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Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Call of Duty 4 - hits 10 million units sold


There are few things that video game publishers--or any consumer products companies, for that matter--like more than reaching big, notable milestones.

So it was with considerable pride that Activision's wholly owned Infinity Ward studio told me Tuesday that its war game, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, has just sold its 10 millionth copy.

Infinity Ward studio head Vince Zampella didn't know exactly how many units the game had sold on each platform it is available on--the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC--but did say that COD 4 had been most successful on the Xbox.

These days, monster hits like Grand Theft Auto IV and Halo 3 have gotten most of the media's attention for best-sellers, but by reaching 10 million sold, there's no doubt that COD 4 deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as any other title.

And to be sure, it's not the only game that has reached 10 million units moved--Infinity Ward said that COD 4 is one of "less than 10" games to do so since 2000--but it's still a notable milestone, especially when you consider that, at a sticker price of $60 a pop, even when considering that you can buy it for less at some retailers, Activision has raked in many hundreds of millions of dollars with the game.

Of course, one wonders how many more copies it would have sold had it been available on Nintendo's Wii. But Zampella said that Infinity Ward decided not to make the game for that console because "it just doesn't fit on the Wii. We thought it would be compromised to be on (that) platform."

More from news cnet...

Ubisoft to transform with movie, TV and sports projects


Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has detailed his future vision for the company, as he transforms the French outfit from a videogames publisher into a multimedia entertainment business.

Speaking exclusively to GamesIndustry.biz at last week's Ubidays event in Paris, Guillemot revealed ambitious plans to place Ubisoft at the centre of CGI movie production, as well as branching out to new game genres and TV productions.

Ubisoft's Quebec studio is ramping up its animation and CGI business and will also be central to the company's recently announced entry into 3D videogames.

"Our goal is to create a studio that will be very high quality, our goal is to try to get to the level of quality of Peter Jackson's Weta studio," offered Guillemot, in an interview published today.

more from Games Industry...

Paradox Interactive quizzes geo-political masterminds


So you think you have the makings of a geo-political mastermind? Can you prove it? – Yes! –Well, in that case Paradox Interactive proposes a challenge. Can you correctly answer all of the questions in a game related quiz for – Supreme Ruler 2020?



Each question is taken from past or current global events and situations. Focus now, as there is no fifty-fifty, no ask-the-audience and no phone-a-friend! If you have five minutes to spare, then take the test and prove you have the makings of a Supreme Ruler. For as the countdown to release ticks down to zero, time is running out! Pit your wits against the quiz and prove your worth.

To access the questions, click here: http://www.paradoxplaza.com/SupremeRuler2020/?p=quiz

Official website www.paradoxplaza.com/supremeruler2020
Suggested Retail Price: 39.99 USD/ 39.99 EUR
Release: US June 17th, Europe June 20th

Ninja Gaiden Creator Itagaki Leaving Team Ninja, Suing Tecmo


Last month, Team Ninja head and Ninja Gaiden director Tomonobu Itagaki suggested that he would be done with the franchise after the upcoming release of Ninja Gaiden 2. On Monday night we received a clearer picture of just what he meant with the announcement that Itagaki is leaving Team Ninja and suing Tecmo, the day before Ninja Gaiden 2's release!

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Gag order? Bah! EGM refuses to review Metal Gear Solid IV


So Konami doesn't want reviewers can't mention the 90 minute cutscenes, the grotesque install size, and other items if they want to review MGSIV? EGM said, "Screw that! We got journalistic integrity over here. Keep your damn MSGIV." Well done EGM.

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Sins of a Solar Empire PC game releases on June 13 in the UK


Sins of a Solar Empire sold approx 100,000 copies over two months following its US release earlier this year and hit number one in the USA charts. The Europe game will contain an additional bonus of six exclusive maps, a techtree poster and manual:

Face Off: In this small map there's no room to manoeuvre, no way to escape.
Rush to take what few planets there are and crush your enemy quickly!

Agamemnon's Bounty: Your forces must descent upon the Agamemnon star system to compete for its rumoured riches. Only the most cunning will grasp the system's greatest rewards.

