The creators of Anarchy Online and The Longest Journey are working on a new online role-playing game for the PC and Xbox 360. The Secret World is set in present day Earth and draws inspiration from modern conspiracy theories and ancient mythology. Ragnar Tornquist, producer and director, says his team is creating “a different kind of online world, something scary and contemporary, something deeper and closer to reality.”

The Secret World has been in development since last summer and is in a playable state. It’s being produced at the Funcom studios in Oslo and Beijing. A release date hasn’t been announced. Through a web-based mystery launched on May 6th, people are being led through a series of websites, including darkdaysarecoming.com, where — after solving a puzzle — concept art from the game is unlocked. More at darkdemonscrygaia.com.

Eidos has released the Battlestations Midway Patch 1.1.1. The update resolves known issues in the levels “Dealing with Emergencies Onboard” and “Running the Palawan Passage” and includes all the features and fixes from update 1.1. Patch 1.1.1 also resolves the following:

• Added version numbers to identify different game versions
• Lower bandwidth usage when playing multiplayer games
• Multiple client connections now allowed from the same IP address
• LAN connection issues fixed
• GameSpy servers no longer appear in LAN browser
• Addition of a connection meter to the multiplayer menus
• “Surrender” option added to the in game multiplayer menu
• The game no longer stops the Windows screensaver
• Fix for the multiplayer map “Islands of Solomon”
• Fix for a mission end camera issue with the multiplayer map “Operation MI”
• Foliage trees no longer have the black outline
• Fixed an issue with the ships’ flags
• The propeller on the “please wait” screen is now rolling
• The multiplayer code now includes the GameSpy NAT Negotiation feature

CDV has announced plans to release Attack on Pearl Harbor for the PC in North America in early July. Attack on Pearl Harbor is an arcade-style air combat game set in World War II’s Pacific Theatre. More information can be found at the game’s official website.

Shadowrun from Microsoft Game Studios has gone gold and will begin hitting North American retailers on May 29. From FASA Studio, developers of the Xbox LIVE launch title MechAssault, and the lead designer behind the original Halo, Shadowrun is a first-person shooter that incorporates ancient magic and advanced technology into a strategic team-based experience.

Utilizing both Xbox LIVE and the Games for Windows — LIVE network, Shadowrun supports the participation of up to 16 players at once, regardless of platform. Features seen on Xbox LIVE such as gamertags, achievements, friends lists and integrated voice communication are also available to PC users. Shadowrun requires an Xbox LIVE Gold account on Xbox 360 or a Silver account on Games for Windows.

Shadowrun will ship with nine maps and three map variations showcasing environments set in a futuristic Santos, Brazil and ancient Ziggurat. Shadowrun includes six training chapters that allow gamers to practice against A.I. bots. Gamers can also play with bots at four levels of difficulty on every map and with every game type.

Shadowrun will be available for the estimated retail price of $59.99 for Xbox 360 and $49.99 for Windows Vista. Shadowrun is rated “M” for Mature.

Got Game Entertainment has penned a North American publishing deal for AnaCapri: The Dream, a first person adventure game for the PC. A sequel of sorts to A Quiet Weekend in Capri, AnaCapri is scheduled for release in July. You play as Nico Fredi, an expert in ancient civilizations. Summoned to AnaCapri, you must find the Black Obsidian Disk, an ancient artifact possessing considerable power. More at the game’s official website.

Strategy First has released a new patch for Space Empires V. The Space Empires V version 1.35 patch updates all previous versions of the game.

Gamecock has launched a new website featuring information on several upcoming games, including Fury, Insecticide, Hail to the Chimp, Mushroom Men and Dungeon Hero. Trailers and more can be found at gamecocklove.com.

Recently, Avault interviewed Harry Miller from Gamecock Media. Check it out.

Secret Stash Games has announced the development of Nervous Brickdown, an arcade puzzle game designed for the Nintendo DS. Featuring 135 levels and 10 game modes, Nervous Brickdown is set in retro gaming worlds based on classic space shooters, action platform games and haunted houses. According to the press release, you’ll do everything from control submarines to take on boss monsters. Designed for the Nintendo DS, Nervous Brickdown will utilize the dual screen, stylus and microphone that comes with the hardware. Arkedo Studios is developing Nervous Brickdown for a summer 2007 release.

Acclaim Games has launched 9Dragons, a martial arts MMORPG for the PC. While 9Dragons remains free to play, the commercial launch features the release of the Item Mall, where players can purchase virtual items using Acclaim Coins. Purchasable items include elixirs, healing herbs and unique outfits. Players can also purchase Premium Packages that offer Kung Fu boosts and other gameplay enhancements.

