Dark Messiah of Might and Magic Opens Closed Beta Sign-ups

Word on the official Might and Magic website is that Ubisoft has opened registrations for closed beta testing of Arkane Studios' upcoming Dark Messiah first-person action game. Places are said to be limited, so if you're interested in testing the online features of the game (and have some fun in the process), you might want to hurry up and fill in the sign-up form. Just a quick note before you do - make sure to have the following information ready:

- email address

- Ubi.com login (register here)

- Steam account information (register here)

On top of all the engrossing single-player action demoed so far, Ubisoft's latest fact sheet also promises a revolutionary multiplayer mode, featuring battles with up to 32 players in the revolutionary Crusade mode, which will allow you to gain experience and new equipment across dynamic online campaigns. Enlist with the humans or the undead and choose among five complementary character classes. Wage epic online battles, sprawling over multiple zones, from the dark Necromancer's lair at Nar-Heresh to the man-made splendor of Stonehelm.

Set in the Might and Magic universe, and powered by an enhanced version of Valve's Half-Life 2 Source engine, Dark Messiah will let players experience ferocious combat in a dark and immersive fantasy environment, while becoming an expert warrior, mage or assassin, using a vast array of devastating weapons, against huge and vicious creatures in a deep and captivating fantasy.

Our local screenshots gallery has been updated several times in the past few days, and the E3 2006 teaser featuring a brief cinematic sequence is also available for download. Dark Messiah is looking very promising indeed, and hopefully it will be released no later than September 2006.

(N.B. Archive text, links removed)