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.

There is word on the Auto Assault website of a merger between the North American and European servers. Further details of the merger, which occurs on July 13, can be found on the game’s official European forums. Apparently, the union will result in a single server located in North America and “a much more satisfying and diverse gameplay experience” due to increased server population.

The following titles went gold on March 22.

• Auto Assault (announcement) - April 13 US
  
• Iron Warriors: T72 Tank Command (announcement)
  
• SpellForce 2 - Shadow Wars (PC) - April 20 UK

• Splinter Cell: Essentials (PSP)
  
• Tao’s Adventure: Curse of the Demon Seal (DS)

To celebrate the impending release of Auto Assault, NCSoft has announced an European Open Beta weekend for the MMORPG, inviting everyone to get a look at the game.

The beta will begin at 1800 GMT on March 17, and will be open to all up to 2359 GMT on March 20.

Once the event has concluded, only those who have pre-ordered the title will be able to take part in the final testing before the game launches.

Auto Assault is due out this Spring.

Details of the Collector’s Edition of Auto Assault have been announced by NCSoft. According to the company’s announcement, gamers who purchase the CE will get an exclusive in-game “pet” in the form of a radio-controlled car, a 19-track soundtrack of the game composed by Richard Dekkard, an Auto Assault poster, a headset (including microphone) for in-game chat, a fold-out road map of the game world, a key ring, collectable postcards and a 14-day free trial for a friend.

Interested gamers can pre-order the game starting March 17, ahead of the title’s Spring 2006 release. Those who pre-order will receive an exclusive in-game weapon, access to the Auto Assault beta and a four day head start when the game launches.