NEW DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT IN MARCH FOR GUITAR HERO III: LEGENDS OF ROCK

ACTIVISION UNVEILS NEW DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT IN MARCH FOR GUITAR HERO III: LEGENDS OF ROCK

Modern Metal Pack to Feature Chart-Toppers from Avenged Sevenfold, Deftones and Thrice Dropkick Murphys On Tap for Free Download Available in Time for Dropkick Murphys On Tap for Free Download Available in Time for St. Patrick's Day Celebrations

New downloadable songs for Activision Inc.’s Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock are set to storm living rooms across the globe with the release of two new track packs.

Available today is the Modern Metal pack which let's players jam to master recordings of Deftones’ “Hole in the Earth,” Avenged Sevenfold’s “Almost Easy” and Thrice’s “The Arsonist.” The track pack is now on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and will be available later today on PLAYSTATION Store for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system.

Additionally, Activision will be kicking off the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with a special free track pack from the popular Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys that will be available mid March. Straight from the band’s sixth album, The Meanest of Times, the Dropkick Murphys pack will include master recordings of “Famous for Nothing,” “(F)lannigan’s Ball” and “Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya.” The track pack will be available for free to download on Xbox LIVE Marketplace and PLAYSTATION Store.

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock offers the ultimate rock experience with new wireless guitars, freshly added content and features including a multiplayer action-inspired battle mode, grueling boss battles, a host of exclusive unlockable content and visually stunning rock venues. Expanded online multiplayer modes allow axe-shredders worldwide to compete head-to-head for true rock status as they riff through a star-studded soundtrack including master tracks by legendary artists such as Aerosmith, Guns 'N' Roses, The Rolling Stones, Beastie Boys, Rage Against the Machine and Pearl Jam, as well as original songs by guitar icons Slash and Tom Morello. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is now available and is rated "T" for Teen by the ESRB. For more information visit www.guitarhero.com.

Dance Battle Audition - World's biggest dance game starts UK tour

World's biggest dance game starts UK tour

Dance Battle Audition, the most popular online video game in the world, has arrived in the UK...in a big pink bus.

There are over 300 million people playing Audition online in Japan, China and South East Asia - that's more than the population of America! - and the Korean company behind it, G10, have brought the game to the UK in a bus decked with 15 PC's for gamers to experience the game that has swept through the East.

Audition is also available to download for free at www.goaudition.co.uk. It's a casual game, which means it's very easy to play - all you need is the arrow keys and the spacebar.

Just download the game, choose your character, and start dancing. You can customise your character to suit your tastes, and even challenge your friends to a dance-off!

The audition bus is currently touring London - see www.goaudition.co.uk for full details - and will be visiting the rest of country from April.

Play.com Live: Win one of TWO Dodge Nitro's playing Soul Calibur IV next week!

Play.com Live: Win one of TWO Dodge Nitro's playing Soul Calibur IV next week!

Ubisoft proudly reveals the UK exclusive first play of Soul Calibur IV only at Play.com Live. Play as Darth Vader or Yoda in the new version of the classic Soul Calibur series and you could drive away in a brand spanking new Dodge Nitro SUV!

Two afternoon tournaments will see the UK’s best gamers fight it out to drive home the prize from Wembley. See http://www.dodge.co.uk/nitro/ for details of the prize!

In addition Ubisoft will be offering the lucky attendees to the show a chance to win one of TWO holidays to Las Vegas to celebrate the imminent release of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 on PC, Xbox 360 and PS3.

About Play.com Live

The Play.com Live event on March 15 and 16 will give people the chance to try out the latest computer games and watch the hottest bands – all inside the world famous home of UK football.

TV babe Gemma Atkinson (ex-Hollyoaks and I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!) and Virgin Radio presenter Iain Lee will host the two-day extravaganza which includes performances top bands including We Are Scientists.

Tickets cost just £6 per adult and £3 for children and can be purchased through www.play.com/live. They are available to buy for a morning or afternoon visit to the show on either day.

Pinnacle unveils magical first Nintendo DS title Doodle Hex

Pinnacle Software, a division of Pinnacle Entertainment Ltd, has announced its first Nintendo DS title for worldwide distribution. Entitled Doodle Hex, the game is a magic themed mixture of spell-casting, battle elements and unique Japanese styled anime characters. Doodle Hex will be released in June 2008.

Developed by renowned Spanish team Tragnarion, Doodle Hex has been created specifically for the DS format, and makes innovative use of the handheld’s touch screen abilities within a clever spell-casting scenario. Players – nicknamed ‘Doodlers’ - are enrolled within a special College of Runes, wherein they are charged with learning the intricacies of rune-casting and their use within elemental magic. However, the tedium of college life is regularly interrupted by the school ghost, Kalamazoo, who organizes battles between the students as a way to further test their rune knowledge and casting skills.

Doodle Hex thus takes the form of a competitive spell-casting game where players use the DS stylus to draw their chosen runes in the centre of the touch screen, summoning spells that will transform, attack and weaken their opponent. The ultimate idea of the game is to deplete your rival’s energy bar before they can do the same to you.

Using a stunning comic book-effect interface, Doodle Hex works as either a single player or two-player head-to-head experience. In single player mode you will encounter an increasingly tough roster of challengers, where as two player head to head mode will allow you to cast your wits and spells against your friends with exhilarating conflicts and effects. 14 characters are available to select, each of whom has a specialist field in rune use. Having selected a character, the game begins and ‘Doodlers’ can send as many runes as they are able during the course of a battle, which creates a more open and unpredictable challenge than in turn-based games.

The runes in Doodle Hex can be used to attack, restore health or be unleashed as devastating combination attacks, incapacitating your opponent or even their ability to cast their own spells. As each player gains enough energy, spells available to cast are highlighted; the more powerful runes will deplete more energy from the Doodler’s who is casting than the less powerful attacks will. It is possible for both players to block incoming spells by activating a shield icon, however specific combination attacks can counter this, adding an extra element of skill and lateral thinking to the gameplay.

With over 250 available challenges, Wi-Fi compatibility for exciting two-player head-to-head action, and a wide range of unlockable bonuses, Doodle Hex is one of the most innovative and playable puzzle games to hit Nintendo DS to date. Its simple interface and huge number of runes to master combine to create a stunning and truly spell-binding challenge.

UNIQUE HACK 'N' SLASH ASPECTS OF HARD TO BE A GOD DOWNLOAD DEMO

UNIQUE HACK 'N' SLASH ASPECTS OF HARD TO BE A GOD REVEALED

TAKE ON GODS AND IMMORTAL BEINGS WITH LASERS AND SWORDS IN EXTRAORDINARY ACTION PACKED GAME

Hard To Be A God, the new action and adventure game from Ascaron to be released in April, has an enviable variety of weapons, enemies and gameplay. Over 200 different weapons are available to use on a variety of enemies, as a secret agent from a futuristic Earth explores the medieval and alien planet of Tsurinak.

Choice of weapons

The arsenal includes scorchers, modifiers, mini-guns and sophisticated gadgets, contrasting with the swords, axes and bow and arrows wielded by the combatants of Arkanar. To be successful in the quests all types of weapons must be mastered; a sword will be less effective than a mini-gun when surrounded by a horde of bandits but easier to wield and more effective when duelling on horseback.

Variety of enemies

As the game progresses the character takes on different allegiances as a variety of roles are explored, fighting with bandits during one quest and then against them on the next. It is not just humans that are a concern either, as monsters, immortal beings and ‘the gods’ all feature in a game encompassing over 350 unique characters.

The range of adversaries to overcome has an impact on weapon choice; guards and bandits can be despatched with a sword, but a giant monster may be best tackled with a scorcher or laser cannon.

