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Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Fatal Inertia EX Coming To PLAYSTATION 3 In May 2008


KOEI, recognized worldwide as the premier brand of strategy and action games, today announced that Fatal Inertia EX will be available at the end of May 2008 exclusively on PLAYSTATION Network, and only for PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system.

“We’re really excited about what we’ve accomplished with Fatal Inertia EX,” said Mike Bond, lead game designer for Fatal Inertia EX. “Gamers will be amazed by all of the improvements we’ve made. Fatal Inertia EX is a faster, more visually-captivating experience packed with new content not found in the original.”

Fatal Inertia EX features a never-before-seen environment exclusive to the PLAYSTATION 3 system. Situated amidst scorching desert dunes, the Fatal Inertia Proving Grounds is a mecca for aspiring flight jocks driven to prepare themselves for the mental and physical punishment of low-altitude combat maneuvering. Along with offering a restructured training curriculum, the Proving Grounds are also home to the game’s eight new tracks.

A re-tuned flight model improves handling and achieves higher speeds than previously seen. Flight controls take advantage of the DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller and give the optional use of SIXAXIS motion sensing technology. The game’s newly-added “Master” level Quick Races will push the fastest men and women to their limit.

Fatal Inertia EX delivers heightened visuals which include new weather effects, significant scenery enhancements, and an overhauled garage for racecraft customization. Spread across 59 courses in seven exotic high-definition environments including lush rainforests, massive glacier fields, and canyons of razor-sharp rock, the beauty of Fatal Inertia EX could easily mask the harrowing thrills in this high-speed contest of champions.

JoWooD/DreamCatcher Announce Drivers Ed Portable


DreamCatcher Games and JoWooD Productions, leading worldwide publishers and distributors of interactive entertainment software, today announced the development of Drivers Ed Portable for the Nintendo DS system. The game will allow teens worldwide to prepare for the written portion of their driver’s licence examination, customized to the country, state or province in which they live.

“Nintendo DS is proving to be an exceptional platform for delivering all types of content, not just traditional games,” says Brian Gladman, Global Product Marketing Manager at DreamCatcher. “Everyone needs to study for their driving test, and we’re confident lots of teens will enjoy having a fun way to study the material on a platform they are comfortable with.”

Drivers Ed Portable will feature two modes: Test and Train. Test mode will include sample tests for the written part of the driver’s license examination for all 50 US states, 13 Canadian provinces and territories, as well as Spain, Italy, France, Germany and the United Kingdom. User progress will be tracked, so the player will know where they need to improve their study in order to be successful in their actual test. Train mode will include three fun and educational mini-games targeted to new drivers.

Drivers Ed Portable will be available for Fall 2008.

Edna & Harvey: The Breakout - Official Website Launched


Edna & Harvey, stars of the upcoming point & click extravaganza Edna & Harvey: The Breakout, have broken loose and are now conquering the web via their new online home at http://edna.daedalic.de/?lang=en. Fans of zany adventure game exploits will find all news and information on the 2D comic adventure from Daedalic Entertainment, as well as screenshots, wallpapers, videos, audios samples and much more.

In Edna & Harvey: The Breakout, Edna wakes up in the padded cell of an insane asylum with no memory of her past or how she ended up there. Only one thing is for certain: She has been wrongfully imprisoned and will have to escape! After all, she feels entirely sane – and her speaking stuffed toy bunny Harvey wholeheartedly agrees. Together they undertake a daring breakout attempt, meeting up with numerous oddball inmates, like the Man in the Bee’s Costume or Siamese twins Hoti and Moti. But Dr. Marcel, the sinister head of the institute, will do everything in his power to stop Edna. What evil scheme is afoot? Slowly Edna begins to regain her memories of the past…

Edna & Harvey: The Breakout is a point & click adventure game in the vein of the genre’s classics. Backgrounds and characters are completely 2D and drawn by hand by a real person in the game’s unique cartoon style. The game’s characters range from odd to genuinely crazy – twisted humor guaranteed! Thanks to challenging puzzles, extensive dialogues and more than 120 screens, gamers can look forward to an extraordinarily long gameplay experience.

Edna & Harvey: The Breakout is set to be released in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in May 2008 with additional territories to follow.

Future boosts events roster with PC Gamer Showdown


Future, the UK’s leading games media company, today announced its latest live games event, PC Gamer Showdown – a brand-new LAN tournament, bringing together the UK’s best PC gamers to compete for big cash prizes!

The UK’s bestselling PC games magazine launches PC Gamer Showdown on Thursday, 1st May, with registration open at the website, http://www.pcgamershowdown.com. Gamers can enter the online leagues and play games, including Counter-Strike, Team Fortress 2 and many more to be announced through the summer months.

The website also offers gamers the chance to buy tickets to take part in the live finals, which round off PC Gamer Showdown, against those who have qualified through the summer-long online series. The exciting event, powered by LAN experts Multiplay, takes place at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on the weekend of September 27th and 28th , where more than 500 gamers will come together to battle it out on well-known LAN favourites to walk off with a slice of PC Gamer’s cold hard cash. More information is available at http://www.pcgamershowdown.com.

PC Gamer Showdown will also bring together many of the PC games industry’s biggest hitters, thanks to 1500 sq metres of exhibition space, offering publishers the chance to exhibit their forthcoming games, and retailers to sell computer hardware and other goods.

The PC Gamer Showdown tournament marks a further step in the development of Future’s multi-platform games media portfolio – across print, online and live events, which now attracts more than 6.5m dedicated gamers a month.

Ross Atherton, Editor of PC Gamer, said:

“There’s no better way to connect with our readers than organising an event where they can play their favourite games on a high-speed network, win huge cash prizes, meet us and each other, and generally have an awesome time doing what they love.”

Publisher of PC Gamer, Richard Keith added:

“Future wants PC Gamer Showdown to become the UK’s ultimate LAN tournament – a three month online search to find our greatest PC gamers, with a fantastic live event to round it all off and crown the UK’s best. Thanks to the strength and reach of Future’s games media portfolio, we can communicate this to a vast audience of gamers. The event is quickly taking shape, thanks to the support of Multiplay. There are some fantastic online and event sponsorship opportunities for the industry to get involved with the LAN tournament everyone will be talking about.”

For more information about PC Gamer Showdown, please visit – http://www.pcgamershowdown.com

Capcom Entertainment joins GamersGate


GamersGate, a leading PC digital download portal, announced today that Capcom Entertainment will be making some of its upcoming games available for digital download on the platform.

The initial titles planned for release include the swashbuckling RTS game Plunder, action title Bionic Commando - Rearmed and a wide selection of other PC titles in the Capcom Entertainment portfolio.

"The upcoming Capcom Entertainment titles are a perfect fit for our target group and a welcome addition to our growing portfolio, said Susana Meza, Director of Marketing on GamersGate. "We are very happy to introduce such a well-reputed publisher to our increasingly popular service"
"Capcom Entertainment is putting a lot of emphasis behind creating exciting, quality games for the digital space," said Christian Svensson, vice president, business development, Capcom Entertainment, Inc. "GamersGate provides an excellent platform for enabling our core customers to have direct, immediate access to some of our best, freshest PC content."

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

The return of Bishi Bashi Special!


Classic Konami PSOne title marks publisher's first download release via PlayStation Network in Europe
Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has released its first title available via Sony’s PlayStation Network download store in the form of PSOne classic, Bishi Bashi Special.

