New patches are now available for Hidden & Dangerous 2, updating the dedicated server and the multiplayer demo of Illusion Softworks World War II tactical shooter to version 1.05, just like the recent client patch (story). The server patch is 11 MB and the demo patch is 4.6 MB, each available on 3D Gamers, ActionTrip, and Worthplaying.

Epic has released the UT2004 UnrealScript Development Environment (direct link), and word from Epic's Steve Polge is: "UnrealScript coders should also download the UT2004 v3186 UnrealScript source code, from http://unreal.epicgames.com/Files/scripts3186.zip." These files are mirrored on 3D Gamers. Further: "Both programmers and level designers will find the Level and Mod Optimization guide useful, http://unreal.epicgames.com/Files/optimization-guide.txt. The following web sites also are great resources for UT2004 mod authors: http://udn.epicgames.com http://sv3.3dbuzz.com/vbforum/unr_main.php http://wiki.beyondunreal.com/wiki/ http://www.psyonix.com."

LucasArts' Star Wars Galaxies: Jump to Lightspeed product page is online (thanks GameStar.hu), offering a FAQ, some screenshots, and a very short gameplay trailer for the upcoming space-flight expansion for Star Wars Galaxies, while on a related note, there's a Jump to Lightspeed Q&A on GameSpot discussing the project with Haden Blackman. The 8.3 MB movie is mirrored on 3D Gamers, ActionTrip, Gamer's Hell, and Worthplaying. Also, if your spidey-sense is tingling to beat the band, it may be because the Kellogg's Pop-Tarts Website, of all places, features a new gameplay movie for Spider-Man 2 (thanks Computer And Video Games and Frans).

A post to a thread called Who wants Gore II? on the 4D Rulers Forums by 4D Ruler's president Joel Huenink describes the programming and real-life complications that force him to consider the independent development of Gore II to be on hold for the time being, though in a later post, he clarifies: "I don't want to give everyone the wrong impression. Gore II still might happen, or a game similar with a new name. Once my contract with DC expires in June I'll be able to shop my ideas around to other publishers, so I just have to rough it out until then." Here's a bit from the earlier post:

I've been busting ass at the new job, which is doing auto body work, (my old trade before making games) and its pretty physical, so I'm pretty well beat at the end of the day and have no motivation left to finish the demo because Ben's shit has been sitting for 6 months untouched. I found some new bugs with the armor which pretty much need ben to fix, and he's dragging ass, so I'm sort of stuck right now. Sure there are probably things I could do, but I'm pretty well burnt out on games right now. Not saying I'm done or anything rash, but now that I have a "real job" I'm focusing on getting my shit together for a while. I might write a design doc and replan this whole Gore II thing. I might be able to get the rights back from DC, if I can I might go for it, if not I might rework the thing into a new demo with a new name and no IP issues. But for now after working my ass off all day and I've been taking care of my kids a lot, I just don't have time for Gore II. The donations were making it a reality, but they stopped, so I had to get a job, thus Gore II came to a stop. I don't blame anyone, you guys were very generous, and I thank you. Its not over yet, but I need to get a design doc done and start over. Its not like technology wise we're going to be stale in a few months, D3 hasn't even shipped. So I'm taking a bit of a break and rethinking things.

LucasArts has revealed details about the promised Jump to Lightspeed expansion that will add spaceflight to their massively multiplayer Star Wars game, saying to expect the add-on this fall:

LUCASARTS ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF STAR WARS GALAXIES(r): JUMP TO LIGHTSPEED

Marin County, Calif. - April 21, 2004 - The struggle between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance extends into space with Star Wars Galaxies: Jump to Lightspeed, the first expansion for the award-winning Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing game set in the Star Wars(r) universe. Releasing in fall 2004 for the PC, this highly anticipated addition will dramatically expand the Star Wars Galaxies franchise by providing players more than 15 different vehicles for space exploration and combat.

Starfighters and other starships will be featured in the expansion that can be used for both space exploration and combat, allowing players to join up with allies and fly familiar X-wings and TIE fighters into battle against faction-aligned opponents and AI-controlled ships. Transport ships similar to the well-known Millennium Falcon will also be added into the game, allowing players to venture through space with friends aboard.

