Mythos Closed Beta Opens

today announced the opening of a closed beta program for the highly anticipated massively multiplayer online role-playing game Mythosâ„¢ developed by Flagship Studios Seattle.

The program will commence with the first Mythos beta test on July 10th which will officially begin the beta test phase across the globe. During testing, eager fans will be given their first look of the online world of Mythos. The game will be tested in multiple phases and the first set of beta testers will be notified by Flagship Studios via email. To join the closed beta, interested gamers should sign up at the Mythos Site.

Mythos is an online, action role-playing game that is free to download and free to play. Set in the land of Uld – a fantasy world arising from the ashes of an epoch-long war of darkness – players assume the roles of fantasy heroes as they explore, adventure, and quest through entirely randomized dungeons and environments. With an elegant point-and-click interface and an accessible “isometric” perspective, Mythos is poised to have near-universal appeal. The game allows thousands of players to interact within the same world while using mostly “instanced” dungeons to create unique gaming experiences suited for both solo and group-minded players.

As players journey into Mythos’ ever-expanding universe, they select one of three races (Humans, Satyrs, or Gremlins) and opt to play as a particular character class using a huge variety of skills and items. Through heroic quests players search for gold, gems, armor, and weapons, while unlocking the secrets of Uld. Mythos presents a constantly expanding, continuously updated world where something new lurks around every corner.

New World in Conflict Beta Starts Next Week!

Another beta phase for Massive Entertainment’s PC real-time strategy game World in Conflict is set to begin on July 11, publisher Sierra announced today. The beta will last through the end of July. Players can sign up for the beta at the official site.Included in the beta are two multiplayer maps–HomeTown and Farmland–along with a tutorial mission and support for up to 8v8 multiplayer. Those who preorder the game at participating retailers will be able to immediately unlock a third map, Riviera.

Features enabled since the June beta test include clan matches, clan ladder and rankings, replays, player-uploaded graphics on vehicles, and DirectX 10 features. The new build will also showcase several performance tweaks and additional polish, as well as updates to the sound and video files.

Saga a FREE MMORTS Starts Beta Singups

Saga A free-to-play massively multiplayer real-time strategy game, has entered open beta testing. Players can head to PlaySaga.com or a variety of games-oriented outlets to download the game and start playing right away, joining thousands of players already in on the action.

Saga is a persistent-world real-time strategy game set in a fantasy universe inhabited by Elves, Dwarves, Ogres, Giants, Demons, Dark Elves and mechanical beings. Players collect troops, build armies, conquer new lands and build up kingdoms that exist even when the player is not online, complete with resource collection, city building and peasant management. Saga includes massive armies that gain experience through subsequent battles, multiplayer questing, an auction house for trading troops and spells, guild wars and espionage.

Saga has no subscription fees. Players pay as little or as much as they decide, by purchasing ‘booster packs’ of random troops and spells, which are traded and customized to create the strategic army of choice for each player.

Game Info:
Saga is a persistent-world real-time strategy game set in a fantasy universe inhabited by Elves, Dwarves, Ogres, Giants, Demons, Dark Elves and mechanical beings. Players collect troops, build armies, conquer new lands and build up kingdoms that exist even when the player is not online, complete with resource collection, city building and peasant management. Saga includes massive armies that gain experience through subsequent battles, multiplayer questing, an auction house for trading troops and spells, guild wars and espionage.

Saga has no subscription fees. Players pay as little or as much as they decide, by purchasing ‘booster packs’ of random troops and spells, which are traded and customized to create the strategic army of choice for each player.

Key features

• Choose one of five distinct factions (Light, Machines, Magic, Nature, and War), each with its own races, powers and buildings, to control in a persistent world that exists even when you’re not online.
• Build your army from over 100 unique troop types, plus thousands of possible armor and weapon upgrades.
• Trade troops, spells and resources with other players using the in-game market, or buy booster packs in hopes of finding rare and powerful units.
• Choose from over 100 buildings to enhance and expand your kingdom.
• Use spells and special abilities to turn the tide of battles and impact game play.
• Quest and campaign across the land to earn experience and win treasure to enhance your kingdom.
• Form guilds of online allies; then join forces in war against other guilds for fortune and glory.

Grandmother Strikes Back Vs. The RIAA

 A grandmother targeted by the RIAA for file-sharing is striking back at the controversial music industry association, arguing that it has knowingly engaged in “one or more overt acts of unlawful private investigation” to further its case.

Crain says that she’d never even heard of file sharing before she was named in the suit, so when the RIAA came looking for a $4,500 payout, Ms. Crain lawyeredup and filed a counterclaim against the RIAA. The whole ball of wax is Sony vs. Crain, filed in Texas.

It has now come to light that the case is taking a new turn, as Ms. Crain’s attorney has filed a motion to amend their counterclaims to include new allegations against the RIAA and its investigative partners. According to court documents, Ms. Crain “has become aware upon information and belief that [the RIAA] have illegally employed unlicensed investigators in the State of Texas and used the information thereby obtained to file this and other similar actions across the country.”

