The Linux edition of the recent Unreal Tournament 2004 Mega bonus pack is now available. offering the recently released mega batch of maps to owners of penguin-powered PCs. The pack can be found on Icculus.org, and mirrored on 3D Downloads and 3D Gamers.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• The Adelphia Transfer Nightmare - Employees report slow, difficult process.
• Microsoft's vision of the future.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Kojima: really no differences [between Xbox 360, PC & PS3].
• Best Buy 360s Sold Out, More Coming - Kotaku.
• Eyes On Seiken Densetsu 4.
• Robbie Bach Reorganizes The Xbox Generals.
• Ubisoft’s Blazing Angels To Hit Xbox 360 In Q4 2005-2006.
• How To Convert your Xbox to a NAS – Part 1.
• Thinking of Using Your Xbox 360 Extender to Watch HDTV Over Wi-Fi? Think Again.
• Eyes On: Valkyrie Profile.
• Microsoft Shows RPGs.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• ReplayTV to launch TV recording software for PCs.
• Yahoo mail beta gets mostly rave reviews.
• Web Cams Bring Soldiers Together With Kin.
• Web Sites Let Folks Send E-Mail to Future.
• How Google woos the best and brightest.
• Lyrics Dustup Ends in Apology.
• When PayPal Becomes the Back Office, Too (registration required).

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Check your ebay account. Thanks Ant.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Portable stereo's creator got his due, eventually and Unlikely trendsetter made earphones a way of life.
• iPod shuffle 1GB sold out until January.
• Slacker Dot-Com (registration required).
• Know The PSP Firmware Before You Buy.
• iPod earbuds increase risk of hearing loss. Duh.

• Why Do Computer Games Claim Lives? Thanks Mike Martinez.

• And Then There Were None on Gamezilla.
• City of Villains on Computer and Video Games.
• The Movies on Playfuls.
• Serious Sam II on Gameguru Mania.

• ADS Tech's InstantHDTV on Tech-Mods.Net.
• The Buttkicker Gamer on Extensive Mods.
• Coollaboratory Liquid Metal on PimpRig.
• Gizmo! Hi-Speed USB Flash Drive on DriverHeaven.net.
• Logitech G5 Gaming Mouse on Houston Vehicles Online.
• Silverstone Zeus ST56ZF 560W PSU on Overclockers Online.
• Swiftech APOGEE Extreme Performance CPU Waterblock on OverClock Intelligence Agency.
• Thermax Tech XtFlux-GA Thermal Grease on ThinkComputers.org.
• Ultra Products 500w X-Finity PSU on Virtual-Hideout.Net.
• VIZO Master Panel on TECHNIZ.CO.UK.

• Disabled Fans Shut Out of Star Wars Galaxies. Thanks Ant...
• Book Review - Video Game Books (registration required). Thanks Mike Martinez...

A fine time was had by all at yesterday's soiree. Well, for the most part, as little Gunnar had a bodily function-intensive day, vomiting on the drive in, and leaving a couple of presents that belonged under some other tree than a Christmas tree. And of course, even with a bit of a coating of puke and crapping a couple of times, no one seemed to hold it against him... If that puppy's life was a sitcom, it would be called Everybody Loves Gunnar.

R.I.P.: Pulitzer-Winning Columnist Anderson Dies.

Loveable Links!	Thanks Mike Martinez and Ant.
Play:	Grow Ornament.
Links:	The Chappelle Theory. Skydiving from the Edge of Space.  Thanks Digg.
Stories:	Time names Bono, Bill and Melinda Gates Persons of Year. Santas Go on Rampage in New Zealand. Fetch! Roll Over! Heel! Now, Let's Dance (registration required).
Science:	Cancer vaccine has strong response in young girls.
Image:	Check your ass for weapons. Sightings 7.
Auction:	Potentially Haunted Xbox 360 Premium!!!
Follow-ups:	Child's Play Approaches Half a Million Dollars. Evolution Trial in Hands of Willing Judge (registration required).
Teh Funny:	UserFriendly.

Ritualistic (thanks Shacknews) has word that SiN Episodes is delayed. The Game Overview on the SiN Episodes Website now says the first installment in the episodic shooter sequel is expected in early 2006. The previous release was "early fall 2005," so with four days remaining in autumn, that horse was already out of the barn. Meanwhile, the game will be shown off today at the Cyberathlete Professional League Winter Event (which by that same reckoning is actually a few days early).

KnightShift 2: Curse of Souls cancelled on 3D Gamers reports on the results of their inquiries into the disappearance of the KnightShift 2: Curse of Souls Product Section. They have learned from publisher ZUXXEZ that Reality Pump's upcoming strategy/RPG sequel is no longer in production. There hasn't really been much word about this project since it was announce more than a year ago. Word from ZUXXEZ is: "we decided to go an other direction with the RPG we have under development."