Valliant steeds

Horses are an important feature in Hard to be A God, distinguishing it from other games and bringing a new element of gameplay to the genre. Different types of horse, from armoured beast to peasant jade, can be used for travel or battle, providing extra speed when attempting to escape guards or get to different areas.

Horseback combat is a very significant part of the game and an important skill to develop. At times the character may be chasing a bandit with sword drawn, and then in another scenario blades will clash whilst on horseback as mounted guards do battle with the secret agent.

Try your luck at survival by visiting www.hardtobeagod.com to download the demo.

FANTASY GAME "EDGE OF TWILIGHT" COMING TO SONY PLAYSTATION 3 MICROSOFT XBOX 360 AND WINDOWS PC

STEAMPUNK FANTASY GAME "EDGE OF TWILIGHT" COMING TO PLAYSTATION 3, XBOX 360, AND PC

Strikingly Original Action Adventure Game, Powered By Unreal 3 Engine, Hits Shelves in 2009

SouthPeak Games has announced that Fuzzyeyes Studios’ “Edge of Twilight” will be available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and PC in 2009. The game is currently under development at Fuzzyeyes Studio, using the Unreal 3 Engine under license to Southpeak.

“We are very excited to help bring Fuzzyeye’s creative vision to life. The team spent a lot of time developing a comprehensive story to give the universe a history and purpose, which can change based on the players interaction within the world.” said Melanie Mroz, CEO of SouthPeak.

Edge of Twilight takes the player into a lavishly envisioned steampunk world to play as Lex, an outcast bounty hunter who finds himself caught between clashes of two polar opposite civilizations. Delivering a unique brand of fast-paced cinematic action, the game will be a truly immersive experience.

“It is energizing to see our unique vision take shape. We are bringing some unusual ideas to the table and so far we couldn’t be happier with the results,” said Wei-Yao Lu, CEO of Fuzzyeyes. “Gamers should look forward to 2009!”

Edge Of Twilight will be released in 2009. Visit www.edge-of-twilight.com for more information.

New European Server launch for Lineage II: The Chaotic Throne

NCsoft Europe Prepares To Launch New European Server For Lineage II: The Chaotic Throne
Increased demand for NCsoft's acclaimed MMORPG Lineage II celebrated with launch of additional EU server.

Thursday 6th March/... Brighton, England – NCsoft Europe, the world’s leading publisher and developer of online games, will soon be launching a new European server for its hit massively multiplayer online PC game, Lineage II.

Since its worldwide launch in late 2003, Lineage II has been an unparalleled success, reaching more than 17 million players worldwide and gaining a reputation as the gaming market’s premier player-versus-player (PvP) MMOG. Following the December 2007 launch of Lineage II’s latest expansion, The Kamael, which added a staggering gigabyte’s worth of new content to the game, demand for European server access is running at an all time high as new players rush to join long-time fans. By launching a new server, called Luna, alongside the existing European servers Franz and Teon, NCsoft Europe has quickly moved to ensure continued, instant access and smooth online gameplay for new and current players of Lineage II.

Lineage II is an epic, online fantasy adventure like no other. It offers a dynamic online world, drawn in exquisite detail and populated with wonderfully lush landscapes, intricately sculpted fortresses and beautifully realised characters. Players can storm massive castles, fend off majestic beasts, ride dragons into battle and conquer formidable rival clans as they aim to become part of the Kingdom of Aden’s political and social elite. With the launch of The Kamael players can enjoy an entirely new playable race, a mysterious breed of one winged soldiers with an affinity to dark magic, along with a completely enhanced new player experience that’s helped to introduce thousands of new adventurers to Lineage II’s incredible world.

“Lineage II is a remarkable game that truly encapsulates the very best that the massively multiplayer online RPG genre has to offer. With its deep, immersive gameplay and thrilling player Vs player combat the demand for server access across Europe continues to be incredible.” said Mirko Gozzo, Lineage II product manager at NCsoft Europe. “We’re delighted to be launching a brand new European server for a game that continues to go from strength to strength.”

NCsoft expects the new Lineage II server, Luna, to launch at the end of April.

The standard edition box of Lineage II: The Kamael is available now at major retailers at a recommended retail price of £14.99 / €19.99 and at the PlayNC store (http://eu.plaync.com/eu/store/). The game includes a 15 day time card in addition to the standard 30 days play; giving players a total of 45 days play time. Monthly subscription fee to the game is £8.99 / €12.99. The game is rated 12+ by PEGI (www.pegi.info). For more information please visit www.discoverlineage2.com

Pendulum Spins into Action with Digital Extremes for Dark Sector's Cinematic Cut Scenes

Pendulum Spins into Action with Digital Extremes for Dark Sector's Cinematic Cut Scenes

Pendulum, a leading digital animation & fx studio for the advertising, video game and entertainment industries, announced today that some of its latest work will be seen in the highly anticipated game, Dark Sector™. D3Publisher and Digital Extremes'original 3rd-person action-shooter, designed exclusively for next-generation gaming, will feature over 13 minutes of original Pendulum-directed cinematic cut-scenes portraying critical story elements of the game.

Pendulum designed, story-boarded, directed and animated seven in-game cut scenes, using Softimage XSI, and worked closely with the Digital Extremes development team to facilitate those sequences being exported to the game developer's proprietary next-gen technology, the Evolution Engine™. Starting with the creation of original storyboards, based on the Dark Sector narrative script, Pendulum then scanned those boards and used Final Cut to edit them into 2D Animatics, so as to define story pacing and basic shot layouts. These were subsequently translated into 3D Animatics and relied upon by Pendulum's Michael McCormick and Robert Taylor for scene blocking and added efficiency during their direction of multiple days of motion capture. Facial animation was executed using a combination of Digital Extremes' in-game facial animation rigs and Pendulum's proprietary facial software. Working closely with the Digital Extremes team, Pendulum was able to conform to the developer's unique pipeline and help smooth the sequences' integration into the game.

"Pendulum got it. They understood from day one that creating amazing cinematics is about iteration and collaboration," said Sheldon Carter, Digital Extremes' Producer for Dark Sector. "And that's exactly what we were looking for in a creative partner. Someone who could see our creative vision and help us raise the quality bar of the cinematics to match the AAA quality game we were designing. The end result are incredible cinematics that we can all be proud of."

A dark gritty experience packed with fast action, incredible superpowers and an engaging story, Dark Sector represents the next evolution of interactive action. Dark Sector thrusts players into the role of Hayden Tenno, a covert operative sent on a dangerous mission into Lasria - an Eastern European city on the brink of ruin that hides a deadly Cold War secret. In the midst of this mission, Hayden is attacked by an unknown enemy and infected by the Technocyte Virus, a brutal bio-weapon that twists its victims into mindless killing machines. Surviving this attack, Hayden finds that the Technocyte virus has granted him powerful inhuman abilities, unlike anything he has ever seen. Now, he must evolve along with his powers, survive, and become a hero. The 7 cut scenes, all integrated into and played back from within Digital Extremes' powerful Evolution Engine, tell this story with stark clarity and high-octane action.

Pendulum owners, McCormick and Taylor, served as the project's Directors, with Colin Hodges as the project's 3D Technical Lead and Wade Ammon as the studio's cinematics Producer. Motion Capture was provided by Los Angeles-based Vicon House of Moves.

Damnation new video game for Microsoft Xbox 360 Sony PlayStation 3 and Windows PC

The action shooter goes vertical as Codemasters signs Damnation from Blue Omega Entertainment.

Set to change the landscape of third person action/shooters forever, catch the dizzying views at www.codemasters.com/playdamnation

Codemasters, a leading video game publisher, and US creative studio Blue Omega Entertainment today announced Damnation, a new videogame franchise set to come leaping onto the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Games for Windows this winter.

