With Fire & Sword also builds and expands upon the highly regarded combat system from Mount & Blade: Warband. Firearms have been introduced to the battlefield, opening up exciting new play-styles and options. Players can also utilize explosives for taking out groups of foes or to breach castle walls. In addition to the enhanced singleplayer mode, With Fire and Sword also provides a host of original multiplayer content including the new Captain Mode which allows players to control their own forces in online matches.

Fallen Enchantress is a pretty radical departure from War of Magic. Based on what I’m seeing, I suspect most people will prefer that by far to War of Magic but only time will tell. But in any event, we will be making a v1.3 of War of Magic that will be on its own code branch.

On the topic of staffing decisions:

Now, as some people may recall, after War of Magic’s difficult launch, we had to re-evaluate our staffing levels and reorganize. This meant some painful layoffs back last Fall which came from people slated for the RPG title. After War of Magic, it was recognized that the game studio was being run like a hobby and not as an engineering process like our enterprise software unit. This meant we needed to bring in full-time designers and full-time project managers onto the studio. Thus, the second studio team, designated for the Elemental: RPG, got largely zapped. This year we will begin to reconstitute this team as we bring in a lead studio developer and some senior developers to help ensure that we don’t have another War of Magic episode.

On the topic of Wardell's sabbatical:

As some people may remember, I was planning to take a sabbatical last year. Clearly that didn’t happen. I am still planning to do this sometime early this year. With Kael and Jon Shafer here now, I am comfortable that the games unit won’t need me to intervene...

Realm of the Titans is a bold, new take on the popular action strategy genre. In ROTT, two teams of up to five heroes face off on a dangerous and dynamic battlefield in an attempt to take total control of the map. As each team advances across the field of combat, they seize control points that spawn waves of NPC minions to assist them in the conflict. Players who perform well in battle are awarded points that can be used during the match to upgrade their hero’s powers and abilities. The game is meticulously designed to reward teamwork and tactics, and encourage fluid and fast-paced competitive gameplay.

Apart from offering players dynamic battlefields, enhanced item purchasing, and the return of key DotA features, ROTT also includes:

• In-Depth Ranking Features – Level up in the game while making your way up the leaderboards by defeating higher-ranked players.
• Advanced Matchmaking System – In ROTT, you can automatically be matched up with other suitable partners and competitors.
• Robust Statistics & Record Tracking – Battle data and match history is saved on the server. Players can review their past performances and share favorite replays with friends.

Trainz Multiplayer Open Beta Launch Features:

• Play with Trainz enthusiasts from all across the world.
• All features of single player driver are included like picking up passengers or transport freight, work in a yard and building consists.
• 2 free play sessions with more features to come throughout the beta.

To install Trainz Multiplayer please click the following link: Trainz Multiplayer Open Beta Installation Instructions.

Please Note: Access to the Trainz Multiplayer Open Beta requires that the user owns Trainz Simulator: 2010 and registered their CD KEY on Planet Auran before January 10, 2011.

In the first major expansion for the game, Elves & Dwarves, the world of Graxia is greeted by two new Guardians from faraway islands, Flist the deceitful Elf and Broxin the greedy Dwarf. They bring with them even more powerful units and abilities to engage on six additional skirmish maps, some of which have random tile generation for unique gameplay.

"With the success of Guardians of Graxia and its first map pack, we're excited to announce the most compelling content update to the game yet,” said Tony Mullins, Associate Producer. “While Flist and Broxin are worthy Guardians to command into battle, winning a game on the new randomly generated tiled maps is sure to put a twist in your previous strategies!"

“Guardians of Graxia now provides even more engaging encounters the community has been waiting for, starting with the Elf and Dwarf races on expansive new maps," said Mathew Anderson, Community Manager at Petroglyph. " Haven't played Guardians of Graxia yet? Give the new demo a try!”

Guardians of Graxia features fantasy turn-based strategic gameplay using cards that are your units and actions, on a tiled map representing floating islands. The PC version combines the best of both online and board game aspects, and contains more than 240 unique units and spells. The game supports a single player campaign and numerous skirmish maps. Currently released are the core game, Map Pack 1, and today's expansion.

PayPal knows who the boss is and has complied with the request, notifying major gold resellers that they have been reported as an Intellectual Properties violation by Blizzard for the sale of WoW merchandise. In the past Blizzard has taken on the evil do'ers directly and have filed suit against both gold sellers and a company that ran unofficial game servers.

PayPal will allow reseller sites to dispute Blizzard's claim, but if they choose not to file a report and continue selling unauthorized products then their PayPal accounts will be closed down.

Although the article says that The Secret World is due out in the next few months, there has been no official announcement indicating that this might be true.

Due out in the next few months, The Secret World is a AAA game produced on a large budget over four years in Funcom's Montreal studio.

"They're the best partner we can have to market this game," Caron said of Electronic Arts. "EA knows a lot more about marketing than we do, and they're a lot better at it than we are. This way, we can just focus on creating the best possible game."

Although the terms of the deal were not disclosed, EA is investing hundreds of millions into promotion and distribution, and will earn a percentage of total sales.

The Montreal studio is the Oslo-based Funcom's largest, and is its fastest-growing. The studio was founded less than two years ago with just 20 people, and has grown to 138. Caron said the company plans to add several more employees by the summer.

One of the coolest things IMO is the sense of humour, which is pretty much every where you look. Magicka has its own language (think Simlish but much cooler), and even the loading screens are chuck-o-licious at times. If you're looking for some cheap thrills then Magicka is $10 USD and there's a demo available for download.

• IGN 7/10
• DIYGamer
• Gamers Daily News 8.5/10
• Game North 83%
• HBG 4/5

DIYGamer: While Magicka has some rough spots – mostly due to play balance, but also some glitches and connectivity issues – I really can’t think of a cooperative game I’ve had more fun with in recent years.

All referred friends receive a 20% discount for their first purchase at D2D.

If the referred friend makes a purchase of $49.95 or more, the referrer gets to choose one of the following special offers:

• 20% off any future order at D2D
• $10 deposited into their PayPal account
• $10 donation made to Make-A-Wish Foundation of America

If the referred friend makes a purchase between $29.95 and $49.94, the referrer gets to choose from the below offers:

• 20% off any future order at D2D
• $5 deposited into their PayPal account
• $5 donation made to Make-A-Wish Foundation of America

And while you're at it, they're also giving away a bundle of five superhero games which includes DC Universe Online, City of Heroes: Going Rogue and Batman: Arkham Asylum GOTY. The catch is that you have to "like" them on Facebook.

1. DEAD SPACE 2
2. LITTLEBIGPLANET 2
3. FIFA 11
4. ASSASSIN'S CREED: BROTHERHOOD
5. CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS
6. JUST DANCE 2
7. NEED FOR SPEED: HOT PURSUIT
8. WII FIT PLUS
9. ART ACADEMY
10. JUST DANCE
11. MASS EFFECT 2
12. KINECT SPORTS
13. THE SIMS 3
14. GRAN TURISMO 5
15. WII PARTY
16. DANCE CENTRAL
17. WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2011
18. RED DEAD REDEMPTION: UNDEAD NIGHTMARE
19. EA SPORTS ACTIVE 2
20. WII SPORTS RESORT