MicroSoft/Big Huge Games have released a new patch for their recently released RTS game Rise Of Nations. This upgrade brings your retail game to v1.02 and improves various multiplayer issues, but also a Conquer the World crash, auto-patch system support, and more. Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

The Alpha release of Eternal Silence mod for Battlefield: 1942, takes the game into deep space. Climb aboard huge ships and duke it out in desolate, low-atmosphere conditions. Featuring appropriately new vehicles, weapons, and custom classes, it all looks quite promising, indeed. The mod is 32MB to grab and you find it here!

Blues let us know that the official Chaser site is updated with some information regarding Cauldron's first-person shooter MP demo: Here is the clip:

We would like to inform you that we are looking forward for a release of the official Chaser Multiplayer (MP) Demo by the end of the upcoming week. The beta test of the MP Demo is still going on and progressing well.

The official Chaser MP Demo will include two game modes: Deathmatch and Shock Troops. The Deathmatch map is "Building Site". There will be also two Shock Troops maps available: "Final Strike" and "Building Strike". You will find more info about the Multiplayer Modes here.

We are also planning to have official servers with different settings available for the release of the MP Demo. These servers will be based in Germany and UK to guarantee proper connections. More info regarding the servers will be available in the upcoming week.

Be prepared for some stunning action fights once the MP Demo is released. Marc 'Plex' Olbertz Community Manager

Andrew Wafer @ Codemasters collected a bunch of Battlefield Command forum questions, and answers from his man down in the External Studio. The layout is as follows. The questions are quoted from each person and then followed by the answer from Andrew Wafer.. Check them out below!

Set in Europe at the time of the migration of nations (about 200-450 AD), Against Rome takes the player to that part of the continent that has not yet succumbed to the Roman Empire. This vast territory, which the Romans disparagingly called barbaricum, is the home of numerous primitive nations. The player takes control over one of these barbarian tribes, who as a whole stood out for a pronounced lack of cultural achievements, combined with a ferocious belligerence... Check out a new screenshot below!

Codemasters community liaison officer Michael Rowland send over some Op Flashpoint news this morning:

Xbox Flashpoint will be using an upgraded engine using some elements from the Flashpoint 2 engine. Graphical elements like vehicle and character models and vegetation have been vastly improved upon and look much smoother and realistic. Yes we now have real looking trees, not those polygonal ones but realistic round ones.. Read the rest below!

LucasArts just let us know that Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb for PS2 has Gone Gold and will be in stores June 26th! While you're anxiously awaiting your PS2 retail copies, please visit the official site to see what's new! Indy's latest adventure plays out in dramatic fashion thanks to new gameplay features such as brawling combat. This time, in addition to using his trademark whip and pistol, Indy can engage in fierce hand-to-hand combat against foes, many of whom are well-versed in martial arts. Improvised weapons such as shovels, chairs and table legs also can be used to fend off adversaries. The result is a more immersive and more Indy-like gameplay experience, set amidst spine-tingling movie-like action sequences, such as a rickshaw chase in Hong Kong and a spectacular battle atop moving gondolas in the South China Sea area.

Knights Over Europe is a World War I combat flight simulation brought to you by a team whose collective experience includes Red Baron II, the Falcon 3 series, the Close Combat series and Fly II. Knights Over Europe brings the dawn of aerial combat up-to-date with leading edge graphics, high fidelity flight models and precision damage modeling. Dozens of highly detailed aircraft with historically accurate markings will set the stage for an experience that will attract both hard-core flightsim fans and novices alike. Read more for details and screens

Today Global Star Software has announced plans to release Muscle Car 3 for the PC. Under development at 3 Romans in Birmingham, Alabama, Global Star plans to build upon the success of the Muscle Car series, while adding immense visual and game play improvements. Global Star currently plans to release Muscle Car 3 in the summer of 2003. Read more for details and download links ......

Wahey Lionheart fans! The official Lionheart website has been updated, ready for the weekend right here! Want to learn how to focus the terrible power of deepest winter into physical projectiles? Cast fire orbs that sear an enemy with fire damage upon contact? Channel wild energies of electrical storms into explosive torrents of magical power? Sure, I mean who doesn't?!? Well then head on over to the MAGIC pageto read all about the Thought Branch of Magic in which you can learn to channel arcane magical spells and abilities...oh yeah! Read more for some new screens ..

Publisher Big City Games and developer Made by Kiddies Inc. are proud to announce that the latest action title, Air Raid: This is not a drill, has shipped to retail stores nationwide. “Air Raid is a fast-paced, action-filled, shoot-em-down title,” says Steve Milburn, Director of Marketing for Strategy First. “It guarantees hours of intense gameplay.”

EA has just released yet another new patch for Total Club Manager 2003. This upgrade brings your retail copy to v1.3 and adds a few new stadiums, some new league's and a few other things. Please note this patch is ONLY for the English version, a German update is also available for their "Fussball Manager edition, upgrading it to v1.2. Read more for links where to download this puppies!

Kirby arrives on GameCube at warp speed in his first-ever racing game. Based on the same principles as games like Super Smash Brothers and past Kirby titles, Kirby Air Ride offers an entirely new approach to the racing genre. The simple controls that define all Kirby games give Kirby Air Ride instant playability no matter how skilled the players may be. Check these 50+ new screens ...

