Refraction Games has released a version 1.12 patch for Codename Eagle, their hybrid first-person action romp. The patch addresses a number of problems, including mission bugs and menu crashes, and adds new and improved multiplayer features, better weapon handling and an in-game console.

SoF Center has posted a new pair of screenshots from Soldier of Fortune, Raven's upcoming Quake II-engine mercenary shooter, showing a scene from the cinematics and another from within the game.

The third part of the Baldur's Gate II developer's journal is up on PC.IGN.com, and this installment has writer/designer James Ohlen talking about the origins of some of the most popular characters in the game series, with a couple of sketches to illustrate them.

More screenshots, as Unreal Universe has posted four new images from the upcoming free bonus pack that Epic is creating for Unreal Tournament.

A new Mac GLQuake project is underway, with two early (early) versions available for download. While it's still in its earliest development phase (read: it ain't playable) it does run, and plays the initial demo, to boot.

• 3D Sound Surge reviews Videologic's Sirocco Crossfire speakers.
• Speedy3D reviews the Global Win YCC 802 Case.
• Glide Underground reviews the D-Link DHN-910 Phoneline Network Kit.
• If you still haven't gotten a present for that geek on your list, System Logic has posted 10 Gift Ideas for Your Techie to help you out.

ModCentral, an Unreal mod site, has posted an interview with David "crt" Wright, the creator of Rocket Arena. Since this is an Unreal site, there are several questions about the recently announced Rocket Arena for Unreal Tournament mod that's in development.

We've gotten several reports from all over the US letting us know that Mortyr, the Nazi killing first person shooter has arrived on shelves. The game has been out overseas for some time now, but this is its first stateside appearance (besides the demo, of course).

Celebrating the fact that Battlezone II has gone gold, BZ2.com has posted fifty screenshots from what they say is the gold version of the game.

• Asheron's Call on Well Rounded Entertainment.
• Descent 3 (for Mac) on MacGameNews.
• Gabriel Knight 3: Blood Of The Sacred, Blood Of The Damned on Gamers Central.
• Quake III Arena on 3D Action Planet, Gone Gold, and 24 Hour Gamer.
• Sinistar: Unleashed on GameZilla.
• Slave Zero on Gone Gold.
• Star Trek: Hidden Evil on Computer Games Online.
• Ultima IX: Ascension on GamePower.
• Unreal Tournament (for Linux) by Matt Matthews.
• Urban Chaos on Game Over.

Merry Christmas, everyone! Call this, "the Jew on Christmas morning" post, if you will. Or perhaps, as Blue so eloquently put it, the "Kyle Broslofski post." While Christmas isn't a religious holiday for me, I will confess to being a complete sucker for the whole "Christmas spirit" thing. So, on behalf of everyone here at Blue's News, let me wish everyone a merry Christmas. Even those of you that don't directly celebrate the thing.

Serious Link of the Day: In the Christmas spirit, The Hunger Site (thanks Mike Hale). Each click donates approximately 1.5 cups of food to hungry people around the world.
Pointless Holiday Link: Boogie Down With Santa. Hey, at least it ain't hampsters.