Lego has announced that it has chosen NetDevil to create a MMOG based on its popular brand.

“As children around the world continue to spend more time online we are developing new and engaging ways for them to interact with our brand,” said Lisbeth Valther Pallesen, Executive Vice President, Community, Education and Direct Division LEGO Group. “The LEGO brand represents construction, creativity and problem solving - values that compliment the MMOG market. By merging the online world of social interaction with physical play, the LEGO brand is providing new experiences for children, as well as fans. NetDevil’s technological capability, openness to work with a large community, and their enthusiasm for the LEGO brand made them a natural partner.”

“Playing with LEGO bricks and developing online worlds are both creative activities. To bring them together is deeply professionally satisfying and we look forward to working with the LEGO team,” said Scott Brown, President of NetDevil.

The game is set for release sometime next year.

Microsoft has announced the first expansion pack for Flight Simulator X. Dubbed Adrenaline, the add-on will add multiplayer air racing, new missions, new aircrafts and support for DirectX 10.

They have also announced that they are working on Service Pack 1 and a DX10 update for the main game. Scheduled for release this April, SP1 will include a targeted set of performance and content enhancements to address the most common customer requests. The DX10 update will be available as a free download around the launch of Adrenaline this Fall.

Hoping to reinvigorate its ailing games brand, Nokia has announced new games and publishers for the N-Gage platform. The Finnish phone-maker also announced updated software development tools as well as a new testing program for SNAP Mobile’s Java platform.

Nokia introduced a range of games for the N-Gage including Asphalt 3, Street Rules, Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway, Brain Challenge, Midnight Pool and FIFA 2008. It also announced that Glu Mobile, Indiagames and THQ Wireless have all come aboard on the N-Gage platform.

The company also launched its next-generation SDK for the new N-Gage games platform, enabling developers to create social-connected games across a range of Nokia’s S60 3rd edition devices. It also furthered its Java development activities by ensuring all SNAP Mobile connected games go through the SNAP Mobile Compliance Testing Program. This program limits costs by combining a self-testing process with a traditional certification program.

Nokia is expected to further detail its plans for mobile gaming and the N-Gage platform.

Ahead of the PS3’s launch in Europe this month, Joytech has announced its new line of peripherals for the console. The following peripherals will be available at launch, with more coming later:

JOYTECH PLAYSTATION 3 Trilink Switcher:
Designed to ease connectivity problems for owners of ‘HD Ready’ televisions and displays, the Trilink Switcher allows users to connect the PLAYSTATION 3 and two additional HDMI devices to a single HDMI input. Ideal for owners of multiple HDMI equipped AV sources; the Trilink Switcher features a remote control or Manual Selector Switch for easy navigation of chosen HDMI source at a touch of a button. Full support for HDCP content (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection), and HDMI 1.3 specification is provided in an innovative and effective product.

JOYTECH PLAYSTATION 3 Fusion Charging Station:
Designed for use with the PLAYSTATION 3 Sixaxis™ controller, the Fusion Charging Station stores and protects the controller when not in use whilst discretely charging the internal Lithium-ion battery. Esthetically striking yet remarkably easy to use, there’s no safer or easier way to ensure your controller remains protected and fully charged.

JOYTECH PLAYSTATION 3 Fusion Cooling Fan:
Designed to protect the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system during sustained play, the Fusion Cooling Fan attaches safely and seamlessly to the console and through three USB powered fans, keeps the console cool when in operation. Whisper quiet and no need for batteries or an external power supply, the Fusion Cooling Fan brings peace of mind to gamers everywhere.

JOYTECH PLAYSTATION 3 XT1080 HDMI Cable:
Engineered for ultimate performance and reliability, the XT1080 HDMI Cable™ brings high definition gaming and Blu-ray™ movies to life. Triple shielded, oxygen free copper conductors deliver digital video and audio in unsurpassed quality and breathtaking clarity. Designed for those who wish to experience the last word in vision and sound, the XT1080 delivers ‘True HD’ high definition resolutions up to and including 1080p as well as offering full support for HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) and being compatible with the HDMI 1.3 specification.