Originally released in 2000, Bishi Bashi Special is the definitive party game, and comprises over 80 fun mini-games – each madder than the last. Converted from two of Konami’s Japanese arcade machines – Super Bishi Bashi and Hyper Bishi Bashi – the compilation is designed to test the player’s reactions, timing and stamina. As the name suggests, some involve simply bashing the controller buttons as quickly as possible, while others require pixel-perfect movement and extreme hand-eye coordination. All, however, are tremendous fun and doubly so when played against a friend.

The events go by such names as Juggler Panic, Burger Girl, Ladder of Love, Hyper Pie Thrower and Uncle Bean, and each can be played by up to three players simultaneously. The game enjoyed a huge cult following on release, and its reissue via the PlayStation Network is certain to engage a new wave of Bishi Bashi Fans. The game can be downloaded now and costs just £3.49.

"We are delighted that Bishi Bashi Special has become our first title on the PlayStation Store,” commented Hans-Joachim Amann, Head of European Product Management for Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH. “It is a game that enjoys a great following and there's a constant demand for it on forums and on Internet auction sites, where PSOne copies of Bishi Bashi Special regularly sell for incredible prices. Now we want to give all PSP (PlayStation Portable) and PLAYSTATION 3 owners the chance to enjoy this fantastic crazy party game at an as fantastic and crazy price.”

Bishi Bashi Special will be the first of several classic Konami PSOne titles heading to the PlayStation Store in the coming months. More details will follow.

Rockstar Games Announces Grand Theft Auto IV Now Available Worldwide


The first next generation iteration of the groundbreaking Grand Theft Auto franchise available in stores today

Rockstar Games Announces Grand Theft Auto IV Now Available Worldwide

The first next generation iteration of the groundbreaking Grand Theft Auto franchise available in stores today

Rockstar Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, is proud to announce that the eagerly anticipated Grand Theft Auto IV for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system including the special edition package is now available worldwide.

"This release marks a major milestone for the series and for Rockstar Games," said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. "Grand Theft Auto IV delivers on the vision we had when we began work on the game more than three years ago. Rockstar North has created an amazing interactive entertainment experience. We hope it will resonate with our audience around the world for years to come."

Developed by series creator Rockstar North and set in Liberty City, the latest installment in the wildly successful Grand Theft Auto series features a painstakingly detailed and life like city for players to explore; a rich, immersive narrative experience; an original soundtrack highlighting the cultural eclecticism of Liberty City; and sixteen player multiplayer with more than a dozen online modes.

"We worked hard to deliver a true high definition experience" said Series Producer and Rockstar North President, Leslie Benzies. "We are very proud of all of the innovations in the game and hope fans love it."

IGN.com scored the game a perfect 10 and writes, "GTA IV gives us characters and a world with a level of depth previously unseen in gaming and elevates its story from a mere shoot-em-up to an Oscar-caliber drama. Every facet of Rockstar's new masterpiece is worthy of applause."

Game Informer scored the game a perfect 10 and writes, "Grand Theft Auto IV doesn't just raise the bar for the storied franchise, it completely changes the landscape of gaming. Once you play it, you won't look at video games the same way again."

New York Times writes the game "sets a new standard for what is possible in interactive arts".

Gala Networks Europe announces the expansion Epic V - Dragonic Age for the free-to-play MMORPG Rappelz



The free-to-play games publisher Gala Networks Europe and the gPotato Team are happy to announce the upcoming expansion for the successful free-to-play MMORPG Rappelz. Named “Epic V: Dragonic Age”, this expansion will introduce new zones, new epic dungeons, new creatures and quests, and many more new content ! This free expansion will be avaible by direct download at the end of June 2008.

Launched in February 2008 in its French and German versions, the free fantasy MMORPG Rappelz knows a great success in Europe and the community has now grown to several dozens of thousands of players. With a dynamic gameplay based on guild wars and the ability for every player to get an pet creature, Rappelz seduced a community formed by experienced gamers as well as new MMO players.

The expansion “Epic V: Dragonic Age” answers the demands of the community while adding new content for high level characters. This expansion is also focused on the heart of Rappelz gameplay with the addition of new creatures and new dungeon. In order to insure the best gaming experience for all Rappelz players, this expansion will be installed on the live servers in two different parts: the first part will be avaible at the end of June 2008, whereas the second part will be avaible during September 2008.

Crash Bandicoot Speeds Onto Mobile Phones in New Race Adventures


Vivendi Games Mobile, a division of Vivendi Games, today announced the European launch of Crash Bandicoot® Nitro Kart and Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D, the latest titles in the billion-dollar Crash Bandicoot video game franchise which has generated more than three million mobile phone unit sales to date worldwide.

In both the 2D (for Java phones) and 3D (for Symbian devices) mobile versions of Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart, players race on 16 thrilling new tracks through eight different exhilarating environments including underwater and outer space races. Players choose to play as one of their favorite Crash Bandicoot characters and race through an action-packed course with other characters from the Crash® universe. Ten crazy weapons and power-ups, including bonus functions like Kart Jacking and Turbo Plane, help players overtake their competitors and win the race. There are also five game modes including Cup, Arcade, Sudden Death and Monster Truck and an exclusive Story mode with in-race challenges to unlock special features.

“When we decided to create a sequel to our highly successful 2004 mobile game of the same name, we knew we had to set the bar very high and come up with the best kart-racing game available on mobile phones today,” said Paul Maglione, president of Vivendi Games Mobile. “We benchmarked all racing games on mobile phones – not just kart-racing games – and pushed the technology and graphics to the limit in both 2D and 3D and then added the craziness and attitude that make Crash Bandicoot games special. The result; a Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart game that really packs a punch with all-new backgrounds, tracks, weapons and even different driving sensations.”

The European launch of the Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart mobile game will be supported by an extensive marketing campaign including on-portal contests with unique Australian-themed prizes (in honor of Crash Bandicoot’s homeland); a Crash-branded re-skin of the main European mobile gaming Web site; and a heavily funded WAP (wireless application protocol) banner advertising campaign across key carrier and other mobile entertainment WAP sites.

To celebrate the launch of its 2008 flagship title, Vivendi Games Mobile is also organizing a Crash Bandicoot Grand Prix in each of the main European markets. The events will gather key players from the mobile gaming industry and selected consumers and fans who will confront one another in manic go-kart tournaments to win exciting prizes.

The Crash Bandicoot video game franchise to date has sold more than 40 million units globally and continues to be a big hit among both mobile and traditional console gamers.

Spyro The Dragon Continues His Epic Adventure This Autumn In The Legend Of Spyro: Dawn Of The Dragon


Spyro Trilogy Culminates with Premiere on Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system; Elijah Wood, Gary Oldman, Christina Ricci, Blair Underwood, Wayne Brady and Mark Hamill Provide Voice-Over Performances

Sierra Entertainment, a division of Vivendi Games, today announced The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon, the third chapter in the popular Legend of Spyro trilogy. Developed by Etranges Libellules, the game will be released this autumn for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, Wii home video game system, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and Nintendo DS. Reprising their roles as the characters of Spyro and his mentor Ignitus, are two popular Hollywood leading men, Elijah Wood (Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings trilogy) and Gary Oldman (Sirius Black from the Harry Potter films). Joining the Spyro roster this year are Christina Ricci, Blair Underwood, Mark Hamill and Wayne Brady, rounding out an all-star voice cast.

In the final chapter of the trilogy, players find Sypro teaming up with an unlikely ally - Cynder, his former enemy, to face his most challenging mission to date. As the Dark Master’s (voiced by Mark Hamill) evil envelopes the world like a plague, Spyro must fulfil his destiny and unlock the true power of the purple dragon within him to stop the Dark Master in his tracks.

