Deeko News has details purportedly from the cover story of the new issue of Game Informer Magazine, which has a cover story on Max Payne 3 (thanks GamesBrasil). The cover shows a slightly pot-bellied Max, now bald and bearded, and according to the article on the magazine story he is also addicted to painkillers. They say the game is set in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and will feature a new cover system, day/night cycles, and online multiplayer support. None of this is confirmed yet, but it does fit with the concepts in the game's announcement, which says: "Since leaving the NYPD and New York itself behind, Max has drifted from bad to worse. Double-crossed and a long way from home, Max is now trapped in a city full of violence and bloodshed, using his weapons and instincts in a desperate search for the truth and a way out."

Impulse now offers preorders of Sword of the Stars: Argos Naval Yard, the expansion for Sword of the Stars slated for release one week from today. Word is: "Sword of the Stars: Argos Naval Yard adds 3 new scenarios, 10 new weapons, over 75 new technologies and more. This expansion requires either Sword of the Stars: A Murder of Crows, or Sword of the Stars Ultimate Collection installed to play."

New patches are now available for X3: Terran Conflict to update EGOSOFT's space combat sequel to version 2.01. There is a patch for version 2.0a that's found on AtomicGamer, FileFront, Gamer's Hell, and The Patches Scrolls. There's also a patch to update version 1.0.1 that's available on AtomicGamer, FileFront, Gamer's Hell, and The Patches Scrolls. Finally, the Steam edition of the game will update to the new version the next time you login to Steam.

In addition to the X3: Terran Conflict patch mentioned above, Steam also now offers automatic updates with the Company of Heroes patch from earlier today, as well as a new version of the Steam client.

A new patch is now available for Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Beyond The Sword, updating the turn-based strategy expansion to version 3.19. A large number of tweaks and fixes are in the patch, which can be found on this page along with the release notes. A mirror is available on AtomicGamer. Update: The automatic Steam edition of the patch is now available.

Why Dungeons & Dragons Online Went Free-To-Play on Gamasutra interviews Turbine director of communications Adam Mersky about the just-announced plan to offer Dungeons & Dragons Online with no subscription fees in North America. Adam offers reassurances that while they will sell items via microtransactions, no one will be able to "buy their way to the level cap," saying, "All the best loot is still in the game, and the hardcore can play their way from level one to 20 totally free." He also explains that this is not to be taken as an indication the game was failing with a subscription model, but that with DDO "definitely a niche game," it offered them an opportunity to experiment with new business models. Adam is also one of the folks participating in a DDO Unlimited Interview with Turbine Developers on Ten Ton Hammer that also rounds up Fernando Paiz and Kate Paiz to discuss the new business model.

Crystal Dynamics studio has laid off an additional 25 positions, Eidos Interactive has confirmed to GamesIndustry.biz, following about 30 layoffs at the Tomb Raider developer earlier this year. According to Eidos: "This decision is a reflection of the continued drive to focus resources at the studio. We would like to thank all of the employees affected by this difficult decision for their hard work during their time at Crystal and we wish them all the best in the future."

GOG.com is offering a 25% off sale on the catalog of strategy games on this DRM-free digital marketplace. This makes their $9.99 titles just $7.49 and their $5.99 titles just $4.49 for the duration of the sale, which ends next Monday.

A new video on the YouTube shows off gameplay from Legio, an upcoming turn-based strategy game from Mezmer Games. Word is: "The new gameplay movie showcases one of the main characters of Legio, the King, lurking around at night until he runs into an opponent slightly out of his own league, the Giant. The movie also displays the prominent gameplay elements of Legio. Each game starts with players setting up the game board and placing their battle units in position. In the actual battle, you can see how the different units move around, attack, and eventually die - all of it being performed differently by different characters. The movie clip also shows the timing element when attacking an enemy."

• Worldofwar.net BlizzCon 2009 Ticket Giveaway.

• Star Wars- The Old Republic on GameInfoWire.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• PS3 version of Prototype features installation bug, annoying workaround.
• Overlord II Demo Out Tomorrow.
• Moore says Metacritic not so relevant to Wii sales.
• New PS3 Bundle to Feature MLB The Show, Quantum of Solace?
• God of War III Looks Better Than CGI.
• Sony Says Casual Audience Is Fickle, Not Enough To Support A Platform.
• It's Sega Genesis day on Xbox Live Arcade.
• Blur is ‘an adult Mario Kart’.
• Ubisoft Confirms Camera For Wii Exer-Game.
• EA: Motion control games to take 'half the market'.
• WipEout HD Fury - New Screenshots.
• The Last Guardian PlayStation 3 Screenshots.

• 2.8 million not ready for DTV transition. Thanks Mike Martinez.
• Data Center Overload. Thanks Ant.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• id Software unveils ‘secret’ iPhone game- Doom Resurrection.
• Sony: Retailers are Actually 'Embracing' PSP Go.
• NVIDIA updates mobile drivers.
• Choose Wisely- iPhone 3G S versus Palm Pre versus Android G1.
• A 'majority' of back catalog PSP games available to download Oct. 1, all first party titles thereafter.
• Handheld Emulator Plays Thousands Of Retro Games On The Cheap.
• The secret to Palm Pre dev mode lies in the Konami code. Thanks Ant.
• Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and TT Games Launch LEGO Battles for Nintendo DS.
• Is Tingle Back?
• Gran Turismo PSP Details and Screenshots.
• MotorStorm Arctic Edge PSP Screenshots.

