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Tuesday, November 20, 2007

The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles PLAYSTATION 3


Official Expansion Disc to Award-Winning Role Playing Game to be Available This Week

Bethesda Softworks, a ZeniMax Media company, announced today that The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles for PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system from SCEA is now shipping to North American retail stores. This standalone disc will allow gamers who already own The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion to experience the award-winning expansion.
This new retail product follows the October release of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition (GotY) for PLAYSTATION 3 system, which includes the Shivering Isles expansion. Originally released in March 2006 for Windows and Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and in March 2007 for PLAYSTATION 3 system, Oblivion has already earned countless awards from publications around the world and won numerous Game of the Year and RPG of the Year awards.
Oblivion features a powerful combination of free-form gameplay, unprecedented graphics, cutting edge AI, character voices by acting legends Patrick Stewart, Sean Bean, Terrance Stamp, and Lynda Carter, and an award-winning soundtrack. Gamers can choose to unravel Oblivion’s epic narrative at their own pace or explore the vast world in search of their own unique challenges.

With more than 30 hours of new gamezplay, Shivering Isles allows you to explore an entirely new plane of Oblivion – the realm of Sheogorath, the Daedric Prince of Madness. Shivering Isles features a bizarre landscape split between the two sides – Mania and Dementia –filled with vast, twisting dungeons mirroring the roots of the trees they are buried within. Sheogorath himself looks to you to be his champion and defend his realm and its inhabitants from destruction as you discover all new items, ingredients, spells, and much more.

Shivering Isles for PLAYSTATION 3 system will also be available for download on the PLAYSTATION Network (North American, English only) beginning November 29th. Shivering Isles is rated M for Mature by the ESRB. For more information on Oblivion, Shivering Isles, or The Elder Scrolls, visit www.elderscrolls.com.

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PHILIPS AMBX-ENABLES QUAKE 4


Philips today announced an agreement with id Software, makers of the hugely popular and successful DOOM, QUAKE and Wolfenstein series of games, to provide an amBX-enabled Mod for QUAKE 4.

A multiplayer version of QUAKE 4 was initially amBX-enabled through a Mod in August for public demonstration at QuakeCon, the free convention held in the Dallas area where PC gamers from all over the world make the pilgrimage to play and compete on a giant gaming network. The multiplayer demonstration proved hugely popular with everybody who saw, heard, felt and played it.

Shorthand for ‘ambient experiences’, amBX revolutionises the gameplay experience by extending the gaming world out of the screen and into the real world. amBX delivers a full ‘sensory surround experience’ by equipping game developers with a tool box to use light, colour, sound and even air flow through enabled devices, including the Philips amBX PC Gaming Peripherals range of LED colour-controlled lighting capable of representing 16 million different colours, rumble peripherals and variable speed desktop fans.

The Philips amBX team has crafted a Mod for QUAKE 4, which when played with amBX peripherals, will see fans, lights and rumble effects, including 360 degree environmental lighting, form an integral part of the gameplay.

Players running and jumping in the game will actually feel the air move around them and the effect of landing and impacts. Weapons will generate custom effects, including surrounding light, rumble, shudder and fan blast effects from the rocket launcher. On a more subtle level, rear view lighting is darkened when players use a weapon scope mode, to draw players into the sniper frame of mind. On the receiving end, damage feedback is displayed through a multi directional red light blood splatter and bullet impact vibration. Finally, power and pick ups are represented through different light effects, including a light blue aura for Quad Damage, pulsing red for Regeneration, a fast yellow pulse for Haste, green light for Health and blue light for Mega Health.

“The response to the QuakeCon multiplayer demonstration was overwhelmingly positive and we’re delighted to offer all those fans an amBX Mod for QUAKE 4,” commented Jo Cooke, Chief Marketing Officer, Philips amBX. “The range of effects amBX brings to QUAKE 4 is so diverse, it really offers an all-new first person shooting experience.”

“It’s exciting to see Philips’ innovative amBX technology enhancing the already intense experience in QUAKE 4,” said Todd Hollenshead, CEO of id Software. “amBX was a definite hit at the last QuakeCon and we look forward to even more gamers checking out the visceral amBX experience at QuakeCon 2008.”

Philips is setting a global standard by licensing the amBX technology to computer game developers, publishers and peripherals manufacturers and id Software joins a rapidly growing list, including Codemasters, THQ, Introversion, Gearbox Software, Zombie, Riot Games, Brain in a Jar, Invictus Games, Instinct Technology, Kuju, Revolution, Sumo Digital, Rivers Run Red, Philips Peripherals & Accessories and SpectraVideo.

Games which are amBX compatible include Broken Sword: The Angel of Death, Clive Barker's Jericho, Darwinia, DEFCON, Overlord, Supreme Commander, QUAKE 4 and Toca Race Driver 3. Over 100 titles are also compatible with the FXGenerator and a full list, searchable by genre and publisher, can be found at www.ambx.com.

Philips is currently in the closing stages of agreements with a number of other high profile companies regarding amBX-enabling and Modding all kinds of games.

A video of QUAKE 4 in action at QuakeCon, as well as interviews with attendees playing the amBX-enabled mutliplayer version can be found at www.ambx.com.

BOMBERMAN


He’s back! Hudson Soft and Living Mobile have joined forces again to bring Bomberman back to mobile phones. In his latest adventure, Bomberman stars in a double pack comprising Bomberman Classic and Bomberman Supreme, which incorporates a multiplayer mode via Bluetooth. Bomberman Supreme offers not only high-end graphics, but also many hours of gameplay: 50 levels, full of old and new power-ups and five Bosses to be bombed! This is the ultimate Bomberman and a must-have for every mobile gamer.

Bomberman Classic is a tribute to the very first Bomberman from the arcade game from the 80s. In this version, you can retrace the first steps that Bomberman took, and look up additional background info about the popular video game star in the accompanying Bomberman History Special.

