Purge demo coming soon on GameSpot has word that the demo version of Freeform Interactive's now-gold online shooter/RPG is expected Friday, offering the chance to play as either the commando or the assassin class.

This Codemasters Downloads Page has a patch for IGI 2: Covert Strike intended for advanced users who are having difficulties getting Innerloop's stealthy shooter sequel to run. This patch is one of those 'use at your own risk' dealies.

As promised (story), the Project Three Interactive Downloads Page now offers an updated version 1.4 of the demo for New World Order. In addition, they are also offering up a new map pack with the "Restaurant map" for the full retail version of Termite Games' tactical shooter. The new single-player and multiplayer demo is a 144 MB download, while the map pack is 33 MB, and both files can be found mirrored on 3D Gamers, FileShack: Demo - Map Pack (registration required), Gamer's Hell, and Worthplaying.

Microsoft Game Studios sends word that the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: Century of Flight Website has launched, or at least taken off, dedicated to the next installment in the long-running flight sim series. "The rich history of powered aviation as well as the history of the Microsoft Flight Simulator franchise is presented on the site, including an article on the history of flight by Lane Wallace, columnist and west coast editor of Flying magazine. The site also features historical accounts, in-flight screenshots and cockpit images of the 24 aircraft. Visitors will also be able to download videos and keep tabs on events related to the 100th anniversary of the first flight." Please return your stewardess to her original upright position.

Windows flaw opens PCs to attack (thanks Mike Martinez) has the warning that: "A vulnerability in all versions of Windows could allow attackers to use a malicious Web site or HTML e-mail message to trap victims and take control of their PCs, warned Microsoft." Fixes are already available through the Microsoft Web site or via the Windows Update function.

The Blitzkrieg Website has word that CDV's World War II RTS game is gold in Germany (thanks Andrew Long), and is expected in stores in that country on March 28. Word on the U.K., U.S., French, and BeNeLux versions is that they are still due first half of this year, with the ETA in other countries still TBA. To celebrate the German gold announcement, they have released a new "megascreenshot" on their download page showing the Soviet counteroffensive. "Hey ho, let's go... shoot 'em in the back now!"

There is an extensive WarCraft III: The Frozen Throne Preview on FiringSquad with a look at the upcoming RTS add-on based on getting to participate in beta testing, saying: "It finally feels as though Blizzard is putting the finishing touches on a painting that was never quite finished, and gamers will finally be able to experience Blizzard’s fully realized ambition." Also, MacGamer's Warcraft III: Frozen Throne Beta Impressions provide further impressions of the beta based on playing with the Mac version, illustrated by a bunch of new screenshots.

• BANDITS
  GameZone's BANDITS: Phoenix Rising Q&A chats with GRIN CEO Bo Andersson about BANDITS: Phoenix Rising, their Mad Max-style vehicular combat game.
• Galactic Civilizations
  The Galactic Civilizations Q&A on Fragland.net chats with Brad Wardell of Stardock about Galactic Civilizations, the upcoming remake of their OS/2 space strategy game.
• Nick Choles
  The latest Raven Profile on Raven-Games.com introduces us to Nick Choles, a newly hired artist at Raven Software. He answers questions about his background and his work, and befitting his vocation, provides a self-portrait.

Following this morning's announcement of progress on the PS2 and GBA versions of the games based on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (story), we asked Ubi Soft to confirm this meant all the other versions were cancelled, and their reply keeps the status of other console ports up in the air, but confirms that the PC version is off the boards. Here's the exchange:

Blue's News:
Can you confirm the cancellation of the previously announced PC, Xbox, and GameCube versions of the game?

Tyrone Miller (Ubi Soft):
No, I can not.

The PS2 and GBA versions of the game are the only ones that we currently have approval on. We will be making another announcement about other platforms once we have approval. We will not be doing a PC version.

