The Witcher video game PC Downloadable Demo

Atari Announces the Launch of the European Playable Demo for CD Projekt's Acclaimed PC Role-Playing Opus, Downloadable via www.TheWitcher.com

Atari today announced the launch of the playable demo for The Witcher, the acclaimed first game from Polish development studio CD Projekt RED and a PC role-playing masterwork which delivers an engrossing story and thrilling tactical combat, all set in a mature and compelling original fantasy universe. The demo can be downloaded via the official website at www.thewitcher.com or via www.atari.com.

Giving players a tantalizing taste of the world of The Witcher, the demo begins with the first part of the prologue in which the seeds of the story are sown and the white haired witcher Geralt learns the rudiments of combat. The prologue is followed by the entirety of Act 1, during which Geralt of Rivia will see the first threads of the story weave their web around him and be called upon to slay man and beast to stay alive and earn his keep.

In The Witcher players take the role of Geralt of Rivia, a professional monster slayer who exists on the fringes of a complex society afflicted by the kind of problems more commonly found on the front pages of newspapers than in a fantasy universe. Taken as a child, mutated, and trained in the arcane ways of the witchers, Geralt is a reluctant hero, who nonetheless finds himself all too frequently in the heat of battles that are not his own. His is a path he might not choose to walk, but walk it he must, guided by his head, heart, and only faithful companion – his sword.

Based on the fictional world created by best-selling Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher is set in a unique fantasy universe where real-life issues dominate a troubled society. In this world there is no right or wrong, only decisions and consequences.

The Witcher is available now at retailers across Europe as a standard game pack and as a Limited Edition containing a wealth of exclusive content. For more information about The Witcher visit www.thewitcher.com and for more details about Atari’s entire product line up visit www.atari.com.

Multi-Player Real-Time Strategy Game Ballerium Now Live

The Titans and the Shaping of the Universe—The Free MMORTS Offers A Persistent Multi User Environment and Seven Unique Races

Majorem, a leading online game and technology development studio, in partnership with live games operator Sleepy Giant announced today that its long-awaited free to play MMORTS, Ballerium, has gone live. The multiplayer online real-time strategy game features innovative gameplay including a real-time economy that lets players control and influence the in-game market, dynamic resource gathering, unique army building mechanics and more. The game can be downloaded for free at www.Ballerium.com.

Ballerium is a far off planet facing troubling times. For the first time in its history, the world of Ballerium has been experiencing a global crisis: an oncoming cataclysmic about to bring about the end of the world. Each player in the game controls an Avatar - a spirit of a great hero, and a group of followers (called "units") of that Avatar. Players are free to choose their own goals - whether they wish to try to reveal the mysteries of the gates, to simply amass power and wealth, or to conquer every city and become the ultimate Avatar in Ballerium.

The means for achieving success in the game center around collecting money and resources in order to build a larger army and then banding together with other players to defeat mutual enemies. Players can explore the world seeking new challenges and areas to dominate.

Below are the key features of Ballerium:

• Free download and gameplay


• Persistent multi user environment


• Many ways to win the game (trade, role-play, combat, and diplomacy)


• AI that is capable of finishing combat for you in case of disconnection


• Warfare on an epic scale: Play with thousands of players on a single map


• Seven Unique races to choose from, each possessing unique units and magic abilities


• Great community features


• Low Bandwidth Requirements

Players who register by December 31, 2007 will be entered to win a $50 gift card for Jinx.com

Free MMORPG, Metin2 Celebrates Christmas with Holiday-Themed Lottery Events, New Monarch System win an Apple iPhone and More

Grand prize includes Apple iPhone, METIN2 2008 calendar!

G4box Inc, a North American publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment media, has announced an exciting holiday lottery event and classic Christmas icons for players of METIN2 to help celebrate the season in style. Beginning December 15 to ring in the holiday cheer, METIN2 gamers can participate in a special holiday lottery event, where they could win an Apple iPhone, among other prizes, as well as find holiday icons to be used as treasure. More details about the game, how to download it and how to participate in the events can be found at the game’s official web site: http://www.METIN2.us.