Bomberman Supreme brings the game right up to date, with stunning graphics and flawless animations, brand new enemies as well as old foes, and new power-ups. Run through walls, freeze your opponents and achieve invincibility – everything is possible with the numerous upgrades available within the game.

As well as the classic single player and versus modes of existing Bomberman games, the new Bomberman includes a multiplayer mode for limited handsets, so that you can now challenge your friends via Bluetooth.

Furthermore, Bomberman contains a special WAP feature in which you can upload and publish your high scores in daily, weekly, monthly and all-time high score rankings. Compare your score with other users all over Europe!

Title: Bomberman Supreme
Developer: Living Mobile
Publisher: Living Mobile
Copyright: Hudson Soft
Available now

SocioTown, a Web-Based 3D MMOG, is Unveiled

SocioTown is a web-based 3D massive multiplayer online social game (MMOSG) developed by Outside the Box Software. It's playable in a browser with no downloadable client required. It utilizes Adobe’s Shockwave Player, which most browsers already have installed.

The official trailer for SocioTown can be viewed here:

http://www.sociotown.com/sociotown_video.html

SocioTown is a small but growing town where every apartment building can be inhabited by players. Each room can be furnished with a variety of items, which players can purchase at stores within the town. SocioTown also features a very intuitive social system that hasn’t been done before with real-time chat applications. Players can view a visual representation of their own social network, which shows the complex relationship of their friends and acquaintances up to 3 degrees of separation. Additionally, players can earn Town Experience points, which will allow them to access new areas and challenges.

For more screenshots and information, visit the feature page on the official site:

http://www.sociotown.com/sociotown_features.html

SocioTown is currently in late stage Alpha development and should enter public beta testing by the end of the year.

Two New Nintendo DS Bundles


Limited-Edition Gold and Metallic Rose Become Must-Have Gifts

Starting Nov. 23, Nintendo gives the holiday season a fresh blast of color with the launch of two special-edition Nintendo DS bundles. Each pairs a custom-color Nintendo DS system with one of the platform's hottest titles. The new Gold edition comes with The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, while the Metallic Rose Nintendo DS comes with the "Best Friends" version of Nintendogs.

"Nintendo DS remains the portable system of choice for gamers," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "Our new bundles will be collector's items for current gamers while offering an attractive way for people new to video games to play with style."

With its dual screens, touch-screen, amazing franchises and innovative games, Nintendo DS has been a cornerstone of Nintendo's efforts to expand the world of video games to new audiences and to get as many people playing as possible. According to information from the independent NPD Group, Nintendo DS sales in the United States:
topped 458,000 in October.
are nearly 4.5 million for 2007.
exceed 13.6 million since the system launched three years ago on Nov. 21, 2004.
boasts 14 different million-unit sellers in North America, including Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day, Pokémon Diamond Version, Pokémon Pearl Version, Yoshi's Island DS, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team, Big Brain Academy, New Super Mario Bros., Animal Crossing: Wild World, Mario Kart DS, Super Mario 64 DS and four versions of Nintendogs.

The new bundles will build on this legacy as they offer shoppers something new for the holidays.

The glimmering Gold edition of the Nintendo DS shows the world your passion for excellence and grandeur, since it comes bundled with The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass – the year's biggest hand-held adventure game – and is emblazoned with the series' signature Triforce logo. It's a shiny nugget that any gamer – girl or guy – would be proud to show off.

For those looking for a different kind of dazzling color, the new pretty-in-pink Metallic Rose edition puts a futuristic sheen on your color scheme. It's bundled with Nintendogs, the acclaimed puppy-interaction software that lets players select, train and play with their own canine companions. And the hardware comes accented with a distinctive pink puppy paw print.

Whichever DS bundle you choose to complement your look, don't let the stocking-friendly size fool you: These packages are big on style and fun. For more information about Nintendo DS, please visit www.nintendo.com.

The worldwide innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance and Nintendo GameCube systems. Since 1983, Nintendo has sold nearly 2.5 billion video games and more than 430 million hardware units globally, and has created industry icons like Mario, Donkey Kong, Metroid, Zelda and Pokémon. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, visit the company's Web site at www.nintendo.com.

Axis goes off the rails!

Axis re-established their long standing relationship with Frontier Developments by working working on the Cambridge based developer's new title Thrillville: Off the Rails. Following the success of theme park game Thrillville, which featured a series of cutscenes created by Axis and was the number one original family game in the USA in 2006, Frontier asked the UK-based studio to bring the main character Uncle Mortimer back for more and produce over six minutes of cutscenes for the new title.

Directed by Dana Dorian, the cutscenes follow Uncle Mortimer as he guides and supports you through the new theme park environments. In a similar vein to the original game there is plenty of slapstick humour, gags and the odd experiment that goes wrong.

'I had been involved in the first Thrillville project but not as director so it was great to get to grips with a character who I felt I already knew well' said Dorian. 'I had the chance to work directly with the team at Frontier and be involved in the development of the scripts and also input into the dialogue record, it’s great to be included in a project that early and at that level.'

The challenge for Axis was providing a balance between the explanations for the next stage of the game play and continuing to entertain and engage the player with a performance that makes them laugh.

'We knew that Frontier loved what we had done with the cutscenes in Thrillville and this time we got to up the ante by bringing in some new characters' said Axis producer Debbie Ross. 'We added a series of robotic characters who appear in the opening cutscene as rollercoaster crash test dummies but then appear every so often throughout the other shots, you have to watch closely to see their hilarious antics' continued Ross.

These secondary performances are what added more charm and additional comedy to the sequences and it is something Dana Dorian and the team of animators are proud of doing so well.

