Search This Blog

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Imperium Romanum PC Video Game early 2008


Kalypso Media Group are publishing six new screenshots of the upcoming city building element in Imperium Romanum. These pictures give an interesting insight into the city life of this historic strategy game.

You can see a birds eye view of the Circus Maximus, various theatres, entertainment centres along with night time city scenes.

Imperium Romanum, will be published in February/March 2008 at a price of £29,99. The title will be released by the Kalypso Group worldwide, excluding Spain and Italy. Imperium Romanum is already considered to be one of the top PC-strategy games of the first quarter of next year.

FIRST DETAILS FOR TOM CLANCY'S RAINBOW SIX - VEGAS 2


Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, announced the first details for Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2, currently in production for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and Games for Windows. Scheduled for a March 2008 release and developed by Ubisoft’s award-winning Montreal studio, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is the sixth iteration of the multimillion-selling Rainbow Six tactical shooter franchise and follow-up to the highly successful and award-winning Rainbow Six Vegas.

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is the last chance for gamers to rescue America’s sexiest city from an escalating terrorist siege that will impose heart-pounding action from beginning to end. The best are back and this time winner takes all. The highly-anticipated sequel to the recipient of numerous awards, including 2006’s Best First Person Shooter and Best Online Game, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 will push the top-selling franchise to new heights with new gameplay features and groundbreaking co-op and multiplayer modes.

Product Highlights:

• More Multiplayer – The highly acclaimed multiplayer mode in Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas has been upgraded to include 13 new maps with more intense face-offs, two new adversarial modes, more rewards, and easier access to matches using the improved and intuitive matchmaking system.

• Unprecedented Customizable Experience – Create your own identity that persists through both the single player and multiplayer modes and progresses along with you. Reap the benefits of your single player rewards in multiplayer and vice versa.

• Vastly Improved Co-op Mode – Turn single player mode into co-op mode at any time, just by jumping into the game. Now you and a friend can jump into a single player game and assist without any change to the story. The single player maps and storyline were created with co-op in mind, meaning every map has multiple entry points and the story is unaffected.

• Challenging AI – The AI is more challenging than ever. Now, the terrorists are equipped with thermal vision, night vision, and shields – not to mention a multitude of varying tactics – all of which are guaranteed to give you a new playing experience every time you go into battle. As you progress within the game, you’ll be able to outsmart your enemies by taking advantage of intelligence opportunities, such as thermal scanning.

• New Weapons and Armor – Take down the terrorists more effectively using 11 new weapons. New camouflage, clothing and gear allow for the ultimate customizations.

• More Vegas – Sin City is back and bigger than before. Explore all new Vegas hot spots and the gritty back streets creating a visual experience that is as challenging as it is breathtaking.

New Christmas online version of video game Orchidia


Casual game experts Joyboost.com have come up with a perfect antidote to the huge number of hours shoppers are spending online this Christmas searching for gifts.

Joyboost has created a little online island of calm in the mad Internet shopping frenzy of Christmas 2007. Visitors to the Joyboost.com site can relax, play and rediscover the joys of the festive season.

Joyboost has created a new Christmas-themed online version of its critically acclaimed game Orchidia, plus an entirely new title called Where's Rudolph. Both games are completely FREE and are played through the normal web browser on most home computers.

The games are perfects for parents, cool for kids and even great for grandparents. In Christmas Orchidia, players must make groups of Christmas presents as they drift down a chill winter river.

Where's Rudolph challenges players to find Santa's most famous reindeer in the middle of a huge Christmas crowd. A sharp-eye and a fast finger on the mouse is needed to make sure Christmas Eve deliveries can be made.

“More and more people are using the Internet for Christmas shopping,” says Joyboost's Linda MacKellar. “I do all my Christmas shopping online as the shops are crazy this time of year. But in some ways it can be just as exhausting to shop on your PC. So to cheer up all those struggling shoppers, we've created a couple of free games that the whole family can play. Anyone who's online this Christmas, come and put your feet up at Joyboost and try Christmas Orchidia and Where's Rudolph – our gifts to all of you.”

Joyboost

Ski Challenge 08 - World´s biggest ski race video game has started with more than a million players


Greentube, the worldwide leading provider of free 3D download games and turn-key gaming platforms, has launched the fourth season of its global hit “Ski Challenge” with a range of new features including optimisation for Windows Vista and a new track: Val d’ Isere

Ski Challenge 08 has been licensed to various different media-partners, primarily TV-stations and leading newspapers in 7 different countries so far – including Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Canada.
After more than 3 million players last year, Greentube is expecting between 4 million and 5 million players worldwide between now and March 2008. This figure seems to be quite a conservative estimate, as within only 2 weeks after launch, the different editions of Ski Challenge have been downloaded more than a million times!