Christmas Lottery Event:

METIN2 gamers throughout the three Kingdoms will be able to collect special lottery tickets, beginning December 15 - December 27. By slaying various monsters and villains found throughout METIN2 in areas like Tangra Mountain, Nula Valley, and The Wastelands, lottery tickets can be obtained. The event will feature a grand prize of an Apple iPhone for one lucky winner, and other prizes to be awarded include the stunning METIN2 2008 calendar, along with hundreds of additional stocking stuffers such as METIN2 notebooks and posters!

Santa Claus, Holiday Stockings, and Christmas Trees:

With Christmas just a few weeks away, G4box is decking the halls with the addition of new holiday-themed events. These events will run through December 27, and classic Christmas icons may be found throughout the world of METIN2. Holiday-themed items may now be found as treasure when adventuring and slaying monsters throughout the lands of METIN2. Enormous trees decorated with colorful and flashy ornaments can be spotted and are the key to a making player wishes come true, and a generous, elderly man wearing a suit of red with white trim seems to be selling precious goods and materials for prices that are too good to be true – a rare find of valuable components!

METIN2’s Monarch System:

The month of January will signify a revolution in how METIN2 is played as the first Monarchs of METIN2 are born. The Kingdoms of Dendera, Milgaard, and Listhmos will be able to select one outstanding player to represent them as Monarch and lead the charge into battle. Monarchs must take care to use their powers wisely and for the greater good. Monarchs who rule unfairly or are too greedy may find themselves kneeling to a new Monarch before too long. This exciting new innovation heralds METIN2’s community-based approach by allowing players to have a more active role in how their Kingdoms will be lead.

For more information on the lottery event or the Christmas icons, including their start dates and the great prizes, visit the METIN2 website at http://www.METIN2.us/index.htm.

Puzzle game, Fading Shadows, exclusive to Sony PSP

Genre: Puzzle
Developer: Ivolgamus
Release Date: February 2007
Price: £24.99
PEGI: 7+
Format: PSP

Fading Shadows is an incredibly original title, exclusive to the PSPTM, created by European developer Ivolgamus. The unusual style of gameplay is combined with stunning graphics and a compelling storyline to make this a must for any players with a penchant for puzzle-platformer games.

The player must guide an orb through 40 captivating levels by controlling a magical beam of light. This orb contains the soul of a young boy, and it is the player's job to rescue the boy by safely leading the orb to the Castle of Heaven. Pass through swamps, travel over mountains, visit castles and explore deserted cities on your quest to save the world from the forces of darkness.

Each level will require the player to change the state of the orb to glass, wood or metal, and control it with the appropriate force from the beam of light. To proceed past the Dark Castle level the player must turn all the disks of the pentagram towards the gate and place the orb in the centre. But how do you turn the disks? A closer look reveals a number of switches scattered throughout the level, and these can be activated using the orb or the beam of light. The following actions can be seen in the accompanying screenshots.

To reach the switch beyond a matrix of numerals the orb must move over the matrix without touching a number out of sequence.

Press three buttons in the correct order to activate the switch at the fireplace.

To reach the switches above the escalator, players must activate it using the switch placed in front and above the escalator that will raise the platform underneath allowing the orb to travel up and reach the next switch.

Finally when all discs are turned towards the gates and the orb is placed in the middle of the pentagram the gates will open for the orb to be driven through.

Fading Shadows is to be released in February 2008.

Kawasaki Quad Bikes for the Nintendo Wii

Video games publisher and games developer Data Design Interactive are pleased to announce that its Nintendo Wii development team working on DDI’s ‘Arcade Popcorn’ label has hit its target of 14 games gaining Gold status for release this fall.

Kawasaki Quad Bikes

This is the ultimate quad biking experience putting you in the driving seat of one of these awesome All Terrain Vehicles. The game features the most exhilarating off road tracks known to man! Plus you will experience the heart stopping power and agility of these awesome machines.

· A full range of officially licensed Kawasaki Quad Bikes, with unlockable extras, hidden quads, upgrades, courses and much more.

· Outstanding single player game modes include numerous championship and single race challenges, with over 70 track variations.

· Multiplayer mode allows you to compete against friends, with lots of challenging environments to explore, from gravel covered slopes to mud soaked arenas.