Evolving the shooter genre with its unique and exhilarating combination of fluid action and combat, Damnation will feature huge, open environments, frenetic combat, daredevil acrobatics and high-octane vehicle-based stunts. Presenting players with an intense test of reflexes, quick thinking and rapid-fire conflict, Damnation will feature vast, breathtaking landscapes, each covering miles of distance and thousands of vertical feet.

Billed as a 'shooter gone vertical' and visually inspired by iconic elements of American history, these massive streaming landscapes will form the battlegrounds for a post-industrial conflict between humanity and an unstoppable arms dealer hell-bent on total world domination.

Players will be able to choose their own paths and navigate the world by performing daredevil feats on the edge of human ability. However players aren't the only ones with mind-blowing acrobatic skills; intelligent enemies will give chase and engage players in frantic gun fights and attacks that can come from any direction – in Damnation's world there's no safe place to hide.

With up to three hours of actual gameplay stretching out in front of them per level, players will need more than just muscle power to get across each level safely. Damnation will offer players a selection of awe-inspiring vehicles, from motorbikes capable of launching across seemingly infinite chasms, to huge, armour-piercing marvels that will induce mayhem with every huge shell.

The high action will be supported with an epic and in-depth story which, while focusing on the exploits of the hero character Rourke, is truly an ensemble piece. Players will meet and become involved in intricate story plots that reveal much more than the obvious.

In addition to the single player experience, Damnation comes complete with a unique set of multiplayer options that take full advantage of the game's expansive levels. Currently in development at Blue Omega's facilities in Annapolis, USA, Damnation will be available for Xbox 360, the PLAYSTATION 3 system and Games for Windows in late 2008. For more information and to catch a glimpse of what the future of gaming has in store, visit http://www.codemasters.co.uk/games/.

Driving simulation: Bus Driver to launch in US

The Wheels at Meridian4 Go Round and Round!

Meridian4 (http://www.meridian4.com) is pleased to announce that they will be publishing SCS Software’s addictive driving simulation; Bus Driver in North America and Australia. The game, which is already a success with fans in Europe, will be hitting our shores in May. So everyone behind the yellow line, get to the back of the bus and make sure you have exact change because this is going to be a great ride!

“When I first saw the name Bus Driver, I said…really? After playing the game and learning of SCS Software’s heritage with games like Deer Hunter II & III and the successful 18 Wheels of Steel series, I knew that Bus Driver would be a hit with the right audience." said Steve Milburn, Marketing Director at Meridian4. “Bus Driver will catch you off guard and have you obsessed within minutes.”

“Having successfully launched the game across Europe, we are delighted to partner with Meridian4 to bring Bus Driver to Northern American fans of the game." said Pavel Sebor, CEO at SCS Software

About Bus Driver

In Bus Driver, your job is to transport passengers around an attractive and realistic city. You must drive to a timetable on a planned route, while obeying traffic rules, and taking care not to upset or injure your passengers. This makes Bus Driver unlike any other driving game - the experience of driving a bus is very different from blazing through a racing circuit.

• 12 buses to drive – detailed models inspired by real-world buses, including London’s double-decker bus, America’s school bus, Europe’s low floor buses and many more
  
• 30 routes arranged into 5 tiers with increasing difficulty
  
• Multiple duties, such as driving a school bus, transporting tourists, sight-seeing tours and even the transportation of prisoners
  
• High replay value based on sophisticated system of traffic rules and game-play related bonuses.
  
• Large city to drive in, with several districts of varying styles: modern, old-town, suburb, airport, harbor and more with day/night cycles and realistic weather conditions.
  
• Living roads with intelligent traffic controlled by AI system
  
• Non-violent, easy to pick up gameplay, suitable for all ages.
  

The World Ends With You game on Nintendo DS

The World Ends With You - release date announcement

Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of Square Enix interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, today announces that THE WORLD ENDS WITH YOU, an exciting new title from the makers of KINGDOM HEARTS, will be released across all PAL territories from 18th April, 2008 exclusively on the Nintendo DS system.

Previously known as Subarashiki Kono Sekai on its release in Japan. THE WORLD ENDS WITH YOU is an innovative new title from Square Enix that fully utilizes the capabilities of the Nintendo DS, and takes major influence from Japan's modern day culture including its people, music, clothes, food and design.

Set in Tokyo's trendiest district, the story begins with the lead character Neku waking up to find a phone message stating he has only 7 days before he will cease to exist. Only with the coolest fashions, friends and fighting skills can Neku restore hope to the city's population and prevent being stricken from existence altogether!

John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. comments, "Square Enix has traditionally been associated with RPG's set in fantasy lands, but THE WORLD ENDS WITH YOU is our first ever game to be set in modern times and real-life locations. We believe gamers of all ages and abilities will be able to enjoy all that THE WORLD ENDS WITH YOU has to offer."

For further information about THE WORLD ENDS WITH YOU, please visit the official website at www.theworldendswithyou.co.uk

About THE WORLD ENDS WITH YOU

Story
The story begins as our hero, Neku, wakes up amidst the hustle and bustle of Shibuya, Tokyo. Confused and disoriented, he receives a message on his phone warning him that he will cease to exist unless he completes a certain mission. With his life seemingly on the line, Neku plunges into the back streets of the urban labyrinth...

Features
- Experience the urban grit and neon of the coolest district in Tokyo with a distinctive, high quality style of in-game artwork
- Meet an achingly hip cast of characters each with an interesting personality and stylish sense in fashion, music and culture
- Highly innovative and intuitive combat system that makes full use of the Nintendo DS Dual Screens and Microphone like no other game before it!
- Use fantastic psychic powers to read the thoughts of the population, put words into people's minds, and move objects to help you progress in your adventure!
- Immerse yourself in an amazing audio soundtrack featuring a diverse fusion of bleeding-edge hip-hop, rock, and techno
- A tale of friendship, hope and overcoming your challenges, creatively told with a modern edge
- Shop till you drop! Keep abreast of the latest Trends to stay one step ahead of the fashion scene and your enemies
- Action-packed minigame fun that can be enjoyed by up to four players via DS Wireless Play!
- Engage the Chance Encounter mode via DS Wireless Play to share data with fellow game users you bump into in the real world

CITY OF HEROES: The Ultimate Heroic Weekend CITY OF HEROES

CITY OF HEROES: The Ultimate Heroic Weekend CITY OF HEROES: The Ultimate Heroic Weekend
Every Hero Is Invited to the Centre's Biggest Ever Gaming Weekender!

Omega Sektor and NCsoft Europe announce a special Easter Weekend Gaming Spectacular that you won’t want to miss! CITY OF HEROES: The Ultimate Heroic Weekend will run from 21st – 24th March and will include gaming, dancing, drinking and a chance to win exclusive goodies and meet some of the greatest heroes and villains around.

There will be non-stop activities running throughout the daytime across Saturday, Sunday and Monday with entry priced at £5 a day. In addition, hero wannabes are invited to special evening events on Friday and Saturday night, with entry tickets priced at £5 and £10 respectively.

The fun starts at 8pm on 21st March as Omega Sektor hosts a Heroes and Villains Masquerade Ball, where guests are invited to come along dressed as their favourite comic alter ego, and the best dressed will win a One Year Free Play Pass to be used at Omega Sektor. The party will run until midnight and include gaming challenges and tournaments, special drinks and music from the resident DJ. Members of the City of Heroes Community Team will be on hand to meet and greet players, and special guest Mellisa ‘WarWitch’ Bianco (game designer) will be flying in from the US to make the weekend an event to remember.

The weekend gets into full swing on Saturday 22nd when doors open at 10.00am with heroes and villains taking to the floor to meet the people posing for photos and signing autographs. Special guests include Ms Liberty and The Ghost Widow from the City of Heroes & City of Villains games. Money raised from selling the photographs will be donated to a special charity - the Draw the World Together Foundation whose artists will also be on hand to sketch players as their favourite comic characters. Activities will run until 24th March.