‘It is always great to take a script and develop visual gags around a lot of what is in there and I am delighted with the performances we pulled off for all the characters’ said Dorian.

Frontier Managing Director David Walsh said of the project ‘We've worked with Axis on several projects now and they have added real value to our collaborations, both during the creative process and in the final quality of their output. We look forward to working with them again in future.’

Dirty Dancing the Video Game


Dirty Dancing the video game is out now!

Codemasters Online is pleased to announce that Dirty Dancing, the official game based on the hit movie, is now available for purchase across Europe and North America.

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the movie, fans can now step back into the year 1963 and encounter the world of their favourite film. Through this action puzzler, Dirty Dancing enthusiasts now have the opportunity to experience the life of Baby. Learn to dance with the resident dancing couple, Johnny and Penny, and work alongside the team at the renowned Kellerman’s Mountain House Resort.

“Dirty Dancing is a premium casual game in which fans of both the movie and high-quality casual games will be able to enjoy for hours, comments Tim Hodges, Associate Product Manager, Codemasters Online. We are proud to be a part of such an imperative franchise and we are delighted to bring a quality casual game to the many dedicated Dirty Dancing fans.”

Dirty Dancing is one of the most enduring modern classics in feature film and home entertainment history, the release of Dirty Dancing - The Video Game caps off a year-long celebration by Lionsgate in honor of the movie’s 20th Anniversary. Earlier this year, Lionsgate released a 20th anniversary edition DVD and Blu-ray disc along with a remastered companion CD from Sony/BMG. Both those releases came on the heels of a theatrical event that sold out theatres nationwide and resulted in ticket sales of more than 80,000 over a two-day period.

First released in 1987, Dirty Dancing redefined date movies and continues to captivate the hearts and minds of generations of fans, generating more than $170 million in worldwide box office receipts and selling more than 10 million DVDs. Starring Jennifer Grey (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off) as “Baby” Houseman and Patrick Swayze (Ghost) as the sexy Johnny Castle, Dirty Dancing is the story of a naïve girl who meets an experienced dance instructor and becomes his pupil in dance and love. The Oscar®-winning film (Best Music, Original Song) was recently named one of the Top 10 Date Movies of all time, according to an E! Entertainment Television poll of industry executives and celebrities.

Dirty Dancing the Video Game is available for purchase at selected retail stores across Europe (£14.99 / €19.99) and is also available for download in the US ($19.99). For more information visit: www.dirtydancinggame.com

Rainbow Islands Evolution for PSP

New Screens, Art and Details About Bubby and Bobby's Latest Adventure in Rainbow Islands!

A cult classic arcade game from Taito, Rainbow Islands Evolution for the PSP® system from Ignition Entertainment is a sequel in the popular Bubble Bobble franchise. See below for more on the story of Rainbow Islands Evolution and visit the FTP link for new screens and art.

The Evil Record Company!
A record company called Million Records has expanded into every area of the music industry from production of instruments to raising new talent and publishing records. Recently they have started to churn out nothing but generic, soulless music and have spread it across the globe.


Songwriters held Prisoner!
All the songwriters are now held prisoner inside the Headquarters of Million Records, located in the Rainbow Islands. They are forced to create boring, empty music 24 hours a day while strictly adhering to the ‘Million Hit Manual’.


Ecosystem in despair!
The ‘fake’ music created by Million Records has a terrible effect on the ecosystem of the Rainbow Islands. The trees have withered, insects have mutated into aggressive attackers and even the islands’ gravity has been affected!

The Good guys!
This terrible calamity has brought Bubby and Bobby back to restore their homeland to its natural glory. Using a magical Rainbow instrument called the ‘Hurdy Gurdy’, they must battle and destroy the evil Major Seven!


The BAD guys!
The pride of the Million Records Company, the “Major Seven” appear as the bosses in each stage, using their giant instruments and cheap sounds to try and stop Bubby and Bobby dead in their tracks.


GAME FACTS
Platform: PSP (PlayStation Portable) system
Genre: Classic arcade
Publisher: Ignition Entertainment
Developer: Marvelous Entertainment
Noof players: 1-2 multi-player
Rating: E for everyone
Ship Date: January 2008

City of Abandoned Ships


Fact Sheet


Developer: Seaward.ru
Publisher: Akella
Genre: RPG
Platform: PC
Release date: Q1 2008

City of Abandoned Ships is a new naval RPG in which you can take to the high seas and explore exciting new lands. Amass fortune and fame as you navigate the open seas with ruthless enemies in pursuit. In the City of Abandoned Ships you’ll take the leading role as a fearless pirate in a desperate attempt to seize your rightful place as one of the most respected sea dogs in history.

Game description:

Starting out your buccaneering career you can choose to go it alone and become the most feared pirate on the seven seas, terrorizing Spaniard and English gentleman alike. Or prove your loyalty and take the coin of one of four different navies: French, English, Spanish or Dutch.

Sailing the high seas as a swashbuckling dread pirate or as a dashing naval captain, you will explore strange new countries and alien civilization, raid and plunder fortified ports and cities, and search for ancient treasures. But beware, the dead do not sleep easy and in the dark South American jungles myth and reality intertwine.

Solve the ancient mysteries of a vanishing tribe, cross swords with the most notorious swashbucklers ever to sail the ocean blue and make sure that no foe ever sets foot on land again.