Set in the Star Wars timeframe between Episode IV and Episode V, this first extension to the Star Wars Galaxies foundation opens 10 vast and distinct space sectors, spanning from the Core Worlds to the Outer Rim, for players to explore while engaging their opponents in intense real-time combat or uniting with friends in battle or exploration. Players can embark on more than 100 new missions, venturing through asteroid fields, nebulae and space junkyards while honing skills in four new space-specific professions. The game also features two new and completely customizable species.

Since its launch in June 2003, Star Wars Galaxies has allowed players to live the Star Wars saga and become immersed in the classic Star Wars universe simultaneously. Star Wars Galaxies: Jump to Lightspeed continues the full immersion in the greatest Star Wars saga ever told: Yours.

Celebrating a new deal with 1C Company, the official You are Empty Website is now online (thanks Frans), a home base to Digital Spray Studios' upcoming alternate history first-person action game. Here's the announcement of the publishing arrangement that features details about the game:

April 21 2004 - 1C Company officially announces that it has won publishing rights to You Are Empty from Digital Spray Studios.

You Are Empty is a first-person action game, that offers players an alternative approach to the history of USSR.
In the late fifties of the XX century, leading Soviet scientists start experiments that alter human physiology and mentality in order to create super humans capable of building a bright future for communism all over the world.
But tampering with the universes' toolbox is not without consequence. As a result, the experiments break free of their creators and go on a rampage throughout the city. The majority of citizens died, and in an ironic twist of Darwinian natural selection, the remaining population has survived to become hideous mutants, the only inhabitants of deserted streets.
You Are Empty immerses players in an exaggerated dark and obscure atmosphere of Soviet totalitarianism. Fighting against mutants created by the Soviet super solider program, the players are tasked to figure out what happened in the city and stop the mutants from spreading further.


Game features
- Unique conventionalized environment of the Soviet totalitarian society.
- Fascinating and unusual storyline with branching story paths and multiple endings.
- Rich and unforgettable game experience. Main character is also subject to the effect of the experiment and runs risks of turning into a mutant himself. From time to time mutation powers have an affect upon on game play as player also gains super powers.
- Superb visual effects, including post-effects.
- Distinctive and lively characters.
- Realistic physics engine and sophisticated AI system.

An update to the Massive Assault Network is now available, updating Wargming.Net's online game to version 1.2.203. No details are provided at this time for the patch, which weighs in at about 1 MB. Thanks Frans.

The new version 1.4 patch is now available, offering the long-awaited support for EvenBalance PunkBuster anti-cheating support along with the new Stalingrad multiplayer map, balance tweaks, and bug fixes. The patch is just shy of 30 MB, available on 3D Downloads, 3D Gamers, ActionTrip, Adrenaline Vault, Computer Games Online, FileFront, FileShack (registration required), Fragland.net, Gamer's Hell, Games-Fusion, Pixelrage.ro, and Worthplaying. Also, the new version 1.4 Call of Duty dedicated Linux server update is now available, the 25 MB server patch can be found on 3D Gamers, ActionTrip, FileFront, Fragland.net, Gamer's Hell, and Worthplaying; while the full 181 MB server is available on 3D Gamers, FileFront, Fragland.net, Gamer's Hell, and Worthplaying. Here are some notes accompanying the patch:

This patch will update ALL retail copies of Call of Duty™ as well as versions patched to 1.2 and 1.3. It is all-inclusive, containing the fixes included in the 1.2, 1.3 Beta, and 1.3 patches.

· It is recommended that any user modifications that have been installed to the Call of Duty™ directory be removed before installing this patch. These modifications are not supported by Activision® and may not be compatible with some of the new features that are included.

Upon installing the 1.4 patch, you may be prompted to re-enter your CD key. Please be sure to have your Call of Duty™ CD key handy.

