Sony's console more than trebles its numbers as DS continues to dominate
The PlayStation 3 has overtaken the Nintendo Wii in the Japanese hardware sales chart, notching up 38 per cent more sales for the week ending November 11.
The Nintendo DS continued to sit atop the chart, selling 78,884 units while the PlayStation Portable also remained largely unchanged selling 58,964 according to Media Create.
But the PlayStation 3 more than trebled its previous week's sales, shifting 55,924 consoles.
By contrast the Wii continued to slide, falling just under 10 per cent to 34,456 units, despite the recent release of major title Super Mario Galaxy.
Meanwhile the PlayStation 2 dropped below the 10,000 mark, while the Xbox 360 also fell back to more normal sales levels after some software-related bursts in the past month.
The full sales list is as follows:
1. Nintendo DS: 78,884
2. PlayStation Portable: 58,964
3. PlayStation 3: 55,924
4. Nintendo Wii: 34,456
5. PlayStation 2: 9043
6. Xbox 360: 5817
Friday, November 16, 2007
rFactor - Racing into stores this week
Genre: Racing Simulation
Developed by: Image Space Incorporated
Published by: Sniper Entertainment
Website: www.rfactor.net, www.rfactorcentral.com
Release date: 16th November 2007
SRP: £24.99
PEGI: 3+
Platform: PC DVD
Sniper and Image Space Incorporated are pleased to announce that, from today, rFactor is available in UK stores.
rFactor offers the latest in vehicle and race customization, advanced graphics, and the height of racing realism. Developed by the creators of EA's Formula 1 and NASCAR Thunder series, and also Sports Car GT (SCGT), rFactor provides unprecedented flexibility, allowing the series to grow and evolve with mod community involvement, race club formation, and feedback from users worldwide.
The new boxed version of rFactor includes a completely new multiplayer engine, built-in race statistics and friends list, dedicated server, and built-in IRC chat. Developer Pete Knepley says "Factor is built to last. People still play SCGT and F1C, they will still be playing rFactor for years, I want them to be able to have internet matchmaking forever… My solution to matchmaking was to write a lightweight application that could be easily deployed. It runs the server listings and friends listings with minimal processor, memory and bandwidth usage. … This was a hardcore multithreaded server app that is the cornerstone to internet play for possibly thousands of players at once. It took several prototypes and a couple full rewrites to get it to production quality."
The rFactor series features mixed class road racing with ultra realistic dynamics, an immersive sound environment and stunning graphics. rFactor is the racing game you want to play, and will be available on DVD-ROM from the 16th November 2007.
Condor, the Competition Soaring Simulator, has landed in the UK
Genre: Flight Simulation
Developed by: Condor Soaring
Published by: Sniper Entertainment
Website: www.condorsoaring.com
Release date: 16th November 2007
SRP: £29.99
PEGI: 3+
Platform: PC CD-ROM
The boxed version of the critically acclaimed simulation Condor, from Sniper Entertainment and Condor Soaring, is now available in the UK.
Designed to recreate the ultimate experience of competition soaring on your PC, Condor, allows you to play with the atmosphere, riding the air currents, searching for that elusive lift. It's all about reading an environment that constantly changes, learning to see the detail in the clouds.
Condor is aimed at all levels with the excellent flight school for beginners and competition mode for more experienced players. Save flights and analyse them afterwards to improve your skills. Condor is great for learning, or for playing alone. It also incorporates a multiplayer feature so you can compete with other simmers around the world.
After critical acclaim as a downloadable game, Condor will be available from retail stores from 16th November 2007.
CHEGGERS GOES WEB 2.0
Cheggers Party Quiz, by Oxygen Games, goes web 2.0 and wants 10,000 new friends
Oxygen Games today decided to jump on the phenomenon that is Facebook in order to make some new friends and promote its new title Cheggers Party Quiz.
Cheggers Party Quiz joined Facebook early this week and is enjoying making new friends from around the globe. The Facebook site offers new friends lots of exciting info, pictures, videos and of course Cheggers’ hilarious weekly podcast.
Oxygen Games adds Facebook to Cheggers Party Quiz’s range of web 2.0 promotional activities, it joins Cheggers weekly podcasts, which can we downloaded, streamed or hosted, and some smile evoking streamed videos on YouTube.
UK-based friends of Cheggers can also join Cheggers Party Quiz great Wii giveaway group in a bid to be the lucky winner of an elusive Wii this Christmas. Along with four runners-up, the winner will also bag a copy of the wacky quiz game. The group vies to make 10,000 new friends, if the target is reached some of Cheggers new friends will have a very merry Christmas.
Cheggers Party Quiz successfully launched on 26th October on PC and PlayStation®2, and will launch on WiiTM 7th December. Families up and down the country are pitting their wits against one another to see who knows as much as Cheggers when it comes to the world of entertainment.
