Stardock announces a third beta phase for those who have preordered Sins of a Solar Empire will kick off on Thursday:

PLYMOUTH, Michigan – September 18, 2007 – Stardock Entertainment and Ironclad Games announced today that the upcoming Beta 3 of Sins of a Solar Empire, which begins on September 20th, will introduce multiplayer functionality and a host of other new features to the RT4X space-strategy game. Gamers who pre-order before September 26th will gain immediate access to Sins of a Solar Empire Beta 3, allowing them to vie for galactic supremacy with their friends via LAN and Ironclad Online (ICO). Players can pre-order Sins of a Solar Empire now via the world’s most user-friendly digital-distribution service, TotalGaming.net.

Scheduled for release in February 2008, Sins of a Solar Empire is one of the year’s most anticipated PC games. Hailed by GameSpot as “remarkably original” and “an elegant take on space strategy,” Sins of a Solar Empire puts players in charge of one of three distinct factions as they explore star systems, expand their empire, exploit conquered planets and exterminate their rivals, all in an intuitive real-time environment. The game’s unprecedented scale allows players to zoom from a view of multiple solar systems right down to a single fighter in the midst of a massive space battle, while the sophisticated interface ensures they’re not overwhelmed by their vast empire. Stunning visuals and remarkable artificial intelligence are among a massive number of features that help immerse players in this innovative strategy game that had PC Gamer warning its readers to “Expect to play into the wee hours of the night (and enjoy it).”

Features of Sins of a Solar Empire Beta 3 include:

    • Multiplayer for up to 10 players via LAN or Ironclad Online (ICO), as well as 14 custom maps to accommodate various multiplayer game types
    • New artifact/planet exploration system allowing players to spend resources to have analysts and scientists survey a planet's geography, indigenous wildlife, and core industries to determine how best to exploit the natural wealth of the planet
    • Introduction of the ominous Pirate Base, all new pirate ships and new pirate behavior allowing players to influence pirate factions by economic means through new additions to the Bounty System
    • New environmental features, including space anomalies, a new planet type and planetoids that factor heavily into players’ tactical choices and overall strategies
    • The revolutionary Smart Zoom to Cursor camera, upgrades to the cultural system that allow players to intimidate enemies with capital ships, improved research mechanics, tons of new artwork, and many more improvements, updates and fixes

For more information about Sins of a Solar Empire, visit http://www.sinsofasolarempire.com.

Pre-order Sins of a Solar Empire now at http://www.totalgaming.net.

The Windows Vista editions of the ForceWare version 163.69 drivers released as betas yesterday (story) are now available as final WHQL-certified releases. This page offers the 64-bit Vista drivers, and this page offers the 32-bit Vista drivers.

• Warhammer Online
  The Man with the Plan - The Conclusion to Our Interview with WAR's Mark Jacobs on TenTonHammer finishes off their conversation with EA Mythic about Warhammer Online, touching on lessons learned from Dark Age of Camelot in creating their next MMORPG.
• Lord of the Rings Online
  WarCry Network's Lord of the Rings Online Q&A is an article based on an interview with Jeff Anderson about Turbine's Hobbit-forming MMORPG. The content in the upcoming Book 11 update is the main topic.
• Pirates of the Caribbean Online
  Pirates of the Caribbean Online Q&A on WarCry chats with Mike Goslin in an article-format conversation about Disney's upcoming MMORPG, learning what's being done to lead up to its launch.
• Escape from Paradise City
  The Escape from Paradise City Q&A on GameZone is a Q&A with Adam Gregersen, lead designer on Sirius' upcoming game where the grass is green and the girls are pretty.
• Fireteam Reloaded
  The Fireteam Reloaded Q&A on FiringSquad talks with the folks from Pixel Mine who are looking to remake Fireteam, explaining how the fun of the game's teamplay continues to appeal to them after all these years.
• Football Superstars
  The MMO Gamer's Football Superstars Q&A chats with Steve Marshall about Football Superstars, the upcoming MMORPG centered around the sport also known as soccer.
• Red 5
  An Interview with Red 5's Scott Youngblood and Rob Garrett on TenTonHammer is a Q&A with a pair of the designers at Red 5 about their work, though this is another case where the interview subjects' game project is not really discussed, as it hasn't been announced yet.

