PopCap Launches Bookworm Mobile Game

No1 Digital Word Game Now Available On-the-Go For 500 Handsets

PopCap Games, the leading developer and publisher of casual games, today announced the immediate availability of its hugely popular game Bookworm™ for a wide array of cell phones in North America and the United Kingdom. Originally launched for Web and PC play in 2003, and the recipient of numerous accolades including “Puzzle Game of the Year” from Games for Windows magazine (nee Computer Gaming World), Bookworm has been a resounding success on BlackBerry since becoming available for that handheld device in April of this year. Bookworm is the second mobile game PopCap has developed internally, and is available today from T-Mobile in the UK and all major mobile carriers throughout North America.

“Bookworm is very well suited for mobile phones because it can be played in short bursts of a minute or two whenever and wherever the opportunity arises,” said Andrew Stein, director of mobile business development at PopCap. “At the same time, the game also offers a great challenge for marathon word-builders since it’s essentially infinite in its replayability. We’ve streamlined and optimized the controls so that playing Bookworm on a phone is even easier than via a mouse or keyboard. And the game now references the Oxford English Dictionary, so even the most inveterate ‘lexophile’ will be satisfied.”

In Bookworm, players must build words from contiguous letter tiles on a grid. Longer and more difficult words score more points and produce a variety of “gem tiles” that offer additional bonuses (and mega-bonuses when multiple gem tiles are used in a single word). Burning tiles sear through normal tiles, reaching the bottom of the grid more quickly; they must be used before they reach the bottom or the game ends. With the new mobile version, players have the option to control the selection of letter tiles via d-pad/cursor, triple-tap or predictive text entry, such that the game controls are streamlined specifically for on-the-go play.

Key features of Bookworm Mobile include:
Classic and Action game modes with all the game-play of the award-winning PC version
Vocabulary of up to 140,000 words based on the authoritative Oxford English Dictionary
Historical tracking of all-time highest scoring as well as longest words, enabling players to compare their personal bests to friends’ all-time best words and scores
Choice of 3 input methods (two of which are unique to mobile) to optimize experience on the mobile phones

Kane and Lynch blasts on to mobile

IO's two anti-heroes bring their explosive mix of action and betrayal to a game created specifically for mobile handsets

Eidos Interactive, one of the worlds leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, will bring its eagerly-awaited next generation action title Kane and Lynch: Dead Men to mobile phones this November, in a specially-created version developed for mobile by Danish Developer, Kiloo, with input from Io Interactive, the original development studio for the game.

Timed to coincide with the PLAYSTATION 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game, Kane and Lynch mobile will be released through the publisher’s fast-growing Eidos New Media division.

Kane & Lynch: Dead Men is a cinematic crime drama that tells a raw and gritty tale of two anti-heroes – one a flawed mercenary, the other a medicated psychopath: Forced to embark on a violent and chaotic journey and hating each other every step of the way, Kane & Lynch: Dead Men features a gripping storyline and relentless third-person action.

Spanning 38 action-packed levels across five very different scenarios, Kane and Lynch mobile takes the form of a fast paced action game. Armed with a wealth of firearms, explosives, deadly booby traps and gadgets, the pair must blast a path through each heavily-guarded location, using simple yet effective menu systems to switch between shotguns and assault rifles with ease.

With its mixture of platform elements and exploration – coupled with a seemingly endless army of enemies and interactive backdrops – Kane and Lynch mobileis a testing game where the stakes are high and the action is unrelenting…

For full details of Kane and Lynch: Dead Men for mobile phone and release dates, please visit http://www.eidosmobile.com/kaneandlynch/index.php?lang=UK for more information.

Unreal Tournament 3 PhysX Mod-Kit And Exclusive Unreal Engine 3 Content

Tornado & LightHouse PhysX Mod Maps for UT3 Ready for Download Now

AGEIA™ Technologies, Inc., the pioneer in hardware-accelerated physics for games, today announced a PhysX Mod-Kit for Unreal Tournament 3 (UT3) that will allow developers and modders to create completely new experiences in the game and customize existing levels to enhance game-play and interactivity. As the engine that drives underlying physics interaction in UT3, PhysX enables dynamic game-play on all systems with additional benefits for PhysX Processor owners. The AGEIA PhysX UT3 Mod-Kit will offer modders everything they need to easily add PhysX-powered content into the UT3 universe. Complementing Epic’s Unreal Engine 3 (UE3) tools that are already deeply integrated with PhysX technology will be additional tools, guides, tutorials and documentation and assets and examples. The PhysX UT3 Mod-Kit will be available for download from AGEIA and distribution partners in December. For more information, visit http://www.ageia.com/physx/ut3.html.

