An updated version of the official Juiced Demo is now available, another chance to take Juice Games' almost eponymous racing sim for a test spin. The demo offers the same content as the previous demo but a tune-up provides several improvements while shaving 41 MB from the download's curb weight. The new version is available from Gamedemos.de, and there are now mirrors on 3D Gamers, FileFront, Gameguru Mania, Gamer's Hell, and Worthplaying.

A lengthy new S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl movie is now available from GSC Game World's upcoming first-person shooter, showing off DirectX 9.1 features of the game's graphics engine. The 43 MB download is available on 3D Gamers, 4Players.de (Germany), FileFront, Gameguru Mania, Gamer's Hell, Oblivion-Lost.com, and Worthplaying. Also, a new 25 to Life movie shows off more of the upcoming crime-and-punishment third-person shooter. The 7 MB download is available on the Eidos FTP server and mirrored on 3D Gamers. Finally, another new movie from the upcoming Fantastic Four game is now available, showing off clobberin' time courtesy of Ben Grimm (The Thing). The download can be found on 3D Gamers, FileFront, and Worthplaying.

Ubisoft announces development of Ghost Recon 3, saying the Tom Clancy shooter sequel will be shown off at next week's E3 and in stores for this year's holiday season. Though the announcement was clearly timed to follow on the heels of the Xbox 360 unveiling, a PC version has been announced (on DVD, no less), just as promised when the PC edition of Ghost Recon 2 was cancelled (story). Here's a bit:

London – MAY 13, 2005 – Today Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest videogame publishers, announced development of Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon® 3 (working title), the next installment in the smash-hit squad-based action franchise. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon® 3 is scheduled to ship for retail in conjunction with the launch of the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and will also be available on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox® video game system from Microsoft, the Nintendo GameCube™ and Windows® PC DVD-ROM this holiday 2005. Ubisoft will showcase Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon® 3 at the 2005 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), May 18–20, at Booth #1300 in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The year is 2013. The U.S. Army has been developing – and can now deploy – the Integrated Warfighter System (IWS), a complex combination of cutting-edge technologies that transforms an individual soldier into the ultimate fighting force. IWS combines advanced weapons systems, satellite communication devices and enhanced survivability into one fully integrated combat system that is finally ready for the true test of the battlefield. Combining the advantages of next-generation console technology with future military technologies, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon® 3 includes a wealth of groundbreaking features, including the Cross-Com, a communication device attached to the soldier’s monocle and powered by satellite technology, which will deliver constant and complete battlefield awareness seamlessly within the action. In addition, Ubisoft will employ increased processing power to its fullest, with breathtaking graphics, lighting and textures, multi-windowing, and state-of-the-art physics. Current-generation versions of the game will be custom-built using top technologies that push each platform to its limits.

Hip Games announces Call of Cthulhu: Destiny’s End, a Lovecraft-inspired third-person horror/survival game from Headfirst Productions. This game is due in 2006, and apparently a completely separate project from Headfirst's Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth, the first-person action/adventure game. Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth (currently suffering from another delay, this on unannounced, as its last expected release date was Q1 of this year). The first screenshots are up on ToTheGame (where they are calling it a PC title), and here's the announcement of Destiny's End, which does not specify target platforms:

Hip Games™ Announces “Call of Cthulhu: Destiny’s End”
Survival Horror Game Based on H.P. Lovecraft’s World Scheduled to Ship in 2006

Toronto, CANADA – May 13, 2005 – Hip Games™ is pleased to announce the signing of “Call of Cthulhu: Destiny’s End,” a third-person survival horror game based on the works of revered author H.P. Lovecraft. Developed by Headfirst Productions, the game opens in a contemporary setting deeply entrenched in the perverse world of Cthulhu mythos. In a unique twist to the horror genre, “Destiny’s End” will require the player to control two different characters that are dependant on each other for survival. “Call of Cthulhu: Destiny’s End” is scheduled to launch in 2006.

Destroyed by a government raid in 1928, the mysterious town of Innsmouth was left to fester in ruins for nearly 80 years. The two central characters, Emily and Jacob, return to search for the truth as they unveil the horrors of the town’s past. "Destiny’s End" will break new ground in the field of survival horror by featuring innovative co-operative gameplay whereby two players can each assume the role of one of the main protagonists at any time in the game and work together to overcome their deepest fears. Players will have to use both characters to defeat their enemies thanks to fantastic co-operative fighting combos.

Featuring a blend of fierce action, combat and exploration, gamers will journey into a world of malevolence and horror with “Call of Cthulhu: Destiny’s End.”

“The unique and weird universe created by H.P. Lovecraft has been terrifying generations for the last hundred years,” said Arindra Singh, President & Chief Executive Officer of Hip Interactive Corp. “This newest addition to the Lovecraft world will add another layer of mystery to the mythos.”

