Looks like that recently announced Marvel MMO game is still quite a ways off. Marvel Comics bigwig Simon Philips reveals that the team is aiming for a 2012 release. But why take that long? According to him, they're planning to make it coincide after the rush of Marvel movies to hit theaters (The Avengers, Captain America, Thor, Iron Man 2, Spider-man 4, X-Men Origins...). Aside from that, there are developmental matters to consider as well.

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.

BlizzCon 2007 is already exciting as it is given all the details and information we know about it so far. In an interesting development, we learned today that the famed event is about to become more important as it will be graced by the presence of legendary comic book artist Jim Lee.

Lee has worked with both Marvel Comics and DC Comics and his most notable creations include X-Men, Punisher, Superman and even the Dark Knight himself, Batman. In case you don't know, he also did the cover for the recently announced World of Warcraft comic book - hence his presence at BlizzCon.

If you want to catch him, be sure to be at the DC booth on August 3 between 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. He will be happy to chat with attendees as well as sign autographs. BlizzCon 2007 will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center in California.

Dan Abnett, a writer for games and comics, will play guest in a chat session hosted by gaming community and service provider Xfire this coming March 8, 2007, at 9 p.m. GMT. Xfire continues to provide interesting content and information to its growing community of over 6.5 million gamers all around the world.

Abnett, known for his works in both DC Comics and Marvel Comics aside from The Games Workshop stories and 2000 AD Comics, is more currently renowned for his spin off of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, Ravenor. He also wrote three Warhammer novels and comics based on the X-Men, Judge Dredd, The Punisher and Legion of Super-Heroes franchises.

All community members of Xfire will be able to join the chat session with Abnett and Xfire hosts, but only five lucky Xfire users will get to win a signed copy of Abnett's latest novel from the Ravenor trilogy, "Ravenor Rogue."

The legend of Conan the Barbarian, it may surprise you, didn't start with the movie that starred bodybuilder-turned robotic actor-turned slick California Governor Arnold S. The character was created by Robert E. Howard back in the 1930s. Some 40 years later, Conan appeared in Marvel Comics in 1970 followed by the movie franchise in the 80s.

Based on the original story, Conan is a Cimmerian and comes from the far north. Born on a battlefield, he became a noted warrior shortly after hitting puberty. Conan eventually became a rolling stone always looking for adventures. His path is often stained by blood and littered by severed body parts. His encounters were anything but boring: monsters, powerful evil wizards, beautiful wenches and princesses were part of  his social circle.

But he was never the typical hero guided by the same noble principles of say, Captain America. Conan may have performed feats worthy of heroes but his motives were highly questionable. Conan was a thief, an outlaw, a mercenary and a pirate. Despite his spotty resume, he became king in his forties.

Now, Conan is poised to conquer another world. Or make that another medium. The latest trailer for the upcoming MMORPG game Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures shows the dude hasn't mellowed one bit! Conan may be royalty but don't expect to see him drinking tea with one pinky in the air. But our hero is far too busy carving up his enemies like Thanksgiving Turkeys.

Download: [Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures Trailer no.5]