Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 PC Sony PlayStation3 Microsoft X360 Screenshots

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Sony PlayStation 3 screenshots

FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES Ring of Fates

Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of Square Enix interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, today announces that FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: Ring of Fates will be on sale from tomorrow exclusively on the Nintendo DS system.

FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: Ring of Fates has been designed to be the most accessible title in FINAL FANTASY series. The unique action-based gameplay offers exciting 3D levels, exploration and puzzle solving, with a control system that allows you to engage enemies on your terms and without any random encounters.

The best part of this exciting adventure is that up to four friends can team-up and co-operate with Nintendo DS Wireless Play. Like all great heroes, you’ll want to look good during the action and there are hundreds of different items and costume combinations to make your character unique.

John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. comments, “With a strong focus on action and exploration FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: Ring of Fates offers an exciting, fast-paced adventure. If you’ve never played a FINAL FANTASY game before, Ring of Fates is the perfect introduction and offers even more fun when played with friends.”

For more information about FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: Ring of Fates, please visit the official website at finalfantasycrystalchronicles.co.uk

About FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: Ring of Fates

Story

The Great Crystal protects the land from the malefic glow of the blood red moon.
Twins are born to this land, endowed with a shared, mystical power.
Their peaceful life is suddenly changed with the rise of the blood red moon.
All fates are etched into the crystal.

Features

• Unique action-based gameplay – with 3D levels, exploration and puzzle solving.
• Action-based control system lets you experience the adventure your way.
• Experience exhilarating real-time battles with intuitive controls.
• Gorgeous 3D graphics and an emotional audio score create a beautiful world to explore.
• Up to four players can co-operate via DS Wireless Play!
• Realise the tale of two heroic yet innocent twins in a unique story of fate, adventure and fraternal love.
• Hundreds of different item and costume combinations add to the fun. Changes to costume/equipment are directly visible on your character in the game.
• Trade with friends using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection functions.
• Additional content over the original Japanese version, with four new quests.
• Can be played in four different languages – English, French, German and Spanish. The multiplayer mode, which allows up to four players to play together, can be played seamlessly even when each player selects a different language.

Atari UK To Release Driving Theory Training on Nintendo DS

Atari UK To Release 'Driving Theory Training'

Fasten your Seatbelt for Atari's On-the-Move Driving Theory Test and Highway Code Tutor for Nintendo DS

Atari UK today announce the forthcoming release of a new title for the popular Nintendo DS handheld console, Driving Theory Training, giving players the unique opportunity to revise, practice and take virtual tests on driving theory and Highway Code whilst on the move.

This will be the first time that the Nintendo DS has been used as a new media device to help learners study and simulate the actual test. Driving Theory Training is aimed at provisional license holders who need that little extra help to be successful when the day of the real test comes around and offers valuable help to anyone who’s learning to drive.

Available in Summer 08, Driving Theory Training will feature the full driving theory questions and answers officially licensed by the DSA (Driving Standards Agency). In addition to a full theory test based on the real life exam, learners can benefit from revision, graphs, mini games and questions and answers relating to vehicles. The application also features the full Highway-code, ways to learn and revise as well as fun games to entertain whilst stimulating the mind.

“Knowing the rules of the road and the highway-code is vital part of driving and passing your theory test."

Atari UK have been striving to replicate the driving theory exam in an educational and informative application. We hope this title will help people learn everything they need to know to successfully pass their driving theory test. Commented Jeremy Wigmore, Managing Director of Atari UK. Everything from speed limits to stopping distances is covered using the official question bank featured in the actual test. The application also includes the full Highway-code and fun driving related games. Wherever they are, players can take the test, revise the questions or simply play challenges. We are knowledgeable that learners need to have a deep understanding of what they’re studying rather than simply remembering questions to pass the test and hopefully this title will help them achieve that whilst also providing an enjoyable experience.

Driving Theory Training for the Nintendo DS is scheduled for UK launch in summer 2008. For more information about Atari’s entire product line up, visit www.uk.atari.com.

PC video game Dekaron Open beta starts on April 2nd

Dekaron Open beta starts on April 2nd

In a world enlightened by two moons the battle between light and darkness is about to start…

Are you ready to join the war lasting for millennia?

Dekaron is now ready to step into open beta phase: be ready for it on April 2nd!

Choose your warrior, enter Trieste and help the resistance to win the war!

Run to register to GameTribe! The battle is waiting for you!

GameTribe Team

Time to Play!

About Dekaron

• Genre: 3D MMORPG
• Developers: GAMEHI
• Plus:
–

Mix between a RPG and Action Adventure game styles

• Features:

– Realistic Combat System
– Dynamic Battle Included in Combo System
– Advanced Artificial intelligence
– Realistic 3D graphics

Sunny Blonde stops over dtp releases So Blonde demo

Sunny Blonde stops over: dtp releases So Blonde demo

Sunny Blonde stops over for a quick visit: The cute heroine of Steve Ince’s and dtp entertainment’s new PC adventure game So Blonde invites adventure gamers to have a look into the free demo version of the game. Publisher dtp entertainment today releases a German language version of the demo, an English language version will follow shortly.

Adventure gamers can download the demo from the official So Blonde homepage (www.soblonde.de for German language; www.soblonde.com for English and other languages).

The approx. 400 MB sized demo features the beginning of the new adventure game: See Sunny stranding at the Forgotten Island and meet Max, one of the three playable characters of the game.

Sunny Blonde didn’t exactly want to land in the Bermudas; in fact the gorgeous 17 year-old was on a luxury cruise with her parents to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary. But a raging storm plunged the ship into distress at sea, Sunny went overboard and she regained consciousness washed up on the beach like driftwood!

Much more problematic than her unintended stay on a totally unknown island, which she has no idea how she can ever leave, the horrible realisation dawns on Sunny that she will suddenly have to do without out all the luxuries of life: her mobile has no signal, her make-up is a mess and it looks like the nearest shopping mall is miles away… on foot! And if that wasn’t enough, unfortunate circumstances have thrown Sunny back some one hundred years in time and she has ended up in a golden era of pirates and buccaneers!

Sunny Blonde is also in a really tricky situation and we are calling upon the PC gaming community to solve it in So Blonde! The person responsible for the novel plot is none other than the famous adventure author, Steve Ince (“Baphomets Curse”).

So Blonde, developed by the French developers Wizarbox, promises a wacky story line, an (anti-)heroine as pretty as a picture, deeply black humour, which far outstrips all the blonde joke clichés, fabulous comic-strip graphics and a quite few gameplay surprises!

dtp will publish So Blonde worldwide. So Blonde has shortly been released in German-speaking territories and will be published in Q2 2008 in most territories over the world.