JOYTECH PLAYSTATION 3 Fusion Cable Pack:
Perfect for owners of high definition compatible televisions or displays, the PLAYSTATION 3 Fusion Cable Pack features all the essential PLAYSTATION 3 cables you need for the best in next generation entertainment. Gold plated component video cable delivers true high definition resolutions up to and including 1080i, whilst featuring additional Stereo Sound Connections. The PLAYSTATION 3 Digital Optical Cable reproduces multi channel digital sound at its best and the PLAYSTATION 3 Ethernet Cable provides a speedy and reliable link to the PLAYSTATION®Network. Expertly designed to offer premium sound and vision, the Fusion Cable Pack is an essential purchase for all PLAYSTATION 3 gamers.

JOYTECH PLAYSTATION 3 Fusion RGB SCART Cable:
Ideal for owners of standard definition televisions, the Fusion RGB SCART Cable provides pin sharp images in true RGB definition. Complete with additional stereo sound connections, the Fusion RGB SCART Cable provides the very best possible picture when connecting the PLAYSTATION 3 through a SCART socket.

No pricing information was revealed.

Microsoft has announced its plans to launch a 512 MB Memory Unit for the Xbox 360; it also revealed that the official size limit of Xbox Live Arcade games has been increased to 150 MB from 50 MB.

To be available starting April 3, the 512 MB Memory Unit will retail for $49.99 in the US (£34.99 in the UK) and will come pre-loaded with Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved. The original 64 MB Memory Unit has had its price cut to $29.99 (£22.99 in the UK).

As for Xbox Live Arcade, the increased size limit will give developers flexibility in game design, letting them expand by adding advanced game features. Microsoft also announced that it will showcase the following XBLA games at GDC: Boom Boom Rocket (EA and Bizarre Creations), 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures (Sierra Online and Wanako Games), Eets: Chowdown (Klei Entertainment Inc.), Jetpac Refuelled (Rare Ltd.) and Pinball FX (ZEN Studios Ltd.).

A lone Xbox 360 screenshot from the upcoming Transformers game.

Take-Two and XS Games have announced that The Red Star, an action title presumed dead since the death of Acclaim, will be published next month for the PS2. A side-scrolling action title, The Red Star follows a parallel universe where soldiers of a Russian-inspired superpower fight against the powerful forces of an evil Dark Lord and ruthless assassins.

The Red Star will let players choose between three warriors, each with unique fighting skills, weapons and fighting styles; two player cooperative gameplay; “old school” shooter gameplay; unlockable secret character, hidden game modes; and more. It is set for release on April 6.

Hit the jump for more information.
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Word comes from GDC that NaturalMotion, developers of the euphoria and endorphin Dynamic Motion Synthesis technologies, has shipped morpheme, a new animation engine for next-gen game development. Featuring a flexible and unique 3D authoring tool chain, morpheme allows animators total creative control over the look of their final in-game animation by allowing them to author and preview blends, blend trees and transition graphs in real-time. Morpheme is available on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC and is being demonstrated publicly at the GDC.

Further details can be read just after the jump.
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Developer of DOFUS, Ankama Games, has announced its new MMOG: Wakfu. The studio announced that the game will follow the tactical MMORPG line of DOFUS and is set a long time after it.

An ogre named Ogrest gathered all the six Dofus and gained boundless powers. The ogre offered his beloved the dragon eggs. But she turned down the present though worthy of the gods themselves, and Ogrest started shedding tears of rage and pique. The tears of the ogre made the ocean level increase so much that parts of the World are now submerged to the inhabitants’ great displeasure. Now gods and heroes of the World are starting a new adventure before reaching Ogrest and confront him in an ultimate fight!

