Round Up: Massive Debut, Spill & Zlong, Scarface Special

Today's round-up includes news of Massive Magazine's debut, Spill Group acquiring a majority stake in Chinese game developer Zlong Games, and a pair of specials on MTV2 concerning Scarface: The World is Yours, as well as the latest Game Career Guide updates, Serious Games Source posts, GameSetWatch posts and Gamasutra job postings. - The staff of massively multiplayer online-focused magazine Massive announced that the publication's premier issue is on store shelves in the United States. Massive Magazine, produced by the same team responsible for Computer Games Magazine and published by the media division of TheGlobe.com, includes news, features, and previews of upcoming MMO games. The debut issue features a 30-page feature on “What’s Next” for the MMOs of today and tomorrow, as well as other articles covering topics such as why you’d want to hire a Chinese gold farmer and what it’s like to run a guild with hundreds (or more) members. In addition, a bundled DVD includes trial versions of five MMO titles, including EverQuest II, EverQuest, Planetside, Star Wars Galaxies, and The Matrix Online, plus a VIP code that lets readers access the beta of Gods & Heroes. - Online gaming portal developer and operator Spill Group announced a new deal with Chinese game developer Zlong Games, making Spill Group Asia a majority share holder of the company. Zlong Games was founded in 2005, and focuses on online casual games, massive multiplayer online role playing games, PC games and mobile games. Furthermore, the company does the outsourcing for the design of 2D and 3D game characters. Currently Zlong Games develops online games for US, European and Chinese game companies, such as Real. Spill Group notes that following the transaction, it plans for online games to be developed for the Asian market, as well as for external parties and for Spill Group internally. The company also added that these games enhance game advertising possibilities for the company, and will increase the quality of its own game content for its existing portal sites. - Representatives from U.S. cable network MTV2 have announced that it will broadcast 'Making The Game: Scarface: The World Is Yours' on Monday, October 2nd at 12 AM ET/ PT, a special giving a behind the scenes look at the making of Vivendi's upcoming Scarface: The World is Yours. In addition, the special will be followed by a Special Scarface-themed MTV Cribs segment as well, which will feature Tony Montana’s notorious mansion, complete with in-game models and graphics. Scarface: The World is Yours ships on October 6 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and PC. - The latest updates on Gamasutra sister alt.gaming weblog GameSetWatch include a look at MMOGs and the ongoing "world vs. game" debate, a Super Mario 64 speed run, and an interview with BYTE Magazine cover artist Robert Tinney. - News on Gamasutra's game education sister site Game Career Guide includes a book excerpt from O'Reilly's AI for Game Developers. - Also updated today: the latest Gamasutra job postings, including openings from Big Huge Games, BioWare, Blue Fang Games, Forterra Systems, NaturalMotion, and Vivendi Games.