To become friends with Cheggers Party Quiz on Facebook, visit: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=764054816
To join the Cheggers Party Quiz great Wii giveaway group and become one of the 10,000 in with a chance of winning, visit: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6957744007
For more information about Cheggers Party Quiz, go to:
www.oxygengames.net
To listen to the Cheggers weekly podcast, go to:
http://www.youtube.com/cheggerspodcasts or
Or, Directly:
http://cdn.libsyn.com/westie/Cheggers_Plays_Podcast_1.mp3
For an RSS feed for the podcast please use: http://westie.libsyn.com/rss
Oxygen Games today decided to jump on the phenomenon that is Facebook in order to make some new friends and promote its new title Cheggers Party Quiz.
Cheggers Party Quiz joined Facebook early this week and is enjoying making new friends from around the globe. The Facebook site offers new friends lots of exciting info, pictures, videos and of course Cheggers’ hilarious weekly podcast.
Oxygen Games adds Facebook to Cheggers Party Quiz’s range of web 2.0 promotional activities, it joins Cheggers weekly podcasts, which can we downloaded, streamed or hosted, and some smile evoking streamed videos on YouTube.
UK-based friends of Cheggers can also join Cheggers Party Quiz great Wii giveaway group in a bid to be the lucky winner of an elusive Wii this Christmas. Along with four runners-up, the winner will also bag a copy of the wacky quiz game. The group vies to make 10,000 new friends, if the target is reached some of Cheggers new friends will have a very merry Christmas.
Cheggers Party Quiz successfully launched on 26th October on PC and PlayStation®2, and will launch on WiiTM 7th December. Families up and down the country are pitting their wits against one another to see who knows as much as Cheggers when it comes to the world of entertainment.
To become friends with Cheggers Party Quiz on Facebook, visit: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=764054816
To join the Cheggers Party Quiz great Wii giveaway group and become one of the 10,000 in with a chance of winning, visit: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6957744007
For more information about Cheggers Party Quiz, go to:
www.oxygengames.net
To listen to the Cheggers weekly podcast, go to:
http://www.youtube.com/cheggerspodcasts or
Or, Directly:
http://cdn.libsyn.com/westie/Cheggers_Plays_Podcast_1.mp3
For an RSS feed for the podcast please use: http://westie.libsyn.com/rss
Ratatouille: Food Frenzy for Nintendo DS
A new recipe for fun! Help Remy and his friends impress the critics and get La Ratatouille a 5 star rating by serving up 10 delicious gourmet dishes in this addictive puzzle game.
Features:
A brand new storyline that takes place after the film in Remy and Emile's new restaurant: La Ratatouille
Seven new mini-games: cooking, puzzle and action!
Created exclusively for the DS: use the stylus to cook food, stir pans and fry vegetables! Cool down food by blowing into the DS Microphone!
Play.com announce UK consumer games show
Leading entertainment retailer, Play.com are delighted to announce ‘Play.com Live’ - a brand new consumer gaming, entertainment and lifestyle show, to be hosted at Wembley Stadium in March 2008.
Head of Games at Play.com, Gian Luzio said: “The UK audience has been starved of a gaming lifestyle show and we are delighted that we are bringing Play.com Live to the market. We’re really excited about the proposition that Play.com Live will offer and through our consumer research it proves that this is exactly what they desire.
Luzio continued: “Play.com Live provides a great platform for all games publishers to showcase their games for 2008 and Wembley provides a fantastic venue for an entertainment show. We have some fantastic plans for this, ensuring it appeals to the mainstream audience both young and old”
Play.com Live will take place over the weekend of the 15th and 16th March 2008 at Wembley Stadium. Tickets will go on sale from December 3rd 2007 and will be exclusively available from www.play.com
Head of Games at Play.com, Gian Luzio said: “The UK audience has been starved of a gaming lifestyle show and we are delighted that we are bringing Play.com Live to the market. We’re really excited about the proposition that Play.com Live will offer and through our consumer research it proves that this is exactly what they desire.
Luzio continued: “Play.com Live provides a great platform for all games publishers to showcase their games for 2008 and Wembley provides a fantastic venue for an entertainment show. We have some fantastic plans for this, ensuring it appeals to the mainstream audience both young and old”
Play.com Live will take place over the weekend of the 15th and 16th March 2008 at Wembley Stadium. Tickets will go on sale from December 3rd 2007 and will be exclusively available from www.play.com
Heroic Soldier Action Figures At Toys "R" Us Stores Nationwide
Action Figures Based on Real Soldiers Are Part of America's Army Real Heroes Program
azwares, Inc. today announced the nationwide launch of America's Army action figures featuring Real Heroes at Toys "R" Us stores nationwide. The action figure series is part of the America's Army Real Heroes program through which the U.S. Army offers a glimpse into the accomplishments of Soldiers who have distinguished themselves in combat and earned citations for bravery and valor. The action figure line launches with four exemplary Soldiers. Jazwares, Inc. manufactures and distributes the America's Army action figures and worked closely with the U.S. Army to ensure authenticity. Each Soldier's action figure includes a Real Heroes trading card highlighting the Soldier's heroic accomplishments and Warrior Ethos, authentic uniforms, weapons, unit insignias, and awards.