This Steam Update (thanks Frans) mentions the recent Steam release of Darwinia and the four IGF nominations Introversion's strategy/adventure has garnered. The update also includes a screenshot of one of two Counter-Strike: Source models to be released next week, word on a possible a DoD: Source update next week as well, and even plans for their first release of next year:

We have one more week of releases coming to Steam before we close out 2005. Next week there will be two new player models, one for each team, released for Counter-Strike: Source. Early next year we'll be releasing a completely rebuilt version of cs_milita. There is also a fairly high chance we'll be releasing an update to Day of Defeat: Source next week, which will include a number of small changes.

• Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
  A new diary on The Elder Scrolls Website hears from Brendan Anthony, aka Raptormeat and Mr. Meat, programmer on the Elder Scrolls games. In this journal he discusses the magic system in Oblivion, and how it will expand on one of the strengths of this RPG series.
• Warhammer
  There's a Warhammer Diary on the Mythic Entertainment Website (thanks Frans) written by Destin Bales, content director on the upcoming Warhammer MMORPG. The journal starts out saying "Ten thousand pages," and scrolling down inspires suspicions that this describes the diary itself, but that is an estimate of the amount of documentation they will be producing for their upcoming MMORPG in introducing a detailed article.
• EverQuest II
  A new EverQuest II Producer's Letter is online, discussing the holidays, PvP concepts they are developing, and upcoming changes for classes at lower levels.
• Gang War
  A development update on the Radioactive Software Website describes a major rewrite that's being conducted on the graphics engine for Gang War, the upcoming urban gang simulation.

Game-restriction bill submitted to congress on GameSpot describes how democratic senators Hillary Clinton, Joe Lieberman, and Evan Bayh have unveiled the promised (threatened?) Family Entertainment Protection Act, which will criminalize the sale of adult video games for minors. Here's what's at stake if the bill is passed into law:

Store managers would be fined up to $1,000 or 100 hours of community service for a first offense, and $5,000 or 500 hours of community service for each subsequent offense. Retailers can escape such fines if they were shown identification they believed to be valid or if their stores "have a system in place to display and enforce" the ratings system.

• Full Spectrum Warrior: Ten Hammers
  There's a Full Spectrum Warrior: Ten Hammers Q&A on 1UP where producer Will Stahl discusses Pandemic's upcoming tactical combat sequel: "We always assumed that someone would take FSW's elements and incorporate them into a standard shooter--it seemed like a no-brainer even to us during development. But the franchise is not about being the hero--it's about commanding heroes. We left so much on the table when we finished the first game that we couldn't wait to start the next installment. For instance, we deliberately withheld deeper command elements because we felt learning the basics was overwhelming enough. With Ten Hammers, we're opening things up and demonstrating how the interface we've developed can be expanded for a much deeper and much faster experience."
• Turbine
  RPG Vault's Turbine Q&A features thoughts from Turbine boss Jeff Anderson on the company's past, present, and future: "Asheron's Call will always be Turbine's first love. It holds a special place for everyone at the company, so it was a difficult decision to close down AC2. Even though AC2 wasn't a huge success, we still learned a great deal from the project and deeply appreciate the many players who enjoyed it."
• Hyboreal Games
  The Hyboreal Games Interview With Founder Eric Sexton on Loadedinc discusses what's going on at this start-up mainly comprised of ex-Blizzard employees: "This game is something that we have been thinking about since the early days of Diablo. We would play Quake and talk about making a FPS with a Diablo item game. Other games that have inspired over the years are X-COM, Fallout, Halo, and Star Control 2 all leap to mind."

EA Sports is now offering a new roster update for MVP Baseball 2005 (thanks Frans). Word is: "Get the latest PC Roster Update to keep your MVP Baseball 2005 current through the end of the year." The update is a 6.7 MB download.

A new version 3.0 of Virtual RC Racing is now available (thanks Frans), updating the itty-bitty racing simulation. The new client can be found on the Virtual RC Racing Downloads Page, and all the details on the update are in this list. New features in version 3.0 include multi-language support, a new timer system, and a dual player mode that's a precursor to further upcoming multiplayer support.

• Hard Truck: Apocalypse on RPG Vault.

