Though EA has been so tight-lipped about the status of the Windows edition of Battlefield 1943 that it raised concerns the game would never be released for PC, the EA Store is now offering the game via digital distribution. Here's word on the game: "It's time to do your part in the action packed battles of the World War II Pacific campaign! Pick your path - be it as a rifleman crawling the trenches, a steel fisted tank commander, or ace fighter pilot dog fighting to protect the skies. Play as a lone wolf or with your friends, coordinating to turn the tide of battle. Whatever you choose, you get to enjoy the thrill of a fully featured online shooter with the unique Battlefield gameplay." Thanks Matt. Update: Unfortunately, this all seems to be some sort of mix-up. Here's a tweet from EA explaining: "BF 1943 PC is not available. This is an error on EA store. We are working to sort it out."

The Word of Notch, the blog of Minecraft developer Markus Persson, has some reflections on his recent foray to Bellevue, WA to meet with Valve. While he speaks of how promising the visit was, he also explains his next move will be to start a proper studio and begin development on another game: "Or, rather, a close friend and I will be starting up a new company together. That company will continue to develop Minecraft. I will be the main developer, and I will keep working on it just as I have now, but there will be people supporting me, such as an artist, a web site developer and a business guy to help sort out all deals and make sure that things like the Creeper plushies actually happens [sic]. My friend (name withheld for a while for office political reasons) will lead development of a game idea he and I have talked about for a few years. It will be developed in parallel with Minecraft, and has a fairly different style both in visuals and gameplay. Everyone working at the company will be involved in both projects to some degree." Thanks Big Download.

Steam now offers digital distribution of a new map pack for Sniper: Ghost Warrior, adding five new multiplayer maps to the sniperific shooter. The pack is $9.99 USD, and here's word on what it offers: "Sniper: Ghost Warrior Map Pack further expands [sic] multiplayer experience with 5 new maps. Battle to control ruined oil-rigs or lie in wait to capture one of mystic stone towers. This Map Pack brings new sniping spots and chance to eliminate enemies from even longer distance. Sniper: Ghost Warrior Map Pack includes new maps for deathmatch, team deathmatch and VIP modes featuring a variety of new locations!"

Steam now offers digital distribution of the Uncharted Land Map Pack, new DLC for The Settlers 7: Paths to a Kingdom for $3.99 USD. The pack includes three new multiplayer maps: Battle of Tanholm, Tempest Taiga, and Fiery Chasm. The new DLC is also offered as a bundle with the previously released Conquest - The Empire Expansion DLC.

Steam News announces the release of a new content update for Metro 2033 that gives the Ranger Pack as free DLC for the post-apocalyptic shooter. The Ranger Pack adds two new weapons: the Heavy Automatic Shotgun, and the Volt Driver, nine new Steam achievements, and a pair of new Ranger gameplay modes.

What was formerly the Dragonica Online Website has a "Service Transition Announcement" with word that THQ*ICE is no longer operating the game. This website has details on the game's transition to the Gravity Interactive label, saying: "Returning Dragonica Players, you do not need to do anything to ensure your Dragonica Game account is available when we launch; however, if you do not want your Game account information to be ported from THQ*ICE then you will have to opt out by filling out the information here." Operation of the game will resume on the new Dragonica Online Website, and they expect to relaunch the game by the end of this month. Thanks Gamer's Hell.

The Pete Hines interview on Planet Fallout talks with the Bethesda Softworks spokesperson about Fallout: New Vegas, Obsidian's upcoming contribution to the Fallout series of post-apocalyptic RPGs. Topics include how the new game will differ from Fallout 3, the use of realistic weapons, locations, shooting mechanics, weapon modifications, environmental interactions, factions, companions, the game engine, mod support, and more. Pete confirms the game's rumored October release date, saying the game is due on October 19 in North America. Update: Fixed a typo in the date. Apologies.

The Dawn of War II Website announces that a new patch is now automatically available to update Relic's real-time strategy sequel to version 2.4 (thanks The Patches Scrolls). The 2.4 Release Notes have details on the patch, which are reproduced below. Continue here to read the full story.

A new update is now automatically live for Fallen Earth, bringing the post-apocalyptic RPG to version 1.6.3. Here's what's new and different. Continue here to read the full story.

A new automatic version 1.47 update for Gratuitous Space Battles Update is now available on Steam, and presumably the other digital purveyors of the space strategy game. Here are all the changes. Continue here to read the full story.

A new patch for Stargate Resistance is now automatically available via Steam, updating the third-person shooter to version 1.1.14.7. Here are the changes. Continue here to read the full story.

A new patch for Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter is now available automatically through Steam with a few fixes for the shooter remake. Here's the change list. Continue here to read the full story.