The Soldiers featured in the first series of action figures are:
Sergeant Tommy Riemen, 51st Long Range Surveillance Infantry (Airborne), Silver Star for Gallantry in Action in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sergeant First Class Gerald Wolford, 82nd Airborne, Silver Star for Gallantry in Action in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sergeant Matthew Zedwick, 2-162 Infantry, Silver Star for Gallantry in Action in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Major Jason Amerine, 5th Special Forces Group, Bronze Star with V Device for Bravery in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
The America's Army Real Heroes program provides an inside perspective into the lives of Soldiers, allowing civilians to learn about a Soldier's personal character and accomplishments, while giving them greater insight into the wide range of individuals who make up the Armys elite fighting force. The America's Army Real Heroes program highlights heroic Soldiers and their stories in this line of action figures. Additionally, the Soldiers' likenesses and biographies are also featured in the Army's exceptionally popular computer game, America's Army and on the America's Army website. Millions of America's Army game players have already read about the heroes and viewed videos detailing these Soldier's heroic actions at www.americasarmy.com/realheroes.
The America's Army Real Heroes action figure line features only a few of the Soldiers who have exhibited courage under fire and earned awards for distinguished service and valor in the Global War on Terrorism. America's Army Real Heroes have earned some of the nation's highest awards for valor including the Distinguished Service Cross and Silver Star. They are emblematic of the thousands of Army heroes who have earned such awards for action in the Global War on Terrorism. These Soldiers embody the Warrior Ethos - a Soldier will always place the mission first, never accept defeat, never quit, and never leave a fallen comrade.
About America's Army
Launched on July 4th 2002, America's Army is an innovative PC action game that provides young adults with an inside perspective and a virtual role in today's high-tech Army. Through the America's Army game, players can take a virtual "test drive" of Soldiering in the U.S. Army from basic training to the battlefield in the Global War on Terrorism.
With users having invested over 211 million hours virtually exploring the Army from Basic Training to operations in the War on Terrorism, America's Army ranks among the top ten online PC action games played worldwide. The game provides a unique, interactive experience allowing players to gain a perspective into Army occupations and values by assuming virtual roles as U.S. Army Soldiers. Players navigate through challenges real Soldiers confront. As they dominate these challenges, they expand opportunities for advancement and development in roles from Special Forces to combat medic.
Since July 2002 the Army has released 24 major updates to its America's Army game for the PC. These releases, which are available at www.americasarmy.com, feature new technologies, missions, Army units and occupations. The most recent updates are part of the America's Army: Special Forces (Overmatch) series that focuses upon the central role Special Forces play in the Global War on Terrorism and highlights technologies that provide small U.S. Army units with the ability to overmatch much larger enemy forces. The America's Army game also includes the America's Army Real Heroes program that offers a glimpse into the accomplishments of Soldiers who have distinguished themselves in combat and earned citations for bravery and valor.
azwares, Inc. today announced the nationwide launch of America's Army action figures featuring Real Heroes at Toys "R" Us stores nationwide. The action figure series is part of the America's Army Real Heroes program through which the U.S. Army offers a glimpse into the accomplishments of Soldiers who have distinguished themselves in combat and earned citations for bravery and valor. The action figure line launches with four exemplary Soldiers. Jazwares, Inc. manufactures and distributes the America's Army action figures and worked closely with the U.S. Army to ensure authenticity. Each Soldier's action figure includes a Real Heroes trading card highlighting the Soldier's heroic accomplishments and Warrior Ethos, authentic uniforms, weapons, unit insignias, and awards.
The Soldiers featured in the first series of action figures are:
Sergeant Tommy Riemen, 51st Long Range Surveillance Infantry (Airborne), Silver Star for Gallantry in Action in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sergeant First Class Gerald Wolford, 82nd Airborne, Silver Star for Gallantry in Action in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sergeant Matthew Zedwick, 2-162 Infantry, Silver Star for Gallantry in Action in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Major Jason Amerine, 5th Special Forces Group, Bronze Star with V Device for Bravery in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
The America's Army Real Heroes program provides an inside perspective into the lives of Soldiers, allowing civilians to learn about a Soldier's personal character and accomplishments, while giving them greater insight into the wide range of individuals who make up the Armys elite fighting force. The America's Army Real Heroes program highlights heroic Soldiers and their stories in this line of action figures. Additionally, the Soldiers' likenesses and biographies are also featured in the Army's exceptionally popular computer game, America's Army and on the America's Army website. Millions of America's Army game players have already read about the heroes and viewed videos detailing these Soldier's heroic actions at www.americasarmy.com/realheroes.
The America's Army Real Heroes action figure line features only a few of the Soldiers who have exhibited courage under fire and earned awards for distinguished service and valor in the Global War on Terrorism. America's Army Real Heroes have earned some of the nation's highest awards for valor including the Distinguished Service Cross and Silver Star. They are emblematic of the thousands of Army heroes who have earned such awards for action in the Global War on Terrorism. These Soldiers embody the Warrior Ethos - a Soldier will always place the mission first, never accept defeat, never quit, and never leave a fallen comrade.