• Facebook to offer first-come-first-served vanity URLs.
• Google dangles Outlook sync in front of Exchange-using IT.
• Trillian Astra 4.0 beta goes public. Thanks Ant.
• Developer completes ultimate bandwagon jump with Twitter game.

• Microsoft Sets Record With Monster Patch Tuesday.
• Adobe Security Patches Good for Win and Mac Only. Thanks Ant.
• Microsoft takes aim at fake antivirus program. Thanks Mike Martinez.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Supreme Court Won't Hear Case Over Computer Tech's Right To Search Your Computer.
• Lawyers plan class-action to reclaim -$100M+- RIAA "stole".
• Pirates 'ignore' warning letters.
• Top French legal body blocks Internet piracy law by AFP.
• $33 Million In Poker Winnings Seized By US Govt.
• Chinese court hands down prison for extortion of virtual wealth. Thanks Mike Martinez.
• Music Publisher Suddenly Claims 80s Australian Pop Hit Infringed On 1930s Kids Tune. Laugh Kookaburra....

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• EA: Burnout Devs Making "Revolutionary" Need For Speed…
• Online Games as the New Journalism?…
• Video Game Companies Still Bitching About Used Game Sales…
• Hobbit Game Won't Be Arriving With The Film…
• EverCracked! The Phenomenon of EverQuest…

The Company of Heroes Patch Page now offers the promised new version 2.600 patch for Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor. The patch notes were previously released outlining what's new and different, including a new map. The English patch is mirrored on ActionTrip, AtomicGamer, and The Patches Scrolls, and some or all of the patches for various other languages are mirrored on AtomicGamer and The Patches Scrolls.

G4TV.com reports that development of Battlefield 3 was confirmed today during a presentation at the William Blair Growth Stock Conference by Electronic Arts chief operating office John Pleasants. "I've had the luxury of looking at Battlefield 3 over at DICE in Sweden and was highly impressed by the way the team is working on that product," they quote him as saying. "Of course, that's not [coming out] in the fiscal year, but that is a product that is looking very good."

A playable demo for All Aspect Warfare is now available, offering a sample of 3000AD's science-fiction combat game, and as noted in this All Aspect Warfare developer blog update, both All Aspect Warfare and Angle Of Attack (which turns out to be the A.A.W. aerial combat spin off mentioned a couple of months ago) will likely go gold this week. The update goes on to describe the complications involved in releasing both games following the collapse of their Xbox 360 publishing deal that leaves the retail release of A.A.W. in jeopardy and may delay the games, even via digital distribution, depending on preorders and other factors. There is also the possibility of an XBLA deal for Angle Of Attack that means there will be no demo for this aerial combat game . The 291 MB All Aspect Warfare demo is available on AtomicGamer, ComputerGames.ro, and Gamer's Hell.

This press release from Black Inc. announces Fireburst, an action-oriented off-road racing game planned for release by the end of this year for Windows, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. Here's a bit:

Fireburst sends players into a fiery, four-wheeled adrenalin frenzy. Behind the wheel of numerous different racers, drivers get to speed along paved race courses or wicked off-road tracks, showing no respect for their rivals. Thanks to a novel boost system, opponents are kept at a distance in spectacular ways in various single and multiplayer modes. The element of fire prominently features in all special maneuvers. It is possible, for example, to coat your own vehicle in protective flames, or make a rival's car explode with a burst of fire.

Fireburst also offers brilliant graphics: In order to bring glorious effects and breathtaking landscapes to the screen, exDream's developers base their graphics on Unreal Engine 3. Many dynamic objects and impressive light effects on vehicles and tracks make for fantastic top-level, high-speed racing action.

The Company of Heroes Website has word that the version 2.600 patch for Relic's World War II real-time strategy game should be released today. They say they will update the servers around 9:00 PST, which we're presuming is 9:00 am PDT, or noon eastern time. On a semi-related note, they also warn against falling for attempts they've seen to steal CD keys from CoH players.

GamesIndustry.biz follows up on yesterday's news of plans to offer Dungeons & Dragons Online as a subscription-free game, saying this plan does not apply to players in European territories, at least for the time being: "To clarify, for the time being, DDO Europe will not be assuming this new business model and the European DDO game service will remain a monthly subscription-based game with all new content created available to all subscribers, as has been the model up until now," is their quote from Codemasters, who hedge a bit more: "As the beta progresses we will release more information regarding the future plans for EU players."

The Dante's Inferno Website kicks off a series of updates slated for the ninth of each month in a reference to the nine circles in Dante's vision of hell. There's a video interview with Jonathan Knight conducted at the end of E3 where the executive producer on the game offers his perspective on the show and how demonstrating the game to the masses turned out. They also have a new Official Blog where Visceral Games lead designer has an entry called "hell is a real place," which isn't a joke about E3. Finally, there's a new developer diary movie about that describes the Limbo area in the game. The diary pops up a password request, but this error can be bypassed by using your elite hax0r skills to click on the "x" a few times to close it.