Steam News announces the release of a new automatic update for Team Fortress 2, Counter-Strike: Source, and Day of Defeat: Source. The patch notes follow. Continue here to read the full story.

A new Star Wars The Force Unleashed II combat trailer discusses the battles in the upcoming Star Wars action sequel, discussing how Force powers will operate in the game, the increased emphasis on light saber combat, and new Force powers, focusing on how combat has changed since the original Force Unleashed. Here's the embedded version of the clip. Continue here to read the full story.

The Torchlight II interview on GameShark talks with Runic Games CEO Max Schaefer about Runic's upcoming action/RPG sequel. They discuss the high expectations for the sequel after the surprising success of Torchlight, working with Perfect World Entertainment, the addition of more above-ground territory, co-op and PvP support, technology, art assets, new character classes, and more.

• Dragon Age II on FileFront.
• Fallout: New Vegas on Planet Fallout.

• Xbox ready for bigger battle in Japan.
• PlayStation Move Demos Included On Select Move Launch Titles.
• PAX 2010 Gears of War 3 Screens Show Off Environments.

• iOS 4.1 Software Update. Thanks [H]ard-OCP.
• California testing iPads as algebra textbooks. Thanks Ant via Slashdot.
• Military mobile apps store gets $6.4M to open.
• Gamestop Snubs Intellivision Lives.
• Will WebOS 2.0 let HP cross swords with Apple?

• GlobalFoundries Details Plans For 2011 And Beyond.
• Corsair Dominator GT (GTX6) Breaks Two World Records.

• Google Instant. Thanks [H]ard-OCP.
• Kim Bowled for Murdoch's Dollars With Korean Games. Thanks Ant via Slashdot.
• Creditors Turn to Facebook for Payments. Thanks [H]ard-OCP.

• Adobe warns of zero-day hole in Reader, Acrobat. Thanks [H]ard-OCP.
• Gamer suspended over name of W.Va. town- Fort Gay. Thanks Mike Martinez.
• Airport `Naked Image' Scanners May Get Privacy Upgrades. Thanks brother19.
• Hack attack hits home for AP writer. Thanks [H]ard-OCP.
• Symantec- Most Hacking Victims Blame Themselves. Thanks [H]ard-OCP.

• Secret copyright treaty- USA caves on border laptop-phone-MP3 player searches for copyright infringement. Thanks Mike Martinez.
• Microsoft gets legal might to target spamming botnets. Thanks [H]ard-OCP.

• Infinite Adaptive Mario. Thanks Mike Martinez via Slashdot…
• Mogworld Launch Interview with Yahtzee Croshaw…

R.I.P.: Beetlejuice Actor Glenn Shadix Dies. Thanks dakslf.

Frictional Games announces the release of Amnesia: The Dark Descent, saying the first-person survival/horror game is now available for Windows, Linux, and Mac via digital distribution, devoid of DRM. Here's word on the game: "Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a first person horror game with a focus on immersion. It is a game where atmosphere and story comes first. We hope that the game will be a breeze of fresh air, in a genre otherwise populated by 'one-man-army action hero' sagas. In Amnesia you are almost completely defenseless, something we believe not only makes the game a lot scarier, but also gives a vastly different experience." The game is available from Frictional Games Store, Direct2Drive, Gamer's Gate, Impulse, and Steam. And lest we are struck by amnesia and forget, playable demos are available for all three of the game's platforms.

New patches for the various expanded editions of The Sims 3 are now available, adding new features to the lifestyle simulation sequel, including the ability to develop a relationship with your car, reminiscent of the old Queen song. The patches are all available on The Sims 3 Website, and the version 1.15.34 patch for The Sims 3 is mirrored on Gamer's Hell and The Patches Scrolls, the version 2.10.5 patch for The Sims 3: World Adventures is mirrored on Gamer's Hell and The Patches Scrolls, the version 3.6.6 patch for The Sims 3: High-End Loft Stuff is mirrored on Gamer's Hell and The Patches Scrolls, and the version 4.34 patch for The Sims 3: Ambitions is mirrored on Gamer's Hell and The Patches Scrolls. The patch notes follow. Continue here to read the full story.

Between now and the end of September, receive a $5.00 discount from Direct2Drive on all purchases over $15.00 by using the code "PAX" at checkout.