Wakfu will feature an interactive environment n which players will “evolve” and discover a vast world inhabited by all sorts of creatures. The game’s servers will be able to host up to 25,000 players simultaneously. The first closed beta-test of the game will start sometime this year; the recruiting campaign for beta testers will start in the coming days.

NCSoft has announced the release of the fourth free expansion pack for Auto Assault, adding auction houses, new vehicle chassis and a new tournament schedule mode, as well as several quality of life system improvements.

The auction house is one of the most important additions to Auto Assault since its release, adding depth to the game while making it easier to profit from the game’s voluminous loot drops. The auction house, for example, will enable lower level players to obtain currency by selling material to higher level players who can then craft more powerful weapons. Additionally, an email system will allow players, who are in the same faction, to send messages regarding items up for auction as well as sending items via email.

The additional profits made from the auction house will help Auto Assault players to attain another feature from the update, two powerful, new epic vehicle chassis. The new chassis, available at the INC vehicle stores include the Switter, a medium-sized chassis available for all classes and the Backup, a small chassis usable by any scout class.

Rounding out the features are sweeping changes to the skills systems. Balance between races will be improved so success in player-versus-player combat will be based on skill rather than faction-based advantages. Additionally, skill building is now easier to manage and understand, allowing new players to create more powerful and useable skill sets.

Also, responding to player feedback, tournaments have a new schedule and reward system built in. The new tournament schedule system is timed to work for players regardless of their time-zone location. The tournaments have been level-balanced so all players can enjoy arena carnage. With additional loot and bigger rewards, arena action will be more profitable for all participants.

Six new screenshots from Battlefield: Bad Company:

Remember this? Well, Hothead Games has announced that it will be using GarageGames‘ Torque engine to power the upcoming Penny Arcade game. As per the agreement, the engine will be used to power both PC and console titles, including the episodic comic Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness.

Josh Williams, CEO and CTO of GarageGames, said the relationship with Hothead was a natural fit for GarageGames. “We couldn’t be happier to be partnered with Hothead and Penny Arcade. Like practically everyone in the known universe, we’re huge Penny Arcade fans, and Hothead is exactly the kind of developer we love working with- they’re passionate, dedicated, extremely talented, and are taking intelligent approaches to digital distribution and episodic content. Hothead’s involvement in the ever- growing GarageGames developer network is a boon to our entire community of game makers and players,” said Williams.

Great news for gamers who are South Park fans: a free HD episode of the crudely drawn animated comedy is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace. The episode “Good Times With Weapons” will be available free for the first two weeks of availability. In addition, from March 20 through April 3, those who purchase a Xbox 360 or the HD-DVD add-on player will receive a free HD-DVD disc featuring the episode.

Peugeot had run a competition where one would get his or her car design produced as a concept car and featured as a vehicle in Project Gotham Racing 4, which was officially announced during X06. The winner of the contest has been announced, which saw over 4000 entries from 113 countries. Mihai Panaitescu’s Flux is the winning car which is currently being integrated into the upcoming game. A full scale concept version of the car will go into production for the Frankfurt Auto Show in September.

“We are excited to work with Peugeot in helping to visualize the future of Peugeot vehicle design. The Flux is a perfect fit for PGR4,” said Bizarre managing director Martyn Chudley. “We were impressed with the innovative and the extreme car designs submitted. We hope that Mihai Panaitescu will be excited when he sees The Flux faithfully created on the Xbox 360. We look forward to adding a lot of ‘Gotham’ to its chassis!”

Below are renders of the car from the game:

10tacle Studios announced the third iteration of the arcade style satirical boxing game Ready 2 Rumble which is being developed by AKI Corporation, the studio behind hits such as Def Jam and WWF Wrestlemania.

No specific platforms were mentioned, but that the game will be released for “various videogame platforms.” 10tacle expects to make a turnover of more than $20 million by 2010 through the game.