Warhammer video game Online Beta Army - Half A Million Strong

More Than 500,000 Sign Up for Early Access to EA Mythic's MMORPG Scheduled for Release in Q2 2008

GOA and EA Mythic today announced that Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning (W.A.R.), the highly anticipated massively-multiplayer online role-playing game MMORPG from EA Mythic, has surpassed 500,000 closed beta registrants in North America and Europe. Beta testing resumes next week with a special sneak peek at the new Dark Elf lands and careers. Thanks to the tremendous response from fans around the world, the development team now has a strong pool of gamers to tap for W.A.R. final testing stages.

Poised to be one of the biggest new MMORPG releases releases of next year, W.A.R. is slated for official launch in Q2 2008. The Beta Center is still open and accepting recruits at:

www.war-europe.com/#/subscription/

Based on Games Workshop’s epic and longstanding tabletop fantasy war game, Warhammer Online features revolutionary Realm vs. Realm (RvR) game play that immerses players in a world of perpetual conflict. For more information, please visit www.war-europe.com.

Draft Day Sports: College Basketball video game Game Trailers

Wolverine Studios, a developer of sports simulation games, is proud to announce that Draft Day Sports: College Basketball will be released via digital download from www.wolverinestudios.com on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 for $39.95 USD.

In anticipation of the official release we have released four video trailers on our website.

Coach Lineage
http://www.wolverinestudios.com/downloads/DDSCB/videos/lineage/llineage.html
Track the entire coaching “family tree” of every coach in the history of your league. See which coaches have been the most successful in teaching their assistants what it takes to make it on their own.

Player Recruiting
http://www.wolverinestudios.com/downloads/DDSCB/videos/recruiting/recruiting%20vid.html
Our already deep recruiting system just got better! Check out the new pitch and focus areas, the ability to call up recruits and converse with them and gather the info you need to determine if he’s the right fit for your school. Check out the massive amount of detail on each recruit – even down to info on his parents who could play a role in his decision making.

Almanac
http://www.wolverinestudios.com/downloads/DDSCB/videos/almanac/almanac.html
Check out the detail of the history stored for your league. Go back and look up past award winners, pre and post season tournament winners, team, coach and player records and historical standings for each and every season you’ve played!

In Game Experience
http://www.wolverinestudios.com/downloads/DDSCB/videos/ingame/ingame.html
We’ve redesigned our gameplay screen to provide you with much more on court 2D action and our new player icons make it even easier to determine on court matchups and visualize the game. Take a look at the wide array of coaching options you have at your fingertips including the ability to choose different motivation tactics to try and fire up a listless team or heap praise on your boys for a job well done.

Tribulation Knights video game to include music from STRIVE

Atomic Design Laboratory has agreed to license music from the pop rock band STRIVE to be included in the Tribulation Knights video game. The unique sound of the Chicago based pop rock band and their message of encourage and compassion makes their music a perfect companion to the faith based Tribulation KnightsTM video game.

Tribulation Knights is a brand new video game in a series of faith based Christian games. The game is an action based first person adventure for the PC, featuring elements of an RPG in an action packed story line. The title will be released for Windows XP/Vista.

About Atomic Design Laboratory L.L.C.
The interactive entertainment developer Atomic Design Laboratory is a startup founded by John Nelson. The company is located in the Midwest United States in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

About STRIVE
The Chicago-based pop/rock band was formed to share the love of Christ, encourage lives of compassion and to become involved in culture-shaping activities. The members of Strive created The Rock Gospel of Jesus Christ project and founded the non-profit organization Rock Gospel Ministries to impact the world in positive ways through music. STRIVE was Featured Artist in October 2007 by CCM Magazine (Christ, Community, Music) and takes the No14 spot in myCCM's top 100 artists of 2007. For information about STRIVE please contact manager Derick Thompson.

Darkeden video game - MMORPG - Available for Free Play Testing

Joymax, an independent developer of interactive entertainment for the global market, has announced that its vampire-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game has begun its open beta play test period. The new game, Darkeden, is now offering free accounts for the purposes of the beta test, available at the Joymax website. All participants in the Darkeden open beta test will be able to progress through the game at an accelerated rate, receiving experience points at 200%. Eager players worldwide can sign up at Joymax's website and begin playing the near-complete game immediately, enjoying the opportunity to experience Darkeden early, and contribute to the game's final revision process.

"This is an excellent opportunity for players to get in on the ground floor of Darkeden," said June K. Son, General Manager of Joymax. "We welcome everyone to sample what the game has in store, and we're eager to hear what our players have to say as we work on the finishing touches."