“H.P. Lovecraft inspired a litany of great writers and film makers,” said Mike Woodroffe, marketing director and co-founder of Headfirst Productions. “We intend to do his legacy justice by creating the most terrifying survival horror game yet.”

Hip Games announces Ghost Wars, an RTS game due for release early next year. Re-announces would be a better description, as this press release first unveiled the project, though it went unreported here at the time. ToTheGame has posted the first screenshots from the game. Here's the deal:

Toronto, CANADA - May 13th, 2004 - Hip Games™, a wholly-owned division of Hip Interactive Corp. (TSX:HP), today announced it has signed "Ghost Wars™" a new Real-Time Strategy game for its ever-growing portfolio of brands and franchises. Developed by Digital Reality "Ghost Wars™" is scheduled for release on PC CD-ROM in early 2006.

Based on the Government Special Operations Group, "Ghost Wars™" takes players into the clandestine and secret war against terrorism. Players take control of air, land and sea units of an Elite Special Forces group across multiple top secret missions. With the graphical quality of a first person shooter, "Ghost Wars™" will offer gamers the most accurate depiction of modern day warfare to date.

Through Battlefield View, "Ghost Wars™" brings the theatre of war to life. Gamers are not only tested on their strategic senses, but also on their ability to react quickly under enemy fire by directly controlling individual units. By setting up, equipping and planning troops' activities, gamers will need to utilize state-of-the art weapons and technology to defeat terrorist networks.

"We are very excited by this new franchise and the technology that it will bring to the Real-Time Strategy gamer," said Arindra Singh, Hip Interactive's President & Chief Executive Officer. "Hip Games™ will continue to pursue an aggressive growth strategy by building its catalogue of games through a mix of worldwide licenses and internal franchises developed by the most talented teams in the industry."

Steam News has word on new updates for Counter-Strike: Source, Half-Life 2, and the Source engine, which include the maps de_inferno and de_port for Counter-Strike: Source, as well as all manner of changes and fixes, including changes to the lag compensation code (hitboxes). Also, this page (thanks elvis) has an illustrated timeline outlining the development of de_inferno from soup to nuts. This later post describes a subsequent Source update for a CD key authentication issue.

The Cross Racing Championship 2005 Video Page features another new gameplay movie from Invictus' now-gold racing game. Also, a new movie from The Movies is now available, offering a look at the life of one of the stars that will be featured in Lionhead's upcoming cinematic simulator. The movie debuted on GameArena (registration required), and it is mirrored on 3D Gamers and FileFront.

• Gauntlet: The Seven Sorrows on IGN.
• The Movies on IGN.
• Rise & Fall Civilizations at War on IGN.
• Unreal Tournament 2007 on IGN.

A Hitman: Blood Money product page is online as publisher Eidos Interactive's home to IO's upcoming hired assassination sequel. Likewise, 2K Games' Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion product page and the 2K Games Shattered Union product page are each now live. Thanks Frans).

The Race More Website now offers downloads of a dedicated server module for GTR, SimBin's Racing simulator. The server required GTR 1.4 be installed, and word is: "Please note that this initial version of the dedicated server might only run on Windows with locale set to English. A version that supports every possible locale will be available very soon." This seems to be an official update, as it is linked from the GTR Page of publisher 10tacle.

• Imperator on the Official Website. Thanks Frans.
• S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl on ToTheGame.
• Worms 4: Mayhem on 3D Gamers.

THQ to unveil video game based on The Sopranos on CNN Money reports a rumor that THQ will soon announce plans for a game based on the Sopranos, HBO's organized crime drama. The story is based on a report by a financial analyst. The story also reports that Max Payne 3 will be unveiled at E3 as being in the works at a new developer, with Remedy Entertainment at work on the teased, but still unannounced Alan Wake. Neither THQ nor Take-Two Interactive commented on these reports.

Epic Games announces another licensing deal for the Unreal Engine 3, as NCsoft has signed on to use their tech. Word is: "NCsoft, the world’s leading developer and publisher of online computer games, today announced that it is continuing its licensing relationship with Epic Games by licensing Epic’s Unreal® Engine 3 technology and tools. NCsoft has been working with the prior version of the Unreal Engine and has had spectacular results. Lineage II is one of the most successful Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games and is based on Unreal Engine 2 technology."