• Empire Total War on Computer and Video Games.
• European Street Racing on Game Chronicles.
• Evil Days of Luckless John on Hooked Gamers.
• Upshift StrikeRacer on RPG Vault. Diary #1.

• Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway on Gearboxity.
• Fury on IGN.
• Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising on RPG Vault.
• Sims 2: Bon Voyage on FileFront.
• Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance on GameInfoWire.

• The NFL Tour Home Page is where to vote for the cover athlete for the upcoming console sports sim.

• Apple Marketing Makes Wide Eyed Zombies on PC Mechanic.

• The Countdown is On - Gamers Prepare for Halo 3 Release on September 25th.
• Circuit City Gears Up for Halo 3 with Midnight Events.
• 2K Sports Introduces the 2K Reelmaker to NHL 2K8 On Xbox 360.
• Three New Classic Games Added To Nintendo Wii Shop Channel.
• Force being Unleashed on Wii next spring.
• Express Yourself with Geon emotions this Xbox LIVE Arcade Wednesday.
• MySims Ships for Nintendo Wii and DS.
• Konami drips Dewy's Adventure to Wii.

• USB 3.0 To Boost Peripherals to Multi-Gigabit Speeds. Thanks Neutronbeam.
• Office 2003 Service Pack 3 released. Thanks Ant.
• Intel Skulltrail Will Use NVIDIA SLI Technology.
• I.B.M. to Offer Office Software Free in Challenge to Microsoft’s Line (registration required). Thanks Mike Martinez.
• Intel's Nehalem to feature eight cores, 16 threads.

• Virtual worlds open up to blind.

• Apple to launch iPhone in Europe with Britain's O2.
• Coded Arms: Contagion Infects the PSP.

• Oklahoma game-law injunction permanent.
• Microsoft Ruling May Bode Ill for Other Companies (registration required). Thanks Mike Martinez.
• SCO Blames Linux For Bankruptcy Filing. Thanks Devicer.

• WoW character sells for nearly $10,000. Thanks Mike Martinez…
• As noted in the Manifesto Blog, they've launched Play This Thing, offering further support to independent gaming…
• The Escapist Issue #115 is called "Crowdsourcing to Victory," looking at Web 2.0 and its impact on gaming…
• RadioShack reorganizing retail outlets to sell games…

Get well soon to GamerDad, who has suffered a heart attack. The website has ways to offer financial support to Gamerdad, GamerMom, and the GamerKids during this difficult time.

Supportive Links!	Thanks Ant and Mike Martinez.
Play:	Turret Wars.
Stories:	Man Dies After Head - Butt by Armless Man (registration required). Thanks Neutronbeam. Banning rice at weddings to keep pigeons away. BTW, raw rice does not actually explode birds.
Science!:	Mystery illness strikes after meteorite hits Peruvian village. Thanks Neutronbeam. Start building zombie barriers.
Image:	The Etch-A-Sketchist: BioShock.
Media:	Second Life. Playstation 3 Southwest Ad Spoof. Actor Nearly Chokes To Death On Camera.
Follow-ups:	Search for Adventurer Fossett Cut Back. "Dietrich" sentenced to jail for Gizmondo crash.

