A new Steam update has been released all you have to do is to reload Steam and it will update.

Changelog:

- Fixed "Cache read error" some user are experiencing
- Steam now checks for invalid CD keys immediately on game launch
- Optimized content server load balancing
- Change banner to always show the most recently connected content server
- Fixed "No config servers online" state error
- Steam now handles siultaneously logging in to multiple machines better
- Fixed forced disconnections happening too often - this will now only happen if Steam's filesystem is lost
- Fixed several cases where the 'ticket has expired' error could occur without displaying the refresh login dialog
- Fixed all cases of the #Steam_Roo missing string problem
- Added support for ATI "Rebate" product keys

Hostile Intent have released some screenshots of there new maps.



Head over to there website to see more

SwordWorriors have a new colpeted map called dm_arena and created by LeJean.

Half-Life Rally have updated with some screenshots of rc_evolution by Bronts.

HalfLife2.net has interviewed some members of the Operation Everlasting Shadow mod.

Here's a snippet:

HalfLife2.Net: You're working with the Source engine, which is already renowned for it's realistic physics. Are there are gameplay elements you plan on implementing to take advantage of this?

Badger: As players of Opposing Force and Half Life will no doubt recall, the Black Ops did some spectacular moves in close combat... we are planning to use Havok to physically simulate arms and legs making contact, thus keeping clipping and other ugliness to a minimum.

you can read the rest of the interview here

The BattleGrounds have released a video that shows off the new particles.

The video contains a fountain in a mediterranean yard. The drops create soft ring waves when hitting the water surface and the sky is reflected in the water that is still semi transparent.

You can get the video here:
fountain02(bink).exe (15.89MB)

The Gate has been released. It is a single Player mod where you get to kill Nazis

you can download it here:

the_gate.zip (155.43MB)

A new update for Steam has been released. Its a fixed version of last weeks update.

Changelog:

- Added support for "trickle update", which will allow updates to games to be delivered over time before they are activated.
- Optimizations in Steam targeted at reducing CPU and memory load on some systems.
- Progress dialog always shows now during startup.
- Fixed handling of cache fingerprint mismatch on reconnect
- Fixed case which would cause the preloader ignoring errors to send extra messages to the Steam servers.
- Fixed bug in Steam that would cause cache to be validated too often when Steam started. This would cause hard drive thrashing.
- Fixed a potential lockup case and access violation case in Steam.

They have also added support for ATI bundle product keys. So it is now possible for purchasers of new ATI video cards to use their product keys for subscriptions to the Valve Premier Pack. (Half-Life 2 will be added to the subscription when it comes out.)

A new mod has been spotted off the port bow called Project XX7.

James Bond is back in... A multiplayer modification for the upcoming HALF LIFE 2 game, themed on the JAMES BOND movies. Play as all your favourite characters, Oddjob, Jaws, Blofeld and of course Mr Bond himself, spanned across several glamorous locations. The world is counting on you 007.

They are also looking for Modellers, Skinners, Mappers, Texture & Graphic Artists and Beta Testers.

Operation: Sadow Phoenix have sent us some Info and renders.

In the past few weeks the OSP Team has been hard at work creating more and more media. all the way from concept drawings to playermodels. We are very proud of our newest model the UH-60 Blackhawk and our newest skinned weapon the Socom. I welcome anyone to email me or the team with questions of anysort...here are the media files