BETA PROGRAM FOR BATTLEFIELD: BAD COMPANY, SHIPPING JUNE 2008

EA DICE, a studio of Electronic Arts today announced the multiplayer beta test for Battlefield: Bad Company on the Xbox 360 video game system from Microsoft. IGN Founders’ Club and IGN Insider will offer keys to members and the public in North America and the UK to participate in the multiplayer beta test, starting March 25, provided by IGN’s popular game download site FilePlanet . In addition, keys will also be available through IGN Entertainment’s gaming web sites including IGN.com, GameSpy, TeamXbox, Planet Battlefield and Voodoo Extreme. Battlefield: Bad Company will launch on the Xbox 360 and the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system in June 2008.

“We’re really excited about this beta since it gives us a chance to let a wider audience play our new multiplayer game, ‘Gold Rush’. The feedback coming back from something like this is crucial for us as developers and will help us with the final changes and polish in the game,” stated Karl-Magnus Troedsson, Senior Producer for Battlefield: Bad Company. “Battlefield and FPS fans get their first glimpse into how tactical destruction can be applied in multiplayer gameplay. We think offering two of the multiplayer maps will give gamers a fantastic experience and some great insight into the game.”

The Battlefield: Bad Company multiplayer beta test will give players a chance to return to the battlefield to embark on an exciting mission to capture the spoils of war. Gamers will battle through two different maps, access new infantry kits and vehicles as well as experience the unique tactical destruction in Battlefield: Bad Company that changes the way first-person shooter games are played. With an unlimited upgrade tree and rewards, the multiplayer beta gives players the exhilaration, excitement and fun that awaits them when the final game ships later this summer.

“Xbox LIVE has a tradition of hosting some of the greatest demo and beta events gamers can play,” said Marc Whitten, General Manager of Xbox LIVE. “We continue this practice of awesome online gameplay with the new beta of Battlefield Bad Company.”

Developed by Sweden-based developer EA DICE (Digital Illusions Creative Entertainment), Battlefield: Bad Company has not yet been rated by the ESRB or PEGI. For more information about the Battlefield franchise, please visit www.battlefield.com

Sequel Announced for epic RPG Two Worlds - The Temptation Arrives This Autumn

SouthPeak Brings Temptation To The RPG Genre

Sequel Announced for epic RPG; Two Worlds: The Temptation Arrives This Autumn

SouthPeak Games has announced that it will be releasing a sequel to Two Worlds, its popular open-world role-playing game. Entitled Two Worlds: The Temptation, this second episode from the world of Antaloor is set for release on PC and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Due on the shelves in autumn 2008, Two Worlds: The Temptation will build on its prequel by including a host of improvements and new features, including a completely overhauled graphics engine.

Taking place shortly after the events portrayed in the first Two Worlds, The Temptation takes place in Eastern Antaloor, mostly in the regions surrounding Oswaroh and the Drak’ar Desert. Two Worlds: The Temptation will also include a host of improvements and all-new game content on the same scale as the original Two Worlds’ epic game world. From more intricate missions, improved voice-overs and animations to re-tooled horseback riding, completely revamped combat and a new graphics engine that delivers visuals that have to be seen to be believed, Two Worlds: The Temptation is set to build on the success of the original and take the fantasy kingdom of Antaloor to new heights of complexity and player freedom.

“We first envisioned The Temptation as an expansion to the original,” said Miroslaw Dymek, Chief Developer with Reality Pump explained. “However, as we started creating the story and reworking almost every aspect of the game, we realised that we were well on our way to crafting a fully-fledged sequel. Our entire development team is now putting their all into making Two Worlds: The Temptation a game that is far and away better than the original.”

“Two Worlds has a huge fan base across the world, and all will be happy to hear that The Temptation will be exactly what they’ve been hoping for in a sequel.” Said Melanie Mroz, CEO of SouthPeak Games. “The team at Reality Pump has taken to heart all the comments made by the players and will incorporate massive improvements that are sure to please and surprise everyone.”

For more information about Two Worlds, or to sign up for the Antaloor Post, please visit www.2-worlds.com.

Hurry Up Hedgehog – a cute addition to your Nintendo DS collection!

Hurry Up Hedgehog – a cute addition to your Nintendo DS collection!

Release date set for Hurry Up Hedgehog for the Nintendo DS.

Oxygen Games is pleased to announce that its cute and addictive puzzle title is now shipping and will be in the shops on 28th March 2008.

Hurry Up Hedgehog! is both a simple and thoroughly addictive puzzler offering an easy-to-learn playing experience for the whole family to shrewdly manoeuvre their way to victory. For board game aficionados, it’s based on the popular board game, Igel Ärgern.

Play against the computer or with up to 5 friends on a single Nintendo DS™ (or with multiple consoles through local wi-fi) whilst dodging hazards and out-smarting friends to race your hedgehogs home.

Featuring multiple game play environments and a selection of customisable game play and game rules options, Hurry Up Hedgehog offers up to 32 unique ways to play the game providing enough depth to keep players coming back for more and more!

Hurry Up Hedgehog! – Race, creep, jostle and out-manoeuvre in this intriguing multi-player brainteaser for all ages.

Probably the cutest hedgehogs to be seen on the Nintendo DS will be in shops from 28th March 2008.

Popcorn Arcade Signs BATTLE RAGE THE ROBOT WARS on Nintendo Wii

Popcorn Arcade Signs BATTLE RAGE: THE ROBOT WARS

Coming soon for Nintendo Wii...

Stourbridge, England. Data Design Interactive - a successful video games publisher and games developer - is pleased to announce that it has secured rights to publish and develop the Nintendo Wii version of Battle Rage through their Popcorn Arcade label. Battle Rage is a third-person PC shooter and has been developed by Destan Entertainment and produced by Teyon Games. The company also announced the games full working title for the Nintendo Wii format: BATTLE RAGE: THE ROBOT WARS.

Data Design Interactive managing director Stewart Green said,

"Battle Rage is already an excellent game on the PC, but we saw the potential for the title on the Wii and jumped at the chance to develop it further for Nintendo's system. With our proven technology and the GODS engine all aspects of the original game will be effortlessly transferred over to the Wii. The combination of the high-end PC graphics, proven gameplay and addition of motion control will make for a very compelling and enjoyable experience."

BATTLE RAGE: THE ROBOT WARS the third person shooter with elements of a beat’em'up game that allows a player to control giant robots. Battles between the robots take place on carefully selected battlegrounds (so called “arenas”) and they are short, quick, brutal skirmishes. The player can fight alone (versus one, two or even three opponents) or in a team against a common foe. Every robot has its own weapons (for melee and distance combat), additional weapon types can be collected on the arena.

The player can modify a robot’s parameters in the single player mode as well as in the multiplayer to fit its possibilities to his/her own fighting style. Also many new, powerful robots will wait for the player to unlock in the story mode. The Tournament has begun.

Features:

• Single player and Multiplayer modes.
  
