In a move that could be seen as a further testament to how commercialized gaming has been, Massive Incorporated and WEBZEN have inked a deal sealing plans to the latter's upcoming games to have in-game advertising. It's a first for both companies, with Massive deflowering the Asian market and WEBZEN a noobie in providing services to in-game advertising.

Frontlining the duo of WEBZEN production included in this tie-up is the much anticipated Huxley. The MMORPG title takes full advantage of the recently developed UNREAL3 engine to create unique gaming experience with up to 5,000 players converging in the same world.

The game's setting is an alternative future where humans have mutated and are divided into two opposing races - Sapiens and Alternative. The mutants are vying for the power Lunarities, in the process slaughtering the enemies they run against. This game is also coming out on Xbox 360.

All Points Bulletin, Huxley's brother, is a game dubbed as "Cops and Robbers MMO". Showing a glowing resemblance to the highly-successful (and controversial) Grand Theft Auto series (game was designed by GTA creators, so I guess that explains it), All Points Bulletin combines nearly limitless customization with intense urban action in a virtual city aka battleground. APB is planned for a 2008 release.

Recently acquired by Microsoft, Massive Incorporated is set to integrate real-world ad campaigns that are timely and enhance the game environment with more realism - let's just hope that happens. Imagine seeing flashing ads while you're deeply engrossed in slaying mutants or other enemies, that's just a turnoff.

Netdragon Websoft, publisher of Conquer Online, has made the latest patch available for their Asian-themed MMORPG of the same name.

In the mythical ancient world of CO, an evil guild has come to dominate the once peaceful world of Kung-Fu Circle. Living under its terror, a group of courageous men and women has gathered to fight the evil guild and bring justice back to people's lives. Combat is with a mixture of martial arts and weaponry. Players choose from one of four character-classes: the Trojan, who fights at close quarters and with two handed weapons; the Warrior, who basically kicks butt in a wide variety of ways, the Archer, whose title speaks for itself; and the Taoist, who is a magician/sorcerer.

In addition to fighting monsters, evil beings, etc. through 120 levels, the game also has its more sociable aspect. People chat, hang out, and apparently even get married in the CO world. According to the developers:

"This [game] is not intended as a full introduction to conquer. Only experiencing the land for yourself can fully prepare you for what is in store. By the way, conquer will be constantly updated to offer you a fresh challenge."

By which, one imagines they mean there's more to Conquer Online than fighting, but you'll just have to check it out for yourself. I also the last sentence to mean they look for feedback in order to make improvements. (Remember, next to Basque, English is probably the most difficult language for a non-native speaker to learn...)

Download [Conquer Online Patch 4314]

The sun is supposed to rise in the east and set in the west (at least that's what I heard from Jacky Chan and Owen Wilson), with the Far East's pride, Cabal, setting its sight on Western horizons, will it shine, or will it set prematurely? European MMO-publisher Game-Master is quite optimistic that the EST Corp, a Korean MMO developer, creation will be as popular in the west as it currently is in the Asian market.

To achieve this goal, Cabal is set to be very gamer-friendly, having zero entry barriers for both first-time gamers and late-starters. Also, a rich number of intriguing quests and challenging missions are said to merge well with the general plot to form a coherent story.

If you're thinking this one may be too "light" for your "hardcore" gaming skills, think again. With time-limited dungeons, perplexing puzzles and traps, and realistic action scenes, the brains behind this project promised that even the most accomplished online gamer will find this one very challenging. Having low system requirements without sacrificing too much of the graphics, Cabal is indeed quite promising.

A closed European beta test is set to begin this coming 26th of June; its debut should be expected any time soon. For now, take a look at these screens to see if this game will suit your western taste.

Sony Online Entertainment has started taking Pre-Orders for the upcoming expansion to EverQuest II, entitled The Fallen Dynasty.

EQII:FD takes place on  an island across the Buried Sea (which has a very Eastern look for all you fans of Asian cultures). This island "with a dark past" is inhabited by rival families and a monastic order known as the "Whistling Fist Clan." The island's main city, Tanaan, was a thriving metropolis until its people looked too far and too deep for that forbidden knowledge that destroyed them. Now, brave warriors are called upon to fight the invading Pirates of Gunthak who seek slaves, gold and a "mysterious power" beneath the island.

EQII:FD is for veteran characters at levels 55-70, and features new dungeons, outdoor vistas, a terrifying new dungeon, and some interesting new weapons - as well as a very intriguing lady that looks to be part snake. The Fallen Dynasty Lore will be available this Friday (26 May), and the game is scheduled to be released soon, although an exact date has not been given.