Anniversary event, all Federation characters of at least level 5 will be able to acquire the new Odyssey class starship for free. You must be a Vice Admiral to operate the Odyssey class starship. Any character below Vice Admiral rank will receive an inventory item that can be opened later, upon achieving Vice Admiral, in order to access the ship.

The design of this ship is credited to Adam Ilhe, winner of the Design the Next Enterprise contest held last year.

This starship is the newest ship in the Starfleet arsenal, and so we’re sure that you are all wondering what the full capabilities of this ship are. The final stats are still classified and are subject to last minute changes, but our intelligence group has collected the information below.

Starship Details

We are rapidly approaching Star Trek Online's second anniversary on February 2nd, 2012. To celebrate this moment in Star Trek history, we have four days of fun lined up for you. The event will run from around 10 AM PST on Thursday, February 2nd, through around the same time on Monday, February 6th.

As with many STO events, Q will be the master of ceremonies. Log in each day and seek out Q at Earth Spacedock or Qo’noS, and he’ll have something unusual to do. Q is easily bored and really enjoys watching humanoids do silly things. Complete his task, and he’ll have a fun prize for you! Log in all four days to collect all the prizes. What are they? You’ll have to find out for yourselves by joining in the event.

New York, New York – January 17, 2012 – Syfy has inked actor Grant Bowler to star in Defiance, a groundbreaking science fiction series that will unite television and massive multiplayer online (MMO) gaming for the very first time. The visionary enterprise is in collaboration with Trion Worlds, with the Syfy series and Trion’s multi-platform shooter MMO poised to debut simultaneously.

The announcement was made today by Mark Stern, President of Original Content, Syfy and Co-Head of Original Content for Universal Cable Productions, which is the studio for the project.  “Grant's charismatic charm and his depth as an actor make him the perfect anchor as we build the ensemble for this sweeping adventure series," said Stern. "We’re very excited to have him join us on this incredible journey."

The New Zealand born Bowler is well known for the recurring role on  Ugly Betty (2008) as Wilhelmina Slater’s love interest, Connor Owens, and for the role of Cooter, the leader of the werewolf biker gang in the HBO series  True Blood (2010) and Captain Gault in ABC's  Lost (2008). Bowler’s other notable roles include movies such as Atlas Shrugged (2011)  and Killer Elite (2011).  He will next be seen in indie movie,  City of Gardens (2012).  Bowler is represented by Don Buchwald & Associates / Fortitude in USA and Sue Barnett & Associates in Australia and managed by Untitled Entertainment.

NEW YORK – January 26, 2012 – Players preparing to aid King Arthur when he returns to Britannia in upcoming RTS/RPG

King Arthur II - The Role-playing Wargame will now have an advantage come release day.

Paradox Interactive and Neocore Games today announced that a demo for King Arthur II: The Role-playing Wargame is now available.

Soon-to-be knights can download the demo here:
http://www.kingarthurii.com/media/demos

This demo for the anticipated sequel to Neocore Games’ critically acclaimed King Arthur series gives players a taste of what's to come, allowing champions of Britannia to play through the title's tutorial and first mission. With an expected gameplay session of about 60 minutes, King Arthur fans will be able to manage their army and territories, and lead their battalion into battle.

Help set Britannia free when King Arthur II - The Role-playing Wargame releases on January 27th, 2012 (PC, $39.99).

Pre-order King Arthur II: The Role-playing Game and get access to the prologue chapter for free:
http://www.kingarthurii.com/buy

Markham, Canada  -  January 26, 2012 - Rock Hippo Productions Ltd. announced today the launch of its Knox Pow Wow update for the popular cartoon style third-person shooter, MicroVolts.   This latest update features exciting new parts for the hip hop action figure, Knox, plus a peek inside the developers' office with the new map: "Bitmap"! MicroVolts' new trailer and screenshots highlight these exciting updates to the game and players can visit www.MicroVolts.com for all the details!Knox, a super poseable hip hop action figure,uses his street smarts and heavy build to defend himself in the toybattlegrounds.  As a constant jokester, comic relief is always apart of his gameplay but with Knox's tough exterior comes a heart ofgold. 

