Paradox Interactive has announced that a new update for Magicka is now available that completely revamps the game engine, in anticipation for the upcoming Lovecraft-themed expansion The Stars are Left. Some of the features are user requested, such as the ability to resume game progress from check points instead of starting over at the beginning of a chapter, the ability to revisit previously completed chapters, and, for the soloists, adds a fairy familiar that will revive players when they perish during campaign mode.

Analyst firm Forecasting & Analyzing Digital Entertainment (FADE), has reported their prediction for Valve's Steam platform and say they reached $468m by June.

That's revenue for the first half of 2011. FADE believe Portal 2 led strong growth clearing $56.4m through 1.1m units. Magicka hit 789k units worth $6.2m.

Those Swedish types at Paradox Interactive have updated their release schedule and next on the list is Hearts of Iron III: For the Motherland out June 28th.

Released yesterday was the free PvP update for Magicka. Supreme Ruler Cold War is due July 19th. 2012 has Crusader Kings II and a Victoria II expansion.