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Sweden-based Oxeye Game Studios has launched an open beta test of their upcoming real-time strategy game, Harvest: Massive Encounter. The open beta test allows players to get a sneak preview of the anticipated game, which is expected to be released in early 2008.

In the game, the player attempts to collect resources for the
Medusa Coorporation, an intergalactical syndicate which is
colonizing the universe. The hunt for riches is more important
than the lives of men - or the alien inhabiting the exploited
worlds. Conflict is inevitable.

The gameplay is centered around collecting money by harvesting
resources from mineral rocks and defending your base against
endless hordes of aliens. In addition to managing the money
that is generated from collecting resources, the base requires
energy to run. In "Harvest: Massive Encounter", managing energy
is an essential skill to survive.

The full version of the game has five game modes and three
locations, and the open beta gives a sneak-peek at one of these
modes.

Harvest: Massive Encounter

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Inside Mac Games has posted a review of Aspyr's latest release, Guitar Hero 3 for the Mac. Here's a clip from the review:

If you look at the numbers, Aspyr's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock looks like one of the best games for the Mac this Christmas season but in this case the numbers do deceive. The question remains, should Guitar Hero III gather some of your Christmas sponduliks?

Inside Mac Games Review: Guitar Hero 3

Harmonix

Aspyr Media

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock

Buy Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock

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Virtual Programming is continuing their string of December Mac game releases with the announcement of Domination for the Macintosh. The sequel to the 3D strategy game, Massive Assault, Domination renews the global conflict between the Free Nations Union and the Phantom League on distant planets.

Almost defeated, the Phantom League counter-attacks with new lethal
weapons developed in secret labs - driving the remaining Free Nation
Union detachments to the mountains, island and even some unpopulated
planets.

With its awesome graphics and its 'Secret Allies' system, Domination
takes you to the middle of fierce, furious and intense interplanetary
battles!

The game is available for $29.95 as a digital download purchase.

Virtual Programming

Domination

Buy Domination

Macgamestore.com has announced the release of Santa's Super Friends for the Mac. The game, created by Toybox Games, is available as a digital download purchase.

Find out who Mr. Stink is and why he would steal all the toys right before Christmas. As you make your way from Candy Cane Cove to Santa`s Workshop, you`ll meet some Super Friends along the way like Gingerbread Jr. and Edmund the Elf. They`ll give you information about Mr. Stink to help you get the toys back! With 60 progressively harder levels of play, 3 skill levels to choose from and even your very own Christmas Tree ornaments to collect you'll be instantly hooked!

Santa's Super Friends is available for $19.95 through Macgamestore.com. A free Universal Binary demo version of the game is available for download on the web page.

Macgamestore: Santa's Super Friends

TableStar Games has announced a new, multiplayer, chat-capable puzzle game designed exclusively for the Apple's iPhone that takes advantage of the phone's touch capabilities.

In Swatches players compete to control the largest blocks of color against live opponents or a computer AI.  The game lobby allows players to create their own matches, give themselves custom names, and view who is currently in the game or waiting to start a new one. Up to six players can talk to each other in the lobby area and during gameplay without needing to leave the game or open a new screen.

“There are many games currently available to download to your iPhone but most of them are just ports of existing games,” said Rob Carroll, Producer with TableStar.  “We designed Swatches especially to use the invocative touch screen on the iPhone in conjunction with the multiplayer capabilities of an online device.”

Swatches

TableStar Games

Playlist recently released a new review of Phase, a new musical game compatible with 3rd generation iPod nanos, iPod Classics, and 5th generation iPods. Developed by the creators of the Guitar Hero franchise, the game challenges players to keep up with the rhythm of the music. Playlist gave the game a perfect score of 5 out of 5.

While Phase includes a small library of music, what makes this game truly fun is the fact that you can create and use your own playlist. In fact, the first time you install the game, it will create a “Phase Music” playlist in iTunes that you can synchronize with whatever songs you like—stuff you’ve ripped from CD, stuff you’ve bought from the iTunes Store, or iPod-compatible music you’ve bought from other stores. Phase turns them all into gameplay levels.

The game also features a number of ambient environments as backdrops for the game play—everything from urban cityscapes to psychedelic fantasias rife with bug-eyed monsters. It’s really trippy and delightfully fun—whimsical, colorful, and eye-catching.

But what makes Phase so much fun is that it’s going to be different for everyone. Some people might want some pounding electronica or rock-and-roll to get their hearts racing; others might find some mellow jazz or instrumental music to be more conducive to the trance-like state you need to achieve to find your zen moment in Phase.

Playlist: Phase For iPod Review

After much speculation on what sort of secret game project Blizzard Entertainment might have under wraps, a company representative has put some of the rumors to rest, and no doubt given rise to more. In a post on the official forums the representative confirmed earlier hints on the Job Openings page that Blizzard is working on a "next-gen MMO" project. The new game will not be an expansion for the current blockbuster World of Warcraft franchise.

Q u o t e: Could just be additional manpower for Wrath

Drysc: No, It is an unannounced Next-Gen MMO.
And that doesn't mean an expansion for World of Warcraft either.

Blizzard Forums: Next MMO From Blizzard In The Works

Blizzard Entertainment

Yesterday Ubisoft announced that Heroes of Might and Magic Kingdoms, a new Web-based game in the critically-acclaimed Heroes of Might and Magic series, is being developed for a Spring 2008 worldwide launch.

Heroes of Might and Magic Kingdoms is a strategy game set in a persistent version of the heroic-fantasy world of Ashan from Heroes of Might and Magic V. Thousands of players will be able to rule their virtual kingdoms, lead gigantic armies against each other, master the trades or create legendary heroes. The game requires no download or installation, only an Internet connection. In addition, players will be able to play at their own pace; from 10 minutes to multiple-hour sessions.

After 5 successful & critically acclaimed episodes, the standard in strategy games has been taken one step further with groundbreaking strategic combat, innovative multiplayer features, and addictive RPG elements in a a new massively multiplayer online game. Fight against thousands of players to lead your armies and heroes to victory and finally decide upon the fate of Ashan.

“This is a new type of game for Ubisoft, one that allows you to jump into a rich and complex universe just with your Web browser,” said Serge Hascoët, Chief Creative Officer. “Heroes of Might and Magic Kingdoms will open a wide door to the Might and Magic universe, allowing players to immerse themselves within it unlike ever before.”

Heroes Of Might And Magic Kingdoms

Ubisoft

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Spiderweb Software has released a new update for Nethergate: Resurrection. The update brings the game to version 1.0.3 and fixes graphical problems related to the new Leopard operating system.

We have released a new version of Nethergate: Resurrection for the Macintosh. This v1.0.3 update fixes problems with the graphics in the new Leopard operating system. Getting the new version is strongly recommended if you are using Leopard.

Spiderweb Software

Nethergate: Resurrection

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