This new update centers around this favorite MicroVoltscharacter and features all-new Chief and Warrior costume sets inspiredby traditional Native American outfits!  Players can also getexcited about the new Katana melee weapons as well as the three newrare rifles and a brand new costume set for Pandora, all of which areavailable exclusively in MicroVolts' Capsule Machine! Another cool component of the update is the newmap, "Bitmap", based on the developers' actual office space! This challenging new battlefield takes place on top of office desks,behind computer screens and various other office supplies. Players can finally become part of the developers' world as they fendoff enemies to reign supreme in this ultimate toy battle!  "Knox is a MicroVolts fan favorite, andplayers are going to love the new parts for this street wise, superflexible figure that always keeps his fans and opponents in stitches,"said Howard He, President and CEO of Rock Hippo Productions. "MicroVolters are like one big family so it's also fun that they cannow get a sneak peek into the developers' office in the new "Bitmap"map." Players can get a glimpse of what's in store withthe latest trailer and screenshots featuring the Knox Pow Wow in fulleffect.   Visit www.MicroVolts.com for all the details.  

London, UK – January 26, 2012 – Today, Ubisoft^® announced that Rayman® Origins will be available on PC on March 30^th, 2012. Fifteen years after the first launch of Rayman, players can discover or rediscover the legendary 2D gameplay that captured the hearts of millions of fans.

Rayman is invoked by the Fairy Council to save the Glade of Dreams from the nefarious Darktoons. To help him, he teams up with his best friend, Globox, and two crafty wizards, the Teensies.

Players can control Rayman in the solo campaign, or have up to three friends join in or leave any time the game as Globox or as one of the two Teensies in the offline multiplayer mode using four controllers on one computer. There are 60 vast levels of 2D platforming gameplay to explore suited for all ages and all playing styles.  Players can unlock new abilities progressively and return to previous levels to discover new paths and secrets.

Rayman Origins PC will be available in retail stores and as well as online and Ubishop.

Arlington , VT , January 26^th, 2012 – Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com), Slitherine (www.slitherine.com), and Panther Games (www.panthergames.com) are thrilled to announce that Command Ops: Highway to the Reich! Serving as the first expansion to the famed Command Ops: Battles from the Bulge, Highway to the Reich parachutes players into the drama and intensity of Operation Market-Garden where they will have to use operational skill and cunning to take Holland and open a route to the heart of Germany!
                                                                  
Also, registered owners of the game will receive the strategy guide that came with the original Highway to the Reich game as a free download bonus from our Member’s Club! In addition, be sure to check out the brand new AAR and Scenario Feature at The Wargamer to see what Command Ops: Highway to the Reich has to offer.

About Command Ops: Highway to the Reich

Recently on FOX News former Senator Chris Dodd said (as quoted on news site TechDirt), "Those who count on quote 'Hollywood' for support need to understand that this industry is watching very carefully who's going to stand up for them when their job is at stake. Don't ask me to write a check for you when you think your job is at risk and then don't pay any attention to me when my job is at stake," This is an open admission of bribery and a threat designed to provoke a specific policy goal. This is a brazen flouting of the "above the law" status people of Dodd's position and wealth enjoy.

We demand justice. Investigate this blatant bribery and indict every person, especially government officials and lawmakers, who is involved.

Check it out further........

As we noted in our post about people just discovering ACTA this week, some had put together an odd White House petition, asking the White House to "end ACTA." The oddity was over the fact that the President just signed ACTA a few months ago. What struck us as a more interesting question was the serious constitutional questions of whether or not Obama is even allowed to sign ACTA.

In case you haven't been following this or don't spend your life dealing in Constitutional minutiae, the debate is over the nature of the agreement. A treaty between the US and other nations requires Senate approval. However, there's a "simpler" form of an international agreement, known as an "executive agreement," which allows the President to sign the agreement without getting approval. In theory, this also limits the ability of the agreement to bind Congress. In practice... however, international agreements are international agreements. Some legal scholars have suggested that the only real difference between a treaty and an executive agreement is the fact that... the president calls any treaty an "executive agreement" if he's unsure if the Senate would approve it. In other words, the difference is basically in how the President presents it.

The President has the authorization to sign it, however until it is ratified by that of the Senate by a 2/3 majority it is meaningless to think that because the president signed it it is law is a common misconception.

Read on.........