• ArcaniA – Gothic 4 on GamersGate. Save 15% on preorders.
• Crayon Physics Deluxe on Direct2Drive. Save 70%.
• Crysis on GamersGate. Save 60%.
• Crysis - Maximum Edition on GamersGate. Save 50%.
• Crysis Warhead on GamersGate. Save 60%.
• Disciples 2 Gold on Direct2Drive. Save 70%.
• Dungeon Defenders on GamersGate. Save 10% on preorders.
• Fallen Earth: Blood Sports on Direct2Drive. Save 80%.
• Football Manager 2010 on Steam. Save 50%.
• Fort Zombie Download on Direct2Drive. Save 40%.
• Frontlines: Fuel of War on Direct2Drive. Save 70%.
• Grotesque Tactics Premium Edition on GamersGate. Save 10%.
• Hacker Evolution on GamersGate. Save 50%.
• King's Bounty: Armored Princess on Direct2Drive. Save 82%.
• King's Bounty Crossworlds on GamersGate. Save 15% on preorders.
• King’s Bounty- Crossworlds Game of the Year Edition on GamersGate. Save 10% on preorders.
• King's Bounty Platinum on GamersGate. Save 10% on preorders.
• Patrician IV: Conquest by Trade on GamersGate. Save 20% on preorders.
• Puzzle Quest 2 on Steam. Save 33%.
• Recettear- An Item Shop's Tale on GamersGate. Save 10% on preorders.
• Secret of the Magic Crystals on Steam. Save 50%.
• Sid Meier's Pirates! on Direct2Drive. Save 70%.
• Space Siege on Steam. Save 66%.
• SWAT 4 on Direct2Drive. Save 60%.
• The Sims 3 on Direct2Drive. Save 50%.
• The Sims 3: Ambitions on Direct2Drive. Save 50%.
• Tidalis on GamersGate. Save 30%.
• Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. 2 on GamersGate. Save 29% on preorders.
• VVVVVV on GamersGate. Save 10%.
• VVVVVV on Steam. Save 10%.
• Zombie Pirates on Direct2Drive. Save 60%.
  Still on sale. Continue here to read the full story.

A new video developer diary for Supreme Commander 2 features discussion of real-time stratagems among some staff at Gas Powered Games. This proceeds routinely until GPG's Chris Taylor makes an appearance and reveals plans for upcoming downloadable content for the real-time strategy sequel. He says the big draw will be the return of the Cybran Experimental Spiderbot, aka The Monkey Lord. Word is: "We have a DLC pack we've been working on for a couple of months, with new maps, a bunch of fantastic over-the-top new experimental units, boosts, and upgrades. We're super-excited to be able to launch that real soon. So I will see you all online, and, uh, watch out for my Monkey Lord!" The embedded version of the diary follows. Continue here to read the full story.

A new Heavy Tank trailer from World of Tanks shows off some of the heavy tanks in Wargaming.net's armored combat MMOTPS that's currently undergoing closed beta testing. The clip shows these heavy units dealing out and receiving serious damage. Here's the embedded version. Continue here to read the full story.

Disbarred lawyer Jack Thompson is injecting himself into the controversy over the ability to play as the Taliban in the upcoming Medal of Honor, reports PCMag.com, saying Thompson faxed a letter outlining his objections to the game to U.S. defense secretary Robert Gates. As far as we know, the defense secretary has no say in the matter, but Thompson implores him to act against the release of the game and to punish the military personnel that consulted on the game design, as well as Electronic Arts and the ESA. He freely admits that he's not a lawyer and is not representing any parties involved, but cryptically says this may change: "Beyond that, I am not presently authorized to identify anyone. That may change in a day or two. I intend to stop the release of the game."

The BioWare Social Network has word that the problems with the PC edition of the Lair of the Shadowbroker DLC for Mass Effect 2 are cleared up, and a working version of the DLC is now available. Word is: "Lair of the Shadowbroker should now be fixed for the PC and should be able to be downloaded now for both the PC and Xbox 360. Thanks to everyone for their patience and help as we fixed this issue."

Steam now offers sales of retro platformer VVVVVV. Here's word on this: "You play as the fearless leader of a team of dimension exploring scientists who inadvertently crash, and are separated. The game involves exploring the strange world you've found yourself in, and reuniting your friends." The game is on sale for 10% off for the next week.

A new automatic patch for Garry's Mod is now available on Steam. The change list for the Source sandbox mod follows. Continue here to read the full story.

• Tokyo Game Show -- Get ready for Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam.
• Play Battlefield: Bad Company 2 with DICE.
• CGDC Brings 5,000 Professionals Together to Focus on Future Online Game Technologies.

• Sword of the Stars II on Strategy Informer.

• Dead Rising: Case Zero tops 300k downloads.
• News- £300 Xbox 360 Kinect Bundle coming in November, exclusive to UK.
• OnLive: "Do we need boxes anymore?"
• Demo: DJ Hero 2 on Xbox LIVE.
• New on Xbox LIVE Arcade: Plants vs. Zombies and Dance!
• The countdown is on for Halo: Reach.
• Sony questions button-less gaming.
• Kawashima game for Japan Kinect launch.
• No new episode for FFXIII International.
• Takahashi quits Namco Bandai.

