A pair of playable demos for Empires: Dawn of the Modern World have been released, offering the opportunity to try out the era-spanning 3D real-time strategy game in development at Stainless Steel Studios. Here is the description of both demos from 3D Gamers: "The first demo (255 MB) is set in the Middle Ages and single-player only, offering the 'Chapter 6: Heart of the Lion' scenario from the Richard Lionheart campaign and the 'Chapter 4: The Coming of the Samurai' scenario from the Admiral Yi campaign, while the second demo (275 MB) takes place in World War II and includes the single-player scenario 'Chapter 2: Hunting the Desert Fox' from the General Patton campaign, along with a random multiplayer map playable online or against a computer opponent." The demos are hosted on AusGamers (single-player, single/multi-player) and mirrored on 3D Gamers, Computer Games Online (single-player, single/multi-player), Gamers's Hell, IGN (single-player, single/multi-player), and Worthplaying

Apologies for the non-update here. In brief, my mom, who has been receiving treatment lately for her second recurrence (third incidence) of breast cancer had what is described as a "massive" stroke last night. We're off to see her in the hospital, but her prognosis has been described as grim.

I just wanted to fill you in, as I'm not sure when I'll be back at this point. Thanks for your understanding, and for any good thoughts or prayers that anyone can muster on the occasion.