WoW-Europe.com (thanks Frans) now offers an official European street date for World of Warcraft, announcing that Blizzard's MMORPG will officially launch on the continent on February 11, 2005. Word is: "The game will be available for Windows® 98/ME/2000/XP and Macintosh® in English, French and German. There will be a standard edition, containing the game on four CD-ROM disks, and a collector’s edition with a plethora of included World of Warcraft memorabilia. Both versions will be fully localised into English, French and German, and will also be available with a Spanish or Italian box and manual." Also, a press release was issued earlier today narrowing March 25, 2005 (from Spring (story)) as the date the red pills will be distributed for the European launch of The Matrix Online, Monolith's upcoming MMORPG (which is planned for a simultaneous North American launch). It seems the agents are onto this one, however, as the press release has been removed from its source, so it's not clear at this point if that new release date is actually valid.

The first patch is now available for Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-earth, updating EA's Tolkien-based real-time strategy game to version 1.01. In addition to fixes and tweaks, the update also adds some new maps. Versions of the patch for every language are available on this EA FTP directory, and some or all of the patches are mirrored on 3D Gamers, FilePlanet (registration required), Gamer's Hell, and Worthplaying.

An updated three-level Will of Steel demo is now available, providing a sample of this "modern warfare tactical 3D Real Time Strategy game set in the early 1990s with missions based in Afghanistan and Iraq." The 184 MB demo can be downloaded from 3D Gamers, FileFront, Gameguru Mania, Gamer's Hell, and Worthplaying.

The Talazars Revenge Press Release announces plans for Talazar's Revenge, an upcoming expansion pack for Ashen Empires, Iron Will Games' MMORPG. The expansion is due for release this Spring, though pricing has not yet been determined. Here's a bit:

Talazar's Revenge will introduce a vast new northern continent with a large number of new items, quests, NPC's and creatures. Players will battle the environment and each other as they venture through the harsh wastelands forced to choose sides in an epic struggle between good and evil.

The winners of the 8th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards Winners have been unveiled, covering a variety of categories. Here are the game of the year winners:

· Game Of The Year - Half-Life 2 (Vivendi Universal Games/Valve)

· Console Game Of The Year - Halo 2 (Microsoft/Bungie)

· Computer Game Of The Year - Half-Life 2 (Vivendi Universal Games/Valve)

Computer Games Magazine is reporting that Alex Garden has parted ways with THQ, the company that owns Relic Entertainment, the development studio Alex founded. The story says his last day with the company was January 31, and according to THQ he had "wrapped up his projects for us, including facilitating the transition through the Relic acquisition, and is now focusing on projects apart from THQ."

The official Stargate SG-1: The Alliance Website is live (thanks Frans), replacing the temporary site that held its place. The Flash homepage for the upcoming TV series tie-in offers media and info for the project, including some new screenshots and a new FAQ.

