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.

The next book to make it over to the videogames land is A Craving for Blood, thanks to Matrix Games. The publisher has announced that they have licensed the rights to develop a game based on the popular novel by Mark H. Walker.

One of the ten most popular books on Booklocker, A Craving for Blood features Abrams tanks, three-story tall robotic fighting machines, macabre assassins and more.

“I’m elated to have a chance to bring this book to life on the computer screen,” stated David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games. “Mark has knack for bending genres, be they literary or gaming, and the gritty combat and conflicted heroine in A Craving for Blood is Mark at his best”.

No other details were revealed.