Championship Gaming Series Standings

Chicago Chimera powered into first place of the CGS last night after drubbing 3D.NY 31-15. Chicago’s dynamic PGR duo set the pace for the evening and the Counter-Strike and DOA squads followed suit. NY took points back in the FIFA competition, as Matt “Wizakor” Wood blanked Andrew “Anomaly” Brock, 3-0.

Official CGS League Standings as of 7/2/2007

Note: Standings are sorted by wins/loses, then differential between points for/points against

* Update * Did the ‘Day of Silence’ Work? Did you even know about it?

Today SoundExchange issued a press release stating that the organization has proposed a voluntary cap on the minimum fees charged against royalties for sound recordings played on Internet Radio. According to the press release, SoundExchange proposed capping such advance payments at $2,500 per service.

Recently enacted regulations (due to go into effect on July 15) require each webcasting service to pay a $500 minimum fee “per station or channel” regardless of the overall number of stations/channels they are streaming.

Jonathan Potter, Executive Director of the Digital Media Association, issued the following statement:

DiMA would agree to a $2,500 per-service cap for the entire term of the CRB ruling (through 2010), but not the partial-offer presented to us in writing, which would terminate in 2008. Any offer that doesn’t cover the full term is simply a stay of execution for Internet radio. The looming 2009 billion-dollar threat is destabilizing and inhibits investment and growth. DiMA, like thousands of artists and millions of consumers, wants a solution that promotes long-term industry growth. A billion-dollar “minimum fee” is equally absurd in 2007, 2008, 2009 or 2010. It should be eliminated – period.

If something is not done soon (We have 16 days till the new laws take effect), this will spell the end for most internet radio stations including the big guys, all the way down the line. Little independent ones will no longer be able to get the hosting service from the streaming services providers any more. Most will not be able to invest the cash for dedicated servers for hosting. I fear the next time the internet goes quite it will be for good.

Did the ‘Day of Silence’ Work? Did you even know about it? *Part 1*

Guild Wars: Eye of the North Readies For August 31 Release

Guild Wars: Eye of the North, the first ever expansion to the subscription-free Guild Wars franchise of fantasy online role-playing games, will be released to the public on August 31, 2007. The Guild Wars: Eye of the North expansion will be available for an expected price of $39.99 in North America and €34.99 in Europe, as well as through the NCsoft store at PlayNC.com and in the Guild Wars in-game store.Guild Wars: Eye of the North will continue the no subscription fee model pioneered by ArenaNet, and will provide new content accessible to players who own both the expansion and any one of the three previously released Guild Wars campaigns (Guild Wars, Factions^TM, or Nightfall^TM).

The Guild Wars franchise has sold more than 3.5 million units since the release of the original Guild Wars campaign, in 2005, making it one of the most popular online role-playing games of all time.

Guild Wars: Eye of the North follows up on events told in the original Guild Wars campaign, and is set in previously unexplored areas of the continent of Tyria. The expansion contains a host of new features that will appeal directly to veteran Guild Wars players, including 18 large, multi-level dungeons, 150 new skills across all ten Guild Wars professions, ten new Heroes, 40 new armor sets, and more items, weapons, and titles. Additionally, through the innovative Hall of Monuments, Guild Wars: Eye of the North creates a path for players to carry the legacy of their characters into the upcoming Guild Wars 2. The Hall of Monuments will allow players to preserve their accomplishments and titles from Guild Wars, Factions, and Nightfall, which can then be claimed in Guild Wars 2.

Age of Fury Beta Starts Friday

The Age of Fury is drawing ever closer and players wishing to unleash their competitive spirit can sign-up now at the Closed Beta registration page. The first phase of Closed Beta for testing is scheduled to commence at 3pm PST Friday July 6th. Invitations for players who have already registered will start being sent out in the coming days, so keep checking your inbox to see if you have made the cut. We’re expecting thousands of new players so make sure you keep your calendar clear for next weekend.

Gone are the days of level grinding and countless hours spent wandering the barren terrain of your typical “MMO.” Fury is a fast-paced, online, player versus player game that blends the speed and excitement of a First Person Shooter with familiar MMORPG combat and character advancement. From the minute you log in, Fury keeps the action flowing at breakneck speeds, never letting up and pushing you to your limits. This Closed Beta version includes 3 game types, a new Tutorial, new vendor areas, new gameplay balance and a host of bug fixes and tweaks.

This is your chance to get an edge on the competition. The Dev Team is already hard at work adding the finishing touches to the Open Beta version, where players can look forward to significant performance and graphics improvements, loads of new content and major updates to the game economy. So what are you waiting for? Fury is a game of skill, not brute force, twitch or time played – the only way you’ll succeed is by mastering the game itself. Here’s your chance to become a master before anyone else. Are you up to the challenge?