On Saturday night there will be a special Night Play session, where gamers are invited to play into to early hours. Tickets for any of the days’ events are available in advance from the Omega Sektor reception or via the ticket hotline 0121 200 8383. A limited number of tickets for all the events will also be available on the door.

For more details on this action packed weekend, visit http://uk.cityofheroes.com/news/article/3138/

New patch available for 'Penumbra: Black Plague' download link

New patch available for 'Penumbra: Black Plague'

Please find below a link where you can download a new patch for recently released ‘Penumbra: Black Plague’.

http://www.paradoxplaza.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=39&Itemid=120

The patch includes new alternate solutions to puzzles increasing the re-playablity of the game.

The playable demo is still available and can be downloaded from the following site;

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/penumbrablackplague/download_6185668.html?tag=topslot;title;1&om_act=convert&om_clk=dltopslot

Key Features in Penumbra Black Plague

Cutting-edge game engine featuring modern 3D and physics technologies
Adapted motion blur effects and a new unified lighting system with real-time lightning create great depth with a realistic atmosphere of psychological horror.

Compelling and detailed story

Find the answers to questions of the mystery of Philip's lost father throughout the game, with new explanations and a complete storyline wrap up.

Highly interactive environments
Interact with any object not nailed to the ground! Focus on, pick up and move around objects through a simple drag and drop interface.

Environmental sounds system
The sounds of the different environments are contributing to the atmosphere and give the player scaring hints of dangers.

Puzzle solving challenges
Horror adventure game in puzzle-like style with bonuses and incentives to challenge the player throughout the game.

King's Bounty video game website goes live Get videos, pictures and more

King's Bounty Website goes live

Get videos, pictures and more as this classic franchise returns

Leading Eastern and Central European publisher 1C Company announced today that the hotly anticipated game King’s Bounty: The Legend’s website has gone live. Players can now find and download videos, images and artwork straight from the developers. The new web site also contains information about the game world, heroes and monsters.

King’s Bounty: The Legend is an adventure game with tactical turn-based battles and RPG elements unfolding in a rich fantasy world. The character and his army of companions travel across a huge continent, visiting dozens of different locations all connected to each other. Communicating with NPCs, collecting resources and recruiting an army the player will control their character in real-time mode, while all battles take place in classic turn-based mode with a strong emphasis on tactical elements.

Developed by faithful fans of the original King’s Bounty, King’s Bounty: The Legend continues the remarkable traditions of the legendary role-playing adventure. This creation of Katauri Interactive is not just a spiritual successor for the critically acclaimed series, but its true rejuvenation.

King’s Bounty: The Legend will be published by 1C Company and distributed in the United States by Atari and Nobilis in Europe. Please visit the new website and experience the magic at www.kings-bounty.com.

Heaves Out Dungeon Runners Content Update

NCsoft Heaves Out Dungeon Runners Content Update

NCsoft’s Dungeon Runners team is keeping things cool for its players by launching a new content update that provides some frosty surprises including snowmen, a new dungeon, new items and improvements to the waypoint system.

The content update, which is considered more of a “Heave” than a full-blown expansion “Chunk,” introduces a new dungeon called Balzack’s Burrow for player levels 55 and up. Balzack’s Burrow is loaded with loot, monsters and a final boss-battle that will require more than just mind-numbing violence in order to claim victory.

Chill Bill, a formidable snowman and the first NPC that players can summon in Dungeon Runners, is available at level 30 and can help players fight enemies. He has several specialized moves, such as the head butt, where Bill removes his head and bashes an opponent. Chill Bill is a low maintenance snowman that can be healed by hitting him with ice projectile spells.

Chill Bill also comes with several cool skills including “On the Rocks” which freezes Bill in a solid bock of ice, slowing down nearby enemies; “Snow Globe” which stuffs Chill Bill into a globe where he receives a major maximum health increase, and “Nippy Twigs” a skill buff which dramatically increases Bill’s attack damage and slows enemies.

Closing out wintertime for Dungeon Runners is a visit by Shivery the Incorrigible Snowman who is quickly melting in Townston, so his stay in the game will be short yet filled with bitterness. Shivery, who is a victim of dungeon warming, will provide players with a loot-filled quest, but not without delivering a few pleasantries such as “…your parents didn’t love you,” and “…you are adopted.”

Additionally, the Heave includes 51 new quests, two new fighter armor sets, new mythic items, a two-handed rifle for rangers and improvements to the user interface and the waypoints system.

“I think that Dungeon Runners players will find these new features, especially the snowmen as being pretty cool…literally,” said Stephen Nichols, Dungeon Runners’ producer. “We are always looking to create more ways for players to have fun while keeping the challenge compelling. Sometimes features can be a bit silly, but that is what makes Dungeon Runners so special.”

For more information, or to download and play the game for free, go to www.dungeonrunners.com.

Guaranteed video game fun or you get a refund

Aeria Guarantees Fun or Refund

The Aeria Games guarantee has started, players can check out one of Aeria’s premiere games, Last Chaos, worry free.

“Aeria Games loves the Last Chaos community and we want to show them we mean it we promise that Last Chaos is a fun game,” said Susan Revelt, senior producer of Last Chaos.

Last Chaos is one of Aeria’s most popular free-to-play massive multiplayer online (MMO) games. Players accomplish missions, learning crafting skills, rearing helpful pets and experiencing adventures with the help of Aeria’s popular Item Mall.

Players can purchase Aeria Points to obtain enhancements through the Item Mall for advanced game play. Aeria is offering players the choice of a 5,000 Aeria Point refund from March 4th to March 22nd for those who aren’t satisfied with the game.

Along with Aeria’s guarantee is the number of events scheduled in the month of March.

“This month we have a number of exciting events,” said Revelt. “Add to that our daily events and our special orientation classes for new players and we feel very confident in guaranteeing a fun filled month for every player no matter what their level or experience.”

Players must do the following to obtain their refund:

• Between March 4th and March 22nd players must register with their ingame account name. Registration is in this post on the forums: http://forums.aeriagames.com/viewtopic.php?t=86731
  
• If a player fails to have fun they will need to contact our billing department using the contact form here: http://www.aeriagames.com/contact
  
• When filling out the contact form the subject must be “Fun Month Rebate” and the category must also be “Fun Month Rebate”.
  
• The rebate request must be made between April 1st and April 10th.
  
• The refund is only for item mall purchases made with Aeria Points. Purchases made with Bonus Aeria Points are not eligible to be refunded.
  
• Maximum refund amount is 5000AP.
  

BMW M3 Challenge Study of advertising in Video games

In-game advertising performs better than traditional advertising:

JOGO Media demonstrates its success with the BMW M3 Challenge Study

A study commissioned by JOGO Media for the BMW M3 Challenge online racing game has proven just how well new, digital forms of advertising are accepted by consumers. With approximately 75% positive ratings and an improved brand image perception, the game is an outstanding example of what in-game advertising can offer in terms of image building.

In-game advertising is a strong alternative to traditional forms of advertising. This has been demonstrated by JOGO Media, the in-game advertising agency for the BMW M3 Challenge online racing game, through a study they initiated and conducted in February 2008. The auto racing simulation demands a high level of attention and emotional involvement of the player – ideal conditions for effectively reaching a target audience with advertising messages.

Market research firm, BuzzCapture, evaluated over 5000 entries on relevant online forums. Within the sample, 68% of the comments were positive, in particular concerning the graphics, game options and overall high quality of the “Challenge”. Moreover, a good 75% of participants made positive statements about BMW as the main sponsor. This included praise for BMW for being the first advertiser to bring a creative, free game of this kind to the market. BMW is pleased with the overwhelmingly positive response to the game and stated that it has exceeded their expectations. The game is now considered a success model within the industry of innovative advertising formats. Bilstein, a chassis manufacturer whose product is one of the options within the game’s setup, is very satisfied. “We especially liked the way Bilstein’s chassis was actively integrated into the game,” says Christof Prinz, Head of Marketing Services of Thyssen Krupp Bilstein Tuning. “This allowed our key message ‘Better handling with Bilstein’ to reach players’ minds without it being directly perceived as advertising.” The complete BuzzCapture report can be downloaded here: http://www.JOGOmedia.com/news/m3challenge.

