As part of the Norwegian government’s active endorsement of the local game development industry, the Norwegian Film Fund has awarded Funcom a grant that will partially finance research and initial development of Dreamfall Chapters. The grant will allow the developer to establish a core technology team that will research online-only delivery methods of episodic content, as well as lay the foundation for a later pre-production phase of Dreamfall Chapters.

Chapters begins right after The Longest Journey ended, continuing the epic saga of the adventure game in a new format. The episodes will feature new character, locations as well as a continuing storyline and enhanced gameplay. Each new installment of Chapters will initially be delivered as online-only content, but Funcom is considering retail releases with combined chapter, for both PC and console, at a later stage. No further information was revealed.

Namco Bandai has announced the next entry in the Tycoon simulation series: Space Station Tycoon. Being developed for the Wii and set for release this Summer, the game, as the title suggests, will allow players to build their own galactic empire as they customize space stations all over the galaxy while maximizing income.

Space Station Tycoon follows the adventures of Shawn and his high-strung monkey sidekick Tam through pirate infested space, meteor fields, supernovas, and bizarre characters as they seek out fame and fortune. Expand your empire with an increasing number of stations and customize each one to attract business. Keep the customers happy and they will gladly spend their money. Throughout the game, players will encounter over 30 kooky characters; but watch out because unruly space pirates, starfish ninjas and mysterious voodoo-practicing chickens can disrupt your stations at anytime, bringing your tycoon empire to the ground.

Create gravity points with the Wii Remote and interact with objects in the environment. Catch asteroids to keep them from smashing your space station, bounce rowdy ships, retrieve tips from visitors and even lob cannonballs at those troublesome pirates that keep attacking. Available with multi-player party mode, co-op play, and more, Space Station Tycoon is a fast paced, tycoon simulation game complete with humor, light puzzle solving, and customization in a free form, non-linear world.

Manage stations all over the galaxy and take advantage of the flow of the economy to maximize your income. Missions include preventing meteorites from crashing into your space station, protecting your real estate from ruckus causing pirates, preventing ninja starfish from fighting with party pigs and blocking comets from colliding with your space ships. Meet the objectives of each level in order to continue and expand your empire to become the ultimate Space Station Tycoon!