The game introduces two never before seen elements into the Spyro universe: Spyro can now fly at any time and players can drop-in/drop-out with the new co-operative feature. The co-op feature allows players to have the option of completing the game as either Spyro or Cynder, giving them more freedom to explore Spyro’s world in completely new ways.

“Spyro has grown up a lot since his debut, and players are going to notice advanced gameplay, character design and story lines in Dawn of the Dragon,” said Al Simone, senior vice president, Global Marketing for Sierra Entertainment. “The game takes some exciting twists and turns – fans of the series and newcomers alike will experience non-stop fun, a renewed sense of intensity and the type of challenging adventure only Spyro can overcome.”

Developed by Etranges Libellules, The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon will ship this autumn for the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system, Wii, PlayStation 2 system and Nintendo DS. Vivendi Games Mobile is also making The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon available for mobile phones throughout Europe and North America.

Crash Bandicoot - Mind Over Mutant on Wii DS PS2 and PSP


Crash Franchise Returns This Holiday In Sierra Entertainment's Crash Bandicoot: Mind Over Mutant

Crash is Back with New Abilities and his Signature Bandicoot Hilarity; Sidekick Coco Fully Playable for the First Time

Sierra Entertainment, a division of Vivendi Games, today announced the upcoming return of everyone’s favourite marsupial hero, Crash Bandicoot, in Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant, the latest instalment of the best-selling Crash Bandicoot video game franchise. Developed by Radical Entertainment, a Sierra Entertainment studio, Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant is scheduled for release this fall on the Wii home video game system, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS and PSP (PlayStationPortable) system.

In Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant, a rejuvenated Neo Cortex is taking over the world one brain at a time! Cortex and N. Brio devise a new kind of evil – a text-messaging, do-anything device which controls both mutant and bandicoot minds. Armed with his quick-wits and lightening agility, Crash must free his friends, the titans and save the day!

“The Crash Bandicoot franchise has built a wide audience of loyal fans, appealing to both male and female gamers of all ages,” said Al Simone, senior vice president, Global Marketing for Sierra Entertainment. “The Crash series remains one of the most recognizable franchises in our industry and we’re excited to make this year’s family-friendly title appear at the top of every gamer’s wish list this holiday.”

Key features in Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant include:

• Mutant in your Pocket! - Not only does Crash gain the ability to control his enemies when he jacks them – now he can store his favourite monsters in his pocket, upgrade them and utilise their powers when they are most advantageous

• “Free-Romping” World Design - Wumpa Island becomes a “free-romping” environment, allowing players to travel and explore through intersecting worlds, with different gameplay options available depending on what creature you've brought along for the ride

• Girl Power! - Your co-op partner is Crash’s sister, Coco, playable for the first time in the cooperative mode. Not only does Coco make the game that much more inviting for girls to pick up and play, she also brings with her a new tactile “treasure hunt” ability

• New Abilities
- Roll and Counter Combat System - Crash will have a fun, agile dodge move and “counter” move which will inflict extra damage on his enemies
- Digging - Crash can now dig underground as real-life bandicoots really do; this will allow for Crash to unlock bonus items
- Climbing - Crash can climb vertical surfaces and jump side-to-side to connected areas and dodge hazards

Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant is being developed by Radical Entertainment and will be available this fall at retail stores worldwide on Wii, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2 system and PSP system.

Zombie Wranglers on Microsoft XBox live - Fact sheet


Zombie Wranglers

Basic Fact Sheet

Publisher Sierra Online

Developer Sierra Online

Category Action

Platform XBox live

Overview/Storyline
Be very, very quiet… we’re wrangling Zombies!! Save the city of Potters Field from an infestation of zany zombies in the quirky and comical Zombie Wranglers, attacking XBLA in 2008! Armed with a trustworthy Wrangler-Pack and your own unique special abilities, play as one of the four gallant apprentice Wranglers and rescue your neighborhood before it’s too late!

Game Features
  • Engrossing, Contagious Humor – Laugh out-loud moment galore enhance play
  • 4 Distinct and Powerful Wranglers – unique upgradeable abilities, powerful weapons and screwball personalities
  • Unrelenting Enemies – Including the grotesque Fast-Food Zombie, the fast-on-its-feet Skater Zombie and the loving Soccer Mom Zombie
  • Exhilarating 4 Player Co-op – Play with up to 3 of your friends through the Single Player Story or competitive Arena Mode – Online or Off

Availability Q3 2008

Rating TBD

Sea Life Safari on XBox live - Fact Sheet


Sea Life Safari

Fact Sheet

Publisher Sierra Online

Developer Sierra Online

Category Family Games

Platform Xbox 360 - Xbox LIVE Arcade

Overview/Storyline
Embark on a journey the whole family can enjoy! Make a splash as an underwater photographer tasked with capturing the most incredible pictures of wild sea life. Use your camera skills to bring out the bubbly personalities of exotic creatures, from the silly clownfish to the legendary kraken sea monster! Entice your subjects into playful poses, provoke photo worthy reactions, and reel in those picture-perfect scores!

Game Features
  • 60 Animated Creatures – Photograph the sparkling personalities of fascinating underwater sea animals to build memorable albums and your own personal scrapbook.
  • 5 Jaw-Dropping Environments – Explore unique destinations from the colorful Coral Reef to the murky Ship Graveyard, filled with countless treasures to discover!
  • Family-Friendly Tutorial – Experience a fully interactive tutorial that teaches simple step by step instructions on how to become a great deep-sea photographer!
  • Intuitive Photo Evaluations – See how your photographs rank as you are scored on 4 different criteria: size, orientation, centering, and interaction with each fish.
  • Endless Replayability – Discover secret routes, collect hidden items, and encounter special appearances by unique day and night creatures.

Availability Summer 2008 XBox live

ESRB Rating E

Assault Heroes 2 On Xbox live Fact Sheet


Assault Heroes 2

Fact Sheet

Publisher Sierra Online

Developer Wanako Games

Category Action

Platform XBox Live

Overview/Storyline
Jump back into the action with Assault Heroes 2, sequel to the award-winning arcade shooter, exploding with more intense combat! Battle on land and in space to save mankind against the sinister alien force before it’s too late.

Game Features
  • Enhanced Multiplayer Co-op – Quickly activate improved cooperative weapons to rain destruction on hordes of bazooka soldiers, kamikaze bombers and more
  • Hi-jackable Enemy Units – Steal the attack helicopter, armored tank or mechanical walker from the enemy base for surprise attacks
  • More Powerful Weaponry – Utilize a superior arsenal of weapons including the newly designed sub-zero ice cannon, homing missiles, rocket launcher and upgraded firearms from the original
  • Frantic On-Foot Action – Survive on-foot warfare while equipped with all your weapons in expansive underground areas
  • Monstrous Bosses – Face-off against challenging mechanoid beasts before they destroy you
  • New Diverse and Interactive Environments – Blast through the Snowy Mountains, Rainforest and Outer Space with extensive destructible terrain from burning trees to shattering buildings

Availability Spring 2008

Rating Teen

Gin Rummy on Microsoft XBox 360 - Fact sheet


Gin Rummy

Fact Sheet

Publisher Sierra Online

Developer Studio Ch’in

Category Card & Board

Platform Xbox 360 - Xbox LIVE Arcade

Game Overview
Enjoy challenging variations of the classic card game Gin Rummy! Strategically select the right cards to complete sets of combinations, minimizing the risk of getting caught with a poor hand. ‘Knock’ out your opponent with high scores and bonus points, and video chat with players from around the world for endless hours of casual card game fun.
6 Popular Game Modes – Challenge your opponents to a game of Classic Gin Rummy, Speed Gin Rummy, Oklahoma Gin, Hollywood Gin, Three-Hand Gin, or Customize Your Own Rules!
Rapid Auto-scoring – Enjoy immediate automatic scoring at the end of each match to get a detailed breakdown of each player’s total accrued points and bonuses.
Unique Game Themes – Choose from colorful game skins, artistic card decks, and entertaining music selections.
Multiplayer Matches – Test your skills in a real-time multiplayer match with up to 3 other competitors.
Xbox LIVE Vision – Video chat with your friends over Xbox LIVE Vision for a knock-out time!

