings to life, in full cinematic detail, the greatest war mankind has ever known. Scheduled to release worldwide in 2006, the game will make its public debut at the E3 in May. Read more for details and the first screens ...

Get behind the wheel and experience the sensation of racing actual cars. As in the real world, Enthusia emphasizes pure driving skills and ensures that winning is a result of ability rather than how much money has been spent tuning a car. Maintaining a subtle balance between the power of the car and the driver’s skill, Enthusia promises to deliver the ultimate driving experience for racing fans of all abilities.

Valve released some information about future Steam updates for HL2 and CS Source. On Monday Valve will release a new Half-Life 2: Deathmatch map, dm_runoff, inspired by a Half-Life 1 favorite, Crossfire. They are also working on an all-new Counter-Strike map, de_port, and to make people familiar with the design intentions Valve has put up a page that outlines six different strategies to try once the map is available. The release of the new CSS map isnt for another few weeks, but will be accompagined by a redone de_inferno map.

With The Sims 2 Nightlife, players will be able to take their Sims out to hit all the swanky hot spots in the all new downtown location and spice up their lives with an all new dating gameplay and a new life goal focused on pleasure seeking.

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is a third-person action/adventure game, delivering the ultimate Jedi action experience as Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi join forces in fierce battles and heroic lightsaber duels until one's lust for power and the other's devotion to duty leads to a final confrontation between good and evil. Scheduled for release on on May 5, 2005 on PS2 and Xbox. LucasArts has finally released additional info on the storyline and features we can expect in the imminent game.

Paving the way for SCi's takeover, Gamindustry.biz is reporting that Elevation Partners has withdrawn from the bidding race to take over ailing developer/publisher Eidos. Former EA president John Riccitiello made a statement this morning that they would no longer be pursuing avenues to invest, clearing the path for shareholders to accept SCi's offer instead. Once ratified, SCi already promised it would restructure Eidos from the top down, and transforms the studio according to its own model, as it has done with Oivotal, known for its Conflict franchise.

Playboy.com today has announced its next step in delivering digital and downloadable beauties with the launch of its newest feature "PlayboyStation Portable." Playboy.com has created a sci-fi themed pictorial of the Cyber Girl of the Year 2005 Amy Sue Cooper that was photographed and formatted specifically for viewing on this device.

The game puts the player inside the action of the hit TV show, and features 12 spine-tingling stunts that will test gamers' steadiness, stomachs and nerve. Players can choose to play Fear Factor: Unleashed single player mode, where they will face five other competitors in an intense three-challenge contest to crown a winner.

Cold Fear is a first action-horror title with both action and horror, delivering an action-packed, tension-filled gaming experience. Players step into the role of Tom Hansen, a U.S. Coast Guard who is sent to board a drifting Russian whaling ship in the middle of a howling storm on the Bering Sea, who will discover there is no safe place here. On this constantly rocking and shifting ship and a mysterious oil rig, players must turn their interactive surroundings to their advantage to take down human enemies – and enemies that aren't human any more - and save their own life.

Omni Interactive Audio today revealed they have signed an ongoing, long-term deal to create and integrate all the sound effects for future chapters of Guild Wars, the new online role playing game developed by ArenaNet and published by NCSoft.

Risk Your Life is a persistent universe or role-playing game (RPG). In the game, players assume the role of a Warrior, Cleric, Wizard, or Thief (over 20 classes) and explore the many beautiful and exotic locations within the game where they meet other players, complete quests, fight monsters and other players. Massively multiplayer online games are computer games in which thousands of players can play simultaneously through the Internet.

The Adventure Company today announced Still Life has shipped to retailers across North America. Developed by awarding-winning adventure game creators, Microids, this investigative thriller is available for PC.

Get behind the wheel and experience the sensation of racing actual cars. As in the real world, Enthusia emphasizes pure driving skills and ensures that winning is a result of ability rather than how much money has been spent tuning a car. Maintaining a subtle balance between the power of the car and the driver’s skill, Enthusia promises to deliver the ultimate driving experience for racing fans of all abilities.

Valve has released three new Half-Life 2: Deathmatch maps, which are now available via Steam. These maps were created by the three players who won our recent HL2:DM mapping contest. If you have HL2:DM installed in your Steam games list, you will receive the new maps automatically. This release also includes a Counter-Strike: Source update which fixes incorrect player names appearing in the scoreboard.

Activision has released updated source code for Splash Damage's free team-based multiplayer FPS Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory. This release contains all the game source code, header files, menu definitions and other files that all you Enemy Territory modders might need to get to work, and is updated with the latest v2.60 ET client patches. Read more for details and download links ...

Game Factory Interactive has released the first details for MiST Land South's Jagged Alliance 3D. Taking place in West Africa, you are contacted to intervene in a nuclear arms race which could destabilize the region. You are sent in to overthrow the government and restore stability in the area, but of course the current rulers are not going to let that happen without a fight. Read more for game details, features and a new screen.

The latest issue of PC Gamer UK has no less than 10 pages dedicated to what now seems to be a confirmation on the next (and no doubt, one of many) Half-Life 2 expansion pack. Half Life 2: Aftermath will pick up where the original left off and, as has been rumored for a while, will feature an all-new story line with the focus on Alyx, although not necessarily alongside Gordon Freeman. While no release date has been set, strong indications are that it may only be available through Valve's online delivery system, Steam (thanks ve3d). You can read more about it over at EuroGamer, who has reprinted some of the article content.

Crime Life: Gang Wars is a free roaming crime based beat em up. Mixing action and strategy elements within a gritty, detailed storyline to explore modern-day urban gang culture, the player is cast as a small-time homie who must work their way through the ranks to become a gang leader.

JoWooD has released a new patch for their wildlife sim game, Wildlife Park. This update brings your German retail game to v1.19 and addresses various little problems, but mainly addresses an issue where Grizzlies could not procreate. Read more for a detailed fix list and download links ...

In the ongoing drama surrounding the Eidos take-over, it now seems we may finally be coming to a close. Where initially Eidos announced a deal with Bono's Elevation investment group, SCi quickly made a counter offer which is gaining more and more momentum. Today Board of Eidos plc has undertaken further discussions and due diligence with both the Board of SCi Entertainment in relation to SCi's share offer of one SCi share per six Eidos shares and Elevation Partners, L.P. in relation to Elevation's cash offer of 50 pence per Eidos share.

Konami of Europe has announced a collaboration with leading Hip Hop collective D12, and a soundtrack that will feature a wide array of musical talent and styles, for its forthcoming Crime Life: Gang Wars title. Read more for details ...

Infected, under development at Planet Moon Studios, is a thrilling new run-and-gun shooter that allows players' avatars to invade opponents' PSP systems via multiplayer victories. Infected is scheduled to ship this fall and is the first release in an exclusive three game PSP deal between Majesco and Planet Moon Studios.

EA announced today that The Sims 2 Nightlife is under development from Maxis studio. With The Sims 2 Nightlife, players will be able to take their Sims out to hit all the swanky hot spots in the all new downtown location and spice up their lives with an all new dating gameplay and a new life goal focused on pleasure seeking.

Cold Fear is a first action-horror title with both action and horror, delivering an action-packed, tension-filled gaming experience. Players step into the role of Tom Hansen, a U.S. Coast Guard who is sent to board a drifting Russian whaling ship in the middle of a howling storm on the Bering Sea, who will discover there is no safe place here. On this constantly rocking and shifting ship and a mysterious oil rig, players must turn their interactive surroundings to their advantage to take down human enemies – and enemies that aren't human any more - and save their own life.