• Arcade mode with a separate Storyline for each of the robots characters.
  
• Robot Customization.
  
• Compelling mechanics (Rage, Rush, Power Traingle).
  
• Special Attacks (push, stun and other unique abilities for each robot).
  
• Robots allowed to fight with 3 weapons at the same time (two ranged and one melee).
  
• 8 different robots.
  
• 20 weapons.
  
• 10 arenas.
  

The Story:

Exodus It all begun in 2036 with invention of The Drive. After nearly a century the humanity turned its eyes at the stars again. First the Moon and then Mars, so unwelcoming and mysterious, had to submit to mankind’s expansion. Space became swarmed with shiny hulls of ships. Cosmos turned into an obsession. It was an everyman’s dream to witness, at least once, extraterrestrial wonders. Whether it was the surface of the Silver Globe bruised with craters, or for many years, intriguing "human face” – Cydonia. The governments were competing with propaganda, promising the volunteers piles of gold and the glory of conquerors. Those who believed them mostly found tough, dangerous life and uncertain fate. However, they wouldn’t back off.

The Colonization Era has come.

Creation When you want to penetrate the mysteries of Cosmos you need more then just sheer determination. Quickly it turned out how much we are dependant on machines that we create. So we built more - each bigger and more advanced than the previous. We designed metal giants in our own image – Shells. We considered them the finest tools in the history of craftsmanship.

The Golden Age of humanity was to last forever.

The Fall Delighted with our creation, we disregarded teachings of history. After what happened, many theories that would allow us to prevent tragic events emerged. If we were that creative before, we might have saved thousands of innocent lives. We died instead, like the passengers of “Titanic”, driven by our vanity. Ironically, our greatest and most promising undertaking – “New Hope” – turned into a flaming tomb for countless individuals.

So began the end of Colonization Era.

Renaissance The "New Hope” incident deprived us of delusions, we were far from perfection. We turned our backs on our children. Where the luminous, glimmering cosmic cities once stood, heaps of junk laid – the only remnants left by Shells. The fall of such a great idea affected our whole society. Never before were criminal records that high. Boredom and resignation overcame us. It was when the Corporation emerged, finding a niche on the entertainment market. Who would have thought that few, cheaply bought wrecks of Shells and the ruins of an old factory would start a madness not weaker than that of a couple of years back. Several convicts were offered freedom and money if they were to fight and win in front of the TV cameras. Quickly they have become the true heroes of our bored society.

Data Design Interactive is part of Green Solutions Ltd (GSL) which manages the production of interactive products for the entertainment industry. From game design, development and publishing on PC and Console. GSL owns the popular MYTH MAKERS and KIDZ SPORTS brands and the publishing rights to the GODS development system. We control a number of studios which specialize in key areas. Data Design Interactive develops and publishes, and is a licensed publisher for Sony Playstation, Nintendo and Microsoft, Artworld Studios for computer animation and Advergaming is the market leader for in game advertising and custom games. Popcorn Arcade www.popcorn-arcade.com is the brand name for our family friendly, value priced Wii range.

6 MILLION SONGS IN ROCK BAND PURCHASED IN JUST OVER 3 MONTHS

Rock Band Downloadable Content Goes Six Times Platinum

6 MILLION SONGS IN ROCK BAND PURCHASED IN JUST OVER 3 MONTHS

BRAND NEW IN-GAME MUSIC STORE FEATURED IN ROCK BAND

SOFTWARE UPDATE HITS THIS WEEK

Red hot music video game Rock Band continues to fly off shelves and satisfy music fans and gamers voracious appetite for rock as more than 6 million game levels based on songs have been purchased since its launch on November 20, 2007. With an impressive weekly stream of downloadable content since launch and an unmatched offering of over 70 songs available for purchase to date, Rock Band has gone six times platinum featuring a diverse selection of artists ranging from classic rock to up and coming, emerging acts.

"Thank you to the music lovers who have helped Rock Band reach an incredible milestone of over 6 million purchased downloads at such an early stage,” stated by Paul DeGooyer, SVP DVD, Gaming and Audio, MTV. “The success of Rock Band downloadable content to date firmly reinforces our vision and its potential as a platform for music discovery. By empowering players with the ability to customize their Rock Band library with a rapidly growing selection of rock artists and songs on a weekly basis and adding great new features such as the in-game music store, we are thrilled to give fans more ways to enhance and enjoy their Rock Band experience.”

As an ever evolving platform for players to experience music like never before, Harmonix and MTV Games also announced the release of a software update this week which features the new in-game Rock Band Music Store. This innovative new feature allows Rock Band players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks and packs from the vast selection of offerings available to date without ever leaving the game as they build their own custom Rock Band library. The Rock Band Music Store has a user-friendly interface to streamline and enhance the music shopping experience and will be available via a free download through the Xbox LIVE® and PLAYSTATION®Network this week. Accessible from the main menu, the Music Store now lets you view, purchase, and sort all downloadable songs tracks by Artist, Song Title, Genre, Albums, Pack, and more! You can also view album art, listen to song previews, as well as check out detailed information about a song, such as difficulty for each instrument.

Also included in the Rock Band software update are additional game features that address many of the popular requests by the gaming community. Access to Xbox LIVE or the PLAYSTATION Network is required to download the Rock Band feature update. Users will be prompted to accept the Music Store software update automatically when starting Rock Band while connected to Xbox LIVE or PLAYSTATION Network.

Rock Band™ allows online play and possesses features that expand the boundaries of music gaming. Rock Band™ downloadable content is playable and integrated into setlists in all game modes including: Solo Tour, Band World Tour, head-to-head competition either locally or online, and from any Quickplay mode. In order to play downloadable content for head-to-head matches or multiplayer online, all players must own the same downloadable track. Downloadable content for the Xbox 360 is available for purchase via Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft using Microsoft Points and is downloaded directly to the Xbox 360 hard drive. Downloadable content for the PLAYSTATION 3 system’s version of Rock Band is available for purchase on the PLAYSTATION Store through the free PLAYSTATION Network and is downloaded directly to PLAYSTATION 3 system's built in hard drive.

On top of the over combined 125 Rock Band tracks available to date via disc or download purchase, fans can continue to expect more music available for download every week through 2008 through a variety of song packs, albums and individual tracks with suggested retail pricing varying from $.99 to $2.99 per track (The equivalent of 80 to 240 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360), with the vast majority selling for $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360). For a complete list of Rock Band songs available for purchase to date, please go to http://www.rockband.com/dlc.

Rock Band is rated “T” for Teen (lyrics, mild suggestive themes) by the ESRB.

EA is the exclusive distribution and marketing partner for Rock Band, managing distribution for the game.

