The Rumour Mine: Star Wars built on Unreal Engine 3, Marble Madness returns, and Mirror's Edge 2 on iOS

We're not even halfway through 2011 and there's already a lot of buzz about games on the calendar for release next year.

With E3 right around the corner (early June, but who's counting the days? Me), expect the anticipation to build and the rumours to fly.

Still, it'd be nice to know a little more about what games are scheduled for release in the second half of this year, especially given how little we know of what's coming down the pipeline.

Is there anything you'd like to see released. Are there any games that have been announced that you're looking forward to?

LucasArts developing multi-platform Star Wars game using Unreal Engine 3

With LucasArts announcing a licensing agreement with Epic Games to use Unreal Engine 3 for the development of unannounced console games, it's not a stretch to think that George and company are busy building games for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad too.

Word has it that work has begun on a new multiplatform Star Wars game that includes an iOS release built using Unreal Engine 3. It's clear the game won't be a new side story or anything like The Force Unleashed. Instead, expect it to involve familiar characters in a known part of the franchise's time line.

An autumn 2012 release is likely, perhaps with an announcement coming as soon as E3 in June.

Warner Bros. looking to resurrect Marble Madness

There have been many, many, MANY ball-rolling games released over the years, thanks to the droves of developers that have seized on the accelerometer embedded in iOS handsets to create their own sphere-tilting epics. But Marble Madness is the original. Created way back in 1984, it's an oldie that Warner Bros. is hoping to make into a goodie.

According to inside sources, Warner Bros. is looking to resurrect Marble Madness for iOS and is currently in the pre-production stage. While remakes can be tricky, the phenomenal work done on Tapper: World Tour proves that Warner Bros. knows how to handle such delicate projects.

In fact, there's much room for improvement and innovation when it comes to the tired ball-rolling genre - Gears shows movement in this direction - and Warner Bros. should aggressively move forward on a Marble Madness remake.

Mirror's Edge 2 currently in development for iPhone and iPad

The most impressive game available at the launch of iPad last April and one of the most enjoyable iPhone and iPod touch titles around, Mirror's Edge deserves a sequel and it looks like it'll be getting one if rumours prove true. EA Mobile has supposedly told development studio IronMonkey to start work on Mirror's Edge 2.

Smartly, the sequel will stick to the side-scrolling platform-jumping gameplay that made the iOS release more intuitive (and frankly more entertaining) to play than the main console version. Instead, changes will come in the form of new levels, new characters, new environments, and new combat moves.

Also being worked on are multiplayer modes that will be available on all three devices - iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad - rather than just on iPad. When to expect an announcement? Later this year, with a final release scheduled for the beginning of 2012.