Gamasutra has word that MMOG maker Turbine, developer of AC, AC2, DDO, and MEO, has succeeded in raising another round of venture capital for current and future projects. From the article: "The company has recently been strengthening its publishing and rights hold on its internally-developed products. It assumed complete control of development and publishing on Middle Earth Online, after finalizing a deal with Tolkien Enterprises and VU Games, and also took full control of Asheron's Call from Microsoft following the company's first round of financing. Of Turbine's major new MMO worlds, Dungeons & Dragons Online is due to launch later in 2005, and The Lord Of The Rings: Middle Earth Online will launch some time in 2006."

Gamespot has an article discussing the realities of Virtual World economics as they pertain to the real world. World of Warcraft is used as an example throughout, and they quote some staggering statistics that remove any last shred of hope that Blizzard's bluster may be having an effect on the gold market. From the article: "Sukow discovered that the top seller of WOW gold made more than $23,000 in April, just on WOW gold. And that wasn't even a good month--in January and February the number-one seller took home more than $44,000 each month."

1up.com is doing a comprehensive run-down of Star Wars video gaming. From the reprehensible Masters of Teras Kasi fighting game to the sublime story of the original Knights of the Old Republic, they have it all. From the article: "Whatever the case, nothing puts us quite in the mood for a pre-movie celebration like diving in and playing some good Star Wars videogames. With roughly 80 such games having come and gone over the past 20-some years, we figured now would be the perfect time to single out the best and worst that this beloved franchise has to offer."

Penny Arcade's semi-frequent column The Hook Up has published a new article, and this time around Stormy talks about the coming high-def revolution in gaming and the acceptance of gaming by the masses. From the article: "I'm definitely troubled about the 'dumbing-down' effect that bringing the casual gamers into our fold may have on the quality of games in the future. Sure, tight pants and big tits appeal to the hardcore elite just the same as the casual gamer, but I'm betting that Half-Life 2 on the Xbox will play a lot different than on its PC predecessor. For example, I really took it as a compliment when Valve simply threw me into the fray when I began the game. The beauty of it was that the storytellers assumed that we've all played a shooter before."

C|Net is reporting that Clear Channel is coming back at the audience interested in events like Dear Friends and the Hollywood Bowl concert with a touring spectacle called Video Games Live. The event will feature orchestras, choirs, and live game footage which will be played by members of the audience. From the article: "This music represents a true art form. The success of this tour will demonstrate to the world that video game music can command the attention of gamers and non-gamers alike."

I don't know why it's on the video page for the upcoming Legend of Zelda game, but Gamespot has up a documentary shot at last year's E3 about their coverage of the event. Clocking in at almost an hour in length, it's an exhaustive and interesting look at all that they have to do to bring the coverage they do during the event. Well worth the time to check it out. (And hats off to those folks for their hard work.)

Valve has announced that despite its recent break with Vivendi Universal Games, games boxes will remain on store shelves after the August breakup. From the article: "The news will mollify retailers who feared that a recent legal settlement between Valve and VU Games, which will see VU Games withdrawing all of its Valve-created products from August 31st, could signal a move to online-only distribution for the firm's products."

The fourth free expansions pack for City of Heroes has been released, and it's quite a doozy. Included in the latest release are a ton of new costume options, new content, and (most significantly) large coliseum where heroes can battle it out in PvP battles. Statement by Jack Emmert from the article: "I believe PVP will supplement the game while not detracting from City of Heroes' missions or story arcs...I see the PVP arenas as a way for players to hone their skills and as a change of pace from arresting villains."

Kate Thompson writes "The Boston Phoenix followed up the news that Matrix Online would be hiring live performers to play characters from the movies (Morpheus, the Oracle). The article looks at what qualifications you need to be an events implementer (or "imp"), how they get their scripts, and how Lawrence Fishburne felt about watching an imp play his part. Warner Bros. apparently has big plans for this - they consider the Matrix Online to be the 'fourth Matrix movie,' and they want players to feel like they're actually shaping the Matrix story. It's not clear, though, how far they'll really take that."

mrseigen writes "According to dslinux.org, the Linux kernel successfully boots on the Nintendo DS along with a simple shell, sash. Input is done via the d-pad. How long until Netstumbler?" While maybe not the most practical platform, it's impressive on its technical merit.