To showcase the power of the PhysX UT3 Mod-Kit and the PhysX processor, AGEIA Technologies is rolling out a series of Extreme PhysX Mod Levels for UT3 available as a free download starting today. The first set of PhysX mods includes the “Tornado” and “LightHouse” levels. The AGEIA Tornado PhysX Mod, which was first revealed at the Leipzig Games Conference earlier this year, features incredible physical realism and revolutionary new environmental impact powered by the PhysX processor. This completely new CTF map is named for the PhysX-powered tornado which tears the battlefield apart as the game progresses. In addition, the tornado actually lures rockets and projectile weapons into its vortex, if fired too close, presenting both dynamic risk and reward to daring players. Complementing Tornado is a new PhysX mod called LightHouse, which introduces an ominous, dungeon-like structure with myriad levels and hidden corridors, featuring a variety of destructible walls, floors and ceilings and new weaponry. Additional maps and mods showcasing other types of PhysX implementations and level morphs will be available soon as part of this ongoing AGEIA Mod-Kit program. The Mods will continue to offer compelling game-play scenarios as well as provide examples of AGEIA PhysX use encouraging modders to produce their own PhysX-driven experiences.

Together with the recently announced AGEIA Adaptive Physics EXtensions™ (AGEIA APEX™) Development Platform, the PhysX UT3 Mod-Kit provides a comprehensive technology suite to customize UT3. Coupled with great deals on PhysX cards in place for the holiday season and the upcoming UE3-based Warmonger: Operation Downtown Destruction from NetDevil on November 28th, now is the time to get involved in expanding the Unreal experience with PhysX.

”We’re excited to be a part of the future of the Unreal Universe. Integrating AGEIA PhysX has never been easier,” said Manju Hegde, CEO of AGEIA Technologies. “Designers and modders can use our powerful PhysX UT3 Mod-Kit and UE3 developers can build on the AGEIA Adaptive Physics EXtensions™ (APEX™) Platform to manipulate physically realistic and interactive worlds in next-generation games – this is what the future of modding and game design is all about.”

Bubbins Going Gold

Bubbins, the highly anticipated action arcade title from Nordic game developer Skalden, is going beta and is on track to be available for full distribution in February. The bubbins are small creatures living in fruit houses in a village tree beneath an old castle. Usually, they use their ability to bubble to transport huge fruits from the surrounding forest and back to their village. Their peaceful existence is shattered when Lule, a young female bubbin, is captured by the Green Maboo and dragged into the castle. A team of rescue-bubbins sets out to release the fair maiden. When these disappear as well, young Dundun decides to take things in his own hands and save the day.

The player controls the young bubbin Dundun as he begins a hunt through a castle to free nine fellow bubbins captured by the green maboo Grubb. The gameplay is based on the bubbin ability to spit bubbles that pushes the target backwards. The player must use this ability to make opponents and objects collide. Whenever a game entity collides into another, something happens; 20 entities means 20 times 20 = 400 possible outcomes. This gives the player a lot to explore. The gameplay is a mix of action and puzzle elements. Sometimes the player bubbles (spits bubbles that push objects) to defeat enemies, and struggling to control the physics of bouncing opponents and objects is part of the fun. At other times the player will scratch their heads wondering how to solve the puzzle that leads to a new area. The comic animations and fun puzzles make the game suitable for players of all ages.

FOG Studios exclusively represents Skalden and is seeking digital distribution and co-promotional partners for Bubbins, as well as Licensees or Publishing Partners for Nintendo DS, Wii, XBLA, PSN and mobile versions of Bubbins. FOG Studios will be showcasing Bubbins at the Montreal International Games Show in November, and at Game Connection Lyon in December.

PLAYSTATION Store now on PC

Introducing a world of PSP (PlayStation Portable) content accessible via PC: downloadable games, playable demos, trailers and exclusive non-game content

This November sees the launch of PLAYSTATION Store for PC at http://store.playstation.com. It’s the answer to every PSP™ (PlayStation Portable) owner’s dreams: an all new website that, similarly to PLAYSTATION Store on PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3™), brings together in one place all the great PSP content – and, this time, makes it available from your PC. Access to the site is completely free*, with no purchase necessary and no subscription required, leaving you to enjoy PLAYSTATION Store when and how you like.

The site goes live on November 20 – and it launches packed with content. You’ll find exclusive full game downloads including Beats™ and Go! Puzzle™ - titles for PSP only available on PLAYSTATION Store for PC. You’ll find downloadable versions of existing PSP games such as B-Boy™ and Fired Up™ as well as a range of downloadable PS one® classic titles that includes some longstanding favourites – think WipEout® and Crash Bandicoot™. There are also brand new playable demos like the breathtaking WipEout® Pulse and Syphon Filter™: Logan’s Shadow as well as trailers for forthcoming PSP titles – so you can try your hand at new games as well as watching what’s in store for the future. As if that wasn’t enough you can download cool music content and keep up to date with new and upcoming bands.

Managing your money becomes easy: payment will work in the same way as PLAYSTATION Store on PS3. If you’ve already registered with PLAYSTATION Network via PS3, your login details will remain the same for PLAYSTATION Store on PC – so there’s no need to register again! You can even manage your PLAYSTATION Network account via your PC – topping up the funds in your wallet, editing your personal profile or managing your friends list.

