TRON 2.0 is a story-driven, first-person action game that propels the player into an alternate universe inside a computer. Monolith has released an updated version of last weeks TRON 2.0 multiplayer deathmatch patch. This update requires you to have the latest v1.030 patch, is NOT compatible with the previous version and adds Derez (deathmatch) and Team Derez game modes, as well as three multiplayer maps designed by Touchdown Entertainment. Single-player save games are affected and will no longer work after applying this patch. The official patch requires WinXP to install, but there is also an unsupported 3rd party version that works on all Windows versions (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for details & download links ..

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. But just creating a custom street racing machine will not get you to the top; it takes a certain amount of attitude and razor sharp driving skills to compete in the tough world of urban racing (thanks Tiscali). Check out them shiny screens!

Pirates is broadband only, with high-end hardware specifications for graphics -- a GeForce 3 or better is required in at least a 1GHz machine, and the game is optimized for the latest DirectX 9.0-class cards. Pirates is being published on-line directly to gamers using Valve's new Steam technology, the same delivery system used by Half-Life 2 and Counterstrike 2. Check out the new seaworthy screens ...

The battle for Gotham City has begun! Ubisoft announces it has shipped Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu for the PlayStation2, Xbox, GameCube and Game Boy Advance. The first video game to introduce a new character into the Batman universe, Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu establishes Sin Tzu, a cunning master in the deadly art of war, as a worthy adversary of the Dark Knight. Designed by legendary comic book artist Jim Lee, Sin Tzu promises to thrill Batman fans of all ages.

Ubisoft and Cyan Worlds, Inc. today announced an exclusive online chat with Rand Miller, founder of Cyan Worlds, to discuss Uru: Ages Beyond Myst. In addition, other members of the Cyan team may also join in the chat. The hour-long chat will allow fans worldwide to ask questions, gain more insight, and celebrate the launch of this highly anticipated title. Uru: Ages Beyond Myst goes on sale nationwide across the U.S. this week at the manufacturer's retail price of $49.99. Head on over to http://chat.ubisoft.fr on November 12, 2003 at 12:00 p.m. (PST) - 1:00 p.m. (PST)

Barely shipping to stores earlier today, Sierra has already released the first patch for Amaze Entertainment's action/adventure The Hobbit. This upgrade brings your retail game to 1.2 and addresses several crash problems, improves the user interface, tweaks some water puzzles, and a few other fixes. Read more for download links ...

Raven Software has released the updated Win32 and Linux dedicated servers for their sci-fi action game Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy. This v1.011 release is a a minor update to go with last night's v1.01 client update patch. Read more for download links ...

Valve's Doug Lombardi sent out a note to let us know that Day of Defeat 1.1 is in the final stages of development and will be available for wide beta testing via Steam later this week. The team-based multiplayer game sends players into Axis vs. Allies battles set in Western Europe during WWII. Version 1.1 adds enhanced animation through the incorporation of Valve's nine-way blending system. DoD 1.1 also includes new maps plus a host of tweaks and fixes. For more information visit www.dayofdefeat.com or www.steampowered.com.

Eidos has shipped to stores across North America the highly anticipated Legacy of Kain: Defiance for the PlayStation2 and Xbox . This next installment is the continuation of the popular Legacy of Kain series, which has sold over 1.5 million units to date in North America alone.

The Batfish Studios office closed on 15th October, having completed the release candidate for Captain Scarlet. The reasons for the office closing are unrelated to Captain Scarlet, the team did not have a suitable project and in the current climate it wasn't possible to continue working speculatively. The release candidate of the final game and two demos were delivered to our publisher Digital Workshop on the 15th October. However, Batfish Studios was informed on 7th November that Digital Workshop will not be publishing the game (thanks Homelan).

Step into the boots of a Marine Corporal, survive the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor and engage in a life and death struggle to drive the Japanese Army from the Pacific as Electronic Arts has begun shipping Medal of Honor Rising Sun to retailers nationwide under the EA GAMES brand. The fourth console installment of the award-winning series, Medal of Honor Rising Sun is an immersive and authentic WWII experience in either single-player or multiplayer mode and is available for the PlayStation2, Xbox, and the GameCube.

