Warlords Battlecry III demo coming Friday on GameSpot has word that the single-player demo for Enlight's real-time strategy game will debut on GameSpot's DLX service on Friday. Word is: "Many of Warlords Battlecry III's new features will be on display in the 280MB demo, such as the new hero system and new magic items. The demo will provide a choice between two of the game's 16 playable races--the dwarves and the swarm--and four of the 28 hero classes. As a taste of the story-based campaign that takes place on a previously unexplored continent of Etheria, there are four campaign battles, plus two skirmish maps."

This Sierra Entertainment Downloads Page offers a pair of new movies from Men of Valor, 2015's upcoming Vietnam War game. The first clip with in-game cutscenes is mirrored on 3D Gamers, ActionTrip, Filerush (torrent), FileShack (registration required), Gamer's Hell, and Worthplaying; while the second gameplay movie is mirrored on 3D Gamers, ActionTrip, Filerush (torrent), FileShack (registration required), Gamer's Hell, and Worthplaying. Also, the Eidos Interactive Downloads Area now features a new Hitman: Contracts trailer, showing off the now-gold sequel in "Psychology of the Assassin Part 3." This clip is mirrored on 3D Gamers, ActionTrip, and Worthplaying.

Strategic Command 2 Blitzkrieg has been announced: "Currently in development (scheduled for a Q4, 2004 release), the new grand strategy masterpiece from award winning game designer Hubert Cater! Combining the ease of play and accessibility of the original Strategic Command, Strategic Command 2 Blitzkrieg adds tons of new features including many player submitted suggestions. Bigger, better and expandable, Strategic Command 2 Blitzkrieg is an evolutionary as well as revolutionary new grand strategy game."

Massive Assault Network Released has word that the game is live: "Massive Assault Network is the next step in the highly acclaimed Massive Assault series. It includes the best elements of its predecessor with multiplayer component tremendously enhanced." In addition to the new client, the Massive Assault Network Downloads Page (thanks Frans) also now offers an additional Maps pack.

The Adventure Company Brings Agatha Christie to PC is the press release following up on announced plans to bring the Classic mystery author's games to the PC (story). Word is: "A series of five as-yet-to-be-determined PC games will be developed over the next six years for worldwide release and will be published The Adventure Company, the world’s leading publisher of adventure games."

Soldier Heroes of World War II Diary on IGN is written by Michael Rowland, community liaison officer at Codemasters, who outlines a couple of recording sessions for the upcoming World War II game. Also, Action Vault's Ground Control II Operation Exodus Peek #1 is online, in spite of debuting the series, as an abbreviated entry from Massive Entertainment's Martin Walfisz on the crunch mode the team is currently experiencing as they push to complete the 3D RTS sequel.

• Beyond Divinity on GameSpot.
• City of Heroes on RPG Vault.
• Hitman: Contracts on Gamesradar. Thanks Frans.

Vivendi Universal Games makes an economically worded announcement: "LOS ANGELES (April 13, 2004) – Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games) today announced that its North American President and COO Luc Vanhal has departed from the company effective immediately. VU Games CEO Bruce Hack will assume interim responsibility for Mr. Vanhal's duties."

• City of Heroes on RPG Vault.
• Face of Mankind on RPG Vault.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Slow down the security patch cycle. Thanks Ant.
• Apple offering free upgrades to 15GB iPod because of iPod mini delays.
• Even the law can't stop all sales calls.

The teasing on Gearbox Software's War Story Website has culminated in the announcement of Brothers in Arms, the title of this upcoming World War II game they hope represents "the most realistic and authentic WWII shooter ever." Here's a bit:

Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, today reinforces its strategy to dominate the war games market by announcing a long-term deal with award-winning developer Gearbox Software to publish a new military franchise: Brothers in Arms(tm). With its breakthrough squad-based combat mechanism and unprecedented realism, the first game in the series is poised to revolutionize the WWII genre when it ships on consoles and PC starting Holiday 2004. Created by Texas-based Gearbox Software, Brothers in Arms is the most realistic and authentic WWII shooter ever. While other WWII games have sugarcoated the war experience, Brothers in Arms is based on a true story and will immerse gamers into the gritty, uncensored and emotionally-charged side of war. The game puts you in the shoes of Sgt. Matt Baker, a D-Day paratrooper squad leader, and asks you to lead the squad as you balance their lives with the success of the mission. The true stories and historical events you experience on your perilous journey take you through real battlefields meticulously recreated from aerial reconnaissance images, US Army Signal Corps photos and eye-witness accounts of war-torn Normandy. Players of all skill levels can battle their way through this intense experience because of Brothers in Arms innovative and accessible command and control system."

