Sins of a Solar Empire: Diplomacy pre-order begins

Pre-orders for Ironclad Games and Stardock Entertainment’s upcoming Sins of a Solar Empire micro-expansion, Diplomacy are now being offered. Sins of a Solar Empire: Diplomacy will add a new Diplomacy tech tree, new envoy cruisers, the ability to issue missions to other players, trade pacts, an entirely new relationship system, deadlier pirates and more.

Pre-orders for Sins of a Solar Empire: Diplomacy are available now for $9.95. This micro-expansion will require the full versions of Sins of a Solar Empire and Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment to play.

For more information visit: www.sinsofasolarempire.com

Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss now available

Mythic Entertainment, EA’s appointed overlords to one of the longest-running MMORPGs in the genre’s history, today released Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss, the 8th expansion to the game. Stygian Abyss is available via digital download from UOGameCodes.com and EA Store.

Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss revolves around the introduction of the playable Gargoyle race and several new areas to explore, including Ter Mur, the Gargoyle homeland, and the Stygian Abyss - the largest dungeon area ever introduced to Ultima Online, according to Mythic. This sprawling dungeon contains new boss monsters of great difficulty, including the Medusa, Primeval Lich and the Stygian Dragon, as well as Player vs. Player zones.

Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss is available via UOGamesCodes.com and the EA STORE. The expansion cost right around $30 whole another package offering 30 days of free time cost right around $40.

LotRO Siege of Mirkwood expansion this fall

Turbine has revealed The Lord of the Rings Online: Siege of Mirkwood, a new digital expansion to its MMO, launching this Fall. Siege of Mirkwood will expand the online world of Middle-earth allowing players to join forces to press eastward into the dark and treacherous forest of Mirkwood and take part in the dramatic conclusion to Volume II of The Lord of the Rings Online.

Siege of Mirkwood will be available as a digital download this fall with an increased level cap, a new region including the evil fortress of Dol Goldur, major enhancements to combat and Legendary Items and the introduction of Skirmishes, a new system where players will train customizable soldiers and take them into battle as part of the War of the Ring.

Details regarding Siege of Mirkwood’s pricing, pre-order offers and availability will be unveiled soon. For more information, visit www.lotro.com/mirkwood.

Age of Conan: Rise of the Godslayer announced

Funcom announced Age of Conan: Rise of the Godslayer, the first expansion for Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures. Inspired by the cultures of eastern Asia, Rise of the Godslayer promises to send players on a voyage to the Empire of Khitai where more brutal adventures await. Rise of the Godslayer introduces a whole new storyline and a new world to explore, as well as new features such as faction gameplay and an alternate advancement system.

New locations in Rise of the Godslayer include the Northern Grasslands, the Chosain Province and the Pillars of Heaven. Those that explore
these new regions will encounter inhabitants at war with each other and not too friendly to outsiders.

Players will be able to take part in these conflicts by joining up with many of the warring factions. Faction gameplay plays a large role in Rise of the Godslayer, presenting the player with choices that earn them both allies and enemies in Khitai. Through questing and adventure players can advance through faction ranks, rewarding them with treasures such as epic new armor and weapons.

Players can choose to continue their adventures with existing characters, acquiring new combat abilities and spells through an alternate advancement system, or start over again as a Khitan – an all-new culture.

is one of the world’s biggest gaming shows, and runs from . GamesCom (August 19th - August 23rd in Cologne, Germany) attendees can find Age of Conan: Rise of the Godslayer in Hall 9 during the show.

ARMA II Operation Arrowhead Announced

Bohemia Interactive announced this morning that it is developing a standalone expansion pack for ARMA II called Operation Arrowhead. The expansion takes place three years after the conflict in Chernarus, which unfolded in ARMA II. At this time a new flashpoint in the Green Sea region heats up and coalition forces led by the US Army are sent to Takistan to try to restore peace and prevent further civilian casualties. The expansion will let players take on various roles in the US Army, including infantry, special operations, pilot, tank crew and more, says Bohemia.

ARMA II Operation Arrowhead will be presented during the Gamescom event in Cologne, Germany from August 19th - 23rd. Bohemia will be at stand in hall 4.2, stand no. L034.

Savage Moon expansion, update released on PlayStation Network

A post from FluffyLogic on the official PlayStation Blog today reveals that a new update and an expansion have been released for Savage Moon on PlayStation Network.

The company says that many of the suggestions and ideas that players have sent them have been incorporated in the new update including rebalanced stats, a new training mode that allows players to play all levels on an easier difficulty level, support for custome soundtracks, and a lot of other small tweaks and adjustments. That update is available now.

The discussion then turn to the new expansion called Waldgeist, which is apparently German for “woodland spirit.” In pagan times Waldgeists were believed to be the custodians of the forest. The new Savage Moon expansion levels are also set in more biological, forested Imoons, hence the name.

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The Sims 3 World Adventures announced

Electronic Arts today announced The Sims 3 World Adventures, the first expansion pack for The Sims 3, is in development and will ship to retailers worldwide the week of November 16, 2009. With the expansion players can take their Sims on adventures to famous inspired by real-world locales around the world. While exploring these locations you can expect some adventures to unfold or a learning experience to occur (for your Sim, not you) like mastering martial arts in Shang Simla, China; discovering culture and famous landmarks on a getaway to Champs Les Sims, France; or exploring the depths of ancient tombs in Al Simhara, Egypt.

Players can accept challenges to search for secret treasures, learn new skills and chase down new personal opportunities, meet new Sims with unique personalities, share their culture and bring them home, discover new styles on their travels, and share everything they encounter on their adventures with the world through personal photographs, movies, and stories. Additionally, players will receive 1,000 SimPoints to be used online in The Sims 3 Store for the PC/MAC versions of the game. Exclusive online content, available only for the expansion pack at launch, will be revealed soon.

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