Availability Q3 2008 (XBLA)

ESRB Rating E

CHARTTRACK WEEKLY UK VIDEO GAMESCHARTS

All formats

(Full price) Week ending 26 April 2008

1 WII FIT NINTENDO
2 MARIO KART WII NINTENDO
3 MARIO & SONIC AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES SEGA
4 PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2008 KONAMI
5 CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE ACTIVISION
6 SEGA SUPERSTARS TENNIS SEGA
7 UEFA EURO 2008 AUSTRIA-SWITZERLAND ELECTRONIC ARTS
8 TOM CLANCY'S RAINBOW SIX: VEGAS 2 UBISOFT
9 GUITAR HERO III: LEGENDS OF ROCK ACTIVISION
10 FIFA 08 ELECTRONIC ARTS
11 ASSASSIN'S CREED UBISOFT
12 COOKING MAMA 2 505 GAMES
13 CONDEMNED 2 SEGA
14 MARIO KART DS NINTENDO
15 NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. NINTENDO
16 THE SIMPSONS GAME ELECTRONIC ARTS
17 HALO 3 MICROSOFT
18 FOOTBALL MANAGER 2008 SEGA
19 TIME CRISIS 4 SONY COMPUTER ENT.
20 DARK SECTOR D3P

Ultimate Board Game Collection on Nintendo Wii PSP and PS2


THE GAMES

Ultimate Board Game Collection brings together some of the World’s best loved board and table top games in one must have compilation. Play all time classic games such as Chess, Checkers, Backgammon and Reversi and unlock trophies by completing specific goals. Take on friends and family and learn new games with tutorials included for novice players. You can even customise each game by selecting different rules, environments and piece types.

There’s something for all the family, and no little pieces to lose!

Wii

12 Games included
Chess, Checkers, Backgammon, Naval Battle (Battleships), Sudoku, Mahjong Solitaire, Chinese Checkers, Word Cubes, Quattro, Gomoku, Jigsaws and Reversi.

PSP

24 Games included
Chess, Quattro, Checkers, Enigma, Backgammon, Reversi, Snakes & Ladders,
Naval Battle (Battleships), Parcheesi, Dice, Dominoes, Go, Chinese Checkers, Word Cubes, Mahjong Solitaire, Anagrams, Concentration, Tic-Tac-Toe, Mancala,
Jigsaws, Shogi, Gomoku, Sudoku and Kakuro.

PS2

20 Games included
Chess, Quattro, Checkers, Enigma, Backgammon, Reversi, Snakes & Ladders, Naval Battle (Battleships), Parcheesi, Dice, Dominoes, Go, Chinese Checkers, Word Cubes, Mahjong Solitaire, Anagrams, Concentration, 3D Tic-Tac-Toe, Mancala and Jigsaws.


FEATURES

• A must own collection of the World’s best loved board and table top games.
• With classic family games, all-time favourites, puzzle and strategy games all included, there’s something for players of all ages.
• Play against friends, family or CPU opponent (with multiple difficulty levels).
• Customise each game by selecting different rules, environments and piece types.
• Learn new games with tutorials included for novice players.
• Choose from 4 different soundtracks. Use your own songs as the soundtrack (PSP).
• Unlock trophies by completing specific tasks (PSP, PS2)
• Use the Wii Remote to point, grab and flick pieces with 3 control mechanisms: “flick” control, pointer or +Control Pad. (Wii only).
• Includes lots of different Jigsaw puzzles. Use your own pictures as jigsaws! (PSP).

NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja 3 Brings The Ultimate In Ninja Battles To Europe


Largest Selection of Playable Ninja Coming to Europe in September 2008 for PlayStation 2

Atari today announced the forthcoming European release of NAMCO BANDAI Games’ Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 for PlayStation 2. As the latest and most advanced in the fighting game series based on the Naruto Universe, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 boasts the largest ever selection of playable ninja characters, brand new playing modes for even more gameplay variety, and unprecedented freedom and immerson into the Naruto world with a 3D rendered Hidden Leaf Village. Set in the Naruto universe popularised by the anime TV show currently on air across Europe, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 is scheduled for European release in September 2008.

The game’s main story mode, Ultimate Contest, revolves around the Leaf Village where the All-Out Ninja Tournament is being held between the rival Leaf and Sand ninja. The winner of the tournament will be crowned Hokage and will be able to put forward a new rule for the Leaf Village, but this power must not fall into the wrong hands. To ensure this does not happen, the player enters the Naruto world to explore the massive 3D rendered Hidden Leaf Village, engage in all out battle royale matches, interact with residents in the village and complete over 55 missions.

Players can choose their favourite ninja from the most extensive selection of over 40 playable characters from the hit anime TV show including Naruto, Sasuke, Itachi, The Hokages, The Sound Ninja 4 and many more. Battles are made bigger than ever before by unleashing Ultimate Jutsu to customise favourite characters into powerful ninja warriors, and summoning gigantic creatures as allies in Summoning Mode. Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 also offers tons of combat variety either as close combat or using a variety of ranged weapons, and support characters can be called upon to help with super attacks.

Another unique feature of Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 is the Hero's History mode which lets the player participate in major events and battles from the anime series through the Sasuke Retrieval Arc where the decisive battle of destiny will be played out to determine the fate of the two greatest ninja. For the first time in the series, the player can choose between English and Japanese voiceover to enhance the original flavour of the anime series.

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 for PlayStation 2 is published by NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe SAS, distributed in Europe by Atari, and scheduled for European release in September 2008.

Grand Theft Auto IV Available Today for Xbox 360 and Exclusive Episodes Available Starting Autumn 2008


The day has finally arrived; today “Grand Theft Auto IV” is available on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

Play “Grand Theft Auto IV” multiplayer online with your friends starting today over the Xbox LIVE online entertainment network. Starting this autumn, Xbox 360 owners will also have access to exclusive “Grand Theft Auto IV” episodes that will provide hours of additional game play.


Developed by Rockstar Games, “Grand Theft Auto IV” is a powerful crime epic set in modern-day Liberty City, a world with an unparalleled combination of scale, depth and detail.

Matrix Games Unveils Gary Grigsby's War Between the States!


The latest project from the people who created War in the Pacific heads to the American Civil War!

Matrix Games and 2 by 3 Games are thrilled to announce Gary Grigsby’s War Between the States, an innovative turn-based grand strategy game set during the American Civil War!

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “2 by 3 Games have brought us some timeless wargames that people will be enjoying for years to come. Now that they’re taking their talent in grand strategy games to the American Civil War we can look forward to another masterpiece of wargaming!”

Taking gamers back to the American Civil War, Gary Grigsby’s War Between the States allows players to experience the trials and tribulations of the role of commander-in-chief for either side. Historically accurate, detailed and finely balanced for realistic gameplay, War Between the States is also easy to play and does not take months to finish.

