On the Warcraft III General Discussion Forum there is an beta update posted by Rob Pardo from Blizzard (thanks Blues).

We are nearing the final phase of the beta currently. Internally we are debugging the code, optimizing the game engine and making performance improvements, while also working on the single player campaigns. Within the beta, we are now going to focus on the balance of the game more then ever. It may be helpful to you testers to know the kinds of changes we will make or wont make from this point forward.. Check out full story below!!

New World Order is a single and multiplayer team-based game where teams battle it out in environments and situations that could be taken right out of an action-movie. It is a fast paced action-simulator with attitude, switching between stealthy game play and adrenalin-pumping action, always keeping the player on his toes - never knowing when all hell will break lose... Right now the game devs' is counting down for the release of the public multiplayer beta, the final release is just a couple of months away…so.. Check out the boxshot below and read more about what Jim Malmros say's about the upcoming release of the public MP test for NWO.

TimeGate Studios and Strategy First announced today that a new upgrade for the award winning Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns has been released and is available on www.timegate.com and www.strategyfirst.com. Coming a year after the initial release of the product, this upgrade should please fans of this ground-breaking title.

Microsoft Corp. today announced that leading graphics chip developers ATI Technologies Inc. and NVIDIA Corp. will support new DirectX technologies that enables the highest-resolution video playback experience ever on the PC using the next version of Microsoft Windows Media Technologies, code-named "Corona." With this new technology, today’s PCs running the Windows XP operating system will be able to enjoy video playback quality far beyond what is possible on many high-end televisions today.

Original War, published in the USA in December last year has updated its website. Altar added more information about the game, first part of John McMillan's diary, discussion forum, technical support, many screenshots and artworks, complete MP3 soundtrack and map scenario editor to download. You can look forward to indepth multiplayer adviser, next parts of John MacMillan's diary, monthly poll, and contest! Check it for regular updates!

Time for a new 1503 A.D update. This time the 1503 A.D Web team updated their site with a King's Tale, Part XIX: Mongolian Arrows. Here follows a clip from the posting:

Crews and soldiers on the ships rejoice when we finally leave the intense cold of the Polar region behind us after a few days' travelling. Our fleet now passes some islands where fir and spruce trees defy the harsh climate and some hardy plants poke out from underneath the snow. Take me to the story!

ATI Technologies Inc. is now offering North American consumers the opportunity to trade-in an older ATI video card or any competitive video card and get one of ATI's newest video cards, including ALL-IN-WONDER RADEON 8500 128 MB (which has just started shipping to retailer stores).

Radica U.K Ltd, manufacturers of the highly regarded range of Gamester accessories have announced their launch line up of GameCube peripherals. The product range has been developed by a team of key designers in the UK and US and each accessory has been designed to be ergonomic and durable, giving gamers an “Unfair Advantage” across the complete range of GameCube games.

Thanks to Bluesnews to inform us that Activision has just released a new update patch for their "Star Trek : Bridge Commander". This 8mb patch upgrades your currect game to v1.1 and fixes mainly multiplayer issues.

Infogrames has just released the new Civilization III patch upgrading their Tunr Based Strategy to v1.21f. The 8.8 MB download has a very large amount of fixes, tweaks and additions. Click "read more" for a detailed update list and links where to grab this 8mb puppy.

The Steam-administered beta of Half-Life 1.1.0.9 and Counter-Strike 1.4 are almost finished, and the final versions of these updates will be released to the public next week. Hurray for THAT! 'Read more' for details.

TDK Mediactive, Inc. just announced an exclusive three-year, renewable worldwide licensing agreement with Jim Henson Interactive, a division of The Jim Henson Company, for the Muppets”, one of the most prolific brands in the entertainment industry. The agreement ensures TDK Mediactive exclusive rights to develop and publish games based on many of the Classic Muppet characters, including Kermit the Frog”, Miss Piggy”, Fozzie Bear”, The Great Gonzo” and more. Platforms covered by the license agreement include the PSOne and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the Nintendo GameCube, the Game Boy® Advance and PC platforms.