• Midway/Unreal
  The Midway Q&A on Computer Games Magazine discusses today's announcement that the developer has licensed the Unreal engine for several upcoming projects: "Midway's internal studios have a philosophy of using one core technology, and common tools and then adapting the tech to fit any specific game needs as needed. This generation of HW we've been using Renderware as the broad studio solution. With Criterion being sold to one of our competitors it made a lot of sense to look at other solutions from a strategic point of view. After a lot of review by our PD organization we found that the development road map for Unreal Engine 3 and our needs were in sync. This meant including many significant changes to what the engine does that will make Unreal Engine 3 a very powerful tech for all next generation platforms."
• Star Wars Republic Commando
  There's a Star Wars Republic Commando Q&A on Game Chronicles (thanks Frans) using Jedi mind tricks to interrogate Chris Williams, the producer on the upcoming Star Wars shooter: "The single biggest differentiator in Star Wars Republic Commando is how you can make strategic choices with your squad commands using a very simple 'One Touch' control scheme. This is not a game where you will need to micromanage your squad and spend a lot of time worrying about them. They are extremely smart and will seek cover and engage enemy targets on their own. When you do want to issue them commands gamers will find it as easy as clicking a single button. "
• Auto Assault
  f13.net's Auto Assault Q&A talks with Scott 'Scorch' Brown, design lead on Netdevil's upcoming MMORPG: "This is something that we are trying hard to help people understand about the game and this is where Auto Assault really shines. We have set out to combine the intensity of action games with the long term enjoyment of RPG/statistical character development. In Auto Assault, we use what we call “TacArc” to represent your targeting range. As both the enemy and you are moving, you are constantly trying to maneuver to keep the enemy in the arcs. The AI is also actively trying to avoid your weapons. Even though firing is instant when you press the trigger, it is a dice roll based on your attributes, skills, and weapons versus their skills and armor to decide if you hit and for how much damage."
• EQ: Dragons of Norrath
  EverQuest Vault's EverQuest: Dragons of Norrath Q&A discusses the upcoming MMORPG sequel with producer Robert Pfister: "Probably the new mission system and the amazing art are two of the most notable things about Dragons of Norrath. The dragon models and the zones are absolutely stunning. The mission system allows players to receive a hand-crafted mission to engage a zone instance specific for their group. It’s really a lot of fun and should be a big hit. "
• Battle Mages: Signs of Darkness
  The Battle Mages: Sign of Darkness Q&A on FileFront talks with Svetlana Tchestnikh about Targem's upcoming strategy/RPG expansion: "The Battle Mages RPG/RTS genre mix allows you to get the best of both worlds: on the one hand, you make armies, control troops and command battles. On the other hand, you have an RPG character mage, who gains combat experience, gets new skills and becomes more and more powerful, with various tactic and magic abilities in his arsenal."
• Aurora Watching: Gorky Zero
  RPG Vault's Aurora Watching Q&A chats with a few of the folks from Metropolis Software about their upcoming continuation of the Gorky series: "Aurora Watching is a stealth shooter with a third-person perspective and various gameplay elements. We wanted a range of gameplay to entertain gamers with more than sneaking, and so Aurora provides mini-games like time arcades, mega-bosses, lasers and driving vehicles. Our game is set apart from titles like the Metal Gear Solid series by a more realistic plot taking place in the deepest cold Arctic. The action at the North Pole makes the game's atmosphere unique - blizzards and icy winds, frozen mood - all that makes the gamer feels he's really in the Arctic."
• Chris Crawford
  Chris Crawford The interview on Guardian Unlimited Gamesblog (thanks Mike Martinez) talks with the one-time Atari mainstay about the current state of computer gaming: "It’s the choices, giving people lots of interesting choices. Actually, that’s Sid Meier’s definition of a good game too. It’s just that you have to give choices that are intrinsically interesting, and that’s why we have so intrinsically failed to address the female market. They are not interested in choices involving spatial reasoning and guns."
• Eri Izawa
  The Eri Izawa Q&A on Killer Betties continues their Killer Women series by chatting with Perpetual Entertainment designer Eri Izawa: "One reason I chose my college was because it was the birthplace of Infocom games (and the setting of The Lurking Horror). Despite this, working in games was something I never took seriously until I realized (1) I didn't want to do hardcore science, (2) writing fiction was unlikely to result in income anytime soon, and (3) game companies in my area were hiring. Thanks to gaming in college, I had contacts in the industry. Eventually I got a break – a particular start-up company couldn't demand years of professional game dev experience because no one there had any, either! My writing samples and my amateur game writing experience helped tip the scales."
• IGE
  Guild Wars OGaming's IGE Q&A talks with IGE president Steve Salyer about this brokerage service for MMORPG items and currency.

• Brothers in Arms on Computer and Video Games.
• Empire Earth II on GameSpot and GameSpy.
• Second Sight on IGN.

• City of Heroes on Boomtown. Showing off Issue 4, which includes PvP.
• Codename Panzers: Phase Two on the Official Website. Thanks Frans.
• Cossacks II: Napoleonic Wars on Tiscali Games.
• Guild Wars on the Official Website. Thanks Guild Wars Slovenija.
• Vivisector: Beast Inside on the Official German Website. Thanks Frans.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Microsoft Unveils EuroScience Initiative.
• Zombie trick expected to send spam sky-high.
• Lindows founder to launch DRM-less music store.
• No letdown from Google.
• Study: Cell Phone Use Ages Young Drivers. Thanks zombie69.
• Apple releases iPhoto 5.0.1.
• Price tag added to online music videos.
• Sanyo asks employees to buy its products.
• Curiously High-Tech Hacks for a Classic Tin (registration required).
• When the Sous-Chef Is an Inkjet (registration required).
• Dan's Data letters #140.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Gran Turismo 4 Gets US Street Date.
• Q&A with Microsoft's Ken Lobb on GameSpot.
• Shacknews' Unreal Championship 2 Q&A.
• Experience Gaming's Rifts Promise of Power Q&A.
• FileFront's Mercenaries Q&A.
• Tit for Tat Give a Black Eye, Receive a Black Eye in Fight Night Round 2.
• Ghost Recon 2 for GameCube ready to deploy!
• Activision, Tony Hawk and The Jeep.
• NARC: Dropping Ecstasy.
• The History of Resident Evil 4.
• Xenosaga Sequel Wrapped Up. Jenseits von Gut und Böse??
• Densha de GO! dated for PSP.
• Winning Eleven 8 bounces into stores.

