KingsIsle Entertainment has sent us an exclusive Wizard101 image that contains a coded message about mysterious upcoming updates. All we’ve been told is that this is the second image in a set of three, and that all three images will have to be decoded to reveal the full hidden message. We don’t know where or when the next part of the message will appear, so be on the lookout for the remaining images over the next few days.

Click on the screenshot above to see a larger version of the image and the coded message. What do you think KingsIsle is up to?

The second annual Game Developers Choice Online Awards ceremony was held last night at GDC Online, and both Rift and Minecraft took home the top honors with two awards each. Rift earned awards for Best New Online Game and Best Online Technology, while Minecraft received the Best Live Game and Best Community Relations awards. Wizard101 pick up the Audience Award, which is voted on by gamers worldwide.

It's also important to note that EverQuest was inducted into the Choice Online Awards Hall of Fame. The classic MMO is in its 12th year of operation and has a new expansion scheduled to launch next month. Last year's inductee was Ultima Online.

You can view the full list of winners after the jump.

It's time to celebrate Halloween in Wizard101! KingsIsle Entertainment has added three new pets to the Crown Shop: the Night Mare, Zombie Piggle and Ghost Dragon. Also returning this year is the Black Cat pet.

As far as in-game events are concerned, players can find Jack Hallow in the Ravenwood Commons to go on adventures throughout Wizard City. They can also head over to the Shopping District to purchase a special limited edition wand from Sven Stonebreaker or new Halloween Crowns items from Spooky Bob.

Happy birthday, Wizard101! KingsIsle Entertainment announced in today's newsletter that it is celebrating the game's third anniversary with giveaways, contests and other fun stuff throughout the month.

UPDATE: Click this link to receive your Wizard101 birthday gift! It's valid until September 5.

With the recent launch of the Wysteria update, now is the perfect time to dive into Wizard101 and try out the game. We'll see you in Wizard City!

The land of Wysteria is now live in Wizard 101! Today's update features three new zones for Wizards to explore, including a city and two adventure zones for mid-level characters.

Wysteria is the home of a rival magical school, Pigswick Academy, and hosts a magical tournament that attracts contenders from across the Spiral. New content in Wysteria includes:

• New zones: The Pigswick Academy of Magic and two adventuring streets -- Pegasus Place and Tanglewood Way.
• New creatures to encounter and vanquish: Goblins, Hobgoblins, Green Men and Rabbit Guards.
• Dozens of new quests.
• Powerful new equipment, plants, pets and mounts.  
• A new collectable booster pack, "The Wyvern's Hoard," which offers a chance at epic loot, including one of five ultra-rare "Fortune Wyvern" mounts.
• For mighty Wizards, a brand new level 60 epic gauntlet to conquer: The Tower of the Helephant.

The new Wysteria zones are available to purchase individually for 1,000 Crowns each.  As always, current Wizard101 members will gain access to the new areas immediately.

KingsIsle Entertainment announced today that it has entered an agreement with Taomee Holdings Limited to bring Wizard101 to China. The developer of the kid-friendly MMO has already partnered with Gameforge to make the title available in Europe, so this move continues to bring the game to a global audience.

Speaking of Wizard101, the House-a-Palooza event is currently under way and runs through August 23. Houses and housing items are up to 50% off and more than 50 new housing items have been added to the Crown Shop.

Wizard101's next content update is now available on the test realm so players young and old alike can explore the new city of Wysteria before it goes live. Here's a description of the city:

"Wysteria was once a trade post and pleasant enough small town in the Wizard City cluster, not too far away but of little consequence in the overall scheme of things, until a magical incident occurred that caused a crawling vine to grow and completely overrun the town."

Wysteria is the home of Pigswick Academy, which is the rival school to Ravenwood. Players will also find the streets of Pegasus Place and Tanglewood Way in the city. Pegasus Place has been overrun by a wave of goblins and hobgoblins, while Tanglewood Way is ruled by the forces of nature. Despite all of this, players will be able to participate in a very special Magic tournament in Wysteria.

If you're a paid Wizard101 member, head over to the test realm and find out more about Wysteria!

KingsIsle has released the Wizard101 June Producer's Letter. This time around, Leah “Professor Falmea” Ruben discusses what the team has been working on throughout the summer. The recent release of Wintertusk came with "a few minor hiccups" which Ruben assures have been fixed, thanks to all the input from fans. Players should see a 100% disco-free Spiral!

The Flying Carpet Mount that was teased in the commercial but not immediately available with the new update can now be found as part of the latest GameStop card (above). The card also includes the Sultan’s Palace, which has the most spots to put housing items or plants, and genie that will grant you free loot once a day!

To find out more about what the Wizard101 team is working on, read the full Producer's Letter over on the official site!

Wizard101's Pet-a-palooza kicks off today, June 6, and runs through June 14. All pets are currently on sale in the Crown Shop, some up to 50% off! KingsIsle Entertainment has brought back some previously retired pets, and there will even be new pets released throughout the month.

You'll also receive a pet snack the first time you log into Wizard101 during Pet-a-palooza. The random snack will appear in your Gift window the first time you log into the game between June 6 and June 14.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to create Wizard101? KingsIsle Entertainment has posted the first video in a four-part series that takes you behind the scenes of the kid-friendly MMO.

In the video, Director J. Todd Coleman, Producer William Haskins, and Senior Systems Programmer Thomas Sitch talk a little bit about the game's team, setting and more. Head over to the Wizard101 Facebook page for all the details!

UPDATE: Part 2, part 3 and part 4 of the series are now available.