This NovaLogic Downloads Page (thank Frans) has a new patch to update Delta Force: Black Hawk Down to version 1.2.0. The 10.2 MB patch adds additional cheater validation checks, tweaks some single player levels, and more. Mirrors of the patch can be found on 3D Gamers, Gamer's Hell, Gaming Horizon, Tiscali Games, and Worthplaying.

A new version 380 Linux dedicated server for Devastation is now available. The server is for the retail version of Digitalo's Unreal-engine shooter, and the download can be found on 3D Gamers where it says: "running a devastation server is very much like running a UT2003 server, so most of the stuff at UnrealAdmin.org is relevant."

Washington state bans sale of violent video games on CNN Money has news that the state of Washington is on the verge of explicitly outlawing the sale of violent computer and video games to anyone under the age of 17, as a bill to this effect has passed the senate, and is expected to be signed into law by Governor Gary Locke (D). Rather than being broadly aimed though, the bill "specifically mentions those that depict violence against law enforcement officials," with the article suggesting that Grand Theft Auto Vice City was a specific catalyst for this measure. The article offers quotes from both sides of this issue, and touches upon the question of interpretation that's being raised by those who feel the law's wording might be too vague. The article offers handy updates on other related legislation:

In Washington, D.C., Sen. Joe Baca, D.-Calif., has resurrected his "Protect Children from Video Game Sex and Violence Act" for the second year. The bill would make it a federal crime to sell or rent "adult video games" to minors – with proposed fines of $5,000 or more. Re-introduced to the House on Feb. 11, the bill is currently in the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. The 2002 bill of the same name died in that committee.

At the same time, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D.-Conn., who has been a long-time critic of the video game industry, plans to introduce legislation to fund a study on how exposure to different types of media affects players. When proposing the legislation at a research symposium, the presidential candidate made sure to single out video games.

Meanwhile, the gaming industry is currently awaiting a ruling from the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals on its attempt to overturn a St. Louis law, which bans the sale of violent video games to minors. A lower court upheld those restrictions a year ago.

This N-Fusion Downloads Page now offers an unsupported patch for Deadly Dozen: Pacific Theater, updating the game to version 2.38. They warn: "As soon as you install this patch customer support can no longer help you with problems you might have." What's changed in the patch is described in the release notes. Thanks hund schraube.

Rainbow Six Retreat points out that the Ubi Soft's E3 Showings list on IGN includes the following on what seems to be a new add-on for the tactical shooter: "Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3 Athena Sword: Looks like the PC is getting a new expansion for the latest in the series. Fun all around!"

MicrosoftGamesInsider (thanks Tiscali Games) has news of a 15 day free trial version of Asheron's Call 2 that requires a 882 MB download from FilePlanet (registration required) but does not require credit card info. Players looking to continue after the 15 day trial must purchase the boxed retail version of the game after the trial period concludes.

Enter the Matrix Goes Gold is the press release announcing the game tie-in with the sci-fi Matrix trilogy is now complete for all platforms, and is expected to appear at retail on May15, simultaneous with the debut of The Matrix Reloaded. Here's a bit:

"Enter The Matrix" is a revolution in interactive entertainment -- a third-person action game that effectively blurs the line between Hollywood blockbuster films and next-generation video games. The game is directed and features a script written by the Wachowski brothers, writers/directors of "The Matrix" film trilogy, creating the most intensive collaboration between a video-game publisher and a movie studio to date. More information about "Enter the Matrix" is available at www.enterthematrixgame.com; in addition, to learn more about "The Matrix Reloaded" visit www.thematrix.com.

GameSpy.com's Chrome Developer Diary Volume II is online, in which Pawel Zawodny from Polish developer Techland, "discusses implants, vehicles, and customizability." Also, Action Vault's Homeworld 2 Diary #3 is online, offering a look at multiplayer balance & mechanics, penned by Geoff Thomas, assistant producer on Relic Entertainment's upcoming space strategy sequel. Finally, RPG Vault's Greyhawk The Temple of Elemental Evil Journal #1 is written by Troika's Tim Cain, who discusses the "origins of the Troika game that almost wasn't."

Summitsoft's Empire of Magic Goes Gold (thanks Frans) has word that the role-playing strategy game from Mayhem Studios is complete, and is expected in stores by the end of this month. Word is: "The final days of a once mighty empire have come at last. The rotting dead rise from their earthbound sanctuary and, like a plague upon humanity, spread death and destruction across the lands. Armed only with powerful magic, players must take on the role of the young mage Artemian on a quest for truth and a ruthless battle for survival."