Overleaf are a few of the things you can expect to find when PLAYSTATION Store for PC goes live on 20th November at http://store.playstation.com.
Check out hot exclusive PLAYSTATION Network full games

http://store.playstation.com launches with a raft of exclusive PLAYSTATION Network titles, only downloadable via PLAYSTATION Store. Log on now to enjoy exclusive full downloadable games for your PSP.

Interact with your favourite music tracks on the move with Beats™ - an exclusive title featuring an addictive rhythm action game and a ‘Jamming’ composer feature. There’s also Go! Puzzle™: three highly original puzzle games that you can play on your own or with friends.
Revisit your favourite PSP games

Some of the best-loved PSP titles released on UMD™ (Universal Media Disc) are now available to download from PLAYSTATION Store for PC. So if you didn’t get your hands on them first time around, now’s your chance.

Get your Sudoku fix wherever and whenever you want with Go! Sudoku – an interactive Sudoku experience with 1,000 puzzles, multiplayer modes, and more. If dancing is your thing, check out B-Boy™, a breakdancing game in which players take to the floor to battle real-life breaking legend Crazy Legs. Or, if you feel like combat, there’s a cutthroat world of high-octane vehicles, big guns and even bigger explosions awaiting you in Fired Up™, where a valiant team of resistance fighters need a hero to turn the tide of battle in their favour.
Classic PS one® games

Whether you’re taking a trip down memory lane or discovering these games for the first time, you’ll love the selection of PS one classics we’ve got in the Store for you. There’s hyperactive island-hopper Crash Bandicoot®, sword-and-sorcery high jinks with skeleton knight Sir Dan Fortescue in Medievil™, futuristic, no-holds-barred anti-gravity racing in WipEout® and much, much more. Looking back has never been so much fun.
Free playable demos

Want to play the hottest new PSP titles before you buy them? You need to check out the free playable demos in the Store. Try your hand at anti-terrorist espionage in Syphon Filter™: Logan’s Shadow, race adrenaline-fuelled anti-gravity tracks at 600 kmh in WipEout® Pulse and lead a batch of bouncing, rolling creatures through amazing environments in LocoRoco™. Remember – it’s all free, so download a playable demo today.
Game trailers

For exclusive previews of what’s coming out on PSP, you need look no further than the Store, where we’re launching with a host of new game trailers on the site and with more to follow. To check out forthcoming titles like crime-fighter Pursuit Force™: Extreme Justice, military simulation SOCOM™: U.S. Navy SEALs Tactical Strike or mythological rampage God of War™: Chains of Olympus, just head to the Store right away.

Getting online and registering for your first downloads is easy – just visit http://store.playstation.com and follow the on-screen instructions. You’ll need to download a small application; then, it’s jut a case of connecting your PSP to your PC via a USB cable, and choosing the content you want. With so much on offer, choosing could take a while!

*Broadband internet service required. Users are responsible for broadband access fees. Charges apply for some content. PLAYSTATION Network and PLAYSTATION Store subject to terms of use and not available in all countries and languages: see eu.playstation.com/terms. Users under 18 require parental consent.

Boulder Dash- ROCKS! trailer shows Rockford at work and lifts the shroud of mystery surrounding his new look

Dyed-in-the-wool Boulder Dash fans will remember Rockford™ as an insect-like creature, and may just be more than a little surprised upon seeing Rockford’s new look in his new title „Boulder Dash-ROCKS!“, due for release on the Nintendo DS™ on November 22nd 2007 in Europe and on the Sony PSP in the first quarter of 2008. Did he just fall into a vat of blue paint, or did some cosmetic surgery go drastically wrong? www.boulder-dash-rocks.com now officially reveals the secret behind his new look!

First Star Software, Inc.’s tricky puzzle and dexterity game made its debut in the early 80s and continues to fascinate its large fan base making it a classic in the history of interactive entertainment. Now Boulder Dash® is back with a hot new look to take the Nintendo DS and the Sony PSP platforms by storm. The hit game’s principle remains unchanged: players have to collect sparkling diamonds while avoiding numerous traps and beating opponents to reach them, all the while watching out for falling boulders.

Each platform version contains four gaming modes. In addition to the classic single-player mode, taking players through 80 levels across four different game worlds, Boulder Dash-ROCKS! now offers a new multi-player mode and two additional play modes. When developing Boulder Dash-ROCKS! a new game and different, game mode was custom designed for each of the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP platforms, modes never seen before in any Boulder Dash® game.

GNGWC 2007 Finished its Last Regional Final Match

The last regional final match, the Japanese match, successfully finished on 17th November in Tokyo.

The long journey of this year's GNGWC competition now remains the Grand Final Match on 1st December in Seoul, Korea

Tokyo, Japan - November 21, 2007 - Hundreds of Massively Multiplayer Online(MMO) gamers across the Japan gathered to Harajuku Quest Hall to see who will be the Japanese winners of the global MMO game festival "Game and Game World Championship (GNGWC) 2007".

