EVE Online, the remarkably popular space MMORPG which puts all of its players on a single server, has recently launched yet another new service. EVE TV covers in-game events via live streaming, with commentary and analysis from PVP experts, and interviews with developers and GMs.

A schedule of upcoming events details when to tune in, and also lists various mirrors across the world.

EVE Online remains one of the most consistently active MMOs, showing great resilience in the face of a market fast approaching saturation point (if it hasn't already arrived). When first released it was praised as one of the most beautiful games of all time (PC PowerPlay gave it a score of 89% and named it a "Game of High Distinction") and nothing has changed in that regard. With a massive player-driven economy, and every player in a single instance, the EVE community is unparalleled in its breadth, depth and robustness.

And just in case a dedicated TV stream isn't enough to fill your craving for EVE, there's also a sleek print magazine and the recently announced collectible card game. All we need now is EVE-Online: The Flamethrower.

Acclaim Games has announced that BOTS, their free MMO action game, has entered the open beta stage. Players do battle with custom built robots on a wide variety of colourful maps, seeking levels and loot. The current release supports solo, co-operative, PvP and "PvP Base" modes and has a level cap of 99.

Rather than charging monthly fees, or even selling the game client, Acclaim has committed to making BOTS free to play, with revenue being raised through advertising and the sale of special in-game items. These "Money items" are not yet available, and will not be activated until the game is officially released.

This marketing scheme where publishers sell in-game items to players is becoming increasingly popular, and has already been adapted by other online games such as Bang! Howdy and EverQuest II, though one could argue that Sony's financial situation is not comparable to Acclaim's.

NC Soft has announced that players of City of Heroes and City of Villains will be treated to a "Double Experience Weekend" on the 21st to the 23rd of July. This follows the recent release of Issue 7 which added new content for both Heroes and Villains:

Due to low population levels on the existing Auto Assault servers, NC Soft has merged all servers into a single 'Nexus', responding to player calls for a "unified Auto Assault experience". This merger will shut down all European servers in favour of a single server in North America which will carry the entire player population. All players, including those in Australia, will need to transfer their characters to the server in accordance with the merger FAQ.

Population has been an issue for the Mad-Max inspired, action-orientated MMORPG ever since it was released in April. Despite its unique gameplay with a heavy focus on fast action, destroyable environments and Havoc physics, the game has been universally met with lukewarm responses from gamers and critics alike (PC PowerPlay #127 gave the game a score of 6/10).

Perhaps Auto Assault doesn't offer the depth that gamers have come to demand from high-priced MMORPGs, or perhaps there are just too many MMORPGs in the marketplace at the moment. Either way, NC Soft continues to support the game with new content and hopes that the merger will bolster the community.

The Ship, an online murder game with a unique set of rules, has been released over Steam.

Originally a mod for Half-Life, The Ship is set on a luxury 1920s cruise ship built by the mysterious Mr X. At the beginning of the game, the player is given the name of another passenger whom they must find and secretly murder. Using observation or talking with other people, the player must covertly track down their quarry without alerting the security team of the ship. This is not the only danger to watch out for, though: the player is also a target for one of the other passengers on the ship, turning the game into a cat and mouse scenario. Kill or be killed. And no, the player cannot simply go on a murderous rampage - Mr X will fine players who exhibit this kind of behaviour.

Packaged with the retail version of the game is a standalone single player version meant for practicing. However, the real focus of this game is upon the multiplayer element.

The Ship is available on Steam for US $19.95 (AU $26.50).