IGN UK has the scoop on the new LOTR game, LOTR: Conquest. The game is basically being described as a battlefront in the LOTR universe. Pandemic claims you will be able to do everything you ever wanted to in the LOTR universe before, but couldn't. IGN UK spoke with the game's director to get even more info, check it out.

Well, it is official my loyal readers. EA has now taken control of both Pandemic and Bioware, two of the better game developers out there at this time. All we can do is hope and prety that this does not ruin the quality of the games that come out of these legendary houses, but that may be wishful thinking on our part if you go by past events (Criterion, anyone?). Click read more for the full info.

PRESS RELEASE

Chertsey, UK., January 7, 2008 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that it has completed its acquisition of VG Holding Corp. and has officially welcomed BioWare Corp. and Pandemic Studios to the EA Games Label. The addition of these studios vaults EA into a competitive position in the RPG, action and adventure genres. The two studios have been recognized for creating some of the highest-quality games in the industry and will bring ten new franchises to EA, based on six wholly-owned IP.

Today EA has seriously increased their game developer value, folks. The publisher giant has announced today that they have reached an agreement with Elevation Partners to acquire VG Holding Corp., the owners of Bioware and Pandemic Studios. Oh boy, let's hope both of those great developers do not get EA-cized! Click read more for the full info.

PRESS RELEASE

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Electronic Arts Inc. today announced an agreement with Elevation Partners to acquire VG Holding Corp. -- the owner of both BioWare Corp. and Pandemic Studios. This acquisition gives EA a strong competitive position in key genres in interactive entertainment: action, adventure and role-playing games. The two studios have been recognized for creating some of the highest-quality games in the industry.

Yesterday we told you that CVG was reporting that Mercenaries 2 was delayed until sometime in 2008. Well, EA is strangely quiet on the subject, with noe confirmation or denial just yet. Stay tuned for more info when we have it.

According to CVG, Mercenaries 2, the much anticipated sequel, has been pushed back to 2008 by Pandemic. No reason was given for the delay, more info when we have it.

Eurogamer spoke with Mercenaries lead designer Scott Warner about the upcoming sequel Mercenaries 2. In the interview, he revealed that once Pandemic has finished work on Mercs 2, anythign is possible. That includes work on a handheld version.

It seems that companies have a short memory when it comes to Batman and Superman themed games. Although most of the titles in recent years that focused on both caped crusaders were average quality, at best, developers continue to draw from the Bat/Superman well. Let's hope luck is with Pandemic this time.

In an article with Businessweek, some of the Pandemic team revealed that the company is currently working on an unannounced Wii game. It is not Mercenaries 2, though, so you Wii Mercs fans don't get excited just yet.

It seems that Mercenaries 2 is now confirmed for release on almost all modern gaming platforms. Xbox360, PC, PSP, and even PS2 versions have now been revealed in addition to the PS3 build. Of course, Pandemic claims this has nothing to do with the issues PS3 is having, but who cna say for sure. IGN spoke with Pandemic Senior PRoducer Johnathan Zamkoff to get some questions answered about the title. Check it out.

It seems EA was able to get in on a piece of the Mercenaries action. They will be helping to publish the title in late 2007. The game is set for release on the PS3, with an Xbox360 version supposedly in the works as well.