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Microsoft to Test PC Tuneup Service.
• NVIDIA Quarterly Net Income Triples.
• NVIDIA Rumored to Create R&D Center in China.
• Creative announces Xi-Fi audio processor.
• Windows for India, others won't run on faster chips.
• Hyperthreading Considered Harmful.
• Microsoft tries to breathe life into older PCs.
• Aurora and Nail.exe Infection? Thank Direct Revenue for your problems.
• IBM backs Firefox in-house.
• Gamers to rule their own virtual worlds.
• iPod - Dangerous When Wet. Stop the presses.
• Your Hard Drive Lies to You.
• Canada regulation-free for VoIP startups.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Xbox 360 Ushers in the Future of Games and Entertainment. The official announcement.
• Microsoft unveils new Xbox 360, takes aim at Sony and Highlights of Microsoft's Xbox 360.
• The Xbox 360 Website is live (thanks Daniel) and Xbox360.com launches, Ourcolony.net video implies backwards compatibility.
• Microsoft Touts Graphics on New Xbox 360.
• In Console Wars, Xbox Is Latest to Rearm (registration required).
• Xbox 360 MTV Special Behind the Scenes.
• Robbie Bach talks Xbox 360 on Boomtown.
• EA Gets the Jump on Next Generation Games.
• Disney's Buena Vista to make 'Turok' video games.
• Ghost Recon Goes 360.
• Perfect Dark Zero to Xbox 360.
• Nvidia end shipments for Xbox chipset.
• MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf New Premium Content.
• Ninety-Nine Nights Revealed.
• Dirge of Cerberus to be shooter RPG.

• GameRiot hits the road this summer.
• Neoseeker & NCIX AMD Venice 3800+ Giveaway.

• There's a user-created Gothic 2 Enhanced Texture Pack for download on Gothic@RPGDot.
• There's a Last Man Standing DOOM3 mod Q&A and the project is also looking for new members.

• Advantage Microsoft.

• Dangerous Waters on GameSpot.
• Dungeon Lords on Gamer's Hell.
• Freedom Force vs. The Third Reich on GamersInfo.net.
• Guild Wars on IGN and GameSpy.
• Tin Soldiers: Julius Caesar on IGN.
• Pariah on ActionTrip.
• Playboy: The Mansion on LoadedInc.
• Psychonauts on JustPresssPlay.
• Stolen on GameSpot.

• AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice Core Overclocking on AMDZone.
• Arctic Silver ArctiClean on techPowerUp.
• ASUS Extreme AX800XL-2DTV Video Card on ViperLair.
• Asus K8N4-E Deluxe/Extreme N6600 - Motherboard/Video Card Bundle on TrustedReviews.
• ATI All-in-Wonder X800 XT Video Card on Gaming Nexus.
• ATI X800 XL 512MB - Reference Video Card on TrustedReviews.
• Budget Battle - HyperMemory vs. TurboCache on AnandTech. Thanks Mike Martinez
• ECS PF88 Extreme Hybrid Motherboard on HEXUS.net.
• eDimensional AudioFX Force Feedback Gaming Headset on bigbruin.
• Intel Pentium 4 540 (3.2E) Socket LGA 775 CPU on PCStats.
• Hiper Type R 480W Series PSU on Ozcasemodz.
• HSPC Tech Station on Virtual-Hideout.Net.
• Point of View GeForce 6600 GT Video Card on Bjorn3d.
• Silverstone Variable Speed Fans on Ninjalane.
• SLI Comparison - nVidia’s nForce4 SLI for Intel and AMD on GamePC. Thanks Mike Martinez.
• SunBeamTech 20-in-1 Superior Panel, LED Screws, and Anodized Fans on InsaneTek.
• Thermaltake Big Typhoon CPU Cooler on 3daccelerated.
• Tritton USB 2.0 Video Card for Mac mini on Everything USB.
• X-RAYPAD Thunder8 Dual Surface Mouse Pad on ExtensionTech.

• Vivendi Universal Games Announces Product Line-Up for 2005 Electronic Entertainment Expo and Activision Unveils Powerhouse Game Slate at 2005 Electronic Entertainment Expo and Namco Unveils Lineup and SEGA Announces Game Lineup To Be Featured At Electronic Entertainment Expo 2005 and SCi Games E3 line-up. Thanks Frans...
• The BioWare Store is now live...

Happy Friday the 13th!

I don't really go for the theory that today is unlucky. I'd explain this to MrsBlue, but she's in the yard at the moment, because as she was opening a window in my office, her glasses fell off and out the window. I figure if the lawn managed to keep them from breaking, this could justify a theory that the 13th is lucky!

Links. Shaken, not stirred!	Thanks Mike Martinez, Ant, and EvilToast
Play Time:	BowMaster. Thanks Compfused.
Links of the Day:	Grauman's Chinese or Bust. As if being at the right theater would be sane. The Donkey Kong Database. Rad Monkey Electric Cowbells.
Stories of the Day:	'Star Wars' Fans Turn Out for Premieres. A Backyard Fountain Like None Before (registration required). Beer brings traffic to standstill. Thanks Spectre. Life imitates That 70s Show.
Science:	Talking Loud And Saying Nothing. Paralyzed Rats Walk; Humans Next? Laughter May Be the Best Medicine.
Auctions of the Day:	xbox360 gamertag for Xbox Live! Invitation to Key West Wedding 5-29-05 no Jimmy Buffet. Thanks Ed.
Images of the day:	Baby Photoshop.
Follow-ups:	Can Earth take the heat of 'global brightening'? Man offers to return finger found in custard.