First patch for Lost Empire - Immortals released

First patch for Lost Empire: Immortals released

Recently released 4x strategy extravaganza from Pollux Gamelabs has received its first patch. Explore, expand, exploit and exterminate through this supremely vast universe of diverse galaxies and unique civilizations, a gaming experience not to be missed.

The patch includes:

- Enhanced Multi player stability and functionality
- Challenging Minor Race AI resulting in increased early game action.
- Early game tweaks, making those decisions very significant
- Weapons and ships with more diverse design options

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

Visit the official website to download the demo and read more : http://www.paradoxplaza.com/lostempire

Download from GamersGate: http://www.gamersgate.com/%20index.php?page=product&what=view&sku=DD-LEI

Suggested retail price: USD 29.99/ EUR 29.99

Moon video game announced for Nintendo DS

Mastiff and Renegade Kid Unveil "Project M"

Moon Announced for Nintendo DS

Mastiff, a worldwide publisher of videogames and Renegade Kid, developer of innovative interactive software, today announced the title codenamed "Project M" has been officially named Moon after the cold and barren hunk of rock orbiting earth.

Developed by Renegade Kid, Moon is a sci-fi, action-adventure title for Nintendo DS™. Moon places gamers on the cold lunar surface in the year 2058. Researchers are shocked to find a sealed, alien hatch during construction of a new lunar base, but it's a shock that soon pales in comparison to what they find beyond the hatch.

"Moon is dark, twisted, heart pounding, frequently violent and always disturbing. Pretty much what you'd expect when you take madmen like Renegade Kid, jack their technology up to the next level, and turn them loose," said Bill Swartz, Head Woof of Mastiff.

"Moon demonstrates the impressive power of NIntendo DS, while appealing to a crowd that's looking for a first-person action-adventure title that delivers a menacing story and really puts your gaming skills to the test," said Jools Watsham, Owner and Creative Director at Renegade Kid. "Building upon our achievements with Dementium: The Ward, Renegade Kid is utilizing its sophisticated 3D engine, dubbed the 'Renegade Engine,' to continue pushing the limits of Nintendo DS and focus on producing high quality content."

CoCommando - Steel Disaster disaster game on Nintendo DS goes gold

Commando: Steel Disaster Goes Gold on Nintendo DS

Video games publisher Lexicon Entertainment are pleased to announce that ‘Commando: Steel Disaster’ has been approved by Nintendo of Europe with a release date set for May 9th 2008.

As for the plot, you play as the heroic Storm who must put an end to an evil organisation called Rattlesnake. Of course, you get to do this with a range of heavy weaponry and Lexicon assures us there are plenty of different weapons and pick-ups - each with its own attack method and power. Plus, some guns can be used to find secret items.

Shoot, jump, throw and roll into action as you battle though each of the five missions and the two extra hidden mission. Each mission has various beautifully crafted environments all culminating in an epic boss fight.

Mow down wave after wave of animated enemy and use the various vehicles to destroy the enemy's gun ships and tanks in this extreme test of any gamers skill.

• Highly stylized graphics with slick animations
• Get behind the wheel of various vehicles
• Complex boss battles and 20 different types of enemy
• Pick up 10 different types of weaponry
• Destructible terrain and weather conditions
• Discover hidden missions and find the data disks

Fizz - inventive puzzle challenge game is first £9.99 Nintedo DS game

First £9.99 DS Product To Hit Shelves

Video games publisher Lexicon Entertainment are pleased to announce that ‘FIZZ’ has been approved by Nintendo of Europe with a release date set for April 25th 2008 and set with the amazing RRP of just £9.99.

‘FIZZ’ is an inventive puzzle challenge that will have gamers on the edge of their seat, is exceedingly simple to understand but infuriatingly challenging to master!

The central and principal game board is composed of twenty-five points each with four antennae. Each antenna can contain four colours. The goal is to create energy flow by aligning colours. When a loop is created, points are deducted and other points come onto the board.

The theme of the game is outer space and the player can select one of ten boards that make up the full experience. Each board has a link with an element from our solar system (décor and music linked with a planet).

The principal element of the game is energy and by combining the correct colours, energy fluxes are formed. The bigger the energy loops, the more points the player receives. This basic and overriding game principle is supplemented with bonuses and setbacks. Bonuses are special antennae that help the player whilst the setbacks take the form of broken antennae or exterior elements such as asteroids, meteorite showers, etc. which hinder the players’ progression by destructing nodes (Meteorites, Aliens), changing colours (Magnetic storm, Pulsar) or forbidding the node to be moved (Magnetic Spheres).