Promote and cultivate talented young colonels or brigadiers to build Corps and Army commanders that will help you fight and manage the war effort from battles to training of recruits with the utmost efficiency and success. An innovative multi-faceted rank promotion system allows leaders to gain in abilities and power based on their successes, while also simulating the historical progression of leaders during the war. Each decision you make must be weighed carefully, as promoting and demoting leaders, entering neutral states, raising troops and many other actions cost you the political capital that will determine your ability to achieve victory.

Explore the historical tactics of the day to find the best way to win. Use cavalry to raid the enemy supply depots and conduct reconnaissance to determine the best place to strike and then engage the enemy head on and watch the epic push and pull of battle unfold in front of you. In between battles, the mighty Union navy or brave Confederate raiders can strangle and disrupt supply flow at critical times in your campaign. Build river gunboats and transports to exploit the strategic value of the Mississippi and entrench and fortify key locations to deny passage to the enemy.

Test your mettle and strategic vision in one of the most bitterly fought contests in history – the War Between the States.

Features include:

• Use wisdom and strategy to appoint the best leader for the job – With an innovative new system, units train and function best with the right leader. Weigh the strengths and weakness of the men commanding your armies to maximize unit attributes like attack, defense, movement, initiative probability, and training.
• Play on the edge of your seat with a suspenseful battle resolution system – Watch the push and pull of forces as the battle unfolds that will make or break your plans resolve.
• Master critical Cavalry Scouting and Raiding and penetrate deep into enemy territory - With the optional Fog of War rule, cavalry scouting becomes even more important. The Confederate early war cavalry advantage is accurately simulated.
• Achieve naval superiority with a realistic and complete naval war model – Harass and interrupt critical trade routes with a Union blockade and or Confederate commerce raiders. Build river gunboats and transports to control the “Father of Waters” and conduct amphibious assaults by river or sea.
• Fortify and Entrench – Entrench your armies and build permanent fortifications to protect strategic locations and interdict river movement.
• Conserve your Political Capital – Use it prudently to call for new troops, change leaders and enter neutral states. Build it up through successes and keep it high enough to secure final victory.

Feel The Heat With Strategy First's Exodus From The Earth For PC


Exiting Earth the Old Fashioned Way - By Vaccination and Spacecraft

Software publisher Strategy First Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Silverstar Holdings, is leading the way to space with Exodus from the Earth. The upcoming shooter takes players out of this world and back again on a quest to reveal the secrets of a dangerously powerful corporation and fight for dear life. Developed by Parallax Arts Studio and published by Strategy First, Exodus from the Earth will be available for PC in fall 2008.

Mankind assumed it would take five billion years until the earth began to die. In reality, it is 2016, and the planet earth is living its last twenty years. The Sun has begun to grow, burning everything around it and turning Earth into a lifeless nightmare. Mankind must adapt to extraterrestrial conditions or find an Earth-like planet where humans can live.

After learning the dreadful news, the powerful A.X. Corporation produced a vaccine which allows humans to survive in any environment, and now plans to inject everyone on Earth. The alleged discovery of a "Second Earth" threatens the financial future of A.X., and C.I.A. officials become suspicious of the corporation, their motives, and the mysterious vaccine. Secret Agent Francis Rixon is commissioned to infiltrate the A.X. headquarters and discover the truth.

"Exodus from the Earth is a next generation title that will create an exhilarating alternative in the first person shooter genre," said Emanuel Wall, Business Development Manager, Strategy First. "We are extremely excited to bring this title to gamers world wide."

Exodus from Earth is an action-packed shooter based on the advanced Riposte game engine, provided by Tools Media Corporation. Riposte uses modern processors and video accelerators to produce realistic and enriched game environments.

Players will be kept guessing until the final step with an intriguing and unpredictable storyline, battles and exploration through high-poly, epic locations on two planets. The powerful arsenal offers multiple, unique attacks for each weapon to be put to full use in the dynamic gun-toting gameplay that transports players from the road to the sky.

Grand Theft Auto IV launches to queues, rave reviews


"Grand Theft Auto 4" went on sale early on Tuesday, with fans lining up at midnight to get the first copies of the criminal action video game hailed as a brutal and satirical masterpiece equal to films like "The Godfather."

Retailers such as GameStop Corp and Best Buy Co Inc took advance orders for the game weeks earlier and many outlets threw open their doors at midnight to accommodate fans eager to be among the first to play.

The Tuesday launch of "Grand Theft Auto 4" is expected to be the biggest entertainment event of the year, with first-week sales forecast to be up to $400 million, beating those of last year's "Halo 3" from Microsoft Corp.

At a GameStop store in midtown Manhattan, excited fans like John Alba and Enmanuel Lorenzo had been standing for hours in a line that nearly touched the end of the block, to get their hands on the game.

"It gives you the opportunity to escape reality," Alba said. "This game has everything -- sex, drugs, cars, money... anything you want."

Early reviews over the weekend lavished praise on the latest chapter of the hit franchise.

"Grand Theft Auto 4" casts players as an Eastern European immigrant who runs drugs, shoots cops and beats up prostitutes after falling in with a crime syndicate, stuff that has drawn fire from family groups and politicians.

Avid fans like Lorenzo seemed drawn to the excitement -- but only in game play.

"Violence is like sex. It sells," Alba said, outside the GameStop shop. "I like violence in games, it's cool. Not in real life."

more...

Source: Reuters

Monday, April 28, 2008

Wii-kly Update - Double Dragon Classic Game Added To Nintendo Wii Shopping Channel


Wii-kly Update: One New Classic Game Added To Wii Shop Channel

There's one new game for the Virtual Console this week - and it's a double. Double Dragon is a true action-fighting classic. This side-scroller brought the arcade original into the home and laid the groundwork for numerous sequels. It'll get your nostalgia engine fired up. Now go put the hurt on some bad guys and save Marian.

Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

Double Dragon (NES, 1-2 players, Rated Everyone 10+ — Mild Violence, 500 Wii Points): Double Dragon begins with Billy Lee's girlfriend, Marian, being kidnapped by a group called the Black Warriors. They demand to know the secrets of Billy's martial-arts style in exchange for his girlfriend. However, Billy won't stand for these underhanded tactics and decides to rescue her himself. Help him fight through city streets, buildings, jungles, temples and various other locations in a quest to find his girl. He'll gain experience by using different fighting techniques to obtain more hearts, which will unlock more powerful techniques to use against his enemies. Keep an eye out for crates, boulders, whips, bats, knives and even dynamite along the way, as Billy can also use them to annihilate opponents. Armed with his mysterious and powerful martial arts, help Billy pummel his way through an array of goons, gang members and other Black Warrior scum to free Marian from their clutches.

Alone in the Dark - Fact sheet for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3


Alone in the Dark

Genre: Action survival
Platform: Xbox 360, PC, PLAYSTATION 3
Developer: Eden Games
Rating: 18+
Launch Date: Xbox 360, PC 20 June 2008; PS 3 TBC 2008

GAME DESCRIPTION

One of video gaming’s original innovators, Alone in the Dark returns to revolutionise action gaming with an apocalyptic action blockbuster set in New York’s iconic Central Park.

Central Park is hiding a secret. Built as a safe haven not for the people of New York, but for something else entirely, the vast parkland has been protected by generations of guardians while the most expensive city in the world reached skyward on its fringes. Now the truth can no longer be contained, and paranormal investigator Edward Carnby finds himself inexplicably cast into the eye of the storm as over the course of one apocalyptic night he must uncover the earth-shattering secret behind Central Park. New York will never be the same again.



