And the Games Convention Developers Conference (GCDC) for 2007 is rolling to a good start as another company has officially announced, via press wire, games that will be offered for gamers, media and retailers at the Leipzig Business Center come late August. Deep Silver (X3: Reunion Game of the Year Edition, Warhammer: Mark of Chaos) and its partners have listed ANNO 1701, Ferrari Challenge, Final Fantasy Tactics, Secret Files 2, Flatout Ultimate Carnage, Heroes of Mana, Perry Rhodan, and Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria as featured games for gamers.

 

ANNO 1701 is Deep Silver's upcoming add-on to the ANNO (PC) real-time strategy series, published by Ubisoft. Ferrari Challenge (PlayStation 3, DS, Wii), published by System 3, will be there to tout realistic modeling and racing simulations of the Italian sports car and the motor sports series of the same name.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Lion War (PSP) under Square Enix' supervision will also be at the Leipzig Convention, enticing fans of the Square Enix Final Fantasy and tactical action persuasion to give the game a try over handheld. Mystery fans might want to to stop by to take a gander at the sequel to the classic German adventure Secret Files: Tunguska, Secret Files 2 (PC) - the predecessor being a winner of several local and regional game of the year awards.

And if you're a fan of Mana, you could check out Heroes of Mana (DS), a real-time strategy title published by Square Enix and based on the Mana series. Empire Interactive's Flatout Ultimate Carnage (Xbox 360) will be smashing its way to Leipzig, too, after a well-anticipated, timely launch for the destructive driving title.

Perry Rhodan (PC) will feature the famous astronaut of the same name in a fictional adventure game published by Brain Game. And if Heavenly Sword coming out for the PlayStation 3 just shattered your day, worry not, because Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria (PS2) by Square Enix will be brandished at the event to satisfy the Sony current generation console gamers.

But wait, Deep Silver isn't done yet, because more games will be announced when the second part of the European-centric trade fair highlights by the developer is polished before the curtains rise by August 23. Catch them, and their games, at stand A12 of Hall 3 of the Leipzig Business Center.

Polish site GRY-Online has said that a sequel for Atari's Test Drive Unlimited is currently in the works, and this time, it will be making its rounds on both the PC and the Xbox 360.

It is also alleged that the game will be up and running come March of next year, with lots of new surprising tricks and turns for all you racing aficionados out there. For one, the supposed TDU 2 will feature hot rides from makers such as Ferrari, Bugatti, Pagani, Saleen, McLaren and a whole lot more. There will also be a couple of new off-road cars to be introduced in the sequel, along with SUVs, 4WD, enduro bikes, and even buggies.

According to the information trickling in, courses will be roughly about 1500 square kilometers, with winding streets and long stretches of highways, as well as, off-road tracks for your off-road vehicles. There will also be several online modes, just to keep that fun flowing.

However, don't get too excited just yet. We haven't gotten any confirmation on this, so we'll be tagging this only as a rumor for now. But not to worry, we'll be right on it as soon as we hear any more official word from Atari on the supposed Test Drive Unlimited 2.

Over at N'Gai Croal, Crytek president Cevet Yerli was asked to comment if the recreational activities available at a shooting range was possible in his home country of Germany, especially in the wake of a school shooting rampage and wide concern on a ban of the creation and proliferation of violent videogames in the country.

His comment? "Impossible."

N'gai Croal reports that the situation in Germany is grim enough that Yerli is even thinking about moving his company somewhere outside the country. On the gaming-related side of things, N'gai tried to squeeze the release date for the anticipated shooter, Crysis but the Crytek team, as expected, didn't budge.

One Crytek-er commented: "It's got to be perfect ...This is our Ferrari"

10TACLE Studios AG just announced that Ferrari has signed a license agreement with them to develop video games based on the car company's hot, hot rides.

But 10TACLE Studios won't be the ones in charge of developing the game. Instead, their London studio, Blimey! Games will be doing the dirty task of making the virtual Ferrari's come to life, providing users the chance to experience what it's like to get behind the wheel of a Ferrari.

You guys might remember Blimey! Games from the success of their previous games like GTR - FIA GT Racing Game and GT Legends.

No? Well, doesn't matter, all you have to remember is that they're currently working on GTR 2: FIA GT Racing Game for the PC, which will feature Ferrari models exclusively.

Yep, ex-clu-sive-ly. So no Hondas or any other Japanese cars in this one guys. GTR 2: FIA GT Racing Game will show us what it's like to burn rubber and ride like an Italian. (Errr...that didn't come out right but ANYWAY...) We will keep you posted once we get more info on this Ferrari-exclusive next-gen racing title for your PCs.

What's big, red, Italian, and loved by both gamers and non-gamer? Car manufacturer Ferrari and 10Tacle studios have just signed a new agreement that'll allow 10Tacle to use the Ferrari label and palette for future games in their roster games.

In addition to being licensed to use the Italian car manufacturer's name, 10tacle also plans to work closely with Ferrari for the further development of these said games. 10TACLE STUDIOS AG chairman Michele Pes had this to say about this recent expansion:

The expansion of our racing portfolio is an important part of our strategy for growth. Ferrari is synonymous with automotive excellence in both sports and racing cars. A license to use the Ferrari brand name and cars is the best a computer games developer in this field can acquire. We will do our very best to recreate the passionate experience of driving a Ferrari as realistically as possible.

While we're not too familiar with 10tacle's track record with racing games, readers might remember this studio as the developer behind the Elveon RPG.