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Starting today, Microsoft is inviting everyone to bear witness to the heroism of Noble Team, as depicted in a dramatic, live-action short for the launch of the biggest game of the year on 14th September. Titled “Deliver Hope,” the short is a riveting, action-packed production that offers an emotional look at the courage and sacrifice of Noble Team in their defense of the planet Reach from a crushing Covenant invasion.

“Deliver Hope” debuts today at Halo.Xbox.com, on Halo Waypoint and on www.bungie.net, introducing the epic nature of the “Halo: Reach” story and continuing the tradition of bringing the “Halo” universe to life via gripping live-action shorts.

“Deliver Hope” is the dramatic capstone to the series of live-action ads from acclaimed director Noam Murro (“Smart People”), who also directed the “Halo: Reach” “Birth of a Spartan” short and a collection of live-action vignettes housed at RememberReach.com. An extended version of “Deliver Hope” will debut exclusively on YouTube the week of 6th September.

Taleworlds Entertainment and Paradox Interactive today announced the release of a free new DLC for their action packed RPG, Mount & Blade: Warband. In addition to the free DLC, over 70 new achievements have been introduced. The combination of the new DLC and achievements adds even more value to the already expansive experience that is Mount & Blade: Warband.

Explore three new maps in the new DLC. Fight your way through a multi-level forest encampment and experience conquest mode likes never before in the Forest Hideout or take on new thrills in siege warfare by sending players to the desert to take or defend Jamait Castle. If you think you have what it takes to stand out in dual mode, prove it in The Arena; this large coliseum is the perfect place to handle disputes the old fashioned way. The DLC is available for all gamers who have purchased Mount & Blade: Warband.

One of the highlights of gamescom, which took place in Cologne, Germany from August 18 - 22, was undoubtedly gamigo and Reakktor's space combat MMOG Black Prophecy. Not only could the crowds of visitors barely tear themselves away from the demo stations, press from all over Europe and North America were also impressed by its presentation.

Market-leading German publications GameStar and GamePro used the occasion of the world's largest games trade fair to select their favorites in seven categories. Black Prophecy and Mytheon, another gamigo game, were both nominated in the category "Best of Free-to-Play". In the end, Black Prophecy took the prize and was awarded "Best of gamescom" in its category.

Gamestar and GamePro: "Games that are free to download are becoming increasingly popular. And anyone who's into exciting battles in space will have lots of fun playing Black Prophecy. The Hanover-based developers Reakktor Media plan to launch their science fiction adventure in 2010. It is the winner of the GameStar and GamePro "Best of gamescom" award in the category "Free-to-play Games"."

Not much is yet known, but today Microsoft announced the development of Microsoft Flight, a new entry inspired by the best-selling Microsoft Flight Simulator franchise. Twenty-eight years after the debut of Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.0, Microsoft Flight will bring a new perspective to the long-standing genre, welcoming everyone, including long-time fans, to experience the magic of flight.

Here’s a teaser of the future of Flight:

Today, Ubisoft announced the return of the fan beloved Might & Magic franchise with the development of Might & Magic Heroes VI, which will be available worldwide on Windows PC in 2011. Developed by Black Hole Entertainment (Armies of Exigo, Mark of Chaos Battle March), Might & Magic Heroes VI will include all the characters and features that have made this brand a worldwide success, in addition to a wealth of new innovations.

"Might & Magic is a powerful franchise with an amazing 20-year legacy," said Adam Novickas, director of marketing at Ubisoft U.S. "Players will be able to enjoy the Heroes experience like never before. The amazing creative teams at Black Hole Entertainment are keeping the original Heroes spirit, while enhancing the RPG elements."

The Might & Magic Heroes VI adventure starts 400 years before the events in Heroes of Might & Magic V, showcasing a family of heroes in a thrilling, epic story where Angels plot to revive an unfinished war.

Today, Square Enix and Eidos Interactive released some footage of actual gameplay from their hotly-anticipated Deus Ex: Human Revolution. All in all, things are looking nice and cyberpunky. However, I am a bit concerned over the ‘gameplay tone’ – for lack of a better term - on display in this trailer; it makes something scream “console port!” in the back of my head. Maybe it’s all those third person action shots?

Check it out and see what you think:

2K Games announced today that BioShock Infinite, a first-person shooter, is currently in development at Irrational Games, the studio behind the original BioShock which has sold over 4 million units worldwide. Set in 1912, BioShock Infinite introduces an entirely new narrative experience that lifts players out of the familiar confines of Rapture and rockets them to Columbia, an immense city in the sky. BioShock Infinite is currently planned for release during calendar 2012.

Originally conceived as a floating symbol of American ideals at a time when the United States was emerging as a world power, Columbia is dispatched to distant shores with great fanfare by a captivated public. What begins as a brand new endeavor of hope turns drastically wrong as the city soon disappears into the clouds to whereabouts unknown.

The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest is the first videogame offering an authentic The Lord of the Rings gameplay experience designed for all ages to enjoy together. For the first time ever, The Lord of the Rings comes to the Wii, taking full advantage of the Wii-mote and Nunchuck – delivering action-packed motion-controlled gameplay.

In The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest, preparations are underway in Hobbiton for a great party to welcome Aragorn, King of Gondor, and honor Samwise Gamgee for his service during the War of the Ring. With the King’s visit imminent, Samwise’s children are eager to learn more of this great man. Samwise, now Mayor, embarks on a colorful tale of the revered warrior, Strider—as Aragorn is known in his Ranger days—and his most valiant battles.

Here’s a taste of what players can expect (for some reason, it reminds me of Mount & Blade):