About America's Army
Launched on July 4th 2002, America's Army is an innovative PC action game that provides young adults with an inside perspective and a virtual role in today's high-tech Army. Through the America's Army game, players can take a virtual "test drive" of Soldiering in the U.S. Army from basic training to the battlefield in the Global War on Terrorism.
With users having invested over 211 million hours virtually exploring the Army from Basic Training to operations in the War on Terrorism, America's Army ranks among the top ten online PC action games played worldwide. The game provides a unique, interactive experience allowing players to gain a perspective into Army occupations and values by assuming virtual roles as U.S. Army Soldiers. Players navigate through challenges real Soldiers confront. As they dominate these challenges, they expand opportunities for advancement and development in roles from Special Forces to combat medic.
Since July 2002 the Army has released 24 major updates to its America's Army game for the PC. These releases, which are available at www.americasarmy.com, feature new technologies, missions, Army units and occupations. The most recent updates are part of the America's Army: Special Forces (Overmatch) series that focuses upon the central role Special Forces play in the Global War on Terrorism and highlights technologies that provide small U.S. Army units with the ability to overmatch much larger enemy forces. The America's Army game also includes the America's Army Real Heroes program that offers a glimpse into the accomplishments of Soldiers who have distinguished themselves in combat and earned citations for bravery and valor.
Axiom Overdrive, Orbital Thrust Frame
Utilizing simple controls, players pilot a nimble craft through the mines of AF128, employing the powerful grapple to explore layered depths of gameplay.
Reflexive Entertainment and the Axiom Corporation have revealed specifications for its Orbital Thrust Frame. Players are already eagerly anticipating piloting the vehicle through the unique physical environment within our deep space mining colony AF128.
“The OTF is a powerful, resilient, and uniquely versatile vehicle,” said Dr. D.C. Looper, Lead Engineer in charge of developing the vehicles’ on board control systems. “We know our job is done when pilots can’t even tell that there is a system helping interpret their control inputs. Many test subjects have reported that the OTF responds as though it is an extension of their own thought process,” he later added.
The built in grapple is a powerful graviton beam, which is used to pick up and manipulate objects within AF128. Pilots develop an innate feel for the momentum and mass within every object they push, crash, smash, carry, and sling through the mine facility.
In preparation for the next wave of hiring on the mining colony AF128, and in response to the flood of applications already received, the Axiom Corporation is honing in on the first wave of exceptional applicants who will be chosen to pilot the limited number of OTFs available.
For further information about the Axiom Corporation’s OTF design, and up-coming opportunities for OTF pilots, please read the documentation available on www.axiomoverdrive.com.
Reflexive Entertainment and the Axiom Corporation have revealed specifications for its Orbital Thrust Frame. Players are already eagerly anticipating piloting the vehicle through the unique physical environment within our deep space mining colony AF128.
“The OTF is a powerful, resilient, and uniquely versatile vehicle,” said Dr. D.C. Looper, Lead Engineer in charge of developing the vehicles’ on board control systems. “We know our job is done when pilots can’t even tell that there is a system helping interpret their control inputs. Many test subjects have reported that the OTF responds as though it is an extension of their own thought process,” he later added.
The built in grapple is a powerful graviton beam, which is used to pick up and manipulate objects within AF128. Pilots develop an innate feel for the momentum and mass within every object they push, crash, smash, carry, and sling through the mine facility.
In preparation for the next wave of hiring on the mining colony AF128, and in response to the flood of applications already received, the Axiom Corporation is honing in on the first wave of exceptional applicants who will be chosen to pilot the limited number of OTFs available.
For further information about the Axiom Corporation’s OTF design, and up-coming opportunities for OTF pilots, please read the documentation available on www.axiomoverdrive.com.
RiffMaster Guitar Controller Available Now
The World's First Genuine Peavey Guitar Modified for Play with Guitar-Based Music Videogames on the PlayStation System; Exclusively at ArtGuitar.com
ArtGuitar, a leading designer of custom graphics for electric and acoustic guitars, announced today the launch of the limited edition AG RiffMaster Guitar Controller, the worlds first genuine Peavey guitar modified for play with guitar-based music videogames on the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system.
Exclusively available online at www.ArtGuitar.com, the limited edition AG RiffMaster Guitar Controller includes 17 limited edition designs featuring mega artists KISS, Ozzy Osbourne, Pantera, Megadeth and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
“The AG RiffMaster Guitar Controller is ideal for anyone seeking the most realistic interaction with guitar-based music videogames,” stated Steve Spurgeon, CEO of ArtGuitar. “With the quality and value of a real guitar customized with iconic rock band artwork valued at $1,500 and up, the limited edition AG RiffMaster offered at $399 is an amazing value for music enthusiasts, collectors and gamers alike.”
Created from a real Peavey guitar, ArtGuitar has preserved the qualities found in the original makeup of the instrument. The guitar strings have been removed, but the headstock of the AG RiffMaster Guitar Controller, still sports real tuning pegs for an added visual appeal. Crafted from natural basswood, the body displays custom artwork showcasing 17 unique designs featuring five legendary rock bands. The neck created from hard rock maple, features five colored fret buttons located amongst true frets and position markers on a genuine fingerboard while the pickup consists of one humbucking and a scale length of 25.5". The guitar controller also features premium 2.4GHz wireless technology for high-performance precision gaming.
