Remember when Piranha Bytes was reported to have been working on a new project that wasn't Gothic IV? That was more than a year ago, and only recently has clues into their new project been sprouting up from nowhere. We only know that Piranha did unite with Deep Silver on a new, yet confidential game a few months before. Little did we know that it was actually a new RPG called Risen. Find out how much we learned at the full story.

A few weeks ago we divulged some juicy details on Jowood's Gothic 4: Arcania. If that made you hungry for more, well, this update of ours might be able to help you out. We've got the latest batch of screenshots on this upcoming RPG game. Catch the screens after the jump!

Want more information on JoWood's upcoming title, Gothic 4? Well, you guys will be getting that and even more. We were able to catch the first details that were revealed by the German PC Games magazine for this RPG game. Find out the details after the jump!

There's no saying when the next Gothic title will launch, but it's not all that bad, because the most recent release Gothic 3 is getting is an expansion. Gothic 3 - Forsaken Gods offers not only new content, but promises fans a seamless top to Gothic 4. Check out the full article for more details.

 While it's already been announced by JoWooD that seeing Sam & Max on the Nintendo Wii is something we all can expect, Telltale Games says otherwise - saying that as for now, the existence of a Sam & Max title on the Wii is up in the air. Puzzled? You're not the only one. See how the entire story plays out in the full article.

The Gothic franchise has been receiving mixed feedback from the players and the haters ever since the first installment came out. From extreme ends of the spectrum, actually: some really loved it, some really abhorred it. It's now running on its third title (Gothic 3 for the PC) in the series, so we're guessing JoWood must be doing something right.

To continue the success of the series though, they've just announced that they're going to publish Gothic 4... with a bit of a caveat. Turns out that the German company - Piranha Bites, A.K.A. Pluto 13 - who developed the previous three titles in the series will be stripped off its developing rights. JoWood is now looking for a new developer for the next installment.

We're not sure how or why they decided to end ties with Piranha Bites, and we're not sure if that will lead to a good or bad thing. HOWEVER. Here's one good thing we do know: Gothic 4 will be published for the PC, and, for the first time ever in the franchise, next-gen consoles. What consoles exactly? No further details were given but we're placing our bets on Xbox 360 and PS3, but it's fair game for everyone, regardless.

More Gothic 4 updates in the future as they come along.

Known for releasing PC titles, it's a bit surprising that publisher DreamCatcher Interactive (DreamCatcher Games) has announced that it will now be shifting focus to next-generation consoles. DreamCatcher and JoWooD announce that they are already starting to negotiate with development studios and are planning to schedule releases for the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009.

Sadly, GWN reports that this effectively ends "legacy projects" on the previous generation consoles that were scheduled last year.

Others have begun to speculate that other PC game companies might start considering moving to consoles. Our take on this is that it's too early to say that this is indicative of an impending trend. More multi-platform, PC, and console titles in the future? Sure, why not. The impending death of PC gaming? Far from likely.

JoWood was known for Gothic, PainKiller, SpellForce, and Dungeon Lords.

We sure hope you had fun with that Sam & Max Episode 5 trailer dubbed as Reality 2.0 because the latest episode in Sam & Max: Season 1 has recently been launched on GameTap. In this episode, the dynamic duo had to deal with a looming internet crisis and a viral video game holding its player hostage. Sam and Max need to slip into a new reality to set things straight.

So if you wanna check out Episode 5, click on our read link below. If you've missed out on other Sam & Max episodes then it's a good thing that GameTap still has them for you guys to download. With the news that JoWooD and Telltalle will bring Sam & Max Season 1 to retail stores, things are really looking bright and sunshiny for the dog and rabbit crime-fighting duo.

 

The expansion to the well-liked game SpellForce 2: Shadow of Wars is gearing up to be another exciting journey for all fans of the game. This addon from JoWood Productions and Koch Media brings in the ever popular Dragon race to make the players' adventures in the shattered islands of Eo more exhilarating. Players will have to ally themselves with the powerful Dragons if they wish to defeat the new enemy in the game.

In this trailer we've provided, you'll see just how essential the Dragon race's role will be in the game, and just how powerful this race is. Of course, this trailer also shows you a glimpse of what else to expect in SpellForce 2: Dragon Storm.

Download: SpellForce 2: Dragon Storm trailer feat. the Dragon race

You sci-fi fans, or maybe even fantasy fans, must surely be aware that the Sci-Fi London Film Festival is coming up. Game developer/publisher JoWooD Productions has recently announced that they're going to be the festival's official video games partner. Sci-Fi London's organizers say that they're pleased to have secured JoWood as a sponsor for their event.

Sci-Fi London is a film festival for science fiction and fantasy films. It is held annually at the Apollo West End, and this year, the festival will be held from May 2 to May 6 2007. Sci-Fi festivals screeen world and UK film premieres, documentaries and a selection of classic Sci-Fi titles.

JoWooD Productions is known for producing PC titles such as Sam & Max, Genesis Rising, Spaceforce and Dawnspire. JoWooD believes, meanwhile, that the Sci-Fi London is an excellent opportunity for them to communicate directly with their patrons, and to promote their key brands.