Strategy First just informed us that they released a new patch for Disciples II: Dark Prophecy. This new upgrade brings your game version to v1.3. It has some minor fixes over the last version 1.2a. Read more for a detailed list and links on where to grab the patches (it comes in 2 versions, full and lite)

Westwood just released the new patches for Command & Conquer Renegade, upgrading the English, German, French, Chinese, Japanese and Korean version of their recently released 3D action game to v1.030. They add several airborne units, two new maps (specifically made for the new additions), and several other tweak and changes. Read more for detailed list and links where to grab these puppies (they are 17mb each).

Fast on the heels of one of the company’s most successful years featuring the Dragon Warrior series, Enix America Inc. today announced two new games for 2002. Available this Fall are Robot Alchemic Drive (RAD) and Grandia Xtreme, both for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system.

It's time for a new 1503 A.D Community update, A King's Tale - Part XVIII: A Trip into the Cold.. Here is a clip from it:

"I am still trying to push aside those sinister pictures of the human bones inside the Aztec pyramid." Jeremy nods in affirmation, as we sit and wince into the rising sun outside Zang Phoon's open door. "This religion Zang Phoon is practicing is really unusual. At least we now know that Tezcatlipoca is one of his Gods." Take me there!

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today its continued support for the PS one game console with a broad array of upcoming first party software releases for the 2002 Summer. This summer, Sony Computer Entertainment America will release three first-party titles for the PS one console that offer entertainment for all ages. With the new portability features of the LCD screen (for PS one) and car adaptor (for PS one), consumers will be available to enjoy these titles on the road, as well in the living room.

Bigben Interactive UK, one of Europe's largest independent distributors of interactive entertainment and the Japanese publisher, Kemco are set to strengthen their relationship for another successful year with the announcement of Kemco's strongest software release schedule yet, encompassing a broad range of titles across all major platforms.

2.0 is almost done and I think we will begin internal testing tomorrow. If all goes well, we will get some of you on board to help us fill a few servers and stress it for a bit before we release it. Testing should take at least a week because we will be very careful that we do not create any new bugs before we release it (thanks blues).

Electronic Arts Inc the world’s leading interactive entertainment publisher and the exclusive worldwide license holder for official FIFA branded interactive soccer games; today announced it will publish two EA SPORTS 2002 FIFA World Cup titles. EA has commissioned Digital Bridges the global mobile entertainment services leader to develop and distribute these titles. The titles will be available to Orange Group customers throughout Europe with the UK, France, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Switzerland launching elements of the FIFA games this summer.

Tiscali Games today tossed up a new trailer from 2002 FIFA World Cup, upcoming soccer game licensed to use the official FIFA World Cup, insignia, mascots and the 20 new World Cup stadiums in Japan and Korea. Trailer is 3:40 minutes long and is available to download HERE!

In 2038, a war rages between the EMA (Economic and Military Alliance) and the Great Empire. Comandeer over 20 vehicles for infiltration, reconnaissance, escort and combat missions. Read more for some screens and links to the trailer.

Delphine Software just released a "beta" update patch for Motoracer 3. The v1.2.4.1 patch still contains a network bug it already offers improved joystick and keyboard control, more set-up options, some graphics enhancements, and more. The network bug is the reason why its in beta stage ... read more for full update list and links on where to grab it (Euro and Us version available, each 12mb).

Ubisoft's "Warlords BattleCry II" is on the move and today the official website has been updated with plenty of goodies for the fans ... new wallpapers, new scenario's and other additions .. read more for full info, links and some fresh screens (thanks blues).

Voodoo let us know that there is an important poll running right now in the Neocron forums. Help Reakktor to choose the cover for the massively multiplayer online RPG Neocron! Would you rather want to see the game in an orange or a green box? Click here to head over to the official site and vote. Want to check out the covers before you head over there? Then click read more below!