Key features:
Explore the accurately-mapped paradise of the Caribbean. Sail your tall ship around the islands of Cuba and Jamaica to Belize and Bermuda.
Vast array of land-based locations, from dense South American jungle to dark Caribbean cave complexes.
Meet real-life historical characters, such as Jamaican governors Colonel Thomas Lynch and Thomas Modyford.
Take your part in quests based around actual historical events.
Experience mirrored missions for different states – defend a Spanish territory in one instance and orchestrate a ruthless attack in another.
Unique P.I.R.A.T.E.S system of character progression: Power, Impression, Reaction, Authority, Talent, Endurance and Success.
Face fierce ship-to-ship combat or stand toe-to-toe with the most feared swordsmen in the Caribbean.
Navigate the City of Abandoned Ships web page in your pursuit of game info, fresh screenshots and other assets the game is fully packed with: http://en.akella.com/Game.aspx?id=32

Gameevil Websites Rank High Among Mobile Websites

In wireless portal rankings, GAMEVIL ranked highest among game companies

Last month, according to NIDA (National Internet Development Agency), GAMEVIL ranked the highest among all game companies in Korea in wireless portal rankings. With 309,855 visits from January 2007 to August 2007, GAMEVIL ranked 7th overall among all mobile portals.

Analysts say that the WINC address played a huge role in this. In GAMEVIL’s case, the company is using “555”, which is convenient for the end user to remember since the number is in the center of the keypad. WINC addresses are just like URLs or short codes that were adopted to enable easier access to a company’s wireless portals.

Mr. Hwang, Manager of Community Operations at GAMEVIL Inc., stated, “GAMEVIL has been promoting the 555 WINC code across all carriers in Korea on all of its promotions. We believe it is becoming more and more popular due to the customer’s increase of interest in mobile games. Games play a very huge part of the wireless data business. This shows that GAMEVIL is not only a top mobile game company, but one of the top mobile websites in Korea. ”

The wireless portal with the largest amount of visits turned out to be the Bus Information Service in Daegu, one of the top 5 cities in Korea. Because of the easy access to phones nowadays, websites of bus companies, which show bus schedules, have been generating a lot of traffic lately. The most popular search engine company in Korea, Naver, was ranked 3rd with 640,592 visits during the term. Daum, another popular search engine, was ranked 5th with 467,056 visits. Among game companies, Com2Us was ranked 9th, garnering 191,347 visits during the term.

The following are the top 10 rankings.

1.Daegu Bus Information Service (WINC Code : 2874636) : 2,103,753
2.GyungGi Bus Information Service (WINC Code : 4247) : 973,031
3.Naver (WINC Code : 369) : 640,592
4.Korean Business TV (WINC Code : 969) : 582,862
5.Daum (WINC Code : 3355) : 467,056
6.Mobile 365 (WINC Code : 365) : 342,688
7.GAMEVIL (WINC Code : 555 ) : 309,855
8.GwangJu Bus Information Service (WINC Code : 5700) : 289,500
9.Com2Us (WINC Code : 777) : 191,347
10.Mobile Pang Pang (WINC Code : 2111) : 63,035

Bratz Super Babyz


Bratz Babyz Super Heroz are here to save the day! Aliens have landed on Earth at the Stylesville Adventure Planet. One of their alien devices, the “Matter Exchanger,” fell into the wrong hands and transformed the Babyz into Super Heroz! With their newfound Super Powers, the Babyz use their abilities to help the citizens of Stylesville and battle the evil invading aliens. Join the Super Heroz for a jammed packed action adventure that is out of this world!

Features:
Relive all the excitement from the Bratz Babyz Super Heroz DVD Movie
Explore thrilling amusement park mini-games: Haunted House Maze, Bumper Cars, Whack-A-Mole
Go on Super Hero Missions: catching a purse snatcher, stopping a bully, finding a lost puppy
Unlockable features: mini-games, multiplayer levels, new accessories and outfits, clips and stills from the movie
Play as all four Bratz Babyz (Cloe, Jade, Sasha, and Yasmin) and utilize each of their individual super powers
Use the DS Microphone to use Cloe’s Super Shout power

Free Xbox Live Arcade games


Microsoft and Xbox 360 truly bring Friends Together

Xbox 360TM owners rewarded with free Xbox Live® Arcade titles for encouraging a friend to join the Together Experience
Microsoft today announced it would reward Xbox 360 console owners and one of their chosen friends with a selection of Xbox Live Arcade titles for free when they too join the Xbox 360 experience.

To take advantage of this fantastic offer, all Xbox 360 owners have to do is persuade a friend to purchase an Xbox 360 console (which shouldn’t be too hard considering the incredible festive line up of Halo 3, Project Gotham Racing 4, Mass Effect, Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action and many more), then visit http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/10gameseach/gameinformation.htm.

Participants simply fill out the form together, then send off as instructed to both receive an incredible ten Xbox Live Arcade titles, including Every Extend Extra Extreme, Sonic The Hedgehog, Street Fighter II Hyper Fighting, Bomberman Live, Marble Blast Ultra, Spyglass Boardgames, 3D Mini Golf Adventures, Small Arms, Assault Heroes and Zuma Deluxe.

“Going into this holiday period with one of the greatest line ups in video game history is certainly a compelling reason for a friend to jump into the world of Xbox 360” commented Stephen McGill, Head of Gaming and Entertainment, Entertainment and Devices Division, Microsoft UK. “However, this incredible offer also enforces the fact we’ve got an exceptional online service in Xbox Live, which truly does bring everyone together.”

Terms and Conditions apply – please see http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/10gameseach/gameinformation.htm for further information.

Dynasty Warriors release


Dynasty Warriors 6 hits next gen consoles in Mar 2008 bulging with new tricks.

KOEI today announced the release of Dynasty Warriors 6. With worldwide sales of over 15 million the Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors series are a global phenomenon and Dynasty Warriors 6 is looking to continue this success when it is released across Europe on March 7 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

“With a brand new engine that makes the very most of the next gen consoles and some incredible character animation this is by far the most impressive looking Dynasty Warriors yet. The detail with which the characters have been created and the numerous new additions should ensure that Dynasty Warriors 6 is a massive leap forward for the series.” said Will Curley, Sales Manager for KOEI Ltd.