Unleash the beast! Konami Digital Entertainment - America Inc., today announced it has shipped Bloody Roar 4 for the PlayStation2. Published by Hudson Soft, Bloody Roar 4, the most ferocious title in the popular fighting game series, packs a powerful punch.

Konami Digital Entertainment - America announced today that Yu-Gi-Oh! The Falsebound Kingdom for Nintendo GameCube and Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sacred Cards for Nintendo GameBoy Advance has shipped to retail outlets nationwide. Both titles include three limited edition Official Trading Cards that help to further enhance the Yu-Gi-Oh! gaming experience.

Wartime Command: Battle For Europe 1939-1945 is the stunning World War II tactical real time strategy game from Russian developers 1C Company in Russia. The game development project has been retitled from Battlefield Command to give it prominence in a cluttered market of similar product brands. Wartime Command will launch for PC in the spring of 2004. Read more for some new screens ...

Microsoft Game Studios, iGames and EB Games today announced signups have officially begun for the Halo for Windows Worldwide Championship. The international event will pit thousands of top Halo players from around the world against each other for a chance at some big-time prizes; after the dust settles, only one player will emerge to be crowned the world's best Halo gamer. For information about registration and a list of participating iGames centers in North America, visit http://www.igames.org/Events.asp?Event=1596, any local EB Games store or online at http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/ads/promos/halotournament/.

Namco Hometek Inc. announced today that Spawn: Armageddon, the Todd McFarlane-inspired action adventure title, will feature music from one of today’s most talked-about and controversial musicians, Marilyn Manson. In what is seen by many to be the perfect pairing, Manson’s title “Use Your Fist and Not Your Mouth” from the album The Golden Age of Grotesque is featured in the Spawn: Armageddon video game soundtrack. Video game fans will have an opportunity to enjoy the gothic-like Spawn: Armageddon soundtrack in the game this November when the title ships for the GameCube, the PlayStation2 and the Xbox.

Ubisoft has released a demo for Cyan Worlds 3D Adventure game Uru: Ages Beyond Myst. Uru: Ages Beyond Myst is the next chapter of the Myst franchise and the most immersive and ambitious Myst experience ever created. This demo features only a very small portion of what awaits you; a brief doorway into what lies beneath - a vast and complex world in which endless Ages are waiting to be rediscovered by today's world. Read more for download links ...

Vivendi Universal Games today announced that Crash Bandicoot, one of the top character-based franchises in video game history has returned to the racetrack, as its newest title, Crash Nitro Kart, ships to retail stores today. Showcasing beautiful next generation graphics, Crash Nitro Kart combines the best elements of classic kart-racing games by offering an excellent combination of gameplay, speed, characters, weapons and story. Developed by Albany, NY-based studio, Vicarious Visions, Crash Nitro Kart is available on PS2, Xbox, GameCube and Game Boy Advance video game system.

Atari today announced that it has shipped Terminator3: Rise of the Machines for the PlayStation2, Xbox and GBA, to retail stores nationwide. After delivering a $430 million summer blockbuster film in collaboration with Intermedia, IMF, C2 Pictures, and Columbia TriStar International, Arnold Schwarzenegger makes his first-ever video game appearance in Atari’s Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines for the next-generation game consoles due for release on November 11, 2003.

The Hobbit, based on J.R.R. Tolkien's literary masterpiece -- the classic prequel to The Lord of The Rings series which has been translated into 26 languages and has sold over 75 million copies worldwide -- ships today, announced Vivendi Universal Games. Featuring stunning graphics, The Hobbit showcases deep action/combat systems combined with the best elements of stealth, role-playing and puzzle solving. Players will lead the brave Bilbo Baggins on an epic journey throughout the mythical world of Middle-earth to ultimately confront Smaug the Dragon. The Hobbit is available on PS2, Xbox and GameCube(developed by Inevitable Entertainment); GBA (developed by Saffire) and PC (developed by Amaze Entertainment).