Today Valve creators of the Steam broadband gaming platform, announced that it has partnered with Ubisoft to bring the highly anticipated action role playing title Dark Messiah of Might & Magic to the Steam online distribution service when the product is launched worldwide in October 2006.

I am a long-time fan of the Might & Magic franchise," said Gabe Newell, president and co-founder of Valve. "Valve is delighted to have Dark Messiah of Might & Magic on Steam's growing list of new releases for the holiday season. But, more importantly, I just can't wait to play it.

Dark Messiah of Might & Magic is an action-RPG created by Arkane Studio and powered by an enhanced version of the Source Engine, the award-winning game technology created by Valve for Half-Life 2 and its next generation games. The single-player mode is developed by Arkane Studios and the multiplayer mode is by Kuju Entertainment. Named the most anticipated RPG of the year by leading publications around the world, Dark Messiah of Might & Magic challenges players to ferocious single-player and multiplayer combat set in the Might & Magic universe, one of the gaming industry's most successfully and longest-running fantasy game franchises.

Dark Messiah of Might & Magic will be made available for the PC via Steam and at retail outlets around the world for an estimated price of $50 later this year.

For more news, click on over to: http://www.mightandmagic.com/us/darkmessiah/teaser/

Ever since the upcoming first-person shooter, TimeShift, was in development for a troubled Atari, the game has been in a few states of flux. Initially developed for PC and Xbox, the current-gen version was canned in favor of a better-looking Xbox 360 upgrade and although extremely fun in demo form, the game still needed a bit of additional polish.

Flash forward to today, when a short and to the point note was zipped this way from Vivendi Games:

Vivendi Games acquired TimeShift with the view that it would become a stand out FPS franchise. Our commitment to that vision remains, and so the decision has been taken to move the title into 2007 to give it the time and resources needed to fulfill its potential.

While some may curse the delay, it's actually good news for those of us who want to see developer Saber Interactive's awesome proprietary engine succeed in its first major application. We'll keep you posted as more news develops.

SyNET Entertainment has announced today that Shot-Online, the first-ever 3D massively multiplayer online role-playing golf sim, has gone gold and will ship to US retailers for the PC on September 12, 2006.

“Shot-Online is the perfect inaugural video game title for SyNET Entertainment,” said Harry Rhim, president of SyNET Entertainment. “The game is an amazing blend of massively multiplayer social interactivity and realistic golfing action that is sure to please any MMO or golf enthusiast."

Shot-Online will be available at an MSRP of $29.99 and has been rated "E" for Everyone by the ESRB. Read our recent hands-on preview for an early look at how the game is shaping up, and stay tuned for our full review in the coming weeks.

Valve Software has announced today that over a dozen titles from casual games developer/publisher PopCap Games have become available via Steam, Valve's broadband platform providing downloadable PC games and digital content.

In total, 17 PopCap Games are available for purchase via Steam, including titles such as Bejeweled, Zuma, Bookworm, Chuzzle and AstroPop, and free trial periods are available for each game as well. If you want the whole batch, The Complete PopCap Collection is being offered including all 17 titles in one.

For more info, head over to http://www.steamgames.com/v/index.php

According to the latest news, DC Comics' undersea hero, Aquaman, is is the latest addition to the upcoming Snowblind-developed game Justice League Heroes, heading to current-gen consoles and handhelds this fall. Aquaman will be an unlockable character in a growing roster of DC favorites that includes Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, Zatanna and the previously announced unlockable character, Green Arrow.

We'll have more news on Justice League Heroes as the game approaches completion.

As part of Microsoft's continued Xbox Live Arcade Wednesday release schedule, Konami's 1982 arcade game Time Pilot is now available for download.

Time Pilot has you control a futuristic jet fighter through different historical eras, such as World War I and II, battling that period's aircraft along with saving parachuting pilots. The title isn't very expensive (only around 400 Marketplace Points), but as with all other Live Arcade games a trial version is available if you're a little leery of this arcade classic.

Following on the heals of Microsoft's Texas Hold 'em last week, only one additional "Xbox Live Arcade Wednesday" remains with the upcoming launch of Konami's Scramble. Although the weekly Live Arcade content may cease after Scramble's release, players can always rest easy knowing that Lumines Live is slowly approaching over the horizon.

Well, I guess there is somewhat some news.

Being a wrestling fan and starting to lose my faith in the WWE games I have been waiting for some news about the new TNA wrestlig game. I contacted Midway (developers) Nope! Zilch! Nada! So I though 'Hell, I'll contact TNA themselves. Surely they'll know something.'