NetDevil announces that Warmonger, Operation: Downtown Destruction will be released on October 16, though they are not actually declaring the Unreal Engine 3 shooter with extensive AGEIA PhysX support gold. Word is:

LOUISVILLE, CO – September 18, 2007 – NetDevil, an independent game company and leading developer of massively multiplayer online games (MMOs), today announced it is launching its revolutionary new title called Warmonger, Operation: Downtown Destruction, an apocalyptic, first-person shooter (FPS) powered by the AGEIA(TM) PhysX(TM) processor. Unlike other FPS titles, Warmonger features a unique, piece-by-piece destruction system and is designed to deliver stunning fluid and cloth-based effects unlike anything seen before. Warmonger will be available on October 16, 2007 to PC gamers via digital download and from leading edge hardware makers selling PhysX-based cards and gaming PCs. New assets, screens, and information may be found at: www.warmongergame.com.

Utilizing the AGEIA PhysX processor, Warmonger allows for dynamic game play to emerge from the results of combat. Destruction is enabled procedurally, rather than with standard pre-canned animations that are found in most games today. In Warmonger, destruction can also be used as a tactical tool or a weapon. Safe cover is no longer a forgone conclusion. For example, a sniper can blow up the stairs behind him to block access, but a rocket blast to the floor beneath him can also hasten his own untimely end. Explosives, rockets, indirect fire, and vehicle combat can literally blow away walls, obliterate ceilings and open up new pathways to totally change the flow of the game.

High performance FPS action is also delivered in rich and stunning detail through the PhysX-enhanced Unreal Engine 3 from Epic Games. This powerful game engine has allowed the NetDevil team to enable Warmonger's environments and special effects with a depth and feel that reflect the cutting edge of gaming visuals and physics.

“First person shooter environments have remained largely static for years. AGEIA PhysX has changed all that, and changed it profoundly,” said Scott Brown, president of NetDevil. “New rigid body technology and procedural destruction of game environments set the stage for dynamic content creation that will literally transform the way people think and play.”

"We’re pleased to see what a forward thinking game developer can accomplish with our card. By incorporating PhysX, NetDevil brought to life some of the most compelling game experiences ever seen in a game,” said Manju Hegde, CEO of AGEIA. “Warmonger’s real-world, real-time properties offer gamers a whole new dimension in gameplay they can enjoy over and over again. They will have a blast discovering new terrains, sniper positions, and other game elements they’ve never had a chance to try out before.”

Key features: - Players have a choice of five different weapons, including a grenade firing assault rifle, an RPG launcher, and shielded and mountable mini-gun and more. - There are six different maps including Sink or Swim, an underground staging area, The Approach, an old western “showdown”, Knee Deep, an abandoned shopping center, Black Adit, an abandoned subway station, Car Collector, a wrecked parking garage, and Needle’s Eye, an old industrial sector.

“Warmonger offers a unique environment for fans of FPS games, where no place is safe, and seeking good cover is a challenge rather than a given,” said Chris Sherland, lead producer on Warmonger. “Test sessions leave a player with a strong emotional reaction to this… it's downright scary to play!”

Meridian4 announces that The Chosen: Well of Souls is gold, and Rebelmind’s action/RPG will ship to stores on October 1:

MONTREAL, Quebec, Canada – September 18, 2007 – Meridian4 announced today that Rebelmind’s PC action-RPG, The Chosen: Well of Souls, has gone gold and will ship to stores on October 1. The Chosen: Well of Souls will be available in a wide range of retail stores and at select online distributors like TotalGaming.net for a suggested price of $19.99.

Choose your hero and journey forth in the ultimate action role-playing quest that pits you against an army of demons and devils like no other. Hellbent and determined to take over the world, the powerful sorcerer Marcus Dominus Ingens has recruited the souls of ancient alchemists to aid in his destruction. Get ready for an unparalleled action role-playing experience that combines gruesome, action-packed battles with a deep, involving storyline set at the turn of the 19th century. For many years the Mystery Guards Fraternities have trained hunters to fight Evil. Hard-bitten, well trained in magic and alchemy, they traverse the world fighting against the powers of darkness. Now, the mightiest have returned to face Marcus’s army of infernal beasts. The life of God’s Envoy and the world order are at stake. Who will be The Chosen?

Draw your sword against evil to save your people’s souls and the future of your world!

