Over 30 new spells, along with new races, sound effects, are included in the new beta test for Dark and Light, an MMORPG scheduled for commercial release in April 2005 by developer NP Cube and publisher Farlan Entertainment.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines, built using Valve's Half-Life 2 Source Technology, allows players to become a dangerous creature of the night as they assume the role of a recently embraced fledgling vampire in the service of the city's dark prince. Vampire: The Masquerade- Bloodlines is being developed by Troika Games, based on White Wolf's renowned pen-and-paper Vampire: The Masquerade RPG series.

Jowood has released yet another first patch for Wing Simulations' multiplayer shooter SÖLDNER: Secret Wars. This v30770 beta patch optimizes camera code, addresses plenty of gameplay issues, bug and game crash fixes but also adds new maps (St Rebecca / Hell Village), new vehicles, and new weapons. Read more for details and download links ...

As has been rumored the past few days, 'Half-Life 2' is indeed being sold early at various big stores in the U.S., such as BestBuy, Wal-Mart and even a few select EBGames. The lucky ones who managed to purchase a copy will get a major disappointment, as Vivendi ordered Valve to not activate the Half-Life 2 Steam authentication servers. Basically, anybody who bought HL2 can't play it yet. Valve issued a statement saying it is not their decision, but Vivendi who threatened Valve with breach of contract if they did.

Atari has released the first patch for its strategy game Chris Sawyer's Locomotion. This update brings your retail game to v1.76 and addresses about a dozen game balance issues, crash fixes, as well as interface adjustments (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Hinterland Raid"... Map info: "Deep in the woods, you'll track down the enemy encampment and prepare to launch a final, decisive strike. Assemble your forces quickly: the peril is great, and time grows short." This is a small map and the suggested no. of players is 2v2 or 3v3. It is based on the "Ashenvale Forest" tileset. Go download it here!

140 kp/h…….150 kp/h……160 kp/h………and no airbag! Ski Racing 2005 feat. Hermann Maier has the farthest jumps, the steepest slopes, the toughest skiers! Total concentration – An extreme risk - Brutal falls - Every mistake will be penalized without mercy! Thousands of fans – Breathtaking atmosphere – An unforgettable experience: The fight for the World Cup 2005 has now begun!

Stronghold 2 will bring the the castle-sim and siege-warfare RTS series to life in glorious 3D. Stronghold 2 will also offer players a "castle-life" campaign, enhanced multiplayer capability and a new, innovative and exciting single player campaign that will be revealed in the months ahead. Due to be released for PC in early 2005, until then, check these new screens...

Majesco has released a demo for Terminal Reality's horror action game BloodRayne 2 featuring 1 level of play, the Mansion. Your objective is to discover who is the Cult of Kagan and put an end to their ring leader, Dariel Zerenski. Read more for download links ...

Another day, another batch of game trailers were released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for :

• Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault - Trailer
• Armies Of Exigo - Trailer
• Wanda And The Colossus - Trailer #2
• Painkiller: Battle out of Hell - Trailer #2
• Alida - Trailer #2