Hideo Kojima has been working hard on the next installment to the Metal Gear series, but that hasn't stopped the man from pondering his next project.

It was recently reported that the acclaimed Japanese game designer had outlined an idea for a massively multilayer, online zombie game. However, if players are to take the man's idea seriously, the cost to play the game could be a hundred times that of World of Warcraft, literally.

The concept of using an alternate character to save a primary one could prove quite ingenious, but at what price? Imagine having to pay an extra 10 dollars for every character that is bitten by the undead. Surely, gamers can expect to have free alternates available to them at a reasonable monthly charge, but it will be interesting to see how this pans out if and when Kojima decides to further develop this idea.

Surprisingly popular MMOG (Massive Multiplayer Online Game) EVE Online is making headlines this week as it seems a large group of players have once again been duped, scammed, and fooled into parting with billions of in-game currency. After many months of plotting a small group of devious bankers were able to make off with over 700 Billion “Isk” that if sold on Ebay could fetch around $119,000 USD. That’s one hundred and nineteen thousand bits of cold hard American cash for scamming space nerds.



Recently on the forums it seems a single person named “Dentara Rast” is attempting to take sole credit for this grand heist

Indeed you do, Mr. Rast. Indeed you do. Perhaps you could use all of that virtual currency to buy a fetching young bride from Russia or finance your own intergalactic revolution. Well played.

Hilariously, this is not the first time such an intergalactic scheme has taken place in EVE. Many months ago there was a bloodier coup that resulted in $16,500 worth of space booty boosted.

EVE is one of many MMO’s attempting to get a piece of the online game pie and part of the allure stems from these occasional scams resulting in thousands of real life currency. To make matters worse, or better depending on how cold and dead your hear may be, the diabolical developers are infamous for sitting back and letting these battles unfold naturally and via the will of the galactic masses. I myself dabbled in the game for a couple weeks and as an image conscience man of style, I couldn’t get past an entire universe of people resembling Borg-like Germans face raped by wrenches.

Conan fans rejoice! Paradox Entertainment announced that a Conan the Barbarian movie from Warner Brothers is set for production early 2007. It is very possible that our fearless barbarian friend will grace the screen in several Conan movies. Warner Brothers had previously attempted to bring back Conan, with the Wachhowsi Brothers, and then Robert Rodriguez. Sadly, both attempts failed.

While a director has not yet been chosen, Boaz Yakin, Remember The Titans and The Rookie, has been hired as scriptwriter. Producers Akira Goldsman, DaVinci Code and Cinderella Man, along with Irving Azoff, Jon Jashni and Richard Alexander are all aboard as well.

Please, Conan movie creators--I beg of you: Just watch Korgoth a few times. Maybe embrace a few elements?

Age of Conan received Gamespy and IGN's Best of E3 award this year. The Conan booth certainly drew me in. Perhaps it was my lifelong dream of becoming one with the sword wielding barbarian. Or perhaps it was the plastic inflatable sword they were giving away.

(hat tip: games press)