Features:

• Single-player modes
• Standard level mode
• Infinite same-level mode
• Time Attack mode
• Arcade mode
• Multiplayer game modes
• Vs. mode with infinite time
• Vs. mode with limited time
• Co-op mode

For more information, screens and videos please visit:

www.lexiconentertainment.com

We Love Golf on Nintendo Wii - Fact Sheet

We Love Golf Fact Sheet

We Love Golf transforms the Wii Remote into a virtual set of golf clubs, creating the most immersive golfing experience available off the greens. This new title is being developed in partnership with Camelot Software Planning, best known for developing successful sports games for home systems, including Hot Shots Golf and the Mario Golf series.

We Love Golf! presents a realistic golfing experience with a fresh new spin, incorporating the Wii Remote's unique motion-sensing functionality. Players will use the controller to choose clubs, line up shots, swing and even add a touch fade or draw with a flick of the wrist. Just as on a real course, gauging wind conditions, correct club selection and careful reading of the greens are all essentials for victory. A variety of game modes, multiple characters, unlockable content, and online gameplay will provide endless hours of putting heaven.

• Fully immersive golf game turns Wii Remote controller into a virtual set of clubs
  
• Engage in single player or up to four-player head-to-head competitions to see who is the ultimate fairway champion
  
• New online game modes bring the links to life with up to four players for Friend Play and World Play game modes
  
• True-to-life golf physics and dramatic telecast style presentation brings players into the game
  
• Multiple game modes ranging from tournament, character matches, stroke play, special mini-games and more
  
• Multiple courses, each with their own unique obstacles
  
• Unlock new characters, courses and more by playing through the various game modes
  
• Unlock new costumes, including Capcom themed outfits: Apollo Justice, Arthur, Chun-Li, Jill Valentine, and more
  
• Two exclusive characters created for the western audience
  
• Utilize your personalized Mii's for the ultimate customized game
  

HARD TO BE A GOD ADDS WEAPONS INCLUDING LASERS AND MINI GUNS

Secret Agent Takes On The Gods Armed With Lasers And Mini-Guns

HARD TO BE A GOD: THE UNIQUE ACTION & ADVENTURE GAME SET FOR RELEASE IN APRIL'08 BY ASCARON

Hard To Be A God, the new action and adventure game from Ascaron to be released in April, uniquely combines the sci-fi and medieval fantasy genres with a mix of Hack & Slash and RPG gameplay. Lasers will come up against swords as monsters and bandits battle a spy sent from a futuristic Earth to the medieval, alien planet of Tsurinak.

Action
Ferocious battles with gangs of bandits and guards on horseback will help hone fighting skills, before vicious monsters and brutal immortal beings demonstrate their power and desire for blood.

Adventure
A diverse range of quests, from defeating ruthless thieves to recovering a lost child, require a variety of combat and strategy forcing the spy to be intelligent as well as instinctive.

Weapons
In total there are over 200 different weapons for the spy to choose from. The arsenal includes scorchers, modifiers, mini-guns, force fields and sophisticated combat gadgets, contrasting with the swords, bow and arrows and axes wielded by the men of Tsurinak.


Unique features in Hard To Be A God
· A greater emphasis on horseback combat challenges the player to develop a new skill and brings a different type of gameplay to the genre

· Advanced character customisation takes place to match the individual playing style that is developed as the game progresses

· An addictive and engrossing non-linear storyline will develop as the player meets new characters each with their own history, enriching the game’s narrative

· The game brings to life the world envisioned by the Strugatsky brothers in the original novel of the same name

Discover the secrets surrounding the mysterious planet of Tsurinak, revealing why it has remained a medieval society for so long. ‘The gods’ will be encountered along the way, and they will be far from what anyone could have expected.

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

Fast facts:
Publisher: Ascaron Entertainment / Nobilis
Web: www.Ascaron.com / www.hardtobeagod.com
Developer: Akella
Release date: 11th April 2008
Price: £29.99
PEGI: 12+
Format: PC
Genre: RPG/Hack & Slash

Rappelz attracts more than 50 000 users in less than one month in Europe

Rappelz attracts more than 50 000 users in less than one month in Europe !

Rappelz, the second free-to-play MMORPG released by Gala Networks Europe in French and german version less than one month ago, has been very welcomed by the European players and attracted by now more than 50 000 active users ! In order to provide the best experience and confort for the growing community, gPotato Europe announces the opening of two new servers for the game.