Players can access the free beta now by signing up for a Joymax.com account at www.joymax.com.

As a special holiday treat, Darkeden is hosting an in-game Christmas event, starting December 18th, 2007, and ending on January 8th, 2008. During this event, players will have the opportunity to gather puzzle pieces by hunting monsters, which, when assembled, will reward players with a Christmas tree or a Snowman. These festive items can be inscribed with customized messages and placed in the game world. Monsters will also deliver firecrackers as in-game items, which can be set off in the game world to produce colorful holiday cheer.

About Darkeden
Darkeden is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game, inviting players into a bleak near-future environment and a brutal conflict between two distinct races-vampires and slayers. Featuring hand-rendered graphics and an isometric 2D view, Darkeden is easy for novices to learn, yet features a broad depth of features and character-building options for hardcore players. Darkeden contains hundreds of potential skills and two distinct systems of character advancement, and is available to download and play free of charge.

More information about Darkeden is available at http://www.joymax.com/darkeden/.

Swizz Beatz video game download for Microsoft Xbox LIVE

"Swizz Beatz" theme available for download on Xbox LIVE Marketplace

“It’s me Snitches!” – Swizz Beatz takes over your Xbox 360. Konsole Kingz does it again and brings one of the hottest names in hip-hop to the gaming world. The millions of Xbox 360 owners can now customize their entertainment experience with exclusive images of Swizz Beatz by downloading his theme and gamer pictures. Xbox LIVE members can also download an exclusive HD video of Swizz discussing his love for gaming, his album ”One Man Band Man”, and the success of his top billboard chart single, “It’s Me Snitches,” which is featured on Madden 2008.

This is the fourth in a series of themes and gamer pictures that Konsole Kingz has released for Xbox LIVE. According to CJ Peters, Konsole Kingz CEO, "In keeping with our company’s mission, to provide urban content real gamers can relate to, we’re bringing true celebrity gamers from the hip-hop community to Xbox LIVE. We're very excited about working with Swizz Beatz and bringing him to Xbox LIVE, which is the best online gaming service available."

Konsole Kingz is bringing new, innovative content for the urban gamer to the Xbox LIVE Marketplace. Available now, Swizz Beatz fans can download the Xbox 360 theme called Swizz Beatz. The Swizz Beatz downloadable content includes the following:

- Themes – 4 photo wallpapers

- Picture Packs – 5 pictures

- Hi-Def Video Interview with Swizz

Users can access the Xbox content by doing the following:

· The HD interview: Marketplace > Game Videos > Gaming Community Videos > Konsole Kingz

· Swizz Gaming Pics: Marketplace > Theme and Gamer Pictures > From the Community

· Konsole Kingz Swizz Themes: Marketplace > Theme and Gamer Pictures > From the Community > Konsole Kingz

Xbox LIVE Marketplace on Xbox 360 offers the ability to download themes (wallpapers), picture packs (icons), and exclusive HD videos. This online store appeals to the more than 8 million Xbox LIVE users across the world because they are able to identify with a shared commonality outside of music. Konsole Kingz recognized the connection of the two industries and introduced their unique hip-hop-fueled, gaming content to Xbox 360, and made its debut on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace earlier this year with the launch of Redman’s “Red Gone Wild” theme and Bonecrusher’s Theme.

No1 Selling Board Game now available Blokus World Tour download

No1 Selling Board Game on Amazon Now Available as a Unique Try-Before-You-Buy Game

Funkitron, a widely respected publisher of casual games, today announces their latest release, Blokus World Tour, is now available for download from the following website: www.blokusworldtour.com. Blokus World Tour is launched in partnership with Sekkoia, publisher of the popular Blokus board game, which has sold over three million units worldwide since 2000. With 26 awards to its credit, Blokus is the most award-winning board game of the 21st century, and among the top selling board games around the world. Blokus World Tour is the official version of the game developed exclusively for the PC platform by Funkitron and retails for $19.95.

The downloadable PC version of Blokus offers unique and brand-new features. For the first time, players have the chance to play in tour mode and take part in 10 different Blokus tournaments. The game also features 16 unique computer opponents from around the globe, each with their own AI and character. Players are also able to collect special Gold Bloks for attaining special achievements along the way. Your goal? Travel the world, win the tour, and become the ultimate Blokus champion.