The first screenshots from the game are in UGO's Brothers in Arms Preview, which includes some first-hand impressions and offers some details not included in the press release.

Eidos sends word that Hitman: Contracts is gold for the PC, Xbox, and PC2, and the latest installment in the series based on the exploits of hired assassin "47" is due in North America on April 21, and in Europe beginning April 30:

San Francisco, CA (April 13, 2004) – Eidos (NASDAQ: EIDSY), one of the world's leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, today announced that its highly-anticipated, action-stealth game Hitman: Contracts, developed by IO Interactive, has gone gold for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft and the PC and will be available at retail beginning April 21, 2004 in North America. The release of Hitman: Contracts will be supported by a massive multi-million dollar marketing campaign – one of the largest to-date by Eidos North America.

“As the follow-up to the multi-million unit selling Hitman 2: Silent Assassin, Hitman: Contracts is one of this year’s “must-have” titles for gamers. Eidos will unleash an exciting marketing campaign with tremendous reach and frequency to back the next installment,” said Paul Baldwin, Vice President of Marketing for Eidos Inc.

Hitman: Contracts will be backed by an in-depth marketing campaign encompassing television, radio, print, online, channel and public relations activities. The multi-million dollar “make the hit” television campaign features four different 15 and 30-second spots, which will run for a total of six weeks beginning two weeks prior to the game’s in-store date. The radio campaign will run nationwide for two months on the Howard Stern Show, and it will feature live reads and sponsorship in the second annual “Mrs. Butterface” contest during the week of May 10, 2004. Hitman: Contracts’ print effort includes ads slated to run in lifestyle publications such as FHM, Blender, Penthouse and Stuff magazines. Eidos will also achieve significant reach via major advertising for the game in all the gaming magazines.

Additionally, Eidos will charge a focused online campaign, part of which includes releasing the Hitman: Contracts television spot via Interscope Records and the 50 Cent and Eminem DeskSite units. DeskSite is a highly-targeted, customizable, opt-in software program that automatically delivers full-screen, broadcast-quality video entertainment directly to the consumer’s PC desktop.

On the channel front, major retail promotions will flank high-impact frontline real estate at prominent retail venues such as Best Buy, EB Games, GameStop, Toys ‘R’ Us, Blockbuster, Hollywood Video and more. Eidos will back the Hitman: Contracts launch with pre-order incentives, employee sales programs, and top-tier in-store merchandising and national ad support. In addition, the title will be promoted via mainstream consumer and gaming focused comprehensive public relations campaigns.

Hitman: Contracts is the follow-up to Hitman 2: Silent Assassin, which to-date has sold more than three million copies since its release in November 2002. The game explores the dark psychology of killing for a living as the player takes on the role of the world’s deadliest assassin, Agent 47. Hitman: Contracts promises to be the most disturbing and action-packed episode of the series. Hitman: Contracts is in development by IO Interactive, the Danish-based studio recently acquired by Eidos. Hitman: Contracts will ship throughout Europe beginning April 30.

Nevrax announces open beta testing for Saga of Ryzom:

Paris, France – April 13th, 2004 -- Nevrax (http://www.nevrax.com), an independent online game and software developer, announced today that the Saga of Ryzom, its highly anticipated multi-genre massively multiplayer RPG, enters Open Beta beginning today, April 13th 2004. Community relations and customer support for the beta will be provided by the Themis Group in the United States, and hosting will be provided by Jolt Online Gaming.

