Red Alert for the iPhone is a new handheld version of the classic real-time strategy game. It's trimmed down quite a bit, but it uses the iPhone's multi-touch capability to pinch-zoom and maneuver units around the map, so there's definitely enough new there to warrant a purchase. Plus, once you make it through the Soviet and Allies campaign and 12 levels of Skirmish gameplay, EA already has six more skirmish maps you can download for $.99 directly through the in-game store, with an Empire of the Rising Sun expansion pack in the works that introduces a third faction to the mix.

Purchase the game now for $9.99 to get some practice in before the free multiplayer update hits, allowing friends to take to the battlefield via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It looks like EA is planning to squeeze as much out of the iPhone Red Alert as they possibly can. Will you be buying?

Starting on July 5th, Final Fantasy XI players will be able to purchase the follow-up to A Crystalline Prophecy – Ode of Life Bestowing and the precursor to A Shantotto Ascension – The Legend Torn, Her Empire Born, ready to deal with evil Moogles when Square Enix sets it live later this summer. The only requirements you need worry about are that you own the Rise of the Zilart expansion and that you have a character who is at least level 10. If you don't meet those two requirements, then welcome to Final Fantasy XI. Nice to see new players still showing up.

EA ANNOUNCES THE SIMS 2 FREETIME SOUNDTRACK FEATURING NATASHA BEDINGFIELD
International Line-Up Includes Artists from the US, Europe and Scandinavia

REDWOOD CITY, CA — FEBRUARY 7, 2008 — Electronic Arts, Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced the international line-up of artists who can be heard on The Sims™ 2 FreeTime soundtrack. The music for this expansion pack provides accompaniment for your Sims as they explore their creativity through a selection of all-new activities, hobbies and cool careers.

International pop star, Natasha Bedingfield, is featured on the soundtrack with her new single "Pocketful of Sunshine." This song is taken from her newest album of the same name, which was released on January 22, 2008. Natasha learned and recorded this song in the unique language of The Sims, Simlish, especially for the in-game The Sims 2 FreeTime soundtrack.

Also on The Sims 2 FreeTime soundtrack are the bands Lexington Bridge from Germany, I'm From Barcelona from Sweden, Datarock from Norway and the artist Lara from Spain. American bands, They Might Be Giants, Great Northern and Fire Flies also recorded songs which can be heard on this soundtrack.

"The Sims 2 FreeTime offers many ways for your Sims to express themselves creatively, including music," said Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music and Music Marketing at EA. "This in-game soundtrack full of talented musicians from around the world, such as Natasha Bedingfield, is the perfect backdrop for your Sims to discover and develop their passions."

"It was such a fun and delightful challenge to learn how to sing in Simlish," Natasha Bedingfield added. "The language of The Sims captures a wonderful sense of beauty, creativity and humor, so my song 'Pocketful of Sunshine' translated well!"
 
In The Sims 2 FreeTime, your Sims can build their skills and enhance friendships by exploring new pursuits based on their personal interests, helping them live life to the fullest. The Sims 2 FreeTime is the latest expansion pack that will ship February 26, 2008 in the US and February 22, 2008 in Europe.

In-Game Soundtrack Credits:

"Fa-Fa-Fa"
Performed by Datarock
Written by Fredrik Saroea and Ketil Mosnes
Published by Artwerk Music, LLC
Recording courtesy of Nettwerk Productions

"It's A Party"
Performed by Fire Flies
Written by Dan Romer
Published by Drawing Number One Publishing
Recording courtesy of Asteroid B-612

"Into The Sun"
Performed by Great Northern
Written by Rachel Stolte and Solon Bixler
Published by Songs Music Publishing LLC obo Ram Island Songs (ASCAP) and Kill The Piano Music (ASCAP)
Recording courtesy of Eenie Meenie Records by arrangement with Big Sounds International, Inc.

"Britney"
Performed by I'm From Barcelona
Written by Emanuel Lundgren
Published by EMI Blackwood Music (BMI)
Recording courtesy of EMI Records under license from EMI Film & Television Licensing

"La Otra Princesa"
Performed by Lara
Written by Massimiliano Minoia and Lara Pinilla Osuna
Published by Lara What Songs Pop S.L. and Globomedia Musica Publishing S.L.
Recording courtesy of Virgin/EMI Records - Spain and GloboMedia Musica

"Your Forgiveness"
Performed by Lexington Bridge
Written by Cliff Masterson, Mark Read, Pete Martin and Robert Heart
Published by Universal Music Publishing
Recording courtesy of Universal Records under license from Universal Music Enterprises
 
"Pocket Full Of Sunshine"
Performed by Natasha Bedingfield
Written by Natasha Bedingfield and Danielle Brisebois and John Shanks
Published by EMI April Music (ASCAP), Gator Baby/EMI Blackwood Music (BMI) and John Shanks Music/WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)
Recording courtesy of Epic Records by arrangement with SONY BMG Music Entertainment

"Take Out The Trash"
Performed by They Might Be Giants
Written by They Might Be Giants
Published by TMBG Music (BMI)
Recording courtesy of Idlewild Recordings

Music Production Credits:

Steve Schnur, Executive Music Producer
Cybele Pettus, Sr. Music Supervisor

Bedingfield's Pocketfull of Sunshine (Simlish Mix) [Kotaku]

"Two Worlds moves on"!

"The Temptation", the add-on for the smash RP already in the pipeline

Karlsruhe, 28. November 2007 - Head for a new horizon! With the add-on, "Two Worlds - The Temptation", the "Two Worlds" universe continues to grow, introducing new game content, extended gameplay and providing you with the answers to many questions and mysteries which arose in the main story!

The developers are focusing on a blend of the proven and the new: besides several well-known regions of Antaloor, there are also completely new territories to explore. The combat system has been further enhanced too - now you can use active blocking, for example. Many other additional developments have been added - developments which have enabled a completely new means of transport and a much enhanced reaction from NPCs - but more on these and a whole host of other surprises shortly! The release of "Two Worlds - The Temptation" for PC and consoles is planned for the first half of 2008. You can get an idea of what to expect at www.2-worlds.com/temptation.

Tabletop-to-XBLA game Carcassonne is getting an expansion pack. The King and Baron pack comes with new five new town piece tiles and two new bonuses:

* The player with the largest completed Town will get the 'King' icon next to their Gamertag/Avatar. The player with the King icon at the end of the game will receive one point for each completed city in the game.
* The player with the longest completed Road will get the 'Baron' icon next to their Gamertag/Avatar. The player with the Baron icon at the end of the game will receive one point for each completed road in the game.

The "pack" will sell for 300 Microsoft Points.

Pre-Order the Sims 2 H&M Fashion Stuff Pack [Sims Gamer]

So hot. I loved Star Wars Empire at War and it looks like the Forces of Corruption expansion pack is going to rekindle that love. Corruption is going to add slavery, black markets, bribery, intimidation, kidnapping, racketeering and, yes, piracy.

The pack introduces Tyber Zann and his Consortium, an Academy reject and former Jabba the Hutt rival. Hit the jump for two more videos showing the goods. Brian Crecente

It appears the Electronic Arts is already working on an expansion pack for The Battle for Middle Earth 2. EA dropped into a thread on GameReplays to confirm that the expansion will be called The Rise of the Witch-king and that more details would be coming later this week. .Brian Crecente

The Battle For Middle Earth 2: The Rise of the Witch-king [VE3D]