Backstab: Abnormal distortions in phase space have created strange wormholes with only one entrance in this star system. Players must expand their empires while watching their backs!

Double Cross: The fledgling empires of the Rhaego system are preparing to expand, but space is at a premium. It won't be long before battle is joined...

Triumvirate: Will your neighbour aid or hinder your conquest of the Liladi system? Choose your diplomatic posture wisely - other factions may be enlisting allies of their own.

Implosion: With few alternate paths from each empire's homeworld, the resource rich core of this large star system will become a fiercely contested battleground.

Hyperion's Gates: Resources are scarce and the races of the Hyperion Cluster struggle to be the first to reach the riches of the Atropos system. But can they overcome the guardians at the gates?

The survival of humanity stands on the edge of utter ruin as three powerful factions vie for control of the galaxy. Take command of one of three space-faring races as you work to establish your domination of the galaxy in Sins of a Solar Empire. Fighting for the survival of your entire race against relentless foes, your success will depend entirely on your ability to manage your empire and command your vast fleets of starships to victory. Through a combination of diplomacy, economic skill, cultural influence, and sheer military might you will establish order over your corner of the galaxy!

Turok dinosaur hunter video game coming to PC in June




Sci-Fi Firts Person Shooter (FPS) out on PC in June 2008

Turok, a Sci-Fi First Person Shooter (FPS) game for PC, is being released by Avanquest Software Publishing in June 2008. The player takes on the role of Joseph Turok, a former black ops commando, now part of an elite Special Forces squad known as Whiskey Company.

The game is set in the future on a dark, mysterious planet inhabited by Roland Kane and his army. Whiskey Company has been tasked with ‘taking down’ Kane, an escaped war criminal and Turok’s former mentor. However, as their ship approaches the planet it is shot down, scattering all of its passengers including Turok across the planet’s wilderness, making the mission near possible to complete.
Turok is stranded on the planet and must locate other crash survivors while confronting Kane’s army of Mendel-Gruman soldiers, dinosaurs, huge insects and other ravenous creatures. Only by using his elite military training will Turok be able to survive the wild environment he finds himself in and complete his mission.

Fast facts -
Publisher: Avanquest Software Publishing
Developer: Touchstone
Distributor: Open
Release date: June 13th 2008
BBFC: 15
Format: PC
Genre: Sci-Fi FPS

Nintendo Trying to Keep Americans Fat - Wii Fit Shortage hits US


While the supposed Wii Fit shortages are nothing compared to the now infamous Wii shortages we've seen, at least one of those ever-insightful analysts now claims to deduced the cause of them, and he's laying the blame squarely on Nintendo. According to Wedbush Morgan Securities' Michael Pachter, Nintendo has shipped some 2 million Wii Fit units to

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A new team of superspies rocks Nintendo Wii with Capcoms Spyborgs


Saturday Morning Cartoons Explode to Life in This Revolutionary Wii Title

Spyborgs, a new action game coming exclusively to the Nintendo Wii home video game system from Nintendo. In Spyborgs, players take on the role of a diverse team of five bionic superspies in a fight to save the world from a group of dastardly villains. Wii gamers will be set to save the world when the game launches in 2009.

The first title developed by Bionic Games, a newly-formed development team comprised of former Insomniac Games and High Impact developers known for their work on hugely popular franchises Ratchet and Clank and Resistance: Fall of Man, Spyborgs is a unique action-adventure game set in a stylish world that resembles a Saturday morning cartoon. Engaging players in team-based challenges designed to utilize 2-player co-op play, Spyborgs takes the theme of “team” to a whole new level of fun. In Single-player mode the “team” theme continues as players jump from one member of the superspies’ team to the next, rapidly tackling different challenges designed around each character’s unique abilities. Fast, addictive gameplay, unique controls offered by the Wii Remote, and a storyline that refuses to take itself too seriously, Spyborgs will provide players with a dynamic and fresh gaming experience like no other.