Naval simulation game Ship Simulator 2008 add-on New Horizons

GOLD Announcement for true-to-life naval simulation game Ship Simulator 2008 add-on: New Horizons

Leading computer software publisher Lighthouse Interactive and Dutch developer VSTEP are proud to announce that the next incarnation for their successful Ship Simulator franchise: the official Ship Simulator 2008 add-on: New Horizons has gone gold.

The Dutch duo confirmed the eagerly awaited game is ready to set sail on retail shelves on the 4th of April, 2008 in the UK and Scandinavia. Release dates for other European countries and North-America are to be determined. This new edition to the popular franchise is packed with upgrades and is Windows Vista compatible.

Erik Schreuder, CEO of Lighthouse Interactive: "The Ship Simulator series has already generated a large community of Ship Sim fans. They will now be able to extend their naval experience with the official Ship Simulator 2008 Add-on: New Horizons. There are so many improved elements to the game that make this a challenging true-to-life experience – everyone interested in simulator games should really check this out."

VSTEP's CTO Pjotr van Schothorst: "After months of intensive development and testing, we are proud about New Horizons reaching gold status. With its brand new features, improved visuals and added gameplay options, New Horizons provides an exciting addition to Ship Simulator 2008 and will surprise Simulation fans worldwide. New Horizons is the next step in creating an even more immersive experience for our Ship Simulator fans."

Become Napoleon And Conquer Europe In New PC Game

Become Napoleon And Conquer Europe In New PC Game

TRAVEL BACK IN TIME AND COMMAND THE MOST FAMOUS HISTORICAL BATTLES OF THE 19TH CENTURY

Napoleon’s Campaigns is an engaging battle strategy game from Ascaron launching in April 2008. Take on the role of the infamous leader Napoleon Bonaparte to experience renowned battles of the 19th century in complete historical accuracy.

For immersive realism, Napoleon’s Campaigns has been developed based on extensive historical records. The different battle campaigns take place in chronological order, starting with Austerlitz and Trafalgar in1805, through other famous battles such as Jena in 1806 and the Danube in 1809, ending with Napoleon’s final defeat at Waterloo in 1815.

There are more than 1,500 historical figures in Napoleon’s Campaigns, each with their own specific character traits. At Waterloo, Wellington’s stern countenance will mean a meticulously organised army, while during battle at Leipzig, Blücher’s decisive movements and sheer determination help to create a tactical and brutal conflict.

Napoleon’s Campaigns features over 1,000 different types of army units, including infantry, cavalry, cannons, warships, spies, doctors, partisans and engineers. These have been accurately recreated, from the type of formations they take during battle right down to the smallest detail of their uniforms.

Genuine political scenarios and military strategies add to the accuracy of Napoleon’s Campaigns. Geographical borders and topography are represented on a map based on real 3D satellite projection, so visual effects and gameplay are as realistic as possible. If an army is ordered to march from one city to another, it may take a day if the land is flat with roads, but it could take 5 days over mountains with a rough terrain.

Change history

Napoleon’s Campaigns also features an exciting bonus level with the chance to change history as Napoleon wins at Waterloo and achieves his biggest dream; invading England.

To play the demo of Napoleon’s Campaigns visit www.napoleons-campaigns.com

Fast facts:
Publisher: Ascaron Entertainment / Nobilis
Web: www.ascaron.com
Developer: AGEOD
Release date: 11th April 2008
PEGI: 3+
Format: PC
Genre: Battle Strategy

Guitar Hero On Tour Explodes onto Nintendo DS This Summer

Guitar Hero On Tour Explodes onto Nintendo DS This Summer

New Game Introduces Revolutionary Guitar Hero Guitar Grip Peripheral for Anytime, Anywhere Guitar Hero Gameplay

For the first time, handheld gamers will have the freedom to unleash their inner rock star anywhere, anytime with Activision upcoming Guitar Hero: On Tour for Nintendo DSTM. The game will deliver a unique Guitar Hero experience by challenging handheld gamers to rock out and prove their shredding skills on the most diverse set list of master tracks ever offered in a Guitar Hero game, including classic rock, alternative and pop favorites such as Nirvana, OK Go and No Doubt.

The game will be packaged with a revolutionary Guitar HeroTM Guitar GripTM peripheral that fits snugly into the DS and a unique Guitar Hero pick-stylus that brings a new dimension to handheld gaming and the core gameplay that defines Guitar Hero. Guitar Hero: On Tour has been designed specifically for the DS platform and will offer the DS audience an all-new compelling music experience.

"We are continuing to introduce new and exciting ways to bring music to audiences with Guitar Hero," said Dusty Welch, head of publishing for Activision/RedOctane. "The Guitar Hero Guitar Grip redefines how games can be played on handheld systems and the integration of the microphone and touch screen gameplay on the DS, further illustrates Guitar Hero's leadership in delivering the most unique and creative quality hardware and software on the market."

"We're designing Guitar Hero: On Tour from the ground up to take full advantage of the DS platform by integrating signature gameplay with fresh new content and DS specific features," said Karthik Bala, CEO of Vicarious Visions. "We've taken all of our learnings on the DS platform to date and pushed it to the limits to create a truly innovative Guitar Hero experience."

Guitar Hero: On Tour continues to build on the franchise's signature easy-to-play, yet difficult to master addictive gameplay, and now lets players take their experience on the road wherever they go. Players use the Guitar Hero pick-stylus on the touch screen to strum their favorite tunes and create their rock 'n' roll legacy in career mode.

Fans can also join together to play co-op mode using a local wireless network, or battle each other in a Guitar Duel using new Battle Items unique to the DS platform. For example, players must blow into the microphone to extinguish a pyrotechnics effects gone wrong, or use the touch screen to autograph a crazed fan's shirt in the middle of their set.

Featuring five unlockable new venues, the game lets players personalize their experience by choosing the color of their axe of choice, selecting to play as one of six characters - two of which are all new and exclusive to Guitar Hero: On Tour - and outfitting their guitarist in numerous styles.

Guitar Hero: On Tour is being developed by Vicarious Visions for the Nintendo DS. The game is rated "E 10+" (Everyone 10 and older) by the ESRB and is scheduled for release this summer. For more information, visit www.guitarheroontour.com.

Messerschmitt Bf109 - Spitfire's deadly foe now available as a boxed Flight Sim plug-in.

Messerschmitt Bf109

An iconic aircraft from WWII reproduced to award winning detail for Flight Simulator X and 2004. Includes F, G and K series in dozens of aircraft and paints scheme variations.

Label: Flight1
Developer: Flight Replicas
Genre: Flight Simulator Expansion
Format: PC CD-ROM
Release: December 2007
SRP: £29.99 / €39.95

“Add smell and some vibration and you would think that the simulated Bf109 was real!”
Gordon Page, Warbird Pilot and Messerchmitt owner

“The 109 is stunning in the air and just demands to have everything it will give extracted from it, which is one hell of a lot. I have seldom flown an FS plane which has had such a convincing flight model and also been so much fun to handle… One of the most fantastic simulations I have had the privilege to review. Just get out and buy it.”
Flightsim.com Armchair Aviator Award

Strike first, getaway fast!