EA sends word that 1503 A.D. - The New World, SUNFLOWERS' prequel to 1602 A.D., has gone gold, and is expected to ship in North America on March 24. The announcement they sent along is brief, so here it is in its entirety: "EA is pleased to announce that 1503 A.D. - The New World has GONE GOLD and will ship in North America on Monday, March 24 for the PC. Delivering a blend of real-time strategy with empire building, the game sends players on a quest for wealth and power with thrilling adventures and discoveries at every turn. Players will establish and build colonies while watching them prosper as the need for trade and diplomacy heightens. The choice to live peacefully or take part in combat will be entirely up to the player."

A new version of the Line of Sight: Vietnam multiplayer demo has been released, this sample of n-Fusion's Vietnam War no longer requires a FilePlanet registration key to install (or as it's described by Worthplaying, this is the "free, non-exclusive, non-key requiring, non-ezpad version"). The 170 MB file can be downloaded from 3D Gamers, FileShack (registration required), Gamer's Hell, and Worthplaying.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Game to Hit Shelves in August 2003 is the press release announcing the schedule for the games based on the Oscar-winning wire-fu epic, saying the PS2 version will be available in August (more than a year later than originally planned), while no release date is specified for the GBA version that they say is in the works at Ubi Soft China. The noteworthy omission in the release is the failure to mention the PC, Xbox, and GameCube versions that were mentioned in the original announcement of the movie tie-ins in 2001 (story), suggesting these other versions may have been axed.

A Mistmare Demo is now available, providing a sample of this imminent LithTech engine 3D fantasy RPG from Arxel Tribe & Sinister Systems. The demo is a 278 MB download (though it says 291 MB on the page), but no real details about what it offers are available. Word on the full version of the game is that it's still planned for release by the end of this month. The demo has been mirrored on 3D Gamers, Computer Games Online, FileShack (registration required), Gamer's Hell, Happy Puppy (registration required), and Worthplaying.

• Realms of Torment
  HomeLan Fed's Realms Of Torment Q&A chats with Limitless Horizons' Dan Antonescu about Realms of Torment, their upcoming MMORPG, learning how they hope to stand out from the competition, specifics about gameplay, and how the closed beta testing is progressing.
• Cult
  RPG Vault's Cult Q&A features Jan Turan and Konstantin Lipatov of 3D People talking about their upcoming "isometric fantasy RPG for one dominant character with a focus on fast gameplay and a deep storyline."
• Freelancer
  Action Vault's Freelancer Q&A #3 asks 11 of the developers of Digital Anvil's space combat game the following question: "What are a couple of locations in Freelancer that you consider especially interesting, fun, intriguing, memorable or otherwise noteworthy, and why do they stand out for you?"
• Syberia II
  There's a Syberia II Q&A on GameSpy.com chatting with Benoît Sokal of Micröids about progress on their upcoming adventure game sequel, inspiring him to say: "everybody was thrilled to know that over 16 million users would read the article on your network!!!"

A thread called Premium Package Contents on the Star Wars Galaxies Website (thanks HomeLan Fed and VE3D) has word from LucasArts Producer Haden Blackman on plans for a limited (75,000 copies) edition of the upcoming MMORPG that will include a concept art book, a pewter figurine, a lapel pin, an autographed manual, and more.

• Disciples II Expansions on Game Club Central.
• Chariots of War on Worthplaying.
• Dungeon Gladiator on the Complex Games Website.
• Face of Mankind on RPG Vault.
• Homeplanet on the Russobit-M Website.
• Red Faction II on Worthplaying.
• Will Rock on Action Vault.

Waiting for a PlayStation 3? Get comfortable on CNN Money makes the case for why they feel: "More and more, it appears that the PlayStation 3, Xbox 2 (or, as some are calling it, the 'Ybox') and next Nintendo game machine won't see the light of day until 2006." Also, Ubi Soft sends word that Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc for the PS2 and Xbox have followed the Nintendo version onto store shelves. Finally, Batman: Dark Tomorrow for the Xbox GameCube has shipped to stores throughout the US.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Razerzone officially announces "the new & much improved Mystify/Razer Boomslang 2500" mouse. Thanks Tony!!!
• News Windows 2000, server hole exploited.
• Apple dips toes into clustering.
• Armed robbers target computer chips.
• Helping cops keep tabs on wireless data.
• Mobiles: The Talk's About Data.
• Microsoft retools enterprise management.
• 3D flat screens, coming your way.
• ATI to board the M bus.
• Apple pulls plug on original iMac.
• Senate Wants Oversight of CAPPS II Program.
• Surveillance Nation.
• Guru of 3D's CeBIT 2003 Impressions.
• Dan's Data letters #38.

