"When MAG launched back in January, developers Zipper Interactive often commented that the game was a "growing platform" and since it has spawned numerous downloadable expansions and has been subject to several makeovers. We reported during Gamescom that Zipper were opening a beta packed with new features, and today they confirmed that all of these add-ons are now available to MAG players across the globe in title update 2.0:"

"It’s not uncommon for a retailer to let slip a game’s existence by listing it for sale before it’s formally announced. It’s also not uncommon for retailers to be totally and completely wrong. Wal-Mart’s online store lists MAG 2, the sequel to this year’s PS3 FPS, as coming out in January of next year."

"DS writes, "I’m upset Zipper Interactive didn’t see all of this potential much sooner and complete these features before launch. It took 9 months to deliver this to the community, and for a great deal of players that proved to be too long (which is evident by the diminishing player-base the game has). I guess like the labor and delivery of a newborn baby, these features will all bring beautiful miracles to the MAG gaming experience. And for that I thank Zipper Interactive, Sony Computer Enter..."

New MAG feature allows players to get more out of their game. Find out exactly what this means to your gameplay experience in this DualShockers report where three classes come under one umbrella.

The top 10 best-selling premium Playstation Network avatars so far on the North American Playstation Store, according to the latest Playstation Pulse episode.

"Zipper Interactive has released MAG v1.07 update. But one funny detail concerns Playstation Home personal space. Updated today, MAG gamers will have the possibility to gather their soldiers and plan next battles in Playstation Home new Raven’s personal space."

Jeremy Dunham of Zipper Interactive (the developer behind MAG and the SOCOM series) comments about the possibility of his team developing a non-shooting game in the near future.

Zipper Interactive outlines the future fixes for the several prominent glitches in MAG, including a bug that prevents respawning and S.V.E.R. players disarming explosives through doors from the inside.

Icrontic's amicable CB Droege brings us this week's interesting new releases in gaming. We get a look at Escapee GO!, MAG, Horrible Histories: Ruthless Romans, and Mass Effect 2.

"Since late Summer 2009, the MAG beta went through various stages -- both public and private -- to get where it is now, with the developers confident the final version surpasses the earlier build. Here is an extensive list of upgrades made:

Gameplay
· Added ability for player to use knife during a reload animation.
· Applied significant tuning adjustments for all weapons and armor.
· Increased sprint duration before tiring by 30%.
· Lo..."

"Senior designer Scott Rudi doubted whether it was even possible for PS3 exclusive MAG to be a multiplatform game.

“I don't even know if it's possible for multiplatform,” he said.

“We're using so many architectural features unique to the PS3, like the Cell system, that I would be hard pressed to – and I'm not a programmer or anything – but from what I've been hearing, this is what the PS3 can do and few others can.”

So it might not be possible for MAG to work on Xbox 360?

“As a gam..."

Amazon has discounted some of the biggest upcoming games for the Playstation 3. Notable titles include Battlefield: Bad Company 2, Final Fantasy XIII, God of War III, Gran Turismo 5, Heavy Rain, MAG and more.

Until January 26th (the day of the release) Amazon.com continues to offer $10 video game credit with pre-order of the following titles: MAG (PlayStation 3), Mass Effect 2 (Xbox 360, PC) and Tatsunoko VS Capcom - Ultimate All-Stars (Nintendo Wii).

"Customers at GameStop locations where it's safe to be outside that late can expect a tank building challenge, a commando dress up contest, a grenade launch, and more, while those who frequent seedier stores will instead stand outside until around midnight, huddled together for safety."

"Zipper Interactive's Ben Jones has said that he believes Xbox Live is "more juvenile" than PlayStation Network, and that MAG "definitely fits more" to the PlayStation audience "because of the things that are being said over Xbox Live".

Speaking to GamerZines at an event held in London yesterday to celebrate the imminent launch of PlayStation 3's upcoming online multiplayer shooter MAG, Jones said:

"I actually consider Xbox Live the more juvenile of the two," blaming "the things that are..."

Walmart.com significantly expanded the list of soon-to-be-released games that are eligible for the free $10 gift cards with purchase. At this moment the list of games that are available includes Star Trek Online God of War 3, Final Fantasy XIII, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, Mass Effect 2, MAG and many more. There are more than dozen games in total that are eligible.

The PS3-exclusive MAG is an MMOFPS in which up to 256 players can fight at one time. VGB takes a look at the classes and factions that you will find in this Massive Action Game.

"Gamemakers aren't wasting any time in 2010 and have made the January-February-March quarter a kind of Christmas Part 2 with a wide variety of big releases across all genres and platforms. Dark Void, MAG, Mass Effect 2 and BioShock 2 only scratch the surface of what 2010 has to offer. To dig deeper you can find an expanded list of many of this year's releases right here."