Blokus World Tour also lets you choose from any one of the Quick Game modes that allow you to choose your level of difficulty. This includes Classic (two players using two colors each or four players using one color each) and Duo (two players using one color each). A new twist on the classic game adds Blokus Challenges, consisting of special puzzle games featuring Blokus gameplay to test your puzzle-solving abilities. Blokus World Tour provides intelligent fun to everyone: all the members of the family will enjoy discovering this easy-to-grasp, addictive, and mind-challenging game.

"Sekkoia has done an amazing job making Blokus into one of the most successful board games of all time, and it's been a great opportunity to work on such a popular family title," said Dave Walls, President of Funkitron, Inc. "We've worked very closely with Sekkoia to ensure that all the details are captured in the same way as the board game, and that the PC play experience is every bit as challenging and fun."

"Funkitron has a great reputation for developing high-quality, family-friendly PC titles, and the work they've done on Blokus World Tour is no exception," said Pierre-Jacques Jouars, Managing Director of Sekkoia. "We expect strong support for the title from our diverse fan base of strategy gamers, who'll have plenty of time to enjoy the game during the winter holidays."

Blokus Rules
As a turn-based strategy game, Blokus follows very simple rules. Each player starts with 21 polyominoes, shapes consisting of one to five squares. Each player places his/her pieces on the board in turn, with the purpose of placing a maximum number of pieces on the board. There is one essential constraint: the pieces of the same color must touch each other by one or more angles, but must never touch at an edge. Players must invoke a clever strategy to extend their territory, all the while attempting to block their opponents' paths. But remember, each piece is different and every move can be decisive!

New Albatross18 Golf video game Additions for Christmas

Additional Rumble Fighter Holiday Items also Unveiled

OGPlanet, an innovative provider of multiplayer online games, today announced new holiday-themed events for Albatross18 and Rumble Fighter.

Albatross18, OGPlanet's golf role-playing game, is getting into the swing of Christmas with an array of holiday items including holiday sweaters, Rudolph noses, Santa hats and specially designed holiday golf clubs. A number of holiday items will appear as random drops in-game, and some will also be available for purchase using game points.

Ten Albatross18 players will be selected as winners each day during the holiday season in the Albatross18 Christmas Wish List contest. Players can enter by adding Albatross18 to their MySpace friends' lists. Albatross18's MySpace page can be found at http://www.myspace.com/albatross18.

Rumble Fighter players will be able to dress their characters in Santa Claus outfits, and a new hand-to-hand fighting method is now available for purchase with Astros, the official currency of the OGPlanet universe.

Both Albatross18 and Rumble Fighter players will also find special deals in the OGPlanet store throughout Christmas.

Soldier Of Fortune video game Payback Tournament

$15,000 In Prizes Up For Grabs To The Best Mercenaries; Sign Up Now At SOF.GGL.COM

Activision, in conjunction with the GGL, today announced the Ultimate Mercenary Tournament for its recently released high-octane first person action game Soldier of Fortune Payback. At stake is $15,000 in cash and prizes and an all-expense paid trip to New York City, along with the fame and bragging rights that being the best virtual mercenary in the world gets you. Practice rounds begin today with official qualifying tournaments kicking-off in January 2008. For complete registration information, along with rules and regulations, go to SOF.GGL.COM.

The Ultimate Mercenary Tournament will offer single and team play ladders in the online multiplayer modes. Ten finalists will pack their bags and head to New York City in February for a spot in the championships to be televised on Voom GamePlay HD.

About Soldier of Fortune Payback

Soldier of Fortune Payback is the long-awaited third installment of the Soldier of Fortune video game series. The saga continues with the mercenary organization known as “The Shop,” where players take on the role of a hired mercenary. Players will experience all the thrill and dangers of authentic mercenary combat blasting their way through high intensity combat situations in the world’s most dangerous hotspots with an arsenal of weapons capable of doing massive amounts of damage. Using any means necessary, players will need to uncover a complex plot and defeat an extremist organization determined to throw the world into global conflict. Failure is not an option.

Fore more, visit the official site at www.MercsWanted.com.

Soldier of Fortune Payback, which is published by Activision Minneapolis, is available now for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and the PC. The game has been rated “M” for Mature by the ESRB.

