Codemasters seems to be on a screenshot kick today, with some new screenshots of Operation Flashoint: Dragon Rising accompanying this morning's DiRT 2 screens.

Developed internally at Codemasters, not by creator Boehmia Interactive, the tactical shooter sequel is slated to appear on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 this fall.

Bohemia Interactive, developers of the original Operation Flashpoint and the ArmA series of spiritual sequels, is protesting Codemasters' billing of its Operation Flashpoint sequel as an "offical" return of the series.

Bohemia developed the original military shooter Operation Flashpoint, with Codemasters publishing the game in 2001. The two companies soon parted ways over legal disputes, leading Bohemia to create the ArmA series.

But Codemasters announced that it was developing its own Operation Flashpoint sequel in 2007, placing its sequel and Bohemia's upcoming ArmA 2 in direct competition--a situation that Bohemia is clearly upset over.

"In the license agreement, Bohemia Interactive expressly reserved the exclusive right to develop sequels to the original OFP game," said Bohemia attorney Leora Herrmann in a pointed press release issued today. "Codemasters also... Read more

It's been nearly two years since Codemasters re-announced Operation Flashpoint 2, promising that the military simulation would hit "PC and major console formats." We all assumed that meant PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, but Codemasters stuck to its guns.

The company changed its tune today, officially confirming that the sequel to Bohemia's Operation Flashpoint will hit PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 alongside PC. In addition, the game has dropped the 2 from its title, now just Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising.

As Bohemia has moved on to produce its ArmA line of military simulators, Codemasters is developing the new Operation Flashpoint internally, though Bohemia was originally attached to the sequel way back in 2003. The new game uses the EGO Engine, previously seen in Codemasters' Colin McRae: DiRT and Race Driver: GRID.

Described by Codemasters as the "most accessible, engaging and visceral sandbox shooter of the year," Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising arrives this summer.

The new trailer, detailing the game's use of the Ego Engine, follows below... Read more

Media continues to trickle out of the Leipzig Games Convention. Here are screenshots from a few of Codemasters' upcoming games: Operation Flashpoint 2, Overlord Dark Legend, Overlord Minions and Rise of the Argonauts.

Operation Flashpoint 2 (PC, PS3, X360) Overlord Dark Legend (Wii) Overlord Minions (NDS) ... Read more

Codemasters sends along a second Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising trailer which, like the first, is of the CGI variety using in-game models. The trailer shows a full-scale battle between US marines and the People's Liberation Army of China.

There are also some "target render" screenshots from the game, which is expected to be released for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2009. Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream.

Three new games for PC and unspecified consoles are on the way from Codemasters in 2008, the company announced today.

Operation Flashpoint 2, the sequel to Bohemia Interactive's first person military simulator Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis (PC), is said to be Codemasters Studios' most extensive R&D project to date. In pre-production for over two years and featuring the largest development team in Codemasters history, the game utilizes a version of the studio's Neon middleware specialized for first-person shooters. Featuring another clash of superpowers and a variety of both single and multiplayer combat situations, the game was described by Codemaster's Andrew Wafter as offering an unprecedented scale of warfare. Along with the announcement, Codemasters released one image (left).

Also in development by Codemasters Studios is Race Driver One, which carries the tagline "One planet. One thousand races. It's all about being number one." An evolution of Codemaster's TOCA Tour Driving and TOCA Race Driver franchises, players will race their way through real-life locations in the U.S., Europe, and Japan. The realistic on-road racing of Race Driver One serves as a complement to Codemaster's upcoming rally simulation, Colin McRae: DIRT (X360, PC), with both games also based on the studio's Neon middleware. No screenshots were provided.

"Combining our racing heritage with the Neon engine, Race Driver One will create a world that goes far beyond the traditional boundaries of motorsport gaming, taking players from the most prestigious race circuits to road and street events around the globe," explained executive producer Gavin Raeburn. "A completely fresh career structure will engage players in an unprecedented range of racing styles as they build a team capable of becoming number one. The Neon engine will be expanded to deliver a new level of visual detail, physics and an astonishing car damage system."

Lastly, Rise of the Argonauts, an action RPG from Liquid Entertainment, puts players in control of key figures in Greek mythology, such as Jason, Hercules, and Atalanta, as they explore the world of ancient Greece. No screenshots have been released at this time.

"Rise of the Argonauts is a further key property in our 2008 portfolio," said Codemasters senior VP of brand Barry Jafrato. "Codemasters' investment in developing new I.P.s, which will sit alongside the new extensions of our existing brands, reinforces our ongoing commitment to bring original and thrilling new gaming experiences to market."