Best known for its patented process that digitally paints images onto real guitars, ArtGuitartransforms the instruments into collectible masterpieces. Using the same state-of-the-art technology, ArtGuitar and Peavey are bringing exclusive, limited edition rock designs to a guitar controller for the first time.
The limited edition AG RiffMaster Guitar Controller is available this holiday season only, and is being sold exclusively at www.ArtGuitar.com. A broad range of premium accessories will also be offered from the online shop including a top of the line hard shell electric guitar case, Peavey logo barstool, guitar polish care kit, guitar stands and much more.
To order the AG RiffMaster Guitar Controller or to learn more about ArtGuitar please visit www.ArtGuitar.com.
ArtGuitar, a leading designer of custom graphics for electric and acoustic guitars, announced today the launch of the limited edition AG RiffMaster Guitar Controller, the worlds first genuine Peavey guitar modified for play with guitar-based music videogames on the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system.
Exclusively available online at www.ArtGuitar.com, the limited edition AG RiffMaster Guitar Controller includes 17 limited edition designs featuring mega artists KISS, Ozzy Osbourne, Pantera, Megadeth and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
“The AG RiffMaster Guitar Controller is ideal for anyone seeking the most realistic interaction with guitar-based music videogames,” stated Steve Spurgeon, CEO of ArtGuitar. “With the quality and value of a real guitar customized with iconic rock band artwork valued at $1,500 and up, the limited edition AG RiffMaster offered at $399 is an amazing value for music enthusiasts, collectors and gamers alike.”
Created from a real Peavey guitar, ArtGuitar has preserved the qualities found in the original makeup of the instrument. The guitar strings have been removed, but the headstock of the AG RiffMaster Guitar Controller, still sports real tuning pegs for an added visual appeal. Crafted from natural basswood, the body displays custom artwork showcasing 17 unique designs featuring five legendary rock bands. The neck created from hard rock maple, features five colored fret buttons located amongst true frets and position markers on a genuine fingerboard while the pickup consists of one humbucking and a scale length of 25.5". The guitar controller also features premium 2.4GHz wireless technology for high-performance precision gaming.
Best known for its patented process that digitally paints images onto real guitars, ArtGuitartransforms the instruments into collectible masterpieces. Using the same state-of-the-art technology, ArtGuitar and Peavey are bringing exclusive, limited edition rock designs to a guitar controller for the first time.
The limited edition AG RiffMaster Guitar Controller is available this holiday season only, and is being sold exclusively at www.ArtGuitar.com. A broad range of premium accessories will also be offered from the online shop including a top of the line hard shell electric guitar case, Peavey logo barstool, guitar polish care kit, guitar stands and much more.
To order the AG RiffMaster Guitar Controller or to learn more about ArtGuitar please visit www.ArtGuitar.com.
Iridium Runners on Playstation 2
Original Racing Game Features "On-Foot" Races in Futuristic Tracks with Special Powers and Weapons; Set to Release in February 2008
SouthPeak Games, emerging publisher and distributor of entertainment software, today announced it will release Iridium Runners on Playstation®2 computer entertainment system in February 2008. The new racing title is an original IP developed by Italian game studio Playstos Entertainment. Iridium Runners, rated “E” for Everyone by the ESRB, gives gamers a futuristic world of on-foot races that requires special powers and weapons to compete.
“Iridium Runners is a racing game from the future with crazy twists and turns that all gamers can get into,” Melanie Mroz, executive vice president at SouthPeak Games. “Playstos developed a captivating game that SouthPeak is really happy to bring to market because we know there are a ton of PlayStation 2 system fans looking for fun, new titles.”
Set in the year 2050, Iridium Runners puts players in pursuit of the Iridium Championship, a series of athletic on-foot races hosted on wildly inventive tracks and sponsored by futuristic mega corporations. The game combines speed with collectable power-ups and weapons which add to a frenetic pace of the game and many unexpected challenges along the way.
“We created an imaginative racing game experience with Iridium Runners,” said Luca Da Rios, CEO and executive producer, Playstos Entertainment. “It’s an ideal addition to the PlayStation 2 system’s catalog of racing games and now SouthPeak gives us the opportunity to bring it to consumers across the globe.”
Iridium Runners will feature several game modes, from full-championship to single-race, with the highlight being split-screen multiplayer. The multiplayer function is split into traditional free-for-all racing and a tactically rich team mode that allows for CPU players to fill space where human adversaries aren’t available. The team mode features teams of two players each, with each team racing for the finish line while also attempting to hamper the efforts of their opponents with the available collectables. The game is rendered in a cartoon-style format with visuals that underline the futuristic nature of the overall concept.
For more information about Iridium Runners please visit www.iridiumrunners.com or to learn more about SouthPeak Games go to www.southpeakgames.com.
