In a one line note on its website, Outerlight revealed that a full-fledged sequel to its multiplayer shooter The Ship is in development for both PC and Xbox 360. They also revealed this through a video interview on Consolevania.

The original game was initially released through Steam with a latter retail release. However, the sequel is being funded by a “major international publisher”. No other information on the game is currently known.

RTS-junkies who never played the original Command & Conquer can now say they can. The game’s website is now offering free downloads of the original game to celebrate the franchises 12th anniversary.

The original Command & Conquer Gold is up for grabs; it is the same version included with the collectors pack Command & Conquer: The First Decade and is compatible with Windows XP.

Instructions to download, burn and install the game is included on the website, which also reveals that more is coming as they plan on celebrating the decade of the venerable RTS series.

A debut trailer for Mafia 2 has been released, showing off cinematic footage from the upcoming action game.

Failed action-MMOG Auto Assault has been shut down, according to the game’s official website. Word:

With Auto Assault closing down tonight, we wanted to thank all of you for creating a tremendously cool and dedicated community of Wastelanders. We just didn’t want to give you guys a wild, crazy event tonight, but something else that may be just as fun. In the coming days those that are eligible will be receiving a “Parting Gift” message in your e-mail inboxes, with opportunities to take a part in some of our other products, including Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa and City of Heroes. It’s our way of saying “Thank You” to the diehard Auto Assault fan base and we hope to see you in are other virtual worlds.

While announcing that the Xbox 360 version of Stranglehold has gone gold, Midway also let out word that the PC and PS3 versions have been delayed. The PC version is now slated for release on September 18, with the PS3 version releasing on September 25.

The Xbox 360 is scheduled to hit first on September 5.

Gamespot claims that Haze has gone fully exclusive to the PS3 and that development on the other versions has halted. Apparently, Ubisoft told the site that “PC and Xbox 360… are not confirmed,” though it does note that it is open to “new partnerships.”

The game, in development at Free Radical, the studio behind the TimeSplitters franchise, was announced to be exclusive to the PS3 for this year only. However, it now seems that the game may just be released for the platform only. Ubisoft is yet to fully confirm these details.

Europeans looking forward to getting their fix of Halo 3 can look forward to accessories inspired by the game. Microsoft will release limited edition Xbox 360 Halo 3-themed wireless controllers in the region starting September 26.

The controllers have been designed by Todd McFarlane, creator of Spawn, which features both the Covenant Brute and Master Chief themes. Both are fade and scratch-resistance and come with a figurine of Master Chief designed by McFarlane himself. It will retail for £34.99. The other accessory is a Spartan green and gold wireless headset that will go for the same price.

Fingers twitching to chat? The Xbox 360 Messenger kit will also be available in the region starting September 7. This add-on for the controller enables users to text message quickly and efficiently with friends and family. It will retail for £24.99.

Seven new delicious, high-resolution screenshots from WorldShift.

The numero uno piece of premium downloadable content on Xbox Live is going free. Microsoft has announced that the Hidden Fronts Map Pack for Gears of War has been released for free this Monday, joining the Annex gametype and Multiplayer Map Pack 1 as another piece of free downloadable content for the blockbuster game.

The map pack contains four levels. Here’s the deal:

Bullet Marsh
In this Kryll-infested swamp, an old generator still powers the area lights. A few stray bullets could easily knock out the generator, leaving combatants to fend for themselves against the Kryll.

Garden
This overgrown and crumbling conservatory still has a working fertilization and pesticide system. This system can pose a serious hazard to anyone who ventures into the greenhouse without first venting the air.

Process
Fight for control of this subterranean Imulsion processing plant, still active despite the cessation of the Pendulum wars.

Subway
Timgad ’s Central Subway station used to serve as a central hub for commuters. Now the tunnels are crawling with Locust.

Gears of War is also being released for PC. It will feature all-new exclusive content, including three new multiplayer maps, a new multiplayer game type, Game Editor, five new campaign chapters and DirectX 10 support.

Microsoft has announced that Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury Special will be available starting tomorrow on Xbox Live Arcade. Both games are classic titles and are great additions to the service.

EA and BL Publishing have announced that they will release an original novel based on Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, an upcoming MMORPG based in the world of the classic game. The first book in the new series of novels set in the Age of Reckoning, Empire of Chaos will be available in all major bookstores and on the publisher’s website early next year.

In EMPIRE IN CHAOS, by noted Games Workshop author Anthony Reynolds, the lands of the Empire are being ravaged by a terrible plague. When Annaliese Jaeger’s village is overrun and destroyed by mutants, she and an injured Elf captive are the only survivors. As the two unlikely companions fight their way towards Black Fire Pass, Annaliese discovers within herself powers of courage and faith that inspire all around her. With a grizzled Witch Hunter and a Dwarf Ironbreaker, the heroes battle alongside the armies of the Empire and the Dwarfs, above and below the earth, against greenskin tribes and the hordes of Chaos. Together, they must find their courage and help turn back the tides of darkness, lest all of the Empire be lost.

The book’s author Anthony Reynolds said that the world of Warhammer is a “grim place, full of horror, violence and dark humor,” making it the perfect backdrop for a novel. The game will be out during the first quarter of 2008. Over 40,000 players have signed up for the ongoing closed beta test in Europe and North America, making it one of the most popular beta tests in MMOG history. They are still accepting applications.

Europeans have gotten more Virtual Console releases this week. The new additions are Vegas Stakes (SNES) and Bonk 3 (Turbografx). They are going for 800 and 600 Wii points, respectively.

Gamers in Europe now have access to 128 classic titles available through the Virtual Console service on the Wii.

Signups for the Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts beta is now open to all registered members of FilePlanet. Interested parties are asked to meet the minimum hardware requirements before applying.

From IGN comes word that the film adaptation of upcoming co-op action title Kane & Lynch: Dead Men is set to begin shooting this Fall. In development at Lionsgate, a script penned by Kyle Ward has been selected. It is not known which actors will be chosen for the roles of the titular characters, though the report claims that “several big-name actors… including one A-lister” are being discussed.

More information on the film is forthcoming. The game itself is in the works at IO Interactive and is set for release later this year on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360. Check out a new trailer below.

A new patch for Combat Mission: Shock Force is now up, updating the game to v1.03. The patch is available for various editions of the game, so choose carefully before applying it. Grab it from the official website, FanGaming and FileFront.

Mac gamers can update their Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars, as the game’s website has put up a v1.08 patch. The update adds online play, letting players on the Macintosh take their armies online.

On the demo front, a playable preview of FIFA 08 is now available, offering the chance to play as seven teams and kick around the ball in various stadiums. It’s a 478 MB download from EA FTP, 3D Downloads, 4players.de, ActionTrip`, ComputerGames.ro, FanGaming, FileFront, FileShack and Gamer’s Hell.

A demo for Fantasy Wars is available, offering a sample of the turn-based strategy title. It’s a 355 MB download from 3D Downloads, ComputerGames.ro, FileFront and Gamer’s Hell.

Meanwhile, a post on the Enemy Territory: Quake Wars website reveals that a demo of the game is due in a couple of weeks. They mention their plans for the preview, which also mentions the intention of following the game with the release of the SDK and related materials for mod authors.