Eve of Destruction is a mod Battlefield 1942, and they have released a 11% "demo" of the final product. Eve Of Destruction will contain not only new skins, vehicles and new objects, it features 8 complete new custom maps. Each map is different in their own way (from realistic to fun maps) and partially adapted to the Indochina Vietnam Conflict. Infantry Combat in EoD is more realistic and more action than in Battlefield and similar to more infantry-based games like Raven Shield or Counterstrike. The second full alpha release of Eve of Destruction is here with BF1942 v1.4 as well as Gamespy Arcade support! Head back to the jungles in this modification replicating the deadly and vicious Vietnam War. Read more for download links ...

"Halo 2" is the sequel to the highly successful and critically acclaimed game "Halo: Combat Evolved." In "Halo 2," the saga continues as Master Chief, a genetically enhanced supersoldier, is the only thing standing between the relentless Covenant and the destruction of all humankind. Pushing the Xbox hardware to its very limits and utilizing Xbox Live in a way that Bungie believes will redefine online play, "Halo 2" will expand on everything that made the original game great. At its heart a compelling and captivating story, "Halo 2" makes revolutionary advances in design and technology. As expected Bungie has made the e3 trailer available, read more for download links. Be Warned, it's hires and 160mb big!

Despite earlier announcement, Majorem Ltd., developers of Ballerium - the Massive multiplayer strategy game, announce today the extension of the Zero-stage beta of the game. If all internal tests go well, it is expected that within about a week Majorem will launce a fourth round of the Pre-Beta (Or: Beta-0), while using an upgraded server and client.

THQ and Pandemic Studios today announced that their authentic military tactical-action game Full Spectrum Warrior has won awards for "Best Simulation Game" and "Best Original Game" from the prestigious "Game Critics Awards - Best of E3 2003" panel. Coming to the Xbox videogame system from Microsoft and PC in early 2004, Full Spectrum Warrior was nominated in four different categories including "Best Original Game," "Best Simulation Game," "Best Console Game" and "Best of Show" garnering more nominations than any other game at E3.

Gamers get ready to rip across a lake by a high-powered speedboat and pull off huge tricks in Activisions new action sports video game, Wakeboarding Unleashed featuring Shaun Murray. Featuring revolutionary water graphics, unique rope mechanics and innovative two-player modes, the game has been given the Elite Award by the Official Xbox Magazine (June 2003). Wakeboarding Unleashed featuring Shaun Murray is currently available for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox video game system from Microsoft at retail outlets for a suggested retail price of £39.99 and carries a 3+ PEGI rating.

One of the most popular video game franchises ever created goes online as THQ releases "Tetris Worlds Live" exclusively for the Xbox video game system from Microsoft. Compatible with Xbox Live, Microsoft's online gaming arena, "Tetris Worlds Live" brings fans across the globe the opportunity to experience the addictive, block-dropping mayhem synonymous with the Tetris brand in online competition.

KOCH MEDIA invites strategy gamers to travel back in time, beyond the height of the mighty Roman Empire, back four thousand years to command the great empires of the Ancient World. Following the commercial success of LEGION, SLITHERINE SOFTWARE return to ancient times to bring gamers a new challenge as they shape the birth of great Empires in CHARIOTS OF WAR. Published by and distributed in the UK by KOCH Media, CHARIOTS OF WAR is developed by Slitherine Software and is available on Windows PC, priced at £29.99. The game releases on 4th July 2003.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe are pleased to announce that their 'EyeToy: Play' title exclusive to PlayStation2, and developed by their London Studios, has picked up two of the prestigious E3 awards for best Hardware/Peripheral and best Puzzle/parlor/trivia game.

Space Empires: Starfury is Malfador Machination's bold new game which take players, first-person, into the Space Empires Universe... For those folks who have been looking forward to preordering, today is the day. Shrapnel Games will begin to take preorders on Space Empires: Starfury. As is usually the case, those who take advantage of preordering will receive $5.00 off the purchase price. This preorder special will be effect until July 15th... Find out more about this game below, includes new screens aswell!

Finally!!! Shipping of the international version of Jowood's Gothic II have started. Jowood's distribution partner Atari uk (formerly Infogrames) have announced that either UK and Scandinavia are being supplied with English versions of Gothic II as of today! The German version has been available for almost a year, and finally the rest of the world will get the chance to check it out. If you want to play safe, you can pre-order the game at Amazon UK ...

GameSpot has been snooping around on EBGames' upcoming games list and found out that Sony Online Entertainment is working on yet another expansion pack for their hit-title Everquest, called "Lost Dungeons of Norrath". The new expansion pack will focus on single group adventures in dungeons and catacombs and can be expected later this year. Now that tjhe cat is out of the bag, we can expect an official announcement to follow shortly, and we'll be there to bring you more detailed information.

Already announced before E3 Airborne Troops, developed by Widescreen Games, is an absorbing infiltration action-adventure game that takes place in occupied France during the Second World War. On a mission to drop two secret agents into occupied territory the Sergeant’s aircraft is shot down leaving one of his agents seriously wounded. It is now the Sergeant’s duty to replace the ailing agent and complete the stealth missions himself. The gamer takes part in commando missions based on real events in the places where they actually happened, accurately recreated from archives and historical documents. Dutch publisher Playlogic International is expected to release this for PS2 and PC "end of the year." Read more for a batch of screens ...