SouthPeak Games, emerging publisher and distributor of entertainment software, today announced it will release Iridium Runners on Playstation®2 computer entertainment system in February 2008. The new racing title is an original IP developed by Italian game studio Playstos Entertainment. Iridium Runners, rated “E” for Everyone by the ESRB, gives gamers a futuristic world of on-foot races that requires special powers and weapons to compete.
“Iridium Runners is a racing game from the future with crazy twists and turns that all gamers can get into,” Melanie Mroz, executive vice president at SouthPeak Games. “Playstos developed a captivating game that SouthPeak is really happy to bring to market because we know there are a ton of PlayStation 2 system fans looking for fun, new titles.”
Set in the year 2050, Iridium Runners puts players in pursuit of the Iridium Championship, a series of athletic on-foot races hosted on wildly inventive tracks and sponsored by futuristic mega corporations. The game combines speed with collectable power-ups and weapons which add to a frenetic pace of the game and many unexpected challenges along the way.
“We created an imaginative racing game experience with Iridium Runners,” said Luca Da Rios, CEO and executive producer, Playstos Entertainment. “It’s an ideal addition to the PlayStation 2 system’s catalog of racing games and now SouthPeak gives us the opportunity to bring it to consumers across the globe.”
Iridium Runners will feature several game modes, from full-championship to single-race, with the highlight being split-screen multiplayer. The multiplayer function is split into traditional free-for-all racing and a tactically rich team mode that allows for CPU players to fill space where human adversaries aren’t available. The team mode features teams of two players each, with each team racing for the finish line while also attempting to hamper the efforts of their opponents with the available collectables. The game is rendered in a cartoon-style format with visuals that underline the futuristic nature of the overall concept.
For more information about Iridium Runners please visit www.iridiumrunners.com or to learn more about SouthPeak Games go to www.southpeakgames.com.
‘Galaxy’ revives old-school pleasures of Super Mario
Between the releases of "Assassin's Creed" (multi-platform) and "Crysis" (PC) and the introduction of the Check Mii Out channel to Wii gamers, this has been a busy week in the gaming world. It was hard to choose the focus for this week's column, but the release of "Super Mario Galaxy" for the Wii ultimately came out on top. "Assassin's Creed" looks absolutely amazing, but "Super Mario Galaxy" is just, naturally, in a stratosphere all its own.
"Super Mario Galaxy" embodies everything a Wii gamer is looking for. It is accessible and appropriate for all ages, and contains enough challenges to hold up over time. This is not the kind of game that you pick up for a week and then never play again. It has variety and presents a beautifully charming world that looks fun to interact with. This is reminiscent of the classic Mario games that could be played over and over again without getting old. Recent Mario titles have lacked this charm, which makes "Galaxy" all the more appealing.
Part of the world's appeal is in the graphical presentation. Based on appearances alone, "Super Mario Galaxy" exceeds everything put out on the Wii thus far, including "Metroid Prime 3." Everything looks crisp, clear and colorful, and while the Wii is not known for its graphical attributes, this game seems to push the system's capabilities to their absolute limit, with beautiful results. The graphics are probably still not as good as those of the Xbox 360 or Playstation 3, but I am not sure why they would ever need to be. Part of Mario's charm is in the cartoonish presentation, and I doubt that anyone wants to see a realistic, hairy, Italian plumber as the hero.
The stunning graphics make an excellent first impression, but the game continues to impress with its solid gameplay. As I mentioned earlier, there is an inherent charm that makes the stages fun to explore even when you are not trying to accomplish any particular goal. Games like "Grand Theft Auto" (and I suspect the same will be true of "Assassin's Creed") have a similar feel, and when a game has this inherent fun factor, it typically stands the test of time.
What makes the gameplay of "Super Mario Galaxy" so appealing is the way in which it brings something new not only to the Mario universe, but to video games as a whole. "Super Mario Sunshine" for the Gamecube tried to accomplish this by adding a water-pack, but it did not feel right. "Galaxy" goes back to what Mario does best—running and jumping—but places him in a whole new environment: outer space. While the graphics push the Wii to its limit, the physics of the game are what really show the talent of the developers.
"Galaxy" is made up of many galaxies, each with a collection of planetoids that Mario can traverse. Each of these has its own gravitational attraction, meaning that each planet plays a bit differently from the others. These planets are also complete spheres; you can see that you are on a tiny spherical mass, rather than the usual flat landscape. Sometimes, when Mario jumps in the air on one planet, the gravitational pull of another planet will attract him to it. Quite simply, this is an insanely ingenious gameplay dynamic that makes for an extraordinary experience.
Perhaps, above all else, what makes "Super Mario Galaxy" so awesome is that it hearkens back to Mario's roots. The music sounds like it belongs in a Mario game, the world is filled with Mushroom Kingdom creatures, and most importantly, the famous "suits" power-ups from the classic games make their return. Remember when Mario used to turn into a raccoon or a frog? In "Galaxy," he can power-up into a bee or a ghost, and, for the first time in a 3D Mario game, he has fire power. Thus, the game perfectly combines the classic with the innovative, providing both nostalgia and awe-inspiring moments for all gamers to enjoy.
