Upcoming sci-fi RTS Shattered Sunsландшафт has been delayed to August 19, 2008, according to the latest announcement by developer Clear Clown Studios. Originally set for release last year, the latest delay is due to the second beta testing phase, which is still open to the public. Here’s the deal:

According to representatives at Clear Crown Studios, input from beta testers is vitally important to the company. Input from beta testers during the first beta test for Shattered Suns in September of 2007 prompted the company to move the original release date into 2008 so that the company would have time to add a variety of new features the beta testers had requested. New features inspired by beta testers included a greater variety of weapon customization options and the introduction of supply lines to the game’s economic challenges.

Now the company has asked beta testers for more input on the newest Beta2 version of Shattered Suns. One important feature Beta2 testers are getting a sneak peek of is a unique new style of single-player campaign. The campaign style breaks from what the company calls the “traditional style of RTS campaigns” which sandwiches game play in between opening and closing cinematic scenes. Instead, Shattered Suns uses a campaign style inspired by instant messaging, including a separate interface for the campaign allowing the player to chat with computer-controlled characters in the game’s story line. The company claims that the IM-like interface offers them the freedom to create a truly epic storyline for the game, including non-linear story arcs, more realistic characters and more interesting plot twists.

The heart of a gamer never stops until it comes across a fiendishly difficult foe, or a tear-your-hair-out puzzle. Even then, the gamer does not stop, for there are cheat codes! To aid the cheating heart of gamers, Games Radar has launched the Cheat Planet, which, as its name implies, offers cheats, among various other things.

First off, the site design is very nice, a bit too busy for my tastes, but pretty cool nonetheless; I love the color scheme, too. However, the site takes a LONG time to load (I mean it) as it is bogged down by a graphics-heavy layout and bandwidth-eating (and annoying as hell) flash ads.

Second, the focus of the site isn’t very clear from the get go. The site may be called Cheat Planet, but the first thing I see are gaming news, editorials and various other features. Not cheats. Heck, the cheats are overshadowed by the other content, which made me doubt that I had even stepped into a cheat site.

Fortunately, the cheat codes ARE there, and the organization is pretty straightforward (platform name). The site also offers hints, easter eggs and glitches alongside codes; it also offers game guides. There are also game-specific pages that offer additional guides and whatnot for big name titles such as Halo 3 and GTA 4.

Overall, the design needs to be trimmed down, ads cut and the game cheats displayed more prominently for the site to live up to its name of Cheat Planet.

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There’s a whole industry built on the trade of MMO items, with World of Warcraft topping the list, thanks to its popularity. If you have an account in the MMORPG and are looking about to sell it, look no farther than BuyMMOAccounts- a reputable site when it comes to WoW trading.

The company’s site design is very nice, friendly and straightforward without any form of distracting graphics or ads. The text itself is pretty simple, too, hoping to attract gamers into selling their account for cold, hard cash. When it comes to selling your account, the service seems clear-cut: it is a six-step process that shouldn’t take much time on the user’s behalf. And the best thing about the site is instant quotes, so that you know how much you will be getting.

For payments, the service uses Paypal, the most used online payment service, which may be a godsend for many gamers not having access to other forms of receiving payments. Those suspicious of such sites will be delighted to know that they support the use lawyers, and they offer testimonials from users. Quite interestingly, the site itself notes that having testimonials on their own website may lead to more suspicion, so they make use of a third-party rating site to ensure fairness. The ratings are quite good, too, so there’s seems to be no need to fear.

So, if you’re looking to sell WoW accounts, head on over to their site. Good luck!

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Following up on their episodic format for Alone in the Dark, Atari has announced that the game will feature a DVD-style chapter menu, which will allow players to rewind or fast-forward through the game. Players can play through any chapter they want, whenever they want. However, the ending will only be unlocked once the full game has been played through.

It will also feature a “previously on…” cinematic before each chapter, showing gameplay and story moments from past sessions.

Alone in the Dark is due out next month for PC, PS2, Xbox 360 and Wii. A PS3 version is in the works for release later this year.

Some new screenshots from Ubisoft’s upcoming flight combat sim HAWX. The game is due out on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 this Fall.

It has been revealed that Microsoft will put in effect a new policy of removing underperforming titles on Xbox Live Arcade. This comes from Xbox Live general manager Marc Whitten, who explained that games which have been out for six months, scored less than 65% on Metacritic and have a conversion rate of less than 6% will be removed.

“This way titles are not just considered if they are not selling well or not getting good reviews, but actually a combination of both,” he said. “We will also give a three-month notice before delisting any title. Overall I think you will find this will focus the catalogue more on larger, more immersive games and make it much easier to find the games you are looking for.”

He also revealed that their team is working on a new digital rights management tool that will allow gamers to better consolidate licenses for downloadable content to a single console for online and offline play.