The Messerschmitt Bf109 was flown by the three highest scoring fighter aces of WWII, outperforming both Spitfires and Hurricanes in vertical climbs and dives.

The iconic foe of the Allied air forces in WWII, the Messerschmitt Bf-109 was the staple fighter of the Luftwaffe. It scored more air-to-air victories in WWII than any other and was produced in greater quantities than any other fighter aircraft in history, with over 31,000 built.

This superb package brings together F, G and K types of the 109 in a vast array of model variants. But each shares the same thing, a meticulous attention to detail: the start-up sounds are totally authentic, the pilot is accurately clothed and even prop blades alter their angle according to prop settings.

Match this with incredible 3D modelling, including the gauges in the virtual cockpit and a flight model authenticated by warbird pilots and you have a classic you will want to fly again and again!

Features

• Virtual Cockpit panels feature authentic configurations and gauges unique to each of the sub-variants of the F, G and K series. There are working ‘Revi’ gun sights (that fold out of the way when not in use) and 3D gauges for smooth realism, even when zoomed right in.
  
• Accurate (and challenging!) ground handling characteristics. Like the real thing the Bf109 requires real skill to taxi, take-off and land with the accurate flight model and ground handling (reportedly as many 109s were lost to accidents as were shot down!) The aircraft even handles differently in the air when the drop tanks are released.
  
• Everything is detailed and reproduced authentically, from the shape of the canopies on the aircraft of notable German aces, to accurate pilot flight suits and helmets.
  
• Aircraft feature working Fletter tabs on ailerons and rudder, functioning coolant flaps and even propeller blades that alter their angle with prop settings. Inside you get the MW emergency boost system reproduced along with all the other systems and cockpit items.
  
• 100% authentic Bf109 engine sounds. Hear the distinctive screech of the starter motor through to the deep rumble of the 1500hp inverted Daimler V12.
  
• Finally, if the dozens of variants included are not enough, an included paint kit will let you reproduce your own favourite 109 from history!
  

The boxed edition includes both the Flight Simulator 2004 and Flight Simulator X versions of the software with an extensive printed manual.

System Requirements
MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR X or 2004
Windows – Windows XP or Vista
Processor – 2.8 GHz
Memory – 2 Gb RAM
Hard Drive – 200 Mb free
Video Card – 256 Mb

Salvation - An update on Black Wing Foundation's Source-engined action game

New update and short QA

First of all, the team would like to thank your for the interest and all the feedback left at numerous gaming web portals and sites, both negative and positive. Your opinion helps us to see our drawbacks and add stones to the concrete of the game to make it stronger and better. We care about your feedback, ake conclusions and do our best with the game.

Now, a short QA following your feedback:

Q: Source seems to be rather old hat for now to develop a project that is going to be released Q2 2009.
A: That statement has some grounding to it, but. The game engine choice depends on specific game features planned, solutions you apply to get that final picture and atmosphere (whatever they are – end effect is key) and the project structure itself. Taking all the factors into account, our choice fell on Source, and we evaluated a few technologies. Still though, for example, we signed an exchange program with Emergent (Gamebryo 2.3.) for one of the Salvation spin-offs planned, as Source wouldn't fit for that game. I think you get our point here.

Q: It looks like a HL2 mod!
A: It's really the early in-game screenshots. If you want us to cheat you by howing fake screens, we can do it, just tell us =). Though we prefer to show the rogress on every stage of the game development and have a doze of your influenceto the process. You can check new screens in today's update. They are partially a esult of your comments, btw.

Q: The story seems interesting but it's kind of fuzzy and description on the site born more questions than give answers.
A: Guys, we have more than a year to go with the game, so be sure we'll shed ome more light on the story. For obvious reasons, cannot spoil you the whole cript:).

Q: They have replicated Christ?! You'll burn in a hell for that game - infidels!
A: It's not as easy as it seems at the first glance; - game story is much more omplicated. C'mon, think wider than that:) We are not a bunch of like Satan-worshipers or something, it's all a devotion to science fiction (a little bit daring maybe) and last thing we would like to do is to hurt somebody's feelings.

Q: Ergh… how about web-site in Russian?
A: Check the site at Monday! We also promise proofread English texts)

So, today we bring you a batch of new screenshots from ome of Eastern European locations and one of the compositions from official game soundtrack – "Magenta Dawn". Like we said before – feel free to shoot your comments. 

We will follow them and make our conclusions.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Soulstorm and Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights live on GamersGate

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Soulstorm and Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights live on GamersGate

Leading PC digital distribution platform GamersGate announced today that Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Soulstorm and Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights for PC are available for direct download on http://www.gamersgate.com.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Soulstorm is the third and final expansion to the genre defining and critically acclaimed RTS, Dawn of War. In Soulstorm, two new armies are introduced, raising the total number of playable armies in Dawn of War to an unprecedented count of nine while also adding additional units to all existing factions. The revolutionary meta-game that was introduced in Dark Crusade is further expanded to an interplanetary scale, allowing players to battle across a star system. Combined with its sister products, Soulstorm makes Dawn of War the largest and most detailed RTS ever released.



Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights (HIN) evolves the current street racing scene, letting players experience the culture of the real-life HIN tour, the nation's largest lifestyle custom car show in an intense racing experience. Featuring track and drift racing at real-world locations around the globe, next-gen AI and unparalleled vehicle customization, Juiced 2: HIN brings street racing to life, allowing players to test their skills at live street racing events against a back-drop of DJs, models and musicians. Groundbreaking new features include addictive drift/powersliding races and "Driver DNA" that tracks gamers' personal driving traits. These profiles, along with the profiles of select celebrities will be available for download across all online gaming systems. Racing developer Juice Games has evolved the game-play that revolutionized online racing, giving players the power to create their car, assemble their crew and put it all on the line in intense pink slip and crew races. Gamers will also be able to bet cash on each event, bringing a gambling element to the game that greatly increases the importance of each race.

To find out more about Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Soulstorm on GamersGate http://www.gamersgate.com.

To find out more aboutJuiced 2: Hot Import Nights on GamersGate, http://www.gamersgate.com.

Urban Rivals – Search for an Art Star contest launched

Urban Rivals – Search for an Art Star!

Urban Rivals, the world’s leading online trading card game announce a search for artistic talent in the USA and Great Britain. Character artists are invited to submit one character card to enter, with a freelance design contract up for grabs in each country.

Boostr, the Company behind Urban Rivals announced today their ‘Search for an Art Star’. Two freelance contracts are available for a talented artist in the USA and Great Britain.