Inspired by the gripping style of contemporary TV dramas, the game delivers a new degree of narrative intensity, presented as a complete season format of episodes each containing action, twists and cliff-hangers. Bursting with innovative technology, including unprecedented environmental interaction, revolutionary physics, stunning visuals, uniquely immersive user interface, and DVD style chapter select, Alone in the Dark breaks gaming clichés to fulfil the next-gen promise and change what players expect from action games.

GAME FEATURES
• Exhilarating gameplay: Blockbuster action, tense exploration, dangerous driving, and vicious fights as hero Edward Carnby fights to survive one apocalyptic night to uncover the earth-shattering secret behind Central Park;
• Intense story: taking cues from blockbuster TV dramas, the story is told in a TV season-style to deliver pace and intensity throughout, keeping the player hooked with action, plot twists and cliff hangers;
• Never get stuck: creating the first game that everyone can finish, the innovative DVD-style chapter select lets players move on if they get stuck, with the grand finale reserved for those who finish a certain amount of the game;
• Improvise to survive: a new level of environmental interaction based on real world rules where anything you could do in real life, you can do in the game. Use your imagination to create unique tools and devastating new weapons;
• Immersion: the player is plunged into the heart of the action in real-time with full movement control, in-game inventory system, on-body damage and healing system, and physiological effects;
• Pyromania: unique physics and light rendering are applied to the realistic-looking fire which propagates realistically across all flammable surfaces. Fire is a valuable ally, but can become your worst enemy;
• Photographic Rendering: a lavishly detailed game world with advanced cinematographic effects including depth of field, camera focus, numerous light sources, and High Dynamic Range effects.

FIFA, EA And PlayStation Confirm Player Line-Up For The FIFA Interactive World Cup 2008 Final


32 Of the World's Football Gaming Elite Get Ready For The Ultimate Show Down In Berlin on May 24

After seven months of intense competition, FIFA, EA and PlayStation today congratulate the 32 finalists who have secured their place in the Grand Final of the fourth annual FIFA Interactive World Cup. On the virtual football pitches of EA SPORTS™ FIFA 08, players spanning the globe from Australia to South Africa, Brazil to Korea to the USA and Italy, dribbled and scored their way through the tournament’s 20 live qualifiers, while over 25,000 players competed in the online leg via PLAYSTATION Network. The finalists will compete to become the FIFA Interactive World Player of the Year at the Sony Center in Berlin on 24 May.

”I am very impressed with the level of the participants. It is clear that they have been practicing hard, and like any football event, practice is one of the most important things. The FIFA Interactive World Cup is establishing itself as a premier gaming tournament, and the only one under the FIFA banner”, explained Chuck Blazer, who added “I think it is apt that there are now 32 competitors which mirrors the number of teams in the FIFA World Cup. This tournament is a serious one, and like its big brother tournament, the FIFA World Cup, it is the pride of being crowned the FIFA World Champion that encourages these great performances.”


Defending champion Andries Smit from the Netherlands will be vying for the crown for a second year running. Hoping to prevent this from happening are the other 31 finalists, including Chris Bullard from the UK, the only previous winner to have reached three FIWC Grand Finals in the tournament’s four year history; or Davor Brescakovic from Switzerland, who showed his true determination by competing in and winning the New Zealand qualifier having lost in the semi-finals of the Swiss event. They’ll all be keeping an eye on the next generation of virtual football virtuosos, including Ivan Pastyrčák from Slovakia and Sachith Reddy from India - both only 14. All finalists will be in hot competition to be crowned FIFA Interactive Player of the year, win an invitation to the FIFA World Player Gala 2008 and a cash prize of USD $20,000.

“The Grand Final will be played in a real football ambience and it will be an opportunity to experience a live tournament with all the thrills that spectators and players feel with a FIFA World Cup title on the line. It bears all the fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping action of watching real football and in order to compete at this level, you need a tactical mind and a love for football says Anthony Baffoe, former Ghanaian international and the first African player in the German Bundesliga, who will not only be one of the many football guests that evening but also the co-host of the event.


Everybody is welcome to cheer on the finalists at the Grand Final in Berlin and enjoy the free entertainment set up during this one day virtual football extravaganza set to kick off at 11am CET. Live entertainment will include German hip-hop artist Das Bo.

List of Finalists
  1. Bjorn Diedricks - South Africa
  2. Gwan Hyeong Kim - Korea
  3. Sachith Reddy - India
  4. Chan Charm Wah - Hong Kong
  5. Andries Smit - Netherlands
  6. Roland Csaszar - Hungary
  7. Christian Lonhart - Denmark
  8. Pedro Caiado - Portugal
  9. Alex Barets - France
  10. Karol Rogaczewski - Poland
  11. Alfonso Ramos - Spain
  12. Dominik Posch - Austria
  13. Ivan Pastyrcak - Slovakia
  14. Michael Labelle - USA
  15. Davor Brescakovic - Croatia
  16. Roberto Garrapa - Italy
  17. Ruben Morales Zerecero - Mexico
  18. Tunc Polat - Switzerland
  19. Buey Siong Tay - Australia
  20. Ivan Soberon - Spain
  21. Michael Pommer - Australia
  22. Max Fayers - England
  23. Marko Krivokapic - Germany
  24. Abubakr Ebrahim Akhalwaya - South Africa
  25. Stephen Coorey - Australia
  26. Andre Casagrande Buffo - Brazil
  27. Didi Otisi - USA
  28. Michael Ribeiro - USA
  29. Carl Condliffe - New Zealand
  30. Chris Bullard - England
  31. Danny Taylor - England
  32. Mustafa Agyuez - Germany
For official terms and conditions of the FIFA Interactive World Cup, visit: http://www.fifa.com/interactiveworldcup/organisation

Will GTA IV become a world record breaker?


Guinness World Records Eyes Release Of Upcoming "Grand Theft Auto IV" As A Potential Record Breaking Giant

As part of its continued interest in chronicling the world of video game achievements and accomplishments, Guinness World Records will be closely watching the release of Grand Theft Auto IV as a potential record-breaking phenomenon.

Easily one of the most anticipated games of the year and biggest releases in the entertainment industry, the GTA franchise is no stranger to the famed pages of Guinness World Records. Ever since the franchise released its first third-person game with Grand Theft Auto III, the series has been racking up record after record.

• First Full “Sandbox” Action-Adventure- GTA III
• Biggest Selling Game of 2001- GTA III
• Biggest Selling Game of 2002- GTA: Vice City
• Best-selling Playstation 2 game of all time- GTA: Vice City
• Best-selling PSP game of all time- GTA: Liberty City Stories
• Largest in-game soundtrack- GTA: San Andreas
• Largest Voice Cast in a video game- GTA: San Andreas
• Most Guest Stars In A Video Game Series- Grand Theft Auto Franchise

With fans counting down the hours to GTA IV’s debut, it will only be a matter of time until a new record is added to that impressive list.

For more information on these and other exciting video game records, pick up the inaugural, Guinness World Records: Gamer’s Edition 2008, on sale now.

Conquest of the Aegean PC video game gets a fourth update


The award winning continuous time strategy game just got better!

Matrix Games and Panther Games are pleased to announce that the critically acclaimed Conquest of the Aegean has received a fourth update. This update includes a few minor fixes to issues related to victory point calculations and the handling of static units that were discovered since the third update.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “The Highway to the Reich engine on which Conquest of the Aegean is based continues to excite and entertain gamers and shows no signs of abating. The latest update includes just a few small tweaks but will nevertheless improve the already groundbreaking gameplay found in Conquest of the Aegean. If you want to experience the most realistic operational command simulation on the market, give Conquest of the Aegean a try!”

