The space-strategy game, Malkari, is getting set for a release shortly, according to iMagicGames, which is the new spin-off company from the CD-ROM division of Interactive Magic.

　　As a promotion, iMagicGames will launch the "Master of Malkari" tournament through its online service, the iMagic Entertainment Network (IEN), on May 6. The game features turn-based space exploration and combat in a manner similar to Master of Orion and Stars, and is playable over the Internet. The tournament is a once-a-week, two-hour match between varying brackets of players. The winners of each week's competition will play again in the eighth week of the contest - whoever has the most asteroids will win the title, and a cash prize.

　　In other news, iMagicGames was apparently dealt somewhat of a blow when retailer Best Buy informed the company that it would not carry the company's first-person alternate history shooter, which iMagicGames describes as, "The likely successor to the wildly popular Wolfenstein." IMagicGames is rumored to be preparing to ship up to 100,000 copies of Mortyr for release in May.

　　According to iMagicGames, the controversial nature of Mortyr, and more specifically its packaging and subject material, which deals with Nazis and the like, have turned off retailers, though the player takes the role of one fighting against the Germans, not with them.

　　"Honestly, we never felt this would be such a hot topic with retailers, especially considering our industry and the seemingly limitless amount of Postals, Quakes and Mortal Kombats out there," said Mike Pearson, producer of Mortyr.

　　Best Buy, on the other hand, reportedly says that it doesn't want to carry Mortyr because it won't sell.