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Starting December 14 players of CCP Games' sci-fi MMO, EVE Online, will have the chance to receive a free ship. The Echelon integrates the otherwise incomprehensible Sansha technology into a frigate-class capsuleers vessel. Until January 3 players can log in and receive one of the new vessels.

It's that time of year again, when people get into the spirit of giving, even the people 23,000 years into the future. CONCORD has joined in the seasonal festivities by packing its hangars with a very special gift for the capsuleers of New Eden. December 14th, the pilots of EVE Online will receive the latest ship to roll off of the CONCORD production line - the Echelon.

Constructed in secrecy, the Echelon is a minor masterpiece of engineering, integrating otherwise incomprehensible Sansha technology into a frigate-class capsuleers vessel. The advanced cryptographic processors on board provide superior hacking capabilities for use on most known password-secured devices. However, the true beauty of the Echelon is in the adaptive synchronization of capsuleers and Sansha codebreaking components, creating a system predicted to give capsuleers an edge over even the strongest of the Nation's encryption locks.

Beginning Dec 14th 2010, you will be able to redeem the new holiday ship on your account login screen. You can then assign it to a particular character and CONCORD will deliver it to your hangar bay. You will be able to redeem the holiday ship once per active (not trial) account and will no longer be available after January 3rd, 2011, so make sure you log in to receive yours.

EVE Online: Echelon For Free

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In the second installment of IMG's holiday interview series Jon Carr has interviewed TransGaming's Paul Nowosad. The VP of Corporate Marketing and Business Development discussed the state of Mac gaming, the upcoming Apple Store, and GameTreeMac.com.

A snippet from the interview:

JC: Apple recently announced a Mac App store would be "Coming Soon." Do you view this as a possible threat to your own game sales and other Mac game stores? Or is it another positive option for Mac users everywhere?

PN: The real opportunity in the Mac App store is the ability to grow the awareness and general availability of Mac games to consumers with Apple hardware.  The placement of a 'news stand' marketing engine like the Mac App store, on every Apple computer desktop, is a sign that great games from leading developers will have a marketing "voice" if not a distribution channel to add to their marketing and sales mix.  Apple initially is not supporting all game types or formats, thus digital channels like GameTreeMac.com are still a vital source of distribution to Mac developers and gamers.  The ability to reach a broad Mac market with new entertainment apps, and ultimately sell Mac games through this new channel will be an evolving process, and one that TransGaming has the tech know how and tools to support... thus offering its Cider developer base a clear line on how to evangelize the channel for max benefit.  GameTreeMac.com is more than just selling games (unlike the Mac App Store), and with new improvements coming in the months ahead, consumers using our channel will see the value to being a Member, if not for the promotional benefits, then to realize what new games are hot, and how to connect with fellow Mac gamers.

TransGaming Q&A

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Spiderweb Software recently announced it would be resuming part of its anniversary sale from October. Until the end of December the indie RPG developer is offering all of its game collections on CD for 25% off.

In October, we had our 15th anniversary sale, celebrating an alarmingly long time being in the business of writing Indie role-playing games. The sale was a huge success, one of the best sales we've ever had. As a result, and as a thank you to our loyal customers, we are resuming the most popular part of the sale: the big discount on CD bundles. For the entire month of December, all of our Game Collections on CD are 25% off.

Spiderweb Software CD Bundles

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Blizzard Entertainment has announced a new round of Free Character Moves in response to the influx of players brought on by the recent release of the Cataclysm expansion for World of Warcraft. Players with characters on certain high traffic realms will have the chance to make the switch to a less populated realm.

World of Warcraft: Cataclysm is live and many players are coming back to the game, while others are just really pumped to get in and experience the new content. To address the population influx, we're providing some players with Free Character Moves. If you're on one of the source realms listed below, you can move your characters to the designated destination realm and avoid the queues -- for free!

By initiating one of these transfers you will be moving your character to a new realm and home. This is a one-time, one-way move. You will need to use the paid transfer service to move your character elsewhere.

Please be aware that due to the unpredictable nature of free transfers we may close down any Free Character Moves at any time and without warning if the target realm becomes full. If you plan to move with friends or your guild, we suggest that you coordinate the effort to reduce the chance of any stragglers being left behind.

Early closures aside, the Free Character Moves will end on December 22.

WoW Free Character Moves

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