Prolific World of Warcraft add-on maker cknight has released the latest version of his Cartographer mod, transforming WoW’s static in-game world map into a Google Maps-inspired dynamic map.

Even though the add-on is only in beta, it’s already an extremely impressive achievement, and I look forward to experimenting with it when I reactivate my WoW account in the coming weeks (Really! …Probably).

Of course, as any Lord of the Rings Online player knows, Azeroth isn’t the first virtual fantasy world to get the Google Maps treatment. Arda Online’s map of Middle-Earth has been helping LotRO players find there way from the Shire to the Trollshaws for months now.

Cartographer 3, Interview, Daily Blue, Contest [World of Raids]

Unreal Tournament 3 is one of the best looking 3D games on the PS3 and PC, and now it’s one of the best looking 2D games too, thanks to the work of modder Joe Bates. His UT2D mod allows users on either system to transform the FPS into a “sidescrolling fragfest” compatible with deathmatch, team deathmatch, capture the flag, and duel gametypes.

You can even use other mods in tandem with UT2D to play as Samus Aran or Master Chief in full 2D glory, transforming Unreal Tournament 3 into a mascot fighter with a larger character roster than Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Game Type - UT2D [UT3MOD.COM]

An enterprising modder has imported assets from The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (specifically the Imperial City and a few random houses) to the Crysis engine, making for one stunning blurry YouTube video. Because of legal reasons, the modder obviously can’t release the mod to the public, but that hasn’t stopped him from showing off his work. One thing’s for certain: Oblivion never looked that good on my PC, and maybe in five years the leyman PC gamer will be able to afford a machine capable of producing such gorgeous visuals.

WIP - Oblivion to Crysis [Crymod Forums via bits bytes pixels & sprites]

World of Warcraft role-players will no longer need to worry about players with names like “Iownu,” “Halomasterchief,” and “Vindiesal” distracting them from the game’s fantasy setting. NameViolation, a new WoW interface addon for the latest version of the game, allows players on RP servers to quickly report character, guild, and pet names that violate Blizzard’s naming policy by right clicking on the offender.

The addon will automatically generate a GM-friendly message based on the specific rule the offending name violates. Because addons can’t page GMs directly, you only need to copy-paste the text into a GM ticket and patiently wait for “Xhaxorx” the night elf hunter to be renamed “Legeles.” Ah, sweet justice.

Blizzard recently implemented a similar system that allows player to automatically report players for spamming with a simple right click. While the developer has always policed spamming and gold selling to the full extent of their abilities, lesser issues like naming policy violations, which were heavily monitored at the game’s launch, have gone mostly ignored. It’s interesting to see the RP community beginning to enforce the game’s rules themselves.

NameViolation [WoW Interface via WOW Insider]

Epic Games and Intel have joined forces for a second round of the $1 Million Make Something Unreal Contest, which offers a prize pool worth over $1 million to talented Unreal Tournament 3 mod makers. Entries are limited to mods for the PC version of the game, and run the gamut of categories from environments, characters, and weapons to a special educational category reserved for students and universities. One lucky grand prize winner will walk away with a coveted Unreal Engine 3 license.

The winner of the last $1 Million Make Something Unreal Contest was none other than Tripwire Interactive’s Unreal Tournament 2003/4 mod Red Orchestra (pictured), which found success at retail and through digital distribution channels.

Make Something Unreal [Official site via Evil Avatar]