Midway Chooses Unreal Engine 3 for Next Generation Game Development is an announcement that comes out of the DICE Summit saying Midway has licensed the next iteration of the Unreal engine for use on several upcoming console and PC projects. Here's a bit:

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 2, 2005-- Midway Games Inc. (NYSE:MWY - News), a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software, today announced a multi-year licensing agreement with Epic Games giving Midway use of Epic's Unreal Engine 3 technology and tools for next generation console and PC game development. Unreal Engine 3 technology and tools are now in use at Midway's internal studios including: Midway's Chicago studio, the makers of NBA Ballers and the Mortal Kombat franchise; Midway's Austin studio, developers of Area 51; and Surreal Software, the creators of The Suffering.
Source: Midway Games Inc.

This agreement with Epic furthers Midway's strategy to align itself with the top development technology and talent in the industry. The relationship also allows Midway to build on Unreal Engine 3 technology to create specific tools and assets that will be utilized across all Midway internal studios. This studio-wide effort is expected to be instrumental in the development and progression of major franchises as well as the creation of new game properties. The agreement also underscores Midway's commitment to the premium PC games market.

The German THQ News Page (thanks Frans) has word that STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl, has suffered another delay. Previously expected for May of this year (story), the game no longer seems to carry a specific release date. No reason for the delay is offered, but GSC Game World's PR Manager Oleg Yavorsky gamely spins this announcement, saying they are pleased that THQ has given them more time to develop their upcoming first-person shooter.

The horse finally catches up with the cart, as EA Making Offer Gamers Can't Refuse ... The Godfather Video Game is the press release officially announcing development of the Godfather game that was first hinted at almost a year ago (story) and confirmed in December (story). EA Resurrects Brando for The Godfather (thanks Mike Martinez) revives the story about reviving the legendary deceased actor to reprise his role as Don Vito, while Caan, Duvall Can't Refuse Video Game Offer (thanks Devster) announces the participation of other actors from the films (Robert Duvall apparently finally getting over the resentment he expressed that the Godfather 3 did not focus on Tom Hagen). Here's a bit on the game that confirms target platforms (including the PC) and a release date of this Fall:

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 2, 2005--Electronic Arts (Nasdaq:ERTS - News) and Viacom Consumer Products today announced a videogame based on The Godfather fiction is under development and will put gamers at the center of the action in one of history's most revered masterpieces. The book by Mario Puzo and classic film by Paramount Pictures serve as inspiration for the game as gamers will join the Corleone family and earn respect through loyalty and fear as they rise through the ranks to become Don in a living 1945-1955 New York. The game is scheduled for release in fall 2005 under the EA GAMES brand for the Xbox® videogame system from Microsoft, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Sony PSP(TM) handheld entertainment system and PC.

Gamers will create their own mob character in the game, putting themselves into the action while reliving classic moments from the fiction and experiencing original missions alongside memorable characters from the film. After a life of small-time jobs and petty thefts the player will be accepted into the Corleone family, America's most famous criminal organization. It will be up to the player to carry out orders, earn respect and make New York City their own.

A new Star Wars Republic Commando movie is now available, part four in this series showing off the upcoming Star Wars shooter in the works at LucasArts. The clip debuted on GameSpy and is now mirrored on 3D Gamers. Also, thanks to sharp-eyed Frans for pointing out that a little gastro-intestinal surgery has removed the colon from the upcoming Star Wars Empire at War game. Also, a new Cold Fear movie shows off more of Darkworks' action/horror game. The clip is available on 3D Gamers. In a semi-ominous note, however, the end credits on the clip do not include the reassuring PC-CD logo.