Features of The Chosen: Well of Souls include:

    • 3 original playable characters, each with their own distinct skills and abilities
    • Over 200 different types of armour, weapons and magic items
    • Over 12 blood-curdling quests with hordes of werewolves, zombies, vampires and demons
    • Modify skills and allocate experience to develop your hero
    • Seizing demons during battle allows you to use them to fight for you
    • Improve weapons strength and effectiveness through ancient magic
    • Call upon mystical creatures to help battle the forces of evil

For more information about The Chosen: Well of Souls, visit http://www.meridian4.com/games/TheChosen.

Ubisoft announces that Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII has taken off for North American stores, offering aerial combat in World War II versus advanced weaponry in the grand tradition of SWotL and AotP: 1946:

SAN FRANCISCO — September 18, 2007 — Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, announced that Blazing Angels® 2: Secret Missions of WWII for the Xbox 360(TM) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PC has released and will be arriving at North American retailers this week.

Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII is an intense action-adventure air combat game that takes place during World War II. The players lead an elite undercover squad of pilots secretly created by the American government to execute Operation Wildcard. The squad's mission is to sabotage and destroy the Third Reich's evil plans to create a weapon of mass destruction. During this mission, players discover that the enemies also have an elite team of their own. In an attempt to disarm the enemy, players engage in dramatic and movie-like spy missions in some of the world's most exotic locations, using experimental weapons and flying never-before-seen prototype aircraft.

Key features of Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII include:

Over-The-Top Action – Engage in 18 high-stakes missions where you will bomb bridges, steal secret weapons, destroy zeppelins and more.

Fly Never-Before-Seen Aircraft – Pilot over 50 authentic planes and prototypes including the Gotha Go 229, DH Vampire F Mk 1, Me-163 "Komet”, Meteor and many more.

Unusual Experimental Weapons – Get the advantage in combat by using experimental WWII weapons including High Velocity Cannons (such as the German Mk 103), Self-Guided and TV-Guided missiles.

Exotic WWII Setting – Engage in epic battles in some of the world's most captivating environments such as Cairo, the Himalayas, Moscow's Red Square, Rome's San Pietro Basilica, the Swiss Alps, the Baltic Sea Coast and China.

Next-Gen Graphics – Discover fully rendered environments and 3D aircraft models designed for next-generation gaming. Experience improved depth of field, jaw-dropping cinematographic lighting and outstanding sound effects.

Fast Paced Multiplayer Action – Challenge up to 16 players in free-for-all, co-op and squad-based missions, including the all-new Epic Battle and Capture the Flag modes.

Epic Boss Battles – For example, go up against a giant German zeppelin over the pyramids of Cairo. Take out its nine gun turrets while you expose its vulnerable underbelly.

Developed by Ubisoft's Romania studio, Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII is rated T (Teen) and has a MSRP of $39.99 for the PC and $59.99 for Xbox 360 system.

For more information on the game, please visit the official Web site at: www.blazingangels2.com

The Games for Windows 11 October Issue preview on 1UP.com has a look at the coming issue of the print magazine that includes a blurb revealing Soulstorm, a third expansion for Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, relic's Warhammer RTS game (thanks The Patches Scrolls). Here's all it has to say:

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War -- Soulstorm
An exclusive first look at the third expansion to Relic Entertainment's future-warfare real-time strategy game. The new expansion introduces a new race to the fold: the Dark Eldar.

The promised Team Fortress 2 beta went live overnight on Steam, presumably before midnight Pacific time to fulfill the promised September 17 release. The beta is open to those who have pre-purchased the Orange Box Half-Life 2 bundle.

