One of Russia's most distinguished game developer and publisher, 1C company, has announced two new game projects that will be their first on the next generation consoles. The two games are based on Captain Blood novels and the successful IL-2 Sturmovik flight combat simulation series.  Both are now heading to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 (to North America with help), but even handhelds will feel some love as well.

First came the rumors and then the alleged confirmation. This time, there's no mistaking about it as Sierra Entertainment has finally issued an official press release regarding PC action-strategy video game World In Conflict coupled with screenshots. The title is being co-developed by Swordfish Studios as well as Massive Entertainment.

World In Conflict somewhat offers fans something new because of its background story. In this game, the Berlin Wall never fell and the Soviets boldly advances to Europe because of fear of collapse. NATO responds in force only to be greeted by a full-fledged invasion of the American homeland.

Given that premise, you know it's going to be one heck of a bloody war. Your role as players in World In Conflict is actually a field commander with the objective of reclaiming America's cities and suburbs. Some of the Xbox 360 version's feature include:

• Super-Powered Warfare: Unleash the arsenals of the great military superpowers in the gripping single-player story created by Larry Bond
• Bleeding-Edge Graphics: The latest version of Massive's proprietary Masstech engine allows for a full 360 degree range of camera control and features advanced lighting and physics effects
• Complete Destructibility: As the battle rages, the world environment pays the price - every object in the game will crumble under the force of war, including cars, buildings and forests

See the rest of the game's features and screenshots after the jump!

 

Square Enix announced today that Final Fantasy XI will be taking part in the eSports Convention to be held on Friday, March 30 to Sunday, April 1 at the CineStar Original, Sony Center, Potsdamer Place in Berlin. This is in celebration of the launch of Final Fantasy XI 2007 Edition on March 30.

Gamers who attend the eSports Convention will get a chance to try out the game in German. In addition, there will be several gorgeous Mithra models at the booth, as well as numerous opportunities for players to win some cool prizes, including copies of the new Final Fantasy XI 2007 Edition.

If any of you guys are in the area, check it out. Here's the pertinent event info:

Final Fantasy XI 2007 Edition launch at the eSports Convention
Date: March 30th – April 1st 2007
Time: 10:00 – 24:00 (30th and 31st) 11:00 – 20:00 (1st only)
Address: CineStar Original, Sony Center, Potsdamer Place, Berlin

A new World War II shooter has sprung up decked out for the Xbox 360 (but is primarily built for the DX10-based PC). This Call of Duty 4 contender by nFusion and Midway shoves the player right into combat into either a British Commando, a U.S. Army Ranger or a Covert Ops specialist's boots. It's set to be run on the third-generation Unreal engine. We wonder if it could also ship the same day CoD 4 comes out, like one other time.

Now the commando can fire bursts here and there while running for the next cover. The ranger specializes in sniping and is so mobile, he can reach places the other two cannot (now if he can climb up and hide in a tree, he's special). The covert agent uses stealth and silence, killing enemies without a whisper (now that's something we haven't tried before).

OXM's take on the game's features include:

• All three characters participate in a level, but each is obligated only to complete their part of the level to slowly complete the mission.
• The characters can be selected only at rally points.
• Maps are open-ended so you can decide which objective can be achieved, when and how.
• The game will take the player through three campaigns from 1942 to 1945.
• The campaigns take place in North Africa, the Bavarian Alps and Berlin.
• Health regenerates so this time media kits are not needed.
• Tanks and jeeps can be driven while anti-air guns can be manned.
• Work is underway so the player can control any vehicle in the level.
• Allies and enemies work in teams dynamically with flanking, falling back, standing ground, taking cover and blind firing all in mind.
• Enemy squads are coordinated by a commanding officer. By killing the CO, the troops may scatter.
• The game will feature authentic WWII weapons, vehicles, equipment, uniforms and locations.

If this game is promising what we think it's promising to be...we can't wait to try it out.

We came to know the first one as "The Finest Hour." Then they gave us the "Big Red One." Now, with the release of the third installment of Call of Duty just around the corner, it's about time this WWII epic game from Activision receive a proper name.

We found this development at GameKult, a French online publication. And we can't help but think how appropriate and coincidental everything is. Call of Duty 3 bring us back amidst the fury of combat during the Normandy invasion. This historic campaign went down in history as the very mission that made the liberation of Paris possible and brought the Allies a step closer to Berlin.

With this in mind, Activision very well thought to name the new title En Marche Vers Paris (March to Paris). Also, GameKult added that March to Paris will be shipping together with the first two titles. As of the moment, this California-based publisher has yet to comment about the matter.

Call of Duty 3 is a multi-platform title that will see earliest release for Wii on October 1. The PS3 and X360 versions ship a little later on November 17.

Executive Producer Marcus Iremonger and Producer Dan Bunting talks about the latest installment to the best selling Call of Duty 2 - Call of Duty 3. The game's astounding graphics can mess with your head, leading you to believe that you have been literally transported back to World War II. As Iremonger points out, they want to project a certain kind of cinematic intensity to keep audiences engaged in the game, not as a gamer but a WWII soldier. Achieving such illusion required them to keep a keen eye on details, from the stitch used on the helm of a uniform to the color of the thread.

Another exciting feature is an all-new close-quarters battle mechanic that allows players to fight hand-to-hand. Seeing the gnarling teeth of your opponent while trying to escape from his tight grip will definitely drive players into mashing those buttons for dear life. If there are up-close battle actions, there are also times when you'd be in command of a vehicle such as a tank, a jeep or a motorcycle to execute your missions.

What's most fascinating is that the game is like a moving piece of history. The seamless narrative will make the players understand the fury of combat during the Normandy Breakout, the historic campaign that made the liberation of Paris possible and brought the Allies a step closer to Berlin. If anything else, Call of Duty 3 is a manifestation of virtues lost like unity, camaraderie and courage.

Download: [Call of Duty 3 (Multiplayer)]
[Call of Duty 3 (Single Player)]