The date for Star Trek: Online's open beta has now been announced and confirmed by Cryptic Studios to be happening early next year. So if you missed your chance in the closed beta, there shouldn't be any reason for you to miss out on this opportunity now.

Just a week after the in-game pets for World of Warcraft were announced, one of the two variations has apparently been sold out, just goes to show how WoW-crazy some people get. The Pandaren Monk, listed for US$ 10 on the Blizzard pet store, has now been "sold out" in the United States.

Better practice your Klingon, Star Trek fans. It turns out that "first quarter of 2010" release window that Cryptic Games gave Star Trek Online was right on the money. The upcoming MMO has been confirmed for a February release in both North America and Europe.

Could the wait be almost over for Codemasters and NetDevil's much-awaited new space combat MMO, Jumpgate Evolution? Almost, but not quite, probably, but the two companies have released a press wire announcing astounding news. The Beta sign-ups for the game in North America and Europe has hit a landmark score of 250,000, making it Codemasters Online's biggest Beta Campaign. Ever.

Microsoft Europe's David Gosen has questioned the gaming industry's seasonal approach to game releases in a recent interview with MCV. According to Gosen, the focus on Q4 and Christmas releases has put the sustainability of new IP into question, and that a second or third release window will be good news for the industry. Great news for my wallet as well, since I won't have to buy all the major releases I want in one big go. More after the jump.

Patch 3.1 for Blizzard's World of Warcraft is definitely coming soon - "promptly," in fact, as blue poster Wryxian said. The Dual spec patch has been the source of much excitement and anticipation among WoW players, although some are left in doubt due to "lack of info" on it. Wryxian, however, responds to that, saying: "The patch is definitely coming... shortly."

Come April 7, 2009, players of Square Enix MMO players will be introduced to the publisher's new Square Enix Account System and Square Enix Security Token. These new security details will be implemented across the board in the territories of Europe, Japan and North America, specifically for added security on Final Fantasy XI.

Turbine has released the latest update to Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria. The expansion is now on Book 7: Leaves of Lorien, which adds new features and gameplay enhancements. Check out details and screenshots after the link.

Now don't go thinking this is another one of those depressing economic news - it's not. It's just your average depressing video game convention news, like E3. A press release just went out announcing that this year's Leipzig Games Convention has been canceled, but they will be holding a new event in its place called Games Convention Online.

Let's take a short break from the Tokyo Game Show as we bring news to the MMO crowd. The first retail expansion pack to Lord of the Rings Online, Mines of Moria, has been given a release date. Expect it be available on November 18. Pre-order pricing details after the link.