In Conquest of the Aegean, players get to take on the role of either an Allied or German commander during World War II and match their wits against either a computer controlled opponent or a human opponent via LAN or the internet. You can play as the Allies in a desperate fight to maintain a foothold on the southern flank of Europe using the mountainous Greek terrain to achieve concealment and surprise. Or, the for the more aggressive commanders among us, you can fight as the Axis who are tasked with driving as hard and fast as possible into Greek territory to assure an expedient and inexpensive victory.

Based on the very successful Airborne Assault: Highway to the Reich, this operational “pausable continuous time” strategy game represents a major step forward from its predecessor. Not only does Conquest of the Aegean take you to a new theatre of the Second World War, but also major changes to the game have been made engine to make it an even more detailed and realistic recreation of WWII combat. To breathe fresh life into Airborne Assault while still capturing the strategically intense but fun gameplay that came with previous titles in the series, Conquest of the Aegean includes a realistic resupply system, a vastly enhanced interface, and improved weather patterns, all complemented by 20 brand new maps and 30 brand new scenarios.

Also, keep your eyes open for the upcoming new release Battles from the Bulge, also from Panther Games and Matrix Games!

Get more information on Conquest of the Aegean from its product page. The update will bring the game to version 3.4.151 and is comprehensive.

SingStar pass 12million video games sold milestone


Sony's SingStar series of games has recorded 12 million total sales in its four year history...

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has announced that its SingStar series of games has notched up an impressive 12 million unit sales in PAL territories since 2004. According to the first party publisher, 5 million of these came in Sony's 2007/08 financial year ending March 31st 2008.

The online offerings for the first PS3 game in the series (which was released last December) have also pulled in large crowds, with users downloading over a million tracks on the SingStore hub within Sony's PlayStation Store.

"SingStar's success is built upon simple and entertaining game play," commented SingStar's Executive Producer, Paulina Bozek. "Historically we have added new music tracks to keep the experience fresh but the arrival of PS3 has allowed us to think differently. We can now take advantage of the next-generation features to take the next step forward in the SingStar experience. The launch of SingStore and My SingStar Online is the realisation of this and the experience is now more user-focused, personalised and interactive."

Additionally, SingStar's take on MySpace - My SingStar Online - has 120,000 registered users who have pumped out 20,000 videos of their karaoke exploits, which have been watched 2.5 million times by members of the community.

"The term 'social gaming' is widely recognised in 2008 - however, it was relatively new when we launched the first SingStar title in 2004," said Mark Hardy, SCEE's Director of Product Marketing. "That game entered the charts at number one in many countries, allowing us to pioneer the social gaming category and a new market of consumers who might not have bought games before. We really are teaching the world to sing with SingStar - and business for 2008 is looking excellent."

Source: TVG

Win All-Expenses Trip, Plus Two Tickets to American Idol Season Finale 7 - Free and Live on MyGame.com


King Tells American Idol Fans - You're Going to Hollywood – On Us

King, the world’s leading online social gaming company, announced today its second annual American Idol contest. The contest is free and open to all players that register on MyGame.com, and submit their American Idol game scores. The winner will be drawn at random on May 15, 2008 by an independent judge. Winners will be selected from the top 10 highest scoring players on MyGame.com. Game play is not restricted, so players can play as many times as they like until achieving and submitting a score they are satisfied with.

“Social gaming is one of the fastest growing segments within the online gaming world and we’re delighted to bring the American Idol brand to our players for the second year,” said Toby Rowland, co-Founder and co-CEO, King.

The game is a viral, engaging experience, testing players’ keyboard dexterity and ultimately bringing players’ right into the world of American Idol – including harsh judging and audience participation. After a player logs into the game and picks their own singing avatar, they move to the audition phase, which includes cheers and jeers, and tests the player’s attempt at ‘singing’, using the arrow keys on their keyboard.

Scoring is based on players’ skills with the arrow keys, which determines its virtual singer’s ability to hit the right notes, at the right time. Upon ending, players can register for their chance to win an all-expenses trip to Hollywood to attend the American Idol Season 7 Finale.

Official Rules:

• You must be a registered MyGame.com player, over 18 years of age and resident in the US to enter.
• To enter, you must play the King.com American Idol skill game at MyGame.com between noon, Eastern Standard Time ("EST") on April 8 2008 and noon, EST on May 15 2008.
• The winner will be the player whose name is drawn at random by an independent judge after noon on May 15 2008, from Mygame.com's list of top 10 highest scoring players that play the King American Idol skill game between the above dates.
• The prize winner will win a trip for 2, including round trip air fair from the winner's normal place of residence in the US, transfers, 2 nights' hotel accommodation and meals in Hollywood and 2 tickets to see the American Idol Finale in at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on May 20 and 21 2008.
• The winner must travel on the dates specified by King. If the winner cannot travel on the specified dates, the prize will be forfeit.
• The prize is not transferable and cannot be sold.
• The approximate retail value of the prize is $3,000; the actual retail value depends on where the winner normally lives.
• You may not be eligible to win the prize due to your age, other regulations in your country or applicable travel / visa regulations.
• Employees of King.com Inc and its associated companies are not eligible to enter.
• The first name and State of the winner will be published on King.com.s website within 30 days after the prize has been won.
• You agree that by entering this competition with King.com, you are agreeing that we can use your name and image to promote King.com and American Idol.
• We regret that for legal reasons, residents of the following States are not eligible to enter: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont.
• The promoter of this competition is King Inc.

Realtime Worlds coy on APB - All Points Bulletin for the PlayStation 3


Realtime Worlds has told GamesIndustry.biz that while the PlayStation 3 platform is an option for the company with regards to its forthcoming MMO, APB, it can't confirm whether or not it's in production for the Sony console.

"The situation is that yes, all the consoles are an option for us, and we'll be looking at them, but there's nothing decided, nothing to report at the moment I'm afraid," said Colin MacDonald, studio manager at the Crackdown developer.

"Yes, we'll be looking seriously at it, but that doesn't mean it's going ahead, and it doesn't mean it's not going ahead."

The confusion arose over comments printed this morning, quoting boss David Jones as stating that the game would be available for the PS3 - although the wording of the article has now been called into question.

APB will definitely be available for the Xbox 360 and PC platforms, and is currently slated for release in 2009.

Source: Games Industry

EA launch The Sims 2 Double Deluxe and The Sims 2 Kitchen and Bathroom interior design



Join The Sims Phenomenon with The Sims 2 Double Deluxe and Redesign Your Sims Homes with The Sims 2 Kitchen and Bath Interior Design Stuff

Electronic Arts today announced that The Sims 2 Double Deluxe and The Sims 2 Kitchen and Bath Interior Design Stuff are available on store shelves across North America and Europe.

“The Sims 2 Double Deluxe is the perfect box set of games to welcome players into the entertaining world of The Sims. From disco-hopping in The Sims 2 Nightlife to party planning in The Sims 2 Celebration! Stuff, The Sims 2 Double Deluxe is not only a great value, but it gives players a taste of how diverse, unique, and fun The Sims can be,” said Rod Humble, Head of The Sims Studio. “For those who want to unleash the interior designer within, The Sims 2 Kitchen and Bath Interior Design Stuff gives players all the items they need to create the kitchens and bathrooms of their dreams. The Sims has something for everyone on retail shelves today!”


