Bad news for gamers.

A new Trojan is spreading fast in World of Warcraft. The malware, which originated in Asia, is slowly spreading through the gaming world with the main activity being in China and Taiwan.

The malware attempts to steal log-in details from YouXiChaYuan and Perfect World, two online games popular in China and some other Asian countries.

The Trojan, ‘W32/OnlineGames!tr’, appears to be limited to specific language versions of Windows or the World of Warcraft client - for now. Hackers tend to rewrite malware code to target new sectors and attempt to bypass security mechanisms so expect to see this Trojan heading you way. As yet, the method of infection is unknown.

“With the online gaming market thriving with consumers, malicious activity will very likely continue for some time in this emerging sector as it forms a viable target,” said Derek Manky of Fortinet.

Unhappy times ahead; make sure you’re protected with the latest anti-malware updates and signatures.

Popularity: 46% [?]

The masters of the PC role playing game are back. Developed by Bioware (of Baldurs Gate fame) and published by EA and Microsoft studios, Mass Effect is an epic, visually spectacular Sci-Fi game set in the late 22nd Century. The player takes on the role of Commander Shepard and soon takes command of the starship Normandy.

Classic Sci-Fi

Mass Effect is a classic Space Opera with themes involving exploration, combat, intrigue and over the top heroic figures. The game play takes place mostly on the Normandy and on a giant space station that acts as a kind of central seat of government. The player gets to visit many other planets and moons along the way.

There’s a plot!

The game’s plot is huge and is as complex and interwoven as Bioware’s previous offerings with a great storyline and memorable characters. The player can assume either a male of female role and professional voice acting is provided for both. In addition, there are several other notable characters all voiced by actors familiar to fans of both TV and gaming.

Game Play

The game features free flowing and real time combat but the action can be paused at any time. As with most computer RPGs, the player will be able to enter into dialog with many characters from and the player’s responses, choices and general approach will have an affect on how the story runs later on.

System requirements

The game runs on a modified Unreal 3 engine so to fully appreciate the stunning visuals, a decent modern gaming PC is needed. Settings can be tweaked to allow gameplay on a fairly wide range of specs so don’t go and upgrade the PC yet!

Popularity: 71% [?]

Even though the Aliens movie is over twenty years old, it still looks brilliant and the idea of playing one of those Pulse Rifle toting marines in a first person shooter is as irresistible as ever.

Team or solo play

As is the trend with some of the latest releases, the game will feature a full co-op multi player mode where players can all take part in the campaign. Players will control a squad of four marines who are part of a unit sent to investigate the loss of the USS Sulaco (from the Aliens movie). Gameplay will revolve around tactical squad based combat with an intelligent AI able to flank and encircle the players.

Your gun’s bigger than mine

The squad will consist of four distinct types of marine each with special weapons and skills. The weapons we all love from the film are there - the Pulse Rifle, the flamer and the awesome Smart Gun and players will be able to switch between these characters as the game progresses.

Personally, I always wanted to be Sergeant Apone but he doesn’t seem to be here. Nevertheless, this is going to be great as we all yell our favourite Aliens quotes at each other over the Team Speak channel in an attempt to out do each other!

We’re looking forward to this one and will post more later.

The game runs on the Unreal Engine, will be publsihed by Sega and is due sometime in 2008.

Popularity: 71% [?]