Urban Rivals launched in 2006 and has attracted over 1.75 million player registrations. The game involves battling other players online to level up and evolve your character cards, unlocking new abilities and powers. There are over 300 character cards available with four new cards being released every second Friday.

The game is set in the chaotic “Clint City” and the characters in game are divided among clans, each with its own distinct identity expressed through both design and their ultimate mission in the city.

Nicolas Caris, Head of Marketing and Editor-in-chief of the Urban Rivals online comic commented, “We’ve experienced good growth in the USA and UK and we need local character artists that can reach a 14-25, male audience with character designs they will identify with.” Urban Rivals revels in a unique artistic style through both the website at: www.urban-rivals.com And recently, the world of Clint City was bought to life in comic form with the launch of the biweekly online comic: www.urban-rivals.com/comics

Nicolas continued

“Its important artists understand the relevance of the clans and the design styles as well as find the right characters to fit into their chosen clan and within Clint City itself. So good luck to all entrants and we hope to be working with two designers in the near future.”

Who can enter:

• Entrants will most likely already have a career in design and would like to either expand career experience or take on freelance work to supplement their career.
• Or very talented student or junior wanting to add to their portfolio.

How to enter:

• One character card design to be submitted via email by 31st May 2008.
• All character card designs to be emailed to artstar@urban-rivals.com
• Formats acceptable for submission JPEG, PNG and GIF.
• Max file size for submission 500K.
• Character card design must show at least one character evolution.
• Character card design must be based on existing clans.
• Submissions must be in colour.
• All artwork submissions remain the intellectual property of the artist.

Further details about Urban Rivals ‘Search for an Art Star’ or two, can be found online at:
http://www.urban-rivals.com/

Numen: Contest of Heroes PC video game Screenshots

Numen: Contest of Heroes Screenshots

Gods (all the 9 gods featured in Numen: Contest of Heroes) were generous to us and presented a set of fresh (right from the development field) screenshots. Shot daily and nightly, these assets offer us a great opportunity to get an attentive look at the game visuals as they did become brighter and more compelling.



Harpies, giant spiders, ugly ghouls and other brilliant representatives of the bestiary created with love and care, courtesy of Cinemax, game development studio, are all at your disposal so that you can get a more comprehensive view and impression of what was cooking in ancient Greece and is in the works in our today’s world.

Sony's newest PlayStation 3 to allow downloads

The next update of Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3 console, slated late this month, will include features that let users download games, video and ring tones.

Sony said Thursday the system update will add Blu-ray Disc Profile 2.0, or BD-Live capability, to the PS3. It will also let users copy photos and music playlists on to their handheld PlayStation Portable, use the PSP as a remote control for playing music on the PS3 and stream linked video files from the Web.

This will make the PS3 the first Blu-ray player with access to Internet content and downloads. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., which owns the Panasonic brand, also plans to ship a BD-Live player this spring.

With the updates, Sony wants to build the gaming console's status as an entertainment hub.

The downloadable content will range from bonus movie scenes and trailers to "interactive movie-based games."

"With Blu-ray established as the high-definition optical disc standard, more consumers are ready to jump in and take advantage of everything the format offers," said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president of product marketing, in a statement.

The free update also adds a "resume play" feature that enables users to restart Blu-ray discs and DVDs at the point where they stopped even if they take the disk out of the drive. According to Sony's PlayStation blog, the update is slated for the "next few days."

Sony is planning to release a stand-alone Blu-ray player this summer that will feature an Ethernet port to download bonus materials. It won't be BD-Live capable -- meaning users won't be able to access Web content -- until a subsequent software update.

In this respect, Blu-ray players are playing catch up to the recently defunct HD DVD systems, which always had Internet capabilities.

The BDP-S350 player will cost about $400; a second player, shipping later this year, will cost about $500 and be able to download Web content.

Source: AP

Console Race: Another Lap For Sony

For the second month in a row, sales of Sony’s (SNE) Playstation 3 console system outpaced Microsoft’s (MSFT) Xbox 360 in the U.S., according to figures released late Mar. 13 by analysts at the NPD Group. Though both companies promptly issued press releases slicing the monthly results in their own favor, the results underscore the tightening race between the two tech giants.

After a 2007 of fits and starts, Sony’s game system seems to finally be on firm footing. The company crowed about the nearly 281,000 PS3 systems it sold, representing 120% sales growth from the year before and a volume 10% higher than Microsoft’s next-generation console for the month. “We believe that Blu-ray becoming the high-def format of choice was the tipping point for many consumers,” said Jack Tretton, president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America, referring to the demise earlier this year of the rival HD-DVD format formerly backed by Microsoft.

For its part, Microsoft issued a release saying supply constraints had held up sales. In Feb., Microsoft sold 254,600 Xbox 360s, up from 230,000 consoles the month before. The company says the so-called Xbox ecosystem – combined sales of game systems, software, and accessories – was worth $332 million, or 39% of the market for next generation systems. Microsoft was also able to sell more games with each of its systems than Sony.

Still, Sony seems to have the wind at its back. In addition to its advanced PS3 console, the company last month sold 243,100 Playstation Portables and an eye-opening 351,800 Playstation 2 units, its previous generation game system. A raft of highly anticipated exclusive titles including sequels to the Metal Gear Solid and Gran Turismo series are due in the next couple of months, which the company hopes will further boost sales. Some analysts have predicted that Sony could pull ahead of Microsoft this year, despite Redmond’s year advance on the Japanese games titan.

As a whole, the games industry continues booming. Year-to-date sales of both hardware and software were up 34% to $1.3 billion from $992 million. “Even following a red-hot 2007, the video games industry shows no signs of letting up,” said Anita Frazier, an NPD analyst. She added that a slate of blockbuster titles yet to be released could push “the industry to achieve another year of record-breaking sales despite difficult economic conditions.”

Source: Business Week

FINAL FANTASY TACTICS A2 Grimoire of the Rift

Dive Into The World Of Ivalice This Summer With FINAL FANTASY TACTICS A2: Grimoire of the Rift

The Latest Square Enix Tactical RPG Enters the Ivalice Alliance on June 24, 2008

Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that the latest entry in the IVALICE ALLIANCE series, FINAL FANTASY TACTICS A2: Grimoire of the Rift is set to transport players to the fantastical world of Ivalice on June 24, 2008.

Embark on a journey through the vibrant world of Ivalice this summer with FINAL FANTASY TACTICS A2: Grimoire of the Rift. As the third entry in the Ivalice Alliance series, this follow-up to the 2003 Game Boy Advance release brings the popular tactical franchise to the Nintendo DS™ for the first time. FINAL FANTASY TACTICS A2: Grimoire of the Rift will introduce newcomers to an engaging turn-based, grid-oriented battle system as they make new discoveries alongside the hero in this lighthearted adventure. Long-time fans will enjoy exciting new content and enhancements, including polished game mechanics, intuitive stylus control, and new jobs and classes.

