Newsbriefs: Myst Online Gets New Age, Mac Client, Supreme Commander Goes Gold

Author: by Staff

[UPDATED: 3:35pm PST] Today's regularly updated newsbriefs include news of a new Age and the debut of a Mac client for Cyan/GameTap's Myst Online, a former Sega producer joining marketing group TAP, and highly anticipated RTS Supreme Commander going gold. - Representatives from subscription-based gaming service GameTap and developer Cyan Worlds have announced that Myst Online, the MMO recently resurrected and hosted by GameTap will be launching an entirely new "Age" and new cities anticipated for a January 19th launch. The launch will provide new storylines and locations for players to explore. In addition, GameTap and Cyan Worlds have also partnered with TransGaming's Cider engine to provide a new Mac client for Myst Online for the first time. “The original Myst game premiered on the Mac,” said Rand Miller, CEO of Cyan Worlds and creator of Myst Online. “The Mac community has always been huge supporters of the Myst franchise and we’re thrilled that we will soon be able to invite them to the newest Myst experience.” The Mac client is expected to launch in 'early 2007.' - Durham, NC interactive entertainment marketing firm TAP Interactive has announced the hiring of video game industry veteran Ryan Hurth as the company's business development manager. Hurth previous spent seven years as a game producer for Sega.com. “With his solid industry background and enthusiasm about gaming, Ryan is truly a fitting addition to the TAP Interactive team. Our intimate knowledge of video gaming and creative might will continue to set us apart from the rest,” said TAP's director of client services Greg Lincoln. - THQ and developer Gas Powered Games have announced that Gas Powered's highly anticipated real tiome strategy game Supreme Commander has gone 'gold' and is now being manufactured for its February 20th Windows launch, which will offer what the companies tout as 'unprecedented scope and scale, superior RTS command and control and three unique single player campaigns.' "Supreme Commander delivers the first-ever full Theatre of War zoom function, adding tremendous depth to the three story-driven campaigns and highly addictive multiplayer," said Chris Taylor, creative director and CEO, Gas Powered Games. "We've taken RTS gameplay to a whole new level and I can't wait for fans to get their hands on it." - Representatives from financial firm Citigroup have upgraded stocks of Electronic Arts Inc. from Hold to Buy, and increased its price target from $60 to $64. Said Citigroup analyst Elizabeth Osur, "With shares of ERTS closing below $50 for the first time today since August 2006, we think this is an ideal time for investors to begin building positions in the leading global video game publisher. With the bad news behind us, we think investors will be more willing trade shares of ERTS up to peak multiples similar to prior peak highs over the next two years and to trade the stock significantly above current levels over the next 12-months." - The latest updates on Gamasutra sister alt.gaming weblog GameSetWatch include a plea for developers to create Wii “simulations”, a look at obscure SNES reviews, and a look at the current activities undertaken by mobile company Pikkle. - The latest updates from Gamasutra sister website Serious Games Source include the finalists for the 2007 Imagine Cup Innovation Accelerator, a student event to develop projects to use technology to better mankind. - The latest updates from Gamasutra sister website Game Career Guide include a comprehensive overview of Microsoft's XNA, and a list of invited speakers for the upcoming AIIDE'07 event. - Also updated today: the latest Gamasutra job postings, including openings from Big Huge Games, Knife Edge Software, Kush Games, Nihilistic Software, and Pandemic Studios.