This last regional final match, after Europe (Leipzig, Germany on August 23th), Korea (Yongin, On September 30th ), S.E.ASIA (Ho Chi Minh, on October 13th), and US (LA, on October 20th) match, attracted 195,000 Japanese MMO gamers to join the preliminary match from five official games: "Silkroad Online (www.silkroadonline.net)" , "Shot Online (shotonline.gamescampus.com), "Record of Lunia War (global.lunia.com)", "Navy Field (www.navyfiled.com)", "Warrock (www.warrock.net)".

Around 100 players who passed preliminary competition stepped up to the final round, and their supporters, from game buddies to family members, visited this show too to cheer players. Plus, the biggest Japanese MMO news site, "4Gamers", and Japanese branch of the global IT news site, "CNET Japan" visited the show to cover this 2nd annual Japanese final match.

On this year's final match, 17 players won tickets to the Grand Final Match, which will be held in Seoul, on December 1st. Players who win the 1st place at the Grand Finals will receive $5,000 (US), $3,000 (US) for 2nd place, and $1,000 (US) for 3rd place player.

Mr. Kwon (president, KIPA) said "Online game is a great network tool which connects gamers from all over the world", and he added "GNGWC is getting the core of this global community created in the virtual world. We are realizing the power of this global MMO festival."

The Grand final on December 1st will also be aired on GNGWC webpage. The broadcast schedule will be announced soon on its homepage(www.gngwc.com).

Asda Story Returns for Open Beta Dec. 6th

Design your own Loading Screen of Asda Story with 4Cut-Cartoons Event

Brand new concept of 'Witty Fantasy Space' will be on Asda Story website from Nov. 26th of 2007 to Dec. 2nd of 2007 (KOR). For coexistence of users, Game Waiters (GW), former GM had prepared a Web Event where users' personal works will be used in an actual game of Asda Story. There will be Asda Story related cartoons with blanks to create your own cartoons. We wish users to be creative, funny, and witty to design their own. At every transaction from one village to another, there is a loading picture. We would like users to be a part of our game, and have great time. The best ones will be used in actual village opening pages during our Open Beta Test. Everyone who is a member of Asda Story is eligible. Also anyone of our members can evaluate and Results will be posted Dec. 4th of 2007(KOR) on Asda Story's website. For further information, you can visit our website at http://asda.gamengame.com.

Sweet 3D MMORPG Asda Story will start its Open Beta on December 6th of 2007. Based on a colorful, bright, and cheerful world, it is an easy game where monsters with powerful individualities. Lots of female users would be treated awesome and can have great tastes of this comfortable game easily with Soulmate, Costume Fashion Show, Sowel, Systems, etc.

Asda Story is very appealing to female users because of unique Soulmate System. We had lots of female users in CBT, and all of them are coming back to play OBT of Asda Story. Among Soulmates, healing, summoning, resurrecting, sharing attack or defense points were most popular. No girls were playing alone, and all girls had Soulmates. This is very casual game to satisfy both sexes.

Casual users can be satisfied from constructing special and great skill trees or hard core users can be satisfied from expanding limitless item slots to create their own characters with various skills. Come and play Asda Story which can provide lots freedom in the game on the 6th of December, 2007.

New Empires in Arms Screenshots!

Forward march! New images from the highly anticipated Napoleonics strategy game now available

Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) and Australian Design Group (www.a-d-g.com.au) are thrilled to release a new pack of screenshots detailing the official computer adaptation of Australian Design Group's classic board game, Empires in Arms!

Also, be sure to check out the first edition of the Empires in Arms After Action Report now featured on the Matrix Games website. This AAR is just the first part of a larger, multi-edition feature which comes complete with plenty of screenshots and videos illustrating the fantastic gameplay gamers have been waiting for!

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said, “Empires in Arms is Napoleonics at its very best. Everyone from old fans of the classic Empires in Arms board game to wargamers who missed this great gaming system will find themselves addicted to this title the minute it hits their PCs.”

Marshall Ellis, Lead Developer on Empires in Arms, said, “Everything has come together fantastically with the development on Empires in Arms and there’s no doubt gamers who have waited for this title with great patience will not be disappointed!”

Take command of one of the many factions in early 19th century Europe! Empires in Arms in a grand strategy turn-based race to prove which nation is the greatest in Europe. In a bid for mastery over the continent, players can succeed where Napoleon failed or try to stop the military genius quicker than his historical enemies could! Diplomacy and economics will be the sharp bayonet and ferocious cannon that complement your direct military might as any of the major powers in 19th century Europe! As you conquer your weaker foes, use the money and resources from fallen nations to recruit new units and replenish your ranks. France, Great Britain, Prussia, Turkey, Russia, Spain and Austria all stand ready with their full resources, generals, armies and fleets for you to take command. Join the intricate and deadly contest of power that changed a continent.

The slightest mistake could be the difference between the crown of Europe or exile to St. Helena. Step into history and find your destiny in Empires in Arms!

Get more information on Empires in Arms from its official Matrix Games webpage.

New Silkroad Online Avatar Items Available For A Limited Time Only

Joymax has announced that players of Silkroad Online can acquire some new avatar items for their in-game characters. Available now in the Silkroad Online item mall, players can enhance their avatars with wizard and witch costumes and accessories, including robes, hats, and even broomsticks. The items will both grant their characters with a stylish new look, and conjure up several helpful enhancements, including attribute increases and improved hit points. More information on these enchanting accessories and their purchase can be found at the SRO website, at www.silkroadonline.net.