Greentube has been working hard on updating the game with latest 2.0-features such as a video creation-tool directly embedded within the game.

The free download game is fully financed via in-game advertising and includes advertising brands such as Siemens, Audi, Telenor, Swisscom, Visa, Samsung, Red Bull, to name just a few. Most of the advertising brands have been partners of this game since the beginning in 2004, as the advertising value and image-transfer effects generated by the game are more than convincing.
Greentube also delivers full reporting functionality including user contacts and adimpressions by brand and edition.

The download link of the Ski Challenge 08, as well as the latest Ski Challenge 08 video and further information can be found at: http://www.skichallenge08.com/.

Christmas add on for Stranger video game


Leading video game publisher Fireglow Games today announces the release of a Christmas add-on for Stranger, the superb combination of RPG and RTS. For those who have already purchased the game we offer to download a free add-on containing two new multiplayer maps - "Once upon a Time in Mokkosa" and "Heritage of Muneks". The add-on is available in English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Polish and Czech languages. We hope that fascinating multiplayer battles on these new maps will give you unforgettable emotions during this Christmas holidays. Download multilingual Christmas Add-on http://www.stranger-game.com/index.php?uid=downloads

Please note that you need the original CD to play the add-on missions.



About Stranger:

Stranger is an RPG blended with the best elements of RTS.

An innovative and never before seen magical system allows you to select your strategy and tactics in the course of a battle, thus providing an adequate answer to an enemy's every turn - you will be surprised by its simplicity and variety at the same time.
Hiring, training and control over squads of infantry and archers - you will take part in clarifying the eternal question regarding what is more important – brute force and weaponry or cunning and magic.
There are three heroes - different from each other, each one with its own personality and preferences in combat and magic. What will happen when they assemble in a single squad?
The colourful universe of Stranger inhabited not only by hundreds of types of monsters but also with intelligent tribes, which can either be your allies or enemies.
All of this is “Stranger” - 2 worlds, 3 destinies.

Features:

• RPG blended with some of the best RTS elements
• 3 main heroes and many units to choose from
• Over 100 different monsters
• Unique and flexible magic system
• Great variety of items and equipment
• More than 30 hours of single player campaign
• Multiplayer with up to 8 players
• Level design enables distinctive tactical options

Microsoft Xbox Live Launch - new video games launched


Xbox Live Market Place Downloadable Content 20 December 2007

Mirage2000-5 – SCARFACE EMBLEM – (Free)
The heroes of Ace Combat 2, Scarface Squadron Aircraft. This aircraft's armour has been reinforced at the expense of stability. With the main military force unable to respond, the mercenary tactical strike force, Scarface, was entrusted to rescue the Usean continent from the hands of a brutal military coup d'etat.

F-22A Raptor – MOBIUS – (200 Microsoft Points)
The Heroes of Ace Combat: Distant Thunder, Mobius Squadron Aircraft. Fated with single handedly maintaining air superiority, this aircraft's armaments know no parallel. However, necessary reduction of armour has resulted in low damage control. A lone pilot, Mobius' battle record exceeded that of an entire squadron.

F-15E Strike Eagle – CIPHER – (200 Microsoft Points)
The hero of Ace Combat: The Belkan War, Cipher's Aircraft. This aircraft's armour has been lightened to facilitate greater fire power. Fully customized preemptive striking capabilities place this fighter at the forefront of any battle. As the leader of the Republic of Ustio's Mercenary Galm Unit, Cipher's overwhelming fighting skills amidst the escalating conflict quickly earned him the moniker, "The Demon of the Round Table". Both feared and respected, his was the path of a true ace.

F-15E Strike Eagle – PIXY – (200 Microsoft Points)
Ace Combat: The Belkan War, Wingman Pixy Aircraft. Armour has been lightened to increase stability. With an array of counterstrike customizations, this aircraft can immediately adapt to changes on the battlefield. The Republic of Ustio's Mercenary Galm Unit No. 2, "Pixy" nearly lost his left wing during combat, but miraculously completed the mission and returned to base, earning him the name "Solo Wing Pixy". He continued his military career earning numerous accolades as Cipher's wingman.

A-10A ThunderBoltⅡ – XMAS – (200 Microsoft Points)
Holiday Aircraft. Seemingly unaffected by gravity, even during inverted flight, exceptional aerodynamic performance is achieved at the expense of this aircraft's otherwise characteristic durability. This is an A-10A of a different breed.

F-117A Night Hawk – THE IDOLMASTER YUKIHO – (400 Microsoft Points)
THE IDOLMASTER, Yukiho Hagiwara Aircraft. A little on the shy side, this aircraft boasts impressive moves when trying its best. It's up to you to make this star shine!

