Take iPhone game developer Storm8, for example. A class action lawsuit filed in San Francisco alleges that the company, who are behind iPhone games like World War, iMobsters and Vampires Live, "has written the software for all its games in such a way that it automatically accesses, collects, and transmits the wireless telephone number of each iPhone user who downloads any Storm8 game".

Apparently this number-farming went unannounced until August, when Storm8 finally fessed up, saying it was a"bug". Michael Turner, the man filing the suit, says "poppycock" to that, and is after damages.

iPhone game dev accused of stealing players' phone numbers [boing boing]

Upon the launch of Section 8 on September 1st, Timegate and publisher Southpeak will have free X Server software available for download, which allows players to create their own dedicated Section 8 servers on their Windows PC. Creating your own PC server doubles the multiplayer cap on the 360 from 16 to 32 players per server, allowing bigger battles at the cost of a PC you weren't using in the first place.

"FPS fans looking for the perfect multiplayer game expect fast, reliable servers when they're playing online. We go one step further by offering an increased player count and boosting the game play experience to a new level," said Richard Iggo, VP of Marketing at SouthPeak. "We're confident that Section 8's incredible team-based combat and our adoption of cutting-edge server technology provide an experience unlike anything else out there."

Along with the Xbox 360 server software, the publisher will also be releasing a PC Server application that will allow for up to 40 players per session.

It's definitely a cool new feature, but one wonders why the person hosting said server wouldn't just get the Windows PC version of the game and kick things up to 40 instead. It'll be interesting to see how many 32 player games show up on Xbox Live once the game hits next month.

Section 8 is all about guys in power armor shooting at each other, and that's a story concept I can really get behind, but Timegate apparently thinks you need a bit more background on the game world in order to fully immerse yourself in the experience. Bah, I say! Give me power armor and some big guns and I shall write my own story, with bullets.

Luckily their aim was off a bit, as even a screenshot is instantly fatal when dropped from 15,000 feet in the air. Dropping from on high onto the enemy is probably the only reason I will be picking up Section 8 when it ships this August. It's not that it doesn't have other merits. It's just that once you've landed on another player's head after dropping nearly three miles through the sky it's hard to imagine anything else ever impressing you. The screenshots try at least.

How does the special Captain's Armor work for the dueling factions in Section 8? Here's what GameStop says:

Reserve Section 8 and receive GameStop exclusive Captain's Armor for both Section 8 and their adversaries – the Arm of Orion. If you choose to play as a Captain of Section 8, you'll proudly wear the Imperial Eagle of the USIF on your shoulder plate; as a Captain of the Arm of Orion, you'll stand out with the rampant Lion of Orion emblazoned on your helmet and gold trim on your power armor. If only we could wear this to prom, we'd get all the ladies.

And now I know what was missing from the power armor I wore to my prom. I knew I should have gone with the lion helmet. Ah well, you live and you learn.

TimeGate filed the lawsuit earlier this month, after Paramount sent out a press release announcing an interactive web series called Section 8, days after cancelling a meeting with TimeGate regarding their game. According to an official statement released today, Paramount has agreed to not use the name for their web series, and TimeGate has agreed to drop the lawsuit without prejudice.

As mentioned in our original post on the lawsuit, this marks the second time that TimeGate has had to protect their trademark from big media companies, settling out of court last year with ABC over a proposed Section 8 television series.

I just hope the game turns out well, because Section 8 would have been a great name for a TV series. Just saying.

So TimeGate are suing Paramount. And good for them! After all, they're on a roll, as last year ABC tried to call a TV series Section 8, so TimeGate sued. And won (well, settled out of court), with ABC changing the name of the series.

Which goes to show, you stick to your guns, and even an under-the-radar video game from a small developer/publisher combo can take on the big boys and come away with a win.

TimeGate Sues Paramount Over Section 8 Trademark [Team Xbox]

We got a chance to preview and play Section 8 at GDC, seeing what TimeGate — developers of multiple F.E.A.R. expansions, Axis & Allies and the Kohan series — bringing to the shooter genre.

What It Is
Section 8 is a futuristic sci-fi first-person shooter, one that will likely draw visual comparisons to Halo and gameplay conventions to both DICE's Battlefield series and Tribes. One of the game's unique twists is it "burn-in spawn" method that abolishes the boredom of standard multiplayer game respawning, in which the majority of your time is spent watching a countdown clock. Instead, you'll immediately drop in from 15,000 feet after choosing your landing location. Players can also call in deployable vehicles and weapons from the skies.