The fast success of Rappelz, following the success of Flyff (Fly for Fun), places these two titles, published on the gPotato.eu portal, among the most played massively multiplayer games in Europe.

Driven by a tactical and competitive gameplay, Rappelz allows the players to tame and control powerful creatures to help them in combat. To survive in the devastated land of Rappelz, they can choose one of 24 different character classes, take part in dungeon raids and sieges, and battle for more than 140 levels. This constantly evoluting MMORPG is free to download and play in its French and German versions on the portal www.gpotato.eu

In order to support the growing of the community, two new game servers have been opened today. These new worlds have been named Kentauros (for the French) and Bastet (for the German) after the names of two of the Rappelz precious creatures.

The gPotato Team wants to thank the community for its support and energy since the launch of the game. To celebrate the opening of these new worlds, the experience gain will be increased by 1.5 from 03/14 till 03/18 !

Welcome to the new pioneers of the Baster and Kentauros servers!

Please find with this press release two screenshots coming from the game, as well as the artworks of the creatures who gave their names to the servers.

*Important: The amount of 50 000 active users only includes gPotato users who played Rappelz during the passed 30 days. Inactive accounts or users playing other games are not taken into consideration in this count.

Nintendo Wii Games Have Control Problems

Are you a pro at Wii Sports bowling? Polish off Legend of Zelda last weekend? Need some new games for your Wii?
2007 has brought us a few more titles for Nintendo's hot new game system, and some of them have a little fun buried deep within them. Unfortunately, to get to it, you've got to dig through layer upon layer of clumsy, awkward use of the system's motion-sensing controls.

Is it worth the struggle? That depends on how badly you need to be entertained.

Sonic and the Secret Rings:
You remember Sonic the Hedgehog from his days as the Sega Genesis' wisecracking mascot-with-attitude, right? The little blue rodent hasn't been relevant since Pogs were in style, but he's still soldiering on. Sonic and the Secret Rings plays a lot like a racing game -- you control Sonic from behind as he zips along a narrow, lengthy course filled with obstacles and enemies.

more...

SSX Blur:
If it weren't for the Wii, the snowboarding game SSX Blur would have no reason to exist. Most of the content is cobbled together from previous games in the series, and the new cartoony approach looks good but not amazing. But this is the Wii, and everything old is brand spanking new again because of that funky controller.

more...

Wii Play:
Wii owners know the system sends you a little e-mail every day, showing you what games you played and how long you spent playing them. I cleared Wii Play's nine mini-games in a single sitting. The letter said it took me 34 minutes. I did not feel like playing it again.

more...

More from: W.I.R.E.D.

Rockstar wins Manhunt 2 film censor battle

The makers of a video game which was outlawed for being "sadistic, brutal and bleak" have finally had the ban lifted after an extended legal battle.

Horror title Manhunt 2, made by the successful British games developer Rockstar, has been granted a certificate after a nine-month fight with the British Board of Film Classification.

Last June the BBFC refused to grant a rating to the game, effectively making it the first to be banned in the UK for a decade.

The game – in which players take the role of a patient who escapes from an asylum – was accused of unremitting and gratuitous violence, with BBFC director David Cooke saying that Manhunt 2 could not be given had been rejected because of its "sustained and cumulative casual sadism".

The game's makers rejected those accusations, and said that the game was no more violent than many mainstream horror films. However, when a modified version of the game - with some of the more gruesome sequences removed - was again rejected, the matter became subject to a legal game of cat and mouse.

It eventually ended at the high court, where the BBFC's decision was overturned and the UK's censorship arbitration body, the video appeals committee (VAC), granted the certificate.

An edited version of the game will now be released with an 18 rating.

"We are pleased that the VAC has reaffirmed its decision recognising that Manhunt 2 is well within the bounds established by other 18+ rated entertainment," Rockstar said in a statement.

Lawrence Abramson, a partner at Harbottle & Lewis who represented Rockstar in the case, said that the entire censorship system needed to be rethought to take account of the video games industry.

"The system works in films, but the gameplaying experience is different," he told the Guardian.

The BBFC refused to comment.

Source: The Guardian

Rockstar wins Manhunt 2 film censor battle

The makers of a video game which was outlawed for being "sadistic, brutal and bleak" have finally had the ban lifted after an extended legal battle.