After no telling how long, I waited finally I got a reply. And here it is: 'All I can tell you is that it will be late 2007. Thanks for being a TNA fan!'

Sorry, didn't mean to swerve you. But just thought I'd let you all know about how much everybody and nobody knows about this game. A guy said to me the worst thing is a game with only one screenshot. Now, to my knowledge the only shot available is the one on the homepage. I searched over six different sites and no other pictures exists. Not trying to worry anyone, but it seems like this is going to be a long, long process... but... and this is a big BUT... will TNA still be around then? Rumour has it investors are not pleased about the performance (Ratings, Buyrates) that the show is doing. TNA are starting to make WCW moves in hiring eg. Nash, Sting etc. Spending Top dollar on guys who can't wrestle full-time taking the spotlight away from their new stars. Will TNA survive for almost a full year before a game is released. Will we receive a great Smackdown-like game or will it be another Wrestlemania Arcade? (The last wrestling game developed by Midway) I try to be positive and will continue to do so until the game is in my sweaty paws or I am able to see more than just one screenshot. We'll of course keep you posted as soon as any news arrives. Let's just hope it's something a bit more substantial next time!

Atlus USA has announced today that the official English website for its upcoming PS2 survival-horror game, Rule of Rose has been launched at http://www.atlus.com/ruleofrose. At the website you can find game news, a storyline overview, character bios, gameplay details, a promotional trailer, wallpaper and picture book downloads, and even a special interview with the game's creators.

Rule of Rose is set to ship in North America for the PS2 on September 12th, with an "M" for Mature ESRB rating. Check back here at AceGamez then for a full review, and also be sure to check out our recent hands-on preview for our early impressions.

Well, sort of. The game is obviously going to still sneak its way onto Sony's mammoth console - but you won't have to spend a fortune to play it if you don't want to. According to various reports, including IGN.com, subscribers of UK magazine PC Gamer are celebrating the revelation that the game will infact land on the PC, not just the PS3.

While Ubisoft hasn't made anything official, an announcement is expected to be made around the time the magazine hits stands.

I would not have believed it if I didn't witness it with my own eyes... Mario, in the flesh! Well... sort of...

This video has been on the net for quite some time now, but if you ain't seen it already, click below. Trust me, without giving anything away, this will put a smile on your face for a while (unless you have no humour, which then you will just look blankly at your screen for a good 5 minutes)!

Watch it here!

In a double shot of DDR news, Konami has recently announced partial song lists for both Dance Dance Revolution SuperNOVA for the PS2 and Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 4 for the Xbox. Both games will feature over 70 songs in all, with Ultramix 4 using Xbox Live to provide exclusive downloadable song packs. Below you can find the partial track listings for both titles.

Dance Dance Revolution SuperNOVA Song List (Not including Hidden Songs):

• Battle Without Honor Or Humanity - By Tomoyasu Hotei
• Centerfold(130 BPM move it remix) - By Captain Jack
• Come Clean - By NM featuring Susan Z
• Curus - By D-crew
• Dance, Dance - By Fall Out Boy
• Do You Want To - By Franz Ferdinand
• Doll - By ÇsðüÇqÇ`
• Flow (True Style) - By Scotty D. revisits U1
• Fly away - By ChiyoTia
• Freckles (KCP Re-Edit) - By Tiggy
• Funkytown - By Lipps's, Inc
• Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - By Cyndi Lauper
• Heaven is a Place on Earth (German Election Mix) - By Julia
• Hit 'n' Slap - By Asletics
• Jerk it Out - By Caesars
• L.E.F. (Loud Electronic Ferocious) - By Ferry Corsten
• Let's Dance - By David Bowie
• Mr. Dabada (Groove Wonder Remix) - By Carlos Jean
• Mugen - By ÇsðüÇqÇ`
• My Only Shining Star - By Naoki feat. Becky Lucinda
• No.13 - By Taka respect for J.S.B
• Peace(^^)v - By BeForU
• Robogirl - By The Crystal Method
• Shivers(Radio Edit) - By Armin van Buuren
• Shout - By Lulu
• Since U Been Gone - By Kelly Clarkson
• Star Gate Heaven - By SySF. feat. Donna Burke
• The Other Side(radio mix) - By Paul van Dyk feat. Wayne Johnson
• True Love - By Jun
• Turn On the Music(Axwell Radio Edit) - By Roger Sanchez
• Video Killed The Radio Star - By The Buggles
  
• Xepher - By Tatsh

Dance Dance Revolution ULTRAMIX 4 Song List (Not including Hidden Songs):