"We have eagerly anticipated the opportunity to bring the Saga of Ryzom into open beta," said David Cohen-Corval, CEO of Nevrax. “Players should expect a refreshing new beginning to the genre today.”

The Beta 3 client will be available online exclusively through Gamespy's Fileplanet download service (http://www.fileplanet.com). Only subscribers of the Fileplanet service will have access to the Open Beta the first week, with open admittance beginning the week after. The Beta 3 client will also be distributed as a DVD insert in leading gaming publications in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

"We’re excited that people will soon be able to experience the Saga of Ryzom for the very first time," said Alexander Macris, CEO of Themis Group.

In the far off distant future, four homin races struggle for survival on the planet of Atys. Known as the “living planet”, Atys is growing and evolving on its own, sending tendrils into the sky and covering the lands with new life. This lush and vibrant world is the setting for the game. The Saga will be played out over a period of eight years, during which the players will be able to explore and adventure with thousands of others, in order to reveal the hidden mysteries not only of Atys, but of the entire Ryzom universe.

Driven by the new RAID (Real-Time Army Invasion Deployment) engine, Ryzom enables you to:

• Engage hordes of enemies in epic invasions;
• Build a truly unique character using flexible, skill-based advancement systems;
• Create your own customized special attacks and spells using the Modular Action System;
• Construct, customize, and enchant items to create unique powerful equipment for your character;
• Gain fame through your adventures and become a known Hero of the land.

To sign up for the beta or learn more about Saga of Ryzom, go to www.ryzom.com. Players who have registered for the Beta, can get customer support and join the community at http://atys.ryzom.com.

As John Belushi might have said, ToCA! ToCA!, as Codemasters sends word that ToCA Race Driver 2: Ultimate Racing Simulator is racing into stores. Here's word on the game, which should be available now for the Xbox, and later this week for PCs:

New York, NY – April 13, 2004 – Codemasters, a global interactive entertainment software publisher, announced today that its most comprehensive motor sport racing game ever, ToCA Race Driver 2: Ultimate Racing Simulator, has shipped to North American retail outlets for the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft. The PC DVD-ROM version will ship later this week. The title is available at a suggested retail price of $29.99.

ToCA Race Driver 2 offers the most thrilling range of motor sports available, including GT Sports Car Racing, Street Racing, Rally, DTM, V8 Supercars, Global GT Lights, Rally Cross, Formula Ford, Open Wheel Grand Prix and Classic Car Racing. For the definitive racing experience, players can compete with up to 12 racers online simultaneously via Xbox? Live and PC online.

"ToCA Race Driver 2 gives players the most authentic and expansive range of racing ever to be offered in one game,” said Steven Lux, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Codemasters. "Codemasters is proud to have once again raised the bar for the racing game genre.”

ToCA Race Driver 2 gives players the opportunity to get behind the wheel of some of the world’s most powerful racing and streetcars including the Ford GT, Aston Martin Vanquish, Jaguar XKR, Nissan Skyline and AMG-Mercedes CLK. With up to 21 players on the track at once, gamers can battle for position on 50 racing circuits including the Texas Motor Speedway, Pikes Peak International Raceway, Surfers Paradise, Laguna Seca and Road America.

Additional game features include:

    • 31 championships covering 15 different motor sports.
    • 35 aspirational cars including the Aston Martin DB9 (exclusive), Subaru Impreza WRX, Mitsubishi EVO VII, ABT-Audi TT-R and more.
    • 31 global race locations delivering 50 tracks.
    • Incredible pack racing: up to 21 cars on track at once, battling for position.
    • A stunning new visual engine running 60 frames per second graphics.
    • The most sophisticated physics and car handling engine yet.
    • All new and hugely realistic damage engine.
    • Head to head Xbox Live and PC online functionality.
    • First person interactive storyline drives progression through the Championships.