The Sims 2 Double Deluxe is the perfect way to get introduced to The Sims -- the unique video game franchise turned global phenomenon that has sold more than 100 million copies to date. New fans will enjoy the fun and creativity of The Sims 2 in The Sims 2 Double Deluxe by building houses, forming neighborhoods – even creating unique Sims characters! Will your Sims experience the rewards of a life well lived? Or will you choose to neglect their needs, indulge their fears, and see what happens? As your Sims’ family grows, you’ll see them pass on genes from one generation to the next, creating the ultimate family dynasty!



For the value price of $29.99 USD, The Sims 2 Double Deluxe also contains The Sims 2 Nightlife Expansion Pack, The Sims 2 Celebration! Stuff Pack and a bonus DVD. Whether your Sims are hitting downtown hotspots for an epic night out in The Sims 2 Nightlife, or planning the social event of the season in The Sims 2 Celebration Stuff, these additions are sure to layer hours of endless entertainment into your gameplay experience!

Also available today is The Sims 2 Kitchen and Bath Interior Design Stuff – the latest Stuff Pack in The Sims 2 series that gives new players and old fans all the items they need to unleash their inner interior designer. Want to transform that boring bathroom into a romantic getaway, complete with a charming bathtub, calming lighting fixtures and beautiful basin sinks? Eager to build the kitchen of your dreams, filled with sleek appliances on granite countertops or romantic natural wood cabinets next to wrought iron stoves? With a contemporary flair or romantic touch, The Sims 2 Kitchen and Bath Interior Design Stuff can help design the kitchens and baths of your dreams with a variety of new furniture, décor, and outfits for your Sims!

The Homecoming of Silent Hill on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3


Konami's first Silent Hill title for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3

Konami Digital Entertainment has announced the official title of its first Silent Hill game for PLAYSTATION 3 and Xbox 360. Entitled Silent Hill - Homecoming, the game will be released end of September this year across Europe.

The sixth installment in the classic video games series, Silent Hill: Homecoming introduces another protagonist to the mythos. The story follows Alex Shepherd, returning to his hometown of Shepherd’s Glen to investigate the sudden disappearance of his brother. From Shepherd’s Glen to Silent Hill, Alex must face the darkest of horrors in order to find his brother. Struggling with his own grip on reality, Alex must unravel the mystery behind his nightmares, discover the truth behind his brother’s disappearance, and confront the evil lurks in the seemingly empty streets of Silent Hill.

Homecoming is the first Silent Hill title for the new wave of ‘next generation’ consoles, featuring all-new graphics that bring the fear and terror of Silent Hill alive like never before. Alex must survive attacks from the misshapen denizens of the town using an all-new enhanced combat system that provides a wide array of attacks and counters. Along the way, Alex will encounter a variety of weapons to battle these horrific monsters and must also solve deadly puzzles as he uncovers the darkest secrets of Silent Hill.

Silent Hill: Homecoming also features an all-new soundtrack by acclaimed series composer Akira Yamaoka.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Two Worlds - Tainted Blood - Free Download


Multiplayer Add-on with over 30 new quests available on the first of May

Gamers who bought the Game-of-the-Year edition of "Two Worlds" (available in the European shops for 29.99 Euro since the beginning of April) were thrilled with the brand new PC multiplayer add-on for the RPG - and now they can download the new adventures in Antaloor from the first of May - for free at www.2-worlds.com.



Players can now go on the hunt for a crazy Necromancer, unsolve the mystery of a massacre in a woodcutters' camp, deal with a rebel knight (permanently) and lots more. The new add-on doesn't only give you a new series of Quests - it also opens up the doors to an all-new Business and Training Center! The town of Tharnburg offers you a large traders' district - and various arenas in which you can try out your newly-learned combat techniques right away. By the way - "Tainted Blood" isn't the only add-on that will help sweeten your wait for "The Temptation" follow-up... another add-on's coming soon!

Buzz! comes to Sony PSP



Take the Buzz! show on the road with PSP

Buzz to make his PSP (PlayStationPortable) debut this Spring

Test your quiz skills wherever you want with Buzz! for PSP
Enjoy brand new round types and three new PSP multiplayer modes
Bigger single player mode than ever before – are you up to the challenge?
This Spring, for the first time in Buzz! history, you’ll be able to take cheeky game show host Buzz! wherever you want – thanks to the release of the first Buzz! title for PSP (PlayStationPortable), the handheld entertainment system that offers gaming, web access, movies, music, photos and more.

New from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, Buzz! for PSP packs over 5000 questions – on topics including music, celebrities, TV, sport, science, nature, movies and general knowledge – alongside 1000 pictures and videos, into a handheld PSP game ready to test your knowledge at home or on the move. The title features six new round types specifically designed for PSP including the speed-is-of-the-essence ‘Quickfire Challenge’, the picture-puzzler ‘Picture This’ and the mind-boggling ‘Virus Challenge’.

The focus of Buzz! has always been on social play and the PSP version is no different, with three exciting multiplayer modes to test your quiz skills to the limit. Pass Around is a mode that you only need one PSP for, as you pass the system from player to player. As well as the fun of traditional quizzing, some rounds will let you prey on your opponents’ general knowledge weaknesses: you can choose who to pass PSP to according to the question’s subject matter. Other rounds will let you select the section of a photo you want to reveal to the next player, as you try to make it as difficult as possible for them to guess what it is. It’s perfect for stitching up your pals and adds an exciting new tactical edge to game play - as well as a new social gaming element to PSP.


Game sharing is also supported – up to 4 friends can connect multiple PSPs and share just one copy of the game to see who’s quickest off the mark in frenzied ‘Fastest Finger’ play. Then there’s Quiz Host Mode which is where one of the (two to six) players takes control of the game to select and ask the other players questions. The Quiz Host runs the whole game, with the power to award (or even deduct!) points however they see fit.

Not only does Buzz! for PSP offer great multiplayer quiz action; it also has a bigger and more exciting single player mode than previous Buzz! games. This mode presents players with a series of 15 different quiz challenges designed to test all aspects of your general knowledge. In each round, players can earn medals for their performance according to how many points they collect from correct answers. Each quiz has bronze, silver and gold medal criteria, so be sure to brush up on your general knowledge skills if you want to earn those elusive golds! There is also a variety of special trophies to collect according to how many correct questions the players has answered in a row, or how fast the players react.

Key Features:
• Three new multiplayer modes, all requiring either just one PSP or one copy of the game to enjoy: Pass Around, Game Share and Quiz Host
• Bigger and better single player mode than ever before, with 15 quiz challenges to test your knowledge to its limits
• Six all-new single and multiplayer round types specially created for PSP
• Over 5000 unique questions alongside over 1000 licensed picture and video assets
• Eight question categories: Music, TV, Science, Celebrities, Nature, Sport, Movies and General Knowledge

It’s the perfect way to share the fun of PSP with friends, or test your general knowledge on your own. Brilliant for a long journey, on holiday or at home, Buzz! for PSP will keep you and your friends quizzing for hours.

Sony signs 13 devs for Indian video games market

Sony has revealed plans to continue to push into the Indian market by signing local developers to create titles for the PlayStation 2.

According to a rediff report, 13 developers have signed up to produce games for the ageing console, with the titles likely to take advantage of the EyeToy to offer motion sensitive gaming.

To help keep development costs low, Sony is loaning development kits to studios such as Trine, Indiagames, DQ Entertainment and Dhruva.

"We are supporting the game developers by lending them developers kit at subsidised rates," said Zeno Colaco, VP of publisher and developer relations at SCE.

"Such special pricing helps the game developers in breaking even as it brings down the cost of game development."

Data from research firm iSuppli suggests that the console market in India could be worth around USD 125 million by 2010.

Source: Games Industry