• Alpha Black Zero on Seriously!
• American Conquest: Fight Back on the Official Website, along with a new features page. Thanks Frans.
• KnightShift on the Official Website.
• Lionheart on RPG Vault.
• Nitro Family on Seriously!
• SÖLDNER: Secret Wars on the Official Website. Showing off Easter eggs just in time for Easter.
• X² - The Threat on Action Vault.

'Tekken' developer Namco courts Sega. Thanks Mike Martinez. Also, HomeLan Fed's Vultures Q&A talks with GRIN CEO Bo Andersson about their upcoming Xbox game of gladiatorial combat.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Opteron prices reflect AMD confidence.
• There's a Richard Brown Q&A on Sharky Extreme talking with VIA Technologies' director of international marketing.
• Slashdot: ILM Now Capable of Realtime CGI.
• Scotland: Texting blamed for crime rise.
• Microsoft Research seeks better search.
• Flaw bugs Office 2000 customers.
• Distributed computers power new search engine. Thanks [MP] Wolverine [MP].

The VERC Collective has opened up beta testing for a new version 3.5 of Hammer, some manner of developers dealie that now offers "model preview and leak trace in the 3D view" and further details can be found on this page.

Human Head Studios Help Wanted Page has word that they are "looking for a top-notch Unreal level designer to fill an immediate opening." They say: "We're looking for mappers who can stun us with a body of pre-existing levels made using the Unreal Tournament or (preferably) the UnrealED 3.0 editor."

• Dark Ages: Medenia on Stratics Central.
• Delta Force: Black Hawk Down on Gameplanet NZ.
• Devastation on Adrenaline Vault and Stratos Group.
• Emergency 2: the Ultimate Fight for Life on Worthplaying.
• Enclave on LoadedInc and The Gaming CoZmos.
• Endless Ages on PC Gameworld.
• Galactic Civilizations on FiringSquad.
• IL-2 Sturmovik on gamingNEXT.
• Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis on The Gamers Temple.
• Praetorians on GameSpot AU.
• Purge on GameSpot and ELiTeD.net.
• Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield on Khabal Gaming.
• Shadowbane on spinXero.
• Tropico 2: Pirate Cove on GameSpy and Games Domain.

• ABIT NF7-S Version 2.0 Athlon Motherboard on Extreme Overclocking, Overclockers Australia, and Techseekers.net.
• Albatron PX845PEV-800 Motherboard on bit-tech and MonkeyReview.
• AMD Athlon XP 1700+ JIUHB CPU on IBForums.
• ATI Radeon 9800 Pro Video Card on AthlonXP.com.
• BodyGuard Icy Dock on ipKonfig.com.
• Cooler Master Aero 7 Cooler on ThinkTechie.
• Cornea Systems CT1904 19" LCD Monitor on PCStats.com.
• EluminX Black Slim-Series Illuminated Keyboard on Tweak News.
• Eumax B605-01 Cooler on SubZeroTech.
• Inspire 6700 - MegaWorks 550 THX Speakers on Nordic Hardware.
• Iomega Predator 40x24x40x CD-RW on HardwareZone.com.
• NVIDIA GeforceFX 5200 Ultra Video Card on HardAvenue.
• Spire FridgeRock 5U213C1H3G Heatsink on FrostyTech.com.
• TweakMonster BGA RamSinks on BurnOutPc.com.
• Vantec AeroFlow VP4-C7040 Cooler on 8Balls Hardware.
• Xoxide Black Z40 Insight Case on ExtensionTech.net.
• Zoom X4 DSL Modem on MyGamer.com.

• A RollerCoaster Tycoon 2: Wacky Worlds Page is now online (thanks Frans) revealing a yet-to-be-announced add-on...
• Worthplaying has posted a new patch and a new demo for Alex Ferguson's Player Manager 2003...
• War video games take over sales charts. Thanks Mike Martinez...
• Rabbit Rosso in Trouble is a new free holiday game (with a premium version available) from CDV in the vein of Santa Claus in Trouble. Thanks YiYas...
• Report: 1 in 5 offline and plan to stay that way. Thanks Mike Martinez...
• Genderplay Successes and Failures in Character Designs for Videogames. Thanks Mike Martinez and Slashdot...

Brrrrr... Maybe by the time May rolls around we can finally shut down the furnace for the winter? Naaah...

Link of the Day:	He-Brew. Thanks Saba.
Stories of the Day:	Uncle Sam: Share your system's secrets. Obese Man, Denied a Job, Sues McDonald's. Thanks Brian Chin. FTC tries to shut down spam e-mail operation.
Weird Science:	Geologists skeptical as NASA warns of Peru glacier.
Wild Science:	Hearing Colors, Tasting Shapes.
	Thanks Mike Martinez.