A SLIDE from a non disclosure agreement (NDA) presentation seen by the INQ points towards Microsoft launching three versions of the Xbox 2, one of which is a fully functioning PC.

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The standard Xbox Next will not include a hard drive, which will allow Microsoft to cut costs on this basic unit. Xbox Next HD, as you might imagine, does include a hard drive and will offer increased functionality based on this. Xbox Next PC is, according to the presentation, an entry-level PC that runs Windows and all standard PC software. It also includes CD Burner, Wireless keyboard, mouse and controller and will work best connected to a high-definition TV or PC monitor.

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The plan outlined above talks of splitting the Xbox user-base into two distinct sections – those who have access to hard drive storage and those who don’t. This would necessitate a multi-layered development process for all games for the new system, seeing increased development costs in the next generation that current estimates already place at 50% more expensive than current platform development.

The objective of the PlaneShift Team is to create a virtual fantasy world in which a player can start as a peasant in search of fame and become a hero. We will focus our efforts in the reproduction of a real world with politics, economy, many non-player-characters controlled by the server that will bring to life our world even without players connected!

We want to give FREE access to everyone, without the need to either purchase the game or pay a monthly fee. Servers and bandwidth will be donated by sponsors.

Our virtual world is persistent, and this means you can connect to it at every hour of day or night and you will always find players and npcs wandering our realms. You will be able to disconnect and reconnect again, the server saves the actual status of your character including his possessions.

More about the game

Three generations ago, the proud civilizations of Atys perished in the Great Swarming, when hordes of Kitins swept from the Prime Roots and wrought war and genocide. Now it is time to reclaim your heritage. Join forces with thousands of others, master the arts of sorcery, war, and tradecraft, and re-forge the destiny of your people. The secrets of the past have been lost, but "The Saga of Ryzom" has just begun.

Called "a serious contender in the fantasy-MMOG market," by GameSpy and "the prescription against staid and tired MMORPGs" by Computer Gaming World, and deemed 2004's "Best MMO of E3" by WarCry Network, "The Saga of Ryzom" launched smoothly into five markets (North America and Europe) in September of this year.

The 6600GT is a great upgrade for anyone using last year's midrange card. It will give a very healthy boost to those who are on a 5700, 5900 or a 9600XT and it will still be a nice (albeit smaller) speed boost over the 9800 Pro / XT for the most part.

Changelog

2.5.1 - 29th Dec 2004
- Fixed crash with Windows Movie Maker
- Additional optimizations for better video playback on low-end systems

2.5.0 - 10th Dec 2004
- Added 40 fps, 50 fps, and 60 fps video capture options
- Added HDTV 1280x720 widescreen resolution support
- Additional lossless compression generates smaller video files
- Improved capture performance on native PCI-Express systems
- Improved load balancing on Hyperthreading and dual core CPUs
- Increased maximum full size video capture resolution to 1152x864
- Added white overlay flash when screen capture performed
- Added option to automatically repeat screen capture every x seconds
- Added View Benchmarks, View Movies, and View Screenshots options to systray
- Detailed benchmark statistics can now be individually selected

You wanted them and we have them for you. After the disappointment that was 71.21 hopefully you will find these much better. I don't know though, but I should have these drivers myself before midnight. So let me know how these drivers go! The 71.22 had all kinds of problems with Counter-strike: Source (as well as other applications) so I didn't even bother to post them - lets hope these will do the trick as I am pretty sure that they will be the last release of the year.

The drivers are obviously beta, so use them at your own risk - not to scare you off or anything like that, as these should be a nice release really.

We all know the evils of advertising are slowing snaking their way onto video and computer games. And is it little wonder that leading the charge is none other than Electronic Arts. Sure, Activision penned the deal with Nielsen to develop a standard to measure the impact of in-game ad exposure, but EA is already waist deep in, in-game ad sales. You couldn’t help but notice that in Need for Speed Underground 2, where the most noticeable thing about the game was the product placement. The Montley Fool counted a half-dozen Burger Kings and Best Buys as they drove through the virtual city.

You will be able to purchase DoD:Source through Steam without purchasing a new copy of HL2. Release date and pricing have not been set yet.

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To cap our post-Christmas/pre-New Year present, you can download an exclusive package by us containing 16 short videos which show some multi-player action from the ”Intel-Samsung Fair”. Highlights are two all-new features, namely “leaning” and “sprinting”. The package is 81 MB in size, the videos altogether 6:13 minutes long and requires WinRar for extraction.

Henry Townshend finds himself trapped in his apartment that has been cursed by a deeply rooted evil. Only by exploring mysterious portals leading to disturbing alternate worlds will Henry begin to uncover the truth. However, in true Silent Hill fashion, mysterious new characters, horrendous creatures, and the undead will use any means necessary to impede his progress. Silent Hill 4: The Room features a terrifying experience that fans and newcomers will never forget.