For all the latest screens and movies visit the website at:
http://www.codemasters.com/tocaracedriver2/

Following up on the story below, Turbine Entertainment officially unveils plans for a new Asheron's Call expansion, to be the company's first self-published title. Here's the deal:

TURBINE GREEN LIGHTS NEW ASHERON’S CALL® EXPANSION PROJECT

Expansion Pack Is Company’s First Self-Published Video Game

WESTWOOD, Mass. – April 13, 2004 –Turbine Entertainment Software Corp. today announced that fans of the award-winning 3D massively multiplayer online role playing game Asheron’s Call® (AC) will receive a new expansion pack in early 2005. Available for the PC, the latest AC installment will offer fresh challenges to experienced players while welcoming new gamers to the colorful and exciting fantasy world of Dereth.

“When Turbine first created Asheron’s Call we knew the game would be exciting, but we couldn’t have imagined it would have such an overwhelming following of dedicated players,” said Jeffrey Anderson, president and CEO, Turbine Entertainment Software. “This expansion is a great way to say ‘thank you’ to all of the AC1 players. They are the reason that AC will remain a popular and exciting online role playing game for a long time to come.”

The Asheron’s Call expansion pack is the first video game completely self-published by Turbine Entertainment Software. In addition, this project will be the first title developed in the company’s new West Coast Studio located in Santa Monica, Calif. The expansion pack will be the third installment in the original AC series, following the launch of Asheron’s Call in 1999 and the Asheron’s Call: Dark Majesty® expansion published in 2001.

Key Expansion Pack Features

    • Graphics Upgrade: A substantial upgrade of Turbine’s first generation graphics engine, the Turbine Engine®, which serves as the backbone to Asheron’s Call. The upgrade is expected to more than double the original texture size, resulting in more detailed characters, creatures and landscapes. Most importantly, the improvements won’t significantly impact performance, allowing robust play even on lower-end machines.

    • New Elder Game: An intricate and involved strategic resource and land control system that will allow players to compete for enhanced skills and town ownership. Through a new land-raid system, players will also be able to invade other allegiance’s territory and attempt to plunder the opposition’s resources, skills and abilities.

In addition to these key features, there will be many new stories, monsters and hours of additional game play. Turbine also plans to support the expansion’s release with a new story arc promoted through in-game episodic content. This approach will further build upon the massive amounts of existing content by providing new and exciting story lines and adventures. Turbine will release further details about the new chapter – such as the complete feature set – in future announcements. Additional information about the Asheron’s Call video games can be found online at http://ac.turbinegames.com.

New Asheron's Call expansion pack coming on GameSpot has word on plans for another expansion for Asheron's Call. The article reveals: "The new, as-yet-unnamed expansion pack will revamp the game's Turbine Engine, doubling the original texture size without impacting performance on low-end machines. Turbine is also touting the packs' new strategic-resource and land-control systems, which will encourage players to compete for higher-level skills and town ownership." The story includes a Q&A with Jessica Mulligan, executive producer on the project, to learn more about the plans.

The Elixir Studios Website has the low key (comatose?) announcement of plans for an upcoming project titled Blue Vault. The only details provided are in the link to a PC Zone Magazine article insidiously published on April 1 (which, with no official announcement to back it up was skipped here at the time due to uncertainly about whether this was an April Fools' joke). There's still no official announcement on all this, so here's word from the PCZ article:

The Blue Vault of the title refers to an organisation which spends its time hunting down pesky aliens and doing its best not to let other humans even know the extraterrestrial sons-of-bitches even exist. There are plans for six different alien species, with around thirty missions in the finished game.

It's a strategy title, so expect such delightful elements as resource gathering, unit recruitment and skill advancement to make a decent fist of things, though we're promised a detail level on a par with RPGs.