Reuters is reporting that the California bill banning the sale of violent video games to minors has made it out of committee. The law passed review by a 6-4 vote, and now goes on to the full Assembly. If it succeeds there it still needs to pass in the State Senate. From the article: "Game developers and console makers say laws restricting game sales are unnecessary because their industry is doing a good job stopping minors from buying "Mature"-rated games. However, the $10 billion industry expects bills restricting game sales to pass this year in Illinois, Michigan and North Carolina."

Gamasutra.com reports that Gamespot is planning to launch a games services site similar to the offering from its rival Gamespy. The service "combines dedicated game servers, anti-cheat measures, built-in voice over IP, and multiple community tools for a number of third-party PC online-compatible games" which includes favorites like "America's Army: Special Forces, Battlefield 1942, Battlefield Vietnam, Counter-Strike Source, Far Cry, Unreal Tournament 2004, and Nascar Racing".

slewfo0t writes "PS2info.com user Paradox has found a way to read the files off of the new UMD disks for the PSP. Good to know that those files aren't completely locked. "

Terra Nova is reporting on a 60 page DoD report on MMOGs and their military applications. The paper is a blueprint for using massive spaces as research tools. Some of the topics suggested include: "Impact of After Action Review (AAR) on MMOG, Performance and Decision Making Style, Impact of Addiction to MMOG, Sense of Community and Group Longevity or Persistence, Describe the Apprenticeship Process in MMOG, Game Authenticity and Constructivism"

Press the Buttons has commentary on the recent Bungie patches and stats reset for Halo 2. From the article: "Previously a Level 30 player would not be matched against a Level 2 player because the Level 2 player would lose the game before the game's title screen even appeared. Now that the stats have been reset we have Level 30 players out there who appear to be Level 1 players and these folks will play against real Level 1 players. Resetting a number on a screen doesn't reset the gaming skills of the player. This actually doesn't seem very fair at all."

As gamer interest in the E3 show increases every year, more coverage becomes available for non-attendees. This year G4 will be broadcasting live from the show floor, and MMORadio will be sharing NCSoft booth space to get the word on Massive games out to the player audience. From the article: "Offering their respective audiences a comprehensive look inside the most important videogame trade event of the year, G4 and IGN will work together to create news and entertainment packages direct from E3, including highly anticipated product introductions, 'first looks,' expert commentary and analysis, executive interviews, celebrity appearances and more."

1up.com just keeps putting up these great features leading up to E3, so you're going to have to suffer through another informative preview. This one is on the next Unreal Tournament game, and features details about graphics, gameplay, and some screens. From the article: "'The programming is ahead of the art right now, which is kind of intentional,' Steve calmly notes. 'We really wanted to focus on gameplay before art.' I can see why this statement makes sense, but it doesn't do much to erase the look on my face as I watch Jeff maneuver through a bunch of blocks masquerading as a level from the next iteration of one of the biggest multiplayer shooters ever. I realize that I'm looking stunned and try to lighten the mood."

The next MTV Music Awards show will feature a Best Video Game Based on a Movie award, reports Gamasutra.com. Titles up for the award this year include "Spider-Man 2 (Activision) and Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay (Vivendi Universal Games), and also titles such as Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (EA), Van Helsing (Vivendi Universal Games), and The Incredibles (THQ)".

GamesIndustry.biz is reporting that games site IGN has retained the services of a television consultation group. The group, CAA, will consult with the site because "The unique combination of their brand within gaming, their gaming and entertainment content, and the size of their audience will create terrific opportunities in television, music, live events, and other areas."

Gamespot has news that Asheron's Call 2: Legions has hit the shelves, the newest expansion to the three year old title. At the same time, Sony Online has announced a new expansion for Everquest II, as well as the upcoming release of a new adventure pack. From the article: "First up is EverQuest II: Desert of Flames, the first full-priced EQII expansion pack. The pack will introduce the chaotic-but-colorful city of Maj'dul to the game. Players will be able to participate in gladiatorial contests inside the Middle Eastern-themed metropolis, either against some of the 40 new creatures included in the pack or against other EverQuesters in 'a new style of player versus player combat.'"