StarCraft 2 Beta bumped to 2010

According to a post at MTV Multiplayer, the beta test for StarCraft 2 has been pushed to early 2010. The first chapter of the game, dubbed Wings of Liberty, will not be released until sometime in Spring 2010 as well. Sad news for fans of Blizzard Entertainment’s popular sci-fi themed real-time strategy game for the PC. But this comes as no surprise given that so many publishers have simply given up on 2009 and have moved many of their high profile games in 2010. Perhaps they know something about 2010 that we do not.

When the beta does finally happen it will introduce the new Battle.net, Blizzard’s popular online matchmaking service for its games, popularized by Diablo, Diablo II, the Warcraft series and StarCraft. Blizzard is working hard on a new Cloud based system for handling multiplayer, which some describe as offering Xbox Live-like features. Sounds interesting.

Source: MTV Multiplayer

DICE preps for Bad Company 2 PS3 multiplayer beta

DICE today announced the upcoming Battlefield: Bad Company 2 multiplayer beta, which is apparently an exclusively on the PlayStation 3. Starting November 19, PlayStation 3 owners will be able to experience the multiplayer action, destruction, vehicular warfare, squad play and open sandbox environments that make up the Battlefield recipe.

In December of this year a PC open beta will launch and early in 2010 DICE plans to release the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 multiplayer DEMO on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will be in stores on March 2, 2010 in North America and March 5, 2010 in Europe for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and the PC.

Those interested in signing up for the beta should visit www.battlefield.com for beta key distribution details.

World of Battles beta gets an upgrade

Frogwares’ free MMO real-time strategy game, World of Battles, is offering some handy dandy new in the latest beta version of the game - 0.9.14. The new beta release fixes and fine-tunes several parts of the game and brings a lot of new features. A list of fixes and changes can be found below. Find out more by visiting www.worldofbattles.com. The neta version of the game is open to the public.

- Get invited to Quests by your Race Advisor, help your side to win battles (Good or Evil) and benefit from special rewards and bonuses on the online shop

- Create your own battlefields and challenge armies of your opponents

- Participate to different events like the XP & Gold events, and make your armies evolve faster

- Plunge into an immersive atmosphere thanks to new 3D sounds and music themes

- Get Gems (in-game currency) for free and buy all the items and equipment you need

- Climb fairly the world rankings thanks to a Reliability Rating during the battles

Two chances to play the Aion beta in Sept., says NCsoft

NCsoft announced today that, in the next four weeks, it will give North American and European gamers two opportunities to jump into the world of Aion and explore Atreia as Asmodian or Elyos characters ahead of its release in North America on September 22 and in Europe September 25. Aion’s Open Beta Test featuring the version 1.5 (which will be highlighted at PAX in September) will take place September 6 – 13 and will include numerous Western enhancements, including improvements to Aion’s character customization with a host of Western styles, as well as new zones, instances, skills, quests and continued game balancing and improvements. Open Beta will retain a level cap for both Elyos and Asmodians characters at 30 allowing players to focus on getting to the same level so they can explore the lands of Atreia together, as well as the Abyss.

Players who have preordered Aion will be treated to a Pre-Select and a two-day Headstart period giving them the opportunity to explore, organize and progress through the game prior to the official launch. Pre-Select will take place on September 18, while Aion’s Headstart will begin September 20. Players can still participate in the Aion’s Pre-Select and Headstart programs by preordering the game through several participating online and brick-and-mortar retailers, including Aiononline.com, Amazon, Best Buy, EB Games Canada, Fry’s Electronics, GameStop, Steam and Target.

North American Dragonica Online open beta opens August 18

THQ*ICE announced that the official start date for the North American Dragonica Online open beta test will be August 18th starting at approximately 2:00 p.m. PDT. Developed by Barunson Interactive, Dragonica Online merges 3D side-scrolling combat and a hilarious skill system.

Beginning on that day and date those that have signed up for the open beta will be able to experience the game and participate in various events and giveaways. These include a special Odellia Starter Pack, participation in the Dragonica Online Loot Hunt (hunt monsters to receive “Loot Drops” for a chance to win in-game and real world giveaways and other events and giveaways to be announced at a later date.

Warhammer Online coming to Mac this fall

EA and Mythic Entertainment announced that Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning will be coming to the Mac in the fall of 2009. Warhammer Online is currently available now for Beta testing to all current subscribers and to all new Mac users through a 10-day Mac beta trial account. Nifty. Players from both PC and Mac platforms will be able to battle and quest together simultaneously on the same servers by using TransGaming’s Cider technology.

If you are a Mac owner and want some fun in this Games Workshop inspired virtual worl, then check out www.warhammeronline.com

Jumpgate Evolution Beta hits 250,000 subscriber mark

NetDevil’s Jumpgate Evolution has given the Codemasters Online universe a decent boost according to internal subscriber numbers from Codemasters. The upcoming space combat MMO has reached the 250,000 beta sign up landmark, making it Codemasters Online’s biggest ever beta campaign, the company announced this week.

Jumpgate Evolution, currently in the “Friends and Family” testing phase, is a space adventure that allows players to choose from one of three playable Nations and engage in a myriad of space activities.

Those activities include trade throughout the Jumpgate Evolution galaxy, ship to ship combat as part of intergalactic battles, space exploration and all the drama you’d expect from a game involving thousands of other players. For more information on Jumpgate, or to sign up for beta, visit www.jumpgateevolution.com.