In all honesty, I don't like the new Acclaim. I wasn't too crazy about the old one either, in its last few years before it went bankrupt, although the ancient Acclaim sure brings back some good memories... But those days are long gone now, and in today's MMO-crazed market, Acclaim Games is striving to remake a name for itself by publishing free online games. Such are the upcoming 2Moons fantasy MMORPG and Dance! Online, a title that pretty much explains itself.

As announced a few days ago, both games are now entering the closed beta phase, after having received thousands of sign-ups from gamers. In fact, 2Moons is actually said to have gathered over 100,000 sign-ups, since closed-beta email registration began in August 2006, and some of them will now get to playtest the brutal MMO - given they are invited. Here's how it works:

"To play 2Moons and participate in Closed Beta testing, registered players must receive an official invitation by email. Invitations will be emailed regularly on a first come, first served basis. Fans that have not yet registered are encouraged to sign up at www.2MoonsGame.com, as Closed Beta space may be limited.

2Moons Closed Beta is expected to last several weeks, followed by Open Beta testing where a larger group can participate to further test the game before official release. Register now to be one of the first to experience this exciting new game!"

Acclaim Games' fourth project, Dance! Online is also entering the closed beta testing phase, and players will be allowed to participate through a similar system:

"To play DANCE! Online and participate in Closed Beta testing, registered players must receive an official invitation by email. Invitations will be emailed regularly on a first come, first served basis. Fans that have not yet registered are encouraged to sign up at www.danceonlinegame.com, as Closed Beta space may be limited. Register now to be one of the first to experience this exciting new game!"

How very exciting, indeed...

(N.B. Archive text, links removed)