• Intel Wants Your Future Home Phone Ideas. Thanks [H]ard-OCP.

• NVIDIA Puts Out A Major Beta Linux Driver Update. Thanks Ant via Linux Today.
• Bacterial light-harvesting proteins make a regenerating solar cell.
• Oracle to reward Hurd handsomely once legal clouds clear.

Thanks Ant.

• Mozilla Labs To Promote Open Web Gaming. Thanks Slashdot.
• Fiber lives on! How broadband decided Australia's election.
• Cable Operators Set To Push Home Gateways.
• Firefox version 3.6.9 is now available.
• SeaMonkey version 2.0.7 is now available.
• Craigslist urged to clean up its act worldwide.
• Google invites Yahoo users to log into services via OpenID.
• Fall to bring Google TV, just in time for Apple TV faceoff.

Thanks Ant.

• Microsoft investigates public IE CSS XSS flaw; Twitter, Hotmail vulnerable.
• Avast version 5.0.677 is now available.
• New Norton Safe Web Lite.

• Groups Sue Over Suspicionless Laptop Search Policy At The Border. Thanks [H]ard-OCP.
• Major file-sharing bust in Europe targets P2P admins.

• Amnesia: The Dark Descent on Neoseeker and Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Thanks joao.
• Dragon Age: Witch Hunt on RPGWatch.
• Elemental: War of Magic on Big Download.
• Predator The Heat of the Jungle Crysis Mod on Games On Net.

• Antec High Current Pro 1200W PSU on johnnyGURU.
• ASUS M4A88TD-V EVO-USB3 Motherboard on Bjorn3D.com.
• ASUS Rampage III Extreme Intel X58 Motherboard on Legit Reviews.
• Asus SBC-06D1S-U Slim External Blu-Ray Combo Drive on OCIA.net.
• Budget Sub-$150 Solid State Drive Round-up on TechSpot.
• Cooler Master HAF X Case on Modders-Inc.com.
• Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold 800W PSU on Hardware Heaven.
• Cooler Master USNA 95 Ultra Slim Notebook Adapter on ThinkComputers.org.
• ECS Black GeForce GTX 460 1GB Graphics Card on TweakTown.
• Enermax Revolution85+ 1020W PSU on [H]ard-OCP.
• Glacialtech Igloo 5760 PWM Heatsink on FrostyTech.com and TechwareLabs.
• Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 15- Intel Core i5 vs. AMD Phenom II on HEXUS.net.
• MSI 870A Fuzion X-Mode Testing w- R5870 Lightning & N465GTX Twin Frozr on TweakTown.
• NMediaPC 1080P HTPC Case on PC Perspective.
• PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk II 650W PSU on Hardware Secrets.
• Synology DS210j NAS on ASE Labs.
• Thermalright HR-02 CPU Cooler on Guru3D.
• Thermalright Venomous X-RT CPU Cooler on PureOC.
• Thermaltake Armor A90 VL90001W2Z Case on Benchmark Reviews.
• Thermaltake Mobile Fan 12 on ProClockers.
• Titan Fenrir EVO TTC-NK85TZ-CS2(RB) CPU Cooler on TweakTown.
• XFX Radeon HD 5970 Black Edition Limited Graphics Card on Overclockers Club.

• Female UK dev count ‘falls to 4%’…
• Final Fantasy- An Ocarina Odyssey is a new recording of FINAL FANTASY music by the St. Louis Ocarina Trio…
• Top Microsoft game employee jumps to Amazon. Thanks Neutronbeam…
• The death and rebirth of Duke Nukem Forever: a history…

Happy New Year, as sundown tonight marks Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year. This will make the year 5771, but as you can imagine, I'll still be writing 5770 on my checks for the next few weeks.

Links:	Thanks Ant and Mike Martinez and Acleacius.
Play:	Dynamic Systems 2. GunRox - Gibson City. Master of Fortresses.
Link:	8 Incredible LEGO Mods.
Story:	As Stadiums Vanish, Their Debt Lives On.
Science:	The Boss Is Robotic, and Rolling Up Behind You. Thanks j.c.f. Two Asteroids to Pass by Earth Wednesday.
Media:	Two guys make a song out of the BioShock Infinite trailer. Bleep Bloop: America's Next Top Model. NSFW. Minecraft - The Universe's Most Majestic Waterslide. No One Likes M. Night Shyamalan.
Follow-up:	Atkins Diet Increases All-Cause Mortality. Squirrel Falls Victim to High-Tech Bird Feeder. Thanks strich.