Lots of surprises are being popped in this year's DICE, and Microsoft's Shane Kim is no exception to the activity. In this update, we get the skinny on a LOT of upcoming titles from the man himself, as well as the reason for a certain MMO's cancellation. Check it out in the full article.

A few days ago, we mentioned that Microsoft hadn't put out official word yet on the cancellation of their Marvel Universe Online (Xbox 360, PC). Even then, Microsoft Game Studios project wasn't exactly painting a rosy picture, either. As a follow up to that, we have more details regarding the status of Microsoft Game Studios' Marvel Universe Online: Microsoft has decided to cancel the game, and here are some of the reasons why...

Find out what the troublesome details are after the jump!

Aside from the rumored Animal Crossing Wii MMO, the latest issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) hinted that there's a possibility Bungie Studios is working on a Halo MMO for the Xbox 360. According to the gaming magazine's Rumor Mill section:

Microsoft may start a war--word is they're making a massively multiplayer online first-person shooter for 360. Hmm, wonder what Bungie is up to?

While not explicitly stated, it's entirely possible that this rumored Bungie MMO is actually Peter Jackson's secret Halo project, the details of which - including genre -  have not yet been revealed. Also, it should be noted that Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios, said earlier this month that both Bungie and Microsoft are investing in a new "interactive" series set in Halo.

As always, this is just a rumor so don't get your hopes up too much. Do check this space often for more updates!

Very little is known about Microsoft Game Studios and Cryptic Studios' upcoming MMOG and Xbox 360 video game, Marvel Universe Online. Take that fact into account and the trailer we have today really turns into a big tease.

This teaser trailer shows several Marvel heroes and villains in statuesque poses including Wolverine, Ant-man, Cable, Captain America, Cyclops, Daredevil, Nick Fury, the Hulk, Nightcrawler, the Punisher, Quicksilver, Spider-Man, the Thing, plus Apocalypse, Uatu, Doctor Doom, Doctor Octopus, Magneto, Galactus, and a Sentinel. This makes us even more curious as to how gameplay (too bad there weren't any shown) will work in Marvel Universe Online.

See if you can spot the all the Marvel characters by clicking play. We'll keep an eye on more Marvel Universe Online news and goodies so keep checking back. In the meantime, enjoy!

A new week, a new slew of discoveries waiting to happen in this week's "On Shelves" report. Highlights include the US release of Project Sylpheed, all locked and loaded for its sortie to the Xbox 360 console.

Meanwhile, PC fans will have a much uncharted territory to explore, as K2 Network sets sail with their Sword of the New World MMORPG this July 10.

In the handheld arena, sports buffs can take a swing at Smash Court Tennis 3 for the PSP, while those who want "warm and fuzzy" can cuddle up with AniMates for the DS.

Project Sylpheed. In this Xbox 360 sequel of a PS2 remake of the classic arcade shooter on Sega CD, players will be treated to a plethora of space-based missions and hardware, as they defend humanity from enemy forces.

• Xbox 360 - July 10, 2007
  
• ESRB T (Teen)
• US$ 39.99
• Microsoft Game Studios and Square Enix
  

Sword of the New World. This MMORPG from Hakkyu Kim (the creator of Ragnarok Online) is based on Europe's exploration of the New World. You control a party of three characters at once (your account holds several characters). K2's US release also has exclusive features.

• PC - July 10, 2007
  
• ESRB T (Teen)
• US$ 19.99
• K2 Network
  

See the other game releases by clicking on the Full Article link below!

 

Straight from Barcelona, Spain, an official press release from Microsoft Game Studios revealed that an MMO game themed by the comics world repertoire of Marvel Entertainment is now under development by Cryptic Studios. Marvel Universe Online, which should be available for Xbox 360 owners and Windows Vista PC-goers, will sport interconnectivity play over Xbox Live and Live for Windows, bringing the MMO fans of the PC and fans of the Microsoft next-gen console closer together.

"The vision behind the alliance of Microsoft Game Studios, Cryptic Studios and Marvel is to expand the MMO genre and create an epic gaming experience exclusively for Xbox 360 and Windows Vista gamers to experience together online," Frank Pape said, who's senior director of business development at Microsoft Game Studios.

With MMO veteran developer Cryptic Studios at the development helm, the exclusive team-up of Microsoft, Marvel and Cryptic will attempt to deliver "the best possible experience in Marvel Universe Online." The World of Warcraft-killer we've been searching for, perhaps?

