From Ubi comes word that Tom Salta has written and recorded the original score for Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2, the upcoming installment in the squad-based shooter franchise. Salta’s previous credits include the original Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter which was nominated for MTV VMA original score, Red Steel as well as the movie trailer for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

For Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter ® 2, Salta has written a more aggressive and expressive original score to enhance the game’s intensive action and memorable, dramatic scenes, with only a few select motif references taken from the anthemic musical score of the first outing. To ensure the best performance of these tense and emotionally complex compositions for Tom Clancy’s GRAW2, Salta recorded with the Hollywood Studio Symphony and the Page LA Studio Chorus on the Eastwood Scoring Stage at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, a premier orchestra recording venue for Hollywood’s major motion pictures.

Samples from the score can be heard on the game’s official website. Advanced Warfighter 2 is set for release this March on PC, PSP and Xbox 360; a PS3 version is scheduled for release in June.

Formed by the key members from the World of Warcraft team, MMO developer Red 5 Studios announced its participation in Game Developers Conference 2007. The company’s president and CEO Mark Kern will contribute his expertise in online games development to the conference program; the company will also have a recruitment booth on the main show floor. They will be located in North Hall, booth #CP5115, CP5116.

Kern will participate on the panel MMOs: Past, Present and Future, addressing the growth of the genre and how it continues to expand and evolve. The panel will take place on March 7 from 4-5pm, in the West Hall, room 3006.

GDC 2007 will take place at the Moscone Center in San Fransisco, March 5-9.

Value price games publisher Data Design Interactive has announced that they have secured developer status for the Wii and are in the process of porting six of their titles to the Nintendo console. The first batch will include Monster Trux Extreme: Offroad Edition, Urban Extreme, Super Kart GP, Billy the Wizard, Ninja Bread Man and Elviz - Rock n’ Roll Adventures. All titles are due for release during Q2 2007; DDI will follow these up with another six.

Further information on the titles just after the jump.
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Those clamoring for next-gen MotoGP can now relax: THQ has announced MotoGP ‘07 for release this Fall on PC and Xbox 360. The latest installment in the series will add the complete 2007 MotoGP season and an improved “race day” experience; it will also add new bikes, tracks and enhanced customization options. No further information is available on the title.

Some new screenshots from Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures:

Oxygen Games sent word that it plans on releasing Dave Mirra BMX Challenge on the PSP this May. As one would expect, the biking game has players taking Dave Mirra through various modes of play including race or freestyle ride through locations such as Washington Heights, Far East and even a NASA space shuttle. The game will feature ad-hoc wireless play for up to 4 players and 17 levels of play.

Dave Mirra BMX Challenge is scheduled for release this May.

It’s an open secret that EA is working on a version of The Sims for the Wii and DS. So, it’s no surprise that the company has announced MySims, the first game in a “revolutionary new line” from the developers of the franchise. Designed especially for the Wii and DS, MySims will follow a cartoonish style for the characters similar to that of Mii. Players will be able to create their own toy-like Sim that reflects their style and attitude; there will be a ‘disorganized’ town which players will be able to re-shape to their liking.

Here’s a bit from their announcement:

Transforming the traditional Sims gameplay for the Wii and Nintendo DS platforms, MySims moves the player to a delightful but disorganized town where - thanks to the easy and unique controls - they can re-shape everything and make it their own. The town is rundown, but the player can make it much more dynamic. Using a selection of building blocks, unique patterns and engaging creativity tools, players can design furniture and appliances, architect new homes and businesses, and re-define the entire MySims landscape!

As players explore and build up the town, they will get to know dedicated, long-time residents like the always-busy Mayor Rosalyn P. Marshall and Buddy - the mostly-lazy hotel Bellhop. Once things start to look up, they’ll meet and choose from a variety of colorful, would-be residents. Will they build a restaurant for Gino Delicioso the Italian Chef, or will they help Ocean Breeze set up his Yoga studio instead?

Design is everyone’s domain in MySims. From building a new Pizza Oven for Gino to putting the finishing touches on a new roof for Buddy’s busy hotel, each completed task will help the town grow. As it expands to new areas, players will receive special building blocks, decorations and patterns which help customize their unique creations. From furniture and buildings to the town as a whole, every choice informs how residents and visitors feel and behave.

MySims will be available this Fall for the aforementioned Nintendo platforms.

The best entry in the Mortal Kombat series is heading towards the PS3. Midway has announced that Mortal Kombat 2, heralded as the pinnacle of the violent fighting franchise, will make its way to the PlayStation Network next month. It will cost $5 and will contain support for head-to-head online play for two players.

This isn’t the first time this game has found a home other than the arcade. After its initial release (and great acclaim), the game was ported to the Sega Genesis, SNES, Sega 32X, PC and PlayStation 1. Most recently it was featured in Midway Arcade Treasures 2 and Midway Arcade Treasures: Extended Play.