• Arms (Alpha Omega Mix) - By Monolithic
• Because I Got It Like That (Freestylers Indett Mix) - By Jungle Brothers
• Big Up (Binghi Ghost Remix) - By Drew Campbell
• Bit Mania - By Akira Yamaoka
• Blue Impulse (for Extreme) - By Naoki feat. YUKI
• Cannibale - By Stereo Total
• Cosmic Hammer - By Jondi & Spesh
• Dead Man's Party - By Oingo Boingo
• Desire(Comet Remix) - By Fracus & Lisa Abbott
• Diverse City - By Toby Mac
• Don't Cha (Ralphi's Hot Freak mix) - By The Pussycat Dolls
• Dual Love - By Gavin G & Dan Rolla J
• Electric Air - By Amit
• Forever Young (Everlasting Mix) - By Ella
• Free (Liberation Mix) - By Blue October
• Get Away - By Gridlok
• Get Up (Before the Night is Over) - By Technotronic feat. Ya Kid K
• GO! Mahalo Mix) - By DM Ashura
• Grandolin - By ZeroFuser
• Hypnotic Crisis (Chris Fortier Mix) - By Blue Destroyers
• I Can Feel It - By Alien Six
• It’s Raining Men (Almighty Mix) - By Geri Halliwell
• Kiss Kiss Kiss - By Naoke feat. Shanti
• Levitation Nation - By Shpongle
• Listen To Your Heart (Furious F. EZ Radio Edit) - By DHT
• Masters of the Universe - By Juno Reactor
• Mondo Street - By Orange Lounge
• More Serotonin - By Neuroactive
• Music Revolution - By Scumfrog
• My Side Of the City - By Beulah
• Nervous Excited Delighted - By Z.O.N.K.
• No Good (Start The Dance) - By Prodigy
• No Parking On The Dance Floor - By Midnight Star
• Oblivion (Nevarakka Mix) - By Real Life
• Race Against Time - By Jeff Steinman
• Rock This Town - By Stray Cats
• Saturday (Morjac Radio Mix) - By Marly
• Sigrev2 - By Richard Devine
• Snake Charmer - By Dirtyhertz and Rena Jones
• Sockem - By Steve Porter
• The Drain - By Monolithic
• The Problem - By Phunk Police
• There's A Rhythm - By Dig Bear
• These Words (I Love You, I Love You) - By Natasha Bedingfield
• Thrill Chaser - By Dirtyhertz
• Tooryanse (tekno children mix) - By Canton
• Waka Laka (E=MC2 Mix) - By Jenny Rom Vs. The Zippers
• Yours To Command - By Rupesh Cartel
• ZETSUBOUTEKIDA! - By nekoJIRA

DDR SuperNOVA is currently scheduled to ship for the PS2 on September 26, 2006, while Ultramix 4 will be breaking it down on the Xbox sometime this November.

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops came out of this year’s E3 as one of the top games of the show, but except for the basic details not much info was provided on the game’s most unique new features. But that has changed, as Konami has finally revealed further information on what it is easily on track to be the PSP’s top killer-app.

Of most significance, Portable Ops’ recruiting system has been elaborated on a little more. Over the course of the game, players will be able to recruit new comrades and create an original fighting force. With a team created, players will only be able to control one character in their squad at any given time, but will have the ability to switch between the different members of their team as needed. Each recruited fighter will also have their own attributes rating that determines their skills in combat, providing players the opportunity to create a team suited to their style or the current game situation.

Another mystery feature that has been clarified is the wireless hotspot function of the recruiting system. Depending on a player’s location, familiar characters from Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater will be available to recruit to take into online multiplayer battles via different wireless hotspots. Every wireless hotspot has its own unique IP address, and by traveling and connecting to different hotspots players will be able to download characters unique to each spot – and no connecting to the hotspot will be required, simply locating one will do the trick.

Still left somewhat vague, however, is the game’s release date, which is still only listed to ship sometime this winter. As soon as any new details are announced we’ll be here to bring them to you, but for now you can find more information in our Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops preview.

Halt! We’re getting ahead of ourselves here guys – It’s time for us to welcome the important people, the foundation of this blog-to-be, and those people are the readers! Things are changing at AceGamez, and a news blog is just one of the many great things planned for the future for our home of gaming fun! Step inside!

So let us welcome you in. Wipe your feet, keep the shoes on though, our floors are laminated – laminated with the reviews written by talented people dotted all around the globe, reviews of all the latest games on all the current formats. To your left, the preview room, full of sneak peaks at the some of the soon to-be-blockbusters, and the conjoining room, crammed with new features and interviews for you to get your teeth into. Upstairs, across the landing, turn right, and we have a whole host of competitions for you to check out, and hopefully win. Don’t be disheartened if you don’t win though, there are plenty of new competitions every week – and I’ll bet you’ve got more chance of winning with us than you have with the Lotto! Out of the competition room, take the first left, and open the door into the ultimate bachelors room filled with game cheats!