Cyanide sent out word that they are developing Dungeon Party, a free-to-play MMOG for PC. They are going for a humorous, more casual game, as Patrick Pligersdorffer, CEO of the studio, describes the title “as a game that leads two teams of intrepid players deep into a dungeon in search of treasure. Each team not only has to overcome the dirty tricks of the other side, but they also have to survive the numerous traps and monsters that lie within. The first team that gets out alive, WITH THE TREASURE, is the winner.” Here’s more:

DUNGEON PARTY is a free MMOG for the PC platform. Two teams of up to 5 players compete over one or more rounds and victory is only assured when one of them gets out of the dungeon with the treasure. Players can choose from one of 6 character types and they can customize their hero with various items of clothing or other objects that might come in useful in a dark corner! Regular tournaments promise games of even greater intensity and will allow all players to measure themselves against the best, thanks to a real-time ranking system. Get ready to don your finest magic robes or your must sturdy armor and let’s see if you have what it takes to become masters of the dungeon.

It is due out during Q4 2008.

• Age Of Chivalry v1.1 on the game’s official website
  
• Savage 2 v1.4.8 on the game’s official website
  
• Ship Simulator 2008 v1.41 on the game’s official website
  
• Wings of Power II: Spitfire on FileFront and Gamer’s Hell

The WiiWare platform will surely give rise to weird party games such as the Beer Pong title that has been announced by JV Games. Set for release this June, the game will feature traditional tournament-style beer pong for up to four players, and Speed Pong, which has players throwing as fast as they can.

Apparently the game will make use of a “very accurate and realistic throw system”, enabling players to toss and bounce balls into cups placed across the table. It will make use of the motion-sensitive Wii controllers.

Don’t believe me? Check out the trailer below.

On Shacknews is some new information on Resident Evil 5. Citing the now-removed preview on GamesRadar, the game will feature drop-in, drop-out online cooperative play throughout the entirety of its campaign.

The preview further stated that when another player is not present, the game will couple the player with an AI controlled buddy. The game will separate the duo at points and include more open areas than its predecessors.

For the first time in the series, a cover system will be present, allowing players to “lock to a wall and fire around the corner.” There will also be a dodging mechanic similar to the one seen in God Hand.

Additionally, the game has been confirmed to feature the Mercenaries mini-game, a challenge mode first introduced in Resident Evil 3.

Some new screenshots from the highly customizable LittleBigPlanet, which is due for release later this year.

Gamasutra reports that a keyboard peripheral for the PSP will be released within the next 12 months in North America. This comes from Sony senior marketing manager John Koller, who further added that the TV tuner for the portable won’t be making its way to the region, citing an incompatibility with the over-the-air broadcasting system in the country.

Koller also talked about the GPS peripheral, which is scheduled for release in the near future. He said that the device would let users be part of “mobile social communities”, making the portable a more social space.

The last time that odd inhabitant from Oddworld made an appearance was back in 2005 on the original Xbox. The time has come for them to return to the gaming space, as industry veteran and Maxis co-founder Jeff Braun has revealed that a new Oddworld game is in development at series creators Oddworld Inhabitants.

Speaking at Wilfrid Laurier University, Braun stated that the game would make use of a “revolutionary, cinematic quality” 3D animation system and that the game will be in episodic format, but that it is still years away from release.

“The rendering tools are getting so good now for 3D animation that you can literally create a linear animation and create a video game using the exact same objects,” Braun said. “The tools are finally getting to the level where we can come out with a show and we can come up with a game.”

No further information on the title was revealed.

Confirming a long-standing rumor, 1UP reports that a PS3 version of BioShock is in development for release this Holiday season. It will most likely feature graphical improvements and maybe some new content, though details are unknown at the moment. Previously, rumors had suggested a release period of Fall.

According to the site, BioShock artist Jordan Thomas, who also designed Thief: Deadly Shadows, has replaced creator Ken Levine as creative director of the franchise. A sequel is said to be in the works; Levine is attached to the project, but his specific role hasn’t been revealed.

2K Sports has announced that the cover athlete for NBA 2K9 will be revealed through a 30 second TV spot scheduled to air during the NBA Countdown pre-game show for Game One of the 2008 NBA Finals, June 5 on ABC.

As part of the event, the publisher has set up a community website where registered participants can register and predict the cover athlete for the game from a roster of 16 NBA candidates. Those who predict correctly will be entered into a special drawing for the opportunity to win exclusive prizes.

“We’re extremely excited to offer this online promotion to our loyal community of 2K Sports fans, as we think it’s a fantastic opportunity for us to interact more closely with them through a refreshingly fun and rewarding experience,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “The NBA 2K franchise is king among basketball players and passionate fans who know and understand basketball. Revealing our cover athlete prior to Game One affords us a unique opportunity to capitalize on the anticipation surrounding the NBA Finals while simultaneously generating excitement for the release of NBA 2K9.”

The game, in development at Visual Concepts, will be released for the PS2, PS3 and Xbox 360 this Fall.