Elf Online new series of events for Christmas


Christmas Carnival, Have a Rapturous Winter Vocation

Unconsciously, Christmas is approching again, Elf Online have prepared a series of exciting events to all players. New pets are available, Martian, Chief, Feline and Ares will follow you quest into the mysterious Elf Online World fighting against the evil darkness corps. A series of Christmas carnival are also wating for you. Santa Claus, Sled, Elk, Pets and numerous Gifts, Elf Online will give you a raptured winter vacation.

Brand New Pets
New pets are available, Martian, Chief, Feline and Ares will follow you quest into the mysterious Elf Online world fighting against the evil darkness corps.

Christmas Gam
Gifts, no problem, everyday, players will get a gift from christmas trees which contains fireworks. After using the firework. You may gain extra Exp and coins.

Christmas Busy Man
Santa Claus always has a busy time during X'mas. Now, he calls for help from all Elf Online players. Dilivering gifts, looking for reindeer and decorate the X’mas tree for him, Santa Claus will sure to reward you generously.

Christmas Treasure Box
What's that drop from the sky? Bravo, X'mas Treasure Box. What is hiding inside? I don't know, let's collect more to what you will get.

Want to experience more about the Elf Online Christmas Carnival? Just jump into and see.

For more details on Christmas Carnival, please click here
Official site elf.happymmo.com
Official Forum http://forum.happymmo.com/

GAMEVIL USA Launches Cellphone game - Big Trouble On Little Earth with Challenge SMS Feature


Challenge your Friends with the ultimate training and prepare to invade Earth!

GAMEVIL USA, the LA-based mobile games publisher, announced today the launch of Big Trouble On Little Earth, a game about training to take over Earth with a single thumb. With 5 colorful and fun addicting mini-games to play, including one that is un-lockable, players must put their timing and reflexes to the test as they go through intense trainings as Toto, the quirky alien preparing to invade planet Earth. Players also have the option of customizing their spaceship with items they can purchase in the game.

But one of the traits that make Big Trouble On Little Earth so unique is the Challenge SMS feature. After achieving a high score in a mini-game, players will be asked if they would like to send a challenge to their friends through their mobile phones. The challenge note will contain the high score of the sender and the mini-game played, as well as a short message should the challenger choose to include one. Those who receive the challenge will be informed of it via text message, which will include a link to downloading the game if the challenged player does not already have the game, and have the option of accepting or rejecting the challenge after viewing the high score they must beat in the same mini-game. Challenges can go back and forth between two people or occur simultaneously among multiple players, further broadening the player’s gaming experience.

“Social networking has become a huge phenomenon in our society today, especially with online gaming and websites such as MySpace,” said Stephanie Huang, Marketing Manager at GAMEVIL USA. “GAMEVIL applied that concept to Big Trouble On Little Earth with the Challenge SMS feature, creating a socially interactive and entertaining game, and establishing it as the next generation of mobile gaming.”

Gamevil

The Lost Crown: A Ghost hunting Adventure PC video game early 2008


Got Game Entertainment announces a new release time-frame for highly anticipated ghostly adventure

Got Game Entertainment LLC today confirmed that the release of “The Lost Crown: A Ghost-hunting Adventure” has been pushed to next year. The suspense-adventure game for the PC being developed by Jonathan Boakes and his Darkling Room team is now slated for a Q1 2008 release. “The Lost Crown: A Ghost-hunting Adventure” will make its retail debut at $29.99 (USD) and is not yet rated by the ESRB.

“The developer was not able to deliver the game in the expected time-frame, but assures us that ‘the end is in sight’,” said Got Game Entertainment President Howard Horowitz. “Mr. Boakes is determined to create the best possible gaming experience and we believe ‘The Lost Crown: A Ghost-hunting Adventure’ will be well worth the wait.”

Got Game Entertainment is expected to announce a more precise release date shortly after the holidays.

About “The Lost Crown: A Ghost-hunting Adventure”

In “The Lost Crown: A Ghost-hunting Adventure”, join ghost-hunters Nigel Danvers and Lucy Reubans as they unravel an ancient mystery and search for hidden treasures on England's fog-shrouded coastline, famed for its legends of smugglers, pirates, and ghosts. Wielding the tools of the modern-day ghost-hunter in a cinematic, richly detailed interactive world of wind-swept coastlines and crumbling crypts, you will be captivated, taunted, and teased by mind-bending puzzles and interactions with the town “locals”.

“The Lost Crown: A Ghost-hunting Adventure” Features:

Spine-tingling ghost story
Realistic ghost-hunting, featuring actual E.V.P. (Electronic Voice Phenomena)
Photographs of unexplained entities captured by creator Jonathan Boakes while researching the game
Chilling original soundtrack
Point and click gameplay with both first and third person interaction
Cast of virtual actors to share your paranormal adventure
Local legends to investigate, interrogate, and observe
Realistic and integrated puzzles

For more information, visit www.TheLostCrown.com.