“Our goal is to maximize the potential of the innovative Wii Remote while delivering a new paradigm in cooperative game play,” said Michael Haller, president, Bionic Games, “We also wanted to bring a lot of humor to the game which we feel we have accomplished. This game will make you laugh — for all the right reasons.”

Players jump between the identities of a team of five bionic superspies to combat a rogue squad of wacky, dysfunctional super villains. Each character has unique powers to match their super-spy skills, such as heavy firepower, martial arts, bladed weaponry, acrobatic skateboarding skills or pure robotic destruction. This cast of characters may make a misfit group individually, but by utilizing them as a team, the Spyborgs will have the power to save the world – if they don’t blow themselves up first! Spyborgs’ tongue-in-cheek action and compelling interactive cartoon theme keeps players engaged from the first episode to the last with one of the most fun and entertaining games to be developed for the Wii system.

UK Charttrack weekly charts 31 May 08

All formats

Week ending 31 May 2008



1 GRAND THEFT AUTO IV ROCKSTAR
2 RACE DRIVER: GRID CODEMASTERS
3 MARIO & SONIC AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES SEGA
4 WII PLAY NINTENDO
5 PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2008 KONAMI
6 HAZE UBISOFT
7 SEGA SUPERSTARS TENNIS SEGA
8 FIFA 08 EA SPORTS
9 CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE ACTIVISION
10 MARIO KART WII NINTENDO
11 GUITAR HERO III: LEGENDS OF ROCK REDOCTANE
12 ROCK BAND EA GAMES
13 IRON MAN: THE OFFICIAL VIDEOGAME SEGA
14 DR KAWASHIMA'S BRAIN TRAINING NINTENDO
15 QUAKE WARS: ENEMY TERRITORY ACTIVISION
16 AGE OF CONAN: HYBORIAN ADVENTURES EIDOS
17 UEFA EURO 2008 AUSTRIA-SWITZERLAND EA SPORTS
18 BIG BRAIN ACADEMY: WII DEGREE NINTENDO
19 SONIC AND THE SECRET RINGS SEGA
20 CARNIVAL: FUNFAIR GAMES 2KPLAY

New Horizons - Official add-on for Ship Simulator 2008

New vessels and other exotic horizons to discover...

New trailer released for NEW HORIZONS, the official add-on for Ship Simulator 2008

New trailer for New Horizons, the official add-on to their highly successful Ship Simulator 2008 franchise. New Horizons hit store shelves across the UK and Scandinavia in April 2008 and is available at GamersGate.com for North America. This highly realistic naval simulator will be available in the rest of Europe later on.



The Ship Simulator series continues with an armada of new vessels and another exotic horizon to discover. The trailer gives fans a glance at the new vessels and the improved features included in New Horizons, such as the enhanced walk through mode, which allows players to go on deck and explore the ship they are commanding in greater detail. The trailer also showcases the integrated multi player mode and the unlimited gameplay possibilities thanks to the option to download new missions directly in-game.



To download the trailer, please visit www.lighthouse-interactive.com.

To find out more about the Ship Simulator 2008: New Horizons add-on and to keep up with the latest news, visit: www.lighthouse-interactive.com and www.shipsim.com.

GAME SUMMARY

Challenge your friends online in New Horizons with 20 all-new missions and free roaming multiplayer mode. Try your hand at sailing a luxury cruise liner or a classic yacht or feel the impact of the waves as you guide your fishing vessel home through a storm! New Horizons offers a number of new highly realistic environments to explore, 8 more exciting vessels for your sailing pleasure, and unlimited gameplay with in-game downloading of new missions. The add-on requires the original Ship Simulator 2008 game to run. Updates will be made automatically upgrading any version of Ship Simulator 2008 with all previously released updates and patches.

KEY FEATURES ‘Ship Simulator 2008 Add-on: New Horizons’

  • Online multiplayer free-roaming action, including towing
  • 8 new vessels for Ship Simulator 2008, including a modern harbour tug with advanced azimuth thrusters and a push boat with 4 different cargo barges
  • Brand new sailing environment – Padstow (Cornwall), England, built with advanced visuals and bump mapping technology
  • 20 new missions, involving the new vessels and the new environment
  • Unlimited gameplay with in-game downloading of new missions
  • Option to connect and disconnect barges to the push boat in-game
  • New walkthrough options including exploration of the push boat’s highly detailed engine room
  • New trailer released for NEW HORIZONS, the official add-on for Ship Simulator 2008

Neopets new multi-platform puzzle adventure game for Nintendo and PC


Capcom and neopets partner to introduce new multi-platform puzzle adventure game.

