Hero of the Hudson FREE online video game - can you land your aircraft on the river

A free online video game that challenges players to become the next "Hero on the Hudson" by safely landing a virtual passenger jet on the New York City waterway.

Play it here...


no more here - sorry

Reel Fishing - Angler's Dream Is A True To Life Fishing Experience With Beautiful Environments, Lifelike Fish, and a Variety of Fishing Techniques

Natsume Inc., a worldwide developer and publisher of family-oriented video games, announced today that Reel Fishing: Angler's Dream will be released for the Nintendo Wii this May. The company also released the first screenshots of the game today along with details about the game's features. The Reel Fishing franchise is the best selling fishing franchise of
all-time according to tracking firm NPD and is known for setting itself apart from the competition by delivering a realistic fishing experience.

"We are delighted to bring the Reel Fishing franchise to the Wii for the first time with Reel Fishing: Angler's Dream," said Hiro Maekawa, President and CEO at Natsume. "The Reel Fishing series has been hugely popular over the years, and we know that this title will deliver all the elements players could want to see in a fishing game on the Wii."

Reel Fishing: Angler's Dream will fulfill the need of every gamer who has fished or who has wanted to cast their first line. Featuring a magnificent 3D fishing engine, lifelike fish and soothing environmental sounds, Reel Fishing: Angler's Dream will put players on the banks of pristine lakes, raging rivers and tropical oceans filled with the biggest fish around. Players will be able to keep their best catches in aquariums, take care of them and then release back into the wild. Get expert advice from the wise Fishing Master as players try to become a master themselves. With a variety of realistic stages, tons of fresh and salt water fish, and over a 100 pieces of tackle, players can really make their fishing experience their own. Special Boss Fish will appease even the most veteran anglers, while players can also take a more competitive approach to fishing with the Versus Mode featuring multiplayer gameplay with 1-4 family or friends.

Players can try their hand at lure, bait and fly fishing as the Wii Remote, acts as the rod, while the Nunchuk is used as the reel. No matter whether players are a casual angler or a seasoned veteran, Reel Fishing: Angler's Dream will bring the most realistic fishing excursion to any household living room - with the environment, sounds and sensation of a real fishing adventure!

Reel Fishing: Angler's Dream will ship to retail this May.

Iron Man 2 the video game on PS3, Xbox 360, Wii and PC

SEGA of America, Inc. and SEGA of Europe Ltd today announced a continuation of their existing partnership with Marvel Entertainment, to include Iron Man 2, the video game.

The multi-platform title is slated to come out in 2010 along with the Marvel Studios film of the same name, a sequel to the 2008 box office triumph distributed by Paramount Pictures.

“We are thrilled to build on the success of the Iron Man phenomenon and work with Marvel and Paramount on another epic project,” says Simon Jeffery, President of SEGA of America, Inc. “SEGA and Marvel are collaborating closely to ensure we deliver an authentic Iron Man experience.”

The game is currently in production at SEGA Studios San Francisco. SEGA has continued to refine its game engine so that players can expect an entirely new and enhanced gameplay experience. Stay tuned for more information about Iron Man 2, the video game.

From the Creator of Sonic the Hedgehog comes a Finger Tapping Sensation video game on Nintendo Wii

SEGA of America, Inc. and SEGA Europe Ltd. today announces Let’s Tap, a game that is blazing new ground in Nintendo Wii control design. Developed by Prope, the studio that Sonic the Hedgehog creator Yuji Naka established in 2006, Let’s Tap is the first product from the new studio to be released to in North America and Europe. Developed exclusively for Nintendo’s Wii™ system, Let’s Tap utilizes a ground-breaking control scheme where the Wii controller is placed on a box or flat surface so that the controller can detect minute vibrations. Players of all ages and skill levels then tap the box or flat surface to interact with the game; there’s no need to hold the controller. Let’s Tap is slated for a summer 2009 ship for the Nintendo Wii in North America and Europe.

“Lets Tap offers a new and innovative way of playing on the Wii which only a videogame legend such as Naka-san could have ever possibly imagined” Commented Gary Knight, European Marketing Director SEGA Europe. “It’s such a simple yet genius concept and still easy to pick up and play, everyone will be tapping away before you know it!”