About DYNASTY WARRIORS 6

Set in Ancient China during the 3rd century, Dynasty Warriors 6 immerses gamers in a truly cinematic kung-fu action experience. Celebrated characters have been completely re-imagined with new weapons and fighting techniques motion-captured from some of today’s leading stuntmen and women in Asia. With the game’s new “Renbu” attack system and game controls, players can execute lightning-fast combos and the most dazzling fighting moves with ease.

Developed from the ground up exclusively for next-generation platforms, the game’s proprietary engine delivers the most chaotic and challenging Tactical Action experience to date. Players can use the landscape to elude the thousands of soldiers swarming the battlefield. But as players move and attack, adaptable enemy A.I. devises offensive and defensive combat tactics, and can retaliate with packs of fierce hunting dogs and patrol boats. All of the explosive action comes to life in high definition, 60 frames per second (fps) graphics.

Based on the epic novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Dynasty Warriors 6 depicts the massive battles ignited by the fall of the Han Dynasty when three rebellious states moved to overthrow the Emperor of China.

Online World Rankings With Leader Boards For RACE 07

SimBin Development Team are extremely proud to announce that the global ranking and leaderboard system for RACE 07 is up and running. The system gathers Global online lap times and data from RACE 07 on one unifying location; www.race-game.org

As RACE 07 now has been released it was time for SimBin to release this feature to unite all racing gamers in one major leader board system.

The functionality and support for this online ranking opens up an armada of new opportunities for both independent gamers who just want to see how they stand out in the competition as well as for leagues and communities who wants to create larger organized competition models.

“Our goal is to continue to optimize and build on this ranking system to fine tune it to perfection. We want this tool to be used by people from all over the world and hope that people will enjoy the competition this brings”, said Heidi Nikunen, RACE 07 Producer at SimBin Development Team.

The online world ranking system also serves as base for SimBin official events to be launched with the ambition to unite the world under one giant racing umbrella.

In order to take part in this great event all you have to do is press the ingame Register button in the World Leader board menu and a registration tool will popup. The ingame Register button will afterwards change into a button which says Ranking Servers and this is where the action begins.

You will be able to view the top rankings both in game and via the game website at http://www.race-game.org/race07/worldranking/

Make sure to go there and check YOUR laptimes!!

Cellphone Game: "Bobby Carrot 5: Forever"


Bobby Carrot 5 is the fifth and final installment of the
critically acclaimed puzzle series, played and loved by more
than a million mobile users worldwide. Enjoy tons of new
puzzles, traps and amazing environments, when you accompany
riddle-hare Bobby Carrot into the world of his own dreams.

Please download/watch the trailer here:
http://www.fdgsoft.de/download/BC5_Trailer.wmv

CHARTTRACK WEEKLY CHARTS - UK

All formats

(Full price) Week ending 17 November 2007

1 ASSASSIN'S CREED UBISOFT
2 CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE ACTIVISION
3 THE SIMPSONS GAME ELECTRONIC ARTS
4 WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2008 THQ
5 SUPER MARIO GALAXY NINTENDO
6 FIFA 08 ELECTRONIC ARTS
7 PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2008 KONAMI
8 LEGO STAR WARS: THE COMPLETE SAGA LUCASARTS
9 RATATOUILLE THQ
10 THE SIMS 2: CASTAWAY ELECTRONIC ARTS
11 CRYSIS ELECTRONIC ARTS
12 HALO 3 MICROSOFT
13 MYSIMS ELECTRONIC ARTS
14 NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. NINTENDO
15 FOOTBALL MANAGER 2008 SEGA
16 MOTORSTORM SONY COMPUTER ENT.
17 MARIO PARTY 8 NINTENDO
18 RESISTANCE: FALL OF MAN SONY COMPUTER ENT.
19 THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: PHANTOM HOURGLASS NINTENDO
20 TIGER WOODS PGA TOUR 08 ELECTRONIC ARTS

Speedball 2 – Tournament makes leap to dynamic ads

PC online remake gets dynamically-updated adverts and branded content via IGA Worldwide

Frogster Interactive Pictures, Co-Producer of Speedball 2 – Tournament, and
in-game advertising expert IGA Worldwide have signed an exclusive agreement to feed the action-sports-game with perimeter advertising boards and other in-game branded placements.

As well as contextual arena-side billboards, players will also see sponsored tournaments offered by IGA, reflecting increasing demand for multiplayer leagues and events. Speedball 2 – Tournament will also feature branded in-game items, such as team skins or team tags, adding valuable content to the game free of charge.

Speedball 2 – Tournament will feature an innovative community and multiplayer platform for the game called the ‘game-center’. Here, players can acquire
add-ons like new teams and share game replays and screenshots which will also include branding served by IGA.

IGA’s leading proprietary Radial Ad Network™ includes a game portfolio of more than 50 titles. The addition of this blockbuster title will give advertisers access to more than 11 million active users.

“The possibilities for branding within the game couldn’t be ignored,” commented Dirk Weyel, COO at Frogster. “Having sponsored tournaments and branded skins renders the game more realistic. Matches take place in huge and
highly-stylised 3D arenas replete with contextual pitch-side advertising – just like real life.”

He added: “We chose IGA not just for their proven technology but also because the company understood the game and the significance of the gameplay experience. Together, we’ll create the context and relevance of the adverts to achieve maximum impact – particularly for technology, gadget and men’s lifestyle brands.”

“Speedball was of one of the industry’s first mega-hit franchises, selling over two million units across more than ten different platforms,” said Justin Townsend, CEO and co-founder of IGA. “Advertising within the new game offers a cutting edge opportunity for brands aiming to reach a loyal and media-savvy gaming demographic. Their dynamic nature means the adverts stay fresh and on-message.”

“Speedball 2 – Tournament will offer brands two bites of the cherry, reaching those who remember the game first time around – as well as the new younger male gamer demographic.”

