PlanetSide Expansion Coming on IGN has word of plans to expand Sony Online Entertainment's MMOFPS. They do not offer a source for their report, which consists basically of a title: "Core Combat." No details are yet available.

The Desert Combat Website now offers downloads of the new version 0.39k patch for the Desert Combat mod for Battlefield 1942. The update requires version 0.38d, and while it adds some new features and vehicles, it is said to be aimed primarily towards maintaining compatibility with BF1942 after the upcoming version 1.4.5 update.

Thanks Frans.

• Call of Duty on IGN.
• Conflict Desert Storm 2 on Computer and Video Games. With a movie.
• Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne on Computer and Video Games.
• Robin Hood: Defender of the Crown on Next Level Gaming and Team Xbox. Thanks HomeLAN Fed.

HomeLAN Fed's QuakeCon Doom III Keynote Panel Highlights is a snapshot of the panel discussion at the gaming extravaganza. Here's a bit of the discussion of the primary topic of DOOM 3:

Much was made on the planned support for mods in Doom III. Duffy said that nearly everything in Doom III was text file based so that should make it easy for mod makers to pretty much do whatever they want in the game. The game’s development tools will be included in Doom III’s release and Willits said he expected that there will be a ton of mods made for the game in a short period of time.

Willits said that the physics engine for Doom III is a unique id Software engine and is not a licensed engine like other games have. Willits described a Doom III test map where 100 boxes are stacked up and one shot can bring the entire stack down. Willits claimed such a scene would bring other game physics engines down to their knees.

Thanks Frans.

• Halo on the Official Website.

This Eidos Interactive Downloads Page now offers downloads of a new Commandos 3: Destination Berlin movie, mirrored on 3D Gamers and Gamer's Hell. Also, there's a Worms 3 movie on the official site showing off gameplay from Team17's upcoming Worms game, mirrored on 3D Gamers, Computer and Video Games and Jucaushii.ro. Team17 also announces plans for several demos.

Meant to post this yesterday (sorry): This JoWooD Forum Post points the way to downloads of the Russian version of the Silent Storm demo (the English version is expected in a couple of weeks). A mirror can be found on 3D Gamers.

Egosoft announces plans for a rolling (non-playable) X² demo next week (thanks Frans). Here's the deal: "BASINGSTOKE, England (August 15th, 2003) - As the anticipation surrounding EGOSOFT's upcoming space trading / combat sim, X²: THE THREAT reaches supernova proportions, UK software publisher KOCH MEDIA are pleased to announce the release of the X²: THE THREAT ROLLING DEMO. Using actual game code, this non-playable rolling 'movie' shows many of the game's key features. The demo will be released to an eager worldwide audience on FRIDAY AUGUST 22nd 2003, via EGOSOFT's website www.x2thethreat.com. From here it will become available to all good gaming websites and portals."

Thanks Frans.

• DOOM 3 on GamePro and GameSpy.
• Dungeon Siege: Legend of Aranna on Games Domain and IGN.
• Robin Hood: Defender of the Crown on Boomtown.net.
• Secret Weapons over Normandy on Games Domain.

Infinium Labs Selects Gigex as Exclusive Distribution Partner for Unveiling of the Phantom Game Console(TM) (thanks Frans) has the latest pre-hype hype.

• Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic on Worthplaying.
• Chaser (in German) on GamersUnitedNetwork.
• Lionheart: Legacy of the Crusader (first impressions) on Gamers With Jobs.
• Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide on DeadAlfs 2000.
• PlanetSide on Gaming Click.
• Starships Unlimited: Divided Galaxies on Computer and Video Games.
• World War II: Frontline Command on Gaming Click.

• Cooler Master Wave Master Case on VR-Zone Hardware.
• Samsung SyncMaster 211MP LCD Monitor on MrPCPro.

• Comcast says no Vivendi bid. Thanks Shawn W....

Update: I was working on this update, but the power that returned here last night just cut out again, so if it does not come back, I will use the time being provided by my UPSs to post what I have, and apologize for the downtime.

As far as I can tell, the fact that my power came back after just a few hours yesterday put me in the minority of those originally impacted by the big blackout here in the northeast. MrsBlue spent the night in the city with her sister, my step-Grandma in Brooklyn is still blacked-out, friends just north of here were without power when last I heard... I'm not sure if its our ominous proximity to a nuclear power plant that's helped get us back online, but right now I'm not complaining. Seems UGO's data center is nicely powered, as is my Telco-provided DSL, but the local ISP where my mail resides does not get such high marks for preparedness, as my mail has been dead since the first outage, meaning some mailed-in links are going to pile up for the moment.

Play Time:	Flash Nuclear Power Plant.
Link of the Day:	Tips of all Sorts: Blackout. Home Power Magazine.
Stories of the Day:	Experts Ask How Blackout Spread Quickly. One Dead, One Hurt in New York Blackout.
Wild Science:	New dinosaur found in India.
Weird Science:	Model plane flown across Atlantic. Thanks Travis McPherson. 'Healthy' peanuts to hit stores next year.
	Thanks Mike Martinez.