• Anarchy Online
  First Sights on 2005 with Morten Byom on Anarchy Online Hell is a Q&A discussing what the future holds for Funcom's futuristic MMORPG: "Every time we increase the visual quality of the game we have to keep in mind how this will impact the game. Every time we do an upgrade performance will get a hit, but we will try to keep these to an absolute minimum. We will do what we can to allow players that do not have the machine specs to run these new enhancements to have the option to tune down their settings. Updating the engine to improve its performance is an ongoing task, almost every patch contain some sort of optimization."
• Ishtan
  Introducing Ishtan on Massive Multiplayer Hell is a Q&A unveiling development of Ishtan, described as "A medieval fantasy MMORPG for real role players." The conversation with developer Harvey Tasker introduces the concept: "Ishtan is a medieval fantasy role playing game set on the Island of Ishtan which covers approximately 22,500 sq kilometers. The game will use one virtual server for all members so that they can all play and interact with each other within the one virtual gaming world. Within Ishtan players may choose from 16 different playable races each with their own benefits and limitations, and 12 different character classes. The character classes are all fighting classes but with a wide variety of skills available players may also choose to make their way through the game with professions such as black smithing, Alchemists, Tailors etc..."

North America to be hit by Storm Riders on GameSpot announces that Orchid Media International has acquired North American and European publishing rights to Storm Riders Online, a PC MMORPG based on a Chinese comic book/Hong Kong film. Here's how Storm Riders is described:

The game is being developed by Malaysia-based Phoenix Games Studio and is based on the Storm Riders comic book from Ma Wing Shing, which also inspired an animated television series and live-action movie. No release date or pricing information is available.

In Storm Riders Online, gamers will group with other online players in ancient mythical China. The story sees martial-arts prodigies Wind and Cloud disappear from the dominant Tian Xia clan, shifting the power dynamic in the world and prompting rival clans to ready themselves to assume power of the land.

Ubisoft Announces the Creation of 1000 Jobs in Montreal (thanks Frans). In other gaming news in the Great White North, Canada gives Ubisoft $4 million. Also, Investor Snapshot EA's rally slows on GameSpot talks dollars and cents. Finally, Take-Two Interactive Software President, Paul Eibeler, Adds CEO Role (thanks Frans) announces an upgrade for the prez.

• Freedom Force vs. the Third Reich on Worthplaying.
• Matrix Online on 1UP.
• The Sims 2 University on PC Gameworld.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• VIA Grease Monkey is a utility that promises to keep you up-to-date on game patches and updates (someone should start a website for that) for an annual subscription. A 14-day free trial is available. Thanks VIA Gamers.
• Inside AMD's Hammer the 64-bit architecture behind the Opteron and Athlon 64.
• XP Goes to 64 Bits.
• IBM Seeks Documents from Intel.
• Microsoft: SP2 shimmy's not a flaw.
• AOL aims to secure surfing with new Netscape browser.
• Search and destroy: Microsoft's new mission to topple Google.
• 1969 MacNova. Dr. Wrenchy rules!
• Yahoo Japan launches blog beta.
• Wireless Networking Troubleshooting Guide.
• Hide Your IPod, Here Comes Bill.
• Some eBay sellers are going, going, gone.
• Rowling Warns Potter Fans - Watch Out for Scams.
• Internet 'discovered' kid soccer star ... could you be next? Your 15 minutes awaits.
• Woman Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Beer.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Take-Two dumps ESPN brand early.
• DICE 2005: Epic on Xbox 2.
• DS hands on Nintendogs.
• Electronic Arts on the PSP.
• Phantom Dust Dated.
• Stan Lee - Still The Man.
• Activision Set to Develop Video Games Based on DreamWorks Animation's Upcoming Feature Film 'Shrek 3'.
• P&G launches mobile videogame for Head & Shoulders.

• Grokster and America's future (thanks Mike Martinez). Authored by Mark Cuban.
• Sex and Videogames roundtable on Killer Betties.

The Major League Gaming Website has photos and reports from their 2005 season opener in Washington D.C. that took place last weekend.