Kazunori Yamauchi Creator of Gran Turismo talks

Kazunori Yamauchi

Corporate Executive, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., President of Polyphony Digital and Creator of Gran Turismo Franchise

Hometown – Kashiwa, Japan

Personal Cars – 2005 Ford GT, Honda S2000, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V, Porsche GT3, Nissan 350Z, Mercedes AMG SL55.

Since he was three years old, Kazunori Yamauchi has had a fascination with cars. It was not until he was 15 years old, when he began building the original concept for Gran Turismo. When reflecting back, Yamauchi states, “I feel very lucky to be able to create a driving game that can capture the emotion and true-feel of automobiles from around the world in unique and well-known locales.”

Since the inception of the Gran Turismo franchise, Yamauchi and Polyphony Digital have revolutionized the racing category as we know it today. His offerings provide the gamer with the most true-to-life driving simulation within the industry and a unique medium for automobile manufacturers to showcase their products. In Motor Trend Magazine’s February 2005, 2006 and 2007 issue, Yamauchi was selected among the top 50 most powerful people in the automotive industry. In the January 2006 issue of the UK’s popular Car Magazine, Yamauchi was selected as the most powerful man in the industry. Details Magazine included him in its “Top 40 under 40” feature. When commenting on Gran Turismo, Newsweek stated in its March 10, 2003 issue, “Games like GT3 are turning millions of couch potatoes into living-room racers…becoming the new virtual showroom and design studio for automakers.”

Through the Gran Turismo franchise, one can clearly see that Yamauchi is a great fan of cars and motorsports. Currently, Yamauchi owns a 2005 Ford GT, Honda S2000, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V, Porsche GT3, Nissan 350Z and a Mercedes AMG SL55. Often, one may find Yamauchi racing leisurely at the Twin Ring Motegi race track outside of Tokyo. The track at Motegi was also the testing ground for many of the cars featured in the Gran Turismo offerings.

In 1993, Yamauchi began his career in the game industry, the same year Sony Computer Entertainment was established. At that time, Yamauchi’s role was to create games for the new PlayStation® game console, to be released in Japan the following year. Since 1993, Yamauchi has created Motortoon Grand Prix (one of the Japanese PlayStation launch titles in 1994), Motortoon Grand Prix 2 (1996), Gran Turismo (1997), Omega Boost (1999), Gran Turismo 2 (1999), Gran Turismo 3 (2001) Gran Turismo Concept (Japanese/European release), Gran Turismo 4 Prologue (Japanese/European release), Gran Turismo 4 (2005), Tourist Trophy (2006), Gran Turismo HD Concept (2006).

Growing up in the city of Kashiwa, Japan in Chiba prefecture, Yamauchi was a role model school boy who dreamed of becoming an astronaut. At the time, he was interested in the motion picture industry and in Junior High School, he established a movie production group, making one film a year. At one point, he wished he could create a movie like Star Wars. Yamauchi adds that Japan’s gaming industry is similar to Hollywood in the film industry.

As Yamauchi proceeded to High School, he explains that he was no longer the “cream of the crop”. In his years at University School, Yamauchi built his skills in graphic design, participating in part time jobs in preparing presentation materials for car manufacturers.

Nearly 10 years ago, Yamauchi began the Gran Turismo franchise with four people. Today, he is President of Polyphony Digital, which is comprised of more than 70 members, encompassing programmers, designers, artists and more. Yamauchi’s main responsibility is for the core game design and balancing of concepts, however, he has an ongoing open forum for suggestions from his team members that often can result in game design plans. The name ‘Polyphony’ is meant to suggest a place for polyphonic people and for their voices to mix with one another. Currently, Yamauchi and team are now preparing for the upcoming release of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue for PLAYSTATION 3.

THQ to release All Star Cheer Squad for Nintendo Wii Balance Board

Officials from publisher THQ have announced a new Wii and Nintendo DS exclusive game named All Star Cheer Squad. Described as the first ever cheerleading video game, it is scheduled for release this autumn and marks THQ’s “first original property created specifically for girls”.

The game will follow a year in the life of a cheerleader as they learn new cheers, participate in practices and create their own routines to make the squad and eventually become captain. The Wii remote and nunchuck can be use to perform cheer and dance moves, with cheerleading choreography Tony G acting as chief consultant to the game.

The game will also make use of the Wii Balance Board controller, to be bundled with the forthcoming Wii Fit. The game will be the second third party game to make use of the peripheral after Namco Bandai’s We Ski, which has already proven successful in Japan and was recently confirmed for a Western release.

"With the explosive growth of the girls gaming market in recent years due to the continued success of Wii and DS, our ongoing goal is to stay at the cutting edge of that success by bringing a brand new property for this segment to these popular systems," said Jim Huntley, director of global brand management at THQ.

"We're thrilled to introduce All Star Cheer Squad to the industry as a triple-a title that will get players involved in the action of what it takes to be an all star as well as make up their own unique cheer routines."

Sega 'Very Happy' to be sixth biggest games publisher

Sega is quite content with its position as the sixth-biggest game publisher by revenue in the U.S., and is not at all interested in merging or being acquired by anyone at the moment, according to Simon Jeffrey, chief executive of the U.S. arm of Sega Sammy.

"There is plenty of room for smaller companies to be successful and profitable in this business. You don't have to be number one or number two. You can be number six very happily," said Jeffrey.

He is also understandably thrilled that Mario & Sonic At the Olympic Games sold a combined five million copies on Wii and DS, saying "I don't think we believed in our wildest dreams that it would sell five million units in just three months." To be honest, neither did we.

Source: WIRED Blog

iGames and Game Centers Launch New Tour of Competitive Gaming Events in Partnership with CEVO

Leading Game Center organization iGames, together with 17 of the nation’s leading Game Centers, today announced the creation of the Gamers Tour (www.gamerstour.com), a new series of eSports tournaments geared towards the amateur to semi-professional communities.

Featuring regional and national tournaments, along with a series of online competitions hosted by leading competitive gaming community CEVO (www.cevo.com), the Gamers Tour will showcase the best local gamers from around the US competing for cash and prizes on today’s most popular competitive titles, including Counter-Strike: 1.6 (PC) and Counter-Strike: Source (PC), along with additional games which will be announced shortly.

The Gamers Tour will be focused on complementing the events offered by other eSports event organizers. Many eSports tournament organizers hold high-profile events showcasing the world’s best professional gamers. The Gamers Tour will be focused on providing fun competitive local events for players of a broader range of skill, thereby serving the need for a LAN-based program for non-professionals on their way to competing at higher levels.

In total, more than 32 competitions are planned to take place throughout 2008, with more than $50,000.00 in cash and prizes in the balance. Regional tournaments will offer a set minimum of a $1,000 prize pool. All prizes will be awarded promptly to winning players for their efforts.

The events will take place at Game Centers with a proven history of operating the highest quality eSports events, including X3O Gaming Center in Maryland.

“We are proud to work with iGames and other leading game centers to build the Gamers Tour. Our 2008 Dust-Off Championship Series will be making gaming history for a second year in a row, being the largest tournament ever in the United States to be developed and executed by a gaming center,” said Nick Fitzsimmons, Manager of X30 Gaming Center. “We are looking forward to incorporating the 2008 Dust-Off Championship Series with the Gamers Tour, which will provide more visibility to the thousands of gamers nationwide.”