Neopets Puzzle Adventure Coming for Nintendo Platforms and PC This Winter

Capcom Entertainment, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, and Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group’s Neopets, the most engaging tween virtual world on the internet, announced today a partnership to develop a new multi-platform puzzle adventure game, Neopets Puzzle Adventure (working title), for the Wii, Nintendo DS and PC this holiday season. Based on the deep storylines of Neopets, Neopets Puzzle Adventure is a new puzzle game being developed by Capcom and Infinite Interactive, developers of Puzzle Quest.
“As part of Neopets’ strategy to extend the property into a multiplatform brand, we are continuously giving our audiences new ways to play on and off of the site,” said Kyra Reppen, Senior vice president and general manager, Neopets. “Our partnership with Capcom provides a new form of game play for Neopets that is relevant to the platforms our audience is using, and that complements the game play on the site.”



“Capcom is working to expand the breadth of our catalog to gamers of all ages in North America and Neopets is a perfect brand for us to bring to casual and family gamers,” said Germaine Gioia, senior vice president, licensing, Capcom Entertainment. “Combining Capcom’s experience, the rich world of Neopets, and Infinite Interactive’s skills in the puzzle/adventure genre makes a perfect match.”

Set to launch on the three systems this holiday season, Neopets Puzzle Adventure takes puzzle solving skills to new levels with a unique Neopets spin. Based on the classic board game, “Reversi”, Neopets Puzzle Adventure, is a robust and fully integrated Neopets experience as it includes 150 different quests across vast Neopian lands, a variety of the most popular customizable Neopets to choose from, and several fun mini-games to add depth and fun to the gameplay. As a bonus to Neopets fans, players will be able to earn codes throughout the game that connect back to the Neopets site by achieving certain goals throughout the DS, Wii or PC game. These unique codes will allow players to unlock exclusive items back in their virtual world on neopets.com.


Neopets Puzzle Adventure is the only multi-platform puzzle adventure console game based on the popular virtual, global community. For the Neopets fan, Neopets Puzzle Adventure is a must-have game with its intuitive “pick up and play” game play pattern and new never-before-seen areas in the Neopets universe to explore. Neopets Puzzle Adventure will incorporate several different mini-games, 150 petpets, as well as more than 300 items to equip various Neopet characters, recipes, treasures, awards and more.

ABOUT NEOPETS


With more than 44 million global memberships, 200 games, an active virtual economy based on Neopoints, daily and weekly creativity contests, Neovision video player, discussion boards, quests and thousands of virtual items to collect, Neopets offers its audience an almost endless array of engaging activities. Neopets is a global community available in 11 languages.

Tank Defense free online game - play now


Not quite tower defense, and not quite your average shooter. However you want to classify it, I had fun getting through the first 15 levels and I think you will too.

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Wii Shop Channel add Protöthea and Ninja Combat video games

From family-friendly puzzles to crackling combat, this week's additions to the Wii Shop Channel offer a mix of downloadable delights. Fight fans can even choose between futuristic space missions and retro-styled martial arts battles. Take your pick and kick off the summer with an invigorating dose of Wii action.

Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:


WiiWare


Protöthea (UbiSoft, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Fantasy Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): Protöthea is a top-down scrolling shooter game with free movement that puts players in complete control of a last-generation spaceship. The mission is to destroy the asteroid called Maqno 01 and finish with the plans of The Core. UbiSoft's Protöthea introduces new concepts to a beloved, classic game style while mixing genres and utilizing the full capabilities of the Wii console, from graphics to controls. Players of all ages and experience levels will enjoy taking command of their ship, blasting through four different worlds in 10 challenging missions. Use your weapons arsenal and the special bonus items to help you accomplish your mission, and don't forget to slow down time and take an edge over the enemy.