Fury video game download and play for free - forever


Auran successfully released their first free content update the Age of the Chosen on December 14. Record numbers of players logged on, created avatars and fought in the new war zones.

“The 1v1 dueling arenas were the most popular game of the week, closely followed by Bloodbath Training Grounds and then the new Carnage PvPvE war zone, “ said Tony Hilliam, Auran CEO. “The feedback from players was that performance had improved considerably, and the new item system kept the forums busy all week.”

With a major focus on ease of use, accessibility and fun, the Age of the Chosen update extends FURY game with new features and major improvements including:

• 1v1 Dueling arenas
• New Carnage PvPvE game type
• Incarnation Testing Arena
• Major Equipment Improvements
• Updated Tutorial
• Revised Sanctuary Zones
• Improved Interface
• Enhanced Performance
• and much more

In addition, the Age of the Chosen brings a new Free to Download, Free to Play option to FURY. For the first time, players can download FURY and play free forever. As Chosen, players can learn every ability, use any items, battle in all 6 game types, and experience all of the fun FURY has to offer. They can then choose to upgrade to “hero” status buying the retail box or purchasing the game online.

To see the full list of changes the update brings check out http://www.unleashthefury.com/index.php/fury/news/patch_notes_14_december_2007_age_of_the_chosen/.

To download FURY and get straight into the action visit http://www.unleashthefury.com/free2play/.

The latest updates and happenings in the world of FURY can always be found at http://www.unleashthefury.com

Atari Classics on Sony PSP Battlezone - Centipede - Millipede - Missile Command - Tempest - Lunar Lander - Super Breakout - Warlord - Asteroids...


11 ARCADE classics AND MORE THAN 40 ORIGINAL ATARI 2600 TITLEs land on the PlayStationPortable

Atari, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATAR), one of the worlds’ most recognized brands and a third-party video game publisher, today announced that Atari Classics Evolved, a large compilation of classic Atari arcade games, has shipped to retailers in North America just in time for the holiday season. Atari Classics Evolved, rated E for Everyone, is available on the PSP (PlayStationPortable) system for a suggested retail price of $19.99.

Atari Classics Evolved features a full gamut of genre-defining classics like Battlezone, Centipede, Millipede, Missile Command, Tempest, Lunar Lander, Super Breakout, Warlord, Asteroids, Asteroids Deluxe and Pong. In addition to the 11 arcade classics, players can unlock more than 40 original Atari 2600 titles. These titles include such noted favorites as Yar’s Revenge, Night Driver, Canyon Bomber and Crystal Castles among many others.

“Gamers today have gotten used to the increasing complexity of video games,” said Todd Slepian, Producer, Atari, Inc. “But it’s always nice to take a break from these monstrous titles and go back to the games that defined our childhoods. With so many fun classic games packed into such a small disc, it’s hard not to crack a little smile for days gone by.”

For true arcade authenticity, all 11 classic arcade titles in Atari Classics Evolved feature their original retro graphics, as well as an option for beautifully rendered “Evolved” graphics and enhanced gameplay. While retaining the tried-and-true gameplay of the original games, the 11 classic arcade titles also feature online leaderboards, allowing players to compare scores against some of the best players in the world. Some games also have local peer-to-peer wireless capability allowing players to compete in fierce local multiplayer matches.

For more information on Atari Classics Evolved, Atari and its entire product line-up please visit www.atari.com.

Urban Rivals massive online collectible card game and online store


Urban Rivals, the massive, online collectible card game is capitalizing on its brand image and universe to launch a range of spin-off products with the opening of its online goody store - http://www.urban-rivals.com/shop/goodies/

From December 20th, fans of Urban Rivals will be able to buy T-shirts, mugs, badges and bags all in the game's colours to show off their love for the game. All Urban Rivals merchandise will include unique designs from the game's in-house design team.

Since its Internet launch in April 2006, Urban Rivals has continued to grow in popularity, first in France and now internationally. Today, with more than one million registered players, Urban Rivals has well and truly established itself as a benchmark for online gaming.

Cellufun Launches "Merry Mobile', A Christmas Gaming Experience in the Cellphone Virtual World


Today, Cellufun, Inc., The World’s Mobile Playground, announced its Holiday celebration, “Merry Mobile”: a cooperative, community game where consumers celebrate the holidays in a mobile virtual world. Merry Mobile allows users to decorate their Cellufun homepages, shop for and give away gifts from a Virtual Mall and ring in the New Year all from their mobile phone.

