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The Rumour Mine: the first 3D MMO, a new Final Fantasy game, and SimCity iPad

A RPG explosion on iPhone in the making

The Rumour Mine: the first 3D MMO, a new Final Fantasy game, and SimCity iPad
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iOS

There's entirely too many rumours to mine, my friends! After a long, though very informative, week at Game Developers Conference I'm back with word on some big, big games coming to iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.

To be honest, there are tons of gems that I'm just dying to share with you in the coming weeks. I won't just unload the whole cart on you now, though - expect a lot of titbits in the coming weeks.

Mind-blowing 3D MMO launching alongside iPad

It's no secret that there's a push to release a full 3D massively multiplayer online role-playing game for iPhone and iPod touch.

There've been more than enough 2D menu-based games since the App Store launched, but honestly I'm craving something more substantial. I want to play a game, not shift through a textbook.

In two weeks, I (along with you) will get exactly that. While I'm bound by secrecy and can't tell you the game's name or even the developer responsible, you can bank on there being a stunning fully 3D massively multiplayer online role-playing game released alongside iPad on April 3.

There's going to be a version optimised for iPad, but it's primarily designed for iPhone and iPod touch.

Having played the game briefly, I can report that it's seriously going to deliver the MMO experience. No walls of text or menu sifting - this is the real deal. It's structured much like a standard online role-playing game, though the style is different and missions are shorter, with an eye for portability. This is definitely one to watch come April 3rd.

SimCity will truly be deluxe on iPad

SimCity DeluxeWe all know about EA Mobile's plan to release an improved version of classic city management game SimCity for iPhone and iPod touch this summer, but you may not know that there's an iPad version in the works, too.

It's such a no-brainer that I'm surprised no one has figured it out yet. SimCity Deluxe will look absolutely magnificent running on an iPad by virtue of the larger screen. Of course, it'll also make dealing with the rather tight interface much easier. More room for all those management and building options will likely make the iPad version the one to buy.

No word on when EA Mobile plans on announcing the iPad version, though the company has several games for the device in development (can you say Command & Conquer, Monopoly, and Madden NFL?). E3 is a likely time for them to show their hand.

Final Fantasy series getting an original iPhone instalment

Final Fantasy XIIIIf Chaos Rings blew your mind, just wait for the next game from the role-playing experts at Square Enix. You might want to sit down for this: an original instalment of the Final Fantasy franchise is in development for iPhone and iPod touch.

It actually shouldn't be all that surprising when you consider the publisher's willingness to bring the franchise to mobile with unique titles. Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII was a mobile-exclusive that followed the story of secret organisation the Turks. Arcade spin-off Final Fantasy VII Snowboarding was another mobile-only title.

What's coming to iPhone and iPod touch, however, is much bigger. My source wasn't able to confirm whether the game is inspired from a title in the main numbered series or part of a side series such as Crystal Chronicles. Either would be fine by me. I could see a cool multiplayer-enabled Crystal Chronicles game or a nice, in-depth single player adventure carved out of the Final Fantasy XIII universe.

Why not both?