Virtual Console

Ninja Combat (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated E 10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Mild Suggestive Themes, Fantasy Violence, 900 Wii Points): Released in 1990, Ninja Combat is a side-scrolling combat-action game. Take control of the ninjas Joe (one player) and Hayabusa (two players), and enter into battle against a group of evil ninjas called the Kage Ichizoku. Make your way into their home fortress, Ninja Tower, which dominates a big city of the near future. Fight using normal attacks, jumps, special movements and ninja materials that deliver damaging blows to all enemies on the screen. In addition, you'll find weapons and items to aid you along the way. Even better, as you progress in the game, reliable allies such as Musashi, Kagerow and Gembu will emerge to fight alongside you, allowing you to choose a new character in each stage. Ninja Combat also supports simultaneous play with two players, so you can grab a friend and defeat the Kage Ichizoku together.

Halo - Master Chief created in Balloons


We'll admit to not following advancements in balloon animal technology, so we were understandably blown away to see this nearly life-sized Master Chief inflatable construction — clearly not an animal. This is the stuff of dreams and nightmares...

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Everquest celebrates fans with living legacy promotion


The EverQuest franchise, the groundbreaking, award-winning fantasy series that redefined massively multiplayer online (MMO) video games for a generation of gamers around the globe, is bringing a near decade of success back to millions of fans with a new Living Legacy program from Sony Online Entertainment LLC, which will feature in-game events, promotions, game updates and more.

Living Legacy, announced today, is a brand-new initiative aimed at the millions of players who have experienced the vast, engaging online worlds of EverQuest (EQ) and EverQuest II (EQII) since the original EQ game was launched in 1999. The celebration starts today and continues through the end of September. As part of the promotion, both EQ and EQII subscribers with inactive accounts who left in good standing will be able to log back in to the games and play for free until the end of July.

“The EverQuest franchise has touched so many lives since the launch of EverQuest in 1999, and with the 10th anniversary of EverQuest just around the corner, we felt it was the best time to give back to all the players who made it the cultural phenomenon it is today,” said John Smedley, president of Sony Online Entertainment. “We are grateful for the continued support from our legions of fans and are extremely excited about the groundswell of interest surrounding Living Legacy.”

While the Living Legacy program is aimed at former EQ and EQII players, the program also offers a perfect way for new players to experience the world of Norrath. Nostalgic NPCs and group PvE encounters, as well as brand new raid content, will commemorate EQ’s hardcore heritage. The program features bonus XP weekends, several live events, new content updates and the introduction of new zones all taking place in EQII. Returning EQII players will also be able to experience Rise of Kunark, EQII’s fourth expansion, which just became the game’s best-selling expansion of all time.

Key features of the Living Legacy program include:
  • All qualified returning EQ players will receive the EverQuest Secrets of Faydwer all-in-one compilation and bonus in-game items at no additional cost.
  • All qualified returning EQII players will receive the EverQuest II Rise of Kunark all-in-one compilation and bonus in-game items at no additional cost.
  • All software provided during the promotional period will be credited to any EQ or EQII account that is converted to a valid, paying monthly subscription.
  • Current EQII players who recruit a friend to play the game who converts to a valid subscription will receive free gameplay-time added upon conclusion of their then-current subscription .
In the spirit of honoring the players, the Living Legacy program is supported by an online and print advertising campaign that features real EQ and EQII players.

Harmonix and MTV bring Rock Band to Japan

Harmonix and MTV to Partner with Q Entertainment for Rock Band - Japan



Harmonix Music Systems, the leading developer of music-based games, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks, announced today that they will team up with Q Entertainment, a leading Japanese music game designer, to bring the best-selling music videogame Rock Band to Japan. The two studios will work together to develop the title, marking the first US-originated rock music game to be heavily localized for the Japanese market. The game will feature Japanese musical acts as well as other localized assets.
Rock Band’s return to the birthplace of rhythm games will benefit from Q Entertainment’s experience designing progressive and engaging games many of which have a heavy focus on integrating music elements into gameplay. Since its founding in 2003, Tokyo based Q Entertainment has become a leader in rhythm oriented titles, including the critically acclaimed music and luminary action puzzle game series Lumines,and the recently released Extend Every Extra Extreme (E4) and Rez HD for Xbox Live.