Members of the Cellufun community will find a link on their homepage that invites them to “Spread the Holiday Cheer”. Users can then decorate their homepages with Christmas trees, shop for gifts at the Virtual Mall and compete in giving the most gifts.

Virtual Mall

The Merry Mobile game marks the launch of Cellufun’s Virtual Mall, which will continue for all future Cellufun activities and holiday events. Using their mobile profiles and avatars, players can shop for virtual gifts such as fruitcake from Herr Strudel’s Bakery and SpaceWars ship models from Miss Dolly’s Toy Shoppe, making purchases with Cellupoints. The next busy season in the Virtual Mall will be Valentine’s Day in February.

Cellufun, which had over 40 million page views in November of 2007, brings the virtual world of gift giving to a vibrant mobile community.

“For most of us, the mobile phone has become an extension of self,” said Steve Dacek, Cellufun’s CTO. “At the same time, virtual worlds and social networks have redefined our sense of community. So it made perfect sense to bring the virtual world experience to the phone, and to do it around the holidays. The gifts are virtual, but the joy of giving them is real.”

Virtual Giving… Real Life Charity

In the spirit of the season, the most generous player of the Merry Mobile game will be allowed to spread generosity in the real world. Cellufun will make a $1,000 donation in the most generous player’s name to the registered U.S. 501-c3 charity of their choice. Contest winners will be announced on January 8, 2008.

Learn more at www.cellufun.com

PopCap Offers 50% Discount on All Games through Christmas


Gift Certificate Option Enables 2-for-1 Gifting, With Recipient Choosing the Games; Offer Ends January 4, 2008

PopCap Games, the leading developer and publisher of casual games, announced that beginning today and continuing through 11:59 p.m. (PDT) on January 3, 2008, all of its games can be purchased for 50% off their regular prices at www.popcap.com. When used in tandem with the printable/email-able gift certificate on the site (in the lower left corner of the homepage), the limited-time discount also enables consumers to give the gift of casual games remotely or in printed form while allowing the recipients to choose the games after trying as many as they like for free. During the promotion, games that carry suggested retail prices (SRPs) of US$19.95 will be available for US$9.98, and games with SRPs of $14.95 will be available for US$7.48.

“With the holidays looming and people looking for that last-minute gift or something for the tough-to-buy-for person on their list, we decided it would be a good time to try a sizable discount offer and make it available in multiple forms,” explained John Vechey, co-founder of PopCap and director of online operations. “Whether it’s for the kid sister who’s in one of those ‘nothing is cool’ mindsets or the great-grandmother who already has everything else in the world, a PopCap game is a sure-fire gift that the whole family will enjoy.”

The printable/email-able gift certificate on PopCap’s site is whimsically illustrated with characters and iconic imagery from the company’s biggest hits including Bejeweled, Bookworm, Zuma and Insaniquarium. Using the gift certificate is fast and easy:

- Purchasing the gift certificate takes less than a minute via any major credit card.

- The certificate arrives via email within a few minutes and can be sent directly to the recipient, or forwarded by the purchaser. It can also be printed out and mailed in a card or stuffed in a stocking (standard CD jewel cases won’t fit in most stockings).

- The gift giver doesn’t need to know which game(s) would be most enjoyed by the recipient – the gift certificate can be applied to any of the four dozen games available on PopCap’s Website.

- Even the recipient of the gift certificate doesn’t need to choose a game “blindly” – thanks to PopCap’s “try before you buy” policy, any and all games on the site can be played by the recipient, after which the preferred game(s) can be “purchased” via the gift certificate instantly.

- To redeem the gift certificate, the recipient simply enters the certificate code during the normal check-out process on PopCap.com.

No special coupon or code is required to take advantage of the 50% discount offer; all purchases of downloadable games for PC and Mac computers made on the site (via credit card or gift certificate redemption) will occur at half the regular price. Purchasers should bear in mind that gift certificates redeemed after January 3, 2008 will not be eligible for the 50% discount – note also that the gift certificates are not directly tied to the 50% promotion and thus never expire. Further, a gift certificate is not required in order to take advantage of the 50% discount during the promotional period. Versions of PopCap’s games for cell phones and other mobile devices are not eligible for the discount nor can they be purchased via gift certificate redemption. No other discount codes are eligible for use on the same purchases during this holiday promotion*.

About PopCap

PopCap Games (www.popcap.com) is the leading multi-platform provider of “casual games” — fun, easy-to-learn, captivating computer games that appeal to everyone from age 6 to 106. Based in Seattle, Washington, PopCap was founded in 2000 and has a worldwide staff of over 160 people in Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Vancouver, B.C. and Dublin. Its games have been downloaded more than 1 billion times by consumers worldwide, and its flagship title, Bejeweled, has sold more than 10 million units across all platforms. Constantly acclaimed by consumers and critics, PopCap’s games are played on the Web, desktop computers, myriad mobile devices (cell phones, smartphones, PDAs, Pocket PCs, iPod and more), popular game consoles (such as Xbox), and in-flight entertainment systems. PopCap is the only casual games developer with leading market share across all major sales channels, including Web portals, retail stores, mobile operators and developers, and game device manufacturers.