Busy Buka makes yet another new game announcement, for an upcoming first-person shooter called Operation: Matriarchy in development at MADia, due in first quarter 2005, in the first game press release we can ever recall that uses the phrase "the weaker sex." Here goes:

A planet-wide epidemic caused by an extraterrestrial virus totally changed all women of the planet of Velian. Their bodies transformed to become parts of collective intelligence, presumably controlled by some non-humanoid creatures. The Velian men proved to be resistant to the virus, but they lost their status of free intelligent beings and only existed as suppliers of biomaterial for further gene experimentation and as parts of complex biomechanical systems. The society became now a kind of matriarchal hive.
The Galactic Federation lost several dozens of transports due to enemy attacks in the second half of the 24th century. A deep analysis of the situation made it clear that the aggressor comes from the Velian star system. It is there that the Federation is sending an expeditionary corps to destroy the hostile civilization that threatens the very existence of the human race and to investigate the fate of the missing colonists.
You are a trooper of the government army sent with the expeditionary force to attack Velian. As you accomplish missions given to you at the headquarters, you get new opportunities in selection of weapons and military equipment. Each mission will also get you closer to the secret of the origin of the Velian anomaly of the human race.

*Key Features:*

    • The hero can use several types of the armored space suit for short-time flights with diverse attached implements;
    • Your main enemies will be the mutated representatives of the weaker sex;
    • Support of multiplayer gaming via LAN and the Internet;
    • Terrific 3D action in the future of our Universe;
    • 16 types of fantastic deadly weapons;
    • Over 20 intensive levels;
    • Rag doll technology and true damage system (the location of the hit affects the damage type).

• Power of Law
  The Power of Law Q&A on The GameWatchers Network (thanks Frans) talks with Vitaly Shutov, head of MiST Land–South, to probe for details about Power of Law, their upcoming tactical RPG.
• Online Worlds
  RPG Vault's Online Worlds Roundtable #10, Part 4 is online, with: "More viewpoints from members of the development community on why persistent state gaming has yet to explode."
• Kombat
  The GameWatchers Network's Kombat Q&A grills Sergey Salnikov of 3A Games about progress on Officers/Kombat, their upcoming World War II 3D real-time strategy game.
• Leisure Suit Larry
  The Leisure Suit Larry Magna Cum Laude Q&A on Gameguru Mania talks with Kevin Sheller, executive producer at High Voltage Software, about their upcoming contribution to the lecherous legacy of Leisure Suit Larry.
• Vision
  HomeLAN Fed's Vision Q&A talks with Jiri Rydl and Vlada Chvatil about Vision, ALTAR Interactive's upcoming fantasy RPG.
• Streamline Studios
  HomeLAN Fed's Streamline Studios Q&A talks with Alexander L. Fernández of Streamline Studios about their work on the cinematic for Unreal Tournament 2004, the Torlan UT2004 Onslaught map, and Hoopworld, their upcoming sports-themed game.

A new version of the Battle Mages demo is now available, Targem's strategy RPG sample is now up to version 1.1.2. The new version addresses a startup menu bug, improves stability, plugs memory leaks, and more. The new demo and a patch to update the previous version are available on 3D Gamers.

• City of Heroes on Gamers With Jobs.
• Codename: Panzers on GameSpot.
• EverQuest II on 1UP.
• Hitman Contracts on ConsoleGameworld and Worthplaying.
• Shadow Ops Red Mercury on GameSpy.
• Supreme Ruler 2010 on IGN.

A German demo for Fenimore Fillmore: The Westerner is now available, offering a German-language playable sample of the western-themed adventure game. The 217 MB demo can be found on 3D Gamers and Gamer's Hell.

• Caribbean Crisis on the Official Website. Thanks Frans.
• City of Heroes on RPG Vault.
• HellForces on the Official Website. Thanks Frans.
• Warlords Battlecry III on the Official Web Site.

The Bungie Studios Website has been re-launched (thanks Frans). The site offers: "A new look, new functionality and most important of all, new content, news, features and art! There's a ton of new Halo stuff, updated game pages and even Xbox Live Gamertag linking."

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Intel's latest P4 chip hard to get, PC makers say.
• Intel to merge Xeon, Itanium chipsets.
• Intel salutes Itanium with speed bump.
• Concern grows over browser security.
• Microsoft shuffles execs to combat security flaws. How many execs has it taken to make other products more secure?
• Take 2 for PC memory.
• Google's Gmail could be blocked.
• Google plans trademark gambit.
• Microsoft sued by S.Korean instant messaging rival.
• FCC is taking wrong turn on digital media. Among other things... get them a GPS.
• Small Is Huge in PCs These Days.
• Pop-ups coming to digital TV?
• HyperSnap-DX 5.60.00 is now available.
• The ATI Q&A on Legit Reviews talks with Terry Makedon.
• Sega Dreamcast spawned Intel PDA graphics tech.
• Is The Mac G5 The World's Fastest?