GamersGate announces 1C Week, offering a 25% to 75% discount on 1C-Company titles through Sunday, June 14. Deals include 4x4 Hummer and 7.62- High Calibre for 75% off, Fantasy Wars and King’s Bounty: The Legend for 50% off, Men of War and Cryostasis: Sleep of Reason for 60% off.

A new German-language Democracy 2 Page has details on the release of a German-language edition of Positech's politics simulation. The turn-based strategy game is available via digital distribution, and there's also a corresponding German demo to try before you buy.

Gamasutra - What Are The Rewards Of 'Free-To-Play' MMOs?
"Free-to-play is all about upping your ROI," he explains. "All the costs of boxes and distribution that are associated with a subscription model go away. The cost of development is significantly lower. Even your marketing budget changes radically; our product's reputation will spread primarily via word of mouth. And because it lowers the barrier to entry for people to come in and try things, it gives you a huge shot at acquiring large numbers of customers."

• Eve Online’s Petursson to keynote GDC Europe.
• Serious games showcase to crash the Sydney Film Festival.

• East India Company on Hooked Gamers.
• Spore Galactic Adventures on Hooked Gamers.

• Ghostbusters Xbox 360 Region Free.
• Valve reluctant to develop for the ‘complicated’ PS3.
• Xbox Live Arcade Technical Size Limit Pegged at 2GB.
• Gears of War 2 Dark Corners 'Nowhere'.
• Nyko: Project Natal not a threat, but a 'challenge'.
• BioShock 2 Details and Xbox 360 Screenshots.
• Resident Evil Archives Nintendo Wii Screenshots.

• PCMCIA introduces ExpressCard Standard 2.0. Thanks Ant.
• A Summer Road Trip With the Intel Core i7 975 EE.
• Open source, digital textbooks coming to California schools.

• Just Cause 2 on AtomicGamer.
• Restaurant Empire 2 on Out of Eight.
• The Saboteur on AtomicGamer.
• The Sims 3 on Gamepyre and Strategy Informer.
• Terminator: Salvation on Den of Geek.

• Akasa Paxpower 500W PSU on Hardware Secrets.
• Cooler Master Sileo 500 Case on Motherboards.org.
• Cooler Master Storm Scout Case on RBMODS.
• DeepCool Ice Blade Pro Heatsink on FrostyTech.com.
• Evercool Transformer 4 CPU Cooler on Pro-Clockers.
• GIGABYTE GM-M8000 High-Performance Laser Gaming Mouse on Futurelooks.
• Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz Processor on TechwareLabs.
• Intel Core i7-975 Extreme Edition Processor on Legit Reviews.
• IN WIN Ammo 2.5" SATA HDD Enclosure with RFID on TweakTown.
• MSI GeForce N260GTX Lightning 1792 MB Graphics Card on Guru3D.
• MSI Media Live Diva Motherboard on TrustedReviews.
• Nexus 120mm LED Series White Fan on PCShopTalk.
• OCZ Vendetta 2 Cooler on Bjorn3d.com.
• QNAP TS-119 Turbo NAS on HotHardware.
• Sennheiser CX 300-II PRECISION Noise Isolating In-Ear-Canalphone on ModSynergy.com.
• Silverstone LC10B-E HTPC Case on Benchmark Reviews.
• Silverstone Raven RV01 Case on PureOC.
• Thermaltake ISGC-200 Heatsink on FrostyTech.com and Neoseeker.

I dragged a few items out of the garage (actually a storage building, as it is not actually accessible by car) over the weekend to deal with some clutter. Included was a broken outdoor light to discard and a bird feeder that needed hanging. Since we couldn't figure out a good place to hang the feeder, I decided to turn the broken lamp into a feeder hanger. It turned out very well, and we've already seen some activity there, the cardinals in particular seem to like it. I've always wondered why bird-feeder owners like my dad engage in wars on squirrels, so now I'll find out if I was right about not minding feeding our four-legged friends as well as the birds.

Well-fed Links:	Thanks Ant and Mike Martinez.
Play:	Last Hope TD. Little Wheel. Stackle.
Links:	The 20 Most Anticipated Movies of 2010. Thanks Digg. Top 10 Ways to Provoke a Geek Argument.
Stories:	'My Name Is Earl' might see new life on TBS. US fisherman hooks live missile.
Science:	Opening Doors on the Way to a Personal Robot (registration required). Secret of Snake Slithering Found in Weights and Scales. Thanks Neutronbeam.
Media:	Obama Drastically Scales Back Goals For America After Visiting Denny's. NSFW. Soap Bubbles Science with Keith Johnson of BubbleArtist.com. Life Lessons with Mr. T.
Follow-ups:	Captain Leads Off at Hearing on Flight That Landed in Hudson (registration required). Thanks j.c.f. "Futurama" Gets 26 New Episodes. Thanks nin.