Microsoft Releases Xbox 360 HD DVD Emulator

New tool streamlines development and testing process for HD DVD content, accelerates advancement of next-generation interactivity, including experiences powered by Microsoft HDi technology.

Microsoft Corp. today announced the release of the Xbox 360 HD DVD Emulator, enabling film studios and disc authoring companies to model the behavior of HD DVD disc content, including encoded video and HDi interactivity, in a virtual environment before committing to burning a single HD DVD disc. This comprehensive tool is among the first commercially available, software-based solutions of its kind, eliminating the need for expensive hardware or time-consuming and costly trial-and-error processes for testing HD DVD titles, helping to ensure that titles ship error-free.

The enhanced content and rich interactive capabilities of HD DVD increase the need for an efficient way to troubleshoot coding to maintain the highest-quality consumer experiences. The emulator uses a combination of available hardware (the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system and the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player) and specialized emulation software to ultimately enable playback of near-final assets from a network storage share, portable hard drive or optical disc. This allows focused testing of the layout, the menus, and the behavior of the interactivity functionality of a title. Detailed log reports from the Xbox 360 HD DVD Emulator deliver valuable tracing information to help quickly and easily pinpoint problems with advanced interactivity code that otherwise could take hours of manual debugging.

“We are committed to supporting and advancing the HD DVD ecosystem, and the new Xbox 360 HD DVD Emulator reflects these efforts by providing developers with the software-based tools they need to efficiently deliver the highest-quality content,” said Jordi Ribas, general manager of HD DVD at Microsoft. “Microsoft developed the Emulator to help save studios and postproduction houses time, resources and costs involved with the creation of HD DVD content, and let them focus on what really matters — pushing the envelope with the format.”

Sessions using the Xbox 360 HD DVD Emulator are designed to complement existing workflows so that tests can be run at various stages. The tool offers several choices for how to run a session: directly from a network storage share, from a USB drive connected directly to the Xbox 360 console, or from an optical disc in the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player. While the tool enables the testing of content playback on the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player specifically, it effectively eliminates layers in the testing process for other HD DVD players as well.

Validated by the Industry’s Leading HD DVD Production Houses

As part of the development process, Microsoft implemented a beta program from July through November of this year, involving more than 40 participants, including Deluxe Digital Studios, Enteractive GmbH, Imagion AG, Memory-Tech Corporation and NetBlender Inc. Participants found that the tool significantly decreased the number of hours and reduced the costs associated with the production process, freeing up time to refine and improve content.

“The authoring process for HD DVD is more complex and expensive than the process for standard DVD, and as with any new technology, it can require a lot of time and resources,” said John Harrington, CEO of NetBlender. “In the process of working with the new Xbox 360 HD DVD Player Emulator, we were able to cut the number of test discs needed per month from roughly 200 down to 50, saving more than 100 work hours per month. This positively impacted our business essentially overnight. We estimate we will recoup the low cost of the tool in less than one month’s time.”

Setting up the Xbox 360 HD DVD Emulator simply requires establishing a connection to Xbox LIVE, navigating to the Download Games menu, and adding the Emulator software to the hard drive of the Xbox 360 console. The one-time licensing fee is $2,999.

As scenarios for next-generation interactivity continue to expand and evolve, streamlining the production process for HD DVD titles frees up resources that licensees can use to focus on refining and improving content — maximizing the potential of HDi to create compelling user scenarios. The Xbox 360 HD DVD Emulator is available for sale immediately at http://www.thisishddvd.com/emulator.

More information on the Xbox 360 HD DVD Emulator and HDi License Program, as well as a downloadable case study of NetBlender’s use of the emulator, is available at http://www.thisishddvd.com/emulator.

Web-Based Video Game In The Heroes Of Might And Magic Universe

Heroes of Might and Magic Kingdoms to Hit the Web in Spring 08

Today Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, announced that Heroes of Might and Magic Kingdoms , a new Web-based game in the critically-acclaimed Heroes of Might and Magic series is being developed for a Spring 2008 worldwide launch.

Heroes of Might and Magic Kingdoms is a strategy game set in a persistent version of the heroic-fantasy world of Heroes of Might and Magic. Thousands of players will be able to rule their virtual kingdoms, lead gigantic armies against each other, master the trades or create legendary heroes. The game requires no download or installation, only an Internet connection. In addition, players can play at their own pace; from 10 minutes to multiple-hour sessions.