“FINAL FANTASY TACTICS A2: Grimoire of the Rift makes the tactical RPG genre accessible to fans who may be unfamiliar with the grid-based battle system,” said Director Yuichi Murasawa. “While maintaining the classic functionality of the much-loved gameplay, this newest release boasts upgrades that enable a more engrossing and fulfilling tactical RPG experience.”

STORY
School is out for the summer, but mischievous Luso Clemens must first face detention to make up for his misbehavior. Alone in the library, he stumbles upon an ancient book with magical powers that summons him to the mystical land of Ivalice. Warped into the middle of a battlefield, Luso joins Cid and his clan to set off on an adventurous journey looking for a way home.

FEATURES
Explore the fantastic world of Ivalice and join forces with famous heroes from FINAL FANTASY XII – Vaan, Penelo and Al-Cid
All-new content and enhancements, including polished game mechanics, new jobs, new classes, and a new clan system that enrich the Ivalice experience for fans and newcomers alike
The North American release will allow players to command characters in battle and navigate through menus all with a tap of the stylus
Witness vibrant and colorful visuals in dual-screen presentation, made possible by Nintendo DS
Increased replay value with up to 400 available quests, allowing players to immerse themselves in a multi-faceted storyline

FINAL FANTASY TACTICS A2: Grimoire of the Rift is not yet rated. Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings. FINAL FANTASY TACTICS A2: Grimoire of the Rift will be available at North American retailers for the suggested retail price of $39.99 (USD). The official website can be found at http://na.square-enix.com/ffta2/.

Tales of Pirates: Officially Released no more beta

Tales of Pirates: Officially Released

IGG has announced that their prized 3D MMORPG, Tales of Pirates (http://top.igg.com), has completed the development and will have been officially released on March 24, 2008.

Tales of Pirates started its’ Alpha Test on March 15, 2007 and its’ Open Beta Test on March 29, 2007 respectively and during the tests they received tons of encouraging comments while the number of players online climbed significantly.

IGG has promised that they will continue doing their best to perfect the game and offer the best services. Additionally, to celebrate this important moment, they have prepared many online and offline events for players.

For more info about these events visit: http://top.igg.com/info.php?articleId=935.

Charity Game The Tuttles Madcap Misadventures ships supported by Facebook Contest and download

Award-Winning Charity Game The Tuttles Madcap Misadventures Ships To Retail Supported By Facebook Contest

Seriously Ill Kids Stand to Benefit from Creative Fundraising Campaign

Legacy Interactive today shipped The Tuttles Madcap Misadventures: Starlight Charity Challenge game to retail. The hybrid PC/Mac retail version of the animated arcade-style game is a first-of-its kind national fundraising campaign benefiting children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses via Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation (www.starlight.org), with fifty percent of the retail proceeds going to the organization. Simultaneously downloadable Mac, Flash, widget and Facebook application versions of The Tuttles have launched, with a Facebook "Friends" promotional contest designed to help spread the word about the charity fundraiser.

Starlight helps seriously ill children and their families cope with pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. Its programs include mobile entertainment units and laptop computers for hospitalized children, fun family events that take children and families away from medical treatments, a social network for teens with serious medical conditions and much, much more.

"The Tuttles looks great, is fun and makes you feel good. It's an easy choice for people to get behind this game because a significant portion goes directly to brighten the lives of real children," said Legacy's CEO Ariella Lehrer. "By making a $20 purchase and helping spread the word, anybody can make a difference."

Kicked off as a fundraising concept by Starlight, certainly many people have gotten involved in the game already. Actors William Shatner, Bob Saget, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ashley Tisdale, Dominic Scott Kay, Dave Thomas and Dave Coulier lent their voices to The Tuttles, a classic side-scrolling platformer game for all ages. The story line follows a vacationing family as they travel by flying mini-van through desert, jungle and even under water avoiding obstacles and collecting goodies along the way to the Alamo. The original comedic script and characters were designed by Emmy Award-winning Animax Entertainment. SomaTone Interactive Audio created the soundtrack and leading Mac portability developer TransGaming, Inc. (TSX-V: TNG) has made the game Mac compatible using their Cider Portability Engine.

The downloadable PC version of the game (www.tuttlesfamilygame.com) was released late last year and has already garnered a "Kids Game of the Year" award from GameTunnel.com and a 2008 Parents' Choice Silver Award. The retail version, rated E For Everyone, will be available through retailers for a suggested retail price of U.S. $19.99. TransGaming has launched the downloadable Mac version of The Tuttles online at www.gametreeonline.com, and is also donating a significant portion of those sales back to Starlight.

In addition, free Flash, widget and Facebook application versions of The Tuttles have launched today. Ten Sony Cyber-shot DSC-N2 digital cameras, each with an MSRP of $449.95, will be given away as part of a Facebook "Friends" promotion. Participants must add The Tuttles Sweepstakes Facebook application to their profile at http://apps.facebook.com/legacygames, then can answer questions about the game and invite "friends" in their Facebook social network to add the application. The participant will receive one entry when they submit their answers and an additional entry for every friend they invite that accepts and downloads The Tuttles Sweepstakes Facebook application. Camera winners will be randomly drawn from all entries received by April 20, 2008.

While the celebrities and companies involved in creating the game have given liberally of their time and services, the remaining sales income goes towards defraying the actual costs of the fundraiser.

Sony PlayStation 3 getting BD-Live sooner rather than later

When I referred to potential Blu-ray player shoppers having an easy choice to make last week - Sony PS3 or, ummm, a Sony PS3 - I mentioned it was the only Blu-ray player currently on the market that could be upgraded to the format’s Profile 2 functionality. Profile 2, or BD-Live, makes Blu-ray players capable of downloading content, which I should point out — with only a few sour grapes — means Blu-ray will now have the same ability that HD DVD players had from day one. And at $399, the PS3 is one of the least expensive Blu-ray players around.

Well, it turns out BD-Live is a lot closer than I had realized — Sony just announced that it will be go out with the next PS3 firmware update (v.2.20) in late March. It will take a while for BD-Live-enabled movies to hit the market in force, though Sony is not surprisingly touting two Sony Pictures Entertainment titles - The 6th Day (wow, if that’s not a reason to buy a Blu-ray player, I’m not sure what is!) and Walk Hard - due out April 8.

According to the Playstation blog, other features in v2.20 include:

• The ability to copy PS3 Music and Photo playlists to a PSP system. We introduced the ability to create Music and Photo playlists on the PS3 in firmware update v2.0. Now you can easily export your playlists to your PSP.
• You can now play DivX and WMV format files that are over 2 GB.
• Resume Play - begin playing a DVD or BD disc from the point where you previously stopped it, even if you eject the disc and insert a different movie or game.
• Use your PSP as a remote control to play back your music files on your PS3 without turning on your TV.
  