SPACE EMPIRES V - STRATEGY FIRST RELEASES PATCH v1.66


Software Publisher Strategy First Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Silverstar Holdings, Ltd. (Nasdaq: SSTR), is releasing a new Patch for “Space Empires V.” The Space Empires V patch version 1.66 will update the English U.S. version of “Space Empires V” to version 1.66. See the history.txt file for a complete list of the changes and fixes included in the patch. The new Space Empires V patch will also be available to Steam users to download via Steam.

Download the patch today directly from the Space Empires website at: http://spaceempires5.com/files/se5patch_v166.exe

The history file can also be downloaded directly from the Space Empires website at: http://spaceempires5.com/files/se5patch_v166.txt

About Space Empires V

“Space Empires V” is the new edition in the Space Empires series. This new chapter’s completely updated UI takes the player into a real-time rendered 3D universe. Watch space battles played out with incredible detail and realistic effects. Expand, Explore, Exploit, and Exterminate in a huge living and breathing galaxy. New features abound, with political alliances between multiple empires, top-down ship design systems, hexagonal movement grids, and much more.

Space Empire V is rated E for Everyone by ESRB. For more info on “Space Empire V” or to purchase directly from Strategy First visit: http://www.strategyfirst.com/en/games/SpaceEmpiresV/

About Malfador Machinations

Malfador Machinations, founded in 1995, is a noted developer of PC strategy games. Its previous titles include “Space Empires Series”, and “Dungeon Odyssey”. Malfador Machinations’ is based out of Santa Rosa, CA. www.malfador.com

THIRD BOMB-UP ADD-ON PACK FOR BOMBERMAN video game on XBox Live


Hudson Ups the Arsenal for Bomberman LIVE with Bomb-Up Pack 3

Hudson Entertainment, the North American publishing arm for Hudson Soft, today announced that they are releasing Bomb-Up Pack 3, the third add-on pack for their “IGN Editor’s Choice Award”-winning Bomberman LIVE game for Xbox LIVE Arcade for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. This new add-on pack will add more than a dozen new features, including ten new characters, two additional levels, two new leaderboards, and a brand new game mode. Bomb-Up Pack 3 is expected to launch on December 26 and will cost 250 Microsoft Points.

With these latest additions, players will be able to further enjoy the non-stop, explosive action of Bomberman LIVE in new arenas, including “Cavity Land,” a delicious candy land, and the fully-automated assembly lines of “Robot Factory.”

“We’ve enjoyed great success with Bomberman LIVE and all of its additional downloadable content,” said John Greiner, President and CEO of Hudson Entertainment. “We strive to give gamers what they want, including tournaments, and providing content via Xbox LIVE is a great way to do so.”

This Bomberman LIVE add-on pack will add the following features:


  • Ten New Characters – With new characters like “Shinobi Bomb” the ninja and “Bomb2-D2” the robot, players can customize their in-game Bomberman in even more new ways.


  • Two Additional Levels – New arenas include “Cavity Land,” a sugary sweet candy land, and the industrial “Robot Factory.” Both levels allow users to select any gimmick to use.


  • One New Game Mode – In “Friendly Fire,” there’s no place to hide as you race to get the most frags. Players start with the “power bomb” power-up and hard blocks are replaced by holes, leaving nothing to stop explosions, except Bombermen!


  • Two New Leaderboards – Gaze down upon the Bomberman masses from atop two new ranking systems on the Xbox LIVE network. The new leaderboards will track performance on both a weekly and an all-time basis for the new “Friendly Fire” game mode.


About Bomberman

Originally launched in the US in 1987, the game captured gamers’ hearts with its simple yet challenging gameplay. With over 60 iterations on nearly all major consoles since then, and over 10 million units sold, winning accolades as the best multiplayer game of all time, this classic game has stood the test of time. The overall design appeals to gamers of all ages, and to both men and women. The game is simple enough: from a top-down perspective, you compete against other players in a grid-like arena. Your only weapon is a bomb, which you can drop to clear out obstacles or to knock out your opponents. Players can pick up upgrades, which become available when they clear obstacles, to increase their chances of winning. The game is fun, yet frantic, and brings out the most competitive spirit in all of us!