“This is a new type of game for Ubisoft, one that allows you to jump into a rich and complex universe just with your Web browser,” said Serge Hascoët, Chief Creative Officer. “Heroes of Might and Magic Kingdoms will open a wide door to the Might and Magic universe, allowing players to immerse themselves within it unlike ever before.”

An exclusive key for the beta test is hidden in the Heroes of Might and Magic Complete Edition that releases today, you can also register on www.hommkingdoms.com.

Satine fashion designer video game for PC demo download

Unique and addictive action game with beautiful graphics where you play Satine, an aspiring fashion designer

Unique and addictive action game with beautiful graphics where you play Satine, an aspiring fashion designer

Ovogame, www.ovogame.com, is delighted to announce the release of Fashion Rush, a frenetic action game for Windows 98/XP/Vista, available for immediate purchase for $19.99.

Guide the career and loves of Satine, an aspiring fashion designer starting at the bottom: working in a local fashion boutique. Create clothing for customers using a variety of colors and styles while racing against the clock. Help Satine become a famous fashion designer, and even create your own fashion collection. The game features a unique action based system where you assemble the pieces of each design against the clock. Fashion Rush offers beautifully crafted graphics with a unique semi-interactive storyline, and delivers many hours of challenge.

The fully functional demo version of Fashion Rush can be securely downloaded at www.ovogame.com, our home site.

Sony PSP - PlayStationPortable - Puzzle Guzzle video game

PSP system Puzzle Game Challenges Players toCreate Order From Chaotic Pieces

Agetec, Inc. today announced it will be publishing Puzzle Guzzle for the PSP (PlayStationPortable) system. In the game, players race to assemble triangles and other shapes by rotating marked squares pieces. It may sound simple, but winning at Puzzle Guzzle requires that players think in multiple dimensions to succeed.

Like any good puzzle game, Puzzle Guzzle quickly turns from an entertaining pastime to a vexing challenge that is extremely addictive. As the pieces appear faster and faster, and in even more complicated patterns, players can go from trying to finish a level to simply trying to stay alive. For an even greater test of multi-lateral thinking skills, Puzzle Guzzle can be played competitively against a friend to see whose mind is quicker on the draw.

“Puzzle Guzzle is sure to be a game that PSP system owners will love,” said Mark Johnson, producer for Agetec, Inc. “It starts out simple enough, but it doesn’t take long before that classic panicked feeling starts taking over as the game becomes progressively more challenging.”

Puzzle Guzzle will be released for the PSP system in North America in the spring of this year.

Go On Safari with Wild Earth: African Safari video game on Nintendo Wii

PC Simulation Comes to the Wii System with Exclusive New Features

The vast savannas of Africa await exploration as Majesco Entertainment Company an innovative provider of video games for the mass market, today announced Wild Earth: African Safari for the Wii home video game system. Developed by Super X Studios, Wild Earth: African Safari is a spectacular safari adventure set in Africa’s Serengeti National Park where players can take award-winning photos of the continent’s exotic wild life.

“Wild Earth: African Safari encompasses several great passions – photography, travel and the outdoors – and combines them into a fun and informative interactive experience,” said John Merchant, Marketing Manager, Majesco Europe. “With exclusive new features found only in the Wii version, Wild Earth: African Safari lets people experience one of nature’s most complex and diverse habitats, without needing their passport or inoculations.”

In Wild Earth: African Safari, players assume the role of a photo-journalist on a journey to visually chronicle 30 different wild animals inhabiting the Serengeti National Park. From aggressive packs of hyenas to massive rhinos, the beautifully re-created panorama of the African veldt unfolds as players attempt to capture the shots to create informative magazine quality pictorials. But be warned; get too close to the animals or disrupt the natural landscape and the Impact Meter will rumble your Wii Remote™, making it harder to snap a steady picture.

Two new features exclusive to the Wii version include a cooperative multiplayer mode that allows up to three friends to either drive or take pictures, and a Safari Mini-Game mode where gamers can play from the animals’ perspective using intuitive gestures via the Wii Remote. In addition, an inspiring soundtrack from world music label, Talking Drum Records, lends an atmospheric backdrop to the game.

