HITmagazine

Headline pretty much says it all, and it's a big one. Tipping the scales at 377MB (or 190MB for some; see image after the break), the OS X 10.5.6 update is now available via Software Update.

Update: Apple has posted the official changelog. Here are the highlights:

• Improves the reliability of AirPort connections, including improvements when roaming in large wireless networks with an Intel-based Mac.
• Improves reliability of Address Book syncing with iPhone and other devices and applications.
• Includes general improvements to gaming performance.
• Includes fixes for possible graphics distortion issues with certain ATI graphics cards.
• Contacts, calendars, and bookmarks on a Mac automatically sync within a minute of the change being made on the computer, another device, or the web at me.com.
• Improves Apple File Service performance, especially when using a home directory hosted on an AFP server.
• Improves reliability and performance for AT&T 3G cards.
• Improves printing for USB-based Brother and Canon printers.
• Fixes issues that could cause Time Machine to state the backup volume could not be found.
• Improves Time Machine reliability with Time Capsule.
• Adds a Trackpad System Preference pane for portable Macs.
• Personal Engadget favorite: Improves the performance and reliability of Chess.
• Nary a mention of Blu-ray. It's still hurting, we guess.

The first patch for the PC version of GTA IV has been released. Download it or get it automatically through the game!


You can simply Download it from planetgrandtheftauto.
OR
Rapidshare link HERE
OR
HERE

The issues mentioned in the earlier post have been fixed.
Make sure to grab the latest ATI and Nvidia GPU drivers also, and if you are able to play, log in to Live to challenge Rockstar's developers, and possibly win prizes.

The PC version of Grand Theft Auto IV is getting a much-needed patch, according to Voodoo Extreme. Rockstar says that the patch is in the process of Microsoft certification and should be coming out soon. The press release outlines the fixes:

• A fix to the crash after legal screen that some German customers were reporting.
• Numerous improvements to the video editor: Smarter naming of videos, improved rendering quality, better fx during replays
• Fix to bowling while using certain sensitive mice
• Fix for ATI 1900 shadows
• Overall savings to memory
• Graphic improvements to particle systems and mirrors
• Multiplayer character settings are preserved
• Support for DirectInput controllers. Note: The current hack way of supporting these controllers may not work with the improved functionality.

The report also states that issues with power management software and the Rockstar Social Club have been fixed. Nvidia has released a new driver to improve performance, and ATI will be releasing Catalyst 8.12 on Wednesday as well. Though any fix is welcome, the list doesn't seem to address a few of the larger complaints from the community, like framerate and texture problems.
souce:GTAForums

Finally. Electronic Arts has stepped up and said that it will publish Brütal Legend, the latest game from Tim Schafer's Double Fine Studios, on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

The heavy-metal inspired game first fell into difficulty when Activision-Blizzard discarded a bunch of in-development titles after their merger. Games like Ghostbusters, 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand and Brütal Legend suddenly found themselves without a publisher, though all have now found new homes.

While the last game of the lot to find a new publisher, it seems that Brütal Legend was never in any real trouble as a publishing deal with EA had been quietly on the card for a while. We can't say we blame EA for pursuing the game either - a heavy-metal inspired game starring Jack Black and from the makers of Psychonauts, Grim Fandango and Full Throttle is a tempting prospect for anyone!

“This is awesome news!” stated Tim Schafer in a press release. “The quality and creativity of the games EA Partners has been involved with make it a perfect home for our baby, Brütal Legend. Some people were starting to wonder if the saga of Eddie Riggs would ever see the light of day, but now I think it’s clear that this game, like Metal itself, cannot be killed!”

While the game is set to tell the story of Eddie Riggs, a roadie who gets sucked into an alternate demon-filled universe by an ancient rock icon, the gameplay itself has yet to be full unveiled. Jack Black has promised however that the first trailers for the game will be unveiled in the VGA Spike gaming awards in the US, which he's presenting.

Trailer of Brutal Legend

Intel has sponsored the release of two new free-to-play missions for the PC version of Far Cry 2 as part of its on-going Game On! campaign.

The missions, called The Morrocan and The American both fit snugly into the main game and sit within the whole Jackal-hunting plot.

The Morrocan is the first mission of the pair and sees the player venturing over to an abandoned Foreign Legion fort in Leboa=Sako territory. There you hope to find an old man with information on where you can continue your hunt for merciless gun-runner, The Jackal.

The second mission, The American, only unlocks when the first one is completed and sees you tracking down your predecessor in the northern mountain ranges surrounding the Dogon village with the hope that they can put you into contact with a new informant who has crucial data about The Jackal.

Both missions are totally free to play and can be downloaded in the latest patch over at Intel's Game On! site. Whether these missions will ever work their way over to consoles as part of a free or premium DLC isn't clear yet, but seems doubtful.