What We Saw
TimeGate reps walked us through a demo of the game's features on the Windows version, later showing off the game's visuals on the Xbox 360. We took party in a brief multiplayer session following that (one that unfortunately ended early due to a server connection problem).

How Far Along Is it?
Section 8 is still in alpha, in need of a good deal of polishing and finalizing. The game isn't due to launch until Q3 of this year. It was pretty clear that the game's bot AI and stability was in need of some work.

What Needs Improvement?
Bots: While there's still plenty of time to tweak enemy and friendly bot AI, fighting the legions of armored foes who ran face-first into corners or waited patiently for me to shoot lasers at their face took some of the fun out of it. It's clearly a known issue and will hopefully be fixed with realistic bot AI.

The Heads Up Display: One of Section 8's better attributes is its custom loadout system, allowing for a broad range of weapons, gear and upgrades. The only issue is the information provided by the loadout menu, which could use a little work to make things more clear. The same is true for bringing down deployed items from orbit, as the menu system could use a few informative tweaks.

Michael Bay's Master Chief: The game's visual design feels far too familiar. The game's armored troops look like the uninspired spawn of Halo's Spartans and Michael Bay's take on Megatron. It's doubtful this can be improved at this stage of the game, but it's visually unexciting stuff.

What Needs to Stay the Same?
Deadly Burn-In Spawn Drops: The concept of dropping in from thousands of feet above, then being able to land on top of some unsuspecting enemy makes combat (even the dying parts) fun.

Just Dropping In: The ability to bring down anti-personal and anti-aircraft turrets, as well as tanks and mech suits, adds an exciting layer of strategy and variety. The system works well, providing an alternate way to spice up combat. It also makes securing vehicles less of a headache, provided you've got the funds.

Overdrive: The run and gun play gets a little more run than normal, with an accelerating speed boost that makes traversing the game's extra-large maps so much easier. Combine that with the short burst jetpacks and we have bouncy violent fun to look forward to.

Final Thoughts
Section 8, despite its rather derivative appearance and clear nods to games like Battlefield and Tribes, looks like it could be a hell of a lot of fun. The game addresses some oft-overlooked gameplay conventions that can sap the fun out of multiplayer games. We look forward to going hands-on with a more complete build, with more time, in the future.

Section 8 Fact Sheet

Summary:
On the war-torn planets of tomorrow, mankind's greatest battle is about to begin, With its frontier colonies devastated by a growing insurrection, Earth dispatches the elite 8th Armored Infantry (nicknames "Section 8") to repel the coming onslaught.
The nickname refers to a discharge from an old United States military regulation for reason of being mentally unfit for service. The near-suicidal missions this division volunteers for brands them as insane by all other military units.
Section 8 deploys directly into battle from their orbital dropships, utilizing the most advanced arsenal of military hardware known to man. THeir mission: to scout and secure difficult objectives, and smash the enemy defenses in lightning-quick assaults.
Section is an intense first-person shooter that allows players to dynamically alter the flow of combat as they see fit. Employing tactical assets and on-demand vehicle deliveries, players are given unprecedented strategic control over epic sci-fi battlefields.
So get ready to drop, Trooper! The war begins on specific next-gen consoles and the PC in 2009.

Features:
- Customize your loadouts like no other FPS
- Use Burn-In spawning to drop into the action from 15,000 feet
- Transform the battlefield with tactical assets and vehicle drops
- Battle across epic sci-fi landscapes
- Adapt to ever-evolving team, squad, and player strategies

Product Specs:
- Genre: First Person Shooter
- Created by: TimeGate Studios (www.timegate.com)
- Publisher: Gamecock Media Group (www.gamecockmedia.com)
- Platforms: Xbox 360, Windows Compatible PC
- Release Date: Q3 2009

Earlier today Gamecock announced that their annual mini-con, EIEIO, was moving from California to Texas to coincide with South By Southwest. While the company only has only brought two titles to market so far, they have a ton in the wings. Here's how things official stand with their upcoming games, from Mushrooms to Insects:

Pirates Vs Ninjas Dodgeball XBLA - Feb
Insecticide DS - 2/26
Insecticide Episodes 1 & 2 (Downloadable PC Episodic) - March and April
Hail to the Chimp - May
Mushroom Men:Rise of the Fungi DS - June
Legendary PC Next Gen Consoles - Summer
Mushroom Men:The Spore Wars Wii - Fall
Sabotage 360/PC - Fall
Dungeon Hero 360/PC - Spring 09
Section 8 Next Gen Console/PC - Summer 09