The avatar items are on sale now for a limited time through the in-game item mall.

Silkroad Online is a massively multiplayer online RPG that puts the player deep into ancient Chinese, Islamic, and European civilizations. Travelling the historic Silk Road between Asia and Europe, players can make their fortunes as merchants, prey on the rich as thieves, or be protection-for-hire as hunters. Silkroad Online is free to play, and offers the unique chance to play a character free of restrictions or fixed paths. For more information and a free download, please visit www.silkroadonline.net.

Fishing Master For Wii Now Available - $29.99

New Price Point For Hudson Entertainment's Fishing Master Makes It The Perfect Holiday Gift!

Hudson Entertainment, the North American publishing arm for HUDSON SOFT, today announced that Fishing Master is now available for a new price point of $29.99. Published by Hudson Entertainment and distributed in North America by Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., Fishing Master is available nationwide exclusively for the Wii home video game system.

"Fishing Master is the perfect holiday gift this season for any household owning a Nintendo Wii," said John Greiner, President and CEO of Hudson Entertainment. "Featuring a low price point, family-friendly gameplay, and an addictive multiplayer mode, Fishing Master is the best value out there for families and gamers looking for a fun and affordable game to add to their Wii library."

Utilizing the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, Fishing Master brings the most accessibly smooth fishing gameplay experience to the comfort of your living room as you bait, cast, hook, and battle a variety of different fish in the hopes of achieving the ultimate title of 'Fishing Master.' Fishing Master offers approachable and varied gameplay that will appeal both to fishing newcomers and old pros. Sporting an enthralling single-player mode with over 100 different types of fish to catch, and a four-player multiplayer mode, Fishing Master guarantees countless hours of Wii style fishing fun for the entire family!

Luminary: Rise of the GoonZu Launches on ijji.com

Political and Economic MMORPG Allows Gamers to Become the Leader as a Warrior, Artisan, or Politician

NHN USA’s ijji.com, the US subsidiary of the largest internet company in South Korea, NHN , announced the premium service launch for Luminary: Rise of the GoonZu for the PC on ijji.com. Luminary: Rise of the GoonZu is a political and economic MMORPG which allows you to choose your profession as a warrior, artisan, or politician. Rise through the ranks of the people to become the leader of the community, the lord of the land, the GoonZu ….the Luminary.

Simulating a real world society, players in Luminary: Rise of the GoonZu can become an artisan and create their own items. Sell these items in the market and build your wealth. Purchase town stocks, lease buildings and even employ your own workforce. Have you earned the respect of your fellow players? Run for office in the residential election and become the GoonZu and control the server’s future.

“The added combination of politics and economics is a unique twist from traditional MMORPGs and provides a compelling challenge in a player’s strategy to become the Luminary,” said Whon Namkong, CEO of NHN USA. “As our first MMORPG, we are excited to include Luminary: Rise of the GoonZu to our selection of free-to-play game titles on the ijji.com game portal.”

The premium service launch for Luminary: Rise of the GoonZu starts today and the game can be accessed directly at: http://luminary.ijji.com/

Indie XBLA game Axiom Overdrive, first pilot job

Reflexive Entertainment reveals first details of the Blast Thru game mode in its upcoming XBLA title Axiom Overdrive.

Players develop precision left stick thrust control skills to navigate asteroid AF128’s winding mine shafts at high speed, while carrying delicate shock sensitive high explosives.

Managing the counter orbital movement of the grappled explosives is key to success on these levels, as is mastering a well-timed grapple release, to slingshot the explosives and blast open bulkhead doors that have become fused shut.

"The faster pilots can blast their way through every fused bulkhead in a sector, the higher their rewards, which are credited towards their pilot cert rating," said lead game designer Tony Barnes.

For further information about the opportunities for OTF pilots within The Axiom Corporation, please read the documentation available on www.axiomoverdrive.com.

About Reflexive Entertainment:
Having abandoned the world of contract for hire game development, Reflexive Entertainment develops, fully funds and publishes its own games for both PC and XBLA as an independent game studio. This approach has allowed Reflexive Entertainment the freedom to innovate such games as the twice awarded Downloadable Game of the Year Wik: Fable of Souls in addition to more casual affair such as the wildly popular Ricochet and Big Kahuna Reef series (with more than 20 million and 10 million downloads respectively). More information about Reflexive Entertainment can be found at http://www.reflexive-inc.com.

Runaway for the DS - Official Trailer Available Now!

Runaway, a true phenomenon in the adventure genre on PC with more than one million players throughout the world, is now coming to the Nintendo DS™ in a new version custom-designed for Nintendo's handheld.

