This Mercury News article has more details on Microsoft's next-gen Xbox which according to the "rumors" will feature three 64-bit IBM processors, as being used in the Apple's G5, an ATI processor that'll rival the upcoming R400, 256/512 MB DDR RAM, either DVD or Blu-Ray DVD format discs, and most shockingly of all no hard drive. TeamXbox, known for their often spot on inside sources & rumors, reveal more on the graphical side of things with revelation of HDTV visuals with full screen Anti-Aliasing, etc. More details to be found on TeamXbox's Sunday coverage (thanks Cesar).

Step into war-torn China of the 2nd and 3rd centuries, assume the rank of ruler, and deal with fast-paced military and political affairs in the latest game in Koei's popular series. Along the way, you'll earn points and items to upgrade officers. Romance of the Three Kingdoms IX will ship to North American retailers on Feb 24, 2004, in the meantime check these new screens ...

Road to Fame combines the main features of the arcade and rally games, using realistic physics. Road to Fame lets you start as an unknown driver who's aim to climb the seven race classes of the game. Reaching the top is simple: You will have to win as much races as you can to upgrade your car and succeed in higher level. You can test your skills either as a beginner or as a professional driver in different tracks. During the races you will also have to face the changing road and weather conditions, and there will be multiple ways of completing a track. Read more to check out some new screens...

Freeform Interactive LLC releases Purge Jihad 2.0.1. This new version adds many player requests including weapon balance issues, new feature requests, and improved netcode. Purge Jihad is an online-only hybrid First-Person-Shooter / Role-Playing-Game set in the near future accounting a war between the diametrically opposed forces of science-fiction (the Order) and fantasy (the Chosen). Technology versus magic. Science versus religion. Using ESD (Electronic Software Distribution), Purge Jihad is offered in both a free (unregistered) and paid (registered) mode. The free, unregistered trial includes the full game without any time limits but is simply limited to 4 classes. Registered players will have access to all 8 classes.

Data Becker has now released the English demo for Related Designs' 3D RTS title Castle Strike. This demo features the 'The Duke Remembers' tutorial and the 'At the End of the Road' mission from the German campaign (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for download links...

The Natural Selection team has released an updated patch for the latest version of their Half-Life mod Natural Selection v3.0. The beta 2 patch features some balance tweaks, map updates and plenty of bug fixes. Read more for details and download links for the Windows client and dedicated server files patches ...

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 :

• Crimson Sea 2 - Trailer
• Star Wars: Battlefront - Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Demon's Crossing"... Map info: "The most loathsome and malevolent of creatures have settled here. Sleepless malice keeps them locked in eternal conflict, so that even the river stinks of death. This is a medium map and the suggested no. of players is 2v2 or 3v3. It is based on the "Black Citadel" tileset. Go download it here!

Riddick is Vivendi Universal's upcoming prison-action game developed by Starbreeze, excusively for the Xbox. It serves as a prequel to Pitch Black and its sequel, the upcoming Chronicles of Riddick. The game is being developed by Swedish developer Starbreeze, also known for 2002's Enclave. Today we serve up an interview with Starbreeze producer Lars Johansson. Read more to check it out, new screenshots included ...