Ubisoft has released the first patch for Infinite Interactive's strategy title Warlords IV: Heroes of Etheria (US version only). This upgrade brings your retail game to v1.01 and mainly addresses a few crashing issues and other bugs. Read more for download links ...

Atari today announced that the Magic: The Gathering ­ Battlegrounds for the Xbox and PC has gone gold. Developed for Atari by Secret Level, Magic: The Gathering ­ Battlegrounds is set for a November 18th release date. Magic: The Gathering ­ Battlegrounds is based on the incredibly popular trading card game created by Wizards of the Coast. The game is filled with faithful card game translations of classic creatures, spells and enchantments and presented in a visually stunning 3D game environment rife with real-time strategic fighting, devastating wizard arsenals and intense creature combat.

Microsoft Game Studios and Valve today announced that Counter-Strike for Xbox has gone gold and will arrive on store shelves on November 18 for an estimated retail price of $49.99 (U.S.). Counter-Strike makes its explosive console debut exclusively on Xbox and Xbox Live. Counter-Strike on Xbox will be the most graphically advanced version of the series to date and has a host of Xbox-exclusive console content, including seven never-before-seen multiplayer maps, one new counter-terrorist team, one new terrorist team and downloadable maps via Xbox Live.

German developer Interactive Strip is at it again with Airline 69: Back To Casablanca. After their last erotic trip in Wet: The Sexy Empire, distributed by CDV, they are now selfpublishing "Airline 69: Return to Casablanca" under Redfire Software. Featuring Penthouse model Sasha Woman this erotic/comic style game, tons of exocitc locations & adventures. Read more for some screens or download the trailer. Beware: Adult content.

Vivendi Universal Games and Interplay Entertainment Corp. announced today that they have resolved all prior legal disputes and will resume the distribution contract signed in August 2002. Accordingly, VU Games will distribute Interplay's Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel in North America and Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan). VU Games will also retain exclusive distribution rights in these regions for all future Interplay titles through August 2005.

Nyko Technologies has shipped its iType2 Controller with Mini-Keyboard for PlayStation 2 to major retail outlets and specialty electronics stores. Officially licensed by Sony Computer Entertainment America, the iType2 features a mini-keyboard built directly into the pad and allows players to chat, share information and type messages to other players - with no interruptions in gameplay. Nyko's new product will sell for $39.99 MSRP.

Eidos and Sports Interactive announce that Championship Manager: Season 03/04 has 'gone gold' and will be released on 21st November. At the same time SIGames has released a fully functional but time limited (6 months) demo. Read more for facts and download links!

Strategy First and Made by KIDDIES are pleased to announce they have teamed up once more to bring the PC arcade shooter hit, Alien Blast: The Encounter to North American retail shelves. Read more for details & screens ...

FIFA Soccer 2004, the deep and authentic videogame from Electronic Arts that allows users to play the world's most popular sport with the world's greatest teams and players, is now available in stores under the EA SPORTS brand. Complete with the revolutionary new Off The Ball Control, comprehensive game modes, and benchmark presentation, FIFA Soccer 2004 offers the most authentic soccer gaming experience available.

Jester is pleased to announce details of its forthcoming title Isle of Man TT Superbikes. The game will be based on the number one road race in the world for Playstation 2 and will be released in the first quarter of 2004. With its extreme road racing, fantastic environment, and dare devil tactics that Surrounds the event; the TT is a perfect match for video games. The Isle Of Man TT will be the definitive game in terms of playability, graphical elements, fun, and realism. At the same time engrossing the users in gameplay brimming with rewards and replay value. Read more for info & screens...

Take a band of gun-toting rebels -a robot, a madman, a mole and a criminal mastermind. Put them in a vividly stunning fantasy realm. Then give them an impossible mission - pulling off the biggest heist of all time in the middle of a war. All you have to do is battle your way through dastardly enemies, giant war machines and an army of psychopathic robots. But don't worry; you have plenty of ammo and absolutely no common sense. Victory is yours in 12,000 bullets or less! Read more for the full preview ...

EA has released the promised C&C Generals update patch (English, French and German version) bringing your retail game to v1.07. This upgrade adresses various crash & desynch problems, makes some gameplay tweaks, adds firewall options, etc. Read more for detailed fix list download links ...

Another day, another batch of game trailers were released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for :

• Firestarter - Trailer
• MTX Mototrax - Trailer
• The Hobbit - Trailer
• Battlestar Galactica - Trailer
• Metal Arms: Glitch In The System - Trailer
• Lord of the Rings: Return Of The King - Trailer
• Deus Ex 2 - Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Atari today announced that the Magic: The Gathering ­ Battlegrounds web site has gone live. Developed for Atari by Secret Level for the Xbox and PC, and set for a November 18th release date Magic: The Gathering ­ Battlegrounds is based on the incredibly popular trading card game created by Wizards of the Coast. The game is filled with faithful card game translations of classic creatures, spells and enchantments and presented in a visually stunning 3D game environment rife with real-time strategic fighting, devastating wizard arsenals and intense creature combat. You cna also check our recent MTG: Battlegrounds preview for more details & screens...