There's a Purge Online Class Guide on Worthplaying offering tutelage (in advance) on playing as the Cyborg Class in Freeform Interactive's upcoming MMO FPS/RPG.

There is a link in the PlanetBattlefield Forums to a 43 MB video showing off the next version of the Desert Combat mod for Battlefield 1942. Thanks Ant.

• BloodRayne on Just Adventure.
• Command & Conquer Generals on netjak.
• Enclave on Game Chronicles.
• Freelancer on gamingNEXT.
• Harbinger on Game Chronicles and UGO.com.
• IGI 2: Covert Strike on Gameplanet NZ and Computer Games Romania.
• Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis on Games Domain.
• Master of Orion III on GameOver.
• Medieval: Total War on The Longest Line.
• NASCAR Racing 2003 Season on Gameguru Mania.
• Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 on AllOutGames.
• Praetorians on Gamer Nation UK.
• Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield on Games Domain.
• The Elder Scrolls III: Tribunal on Gaming Invasion.
• Unreal II: the Awakening on Gamesradar.

• ABIT BH7 845PE Motherboard on VR-Zone Hardware.
• ABit NF7-S Ver. 1.2 Motherboard on LostCircuits.
• Coolink U1L2 Heatsink on FrostyTech.
• CoolMax USB 2.0 Drive Enclosure on I Am Not A Geek.
• Corsair XMS3500 vs Kingston KHX3500 DDR RAM comparison on Bjorn3D.
• Danger Den Water Cooling Kit on Nexus Hardware.
• DTek Ultra Violet Cold Cathode on Monster-Hardware.
• Epox 8K9A2+ Motherboard on AMDWorld.
• Gainward GeForce4 PowerPack! Ultra/700-8X XP Golden Sample Video Card on HardwareZone.
• Logitech MOMO Racing Wheel on Twisted Mods.
• Logitech Z-680 5.1 Channel Speaker System on Gamersclick.
• MicroTracker Mouse Pad on ExtensionTech.net.
• Samsung 172T LCD Monitor on MBReview.com.
• SunBeamTech El Strip on SubZeroTech.
• SVC UV Fan and CCFL on XtReMoDs.com.
• Thermaltake Smart Case Fan 2 on TechTastic.
• X-Trac Zoom Optical Mouse Pad on FITHLan.

• Computer Fictions: "Artificial intelligence and online team-play may be triggering fictional forms that we can only begin to imagine." Thanks Mike Martinez...
• Chris Vrenna Remixing Alice Poll "Which song from American McGee's Alice should Vrenna remix as the B-Side to the Enter the Matrix limited edition 7"?" That's vinyl they're talking about, for you whippersnappers...
• Salon.com Technology: Get behind the M.U.L.E. "Dani Bunten's pioneering computer game inspired some of the greatest designers in the business. But her life story is a testament to how the industry lost its way." Thanks Mike Martinez...
• The Adventure Company announces "it has shipped The Omega Stone: Riddle of the Sphinx II for the PC. The second in the Riddle of the Sphinx series, this title takes gamers on an incredible adventure."...
• There's yet another updated Star Wraith 3 Shadows of Orion demo on 3D Gamers, though the version number curiously remains at 1.4. There is also a Tournament Dreams College Basketball Demo on Worthplaying...
• There is a 7 MB Out of the Park Baseball 5 Update Patch on Worthplaying...

Hmmm, earlier updates... Fluke or trend?

Play Time:	TROGDOR!!! (Flash required). Thanks Nyl. The Lander (Flash required).
Link of the Day:	OriginalTrilogy.com. Thanks Ant.
Stories of the Day:	RIAA warns 300 companies on piracy.
Wild Science:	New and Improved! Finger on the future.
Weird Science:	Mystery illness on the move. Experts look to Australia's Aborigines for weather help.

Thanks Mike Martinez.