SAMURAI WARRIORS: KATANA FOR NINTENDO Wii goes GOLD


KOEI's First-Person Action-Adventure Will Ship to North American Retailers on January 15, 2008

KOEI, recognized worldwide as the premier brand of strategy and action games, today announced that Samurai Warriors: KATANA for Nintendo Wii has reached gold status and is set to ship to North American retailers starting on January 15, 2008. Players can pre-order the game now at GameStop.com, EBGames.com and Amazon.com.

KOEI has also launched the official minisite for Samurai Warriors: KATANA at: www.koei.com/katana. On the site players can learn more about the game, watch exclusive movies and more.

About Samurai Warriors: KATANA

Using an exhilarating first-person perspective, Samurai Warriors: KATANA is based on the hugely popular Samurai Warriors series and delivers total arcade-style action right into your own home. By mastering different weapons using the motion-sensitive Wii Remote™, veteran and first-time players alike will discover a whole new dimension of excitement to the Samurai Warriors series of games.

On each mission, legendary samurai and allies will serve as your guide. Prevent pirates from invading your ships, rescue maidens from a burning castle, and explore mysterious caverns stalked by ninjas. These and many more challenging missions require quick reflexes, fast thinking, and precision marksmanship.

On the battlefield ninja assassins will be poised to strike at your every turn, but with close-range and long-range weapons, you’ll be well equipped for your counterattack. Combat gets up close and personal with the classic samurai sword, spear, and mighty war hammer, but you can still target enemy soldiers in the distance using a bow and arrow, a gun, and even a cannon.

Samurai Warriors: KATANA offers three different modes of play. Action-packed with nearly 30 hours of game play, Musou Mode takes you on an incredible adventure through Feudal Japan. Samurai-in-training can prepare for battle with a multitude of challenges in Trial Mode. Here you’ll earn gold which can be used to purchase weapons and precious items. And in Vs. Mode, you can go head-to-head with a friend in eight exciting mini games.

Developed by KOEI’s award-winning internal team, Omega Force, Samurai Warriors: KATANA is rated “T” (Teen – Mild Language, Violence) by the ESRB. Samurai Warriors: KATANA has three difficulty levels for players of all skill levels, and is for up to 2 players (in Vs. mode). This game features Dolby Pro Logic II audio. Media can find watermark-free assets at gamespress.com. For more information about Samurai Warriors: KATANA, visit www.koei.com/katana.

Giant GameBoy with tetris game for sale

Item for sale is an extremely rare Game Boy Display Station for stores to demo the original Game Boy during its release years. The Display Station plays Tetris and displays it (as pictured) on the large screen as well as on the Game Boy itself. The sound comes out strongly from the working speakers built into the station. The Tetris game, including all buttons, work great without any set time interruption/undesired resetting. There is a red "reset" button. There is no on/off switch. As soon as the 3-prong (standard) plug is plugged in, the Display Station turns on.


The screen quality is great, considering how old this unit is.

I have not had the unit on for over two hours in order to preserve the life of this historic piece.

The screen quality looks better than the pictures can capture. The figures are not as fuzzy as Picture 2 represents. That "bright line" or "discoloration" that you may be able to see in Picture 2 appears there because of the effect of taking a screenshot with a camera.

Since I don't have the key to open the lock (pictured) I cannot interchange the games. Even with the key I'm not sure if you can interchange the games. But I'm pretty sure that if you can operate a screwdriver you can change out the games, assuming that you have a key made by a locksmith. Using an allen wrench, I unscrewed the unit from the stand to show that unit can be picked up in a normal size car.

2008 video games we most want to see ...


Supreme Commander ^ - coming to XBox 360


Alone in the Dark ^


Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution ^


Hail to the Chimp ^


Culdcept Saga ^


Halo Wars ^


Universe at War: Earth Assault ^


Brütal Legend ^


Silent Hill 5 ^


Tom Clancy’s EndWar ^


World in Conflict ^


Too Human ^

Free Kane & Lynch: Dead Men Demo on Microsoft XBox 360 Live

Just look at the traffic on those roads....

A demo for Kane & Lynch: Dead Men has surfaced on Xbox Live, provided you have a gold membership and want to download it this week.

It comes in at 520 megs of pure naughtiness.

[ESRB: M (Mature) BLOOD,DRUG REFERENCE,INTENSE VIOLENCE, STRONG LANGUAGE]
A flawed mercenary and medicated psychopath in a brutal tale of hate, loss and revenge.
Featuring hard-edged criminal action, co-op play explosive squad-based combat and back-stabbing online multiplayer experience that will blow you away.

Atari - Driver - GTO model car - press gift on EBay

Promotional only GTO for the Driver Parallel Lines game by Atari.

Excellent condition.

Buyer pays $15 shipping.

Given out only to freelancer and video game magazine editors!