The Gamers Tour is distinguished in that the events will be accessible to more local players than any other eSports organization with LAN play. As the tour grows, participating locations will be within driving distance of every major city in the United States. The nation’s best Game Center events will be united through a coordinated schedule of tournaments and rankings will be established for players and teams based on results.

“Though many organizations provide online opportunities to play in leagues, ladders and tournaments, game centers, with their in-person atmosphere, are the perfect venue to help strengthen and grow the eSports community,” said Mark Nielsen, Executive Director, iGames. “In addition, the LAN environment offered at game centers provides aspiring professional gamers the opportunity to hone their skills on LAN which is how most big prize tournaments are run.”

Tournaments will be held throughout the year and will be announced as details become available. For more information and a complete list of Game Centers hosting the Gamers Tour, including signup information, visit http://www.gamerstour.com.

Dominions 3: The Awakening Updated download for Windows Mac and Linux

Dominions 3: The Awakening Updated Once Again!

Version 3.15 Now Ready For Immediate Download!

The best keeps getting better! The mad Swedish geniuses behind the multi-award winning Dominions 3: The Awakening, Illwinter Game Design, and their publisher Shrapnel Games (that would be us) would like to announce a brand new patch is available for the game.

As you've come to expect the patch, which is version 3.15, contains a mixture of cool new features and the elimination of a number of bugs. Players will happily note that one of those eliminated bugs is the scale spread bug that brought woe to some. Some other notable highlights that should bring a smile to your face and put a spring in your step: MA Ulm and LA Abysia boosted and Ermor domkill at proper levels now.

A complete list of what can be found in the version 3.15 update includes:

The Features:

• MA & LA Ulm sexier.
  
• Ulm Iron Faith: Black Priests in MA Ulm, Priest Smiths.
  
• Iron Faith spells: Iron Darts, Iron Blizzard.
  
• Iron Angel, MA Ulm summon to battle enemy sacreds and magical beings.
  
• Guardians got Black Halberds that stun enemy sacreds.
  
• Ghoul Guardians no longer sacred, but got Black Halberds.
  
• Halt Heretic: New ability on Iron Angel, Ulrich hero and Lord Guardians.
  
• Plate armors slightly better. Ulm plate armors more so.
  
• LA Abysia sexier.
  
• Slayer cult: Anathemant Slayers, common slayers noncapital.
  
• LA Anathemants got death magic.
  
• LA Smoulderghosts sacred.
  
• Warbreds: huge humanbreds bred for war.
  
• Late Abysian Hero
  
• Fossilized Giants, LA Abysian summon.
  
• Altered spell: Hidden in Snow more expensive and gives more units. Also more
  
• effective with luck, magic and turmoil.
  
• New spell: Hidden in Sand. Summons dust walkers if cast in a wasteland. More
  
• powerful in luck, magic and turmoil.
  
• Altered spell: Flight is personal.
  
• New spell: Gift of Flight.
  
• New icons: Halt Heretic, Animal Awe, Spy and Assassin.
  
• Avalon witch changes: Crones strat move 1, mother and daughter random nature/air.
  
• New national militia events for UW nations.
  

The Bug Fixes and Balance Changes.

• Scale spread bug fixed.
  
• Ermor domkill upped to proper levels.
  
• Old militia event made rare.
  
• Peshti got Kite Shields.
  
• Peshti Spearman strat move 2.
  
• Bogatyr strat move 3.
  
• Some more strat move fixes.
  
• Plague Scythe -> twohanded.
  
• Exarch and Kosheij got robes.
  
• Grid Druzhina cold res 50.
  
• Fivefold Angel stump attack instead of fist.
  
• Simargl Falchion -> bite.
  
• Simargl patrol -> 10.
  
• Bloodlord helmet.
  
• Rigor mortis no longer affects inanimates.
  
• Internal Alchemy works properly.
  
• Demonbred got correct age.
  
• Forester and Bakemono scout stealth fix.
  
• Moose Riders cheaper 45 -> 30.
  

* #coldpower mod command fixed.

The patch can be downloaded directly from Shrapnel Games and is available for
Windows, Mac, and Linux. Point your browser to:

www.shrapnelgames.com/Illwinter/Dom3/6.htm

Dominions 3: The Awakening Updated Once Again!

The best keeps getting better! The mad Swedish geniuses behind the multi-award winning Dominions 3: The Awakening, Illwinter Game Design, and their publisher Shrapnel Games would like to announce a brand new patch is available for the game.

As you've come to expect the patch, which is version 3.15, contains a mixture of cool new features and the elimination of a number of bugs. Players will happily note that one of those eliminated bugs is the scale spread bug that brought woe to some. Some other notable highlights that should bring a smile to your face and put a spring in your step: MA Ulm and LA Abysia boosted and Ermor domkill at proper levels now.

A complete list of what can be found in the version 3.15 update includes:

The Features:

•MA & LA Ulm sexier.
•Ulm Iron Faith: Black Priests in MA Ulm, Priest Smiths.
•Iron Faith spells: Iron Darts, Iron Blizzard.
•Iron Angel, MA Ulm summon to battle enemy sacreds and magical beings.
•Guardians got Black Halberds that stun enemy sacreds.
•Ghoul Guardians no longer sacred, but got Black Halberds.
•Halt Heretic: New ability on Iron Angel, Ulrich hero and Lord Guardians.
•Plate armors slightly better. Ulm plate armors more so.
•LA Abysia sexier.
•Slayer cult: Anathemant Slayers, common slayers noncapital.
•LA Anathemants got death magic.
•LA Smoulderghosts sacred.
•Warbreds: huge humanbreds bred for war.
•Late Abysian Hero
•Fossilized Giants, LA Abysian summon.
•Altered spell: Hidden in Snow more expensive and gives more units. Also more
effective with luck, magic and turmoil.
•New spell: Hidden in Sand. Summons dust walkers if cast in a wasteland. More
powerful in luck, magic and turmoil.
•Altered spell: Flight is personal.
•New spell: Gift of Flight.
•New icons: Halt Heretic, Animal Awe, Spy and Assassin.
•Avalon witch changes: Crones strat move 1, mother and daughter random nature/air.
•New national militia events for UW nations.

The Bug Fixes and Balance Changes:

•Scale spread bug fixed.
•Ermor domkill upped to proper levels.
•Old militia event made rare.
•Peshti got Kite Shields.
•Peshti Spearman strat move 2.
•Bogatyr strat move 3.
•Some more strat move fixes.
•Plague Scythe -> twohanded.
•Exarch and Kosheij got robes.
•Grid Druzhina cold res 50.
•Fivefold Angel stump attack instead of fist.
•Simargl Falchion -> bite.
•Simargl patrol -> 10.
•Bloodlord helmet.
•Rigor mortis no longer affects inanimates.
•Internal Alchemy works properly.
•Demonbred got correct age.
•Forester and Bakemono scout stealth fix.
•Moose Riders cheaper 45 -> 30.
•* #coldpower mod command fixed.

The patch can be downloaded directly from Shrapnel Games and is available for
Windows, Mac, and Linux. Point your browser to:

http://www.shrapnelgames.com/Illwinter/Dom3/6.htm

Dominions 3: The Awakening is a fantasy turn-based strategy game that proves that today's gaming landscape still has room for the garage developer. It's also probably the best damn hardcore turn based fantasy strategy game you'll ever play, but you already know that since you're reading up on the patch. Unless you just like to collect game patches. In which case go on and grab the demo from the same spot and see why
everyone worships at the altar of Illwinter. Then once enthralled head on over to the Gamers Front and grab a copy to apply this patch to, especially since it's on sale all month long!

Throughout March Dominions 3: The Awakening is $7.00 off its normal retail price of $54.95! Don't have it yet? Great time to grab it. Already have it? Christmas is only nine months away and it makes a perfect gift! Remember, you can never have enough Dominions in your life!