You may know Cryptic Studios for their hit MMO games City of Heroes and City of Villains, which are also superhero-themed like the Marvel MMO should be. Bringing in monsters, villains and Marvel superheroes to your favorite gaming platform, the MMO is expected to bring out the uniqueness of the Marvel IP.

When is it coming out? It hasn't been announced, but expect it to be a long way off from 2007. Still, with an MMO looking to rival that of Fury's graphics, it's definitely worth the wait.

  

Gametactics reports that Microsoft featured in the CES games that allowed for interaction across Windows Vista and the Xbox 360.

The first wave of Live titles that had such cross-platform capabilities included Microsoft Game Studios' Shadowrun and Mattel's UNO. The Live gaming and entertainment network will enable gamers to interact only across both of Microsoft's gaming platforms. Other titles for Windows Vista to have Live support include Halo 2.

They also marketed Windows Vista as an opportune platform for casual gamers. They cite Luxor 2 for Windows Vista, Crystal Quest for Windows Vista, and the ever popular Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved as example of their push to further cement Windows Vista as a good platform for casual gaming. Microsoft also used CES as an opportunity to further promote their Games for Windows brand. The Game for Windows portfolio includes the following game titles:

• Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures (Eidos Interactive/Funcom)
• Age of Empires III: The Warchiefs (Microsoft Game Studios/Ensemble Studios)
• Alan Wake (Microsoft Game Studios/Remedy)
• Bioshock (2K Games/Irrational Games)
• Company of Heroes (THQ Inc./Relic Entertainment)
• Crysis (EA Partners/Crytek)
• Enemy Territory: Quake Wars (Activision/Splash Damage)
• Flight Simulator X (Microsoft Game Studios/ACES Studio)
• Frontlines: Fuels of War (THQ/Kaos Studios)
• Halo 2 (Microsoft Game Studios/Bungie Studios)
• Hellgate: London (EA Partners/NAMCO BANDAI Games/Flagship Studios)
• LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (LucasArts/TT Games)
• Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar (Midway/Turbine Inc.)
• Marvel Universe Online (Microsoft Game Studios/Cryptic Studios)
• Rail Simulator (EA Partners/Kuju Entertainment)
• Shadowrun (Microsoft Game Studios/FASA Studio)
• Supreme Commander (THQ/Gas Powered Games)
• Tabula Rasa (NCSoft Corp./ Destination Games)
• World in Conflict (Sierra Entertainment/Massive Entertainment)
• Zoo Tycoon 2: Extinct Animals (Microsoft Game Studios/Blue Fang Games)
• Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania (Microsoft Game Studios/Blue Fang Games)
• Zoo Tycoon 2: Zookeeper Collection (Microsoft Game Studios/Blue Fang Games)

It is also reported that most Windows Vista optimised titles support gameplay with both the keyboard and the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows.

As expected, this year's Golden Joysticks Awards held at the Park Lane Hilton hotel in London, was a real blast. There are a total of 16 awards given, 15 of which were decided by the gaming public. Winner of the Editors' Choice Award, on the other hand, was selected by a panel of the industry's journalists. Titles that came out on or after August 1, 2005 until July 31, 2006 were all contenders.

Rockstar Games continued on its winning ways as Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories took home the Handheld Game of the Year award. It would be remembered that just last year, San Andreas also emerged victorious in the said award giving body. Accolades were then given to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion by 2K Games as it grabbed three trophies: PC Game of the Year, Xbox Game of the Year and PLAY.com Ultimate Game of the Year.

Nintendo also shared the limelight as it won in three categories as well: Nintendogs for The Sun Family Game of the Year and Bliss Girls' Choice for 2006. New Super Mario Bros., on the other hand, won the Nintendo Game of the Year trophy.

Other winners are as follows:

• T3 Innovation Award - Xbox Live Marketplace (Microsoft)
• 1Xtra Soundtrack of the Year - Need for Speed Most Wanted (Electronic Arts)
• Nuts All-Nighter Awards - Pro Evolution Soccer 5 (Konami)
• PlayStation Game of the Year - Resident Evil 4 (Capcom)
• Intel Online Game of the Year - Age of Empires III (Microsoft Game Studios)
• Retailer of the Year - GAME
• CVG's The One to Watch for 2007 - PlayStation 3 (Sony)
• Publisher of the Year - Electronic Arts
• Editors' Choice Award - Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter (Ubisoft)