The Rumour Mine: ChAIR's follow-up to Infinity Blade, The Elder Scrolls V on iPhone, and Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes HD for iPad

Three great rumours for you this week, just in time for the extended holiday weekend.

It's no surprise that with the success of iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad that major development studios are taking an interest in making games for Apple device. Still, the idea of some of gaming's biggest franchises - The Elder Scrolls, Might and Magic, among so many others - coming to iOS is nonetheless exciting.

While mobile games need not feel insecure when compared to console games, there's still some joy to be taken in mobile gaming being taken seriously.

Even better, we were playing mobile games before they were cool, so that makes us part of the mobile old guard, right?

Infinity Blade developer ChAIR working on new iOS role-playing game

Having fallen in love with iOS during the development of superb action role-playing hit Infinity Blade, developer ChAIR has moved quickly into a follow-up project. While I'm not able to divulge the full identity of the title, I can confirm that it's a role-playing game that goes deeper than Infinity Blade.

The game isn't a sequel or spiritual successor to Infinity Blade; on the contrary, it's a completely different game built specifically for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Consider the first title a warm up for what I'm told is the entree: better graphics, more content, in-depth character customisation, and a story-driven campaign with multiple locations.

In other words, this is the triple-A hardcore title without compromise that everybody has been crying for. An announcement should be pieced together late summer, with a release eyed for the end of this year or the beginning of 2012.

Long-hinted Bethesda iPhone game ties in with The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Bethesda has long been toying with the idea of releasing an iPhone and iPod touch game, even teasing with the media on a prospective announcement. While a big reveal has yet to occur, sources point to an announcement soon detailing an iOS tie-in with fantasy role-playing sequel The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

It's unclear how the game will be structured. Will it be a side story? Will it set up the events before the game?

Perhaps it's not a game at all, merely a dossier or reference manual to be used while roaming the realm. I'm inclined to believe it's an action-packed side story with light role-playing elements modelled on the main game's robust mechanics.

Even a port of The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall modified for play on a touchscreen - think about playing it on the larger iPad screen with its high resolution - would be welcome. Whatever the case, expect to hear about the tie-in over the summer, perhaps during E3.

Ubisoft issuing port of Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes HD for iPad

Even if you took issue with the cutesy style of Capybara's take on the Might and Magic franchise, there's no denying the good gameplay it offered on Nintendo DS. A recent release as a downloadable console title has reconfirmed its appeal and when Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes HD hits iPad later this year, you can echo its praises.

More a puzzle game than hack 'n' slash role-playing game, you do battle by matching soldiers together on the battlefield. Think Puzzle Quest, but with fantasy military units. It's a unique concept that works well on a portable and certainly would be at home on iPad.

There's sure to be an iPhone and iPod touch release, too, although it's unclear if the game will be provided as a universal app or sold separately (perhaps released first for iPad with an iPhone and iPod touch version coming shortly thereafter like Capybara's Sword & Sworcery EP). Look for it later this year.