Like any open house, we encourage you to explore. Browse this blog, look around the main site, and make yourself at home. Enjoy your stay at the Good Ship AceGamez!

Short and sweet, folks: If you're in Los Angeles or Miami next month or use Xbox Live, here's a chance to play with COD2 fans in an all-night fragfest!

What: Call Of Duty 2 Xbox-All Nighter Community Party.
Date: September 9th and 10th, 2006
Time: 7:00 pm/PDT (9/9) – 7:00 am/PDT (9/10)
Where: Online through Xbox Live. Just add the Gamertag - AllNightIW to play with the fans at the Los Angeles party and AllNightMiami to play with the Florida fans.

Local event in Los Angeles:
The Arena Interactive Lounge
11512 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, Ca 90025
www.arenalounge.com
Local event in Miami:
16154 SW 44th LN
Miami, FL 33185
http://www.xboxliveparty.com/

For more details, click on the links above or check out the Xbox.com Community Calendar pages.

Midway Games has today announced that it has teamed with games review site GameSpot to bring fans "The Ultimate Mortal Kombat Fanatic" contest, a competition which allows fans to create unique and creative short films showcasing why they are the biggest Mortal Kombat fan.

In this particular collaboration, GameSpot will serve as the contest's host site and will feature the user–generated films throughout the duration of the competition. GameSpot staff will judge the entries and one grand prize winner will receive a trip to San Francisco, CA, and the chance to challenge MK creator Ed Boon himself at Mortal Kombat: Armageddon at the GameSpot offices in San Francisco. The contest is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 18th, and run through Friday, October, 6th.

We are very excited to be teaming up with GameSpot and to be utilizing the new User Video feature, specifically, for this contest," said Steve Allison, chief marketing officer, Midway. "Midway is asking our passionate and loyal fan base to tap into their creative imaginations and to create short films that are inspired by the Mortal Kombat universe. The entries can range from serious to tongue–in–cheek; we just want to see what the fans can come up with. By entering the competition, fans will get a chance to share their work with the rest of the world in a big way via one of the most popular videogame sites around. We're eagerly looking forward to seeing the ingenious works that we believe the community is capable of creating.

"Midway's 15–plus years of stewardship of the Mortal Kombat franchise on nearly every imaginable gaming platform has ensured that this series has been one of the most popular fighting franchises on GameSpot," said Henk Van Niekerk, vice president of GameSpot. "This User Upload contest is the type of video event that fighting gamers of all ages can really rally around. It's a chance to show off their skills in front of an audience who will truly appreciate their work.”

Midway's Mortal Kombat: Armageddon is scheduled to ship for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox video game system on October 9, 2006 (US). Midway is also planning to ship Mortal Kombat: Armageddon for the Nintendo Wii in Q1 2007. More details on the Wii version will be available later this year. NOTE: The contest in open ONLY to US residents - official rules are located on the Gamespot web site. If you happen to qualify, get those video cameras out and get cracking on your entry!

The greatly anticipated Microsoft's Flight Simulator X - the latest installment in the MSFS series looks set for worldwide release as 2006 draws to a close.

Microsoft says about the release date: "We are working hard to deliver “Flight Simulator X” in the holiday 2006 timeframe".

More than just a rework of the 2004 version FS X features an entirely new core engine. Optimised for the forthcoming Windows Vista (but also capable of running on XP SP2), the simulation is claimed to be the "graphical benchmark for games on Windows Vista".

Featuring structured gameplay for the first time FS X will deliver the features FS 2004 lacks, and users have been crying out for.

A trail version is available from Microsoft which includes two airports, three missions, and three different aircraft. All of the missions take place at St. Maarten in the Caribbean.

This noted in a report at GameDaily?

"Yesterday we were tipped off by an employee of a major publisher who claimed that the Xbox 360 failure rate at least within his studio has been much higher than Microsoft has stated failure rates to be (around 3-5%). The employee suggested that the failure rates were actually as high as 30-50% among the 300 or so consoles they received. He also noted that Capcom's Dead Rising seemed to be making the problem worse, with many of the consoles getting much hotter than usual."

While 30 - 50% seems high, 3-5% seems awfully low given the amount of complaints I hear everwhere about system failures.

Now you'll be able to come to AceGamez for all your latest gaming news and information - watch this space, and watch our contributors!