For those of you who made it to PAX this year, Global Agenda will be on the show floor featuring three of their newest maps, Ice-Flow, Seaside and Climate Control. In addition, each of these maps features a different game mode, so they're not just three games of capture the flag in various settings.

The first map, Ice-Flow, is an escort map that's set outside a Siberian facility with the Aurora Borealis shimmering in the background.

The second map is Seaside, which is a 3-point Ticket map that's set upon a massive drilling platform, suspended above a stormy North Atlantic Ocean.

Finally, the third map is Climate Control, which is an attack/defend map that's set within the East Asian mountains and covered with trees.

All of these maps are part of Global Agenda's Closed Beta Test 1, and later this year, developer Hi-Rez Studios is planning to introduce the Campaign functionality, which will kick off a massive persistent conflict between 'player created Agency groups,' for territory, technology and resources. Executive Producer Todd Harris notes that the crowds at PAX are really enjoying Global Agenda, and he says that the dev team is "thrilled to see players enjoying MMO game-play for its own sake rather than simply to level-up a character. Our booth is a grind-free zone."

You can check out a picture of each of the maps here at ZAM, or you can go apply for the Closed Beta Test 2 for Global Agenda at their website here.

Runic Games, a team largely made up of the guys who originally developed the critically acclaimed Free to Player MMORPG, Mythos, have announced that they will be releasing their latest MMO, Torchlight, on October 27th, 2009. The game will cost you $19.99, and you can check it out at this year's PAX convention.

If you weren't able to make it to PAX this year, but you still want to check out the game, you can toddle around Torchlight's website and read more about specific game mechanics here. As well, the team's latest feature has been a little blurb about Torchlight's various NPCs, which you can read here. All in all, it seems as though Torchlight will be another step forward for the 'Diablo' style of randomized dungeon MMORPG gaming. One thing, however, of particular interest this time around appears to be the team's intention to include a game editor with Torchlight that will allow players to create and design their own content. This might be interesting to check out in October!

Earlier today ZAM was officially challenged by Riot Games to a single game of League of Legends that will take place tomorrow on the show floor of PAX (Penny Arcade Expo). We've confidently accepted and the trash talking has already begun. What's more, we've made it interesting with a bet. If ZAM wins, members of the opposing team have to wear ZAM Network shirts at their next event, if we lose, we have to wear free League of Legends shirts. That's what I call a favorable wager.

We definitely have a challenge in front of us. Riot Games is matching us against their best players: Jeff Jew, Marc Merrill, Steve Snow, Logan Margulies and Travis George. Unfortunately for them, we have a secret weapon that we'll be unveiling tomorrow.

If you're fortunate enough to have tickets, join us at the Riot Games booth Saturday at 5:00 PM PST to witness a battle of the Ages. Team ZAM vs. Riot Games.

Codemasters Online and NetDevil have released a new series of Jumpgate Evolution screenshots and concept art at the Penny Arcade Expo, and we've added them all to our gallery. From Octavian gunboats engaging Solrain targets to cargo freighters entering Aurora Nexus, the screenshots give you a glimpse into the battles you'll encounter in this sci-fi MMO. There's even a copy of the box art in the mix.

Once you're done checking out the Jumpgate Evolution gallery, feel free to head over to our PAX page for more news straight from our team in Seattle.

UPDATE: Our ZAM team at PAX just found out the Siege of Mirkwood digital expansion will cost $19.99.

The Penny Arcade Expo may have just started today, but Turbine has already made a major announcement by unveiling Siege of Mirkwood, the next digital expansion to Lord of the Rings Online. The update, which will be available as a digital download this fall, acts as the epic conclusion to Volume II: Mines of Moria and will include Book 9 and the Epilogue as players delve into the forest of Mirkwood.

The expansion will raise the level cap to 65 and introduce new traits, virtues, skills and class quests. Explorers can infiltrate Dol Guldur, the fortress of the Ringwraiths, and work their way through new three- and six-player instances, as well as a new 12-player raid that will pit you against the Nazgûl Lord!

The new Skirmishes feature will let you create and lead customizable soldiers into battle in repeatable, randomized instances. There will also be major improvements made to the combat and Legendary Items systems. You can read more about the digital expansion here or below.