Today Focus Home Interactive is pleased to unveil an official trailer for Runaway, The Dream of the Turtle on Nintendo DS that introduces the first true point 'n click adventure on Nintendo's handheld console. In this trailer, you'll discover some of the game's features - including its unique graphical style and the stylus controls, which are perfectly tuned for this type of game on the DS. An intuitive zoom system offers excellent visibility when exploring the game's expansive environments, while an integrated help system makes it easier to solve some of the more difficult puzzles. Over an hour of amazing animated sequences on par with the best animated movies are included in the game, along with many more exciting features to be announced at a later date.

Download the trailer (16MB)
http://www.focus-files.com/trailers/rds/runawayds_trailer_en.rar

See the trailer (Streaming)
http://www.runaway-thegame.com/video_ds/trailer.php

Discover the brand new official website
http://www.runaway-thegame.com

Official 3rd Party Publisher for Xbox 360

Atlus U.S.A., Inc., a leading publisher of interactive entertainment, today announced a partnership to become an officially licensed 3rd party publisher for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. As part of this announcement, it was revealed that a pair of strategy RPGs, Operation Darkness and Spectral Force 3, would be among the first titles Atlus will release for the Xbox 360 in 2008, demonstrating a strong commitment to the console and to the next generation of gaming.

"We are very proud to pledge our support to the Xbox 360 and to officially partner with Microsoft to bring quality titles to their impressive entertainment system," said Tim Pivnicny, Vice President Sales & Marketing of Atlus U.S.A., Inc. "Atlus is renowned for its expertise and excellence in the RPG genre with critically-acclaimed hits like Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 and Odin Sphere, in addition to the award-winning Trauma Center franchise. We are honored to be able to contribute to the Xbox 360 and are eager to deliver the Atlus gaming experience to its owners."

About Operation Darkness:

Enter an alternate WWII-era world where history and fantasy collide! Leading an army of ruthless officers and unearthly creatures, Adolf Hitler marches through Europe, leaving behind a trail of death and destruction. With his powers on the rise and his armies on the move, it falls on you and your team of elite soldiers to cut deep into the heart of the Third Reich and strike a fatal blow to Hitler's ever-growing legion of evil!

Official Teaser Site: http://www.atlus.com/operationdarkness/

About Spectral Force 3:

Magic Era: 996. The ten kingdoms of the land, seizing the opportunity provided by Overlord Janus's death, are attempting to unify the continent under their own banners. This is the beginning of the Great Neverland War. In order to bolster their defenses, kingdoms have begun hiring mercenary units. As new members of the Norius Mercenaries, you and your friend Diaz are eager to prove yourselves. When the squad's commander Judo is mortally wounded in battle, the mantle of leadership is entrusted to you, and so the adventure begins…

Official Teaser Site: http://www.atlus.com/spectralforce3/

Operation Darkness arrives in North America

The Fuhrer's power grows... The time to act is now!

Atlus U.S.A., Inc., a leading publisher of interactive entertainment, today announced that it has obtained the North American publishing rights for Operation Darkness, an epic fantasy WWII turn-based strategy game for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Operation Darkness is currently scheduled for release in 2008. Official Teaser Site


About Operation Darkness:

Enter an alternate WWII-era world where history and fantasy collide! Leading an army of ruthless officers and unearthly creatures, Adolf Hitler marches through Europe, leaving behind a trail of death and destruction. With his powers on the rise and his armies on the move, it falls on you and your team of elite soldiers to cut deep into the heart of the Third Reich and strike a fatal blow to Hitler's ever-growing legion of evil!

Key Features:
Lead the Offensive! Brave dozens of missions, confront supernatural creatures, and discover mystical powers as you progress through a sweeping campaign of drama and mystery!
A Strategy-RPG with an Emphasis on Tactics! With a vast arsenal of historical weapons and a large team of specialized characters at their disposal, players will have to consider every variable as they plan their method of attack – using the environment to your advantage is imperative!
High-definition visuals, fully-voiced dialogue, and in-game cutscenes deliver a true next-generation experience!

Operation Darkness has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

Spectral Force 3 for North America announced

Heroes for hire, unite!

Atlus U.S.A., Inc., a leading publisher of interactive entertainment, today announced that it has obtained the North American publishing rights for Spectral Force 3. The first of the series to land in the Western hemisphere, Spectral Force 3 delivers challenging strategy RPG gameplay, a classic fantasy story, and tons of character and item customization options! Look for Spectral Force 3 on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft in 2008! Official Teaser Site: http://www.atlus.com/spectralforce3/


About Spectral Force 3:

Magic Era: 996. The ten kingdoms of the land, seizing the opportunity provided by Overlord Janus's death, are attempting to unify the continent under their own banners. This is the beginning of the Great Neverland War. In order to bolster their defenses, kingdoms have begun hiring mercenary units. As new members of the Norius Mercenaries, you and your friend Diaz are eager to prove yourselves. When the squad's commander Judo is mortally wounded in battle, the mantle of leadership is entrusted to you, and so the adventure begins…


Key Features:
The long-running strategy RPG series enters the next generation of gaming!
Over 50 hours of gameplay spanning more than 150 challenging missions!
Up to 40 different characters to recruit into your party, each with their own unique individual attacks!
Craft Your Items – collect and assemble different components to form new accessories!

