For starters, a release this year will definately be happening - either during Q3 or Q4. No summer release will occur, but Wolfpack and Ubi have re-opened signups for the Shadowbane open beta test, to begin at the end of June.

The current goal is to have between 2000 and 2500 players logged onto each server at one time. One core design facet - the ability to travel between servers - is still being discussed, though it strongly hoped that it will be in the game at some point.

Wolfpack also performed a slight graphical upgrade in time for the show, and all core graphical effects, with the exception of lighting effects, are currently in the E3 build.

The story was also a major focus, and it was mentioned that it is hoped that different servers will be able to shape the ongoing storyline in different ways to accomodate the actions of the players. It is also hoped that Shadowbane's developers will be dramatically altering the face of the game as it progresses - one example given was the total destruction of a particular class, preventing any new characters of that class from being created. In such a case, the existing characters would be the only remnants of that class, and it would be possible to be the last character of that type.

More information about Shadowbane will be posted in the future, but Wolfpack has major plans for the game, and it will be interesting to see how well they can pull it off.

• Official Shadowbane Website