In conclusion, this is the definitive game for Wii, and perhaps the Game of the Year for any system. It is the best Mario game in over a decade; you have to go back to at least "Super Mario 64" (1996), and you may even look back further to "Super Mario World" (1991) or "SMB 3" (1990) in order to find a Mario game this good. It currently has a 97.4 percent rating on "gamerankings.com," and until "Super Smash Bros. Brawl" comes out in February, "Super Mario Galaxy" will definitely remain the best Wii title. So, with apologies to "Assassin's Creed," this week belongs to the mustachioed mushroom muncher, Mario.
‘Super Mario Galaxy’: Out of this world
As harmless small stars fell like candy from a pocket in the sky onto Mario’s idyllic town, his longtime love Princess Peach waited joyfully for him in her castle. But like so many tragedies that befell Peach before, Bowser the brute swooped in and kidnapped her.
And so, nothing short of Mario’s saving the universe will lead to her emotional rescue. That’s how Mario tales wag. The damsel in distress is most in peril whenever her mustachioed hero is away.
But in Wii’s “Super Mario Galaxy,” Nintendo’s craftiness once again makes a familiar-looking Mario game seem like one of the best kids titles of its release year.
In your hands, Mario explores fiery and watery planets in distant galaxies. There’s nothing special about that. But the way you travel the universe is cool and new.
Planets are little things, appearing in the center of your TV screen as if they’re just large globes; variously, planets are merely the sizes of an Earth house or an Earth neighborhood.
This keeps you on your toes. It’s harder to avoid death when you’re walking and jumping upside down, sideways and diagonally around a violent orb.
I have to disclose I didn’t finish “Galaxy” before writing this review. I ran out of time while playing it and two other great new releases - each of which could take 20 hours just to speed through - so I can give you impressions of all three titles, in time for holiday shopping.
The other two superb games will appeal to hard-core gamers who love to shoot things to death.
“Mass Effect” is an action-role-playing game from BioWare, the maker of fun “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic” and “Jade Empire.”
The look of “Mass Effect” is a cinematic feat. Like movies, you watch the game’s graphic films just about as often as you play the game. Sci-fi soldiers and aliens from the 22nd century chat gravely about a complex political and military struggle. You pick your responses during these conversations, issuing snippets of curt dialogue such as “What did you find?” and “Why is Williams here?”
Yeah, that’s odd, but fans of role-playing games eat this stuff up. The fun for me comes from saving the universe by shooting evil robot-looking aliens (or something like that) across space stations, foreign planets and finely detailed capitols.
As shooting goes, though, my favorite war game in a while (especially online) is “Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare” on Xbox 360 and PS 3. Bad guys are terrorists. And the game play and illustrations are excellent, seamless and rich.
“SUPER MARIO GALAXY” Retails for $50 for Wii. Plays fun. Looks very good. Easy to moderately challenging. Rated E for mild cartoon violence. Grade: A
“CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE” Retails for $60 for Xbox 360 and PS 3; $30 for DS. Plays very fun, especially online. Looks great. Moderately challenging. Rated M for blood, gore, intense violence and strong language. Grade: A
“MASS EFFECT’ ’Retails for $60 for Xbox 360. Plays fun. Looks stellar. Moderately challenging. Rated M for blood, language, partial nudity, sexual themes and violence.Grade: A
And so, nothing short of Mario’s saving the universe will lead to her emotional rescue. That’s how Mario tales wag. The damsel in distress is most in peril whenever her mustachioed hero is away.
But in Wii’s “Super Mario Galaxy,” Nintendo’s craftiness once again makes a familiar-looking Mario game seem like one of the best kids titles of its release year.
In your hands, Mario explores fiery and watery planets in distant galaxies. There’s nothing special about that. But the way you travel the universe is cool and new.
Planets are little things, appearing in the center of your TV screen as if they’re just large globes; variously, planets are merely the sizes of an Earth house or an Earth neighborhood.
This keeps you on your toes. It’s harder to avoid death when you’re walking and jumping upside down, sideways and diagonally around a violent orb.
I have to disclose I didn’t finish “Galaxy” before writing this review. I ran out of time while playing it and two other great new releases - each of which could take 20 hours just to speed through - so I can give you impressions of all three titles, in time for holiday shopping.
The other two superb games will appeal to hard-core gamers who love to shoot things to death.
“Mass Effect” is an action-role-playing game from BioWare, the maker of fun “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic” and “Jade Empire.”
The look of “Mass Effect” is a cinematic feat. Like movies, you watch the game’s graphic films just about as often as you play the game. Sci-fi soldiers and aliens from the 22nd century chat gravely about a complex political and military struggle. You pick your responses during these conversations, issuing snippets of curt dialogue such as “What did you find?” and “Why is Williams here?”
Yeah, that’s odd, but fans of role-playing games eat this stuff up. The fun for me comes from saving the universe by shooting evil robot-looking aliens (or something like that) across space stations, foreign planets and finely detailed capitols.
As shooting goes, though, my favorite war game in a while (especially online) is “Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare” on Xbox 360 and PS 3. Bad guys are terrorists. And the game play and illustrations are excellent, seamless and rich.