For more information on Dominions 3: The Awakening, or to check out any of our other fine products, please visit us at www.shrapnelgames.com. Recent releases include the
modder's paradise dungeoncrawl of Scallywag: In the Lair of the Medusa and coming soon to a tabletop near you, Eat Electric Death!, the tactical starship combat board game set in the Infinite Space universe.

Carriers at War PC video game Update patch for download

Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) and Strategic Studies Group (www.ssg.com.au) are happy to announce that a new minor update is now available for Carriers at War. This quick but helpful 1.02.2 update address two issues which arose after the major 1.02 update. The 1.02 update brought a new scenario, an editor tutorial, and tons of new editor/gameplay changes too.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “The latest 1.02.2 update is riding on the tails of the fantastic 1.02 update which was recently released. With a few quick fixes to improve upon an already solid game, Carriers at War is more addicting and fun than it’s ever been!”

Carriers at War is a WWII naval combat and strategy game set in the Pacific Theatre. Putting you at the heart of WWII carrier combat, you are in charge of commanding carriers with powerful airgroups tasked with delivering a knockout blow to the enemy, while avoiding retribution at the hands of a canny foe. Although it includes land-based airpower, surface combat and invasions, Carriers at War focuses heavily on carrier fleet command strategy, which requires the player to use all of their naval prowess to best the enemy. Throughout the wide range of scenarios found in Carriers at War, history buffs and strategy fans alike will recognize and enjoy playing through famous engagements including Pearl Harbor, Midway, Coral Sea, Eastern Solomons, and more! This 2007 release is a fully modern, brand new Carriers at War, though it remains true to the incredible gameplay of the original wargame classic.

Get more information on Carriers at War from its official Matrix Games webpage.

This update is comprehensive and will bring the game up to version 1.02.2.

WITCHES - 3rd person action adventure game developed by Revistronic

Witches (working title)

GENRE: 3rd person action/adventure game
PLATFORMS: PC, Xbox 360 & PS3
PARTNER(S): Schanz Intl. / TBC
LAST UPDATE: Dec 05th, 2007

“Where the Dark Arts reign… you can still rise up… and fight.”

Overview

Project WITCHES is a 3rd person action/adventure game developed by Revistronic and designed to exploit the capabilities of new generation consoles.

Players find themselves in terrifying dark medieval surroundings in an epic struggle for survival against the repellent deformed Hordes of the Beast, an evil creature that has established a reign of slavery and terror throughout the land.

Across a landscape of devastation, you have to direct Tempest, Shadow and Fire, sultry warriors that still resist his dark will and leads the rebellion against his satanic power.

Key Features

Scenario: Everything reeks of death, torture and destruction. People have been enslaved. They are prisoners of a dark power that has established a reign of terror and devastation throughout the land.
Sultry girls against satanic monsters: Let’s yourself go in this dark medieval narrative and enjoy the contrast between sensual beauty and sinister horrors. Direct the beautiful but dangerous Shadow in a spectacular fight against hordes of repellent deformed creatures.
* Feel the fear: Skies rent by terrifying storms, hair-raising shrieks, shadows in the fog, stealthy movements and menacing growls, the glint of monstrous eyes that watch from the shades.

* Spectacular system of tactical combat: Combining spectacular combat with sequences of caution and stealth. The tactics you use will be decisive for your survival. You must rescue the captives and obtain their help. You will lead your team. You can be a great leader or sacrifice your comrades in the fight. Your decisions will shape your destiny.

Totally interactive environment: All game items can be used, creating a sensation of total immersion such as never before. You can use all kinds of objects to achieve your aims, even the amputated limbs of adversaries.
* Gameplay: 2 modes, requiem and arena that exploit the full the spectacular possibilities of new generation consoles. More than 12 hours of gameplay across 4 levels and 80 scenarios.

Technology: powered by “Picture Next–Gen engine V.3”.
Game Engine v.3 uses pioneering technologies in the development of techniques and processes for the creation of interactive content applied to the representation of surroundings 3D in Real time.
Strengths: fast learning curve, real time cinematography render, Real-time physics, High savings, and easy adaptation to multiplatform developments, Reduction of Development times and costs.

Unique Selling Points (USP’s)

• Main characters: Sexy and sensual warriors designed with specific strengths and weaknesses.
  
• Powerful Witches Squad: Levels and scenarios are designed specifically to encourage cooperative play.
  
• Strong visual gaming: cutting edge graphics, full of lights, shadows and special effects, beautiful scenarios and interactive cinematics to increase immersion present a cinematic experience and make the game spectacular.
  
• Easy & intuitive control: The Player can switch the Main Character, perform combos, use magical powers, run, jump, climb, perform the stealth occultism arts and move the lights in real time.
  
• Combat system: Engage your foes in one-on-one fights, skirmishes with dozens of adversaries, or even battles with hundreds of monsters at once.
  
• Script: Original plot that open different endings based on witches actions. Their relationship delivers surprises.
  

Target focus

Males 18-35 years old.
Casual gamers that enjoy good stories, easy gameplay and amazing action.
Hardcore gamers own a high-end PC and graphics card, and/or the most recent consoles (XBOX360 or PS3).
Fans of 3rd person action/adventure games.

Disney Mobile Studios - PK: PHANTOM DUCK GAME on MOBILE CELLPHONE NETWORKS

TACKLE THE MEAN STREETS WITH PK: PHANTOM DUCK

Immerse yourself in the richly detailed world of PK: Phantom Duck, out now for mobile phones.

Disney’s PK: Phantom Duck, based on the legendary comic book franchise, puts a novel, darker twist on Donald Duck, fusing comic strip storytelling with action-packed gameplay. PK is a masked avenger with a mission to protect the town of Duckburg from the evil Ma Beagle and her Beagle Boys.

PK must keep the crooks and creeps in check as he battles against foes such as an army of security robots run amok, flying robot menaces, boss battles with each of the Beagle Boys, and many more.

This exquisitely rendered comic book world features stunning Disney classic art and animations, and 14 levels of puzzles. Physics-based puzzle play will test your brainpower as you devise clever ways to outwit the enemy. You’ll uncover secret zones as you progress through the levels to discover hidden bonuses and new ways to meet challenges – you’ll never play the same game twice, so the action is always fresh.

PK: Phantom Duck is out now and available from all major mobile phone operators.

Next-gen Blu-ray "mindblowing" say Sun's James Gosling

Forthcoming third-generation improvements to the Blu-ray specification are "going to be just mindblowing," according to James Gosling, vice president and fellow at Sun.

Demonstrations planned for the company's JavaOne conference in May to show off the new features "will blow [delegates'] socks off" providing the code is ready in time, he said.

"People are going nuts trying to exploit everything that's in Blu-ray," Gosling added.

While Gosling was unable to reveal details of what's ahead, he was keen to talk about what we'll see when Blu-ray Profile 2 (agreed about a year ago) finds its way into players in the coming months.

Blu-ray Profile 2 increases the amount of local storage that must be provided by a player (flash memory is now so cheap that this is unlikely to make much difference to the price of Blu-ray hardware) and also mandates the provision of Internet connectivity.

This will result in "all kinds of really interesting Blu-ray applications that use the network," Gosling told iTWire, such as first-person shooter games, shopping, and community subtitling.

The idea of allowing outsiders to provide subtitles is getting a mixed reception from the movie industry, he said. On one hand, it means they can release movies before subtitling is complete and it provides a way of reaching many more markets with a single product, but the studios are also concerned about the loss of control. There are quality control issues when subtitles aren't subject to review by the movie's creators, and there is also the possibility that spoof or otherwise humorous subtitles could be unofficially released.

"There's still a lot of dissension in the industry," Gosling observed.