Neverwinter Nights, developed by BioWare Corp. and published by Atari, under license from Hasbro, Inc., has captured the minds and hearts of PC gamers worldwide with one of the most captivating Dungeons & Dragons role-playing experiences to ever grace a computer screen. Based in the Forgotten Realms, created and published by Wizards of the Coast, the Neverwinter Nights Gold Edition game gives gamers a chance to rediscover the magic, extend the experience or even explore it anew.

Davilex Games is proud to announce the filming of Autobahn Raser by Germany´s marketleading independent filmproducer and distributor, Constantin Film in Germany. Autobahn Raser has become a massively popular game franchise in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The 5th sequel, Autobahn Raser World Challenge, has recently been released in these territories on PC CDROM and PS2 formats.

Hidden & Dangerous 2 puts you in charge of a squad of lethal SAS troopers. Set over European, African and Asian continents and reflecting the theaters of war where the SAS operated, Hidden & Dangerous 2 will be every bit as groundbreaking as the original game. Illusion Softworks released promised patch for their tactical action/strategy bringing your retail game to v1.02. This upgrade adresses a ton of single & multiplayer issues, as well as some general game improvements (thanks jd/tiscali). Read more for detailed fix list & download links ...

Can you save the world from the ICEWorm microchip? You are special agent Ethan Hunt — back to battle international espionage as the fate of the free world hangs in the balance! A microchip nicknamed ICEWorm is disabling the security systems of the world’s largest organizations, and providing free access to the highest bidder. Your mission – should you choose to accept it – is to destroy the chip and prevent its creators from bringing the free world to its knees. Serving up today are some new PS2/Xbox screens...

Enter the world of urban street racing and high performance tuner cars with the latest title in the hit Need for Speed series: Need for Speed Underground. Take on today's most popular tuner cars from Mitsubishi Motors, Subaru, Toyota and many more, building the ultimate street machine by earning cash to pay for custom body kits and a host of licensed car performance mods. EA has released a demo for EA Black Box's Need For Speed: Underground letting you try out a 1 lap circuit race or single drag race, in both single or multiplayer (up to 4 racers) mode. Read more for download links ...

Cold Winter is set in a dark world of global espionage, full of international intrigue, action and suspense. This story of a disavowed secret agent unfolds through three different threads and takes place in eight distinct environments that are as gritty as they are beautiful. 13 single player missions are woven into the three story threads of the game; Cold Winter will also incorporate a variety of immersive environments, from the dank hopelessness of a Chinese prison, to the exotic beauty of cities like Cairo and Hong Kong. Read more for a fresh batch of screens ...

NASCAR Thunder 2004 puts gamers behind the wheel in a world where grudges and alliances mean the difference between victory lane and disaster. You're no longer just racing a track, you're racing a pack of 42 real world stars who think for themselves, remember your every move, and aren't afraid to pay you back. Revenge may be around the next corner or at the next race, as you scream through 23 authentic tracks or hone your road racing skills on 11 fantasy tracks. Electronic Arts has released a demo for EA Tiburon's racing sim Nascar Thunder 2004 giving you the chancve to try out 2 tracks (Texas, Talladega) in both single or multiplayer. Read more for download links ...

Another day, another batch of game trailers were released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for :

• Need For Speed - Trailer
• XIII - Trailer
• Sonic Heroes - Trailer
• NBA Live 2004 - Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

SEGA’s legendary mascot Sonic The Hedgehog makes his historic multi-platform debut and embarks on his biggest adventure ever, with his trademark blazing speed and a new gameplay twist in “Sonic Heroes.” Read more for 40+ new screens or check the new trailer...

Sigil Games Online, Inc. today announced that Kevin McPherson, one of the first programmers assigned to the original "EverQuest" team and author of the "Ruins of Kunark" back story and setting, has accepted the position of Senior Programmer with the company. With over seven years of experience in the game industry, McPherson adds his expertise to Sigil's growing team of all-star massively multiplayer online game developers.

Encore today announced that Fugitive Hunter: War on Terror for the PlayStation2 has reached gold master status and is expected on store shelves before Thanksgiving. Fugitive Hunter: War on Terror blends first-person shooter (FPS) and fighter genres in a hunt for terrorists and other criminals; in one of the key missions, players track and capture Osama bin Laden - America's most wanted terrorist.