Spectral Force 3 has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

Girl Gamer accessories

Girl Gamer WARRIOR and TROOPER with Flamingo Pink Accents Available Exclusively Through Dell

WolfKing, a world leader in the innovation and creation of gaming input devices, today announced it is customizing its award-winning WARRIOR gaming pad and TROOPER gaming mouse to appeal to female PC gamers. The specially designed gaming devices, which will be sold exclusively through Dell, provide the same high level of quality that consumers have come to expect from WOLFKING.

The Girl Gamer WARRIOR (MSRP: $34.99) features the same 54-key circular layout and USB 2.0 plug-and-play capability as the original WARRIOR, but now features a Flamingo Pink accent gradient on top of a full stealth black matte finish, with polished deep black audio keys. It offers all the functionality of the WARRIOR, but with a feminine touch.

The Girl Gamer Gear TROOPER (MSRP: $39.99) also features the Flamingo Pink accent over a 6.4 megapixels-per-second laser mouse with a dpi range of 800-2200. The sense of style doesn’t compromise the high-end gaming mouse functionality gamers expect from the TROOPER.

“Female gamers have an incredibly high set of standards when it comes to quality as well as design,” said Bob Costlow, director of sales, WOLFKING. “You can’t just paint something pink and say it’s for girls. The Girl Gamer products give women access to fully functioning, hardcore gaming devices, but with an aesthetic touch.”

Mass Effect hits shelves this week

Highly anticipated Xbox 360 exclusive "Mass Effect" makes its long-awaited debut on 23rd November

To the delight of gamers and science-fiction (sci-fi) fans alike, the wait is finally over as “Mass Effect,” an award-winning action role-playing game (RPG) hits shelves this week.

Developed by BioWare, the creators of the critically acclaimed “Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™” and “Jade Empire™,” comes an epic space saga exclusively for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system that spans the entire galaxy. “Mass Effect” combines a deep story with intense, sci-fi tactical combat. Through high-definition graphics and an amazingly realistic and innovative conversation system that allows for lifelike interaction with the voices of scores of digital actors such as of Seth Green, Marina Sirtis and Lance Henriksen, “Mass Effect” provides an immersive gameplay experience never seen before in a video game.

Published by Microsoft Games Studios, “Mass Effect” is an epic sci-fi action RPG that places gamers at the centre of a conflict that will decide the fate of the universe. Assuming the role of an elite human Spectre agent, Commander Shepard, players are entrusted with keeping galactic law and order and are charged with uncovering a terrifying truth. Faced with morally challenging decisions that will affect the future of all races, players must travel across an expansive universe to stop a threat so great it could destroy all life in the galaxy. With its exciting blend of rich story lines, intense squad-based combat and crisp high-definition gameplay, “Mass Effect” is destined to be one of the most gripping game experiences ever.

“‘Mass Effect’ is like playing a movie! The magic of video games bridges science fiction, intense combat and intriguing story lines to create an emotional connection between players and their characters,” said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of global marketing for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “The Xbox 360 platform allows developers to create rich and engaging stories not found on any other console. ‘Mass Effect’ is the latest example of our commitment to bringing original and captivating titles to fans everywhere.”

Hailed by critics as one of the best games of 2007, “Mass Effect” has already garnered significant and effusive praise from the industry, punctuated by accolades from some of video gaming’s most respected publications. These include Game of the Month honours from Electronic Gaming Monthly and GamePro magazines, and a perfect score of 10 out of 10 along with an Editor’s Choice Award from Official Xbox Magazine, which described “Mass Effect” as “a transcendent experience, the new standard-setter for what a game can be.” In addition, the title has earned some of the industry’s highest honours, such as “Best Console Game” and “Best Role Playing Game” from the 2007 Game Critics Awards.

“We set out to redefine the video game experience with ‘Mass Effect’ and create an immersive, highly interactive game that draws players into a compelling universe,” said Ray Muzyka, chief executive officer for BioWare Corp. “‘Mass Effect’ creates an emotional connection between players and the characters they encounter, and Xbox 360 provided us with the perfect platform to tell this incredible story.”

“Mass Effect” is an action RPG available for £49.99 exclusively on Xbox 360, rated 12 BBFC. It is also available as a Limited Collector’s Edition, which includes a fiction book titled “Galactic Codex: Essentials”; an art book titled “A Future Imagined”; a bonus DVD featuring four exclusive documentaries about the creation of this epic game titled “Inside BioWare”; and 10 songs from the game’s soundtrack.

Ubisoft Antes Up With Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2

Team Rainbow Returns to Celebrate10th Anniversary of Rainbow Six Franchise in Sin City in 2008

Today Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, announced that it is developing Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six® Vegas 2 for next-generation consoles and PC. Developed at Ubisoft Montreal by the same team that created the award-winning Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas, the highly anticipated sequel is scheduled for a March 2008 release. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is the sixth iteration in the wildly successful Rainbow Six franchise which celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2008 with more than 16 million units sold worldwide to date.

“Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas took the gaming world by storm in 2006 thanks to its technological advances and gameplay innovations,” said Yves Guillemot, president and chief executive officer at Ubisoft. “We are convinced that Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 will remain a pioneer in the highly competitive first person shooter genre, bringing more of what Rainbow Six fans love to the table.”

The highly anticipated sequel to the winner of numerous awards, including IGN’s 2006 Best First Person Shooter and Best Online Game, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 will push the franchise to new heights by adding new gameplay features and even more stunning visuals. Players will encounter an intense solo campaign that uses new tactical possibilities in various locations around Sin City. As expected with one of the pioneer franchises for online multiplayer Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 will also break new ground in both co-op and adversarial modes, while providing unprecedented interaction between the solo and multiplayer modes.

Super Mario Galaxy - U R MR GAY

Notice the white sparkles on the corners of some of the letters, they spell out U R MR GAY.

Could this possibly be an accident, or did some Xbox Live kid do the boxart design?

Great lookin boxart even if it does make you MR GAY

Final Fantasy XI Official Merchandise arrives

These stylish metal key rings proudly sport the national emblems of Bastok, Windurst and San d'Oria. If you were unable to grab these at the FINAL FANTASY XI 2007 Fan Festival, now is your chance (does not include in-game item code as in Japanese release).

Also available is the Fifth Anniversary key ring, emblazoned with a running chocobo to celebrate five years of Vana'diel. All four key rings will be available on the Official Square Enix Online Merchandise Store.

Store here

Scots games firms set for jobs explosion?

Scotland's computer software and games industry could employ 5,000 by 2010, says report
A new study by Interactive Tayside has predicted that the Scottish region's computer software industry will grow significantly over the next three years, the BBC reports.

The region of Scotland already plays host to a number of games studios clustered around Dundee - the number of software firms in the city has doubled since 2000.

The region's 350 software and computer animation firms have a combined annual turnover of £185m says the report, predicting that most will see their turnover rise by 10 to 50 per cent in the next year.

3,400 are currently employed by this cluster of companies - but the number is expected to rise past 5,000 by 2010.

Colin Macdonald, studio director of Realtime Worlds - which developed Crackdown (pictured) told the BBC: "We are proud to be based in Dundee - our staff love the cost of living, the proximity to the great outdoors, and the low traffic and pollution problems.

Gossip, news and leaks for obsessive gamers. Don't get a life just yet.

It's like a buffet that's filled with 100% gourmet food—as opposed to a bunch of congealed fats at the mercy of a few struggling heat lamps, sloppily topped with bread crumbs, cheese or icing.

We're in the midst of one of the most incredible launch seasons in the history of video games the known Universe.

Both Super Mario Galaxy and Assassin's Creed would be a massive release during any month, but instead we get both in a week, sandwiched between other goodness.

So are you doing any shopping this week?

Mario Galaxy sales less than super?

Super Mario Galaxy requires old fashioned gaming skills like practice and patience - granny won't be clamouring for a go come Chirstmas Day.

It may have reviewed well but Super Mario Galaxy has had a relatively slow start in the UK charts. Straight in at, er number 5, the Nintendo icon's new game was outsold by the mediocre likes of The Simpsons Game and WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2008. Assassin's Creed - which took the top slot - is the fastest selling new IP since The Getaway in 2002 and apparently sold over three times as many copies as Mario.

There are some obvious points to note. All the games above Mario in the chart are multi-format, and Assassin's Creed in particular has been heavily hyped to the core gaming audience. And you can't discount those Wii stock shortages. But could it be an issue with game itself?
20 and 30-something gamers are happy to relive those halcyon days when Mario was *the* gaming icon. But is Super Mario Galaxy too hardcore for the average Wii user? Finely judged jumps and tricky platforming are a long way from the bowling in Wii Sports. Super Mario Galaxy requires old fashioned gaming skills like practice and patience - granny won't be clamouring for a go come Chirstmas Day.
Nintendo has consistently reiterated their support for their "core" market with the likes of Zelda, Metroid and now Mario. But could that change in the future if Big Brain Academy and the like start outselling the gaming veterans?

SCi receives bid from Chinese games publisher

British computer games publisher SCi Entertainment has received a takeover approach from Chinese rival CDC Corporation, The Sunday Telegraph reported.

SCi, which owns the successful Tomb Raider franchise starring Lara Croft, said in September it was in talks with several potential acquirers but has yet to update the market on their progress.

The front runner at the time was reported by media to be Ubisoft, but the French company told Reuters last month it was not interested.

The Sunday Telegraph said Nasdaq-listed CDC, which owns the China.com portal, wanted to buy SCi to expand the international reach of its games division.

A spokesman from SCi declined to comment.

Final Fantasy Series Trading Mini Set

Your favorite characters from the FINAL FANTASY series are now available as collectable miniatures! FINAL FANTASY Series Trading Arts Mini Set Vol. 1 features Cloud from FINAL FANTASY VII, Rinoa from FINAL FANTASY VIII, Yuna from FINAL FANTASY X and Vaan from FINAL FANTASY XII, and will be available at the Official Square Enix Merchandise Store on November 16