Most manufacturers of upgradable Blu-ray players have almost finished work on Profile 2 upgrades, he said.

Furthermore, people have realised that "Blu-ray players are pretty interesting things even when they don't have a disc in them" as with appropriate programming they could deliver other functions such as acting as an IPTV set-top box.

Sun's Java language - originally designed by Gosling - is part of the Blu-ray standard.

Source: IT Wire

Hideo Kojima -Metal Gear Solid 4 too big for Blu-Ray discs

Several big names may be going the Blu-ray way, but perhaps not all are satisfied with the decision. Konami’s video game designer Hideo Kojima is one such example. Apparently the 50GB Blu-ray is not enough for Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, reported renowned gaming blog Kotaku.

Speaking to Famitsu, Hideo Kojima stated, “For us, we are still not satisfied with the quality we can do. You know, there’s not capacity space.” The interviewer then asked Kojima if he was referring to the Blu-ray, to which the father of Metal Gear replied, “That is correct. There is not enough space at all. There is not enough space. We always talked about where to cut and what to compress.”

It seems, the team had to compress certain parts of the game to fit it on the Sony format, and the foreign voice tracks were entirely cut.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriot will be released in June 2008 across the globe.
Well coming back to, Kojima’s stance, what do you think? Would you yet prefer “Quality over Quantity”? Do drop in your views below and let us know about the same.

Source: Tech Shout

MGS4 Squeezes Onto PS3 Blu-ray, Could It Fit On Xbox 360? - db Techno

Conspiracy Entertainment's Nintendo Wii Cocoto Magic Circus video game released

Conspiracy Entertainment, a developer, publisher and marketer of interactive entertainment software in North America and Western Europe, announced today that the Company's highly anticipated gaming title for the Nintendo Wii "Cocoto Magic Circus" was shipped to U.S. retail stores.

"Cocoto Magic Circus," a mini game compilation developed by Neko Entertainment, was first marketed under the name "Cocoto Fun Fair" to Europe in 2006. Conspiracy gained the U.S. rights to develop the game for the Wii console under the name "Cocoto Magic Circus," which is currently being distributed through Conspiracy's agreement with SVG Distribution, Inc.

Featuring 40 mini-games "one more original than the next," "Cocoto Magic Circus" is an arcade-style shooter game focused on freeing a magical fairy. The game's four progressive modes -- Arcade, Training, Duel and Tournament -- can accommodate up to four players. "Families and their children nationwide are catching on to the recurring and loveable character Cocoto. The simple, cartoonish and fast-paced style of our latest release is ideal for children six years and up, and at its affordable price points, it is poised to add to sales in the first quarter of 2008," said Sirus Ahmadi, president of Conspiracy Entertainment.

Keith Tanaka, CFO of Conspiracy Entertainment, said, "The fourth quarter of 2007 was a very strong quarter in terms of the number of released titles and revenues, and we are continuing this aggressive growth trend in the first quarter of 2008. 'Cocoto Magic Circus' is the third title to be released in March. Combined with strong Wii: 'Winter Sports' sales, our new releases provide for significant sales growth in the first quarter of 2008, a significant turnaround from no revenues in the first quarter of 2007."

LostWinds: 3-D on Wii as WiiWare download game

Nintendo will launch this cool little three-dimensional adventure from Frontier as one of the first WiiWare downloadable games

Nintendo's WiiWare lets independent developers create a plethora of cheap, downloadable games for the masses, and the company chose to make Frontier's LostWinds one of its launch games. Simple to play and attractive, this intriguing adventure should appeal to all ages, especially those looking for a meatier Wii experience.

LostWinds is a fully 3-D adventure in which you play as two characters at the same time, the boy Toku (the apparent savior of his world, Mistralis) and his sidekick, a wind spirit named Enril. You do this by maneuvering Toku with the nunchuk's analog stick while guiding Enril using the Wii remote. It shares similarities with Nintendo's DS game, Kirby Canvas Curse in the sense that you draw on the screen to help Toku reach new areas and destroy enemies. For example, if you approach a cliff, you press and hold A on the remote, then draw a line underneath Toku angled towards the edge, causing Toku to catch a gust of wind and land safely.

This also works with defeating enemies. If you come across one of the game's creatures, you press and hold A, then draw a quick circle around it, thus trapping it in a vortex. And if encircling your foes doesn't suit you, drawing a line on top of them enables Toku to fly above their heads without taking damage.

According to Frontier, enjoyment comes from experimenting with the game world, searching for ways to interact with the environment in order to push things along. It may be something as simple as planting and watering a seed to make it grow, thereby completing a puzzle.

As for LostWinds' story, don't expect anything epic. Although the game has a simple narrative where both Toku and Enril must work together to defeat the evil Balasar, the game doesn't feature any cut scenes and has limited dialogue. That's not a bad thing per se, but rather Frontier's commitment to focusing more on the gameplay.

It's too early to pass judgment, but we see lots of potential. LostWinds is a cool little game with a lot to offer, and we look forward to downloading it as soon as it goes live.

Source: GameDAILY

Microsoft plans to drop the price of the Xbox 360 Arcade to match Nintendo Wii?

When it's priced the same, for all intents and purposes, which it's looking like it just might be by late next week. Referencing "trade sources," MCV claims that Microsoft plans to drop the price of its entry-level Xbox 360 Arcade by as much as €50 ($76 USD). TechRadar.com adds spice to the rumor by avowing the drop and claiming it'll occur across Europe on March 14, sourcing "numerous UK retailers...who agree that the 360 price is set to be slashed on this date."

Altogether, the Xbox 360 Elite is poised to take a dive from €300 to €240, while the basic Arcade system, which lacks a hard drive, should drop from €200 to €150. That would technically make the Arcade cheaper than the Wii, which lists for €180.

Is it time to drop the price of the Xbox already? Let's see:

- Microsoft dumps HD DVD drive for Xbox 360 -- more of a psychological oops, but it leaves a ton of existing 360 owners in a lurch, and feeds a right or wrong public perception that something major associated with the Xbox 360 failed.

- Sony muscled past the 360 for the first time in January. I know, it shocked me too, and since Microsoft beat the pants off Nintendo and Sony each in software sales that month, I guessed it was Blu-ray sales driven. Which means Sony could be on the verge of a hardware sales turnaround that's not even games driven.

- The Xbox 360 has (or had) an absurdly high unit failure rate, i.e. the doleful "red ring of death," and enthusiast confidence on message boards and blogs is low, trending toward sardonic. Microsoft has performed minor miracles to rectify the situation and deserves full honors for being stand up about the problem, but first impressions (like possession) are nine-tenths law. Unreliable and expensive is of course a universe away from "bargain-priced" and "sufficiently revised."

- A considerable part of the Xbox 360's revenue model is Xbox Live and aftermarket online and/or casual game sales. Drop the 360 price into Wii territory and get your marketing team going toe-to-toe with Nintendo on the casual-online front and you just might redraw the battle lines. Nintendo may have found a new niche, but it remains a pretty monolithic one. The Xbox 360 (uniquely) has the economic and creative potential to mix and match hardcore and casual demographics. Figuring out how to market that message is Microsoft's game to lose.

So yeah, I think it's time to drop the price, unleash the new marketing campaigns, spin the monthly statistics to emphasize the company's forte (software revenue and critically acclaimed games), release a standalone Blu-ray player, etc. to get the system back on its feet, lest Nintendo continue to pull ahead based on sheer momentum, and Sony eradicate Microsoft's lead by virtue of movie player sales alone.

Will U.S. Xbox 360 prices follow suit? Grab hold of your wallet, then bet your bottom dollar.

Source: PC World

Xbox 360 to be cheaper than Wii on March 14 - TECH.BLORGE.com

Xbox 360 Getting Price To Compete With Wii - db Techno.com

Xbox 360 to get Wii-Like Pricing? - Spong