Horror title Manhunt 2, made by the successful British games developer Rockstar, has been granted a certificate after a nine-month fight with the British Board of Film Classification.

Last June the BBFC refused to grant a rating to the game, effectively making it the first to be banned in the UK for a decade.

The game – in which players take the role of a patient who escapes from an asylum – was accused of unremitting and gratuitous violence, with BBFC director David Cooke saying that Manhunt 2 could not be given had been rejected because of its "sustained and cumulative casual sadism".

The game's makers rejected those accusations, and said that the game was no more violent than many mainstream horror films. However, when a modified version of the game - with some of the more gruesome sequences removed - was again rejected, the matter became subject to a legal game of cat and mouse.

It eventually ended at the high court, where the BBFC's decision was overturned and the UK's censorship arbitration body, the video appeals committee (VAC), granted the certificate.

An edited version of the game will now be released with an 18 rating.

"We are pleased that the VAC has reaffirmed its decision recognising that Manhunt 2 is well within the bounds established by other 18+ rated entertainment," Rockstar said in a statement.

Lawrence Abramson, a partner at Harbottle & Lewis who represented Rockstar in the case, said that the entire censorship system needed to be rethought to take account of the video games industry.

"The system works in films, but the gameplaying experience is different," he told the Guardian.

The BBFC refused to comment.

Source: The Guardian

Video Game Sales Surge In February

Video games saw stronger-than-expected sales in February despite a continued shortage of the Xbox 360.

Sales of game software in North America reached nearly $669 million for the month, up 47% from the same period last year, according to data released by the NPD Group Thursday afternoon.

Analysts were expecting game sales to grow between 25-30%. The month was led by continued strong sales of the "Call of Duty" and "Guitar Hero" franchises from Activision, though Capcom's "Devil May Cry 4" game also racked up strong sales for the month, according to the NPD report.

On the hardware side, the Nintendo Wii continued to lead in sales for next- generation consoles with 432,000 units sold.

The PlayStation 3 from Sony (SNE) moved more than 280,000 units for the month while the Xbox 360 from Microsoft (MSFT) sold 254,600 units. Microsoft said the device remained "in a supply constrained situation" that started in January.

"Call of Duty 4" from Activision (ATVI) was the top selling game title for the fourth month in a row, moving more than 296,000 units for the Xbox 360 version alone.

The same version of the "Devil May Cry 4" release moved more than 295,000 units.

Activision sold more than 222,000 units of "Guitar Hero III" for the Wii. A rival title -- "Rock Band" from Electronic Arts (ERTS) -- sold 161,800 units for the Xbox 360.

Source: CNN Money

Condemned 2 Theme Packs Available Via Xbox Live

SEGA Urge You To Condemn Your Console

Condemned 2 Theme Packs Available Via Xbox Live

SEGA Europe Ltd. today announced that two chilling Condemned 2 Theme Packs and five Picture Packs are available via the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Developed by Monolith Productions, the geniuses of spine-chilling video games, Condemned 2 is the next chapter in the award winning and critically acclaimed Condemned™ series. The two Theme Packs, “Fight Club Theme” & “Characters Theme” are full of beautifully grim artwork to use as wallpapers, whilst the Picture Packs feature similarly gruesome imagery. The Theme Packs are available for 150 Microsoft Points each, and the Picture Packs for 120 Microsoft Points each.

Condemned 2 thrusts players into the worn boots of Ethan Thomas, the former Serial Crimes Unit investigator, found drifting aimlessly through a society in inexplicable decline. Fighting inner demons throughout his one-man investigation into a sinister conspiracy, Ethan will need to use anything and everything in the environment to survive as he unravels the mysteries shrouding the city in darkness.

Condemned 2 is set for release across Europe on April 4th, 2008 for the Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system.

Mega Man Star Force 2 RPG on Nintendo DS

Capcom, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today showcased Mega Man Star Force 2 for Nintendo DS, the second game in the Mega Man Star Force series which will offer an updated battle system with new Battle Cards and new foes to confront. Mega Man Star Force 2 will be released in two versions, Zerker X Ninja or Zerker X Saurian with players able to choose between Zerker, Ninja or Saurian dependent on which version they opt for. Mega Man Star Force™ 2 is currently scheduled for release this June.


Each of the three variants – Zerker, Ninja and Saurian – offers its own distinct Mega Man transformations with unique special attributes and abilities. Players can harness the spirit of an ancient species known as “Tribe” and transform or “tribe on” into three different forms – Elec Zerker wields a large sword imbued with the power of lightning; Wood Ninja can throw a huge Shinobi Star and move at great speed, while Fire Saurian is able to reduce enemies to smoldering pieces with a swipe of his fiery fist.