A pair of new Men of Valor movies are now available, showing off 2015's upcoming Vietnam War shooter. There's a smaller clip on 3D Gamers, Filerush (torrent), Gamer's Hell, GenGamers, Pixelrage.ro, and Worthplaying and a larger clip on 3D Gamers, Filerush (torrent), Gamer's Hell, GenGamers, Pixelrage.ro, and Worthplaying. Also, a new gameplay movie showing off some slick driving in Richard Burns Rally is available on 3D Gamers and Blackhole Motorsports. Also, there's a 4 MB Madden 2005 movie on Worthplaying. Finally, there's a new clip showing off Leisure Suit Larry Magna Cum Laude, the upcoming return of the lovable letch, on this Sierra Entertainment Downloads page, the 7 MB clip can also be found on Gamer's Hell, Pixelrage.ro, and Worthplaying.

• Thief: Deadly Shadows
  HomeLAN Fed's Thief Deadly Shadows Q&A chats with Warren Spector and Nathan Regener about their upcoming continuation of the beloved Thief series, with Nathan saying: "It has been quite an honor to follow in the footsteps of the original Thief team. I think that working closely with them has really allowed us to carry on the traditions that made Thief the hit that it was," and Warren saying: "Not much I can add to that. I just hope we do justice to the Looking Glass legacy. I think the team’s done an aces job."
• Star Wars Galaxies
  The Star Wars Galaxies Jump to Lightspeed Q&A on IGN talks with SOE producer Haden Blackman about the long-awaited addition of space flight to the Star Wars MMORPG.
• SPECNAZ: Project Wolf
  HomeLAN Fed's SPECNAZ: Project Wolf Q&A talks with Martin Equino-x Hornak (x?) about SPECNAZ: Project Wolf, their upcoming tactical shooter.
• City of Heroes
  The City of Heroes Q&A on FileFront talks with Cryptic Studios' cofounder Michael Lewis about their now-gold superhero-themed MMORPG.
• Besieger
  The Besieger Q&A on The Adrenaline Vault talks with Primal producer Pavel Grodek about the upcoming castle-happy RTS game.
• Chaos League
  Gamers Europe's Patrick Pligersdorfferz Q&A talks with Cyanide Studios' about Chaos League, their upcoming RTS combat game.

Funcom's Jorgen Tharaldsen and Oivind Steensen team up for RPG Vault's Anarchy Online - Alien Invasion Transmission #2, describing "the extraterrestrial interlopers that will arrive to menace Rubi-Ka in the upcoming expansion." Also, a new Pirates of the Burning Sea Captain's Log (thanks Frans) discusses several features of the upcoming MMORPG: "lanterns, forts, flags, surrender, viewport UI, bailing water, crew allocation, GM tools, in-game maps, and terrain."

• Rise of Nations Thrones and Patriots on IGN.

• COPS 2170: The Power of Law on RPG Vault.
• Face of Mankind on RPG Vault.
• Guild Wars on the Official Website.
• Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude on ToTheGame.
• Lineage II: The Chaotic Chronicle on RPG Vault.
• World of Warcraft on GameBanshee.

An official The Stalin Subway product page is online (thanks Frans), dedicated to G5 Software's recently unveiled Cold War first-person shooter. The site includes info and some new screenshots.

• EA Announces Plans for The URBZ.
• The Red Dead Revolver Q&A on Boomtown talks with Rockstar's Michael Kelley.
• Gamehelper's Fight Club Q&A talks with Chris Miller about the upcoming game, even though the first rule of Fight Club is...
• Fragland.net's Serious Sam: Next Enccounter Q&A talks with Climax producer Matt Cooper.
• Spy Fiction Q&A on Gamer's Hell.
• Van Helsing Preview on Gamer-Talk.net.
• Fragland.net Previews Sudeki.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• AMD, Intel to meet in court — again.
• Will rising DRAM prices mean less memory?
• ICQ version 4.0 is now available. Thanks Anthony.
• Internet speed record set.
• Internet Technology Vulnerable to Hackers.
• TCP flaw threatens Net data transmissions.
• PC users 'fail security tests'.
• New tool would block illegal song swapping.
• Intel touts 'MP3 for 3D' universal graphics format.
• Red Hat seeks to reawaken SCO case.
• Bush stumps for Patriot Act extension.
• Live, digital video heading to U.S. police cars.
• Cash Cow or Spam Sow?
• Slashdot | WebCrawler Turns 10 Today.
• Dan's Data letters #100.