Space mission with Inlogic software – Star Defence


This time even Inlogic software has decided to enter the Space, releasing its new game Star Defence. The player puts himself/herself into the role of commandant of space headquarters and his/her main task is to defend the headquarters against the attacks by enemy alliance.

Developing company Inlogic software, s.r.o. has launched its new game entitled Star Defence situated in remote future full of battles initiated by enemy alliances.

“Star Defence is a strategic - tactical game situated in the year 2107. The player`s task is to protect the headquarters against the attacks by enemy alliance. According to first acclaims, the game is catchy, people like it and that`s why we believe in its success”, says Michal Lacko, Head of Development of the company Inlogic Software s.r.o. and adds: “We wanted to expand our portfolio by a game with sci-fi theme, which was missing there.”

It is the year 2107. The Earth has been disturbed by a war between the alliances WGi and DCa for decades. The long-standing war lead to an absolute lack of mineral resources on the Earth. The battles spread even to the space stations which provide supply of resources from neighbouring planets. So it is very important to protect them. As a commandant you have to protect the station NCX87 at any costs.

Losing it, it would mean the end of the WGi!

Wii-less This Christmas? You Can Still Go Wireless Thanks To The RealPlay Range On PS2


Why leave a Wii-sized hole in your interactive gaming sales this festive season when you can have your Christmas cake and eat it?

Following the disheartening news of massive Nintendo Wii shortages, In2Games, the pioneering British creator of motion-based videogames and controllers, is set to put smiles back on retailer’s faces this Christmas with its new, wireless ground-breaking RealPlay range on PlayStation2.

With the Wii continually reported to be in short supply in the run up to Christmas, the RealPlay range of wireless interactive games for PlayStation2 is consequently shooting its way to the top of gamers’ wish-list letters to Santa. Sales will be especially lucrative as PlayStation2 has an unrivalled installed user base: over 120 million PlayStation2 hardware units sold worldwide, over 40 million of which are in European PAL territories.

The RealPlay range is a family-friendly collection of wireless motion-sensing games exclusively for the PlayStation2. Each comes with a unique wireless controller which not only enhances the gaming experience with intuitive motion-sensing controls, but makes a great Christmas gift for those looking to give something rather more special than ‘just another game’.

The first titles in the RealPlay range will be released in the UK on 30th November 2007. Each title comes with a unique controller which brings wire-free motion-sensing to the PlayStation2 for the first time.

· RealPlay Racing introduces a wireless steering wheel, which controls the on-screen action for this fast and furious racer.

· RealPlay Pool comes complete with a wireless replica pool cue, with which players can apply swerve and spin before physically hitting each shot.

· RealPlay Golf’s wireless club tracks your swing to bring an on-course dimension into the game.

· RealPlay PuzzleSphere comes with a unique wireless ‘sphere’ which players manipulate in real life in order to guide an on-screen replica through heart-in-mouth rollercoaster courses.

Two additional wireless titles – RealPlay Bowling and RealPlay Tennis – are scheduled for release early in 2008.

RealPlay Racing, RealPlay Golf, RealPlay Pool and RealPlay PuzzleSphere will be available exclusively on PlayStation2 on November 30th 2007, priced £34.99.

Crysis Comes to iGames

150 Member Centers Across North America to Celebrate the Release of 2007's Most Anticipated PC Title

One-Day Launch Party, December 1; Two-Week Showcase, December 3-26

WHAT:

Leading game center organization iGames will host a series of special events to celebrate the release of Crysis®, Electronic Arts’ next-generation first-person shooter, developed by Crytek, which many are heralding as the most advanced videogame ever created and one of the most anticipated PC titles of 2007.

WHEN:

The first event will be a one-day launch party, Saturday, December 1, followed by an expanded showcase, December 3-26, allowing FPS fans of all stripes one free hour over a two-week period to sample the eagerly anticipated and critically acclaimed title, which is being heralded as the most advanced videogame ever created and the most anticipated PC game of 2007.

WHERE:

• Launch Party: 50 select iGames member centers across North America. Find a location near you and register for a seat at http://www.igames.org/events.asp?event=7628
• Showcase: 100 additional iGames member centers. Find a location near you at http://www.igames.org/events.asp?event=7629

ABOUT THE GAME:

Crysis is a next-generation PC first-person shooter from Crytek, the award-winning developers of Far Cry. A stunning technical achievement, Crysis combines incredible visuals, cunning gameplay and an epic story that challenges gamers to adapt to survive.

Global tensions have reached boiling point as the U.S. and North Korea square off in the South China Sea. At stake: a mysterious artifact uncovered by a team of U.S. archeologists.

The North Korean government quickly seizes the area, prompting the U.S. to dispatch an elite team of Special Forces operatives on a rescue mission. During the siege the true nature of the artifact quickly emerges, pointing to the existence of an alien presence on Earth, and ultimately the trigger for a massive-scale alien invasion.

The battle to save Earth begins as the aliens’ flash freeze the tropics into a ghostly-white frozen landscape. As gamers take up arms against the aliens, they will be outfitted with customizable weapons and a high-tech Nanosuit, allowing them to adapt their tactics and abilities to a hostile, ever-changing environment and a mysterious enemy.

Powered by CryENGINE 2, Crysis delivers the ultimate DirectX®10 gaming experience for the PC, including unparalleled graphics, special effects and artificial intelligence. The game is also scaleable to deliver a breath-taking FPS experience for older DirectX 9 PCs.

Features:

• Adapt to Survive – An epic story thrusts players into an ever-changing environment, forcing them to adapt their tactics and approach to conquer battlefields ranging from newly frozen jungle to zero-gravity alien environments.