Industry’s First Native x86 Quad-Core Processors

AMD announced today that Quad-Core AMD Opteron™ processors, code-named “Barcelona,” are planned for shipment in both standard and low power versions at launch later this summer. This would be the first time AMD has made both standard and low power parts immediately available as part of a new processor launch.

Additionally, AMD today updated its projected timing on “Barcelona” availability and provided additional product details. AMD expects that the processors will begin shipping for revenue in August 2007, with systems from AMD platform partners beginning to ship in September 2007. Due to its enhanced architecture – it is the world’s first x86 CPU to integrate four processing cores on a single die of silicon – Quad-Core AMD Opteron™ processors can deliver significant performance and performance-per-watt enhancements over existing processor architectures yet are designed to be backwards compatible with existing AMD Opteron platforms.

With planned availability at launch in a range of frequencies up to 2.0 Ghz, AMD expects its native quad-core processors to scale to higher frequencies in Q407 in both standard and SE (Special Edition) versions. Designed to operate within the same thermal envelopes as current generation AMD Opteron processors, AMD estimates that the new processors can provide a performance increase up to 70 percent on certain database applications and up to 40 percent on certain floating point applications, with subsequent higher frequency processors expected to significantly add to this performance advantage.

“More than ever before, customers are expecting energy-efficiency and performance-per-watt leadership as much as absolute performance. With this new reality of computing, greater performance at the expense of greater power consumption is no longer an option,” said Randy Allen, corporate vice president, Server and Workstation Division at AMD. “AMD has prioritized production of our low power and standard power products because our customers and ecosystem demand it, and we firmly believe that the introduction of our native Quad-Core AMD Opteron processor will deliver on the promise of the highest levels of performance-per-watt the industry has ever seen.”

ATI Radeonâ„¢ HD 2600 and ATI Radeonâ„¢ HD 2400 – DX10 and HD Video Cards

AMD today announced the arrival of the ATI Radeonâ„¢ HD 2600 and ATI Radeonâ„¢ HD 2400 series, the mid-range and entry-level graphics processors in the ATI Radeonâ„¢ HD 2000 series. These next-generation graphics processing units (GPU) bring premium support for Windows Vista® with feature-rich DirectX® 10 graphics¹, and built-in multimedia functions for an immersive HD video experience on the PC. Ranging from USD $89-$149 (SEP) for the ATI Radeon HD 2600 series and USD $50-$85 (SEP) for the ATI Radeon HD 2400 series², the new graphics solutions deliver compelling performance and image quality at an unbelievable price point. The ATI Radeon HD 2600 and ATI Radeon 2400 series have enjoyed broad customer adoption and are designed into a significant number of major OEM mainstream and value DirectX® 10 PCs to be shipped in 2H07.

“The ATI Radeon HD 2600 and ATI Radeon HD 2400 series drive high definition innovation to the mainstream with an incredible price and performance proposition,” said Rick Bergman, senior vice president, AMD Graphics Products Group. “With the launch of these new products, AMD is broadening the reach of The Ultimate Visual Experience™ by putting next-generation, DirectX® 10 discrete graphics technology within reach for more users than ever before.”

The ATI Radeon HD 2600 and ATI Radeon HD 2400 series deliver remarkable gaming performance and maximize the HD visual effects within Windows Vista® and DirectX® 10. The powerful second-generation unified shader architecture introduces the era of immersive HD gaming, delivering an ideal balance of high performance, advanced visual effects and breathtaking realism for both the casual and avid gamer. Gamers wanting more horsepower will discover that both series feature native ATI CrossFire™ technology, allowing for a wider variety of multi-GPU configurations.

The ATI Radeon HD 2600 series and ATI Radeon HD 2400 series provide powerful graphics performance for quick multitasking between applications with the Windows AeroTM 3D user interface. ATI Catalystâ„¢ graphics management software is certified for Windows Vistaâ„¢ and is designed for quick and easy setup of graphics, video, and multiple displays.

Both series feature the Unified Video Decoder (UVD) for advanced hardware HD video processing and HDMI with built-in HD audio controller for stunning big-screen entertainment. Home theater aficionados will be captivated by ATI Avivoâ„¢ HD technology that delivers sharp images and vibrant color fidelity for Blu-rayâ„¢ and HD DVD content.³

With support for Blu-rayTM discs and HD DVDs, CyberLink’s PowerDVD Ultra, now offers support for UVD technology from AMD, ensuring enhanced video quality with low CPU utilization.

“Through a joint effort, CyberLink and AMD are bringing high-quality video playback for the latest ATI Radeon HD 2600 and ATI Radeon HD 2400 series graphics cards,” said Alice H. Chang, CEO of CyberLink Corp. “It is quite an achievement for both AMD and CyberLink to satisfy the growing demand for high-definition video performance within the mainstream PC market.”

Using an energy-efficient 65 nm process technology to reduce power consumption, certain ATI Radeon HD 2600 series and ATI Radeon HD 2400 series models are designed to be passively cooled for a quieter home theatre experience. Availability for both products is expected in early July.