The newly resurrected and MMOG-focused Acclaim Games has announced a new partnership with former Shiny founder David Perry of Earthworm Jim fame to create a new massively multiplayer online game for the company. The catch? He needs your help.

Dubbed “Top Secret,” the project welcomes suggestions from the gamer community, some of which will make it into the final product. Some additional surprises are also in store, with the veteran developer commenting that “surprise guests” will be brought on to the project in order to “inspire and mentor the contributors.” Sounds exciting, if a bit daunting as well.

In addition, Perry will pick the best contributor, and let that person work on a new fully-funded MMOG for the PC with Perry as the executive producer. Not only that, but once the game is released, the winner will also get a cut of the game’s sales. Acclaim and Perry note that no development experience is necessary, and that Perry himself won’t even look at resumes. Those interested in taking a stab at this unique opportunity should visit the project’s [url=http://topsecret.acclaim.com/]official website[/url].

“This is the only chance I know of to jumpstart a directorship career in the video game industry,” stated Perry. “Everyone wins. They get to learn how to make professional games, and if they get anything in, they get a real professional credit on their resume…But, if they win, well then they get their life changed.”

Officials from THQ announced plans to release Nihilistic Software’s upcoming Conan game globally for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in early 2008. The game marks the first product in THQ’s multi-year licensing agreement to develop games based on Robert E. Howard’s original stories, first acquired in November 2005.

The Conan franchise is currently enjoying the 75th anniversary of its first published story. The upcoming game is described as an action adventure “featuring a story of epic brutality, sheer evil and visceral combat.” Players will follow the journey of Conan the Cimmerian and together with a “deep and gratifying” combat system, fight against a variety of enemies and an elusive power that threatens to consume the Hyborian world.

“The strength and diversity of the Conan brand lends itself extremely well to the interactive format,” said Jack Sorensen, executive vice president, worldwide studios, THQ. “Through intense combat, familiar environments and next generation visuals, we believe Conan fans and action adventure enthusiasts alike are certain to embrace this future addition to the Conan universe.”

Of course, those players itching for more Conan fun can also look out for Funcom’s Age of Conan – Hyborian Adventures, which is in development for the PC and Xbox 360 for release later this year as well.

Electronic Arts has taken the lid off of MySims, a new game in The Sims franchise developed for the Wii and Nintendo DS. In MySims, players begin by creating their own toy-like sim that reflects their personal style and attitudes, including accessories and hairstyles – new styles of sims can be unlocked through playing.

MySims moves the player to a delightful but disorganized town where they can re-shape everything and make it their own. The town is rundown, but the player can make it much more dynamic. Using a selection of building blocks, patterns and tools, players can design furniture and appliances, architect new homes and businesses, and re-define the the game’s landscape.

As players explore and build up the town, they will get to know other residents such as Mayor Rosalyn P. Marshall and hotel bellhop Buddy. Once things start to look up, they’ll meet and choose from a variety of other residents, and will be able to decide on what to build, and for whom. Examples offered by EA including being able to build a restaurant for Gino Delicioso the Italian Chef, or helping Ocean Breeze set up his Yoga studio.

For a better idea of the game’s style, check out its [url=http://www.mysims.com/]official website[/url]. MySims is expected to launch this fall, though it is unknown if both versions will launch simultaneously, or if this game will finally bring the much anticipated Wii/DS interoperability and connectivity that has, until now, remained purely speculation.

Sony’s European arm confirmed that “early adopters” of the PlayStation 3 will be able to immediately download the much anticipated Gran Turismo HD Concept over the PlayStation Network when the console launches on March 23. However, there won’t be a lot to see, as the game will only consist of a single track, though admittedly the content is free.

In Gran Turismo HD Concept, players are offered one car on the Eiger Nordwand track in the Swiss Alps. When the track is completed within the time limit, another car is unlocked. There are nine further cars to unlock in this way, including a Ferrari 599, marking the first time a Ferrari has appeared in Gran Turismo. In another first, Gran Turismo HD Concept’s Time Trial will allow players to rank themselves against other players on the PlayStation Network.