New 3D camera eyes Nintendo Wii-style gameplay

The success of Nintendo's Wii video game console and franchises like Activision's "Guitar Hero" have prompted companies to explore new ways to allow players to control their games.

One of the latest is from an Israel-based technology firm that is trying to take gameplay to the most interactive level yet.

This week, digital imaging company 3DV Systems of Yokne'am, Israel, announced the creation of the ZCam, a new 3D camera for personal computers that is so sensitive to motion that players can control on-screen action by merely flicking a finger.

"The Wii has shown us the way, but this device can take things so much farther," said 3DV Chief Executive Zvika Klier during a recent demonstration for Reuters.

Because it can sense depth, the camera tracks movements in three dimensions.

More from Reuters

Gamer jargon becomes word of the year - WOOt!

A word widely used among online gamers has topped an online poll for Word of the Year run by US publishing group Merriam Webster.

The word "W00t" got most votes in the poll looking for the word that best sums up 2007.

It is now included in the Merriam Website open dictionary that exists on the web.

More from the BBC

"Record" betting on UK Christmas number 1

GBP 11,000 riding on the result of next week's videogames chart

Bookmaker Paddy Power has announced that it has seen a record amount of money wagered on the outcome of this year's Christmas number one videogame.

According to the company around GBP 11,000 has been staked altogether, with EA's Need for Speed ProStreet favourite to come top.

The company started offering odds on Christmas videogame sales in 2003 when it recorded a total of 60 bets amounting to GBP 180, while this year has seen around 650 bets laid.

And the Christmas videogame number one is second only in popularity to the UK number one music single, the company revealed.

The latest top odds on the site are listed below:

8/11: Need for Speed ProStreet
2/1: Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
5/1: The Simpsons Game
8/1: FIFA Soccer 08
8/1: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
12/1: The Golden Compass
18/1: Super Mario Galaxy
20/1: Assassin's Creed
20/1: High School Musical: Sing It!

Source: Games Industry

User created content for Microsoft Xbox Live Arcade

New digital initiatives in face of PSN and Wii Ware competition

Having established Xbox Live Arcade as the leader in downloadable content for consoles, Microsoft is looking to be the first to successfully deliver episodic and user created content as the next evolution of the service.

With retro, brand new IP and advergames already part of the offering, David Edery, worldwide games portfolio planner for XBLA, has told GamesIndustry.biz about a number of options that the company is actively pursuing to keep ahead of competition from Sony's PlayStation Network and Nintendo's Wii Ware.

"We have some really big initiatives going on right now and I can say that everyone internally is really excited about user created content," said Edery.

"Multiple internal groups are trying to think about the best way of supporting it on the console and I can tell you for sure that things are happening, I just don't know if we'll see any of them in the next 12 months," he said.

While Microsoft is working on internal architecture to deliver user generated content – whether to support its XNA Studio creations or something more playful like Sony's LittleBigPlanet – it's also encouraging potential Arcade developers to look at the true potential of episodic gaming.

"We're really excited about trying to bring episodic content to XBLA," enthused Edery. "We haven't really done it yet and we're trying to think of the best ways to do so.

"The Penny Arcade guys are going to be bringing their episodic game to Xbox Live Arcade but I think of that as only the beginning – it's just one model for episodic and there are lots of different models."

Conceding that the market hasn't yet seen episodic content in the same context as episodic TV – half an hour to an hour long shows delivered weekly – Edery says that as soon as the right quality titles come along, Microsoft wants to continue to push the boundaries of digital delivery.

"It's an obvious statement but we don't want to put out bad content. We need to see a really, really good episodic franchise before we go ahead and throw a bunch of half an hour or hourly gameplay episodes on our service.

"The day a developer comes to us with that is the day we'll sign it. We're making it clear that we're very open to this sort of thing," he said.

Edery also accepts that new delivery methods are going to be met with a little bit of trepidation, at least until they can be proven to be a reliable and convincing route to market.

"Game developers are not used to thinking and designing in this way, it's a fundamentally different process and I think it's just a learning thing where developers and ourselves need to experiment and figure out what works and what doesn't.

"There's also a certain amount of fear, frankly. If you're an independent developer betting your company on this, something that has never been done successfully before, it's scary when there are literally no good examples of successful episodic gaming," he concluded.