Developed by the team behind the popular MegaMan Battle Network™ series, Mega Man Star Force™ 2 continues two months after the previous game left off. Geo Stelar and crew return to battle a whole host of UMA’s (unidentified animated beings) and a new rival character named “Rogue.” Amidst this new conflict, a mysterious organization emerges with plans to revive the ancient civilization of “Mu” by utilizing the force of an ancient heritage “OOPArt.” It’s up to Geo and his virus-busting buddy, Omega-Xis, to thwart this latest threat.


Mega Man Star Force™ 2 blends a unique formula of RPG exploration elements with fast-paced action, as players travel and battle between coexisting worlds, the physical world and the virtual Wave World, to unravel the mystery around this new troublemaker. Players will encounter enemies in the virtual Wave World and battle them on three-by-five battle grids with their Battle Card deck. Mega Man Star Force™ 2 also adds an upgraded “Transer” system.


Activating the communications application via the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection or the Wireless LAN allows players to connect with in-game friends regardless of their location, add new friends to their network to create a “Brother Band” network, where they can share cards, status upgrades, and even help each other to perform, upgraded transformations. Wireless match application via the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection is also available for Mega Man Star Force™ 2 which allows players to test their skills against friends across the internet.

Mega Man Star Force 2 Fact Sheet

Mega Man Star Force returns, delivering totally upgraded and cutting-edge online communication and device customization technologies through a portable RPG adventure that is brought to life in the iconic, action-driven Mega Man way! Mega Man Star Force 2 will be available in two versions, Zerker X Ninja and Zerker X Saurian with players able to choose between Zerker, Ninja, or Saurian depending on which version they choose.

Developed by the team behind the popular MegaMan Battle Network series, Mega Man Star Force 2 continues two months after the previous game left off. Geo Stelar and crew return to battle a whole host of UMA's (unidentified animated beings) and a new rival character appears named "Rogue." Amidst this new conflict, a mysterious organization emerges with plans to revive the ancient civilization of "Mu" by utilizing the force of an ancient heritage "OOPArt." It's up to Geo and his virus-busting buddy, Omega-Xis, to thwart this latest threat.

Mega Man Star Force 2 blends a unique formula of RPG exploration elements with fast-paced action, as players travel and battle between coexisting worlds, the physical world and the virtual Wave World, to unravel the mystery around this new troublemaker. Players will encounter enemies in the virtual Wave World and battle them on three-by-five battle grids with their Battle Card deck. Mega Man Star Force 2also adds an upgraded "Transer" system.

• Two co-existing worlds – explore the real world in human form and transform into Mega Man to maneuver through the virtual "Wave World"

Each game version offers a unique powered-up transformation of Mega Man based on the respective elemental powers and can unleash spectacular special attacks, including "Zerker," which bestows Mega Man with a huge sword imbued with the power of lighting, "Ninja," which boosts Mega Man's speed and enables him to throw a huge Shurikan and "Saurian," which gives Mega Man the power of explosive fiery fists.

Each character has their own customizable Personal Page in the game where Battle Cards and information can be viewed and traded with friends to compare progress Nintendo Wi-Fi connection or the Wireless LAN allows players to connect with in-game friends regardless of their location, add new friends to their network to create a "Brother Band" network, where they can share cards, status upgrades, and even help each other to perform, upgraded transformations.

Announce the Project Origin video game website the sequel to supernatural FPS F.E.A.R.

READY TO FEAR ALMA AGAIN?

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is pleased to announce the launch of the official Project Origin community website. Monolith Productions’ sequel to the critically-acclaimed supernatural first-person shooter, F.E.A.R., rips players from their seats and throws them back into the tension as they combat enemy forces and the supernatural in a struggle to stop Alma, a girl with immense power and a thirst for revenge, and uncover the mysterious forces arrayed against them before it’s too late.

Click the following link to immerse yourself in the world of Project Origin - including fresh content.

About Project Origin

Featuring enhanced enemy AI and weapons, as well as new locations and powers, Project Origin resumes the gripping tale of suspense, action and horror that begun in F.E.A.R. Beginning shortly before the ending of the first game, a Special Forces squad is on a routine mission when the city of Auburn is rocked by a supernatural explosion. Alma has unleashed her wrath upon the city.

Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Developer: Monolith Productions