Strategy Informer  

The closed beta for Blizzard's latest StarCraft instalment is finally up and running, with gamers having "started to receive invitations".

This is the "first phase of the beta" with multiplayer up for testing, as well as peaks at the new Battle.net. They want "concentrated feedback".

There's been some activity on the Jumpgate Evolution front, namely a US community manager let go, but that means they're getting close.

At least that's what the departing dev revealed. Jumpgate was due out last year, but was delayed by user feedback, causing major changes.

Wargaming.net has just sent over a press release announcing that the company is developing World of Tanks, a free-to-play MMO game on the PC. The game will allow 30-player teams to battle in PvP matches, and should launch in fall 2010.

Bethesda's Pete Hines teases how Obsidian's Fallout: New Vegas is a city "up and running," unlike Fallout 3's urban graveyards.

Vegas "still exists and thrives" despite the global nuclear war. To explore everything on offer could take "hundreds of hours" reveals Hines.

Disney Interactive Studios has just announced that a video game is in development for Toy Story 3 across all major platforms. Toy Story 3: The Video Game will feature film adventures along with Disney's first open-world gameplay for kids. Inspired by the upcoming Disney Pixar animated film: Toy Story 3: The Video Game is due on retail shelves June 15, 2010.

As Mary Beech, general manager and vice president, discussed at Toy Fair, Disney Interactive Studios is revealing a new gameplay mode called Toy Box. A primary feature on Toy Story 3: The Video Game console offerings, Toy Box is a virtual box full of toys. With an open-world sandbox-style of play, Toy Story 3: The Video Game taps into the beloved franchise's humor and brings fans into the toys' world to create their own unique story. The game's developer, Avalanche Software, is working in close collaboration with filmmakers at Pixar to create an authentic Toy Story experience that inspires imagination and celebrates the joy of play.

BioWare's upcoming Dragon Age: Awakening will be available as a download title for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC for all when March 16th is here.

However PAL territory PS3 gamers can only get it through the PlayStation Store, whereas Xbox 360 and PC can buy the retail package.

While not confirming the existence of such a project, Loz Doyle of LEGO dev Traveller's Tales has teased that LOTR would be a great fit.

It would be based on the three movies, "plus one if you add The Hobbit." The Tolkien world has "a lot of cool characters", so yeah it'd work.

Stuart Black was one of Criterion's top guys behind shooter Black, and now Codemasters has nabbed him to work on a fresh new IP for them.

Former Sony Game Director Tom Gillo and ex-Blackrock Andrew Wilson also join him. Codies' Guildford Studio is where it's all happening.

Crytek has teased that Crysis 2 has "signature moments" only they can pull off, with no less than "five big things you'll remember forever."

Big words from producer Nathan Camarillo, who says they have a New York City unique from all others. It's "in harmony" with the Nanosuit.

Publisher Ubisoft admire what rival Activision has pulled off with the Call of Duty franchise, and now they plan to do the same with their IP.

As long as you can "create something innovative" annually, that can surprise and "please your gamers," a new title every 12-18 months is fine.