• Huxley on Huxley-Nexus.
• RF Online on RPG Vault.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Catalyst 5.13? ATI's Video Domination? on FiringSquad.
• Quake 4 Version 1.05 Beta Dual Core Patch Performance.
• Congress: Merry Chrismas! We're Turning Off Your Analog Outs. Taking the "t" out of Christmas.
• Intel India earns chance at Xeon redemption.
• New Windows Vista Test Build Expected Next Week.
• Court rejects 'mere think tanks' in Microsoft case.
• Here comes another flat-screen TV.
• Apple 10-K reveals success as secret sauce.
• FCC to Reverse Decision Regarding À la carte Cable Pricing.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Xbox 360 outmanoeuvres its launch glitches.
• Nintendo Planning Major Mario Kart Online Shake Up.
• MGS4 Possible on Xbox 360.
• Is Commodore poised for a comeback?
• Black Brings Gun Porn to Consoles.
• Wik Fable of Souls Now On Xbox Arcade.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Wikipedia Adopting Semi-Protection of Pages.
• Microsoft Wins Hyperlink TV Pause Battle.
• Semantic Web, Here We Come.
• Yahoo helps customers measure ad effectiveness.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Microsoft patch jams up IE.
• Hackers, Extortion Threats Shut Down Game Site.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Sony on track to double videogame player sales.
• Iwata: DS Lessons Will Power Revolution.
• New Version of Classic Nanoloop Game Boy Sequencer Introduced.
• Cingular sings 'Sopranos' in mobile-TV chorus.
• PSP gets 2D Katamari.
• Some PowerBook customers unhappy with new screen.
• iPod Boxers Fill Your Pants with Music. For your office's Insane Santa pool.
• Reggie Going Wi-Fi!.
• Classic Sega series coming to PSP.
• Tales of Tempest Update.

• D.I.C.E. Summit 06 Speakers Announced. Thanks Mike Martinez. Including Gabe Newell and Reggie Fils-Aime.
• Guild Wars 2006 World Championship announced. $100,000 in prizes.
• Atomic Live 2005 report on bit-tech.net.
• NFSUnlimited.net's 10 Years of Need for Speed Guess the Game Giveaway.

• Amanith 0.2 adds a new 2D drawboard in OpenVG-SVG style, built on top of OpenGL.
• AI Buzz Launched.
• Bug-hunting tool aimed at Vista developers. Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Should Kids Play Games? on Kotaku.

• And Then There Were None on EuroGamer and 2404.org.
• Battlefield 2: Special Forces on Prodigious Gaming.
• Law & Order: Criminal Intent on GamersInfo.net.
• The Movies on JustPressPlay.
• Shattered Union on Gamezilla.
• Starship Troopers on Worthplaying.
• Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided (revisited) on 1Up.

• Apple iPod Video on bigbruin.
• Asus A6Km-Q002H Laptop on TrustedReviews.
• ATI Radeon X1800 Crossfire Video Card on HEXUS.net.
• DFI RDX200 CF-DR Motherboard on Legit Reviews.
• Foxconn TP-544 ATX Case on Virtual-Hideout.Net.
• Good Work Systems R2 Mark II Gaming Mouse on Hardware-Review.net.
• HEC WinPower 480W SLI PSU on 3dGameMan.
• OCZ PC-4000 Gold Gamer eXtreme XTC Dual-Channel DDR RAM Kit on Adrian's Rojak Pot.
• Swiftech H20-Apex "Extreme Duty" Water Cooling Kit on BurnOutPC.
• Thermaltake Kandalf Enhanced Aluminum Series-VA9000 Case on DriverHeaven.net.
• XFX Revo64 RAID 3 Controller on PC Perspective.

• A new Dark Horizons: Lore Patch is now available, updating the mecha combat game to version 2.02. This patch is for the version acquired from GarageGames, and Trymedia users should be able to get the patch soon. Thanks Frans...
• The Eve Online Website has word that the Red Moon Rising free expansion for the science fiction MMORPG is now live...
• 3D Gamers' Wintersport Pro 2006 screenshots offer first word on this upcoming Olympic amateur athletics winter games simulation...
• A new Bethesda Softworks Newsletter is now underway, you can sign on for updates here...
• VG Holdings Going Public?...
• Judge Allows GTA Civil Suit to Proceed and Link seen to video games in prostitute's murder. Thanks Mike Martinez...
• Fantasy Earth gets release date. Thanks Mike Martinez...

Well, today kicks off the extended holiday season for our extended family, with the first of three get-togethers we will be attending. We will head over to my dad's where we will exchange gifts, celebrate the season, and try not to get into too much trouble for paying attention to the Giants game. Okay, that last bit may not be part of everybody's agenda, but it is certainly part of mine... I actually had the offer of tickets to today's game against the Chiefs, but this scheduling conflict nixed that, so my presence will be one of my presents (actually the windy Meadowlands can be so cold this time of year -- especially after sundown -- that the life I saved may have been my own). Among other things, I will get to see my little nieces today, and the doggies will get to play with their Uncle Sparky, so an avuncular time should be had by all.

Seasonal Links!	Thanks Mike Martinez and Ant.
Play:	Rock Smash. Lotto Letters. Thanks Kevin.
Link:	The Turnpike Prank.
Stories:	Popular toys of the last 100 years. Why Do They Want My Phone Number? Capitalism at Work on Unwanted Gift Certificates.
Science:	Ramp creates power as cars pass. Violating the first law of thermodynamics? Neat trick. Christmas is damaging the environment: report. Scrooge was an environmentalist? EU scientists seek big investment in nanomedicine.
Follow-up:	Unwed Numbers. On Sudoku.