Age of Empires III is an RTS set in 1500 A.D. and chronicles the Age of Discovery that started around the time that Columbus discovered the new world. Ensemble has released the manual version of the v1.04 which includes improve auto update, refresh button, resume button, bug fixes, and exploit fixes.

The MultiTheftAuto team released their popular Grand Theft Auto multiplayer mod, MTA: San Andreas. The initial release includes therace mod which allows up to 32 players to go heads-up in pre-made and custom user-created maps. MTA:SA includes a full-featured in-game map editor allowing users to create exciting new content by altering the GTA:SA world.

Sports Interactive have released a new patch for their latest hockey manager, bringing your retail game to v2.1.3 and addressing competition issues, engine updates, and several other adjustments. Read more for details and download links ...

SEGA has released a patch for the North American version of its retro gaming compilation Taito Legends, fixing a crash to desktop. Read more for download links ...

Wargaming opened their beta testing to the public offering everybody a chance to check out its strategy game. This beta demo features several tutorials, the online multiplayer mode, and 4 beautiful planets (out of 24 in release version).

CDV USA today announced an agreement with digital distribution outlet Trymedia Games, which will enable consumers to electronically download and purchase select CDV videogame titles. In addition, the service will allow consumers to try complete game versions before buying them.

Blizzard has yet again released a minor updated patch for good old Starcraft, and its expansion pack Brood War. The v1.13f patch fixes several bugs that contributed to game exploits. Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

LucasArts has released a singleplayer demo featuring five tutorials, and one galactic conquest map, although only a limited amount of units are available (thanks GameSpot). Read more for downlaod links ...

Ubisoft has released a Rainbow Six: Lockdown demo featuring 1 singleplayer mission (2 difficulty settings), as well as 1 multiplayer map, with 17 out of 42 weapons available.

Infinite Interactive's has released a new patch for its strategy title Warlords IV: Heroes of Etheria. This upgrade brings your retail game to v1.04 and includes the new Fog of War feature, AI improvements, game balance and even that time-honored favorite from Warlords 3: the Merchant who drops by to sell you magic items.

Sony still has not revised its April 2006 PS3 launch date, but analysts are starting to doubt the next-gen console will make it, saying instead that a late 2006 release would be more likely. Analysts point to the fact that the PS3 was not present at CES, only a few thousand dev kits have been sent out, next-gen titles normally take about 18 months to develop, and complexities of mass producing the PS3's high-tech Cell chip. Pacific Crest Securities analyst Evan Wilson predicts the PS3 may only be available in very small quantities, 1 million for Japan, and another million for North America, with Europe possibly not seeing any units until March 2007.

Slalom, Giant Slalom, Super-G and Downhill - you've got to master all disciplines to win the great crystal trophy at the end of the season. It's your turn to earn the world's attention! The mountains are waiting for you, the speed is amazing - and the race feeling incredible! Jowood has released the first patch addressing various multiplayer issues, adding a new skier, ingame advertising and various other tweaks.

MX vs. ATV Unleashed allows PC gamers to personalize their racing experience with an all-new track editor and race with a collection of new vehicles and chose between new tracks, challenges and mini-games. This demo features two tracks, playabe in one mode each, drivable in an MX or ATV, and a Monster Truck one-on-one challenge (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for download links ...

The stage is set at the burning Honnoji Temple, as the famous Onimusha warrior Samanosuke Akechi fights. As he faces the demons in front of him, Samanosuke is compelled to move forward by hatred for his true enemy, the undying Nobunaga Oda, ever pursuing his crazed ambition. Samanosuke prepares for the long-awaited final battle against Nobunaga. This demo features one mission playable with 2 different weapons.

Koch Media/JoWood have released a playable demo for Zootfly's WW2 based tank game Panzer Elite Action, featuring a specially crafted demo mission which does not appear in the game itself, mission zero. You play the commander of an allied platoon and you have to attack enemy tanks, fortifications, 88s and other German held positions.

In Knights of the Temple 2 players will join the ultimate battle of Paul de Raque, Grand Master of the Order of the Temple and hero of the first game, and the forces of Hell. Playlogic has released the first patch and fixes various bugs & game crashes, fixes, multiplayer problems, dead end possibilities and more ...

Ascaron has released the first patch for its trading/strategy game Tortuga: Pirates of the New World (distributed by Encore as Pirate Hunter in North America). This update brings your retail game to v1.1 and fixes a copy protection problem where the game refuses to start on certain machines with Windows XP and Service Pack 2 installed (thanks Patches).

BattleGoat Studios is pleased to announce that their critically acclaimed PC Strategy Game Supreme Ruler 2010 is now available for sale by digital download, and as part of the launch BattleGoat is giving a limited-time promotional code for a $10 discount off each order.

Falcon 4.0: Allied Force features extensive improvements in all areas including artificial intelligence, graphics, multiplayer, terrain and of course the stunning real time, fully dynamic campaign engine. This patch brings your retail game to v1.0.5and re-adds force feedback, fixes bugs & crashes, as well as avionics, weapons, campaign, cockpit/HUD etc.

Grey Dog Software announced the release of its college basketball simulation, Total College Basketball, offering sports management fans a fresh look at college hoops with its accurate simulation engine, in-depth recruiting, engaging interface and excellent balance of statistical detail and complete game immersion.

EA has released an updated mod tool kit for the community to start working on their own Battlefield 2 projects. This new version is specifically so that the creative minds out there can now make single player maps and Special Forces mods. Read more for download links ...

Digital Jesters has released a new patch for Cyanide's strategy game Chaos League: Sudden Death. This update brings your English, French or German retail game to v2.03, and adds multiplayer, management, UI optimizations and various fixes. Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

Since Troika is no longer amongst the living this patch is not official, so use at your own discretion. This update brings Activision's Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines retail game to v2.0 (requires v1.2 patch installed) and addresses a number of known issues, gameplay tweaks, bug fixes and so forth.

In Tycoon City: New York, players become moguls by constructing and customizing hundreds of businesses and famous landmarks anywhere and anyway they want in a bustling simulation of New York City. Atari has released a whopping 626mb German/English demo, allowing you to check a small District of New York, Greenwich Village.

NOTE: Some people seem to be getting an error code 6001, which has nothing to do with the demo, it's a Windows Installshield problem. The demo/download itself works fine.

Ankh is a point and click adventure game in development over at German Deck 13. You play as Assil, a young Egyptian man in trouble, making his way through treacherous Cairo, avoiding evil Pharaohs, crocodiles and assassins, to lift his own death curse. This demo features a cutscene and part of the full game (underwater section).