“SUPER MARIO GALAXY” Retails for $50 for Wii. Plays fun. Looks very good. Easy to moderately challenging. Rated E for mild cartoon violence. Grade: A
“CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE” Retails for $60 for Xbox 360 and PS 3; $30 for DS. Plays very fun, especially online. Looks great. Moderately challenging. Rated M for blood, gore, intense violence and strong language. Grade: A
“MASS EFFECT’ ’Retails for $60 for Xbox 360. Plays fun. Looks stellar. Moderately challenging. Rated M for blood, language, partial nudity, sexual themes and violence.Grade: A
Video Game Sales Jump On 'Guitar Hero III'; Wii Regains Top Slot
Video game sales jumped 39% in October but came in below several optimistic expectations as sales of the popular "Halo 3" slowed considerably following its much-hyped launch.
The slower "Halo 3" sales were also a likely factor in helping the Nintendo Wii reclaim the top spot among gaming consoles after being knocked off briefly by Microsoft's Xbox 360.
The Wii sold about 519,000 units during the month - the most of any gaming console, according to data released from the NPD group late Thursday.
That blew away the 366,000 in unit sales from the Xbox 360, which saw an upsurge in September thanks to the launch of "Halo 3," the most anticipated new game of the year that was designed exclusively for the 360 console. The 360 had sold nearly 528,000 units in September.
"Halo 3" was released during the last week of September but still managed to rack up 3.3 million in unit sales for the month. In October, the game totaled just 433,800 units.
Total video game software sales for the month came to $513.9 million, up 39% from the same period last year. Analysts were expecting sales to come in between $550 million and $600 million for the month.
New 'Guitar Hero' rocks sales
The star game title for October turned out to be another sequel, of sorts. " Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock" hit store shelves on Oct. 28 but still managed to sell more than 1.17 million units in versions designed for all three next- generation gaming consoles as well as the older PlayStation 2 from Sony Corp.
The "Guitar Hero" series is published by Activision (ATVI) . "Halo 3" was published by Microsoft (MSFT) .
Nintendo also had a strong performance on the game side. The company's "Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass" sold more than 262,000 units for its handheld DS platform, followed by its "Wii Play w/ Remote" game, which sold more than 239, 000 units.
Electronic Arts (ERTS) saw its "Half Life 2" title move 238,400 units for the month while its "FIFA Soccer 08" title sold 129,700 units.
PlayStation 3 gets slight lift
While Sony's (SNE) PlayStation 3 still ranked at the bottom for next- generation consoles, the device saw sales pick up slightly to 121,000 units for the month compared to 119,400 units the month before.
Sony has cut the price on the console significantly, but those price cuts did not take affect until this month, so the impact to sales will not be clear until December.
The PlayStation 2 sold 184,000 units for the month, likely helped by the latest "Guitar Hero" installment.
On the handheld side, Sony's PSP moved 286,000 units while the Nintendo DS sold about 458,000 units.
The slower "Halo 3" sales were also a likely factor in helping the Nintendo Wii reclaim the top spot among gaming consoles after being knocked off briefly by Microsoft's Xbox 360.
The Wii sold about 519,000 units during the month - the most of any gaming console, according to data released from the NPD group late Thursday.
That blew away the 366,000 in unit sales from the Xbox 360, which saw an upsurge in September thanks to the launch of "Halo 3," the most anticipated new game of the year that was designed exclusively for the 360 console. The 360 had sold nearly 528,000 units in September.
"Halo 3" was released during the last week of September but still managed to rack up 3.3 million in unit sales for the month. In October, the game totaled just 433,800 units.
Total video game software sales for the month came to $513.9 million, up 39% from the same period last year. Analysts were expecting sales to come in between $550 million and $600 million for the month.
New 'Guitar Hero' rocks sales
The star game title for October turned out to be another sequel, of sorts. " Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock" hit store shelves on Oct. 28 but still managed to sell more than 1.17 million units in versions designed for all three next- generation gaming consoles as well as the older PlayStation 2 from Sony Corp.
The "Guitar Hero" series is published by Activision (ATVI) . "Halo 3" was published by Microsoft (MSFT) .
Nintendo also had a strong performance on the game side. The company's "Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass" sold more than 262,000 units for its handheld DS platform, followed by its "Wii Play w/ Remote" game, which sold more than 239, 000 units.
Electronic Arts (ERTS) saw its "Half Life 2" title move 238,400 units for the month while its "FIFA Soccer 08" title sold 129,700 units.
PlayStation 3 gets slight lift
While Sony's (SNE) PlayStation 3 still ranked at the bottom for next- generation consoles, the device saw sales pick up slightly to 121,000 units for the month compared to 119,400 units the month before.
Sony has cut the price on the console significantly, but those price cuts did not take affect until this month, so the impact to sales will not be clear until December.
The PlayStation 2 sold 184,000 units for the month, likely helped by the latest "Guitar Hero" installment.
On the handheld side, Sony's PSP moved 286,000 units while the Nintendo DS sold about 458,000 units.
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