• The Internet browser now displays some web pages faster. In addition [Save Target] has been added as an option under file. This option lets you save a file that is linked to a web page to your PS3 hard drive or storage media.
  

Source: znet

World of Motorsport Unveiled as Codemasters Reveals First Race Driver: GRID Gameplay Trailer

World of Motorsport Unveiled as Codemasters Reveals First Race Driver: GRID Gameplay Trailer

First stunning gameplay video reveals all online at www.racedrivergrid.com

A new world of motorsport is brought to life as Codemasters reveals the first gameplay video for Race Driver: GRID; the video is now showing online at www.racedrivergrid.com

Featuring aggressive wheel-to-wheel racing, spectacular crashes and a taster of the jaw-dropping damage engine, the unmissable trailer showcases Race Driver: GRID as the game that will make racing exciting again.

With footage captured from the dramatic in-car view and powerful replay camera, the stunning new video shows the game's broad range of race events, breath-taking cars and striking locations.

In Europe, touring cars jostle for position at Spa, the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR races in the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours race at dusk and the Aston Martin DBR9 charges around the historic city-centre of Milan.

In Japan, gamers catch their first glimpse of Race Driver: GRID's open-wheel racing series as Formula 3 cars battle around the new Otakuma circuit. At Yokohama docks, the Nissan Silvia and Subaru Impreza demonstrate the awesome exhilaration of drift and night-racing is revealed as the RE Amemiya RX-7 takes on the neon-lit streets of Shibuya in Tokyo.

Finally in the United States, the Dodge Viper roars through the iconic streets of San Francisco, Plymouth Barracudas and Chevrolet Camaros battle for supremacy in Washington and Jupiter Eagleray Mk5s smash their way through the chaos and carnage of the destruction derby in Detroit.

From its huge, challenging career mode to thrilling, incident-packed online races featuring up to 12 players, Race Driver: GRID will deliver an unparalleled competitive experience when it launches early summer for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, Games for Windows®, and Nintendo DS™.

For the full video, new screens, wallpapers and to sign up to the official Race Driver: GRID newsletter visit the new site at www.racedrivergrid.com

Sneak Peek at Panzer Command: Kharkov with Google Earth!

Get a Sneak Peek at Panzer Command: Kharkov with Google Earth!

Watch the epic battle of Kharkov unfold in the splendor of Google Earth!

Matrix Games and Koios Works are pleased to share the Panzer Command: Kharkov Google Earth Tour with gamers who are looking forward to the highly anticipated release of Panzer Command: Kharkov. The tour is an operational overview of the second battle of Kharkov in May, 1942, focusing on the German Campaign of the 14th Panzer Division as portrayed in Panzer Command: Kharkov.

By downloading the tour and running it in Google Earth, players can press “play” and watch the campaign unfold from the operational level or examine the changing fronts of the battle and unit positions and maneuvers on both sides!

Not familiar with Google Earth? No problem – it’s easy! Just head to our instructions page and experience the Panzer Command: Kharkov Google Earth Tour in no time.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “We’re fans of Google Earth so putting this powerful tool to good use is something we’ve been wanting to do for a long time now. The ability to explore a massive battlefield like Kharkov in Google Earth and then follow a virtual tour of the battles in the German Campaign gives gamers a unique preview of what’s coming in Panzer Command: Kharkov.”

Panzer Command: Kharkov is a 3D simultaneous turn-based strategy game where you command either the Soviet or German forces during the punch and counter-punch of the 1942 battles around Kharkov in the Ukraine. Two new Kharkov campaigns as well as some additional short campaigns covering battles in 1941 and 1943 tie the scenarios together, allowing core units to progress from battle to battle, gaining experience, medals and special abilities. A point system allows players to “purchase” additional units for each mission in the campaign as well as replace losses, forcing decisions on management of resources.

The design for Panzer Command: Kharkov lets first time wargamers sit down and start playing, while allowing hard-core gamers to enjoy the realism and historical accuracy. A tutorial scenario and a full basic training campaign provide a gentle learning curve for new players. All campaign battles can also be fought as individual scenarios and a new random battle generator as well as a random campaign generator make for almost infinite replayability! The AI can control either side in each battle and a full Play-by-Email system allows for head to head play.

Panzer Command: Kharkov includes a full set of scenario and campaign editing tools as well as excellent support for moddability, extending to the game data as well as the 3D models themselves.

As an added bonus to people who are already Panzer Command fans, owners of Panzer Command: Winter Storm will receive a special upgrade offer to purchase Panzer Command: Kharkov at a discount.

Get more information on Panzer Command: Kharkov from its product page and be sure to download the Google Earth map file and get instructions on how to view the tour from this page.

NBA 2K8 VIDEO GAMES CODES

NBA 2K8 CODES

code - description

cpares - IND secondary road uniform

agtaccsinr - CHA racing uniform

amcnreo - Valentine's Day - CLE / SEA

haeitgyebs - 2008 All-Star uniforms

uclerehanp - St. Patrick's Day - BOS / CHI / NY / TOR

llmohffaae - Superstars team

nba2k - NBA 2K team

2ksports - 2K Sports team

vcteam - VC team

payrespect - ABA ball

GameStop Expects Wii Delays, XBox 360 and PlayStation3 Price Drops

During a recent investor call GameStop execs said they expect that Wii shortages will continue for at least another six months and that the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 will both see a $US 50 price drop this year, Gamasutra reports.

Asked in its investor call if the company was seeing an end to the post-holiday shortages that affected the Xbox 360, DS, and Wii in January, company COO Dan DeMatteo said that specifically with the Wii, the company anticipated that the console's supply "won't meet demand for the next 2 quarters", at least.
The company also assumes a $US 30 price drop for the PS2, but said they don't see one coming for the Wii or PSP.

The call wrapped up with talk of how the-economic-down-turn-which-must-not-be-named won't effect the game industry and could in fact lead to sales growth as more people travel less and stay home more.

Source: Kotaku

Nintendo Wii Online Problems Continue For Smash Bros. Brawl

According to sources, online problems continue for Nintendo's best-selling Wii game Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Nintendo has come out and stated that bandwith issues are to blame for the majority of the problems regarding online performance.

Nintendo spokesperson sent an e-mail to GamePro on Monday, stating "As with the launch of any online-enabled game, especially one as popular as Super Smash Bros. Brawl, everyone wants to play at once. This puts a strain on the pipeline."

It appears that the strain has yet to end either, as reports coming in as late as Wednesday night appear to prove that the online problems continue.

Nintendo has stated that they have seen improvements in online play daily since launch, but with 1.4 million copies sold, it seems that there are just too many gamers for Nintendo to handle.

Source: eCanada now