Today’s announcement was also featured Saturday at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards - Japan, where a Rock Band trailer was presented.



The US-version of Rock Band was also prominently featured backstage and at the afterparty, giving Japanese attendees a taste of what’s to come in the newly announced title.

Rock Band, which has sold over 3 million units in North America and Europe, is an all-new platform for music fans and gamers to interact with music. The game challenges players to put together a band and tour for fame and fortune, mastering lead/bass guitar, drums and vocals.With more master recordings than any other music game, Rock Band features some of the world’s biggest rock artists and spans every genre of rock ranging from alternative and classic rock to heavy metal and punk.


Rock Band is a true music platform, with over 12 million songs sold as downloadable content since its initial release. There are currently over 140 songs available for download in the Rock Band Music Store and Harmonix continues to release new music every week.

Since its North American release in 2007, Rock Band has garnered over 40 awards including Game Critics Award: Best of Show E3 2007and three awards at The 11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards including Outstanding Innovation in Gaming, Family Game of the Year, and Outstanding Achievement in Soundtrack.

Toki Tori for WiiWare in North & South America, Europe and Australia


Two Tribes, the Dutch game developer behind "Worms: Open Warfare 2" for Nintendo DS, announces the full availability of Toki Tori for WiiWare. Toki Tori was a launch game for the European/Australian launch of WiiWare and is available in North and South America as of today, June the 2nd.

Toki Tori has been available for two weeks in Europe and Australia and has met with a lot of praise from the online gaming community. Early reviews have also been favorable, with gamesradar.com claiming:
"Fun, clever, friendly and rewarding, it will stimulate the old noggin without ever feeling like hard work. And that's exactly what puzzle games should do."



The gameplay in Toki Tori is a blend of two genres. While it looks like a platform game, it's a puzzle game by heart. Players will have to look and plan ahead carefully while using a variety of items, such as the Telewarp, Freeze-o-Matic and InstantRockTM to name but a few.



To celebrate its release, Two Tribes has released some new footage in the form of a TV Commercial. The video can be found at:

http://www.tokitori.com/downloads/TokiToriTVCommercial.mov (Quicktime)
http://www.tokitori.com/downloads/TokiToriTVCommercial.wmv (Windows Media Video)

Aces of the Galaxy - plus Action Puzzler - Roogoo - coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade

Experience the thrilling retro arcade space shooter “Aces of the Galaxy,” and enjoy a new type of action-puzzler, “Roogoo,” both launching on Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday 4th June, 2008 at 09.00.



Enjoy the frantic action of “Aces of the Galaxy,” an old fashioned arcade adrenaline-pumping shoot-em-up that allows players to save the Universe from the wicked Skurgian Empire. Players annihilate enemy ships with an impressive arsenal of upgradeable weapons including high-powered missile launchers, devastating torpedoes and the relentless chain gun. Battle intense waves of enemy Skurgians against a breathtaking outer space backdrop, and choose to fight alone or join up with a friend at home or via Xbox LIVE.


“Roogoo” takes puzzles to a whole new level. Help the Roogoo defeat their enemies, the evil Meemoo, in “Roogoo,” a new and innovative action based-puzzler with addictive gameplay. Players line up multiple platforms on different levels to allow shaped blocks to pass through and once enough stack up, that particular shape closes off. A simple premise becomes more complicated as Meemoos begin to obstruct players' paths and butterflies attempt to steal blocks away. Players must swivel, roll and boost their way through 45 puzzle-filled levels alone or with up to four friends in cooperative party mode play. For those with a more competitive spirit, “Roogoo” offers a two-player multiplayer mode over Xbox LIVE where players battle to solve the same puzzle and can build up attacks to defeat their competitors.

Where can I get theses games from?
"Aces of the Galaxy" will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points.