• The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay - Developer's Cut on Gameguru Mania, The Guru of 3D, and Computer Games Romania.
• Half-Life 2 on Game Industry.
• Hearts of Iron II on ESCMag.
• Lock On: Modern Air Combat on Die Sim Fanboi.
• Painkiller: Battle Out of Hell on 1Up.
• Seal of Evil on RPG Codex.
• Starshatter on DIY Games.
• Torrente on The Gamers Temple.

• AJP G220 Laptop on TrustedReviews.
• BenQ Joybook 7000 Notebook on Adrian's Rojak Pot.
• Bleu Jour Vis Gothic Thumbscrews on Hard-h2o.
• Chaintech Zenith V915P Motherboard on PC Perspective.
• DFI 855GME-MGF Motherboard on The Tech Report.
• Dlink DWL-2100AP Wireless Access Point on PyroPort.
• Evercool WC-202 Water Cooling on Guru3D.
• GeCube SilenCool X700 PRO 256MB Video Card on HEXUS.net.
• GeForce 6800GT Video Card on LostCircuits.
• Hauppauge PVR-150MCE Hardware Mpeg II Encoder on Home Theater PC News.
• HIS X700Pro IceQ Turbo VIVO Video Card on Bjorn3d and ViperLair.
• Maxtor DiamondMax 10 300GB SATA Hard Drive on SystemCooling.
• MSI Radeon X800 SE Video Card on bit-tech.net.
• NCQ SATA Hard Drive Comparison on GamePC.
• Scythe SCKBK-1000 Kamaboko CPU on OCWORKBENCH.
• Ultra X-Connect Green UV 500W PSU on PCStats.
• Wisetch Flash Y Cables on CaseModGod.

• A 2 Fast Driver demo is available for this newly unveiled racing sequel, offering the chance to sample one car on one track, the 66 MB demo is available on Gamer's Hell and Worthplaying...
• An updated version of the Legacy: Dark Shadows demo can be found on Gamer's Hell, hry.SME.sk, and Worthplaying...
• Half-Life 2 named Game of the Year at D.I.C.E. awards and Alter Ego Studios announces that Revolved won the Slamdance “Big C” Game Competition...
• Video games the new MTV. Thanks Mike Martinez...
• Selling Your Loot When Virtual Worlds Meet Real Cash...
• Video Games Are Getting the Star Treatment. Thanks Mike Martinez...

In another phishing scheme ripped from today's headlines, I got a couple of scam spams this morning from someone purporting to be a U.S. soldier looking for a partner to help get $25 million of Saddam Hussein's fortune out of the middle east, going so far as to send a BBC story from a couple of years ago to corroborate the origins of the money. Perhaps I should get him in touch with Yassir Arafat's widow who contacted me with a similar proposal and they could help each other out?

I have an over-scheduled day today, as Gunnar's second visit to the vet is this morning, I may have to return the rental car I picked up when I was informed that after the new light switch was installed, my truck started blowing fuses (I'm just not even contemplating the idea that they've ruined her on me), and we also got a call from Dr. Toothy's receptionist yesterday, confirming an appointment for today (that I never actually made) relating to my crown repairs in progress.

Dr. Doggie, Dr. Toothy, and Dr. Goodwrench are not at all near each other (the vet is by the Connecticut border and the Dentist is in Manhattan), and the timing is going to be tight, so I'm just a little stressed out about all this.

On the other hand, at least it's Groundhog Day, so if this all blows up, at least I may get the chance to set it all right.

That's the potential good news, the bad Groundhog Day news is already in.

Play Time:	Second Sight Second Etoy. Whack the Dead. Thanks banddirector.
Links of the Day:	Millennium Falcon Xbox.
Stories of the Day:	Shuttle Crew Remembered on Anniversary. Former Nirvana bassist calls for election reform. Thanks Brian. So-called U.S. hostage appears to be toy. Thanks JAGUART.
Science!:	Drink a Day May Keep Older Women Sharp (registration required). You may need a double if she's really old. Antarctic's ice 'melting faster'. Sunlight May Help Cancer Victims Survive.
The Funnies:	FoxTrot. Thanks mark.
Images of the Day:	Planet of the Apes 4.
Auctions of the Day:	JOHNNY CARSON TONIGHT SHOW BACKSTAGE GUEST BOOKS. Truly Evil pc2700 512 Meg DDR RAM. Thanks RainTitan. eBay Member Profile for mizzelphug. Thanks MiKman.
Thanks Mike Martinez and Ant.