Sales in Japan: Nintendo Wii Fit Beats the other Wii Games Up


The weekly software sales in Japan are in, and it seems as if Nintendo's exercise game Wii Fit is not only causing a run on Wii hardware: It's significantly spiking sales of other Wii games, too.

Did you think Wii sales were on the decline in Japan? Did you think Super Mario Galaxy was going to tank outright? I myself was guilty of these transgressions, but I stand corrected.

Two weeks ago, Super Mario Galaxy only clocked in at No:11 on the charts, selling fewer than 34,000 copies. But look at the numbers now:



01 Mario Party DS (Nintendo) - 180,000 / 826,000
02 Wii Fit (Nintendo) - 124,000 / 535,000
03 Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (Sony) - 116,000 / NEW
04 Prof. Layton and Pandora's Box (Level 5) - 74,000 / 444,000
05 Super Mario Galaxy (Nintendo) - 74,000 / 550,000

It's pandemonium. Especially when you consider the second half of the chart:

06 Dragon Quest IV (Square-Enix) - 73,000 / 868,000
07 Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Nintendo) - 64,000 / 212,000
08 Wii Sports (Nintendo) - 55,000 / 2,341,000
09 Wii Play (Nintendo) - 55,000 / 1,921,000
10 Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon: the Labyrinth of Forgotten Time (Square-Enix) - 41,000 / NEW

Yep, Wii Sports, Wii Play, and Mario and Sonic both pulled themselves up by the bootstraps and sold tens of thousands more copies than they did over the last couple of reporting periods. Near as I can tell, Wii Fit is causing more people to go out and buy Wii, and they're picking up a couple few games with it, too.

There's also just the general year-end excitement that happens 'round this time, and we'll see more boosts in sales overall as the week goes on. I wonder what kinds of legs Mario Galaxy et al will have throughout the year.

Will Mario drop off after New Year's, or will it soldier on at 30,000 copies per week? Has it finally caught on with Wii owners? Are traditional video games dead, or were they just waiting for Mario to come back?

Not one XBox game made the chart.

Rail simulator for PC direct download with free Thorn pack - Jan 17


Drive a train through the legendary Cajon Pass and across the rolling expanses of scenic desert between Barstow and San Bernardino in Rail Simulator.

In the Thorn Pack available only in this pre-order campaign - you’ll get seven unique locomotives and rolling stock as well as the exclusive Thorn Reversal scenario.

Deliver a rake of mixed freight to the sidings at Thorn, then stop off at East Victorville on the way to pick up a new set of wagons.



The next evolution in railway simulation - Enter the most authentic, customisable railway simulation, from the pioneering team that shaped the world of train simulation.

Accurately re-created routes and rolling stock - Travel over 1900km of track on faithfully reproduced UK and continental routes, driving eight great trains of today and yesteryear.

Your imagination is your only buffer - Create and share new content with powerful, user-friendly editors; expand your rail world with a range of professional add-ons.

Developed by enthusiasts for every simulation user - Simple, family-friendly interface delivers an authentic railway experience; you’ll drive and design in Rail Simulator for years to come.

Direct download here: http://eastore.ea.com:80/servlet/ControllerServlet?Action=DisplayPage&Env=BASE&Locale=en_US&SiteID=ea&id=ProductDetailsPage&productID=81893300

Free Crysis demo direct download PC video game


Get in the game faster than ever by downloading the latest EA games straight from the EA Store. It’s easy.

It’s fast. It’s secure.

Look for this icon to purchase and play games the second they hit the market!


http://eastore.ea.com/store/ea/DisplayHomePage/?sourceid=ea1272

Controller free video games systems say Intel ...


Intel predicts camera-powered, controller-free game system

While waggling your Wii remote around provides a decent approximation of natural motion, Intel predicts a future where cameras will provide highly accurate motion data to a game system. "We imagine some future generation of [Nintendo's] Wii won't have hand controllers," Intel Chief Technology Officer Justin Rattner, told Business Week. "You just set up the cameras around the room and wave your hand like you're playing tennis."

It should be noted that there's nothing in the article to indicate that Rattner has any insider info on Nintendo's plans -- more than likely he was just theorizing about what he'd like to see in a future system. Still, the idea of a camera-based 3D motion-sensing setup has incredible potential for gaming. More than the simple video transposition of the Xbox Live Vision Camera or the PlayStation Eye, a multi-camera system could model your three-dimensional movements in real time, in effect placing a digital version of you in the game. The result could revolutionize the way we play games and even how they're made -- after all, why should developers use motion captured performances when the players can provide them for themselves?

Such a theoretical system would take quite a bit of processing power, though, which might explain why Intel is talking it up -- after all, they already have a chip that can perform one trillion calculations a second. The future's so bright, we're using our Wii remotes as makeshift shades.

Source: Joystiq