The Jolt.co.uk public forums now offer a new gameplay video showing off the upcoming version of Strike Force 2004 for Unreal Tournament 2004.

• Battlefield Vietnam on Action Vault and AMDReview.
• Conan on Computer and Video Games.
• Counter-Strike: Condition Zero on EuroGamer.
• Crystal Key 2: the Far Realm on PC Gameworld and Adrenaline Vault.
• Desert Rats vs. Afrika Korps on Worthplaying.
• Etherlords II on Ferrago.
• Far Cry on GameSpy and Barry's Rigs 'n Reviews.
• Joan of Arc on ExtremeMHz.
• Midnight Nowhere on Game Tactics.
• Nemesis of the Roman Empire on Strategy Informer.
• Painkiller on Game Over, Games Domain, Frictionless Insight, HomeLAN Fed, IGN, and PC Arena.
• Sacred on IGN.
• SpellForce - The Order of Dawn on ZenGamer.
• Spells of Gold on Gamer's Hell.
• Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow on Primotech.
• Syberia II on ActionTrip.
• Unreal Tournament 2004 on PC Gaming, Gamezilla, and Game Revolution.
• War Times on The Armchair Empire.

• ABIT Radeon 9800 XT 256MB Video Card on HEXUS.net.
• Antec Aria Case on GamePC.
• Black EL Keyboard on eXtremeReviews.net.
• Cooler Master Coolpad Notebook Cooler on hardCOREware.net.
• Shuttle SB75S Motherboard on LostCircuits.
• GG3 Steel Gaming Glove on Bytesector.
• Logitech MX700 Mouse on PC Gameworld.
• PowerColor 9800SE Video Cards on Bjorn3D.
• Primecooler PC-HDB SuperSilent passive HDD Cooler on MADSHRIMPS.
• Sony VAIO PCG-FR415S Laptop on TrustedReviews.
• Syntax AP7600 Pentium 4 Notebook on EXTREME Overclocking.
• Thermalright SP-97 Cooler on Steamed Turtle.

• Kuma/War "an online game service featuring accurate recreations of real world events in the war on terror, has launched its newest mission, Samarra Bank Heist Part 2."...
• The Aspyr Website has word that the Mac version of C&C Generals is shipping, and should be available this week...
• The Matrix Online announces plans for integration of AIM into the upcoming MMORPG...
• Toronto company dreams of heavenly returns with new computer game Painkiller. Thanks Mike Martinez...

A couple of complaints have popped up again lately about noisy ads that have popped up again lately. I brought the couple of these to the attention of UGO high command, and they have been removed. The situation, as I understand it, is that they recognize the problem caused by these ads on a site like this that some folks use as a homepage, but there is currently no practical way to steer the noisy ads away from here in particular when these campaigns are added to the network. I'll keep an ear out for such ads in the future, and should you come across one yourself, I'd appreciate you dropping a line so we can see if it can be taken care of.

I think I mentioned reading that some users of Zinc cold remedy nasal sprays like I've been using have complained of having lost their senses of smell. This press release (thanks Mike Martinez) describes the possibilities of reversing this condition using pepper-based nasal spray.

Links of the Day:	Awful Plastic Surgery. Guide to Shooting Rubber Bands. Rejected iPod Engravings.
Stories of the Day:	TV quake film has experts shaking -- heads. Oldest Known Pet Cat? And the litter hasn't been changed! In Michigan, a Milestone for a Mouse Methuselah (registration required).
Science!:	Following a Bright Light to a Calmer Tomorrow (registration required). Firm cheers loss of robot in Iraq. Who says biology need be destiny?
Media of the Day:	The Singhsons. Thanks Sharon.
Follow-up:	'Murphy Brown' actor died of overdose.
	Thanks Mike Martinez