Midway announces that the PC edition of Stranglehold is now appearing in North American stores, presumably with twin pistols drawn. A playable demo is available (story) for those interested in a sample, and here's word on availability of the PC edition of the Hard-Boiled action game:

Midway Games, Inc. today announced that Stranglehold™ for the PC is now shipping to retail outlets in North America. After last week's release of the highly anticipated Stranglehold PC demo, available via fileplanet, the cinematic action video game featuring duel-wielding, stunt-laden gameplay, incredible environmental destruction and an intense online multiplayer experience is available on the PC for a U.S. suggested retail price of $49.99. The Xbox 360 version is currently available for a U.S. suggested retail price of $59.99, and $69.99 for the collector's edition. Stranglehold is scheduled to be available for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system on October 29 for a U.S. suggested retail price of $59.99. The PS3 collectors' edition will feature the game and a full-length version of John Woo's critically acclaimed action film "Hard Boiled" both on the same high-capacity PlayStation 3 Blu-ray disc, for a suggested retail price of $69.99.

The Wall Street Journal Online has word that IAC, owned by mogul Barry Diller, now owns a majority stake in GarageGames.com Inc., and that the game developer will "anchor a soon-to-be launched gaming site, InstantAction." The preliminary InstantAction Website is taking email addresses from those interested in beta testing, and IAC and GarageGames Announce InstantAction.com, the First Browser-Based Action Game Network is the follow-up announcement of the new service:

New York - September 18, 2007 - IAC (Nasdaq: IACI) and GarageGames today announced the creation of InstantAction.com, the first Web-based videogame network. Using GarageGames’ industry-leading game development tools, InstantAction.com will provide compelling original action games through a standard Web browser. IAC has acquired a majority of GarageGames’ equity, and GarageGames’ management team will continue to lead the business as it builds out the InstantAction network.

InstantAction will also launch a Game Development Fund aimed at fostering a new generation of game development for the internet. Introducing new technology which allows graphically rich, networked games to run in popular web browsers with no download installation, InstantAction.com will enable easy access to singleplayer and multiplayer games with core-oriented mechanics and high-end visuals.

“We've been looking at the video game sector for years and it wasn't until we found GarageGames and their idea for InstantAction.com that we believed IAC could participate in a true internet innovation in online gaming,” said Barry Diller, CEO of IAC.

GarageGames’ CEO and CTO Josh Williams appointed Andy Yang of IAC to spearhead the InstantAction network earlier this year. GarageGames was founded in 1999 and created the Torque Game Engine, the leading platform for independent game development. GarageGames also created Marble Blast Ultra and its industry veteran founders led the development of the popular team-based action game Tribes.

“Working with IAC, we are now able to truly fulfill our vision to enable developers both large and small to deliver innovative ideas on an exciting new accessible platform for gamers,” says Williams. “The InstantAction Fund will invest in talented teams who want to bring high-quality action gaming to everyone in the world through the internet.”

The InstantAction.com site is now live and accepting registrations for early access to its private beta and is expected to launch to the public in early 2008. Its initial portfolio of original core-oriented games from high-profile studios and newly discovered game development talent will be announced in the coming weeks.

A patch is now available for NHL 08, EA's recently released hockey sequel. According to this forum post, the new version enables the unlocking of alternate jerseys for those with a secret code, before proceeding to blow the secret by also supplying the code. The game can be updated automatically, but those interested in manual patches can find them for download on The Patches Scrolls.

• 38 Studios
  There's another 38 Studios Q&A on Multiplayer Online Games Directory with an article-format conversation with Mary Kirchoff, learning what 38 Studios is prepared to reveal at this time about their MMORPG, which is basically nothing.
• NVIDIA
  Boot Daily's Q&A with NVIDIA's Roy Taylor discusses the whole "Way it's meant to be played" deal.

• Empire of Sports on HEXUS.
• KwonHo: The Fist of Heroes on Multiplayer Online Games Directory.

• The Futurelooks Forums LEGENDARY HALO 3 Giveaway.
• Ultra Products Giveaway at Modders-Inc.
• iGames Sharpens Battlefield 2™ Fall Game Nights with Razer™.

• Sony Denies Plans to Sell Chip Operations.
• Guitar Hero 3: Complete Song List and Bosses Leaked.
• Mass Effect preview TrustedReviews.