There's a Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow Walkthrough on GameShark, focusing on the Xbox version of the game.

Gas Powered Games has released a new Dungeon Siege Toolkit Patch (registration required), the 3.5 MB patch updating the toolkit to version 1.6 is mirrored on 3D Gamers. Also, GarageGames Throws Down Gauntlet – No More Excuses for Bad Net Code on the GarageGames Website announces that: "GarageGames announced today that it has released its award-winning network code as the stand-alone, cross-platform Torque Network Library (TNL) under their trademark ´indie´ license, a full commercial license and a GPL Open Source license."

• Battle Engine Aquila (in German) on GameCaptain.de.
• Battlefield Vietnam on Games Fusion.
• Counter-Strike: Condition Zero on Bjorn3D.
• Dark Age of Camelot: Trials of Atlantis on VideoGamesLife.
• Desert Rats vs. Afrika Korps on PlayXcess.
• Deus Ex: Invisible War on PC Gameworld.
• Far Cry on ActiveWin.
• Gangland on GameShark.
• Hitman: Contracts on GameSpot.
• Manhunt on IGN and GameSpy.
• One Must Fall: Battleground on GameSpy and Worthplaying.
• Painkiller on TotalVideoGames, PlayXcess, and GamePro.
• Sacred on ActiveWin and Warcry.
• Space Colony on DailyGame.
• ToCA Race Driver 2: The Ultimate Racing Simulator on Blackhole Motorsports and PcKiller.

• AOpen AX4SG Max II i865G Motherboard on PCStats.
• ASUS A7V880 Motherboard on X-bit labs.
• Belkin Nostromo N52 Controller on GruntvillE.
• Coolermaster Hyper6 KHCV81U1 Copper K8-P4 Heatsink on DataFuse.net and FrostyTech.
• Linksys WMA11B Wireless Access Point on Designtechnica.
• Pioneer DVR-A07XLA 8x DVD±RW on CDRLabs.
• Samsung SyncMaster 173MP (HDTV ready) Monitors on Bytesector.
• Sunbeam 3D UV Fan Grill on Steamed Turtle.
• Thermaltake POLO735 - Extreme 3 in 1 Cooler on HexaPlague Hardware.

• Battlefront.com announces plans to bring Down in Flames and Modern Naval Battles, a pair of tabletop games, to personal computers...
• The PlanetHalf-Life Forums offer Fragmaster's farewell meltdown, including some harsh words about Valve and their marketing of Half-Life 2...
• Strategy guides are helping to meet challenge of games. Blowing the lid off that one. Thanks Mike Martinez...
• VendorNation has a patch to update Galactica Anno Dominari for Macintosh to version 2.1.4...

I busted my network last night trying to get a new wireless router to do things my way. After a bit of head banging, I realized the error of my ways, and everything is working fine now. Of course, we are doing things the router's way, rather than how I wanted to do things... but I did say I learned from the error of my ways, didn't I? I also caused a rainstorm today by washing my car yesterday, so I am on a roll tilting at windmills.

Today is a happy non-anniversary for MrsBlue and I, as we originally were to get married on this date, until it turned out that my step-brother's wedding was on the same weekend, so we got pushed back another week.

R.I.P.: Record Breakers' McWhirter dies. Thanks Mike Martinez.

Links of the Day:	TV Turnoff Network. In Defense Of Television. 213783647 reasons why water is the @$%@ thing on this planet. Thanks yonder.
Stories of the Day:	Scissors Are Left in Woman After Surgery. Thanks Ant. Dust Devils on Mars Electrified, Study Suggests. Curiosity fuels anger at mobile chat.
Science!:	Teaching Robots to Herd Cats. New cars are getting too expensive to fix.
Image of the Day:	Car Crash. Thanks Ant.
Auction of the Day:	Star Wars Star Destroyer Custom built for 4 Figures.
	Thanks Mike Martinez