After SOPA and PIPA went down in flames last week, industry and the Hill are sifting through the ashes, trying to figure out what’s next.

The answer: probably not much.

What’s certain is that the anti-piracy debate has turned toxic. And that makes it all the less likely that lawmakers will go anywhere near it again in 2012.

“Going into an election year, there’s going to be a lot of [reluctance] to do anything that can end up being an unnecessary battle,” a Republican House aide told POLITICO. “It became a political hot potato.”

House Republican leaders made it clear at the annual GOP retreat last week that they won’t pursue anything this year that divides the conference in the run-up to the election. That all but rules out the Stop Online Piracy Act, unless backers can devise a magic compromise among warring industries.

While things look dim in the House, there is a glimmer of hope in the Senate. On the Senate floor Monday, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) vowed not to back down from his fight for Congress to pass anti-piracy legislation.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0112/71921.html#ixzz1kbst58Vl

If you were planning on heading to Anaheim, California at the end of this year to attend BlizzCon, we have some sad news for you today: Blizzard has decided not to host a 2012 event. BlizzCon will return in 2013. The reason for not running its fan event this year? The company says that it wants to spend all of its time developing the three titles it has in its pipeline: Diablo III, the StarCraft II expansion Heart of the Swarm, and the World of Warcraft expansion Mists of Pandaria. The company did announce details on the 2012 Battle.net World Championship. Details below:

“Blizzard Entertainment is proud to announce the 2012 Battle.net World Championship, a major global eSports event featuring some of the best pro-gaming competition in the world. Slated to take place in Asia toward the end of 2012, the Battle.net World Championship will host this year’s StarCraft II and World of Warcraft Arena World Championship tournaments. Blizzard gamers and eSports fans from around the world will be invited to attend and witness some of the most skilled pro players on the planet battle it out for cash and glory.

We’re excited to be showcasing Blizzard eSports on a truly global stage this year. We're also heavily focused on getting Diablo III, Mists of Pandaria, and Heart of the Swarminto players’ hands as soon as possible. In light of our jam-packed schedule, we’ve decided to hold the next BlizzCon in 2013.

More details about the 2012 Battle.net World Championship and BlizzCon 2013, including specific dates and locations, will be coming in the months ahead."

The Entertainment Software Association announced that it no longer supports the Stop Online Piracy Act or the Protect IP Act. In a statement released today the trade group representing the video game industry said that it had always intended to support a bill that was balanced and fair.

Of course a simple read-through of either law would indicate that SOPA and PIPA did not take a balanced approach to the internet’s nature of free expression and sharing. In fact it took a draconian approach to enforcement that used the power of the federal government to take down websites without due process. The ESA's statement:

"From the beginning, ESA has been committed to the passage of balanced legislation to address the illegal theft of intellectual property found on foreign rogue sites," the group said in a statement. "Although the need to address this pervasive threat to our industry's creative investment remains, concerns have been expressed about unintended consequences stemming from the current legislative proposals. Accordingly, we call upon Congress, the Obama Administration, and stakeholders to refocus their energies on producing a solution that effectively balances both creative and technology interests. As an industry of innovators and creators, we understand the importance of both technological innovation and content protection and are committed to working with all parties to encourage a balanced solution."

The ESA was widely criticized by the gaming community for being hypocritical on the issue of free speech – particularly in light of the groundswell of support from gamers in their Supreme Court fight against the state of California (Brown v. EMA). Some publications even called for a boycott of the group’s annual game industry event E3.

We’ll leave the pontifications on motivation and sincerity to our readers. We do want to take this time to applaud the ESA for finally and quite publicly dropping its support for these horrific bills.

You are an embodiment of the rocks and earth that surround us, standing firm in the face of your foes. You manipulate the stone and soil to assault and harass those that would stand against you and your allies.

Concepts:
Rock Golem, Nature's Guardian, Earth Elemental, Druidic Enchantment, Primordial Entity

Archtype Description

You have multiple powers that can Knock Down and weaken your foes, allowing you to gain control of the fight and the attention of your enemies. Your assault enables your allies to attack unhindered, so focus on keeping your enemies attacking you instead of them!

You are built to take damage and are good at grabbing your foes attention in combat, but you generate less Energy than other roles.

Check it out.......