Amazon.com put out an updated list of soon-to-be-released games for which it's giving out free $10 future game credit with purchase. Games eligible include MAG, Mass Effect 2, Bioshock 2, Army of Two: 40th Day, Dante's Inferno and several others.

"Of course, the best news about MAG Beta 5 is that you’ll be able to download the client in North America starting tomorrow, December 22! Additionally, PS3 owners in Asia can start downloading the file on December 25, while the European store will make it available on January 4. Check back for details on Japanese PSN store access in the near future.

Now that you know where to get the MAG Beta, your path to playing it is a simple three-step process:

1. Log on to the PlayStation Store (..."

"Beta 4 is exclusive to GameStop pre-orders, and we’ve moved away from our limited pre-scheduled play times and are keeping the servers open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With the change in versions and the last phase now at its end, many of the testers who spent their evenings with us over these last weeks are moving on to other pastures. With that in mind, it’s with great respect that on behalf of the entire MAG team, I want to say thanks to each and every one of you who participated for yo..."

It looks like gamestores are not the only ones ready for the release of MAG. 7-eleven even has pre-order gifts to give away. The sad part is that only a few select stores will be doing this. It's luck for people who go there all the time

"Two weeks ago invites went out to lucky PlayStation 3 owners inviting them to the MAG beta. Sadly I wasn't one of the lucky ones to get the invite but now myself and other folks will have their chance to check out MAG as the September installment of Qore will give current subscribers and those who subscribe by September 17 a beta code for the game."

Zipper Interactive has just released a list of unlockable Medals of Honor. This will be awarded for doing specific actions during a game, much like in Call of Duty. The list they revealed isn't the full list, and they have not stated what the total number of Medals will be, but since a key feature of their game is being "massive", you can expect the list of Medals to be quite long.

"When Zipper Interactive first announced their 256-player, online FPS, calling it MAG, many were skeptical - it was an unfeasible number of players... or so people thought. They've been proven wrong, and in spectacular fashion, as Zipper haven't only proven that they can handle that number of players, but that they can do it in style too.

The weapons list is looking pretty good too, with a well-rounded roster of weapons which allow for all sorts of different playing styles. The weapons for ..."

"Back at E3 2008, Sony came out and announced MAG -- a massive online action game that would be open to 256 players. Since then we've gotten plenty of details in terms of how the first-person shooter handles, how the command structure breaks down, and more, but we haven't heard about when we can enlist with Raven, Valor, or S.V.E.R.

At least, not until today. MAG is officially storming U.S. PlayStation 3s on Jan. 26, 2010.

Hooray!"

Even though it has been rumored that MAG isn't coming out untill 2010, it looks like the MAG beta is coming out soon. Sony has been sending out emails to Playstation users asking them to be a part of the beta. However, it appears that if you should be lucky enough to receive the email, you are still not guaranteed a spot in the beta. Check your inbox and see if you got the special access code.

"I just signed onto the PlayStation Network planning to hop onto Killzone 2, when I noticed something very interesting while viewing my friends list. One of the users on my friends list was playing the MAG Beta. I will not release any information as to who this person is, but I will tell you that he/she is an employee for Sony. Because he/she works for Sony, this version of the Beta could be available only to a select few industry employees, but this could also mean that the MAG Beta is right ..."

The possibly-revolutionary FPS MAG, which will support up to 256 players online, seems to have suffered a slight delay, pushing it back into early 2010. However, the game was really never given a release date, so it's not a huge blow to the PS3 line up for 2009.

"Zipper Interactive's first next-generation title, MAG offers an extensive battle experience with a total of 256 players online. They recently showed off never before seen gameplay footage during Sony's E3 Press Conference roughly two weeks ago. Ever since this footage was shown, PS3 owners around the world have anxiously wanted to get their hands on this exclusive title. Read More to find out when you will be able to do so."

"The game will utilize new server architecture to support online battles with up to 256 players, with users divided into 8-player squads, with 4 squad forming a platoon, and 4 platoons forming a company. Each squad will be led by a player who has advanced through the game's ranking system. Character statistics and development will also increase with frequent gameplay. The players most advanced in rank will be able to either direct the battle or participate directly in combat."

"-2 to 256 Players
-'hopes' for 30FPS when all the action is going down at all times
-Dedicated servers with new network architectures to help reduce lag
-Streamline matches to reduce need to wait.
-All audio cues (planes flying by, air raid sirens) are actual players causing it or player triggered actions. This can happen in other regions and you can hear in distance.
-PunkBuster quality cheating detection. System tests for things like rate of fire/movement/damage to keep things in check..."