Players have the option of joining one of six starter clans: Shaolin, Wu-Tang Clan and The League of Beggars are loyal to The Imperial Emperor of China, while The Brotherhood of Thieves, Heavenly Demon and the Sacred Flower Clan (for women only) are opposed to his rule. Since each free account allows up to three character slots, you can create multiple characters and join different clans as you undertake quests written by author Steven-Elliot Altman.

There are three servers from which to choose: On the Nirvana (U.S.) and Bardo (European) servers, players must gain permission to fight against other players in specially designated Player vs. Player zones. But the latest server, Asura, is a PK server for players who want to attack rival clan members without their consent.

Sign up for a free account at 9dragonsgame.com.

Lawyer Jack Thompson, a self-proclaimed crusader against video game violence, has a beef with fast food chain Wendy’s. In his latest salvo against the evils of electronic entertainment, Thompson calls on the burger franchise to cancel a Kid’s Meal Wii promotion. Although the Wii-themed toys Wendy’s is distributing with its meals are innocuous, the console’s link to Rockstar’s forthcoming Manhunt 2 has caused Thompson to call for an end to the promotion. In a letter sent to Wendy’s CEO Kerri Anderson, Thompson wrote:

“I should like to alert you to the inappropriateness of the above upcoming promotion at Wendy’s, in light of the below information. On July 10, an extremely violent video game will be released for play on Nintendo’s kid-friendly Wii game platform. It is called Manhunt 2. It will feature, according to video game news sites, beheadings with hatchets, bludgeonings with baseball bats, the jamming of syringes into eyeballs, cutting opponents’ testicles off, and environmental kills in which common objects in the field of vision, such as electrical cords to strangle victims. I attach news reports in these regards.

“What makes this Nintendo Wii game all the more troubling is the nature of Wii platform itself. Instead of holding in one’s hand the typical game controller, the player holds motion capture devices, so that by moving one’s hands and limbs one is actually acting out with one’s own body the violent behavior. The American Psychological Association in August 2005 found a direct causal link between the play of violent video games and increased adolescent and teen aggression. One pro-video game industry site is referring to Manhunt 2 as a true murder simulator when played on Wii.

“A dear friend of mine worked for Wendy’s and with Dave Thomas closely for years. From that I know that Dave Thomas never would have tolerated the use of Wendy’s good name to promote Nintendo’s Wii, not with this game available on the Wii platform.

“Please cancel the Wii Kids’ Meal promotion immediately.”

So far, Wendy’s hasn’t cancelled its promotion.

Cell Factor: Revolution is now available to download for free. The full version of Immersion Studios’ first-person shooter was designed to promote the AGEIA PhysX hardware it supports. If you don’t have an AGEIA PhysX card, you can still play two levels from the full game. The 860 MB download is available at www.cellfactorrevolution.com.

EA has launched an Army of Two weapon design contest via the game’s official website. From May 7 to June 15, gamers can submit designs of their ultimate weapon to be included as a special unlockable pre-order item in the Xbox 360 version of the game. To enter the contest, gamers will need to submit an image of their weapon and a brief description. Once gamers submit their designs, the images will be posted on the site for the community to vote on. Come June 16, the top weapons will be reviewed by the development team, who will then pick two designs to be created and included in the game. Army of Two is a strategic third-person co-op shooter.

Microsoft and Bungie Studios have adjusted their May 8th ship date for Halo 2 for Windows Vista to make improvements to the installation process and to address other technical issues. Halo 2 for Windows Vista will now ship to retailers May 22nd.

Strategy First and Russian publisher Akella have added a new Disciples III teaser movie to the Gallery section of the World of Disciples website. To view the trailer and more, visit www.worldofdisciples.com. Disciples III: Renaissance is the sequel to Disciples II: Dark Prophecy; a fantasy-based role-playing strategy game.

Battlefront.com is going to offer the upcoming Theatre of War add-on, Battle for Moscow: 1941, as well as a map editor for the game for free. The expansion will be available for download later this month on www.battlefront.com. The 10-mission campaign will feature new maps focused on the second German assault on Moscow in November 1941. The ten battles will include historical engagements near Novopetrovsk, Istra, Krukovo, Yadromino, Chismena and Volokolamsk. The new map editor will allow you to change any of the existing mission and campaign maps, including changing the placement and look of map objects such as buildings, trees, trenches, fortifications, damaged vehicles and more.