The Best of Big Download: March 30 - April 5

It was a rather odd news week for games as we ended an old quarter and started on a new one. There was still quite a bit to report on as well as new downloads to grab. And of course there was April Fools' Day. Let's take a look at the highlights at Big Download for the past week:

Exclusive features

• GDC 2009: We conclude our coverage of the Game Developers Conference with previews of Paradox Interactive's future game line-up and Dragon Age: Origins
  
• Big Download's top 10 most anticipated spring quarter 2009 games: We pick which PC games are are most looking forward to in the next three months.
• The top 10 PC Game News Stories for March 2009: We look back at the stories that most affected the industry in the last month.
• Reviews: We review the PC version of the Xbox 360 arcade game The Maw along with the Fallout 3 DLC expansion The Pitt. We also review the Paladin F875 PC gaming rig from IBuypower
• Killer Xeno interview: We chat with the head of Bigfoot Networks about their upcoming next-generation gaming PC network card.
• Boot Disk: Our retro game feature looks at the classic PC RTS game Total Annihilation
• Indie Showcase: We take a look at some new indie games in our regular column this week.
• Big Ideas: Our weekly look at game themes looks at the continuing debate on Diablo III's graphics
• Freeware Friday: Our weekly look at free games checks out the top-down action game Tapan Kaikki Bloodshed.

Downloads

• Sacred 2 2.4 patch: Download this major patch for the action-RPG that adds PhysX effects and lots more.
• Red Alert 3 1.09 patch: It's the latest version of EA's recent RTS game
• Red Faction Guerrilla Ostrich Hammer trailer: It's the very odd movie from THQ showing the making of an unusual weapon for the upcoming action game.
• Unreal Engine 3 Demo Movie: Check out the new effects that are being added to Epic Games's popular game graphics engine
• CryEngine 3 demo trailer: This movie shows off new effects for Crytek's latest version of its graphics engine.
• EA SecuROM De-Authorization Tool: Download this file to get select EA PC games deactivated from your rig

News

• Study claims playing FPS games improve vision
• Stardock's plan to use Goo to launch a used PC game market
• Rumor: EA and Starbreeze working on new Syndicate game?
• No Madden NFL 10 for the PC; no new EA NHL game as well?
• Gametap relaunches but not without issues
• April's Fool Alert: Razer and Valve to co-develop HellRazer: Triple Helix
• April's Fool Alert: StarCraft II's new unit – the Terra-Tron
• Sniper next in line to get the Team Fortress 2 upgrade treatment
• Redneck Rampage game from Blizzard? Maybe . . . Maybe not