• New phase-change memory tech 1000x faster than flash, researchers say. Thanks Neutronbeam.
• Apple Updates iTunes to 7.4.2. Thanks Ant.
• Windows Vista: Five Broken Promises.
• SpongeBob Pushes Deeper Into Electronics Aisle.

• Strikers picket IBM in Second Life.
• Digital 'smiley face' turns 25. Thanks Mike Martinez. :)

• Everything you’ve read about Vista DRM is wrong. Thanks nin.
• Privacy Groups Criticize Google. Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Bounty Bay Online on Computer and Video Games.
• EverQuest II on TenTonHammer. Re-Review.
• For Liberty! on GamersInfo.net.
• Gladiator Trials II on Out of Eight.
• Jade Empire: Special Edition on Armchair General.
• Reel Deal Slots Ghost Town on GameZone.
• Ship Simulator 2008 on GamingHeaven.
• Super Slyder on Killer Betties.
• Team Fortress 2 on Eurogamer.
• World in Conflict on games xtreme.

• Acer Aspire 5633WLMi Laptop on Cool Gadgets.
• ASUS Blitz Extreme & Formula Motherboards on Legion Hardware.
• ASUS Triton 75 CPU Cooler on Elite Bastards.
• CoolerMaster Cosmos 1000 Case on Overclockers Online.
• DFI Infinity NF570-M2-G Motherboard on Icrontic.com.
• GMC X-22 Case on DriverHeaven.net.
• HP Pavilion HDX Laptop on Digital Trends.
• Kingwin Mach1 600W PSU on PCApex.com.
• LapWorks Futura Laptop Stand on The Tech Zone.
• Leadtek WinFast PX8400 GS TDH Silent Video Card on Ninjalane.
• LG BH100 HD Combi Player on TrustedReviews.
• Logitech G9 Laser Gaming Mouse on I4U News.
• MSI Digi Vox Mini II USB TV Tuner v3.0 on XSReviews.co.uk.
• Mushkin XP2 PC2-8500 RAM on HardwareCanucks.
• OCZ 2x1GB PC3-12800 1600MHz RAM Kit on Virtual-Hideout.
• PC Power & Cooling 750W PSU on bit-tech.net.
• Sigma Atlantis Case on Overclockers Club.
• SilverStone Kublai KL02 Case on Phoronix.
• SteelSeries SteelPad S&S Mouse Pad on PCApex.com.
• Tagan CS-Monolith Case on OCIA.net.
• Tagan ITZ 700W PSU on APH Network.
• Thermaltake MaxOrb CPU Cooler on ThinkComputers.org.
• Thermaltake SopranoFx Case on t-break.
• Vizo Luxon External Hard Drive Enclosure on Techware Labs.

• Final Fantasy VII: Voices of the Lifestream, An OverClocked ReMix Album is now available. Thanks PHJF…
• Postal Nation September & October 07 Newsletter focuses on Uwe Boll's latest cinematic tour de force, Postal: The Movie…

Well, those tree guys went a little wild in my neighbor's yard yesterday, not quite taking the large tulip tree completely down, but coming darn close, lopping off all the limbs below about 25 feet. The problem with this is two-fold: One is that the lowest couple of branches on this tree provided shade and blocked some of the view from our kitchen window, and we now have too much light, and, frankly, too much view of our neighbors for our taste, so we'll need to put up a curtain or something in that window. The other problem is that the lowest remaining branch still rests on our roof and in our rain gutter, something we are still going to need to deal with, since we've had wet basement issues in the past due to clogged leaders and gutters. And it doesn't help that a tulip tree is one of those that seems to drop various types of detritus through the year, so it's not just about leaves in the fall. Oh well.

Pruned Links!	Thanks Ant and Mike Martinez.
Story:	Nebraska State Senator Sues God Over Natural Disasters. Thanks zombie69.
Image:	Ridiculously overloaded car.
Media:	Warthhog fun video. Thanks Digg. Keep Your Eyes on the Bat.