• Suit up! – A high-tech Nanosuit allows gamers to augment their abilities in real time on the battlefield. Players can choose to enhance their speed, strength, armor and cloaking abilities to approach situations in creative tactical ways

• Customizable Weaponry – A huge arsenal of modular weaponry gives gamers unprecedented control over their play style. Blow the opposition away with experimental weapons, discover alien technology and utilize custom ammunition from incendiary-tipped rounds to tactical munitions that can silently put foes to sleep.

• Veni Vidi Vici – Lifelike enemy AI challenges players to assess a situation and approach it strategically. It isn’t about having the fastest trigger finger – players are challenged to be proactive in the fight, not reactive.

• Zero-G Gameplay – Battle a horrifying alien species in a true Zero-gravity environment, where physics change everything as players must adapt to moving in Zero-G and contending with the recoil from their weapons and more.

• Next-Generation Graphics – Built from the ground up using Crytek’s proprietary CryENGINE™ 2, Crysis’ visuals define “state of the art,” with full DirectX10 support and scalable options to deliver solid performance on older machines.

• Open, Physicalized World – Choose your own path through the open world of Crysis, destroying obstacles, driving vehicles from VTOL’s to boats and using the environment itself against your enemies.

• Bring it Online – Full-featured multiplayer for up to 32 players with real-time armor and weapons customization. For a pure adrenaline fix hit the Instant Action button, or prepare yourself for the all-new multiplayer PowerStruggle mode that combines economy and vehicle warfare, alien technology and ranking, all wrapped in a strategic objective-based experience.
Crysis® is rated "M" for “Mature” by the ESRB and carries a suggested retail price of $49.99 for the regular edition and $59.99 for the Limited Collector's Edition. To learn more about the game, visit http://www.ea.com/crysis.

Sony Online Entertainment Selects Kynapse for its DC Comics Based Action Video Game for the PC and PLAYSTATION 3

Kynogon, a market leader in AI middleware solutions for the gaming industry announces today that Kynapse is chosen by Sony Online Entertainment for the development of their massively multi-player online action game set in the DC Comics Universe, licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

John Blakely, VP of Development at SOE’s Austin, Texas studio, sees Kynogon’s technology as instrumental in helping the development team deal with the complexities faced with online games. “We were looking for an AI solution that would be capable of dealing with dynamic large scale worlds in a seamless manner. By using Kynapse we have a powerful technology to manage extremely dynamic environments and very large maps. Our team can concentrate on the creative elements of the game faster in the development process, and thus enhance the game-play experience.”

Pierre Pontevia, CEO of Kynogon, added: “Sony Online Entertainment is a true leader in online gaming. They have very high standards that push technology to its limits, continuously pursuing and realizing ambitious projects. We are very excited that the Kynapse engine has been chosen for this title based in the DC Comics universe. This choice represents for us a big recognition of our technology’s capacity to deal with complex, dynamic and large environments in the online gaming segment.”

Massive Holiday Giveaway Tied to Launch of Tower Defense

Com2us, a leading provider of mobile entertainment, today announced contests in conjunction with the recent launch of Tower Defense for mobile phones. Between Nov. 21 and Dec. 16, fans of the megahit Flash phenomenon Tower Defense, now available for AT&T mobile phones, will offer two ways to win prizes including mobile-phone cleaners, a Nintendo DS and a Wii.

Tower Defense fans can get their fix at http://www.com2us.com, where they can play a Web version of the popular game. Players who leave a comment in the "Tips & Reviews" section will be entered to win a Nintendo DS or a mobile-phone cleaner. Logging in and answering a Tower Defense trivia question on the Com2us Web site will also give participants a chance at winning a Wii.

About Tower Defense

Inspired by the concept made popular by leading real-time strategy games, the mobile version of Tower Defense developed by Com2us brings you everything you know and love about the original, but adds a whole lot more. In Story Mode, players progress through ten chapters building Towers and defeating enemies using eight different towers and 116 different monsters. High scores can be posted on the Ranking page to qualify for prizes. Upon successfully completing Story Mode, players unlock Custom Mode in which provides a robust map editor for creating custom maps which may be shared with friends.

Halo 3 Evolves as Heroic Map Pack Explode

Plus, this Week "Undertow" Dives onto Xbox LIVE Arcade

The internationally award-winning “Halo 3” multiplayer experience is about to get even better. After launching to incredible acclaim and fanaticism, “Halo 3” players will be able to enjoy three all new multiplayer maps on 11th December as part of the Heroic Map Pack, the first in a series of downloadable content from Bungie Studios to come via Xbox LIVE.

Available for 800 Microsoft Points exclusively on Xbox LIVE Marketplace, each map presents a totally different play style. Standoff’s symmetrical valley, with its entrenched bases and fields of boulders is ideal for mid-sized objective and Slayer game types, while Rat’s Nest’s vast, labyrinthine passages bring something new to the “Halo” multiplayer experience: an indoor vehicle paradise, strongly influenced by the Campaign mode, ideal for big team battles. Finally, Foundry is the ultimate Forge map – players can edit every single object in this voluminous industrial warehouse, place stairways, walls, bridges and tunnels to create an entirely new play space and build almost any kind of map they can think of.

All three maps will become available for free download via Xbox LIVE Marketplace in Spring 2008, just prior to the next wave of all new “Halo 3” multiplayer maps.

As if the legions of "Halo 3" players needed more reasons to stay logged on and fragging, the Forge also allows players to edit and customise all three maps, keeping “Halo 3’s” multiplayer experience fresh, exciting and evolving. In addition, ongoing updates to “Halo 3’s” matchmaking playlists ensure that ranked and social gameplay remains dynamic and competitive.

While you wait for the “Halo 3” Heroic Map Pack, check out the 101st game to launch on Xbox LIVE Arcade as Chair Entertainment Group brings “Undertow” to the platform. The fast-paced, aquatic action game arrives this Wednesday, 21st November 2007 at 9:00.

