A 22-year-old Cambridge graduate has become the first ever individual in the UK to be convicted for the illegal modification of video games consoles at Caerphilly Magistrates Court. Although Xbox modding is a grey area in a lot of countries, he fitted the consoles with a larger HD, partly pre-installed with illegal warez, and thats what did him in.

Valve's SteamPowered website has been updated with details regarding the latest update for Counter-Strike Source and the Source Engine. As promised it includes the remakde cs_assault and a new terrorist model, but also new player animations, bug fixes, bot changes, and plenty more ... Just restart Steam for the effects to take place.

EA has released the highly anticipated first patch for DICE's Battlefield 2. This patch brings your retail game to v1.01 and addresses and issue that caused the multiplayer browser to become unresponsive, some game controls were not available to be rebound within the Options menu, fixed a crash with rebinding LMB, AI becoming unresponsive, and a few graphical tweaks. Read more for download links ...

Blending the best features from the first two installments with the talent, vision and ingenuity of Ubisoft's development teams, Prince of Persia 3 will enliven the franchise with a vitality - and plenty of unexpected twists - that will impress and satisfy long-time fans and newcomers alike.

Konami America today shipped Coded Arms for the PSP, its first entry into the first-person shooter genre. The highly-anticipated game features wireless multiplayer game modes and endless replay value thanks to its innovative regenerating mapping system. With stunning graphics, fast-paced action and an intense, distinctive storyline, Coded Arms is one of the PSP system's most unique titles.

SEGA today announced a partnership with Secret Level, a San Francisco-based development studio, to recreate a classic SEGA franchise for PS3 and the Xbox 360.

Vivendi Universal Games and Epic Games today announced a studio-wide agreement under which VU Games will license Unreal Engine 3 tools and technology for next generation console and PC game development.

Ubisoft has released a new patch for Gearbox's WW2 tactical FPS Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30. This update brings your retail & downloadable game to v1.10 patch and addresses some sound effect, and text formatting issues, as well as prepares the game to support the upcoming SDK release. Read more for download links...

Possession will give players the chance to do what they’ve always wanted to do in a survival horror game – control the zombies and wreak havoc instead of just cowering in the corner. There’ll be no more creeping about in the shadows, no more conserving ammo – Blitz are finally letting people take control of the carnage!

MTV and Myelin will be working together to deliver the high-paced action and experience of poker to the MTV audience via on-air, online, mobile and other platforms, as well as developing programming based on the STACKED brand to air around the time of the release of the game. MTV.com will serve as the official online site of STACKED on all platforms.

Titan Quest is an action role-playing game set in the ancient mythical worlds of Greece and Egypt. With an arsenal of more than a thousand pieces of unique and legendary equipment, players will have to overcome terrifying monsters and mythical beasts in their quest to save humankind from the Titans.

Strategy First is pleased to announce an exclusive publishing deal with Slitherine Software, UK Ltd. under which Strategy First will publish Slitherine's Legion Arena in North America with an anticipated launch in late 2005.

In anticipation of tomorrow's v1.01 patch for Battlefield 2, EA has released updated Unranked server files for Win32 and Linux, which contain all the files you need to host a dedicated server, including all 12 maps. Be advised that servers that are caught allowing users to play with the unlock weapons using the python workaround will incur a one week ban from the server list. Read more for download links ...

Atari today announced that it will distribute the forthcoming addictive puzzler 'Archer MacLean's Mercury' in key territories UK, France and Germany. Published by Ignition Entertainment and developed by Awesome Studios for PSP, Mercury has been specifically designed for the new gaming PlayStation Portable, which launches across Europe in September 2005.

In the style of Hollywood's popular horror movie genre, Obscure tracks a group of five all-American high school students who discover the halls they walk each day are anything but safe from their most horrifying nightmares. A string of mysterious disappearances and unexplained events set the stage for a night more horrifying than any trip to detention ...

In SpellForce 2, the player takes over the role of the avatar, solving quests and overcoming obstacles as in classical RPGs, but also experiences strategic challenges while leading armies as in an RTS - therefore offering a complete synthesis of both genres in a perfect blend.

FATE is an RPG in which the quests are fast and fun with richly detailed artwork, 3D graphics and interactive content delivered exclusively via download. Players will be able to customize their character, their pet, and the type of weapons they’ll use. Through battles with hundreds of monsters and fantastic creatures, characters evolve over time with experience of game play. A built-in random level generator will provide an infinite number of adventure possibilities!

Play-Publishing has released a demo for its newest racing game Crazy Classics. Race around in fancy racing cars and exciting tracks to defeat your opponent in this action rally game.

Night Watch is a tactical RPG, using the Silent Storm engine, and based on material from Russian writer Lukyanenko and is situated in the not so distant future. The game will have you battle vampires, wherewolves and other creatures throughout various European cities. No specific release date is mentioned. Read more for details and screens ....

GarageGames announced today that registration for Indie Games Con 2005, to be held in Eugene, Oregon, October 7, 8 and 9th is now open. Indie Games Con (IGC) is a fun, informal and informative community gathering of independent game developers from around the world. IGC is designed to be a summit meeting of like-minded developers with the shared goal to focus on collaboration and building community.

A free-flowing game during which players can assume the role of multiple characters and experience the game from multiple viewpoints, Fahrenheit allows players' actions to affect the plot by offering a scenario driven interactive experience.

In Pirates! you take the leading role of a Pirate Captain in the 17th century Caribbean trying to become the most revered and feared pirate in history - exploring high seas and exotic ports, overtaking enemies in fierce naval battles, engaging in duels and attempting to seize valuable booty. 2KGames has released the third and last part of the Pirates of Sid Meier’s Pirates! feature, containing details on three of the real-life pirates in Pirates!

Far Cry Instincts is a technically advanced gaming experience built from the ground up using the kind of cutting-edge technology that Far Cry fans will recognize from the PC title. Far Cry Instincts will ship for Xbox in September 2005.

The Adventure Company today announced ECHO: Secrets of the Lost Cavern has shipped to retailers across North America.

The series famous for relentless intensity is returning bigger, better looking and more frantic than ever before. Sam Stone is back to rescue the universe one bullet at a time against overwhelming hordes of time traveling enemies in Serious Sam 2. Built from the ground up with a completely new engine, Serious Sam 2 will be a shot of adrenaline to the hearts of first-person shooter fans across the world. This is serious!