The Mission Architect system in City of Heroes allows players to create their own in-game stories, but it also opens up the possibility for professional writers to share their tales with players. NCsoft and Paragon Studios announced today they are launching a guest author program and have already tapped Scott Kurtz, the creator of the PvP Web comic, and Rooster Teeth, the masterminds behind "Red vs. Blue," to bring their stories to life in City of Heroes.

Kurtz is already working on missions for LolBat, while Rooster Teeth will focus on bringing Captain Dynamic and The Great Face to life. Kurtz and Rooster Teeth's Joel Heyman will talk about their experiences in the guest author program during a panel at the Penny Arcade Expo this weekend. You can read the full announcement below.

The Penny Arcade Expo kicks off tomorrow to begin a weekend full of gaming, and members of the ZAM staff are currently on their way to Seattle to bring you exclusive coverage of the festival. In case you're unfamiliar with PAX, the event was created by Penny Arcade's Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik to focus on tabletop, console and PC games. The first PAX was held in 2004 and has exponentially grown in popularity. In fact, this year's convention has already sold out.

That's where we come in. If you're not able to attend PAX, then we want to bring PAX to you. You can check out all of our news from the floor on our PAX news page, which is also accessible via a banner on ZAM.com. To be honest, our schedule is packed. We'll provide you with news on Aion, EVE Online, Global Agenda, Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons: Eberron Unlimited, Star Trek Online, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Warhammer Online, League of Legends and more. MMOs certainly have a strong presence at the festival, so keep an eye on our coverage for updates from our team in Seattle.

Our readers on the East Coast may be happy to hear that PAX East will be held in Boston from March 26-28, 2010, marking the first time the Penny Arcade Expo will be held outside of Washington. While it's exciting to have another PAX to look forward to, we're completely focused on this weekend.

NCsoft and DC Comics announced today that a limited edition comic book based on Aion will be given to players who purchase the MMO at GameStop stores in the United States and Electronic Boutique stores in Canada. Copies will also be available at the Penny Arcade Expo this weekend.

The artist for the Wildstorm comic is Neil Googe. David Noonan and Ricardo Sanchez wrote the story that focuses on Aiva, "a young Asmodian warrior who vows vengeance against the Elyos who killed her family during a raid." The announcement does not mention if there are any plans to create an ongoing Aion comic book series. You can read the full press release below.

We've already listed a number of MMOs that will be features at the sold out Penny Arcade Expo this weekend, but now you can add Blizzard's set of games to the mix. Gamers who attend PAX this year will get to try out demos of Cataclysm, the upcoming World of Warcraft expansion, and the recently announced monk class in Diablo III. A StarCraft II demo will be available as well.

All of these playable demos were available at BlizzCon, but now PAX attendees will also be able to get a first-hand glimpse of the future of the Blizzard franchises. In addition, community managers will be at the convention to discuss the games with fans.

It looks like League of Legends fans who plan on attending the Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) will definitely have something to look forward to, as Riot Games, developer of League of Legends, has announced that they will be at PAX with a playable copy of their game for all of the general public to try. In addition to this, Riot Games is also providing the first 20,000 PAX attendees with a special in-game redeemable code that allows them access to a limited edition champion skin designed by Penny Arcade (pictured right). Finally, all attendees who visit the Riot Games booth or play their demo will also receive a beta key to play in the League of Legends closed beta. If you find that you just can't attend PAX, but you really want to pick up a beta key, remember that Riot Games is giving away 50 beta keys every Friday via Facebook for anyone who becomes a fan of League of Legends. Barring that, you can also purchase the League of Legends Digital Collector's Pack via their website and receive instant Beta access in addition to a plethora of awesome stuff.

Marc Merrill, Co-Founder and President of Riot Games notes that "Riot has deep roots in the game and mod community, and fan feedback has influenced every aspect of League of Legends development. As an event devoted to celebrating the fans and culture of games, PAX is the perfect place for us to give to many players their first hands-on experience with League of Legends and we look forward to having a ton of fun with the gamers who make the pilgrimage up to Seattle."