"Undertow" redefines aquatic based shooters through a mix of high-definition graphics, intuitive controls and multiple modes of game play action. "Undertow" features a story driven single player campaign, on and offline co-op, and multiplayer for up to 16 players over Xbox LIVE. Players battle for control of the oceans as one of three selectable races, each with four unique, upgradeable units. "Undertow" will be available worldwide this Wednesday for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated 15 BBFC.

For more details on “Undertow,” please visit: http://www.xbox.com/enUS/games/u/undertowxboxlive

Matrix Games Releases a new Maximum Football 2.0 Gameplay Video

A new hard-hitting gameplay video that slams like a sack from the blind-side

Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) and Wintervalley Software (www.wintervalley.com) are excited to send out a new video showing off the revamped graphics and improved gameplay found in Maximum Football 2.0. This first 2.0 video illustrates some of the game’s statistical features in addition to some bone-crunching hits found on the Maximum Football 2.0 virtual gridiron!

Download the video below or check it out on Youtube! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKPtItkIFlw

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Football fans everywhere will no doubt be pumped up and ready to burst off the line of scrimmage when they see this gameplay video. For the armchair coach or the fan of hard hits and exciting gameplay, Maximum Football 2.0 has got it all!”

Dave Winter of Wintervalley Software added “I feel this gameplay video really lets the improvements coming with the second iteration of Maximum Football shine. Maximum Football 2.0 presents sports fans with a great blend of the hardcore strategy and statistical analysis with the fast-paced, action-oriented gameplay found on game day.”

Maximum-Football 2.0 is the latest and greatest release from the acclaimed sports management video game studio, Wintervalley Software. Bringing a whole host of new features like full Xbox 360 controller support, full DirectX 9.0 utilization, and scores of other upgrades and improvements, Maximum-Football 2.0 delivers on gameplay and fun like a bullet pass through double coverage. Like its predecessor, Maximum-Football 2.0 allows players to experience the thrill of managing a team in any league!

Design and play in leagues where you pick the size and layout. Play against others in user created leagues. The sky is the limit to how far you can take Maximum-Football 2.0. Get down and dirty with the editor as you create new plays and playbooks, design your own uniforms and helmets, and even select nicknames to appear on jerseys.

Maximum-Football 2.0 is the football fans dream. Whether you are a head coach or an armchair quarterback, Maximum-Football 2.0 has the features for you.

Get more information on Maximum Football 2.0 from its official Matrix Games webpage.

Civil War game prompts Spanish outcry

Title to be released on the anniversary of Franco's death

Shadows of War: The Spanish Civil War, an RTS game which allows players to take either side of the 1930s conflict, has apparently caused something of an uproar in Spain.

The title, released on November 20 - the anniversary of dictator General Franco's death - has been received poorly by the mainstream media in the country, with families claiming that the "idea trivialises killings," reports The Guardian.

The conflict, which led to Franco's 36 years in charge, is widely thought to have seen 500,000 killed.

Paco Perez, project director at developer Legend Games, defended the game by saying: "As well as being entertaining, it could serve to remind people that they need to be conscious of past events to make sure they are not repeated."

However, the daughter of a man known as Franco's first victim, Commander Virgilio Leret Ruiz, who is named in the game, disagrees.

"It is not a historical event buried in the past, but is very fresh in the memory of Spaniards. There is no justification for trivialising the killings and the suffering and pain of the victims when we still haven't reconciled ourselves with the past."

DS hits 20 million sales in Japan

Handheld accounts for over 50 per cent of hardware market

Nintendo's DS handheld has sold over 20 million units in Japan since launch, according to data from Media Create.

The system was originally launched in December 2004, and in February 2006 was relaunched at the DS Lite, with Nintendo reducing the size of the handheld as well as making other cosmetic changes.

Since release, the DS and DS Lite have accounted for 50.26 per cent of the hardware market in the region, with 83.95 million software units sold, or 40 per cent of the entire software market.

Sony halves cost of PS3 development kit

More significant price reductions on the way, says SCEI

Sony has slashed the price of the PlayStation 3 development kit by almost half, promising to further reduce costs as more studios adopt the console technology.

The PlayStation 3 Reference Tool will now be available for JPY 950,000 in Japan, USD 10,250 in North America and EUR 7500 in Europe.

"As more and more new titles are developed for the PS3 format, SCEI will significantly reduce the price of the Reference Tool in order to contribute to the cost saving measures of the development community," said the company.

The console giant has also begun to integrate new programming tools into the PlayStation 3 Software Development Kit from SN Systems, including ProDG, SN Distributed Build System, SN Linker and SN Compiler.

As well as new tools, Sony has also added programming functions to the PS3 Debugging Station allowing it to be used alongside the Reference Tool, rather than being used as just a quality assurance system for games in development.

Microsoft boss - "No rival from Playstation online"

"We don't have competition," says Xbox president

Microsoft's Robbie Bach has dismissed Sony's PlayStation Network, saying he doesn't believe the console rival offers an online gaming service comparable to Xbox Live.

The company is currently celebrating five years of Xbox Live, with over 8 million users signed up to the service.

"It's fair to say that Xbox Live is clearly head and shoulders above anything anyone else has tried to do. We don't have competition," said Bach, speaking to the LA Times.

"Sony has done some things online, but nothing that can be called a service. We have a big advantage and we're going to keep pressing that advantage," he added.

As well as Arcade titles, demos and TV and movie downloads, Microsoft announced last week that it will begin offering original Xbox games via Live, including hit titles Halo, Fable and Crimson Skies.

"We have a very strong, very powerful computer network that provides the backbone for our service," continued Bach.

"Perhaps the most important thing we have is over 8 million passionate members who create and define what Xbox Live is. It's a tough thing to create, and we're going to continue to nurture it."