Featuring five separate game modes with multiple levels and allowing up to four players for multiplayer action, Let’s Tap presents an assortment of different finger-tapping challenges for players to master. In Tap Runner players use differing finger tapping pressure to make simple stick figure racers run through an obstacle course. In Visualizer players are allowed to create dazzling fireworks effects, dramatic paint strokes, amongst other effect as they tap out different rhythm patterns that correspond to different effects. Silent Blocks finds players taking turns removing blocks from a large stack, tapping too hard will result in a collapsing stack of blocks. Bubble Voyager allows players to fly through space, blasting obstacles and enemies in order to reach the far stretches of the universe. And finally Rhythm Tap allows players to time the taps of their fingers to high energy music.

Let’s Tap was developed at Prope Tokyo and is tapping its way to release in summer 2009.

Hit PC Game Cake Mania 3, Arrives on iPhone and iPod touch.

Hudson Entertainment, the North American publishing arm for HUDSON SOFT, released Cake Mania 3 on iPhone and iPod touch today. Retaining many of the classic features that fans of the hit Sandlot Games series have come to love, Cake Mania 3 incorporates exciting new gameplay elements, including six new bakery environments and touch screen control.

Over the past few years, we’ve watched as Jill Evans grew from a fresh-out-of-baking-school student into a world-class culinary celebrity. Now, help Jill as she confronts her greatest challenge yet - planning her dream wedding – in Cake Mania 3! As Jill nervously prepares for her wedding day, disaster strikes when a mysterious, long-forgotten time-bender crashes to the ground and shatters into pieces. As Jill’s family and friends rush to pick up the scattered shards, they are suddenly sent hurtling through time. Now, to ensure her wedding goes off without a hitch, Jill herself must travel to remote periods in time – from Ancient Egypt, Revolutionary France and Medieval England, to a strange and distant future – and work her cake-making magic in order to get everyone back before the ceremony begins! "Sandlot Games’ Cake Mania franchise has developed a strong heritage over the past years," said Sabine Duvall, Vice President of Product Development at Hudson Entertainment.

"Cake Mania is one of the most popular casual games of all time. We believe that both new and devoted players alike will absolutely love having the ability to play Cake Mania 3 on their iPhones and iPod touch devices.”

Cake Mania 3 features over 350 possible level combinations, more than 30 hilarious historically-themed customers, all-new kitchen upgrades, customizable bakeries, and unique level-altering power-ups to help players in their quest.

Cake Mania 3 is rated E for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Rating Board and is available now through the App Store in iTunes.

New PSP (PlayStation Portable) Colours

PSP arrives in a vibrant new range of colours
All the fun of PSP, but with colours to suit your personality

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced three brand-new colours for PSP (PlayStation Portable): Mystic Silver and Pearl White (available in the UK from February 2009) and Radiant Red (available in the UK from March 2009). Place a whole new world of colour in your hands with PSP-3000, the world’s most stylish handheld entertainment system, bringing even more personality to incredible gaming and entertainment on the go.

The possibilities are never-ending with PSP-3000: you can access games, music, videos, online chat and photos. And it’s not just the console that comes in colour – the enhanced LCD screen brings games, photos and videos to life with bright, clear imagery. Take photos of your friends, listen to your favourite music, watch videos and play exciting brand-new PSP titles such as Buzz! : Brain of the UK, Resistance: Retribution, and Patapon 2. PSP-3000 also features a TV-out socket so you can view all your photos, videos and games on a television screen!

You can also communicate with your friends across the world for free¹. The built-in microphone allows you to add telephone chat to your PSP experience. Enabled with Skype, you can connect with friends and family on the move from any Wi-Fi hotspot.

With a fantastic software line-up in 2009, there has never been a better time to experience true gaming and entertainment on the go, with PSP. It’s time to place a whole new world of colour in your hands: PSP-3000 releases in Mystic Silver and Pearl White in February 2009, and Radiant Red in March 2009.

X-Blades - More Spells and Beasts ...

More Action from X-Blades, the fast-paced action adventure game, featuring a blend of cinematic style and beautiful anime-inspired characters, combat and environments

Flash Of Light: Wow! The Light Magic truly is awe inspiring. I mean it’s not at all what I thought it was going to be. I was expecting some sparks and maybe some fireworks, but this is amazing. I’m able to form powerful beams of light, bundle them together, and shoot them toward enemies. It is so powerful it consumes everything in the vicinity and works really well against servants of the dark. I truly am amazed at what this can do against groups of enemies. (Requirement: Ray of Light)

Lightning Blades: Nothing says, “leave me alone”, than lightning running up and down your blades. I learned this move from a mysterious man I met one day on the road. The rumor is that it was Thor the old God of Thunder himself. I personally don’t believe it but whatever the case I’m now a stronger fighter because of it. Now I can dance through hordes of enemies striking sparks with every blow. If that man truly was the God of Thunder I bet I’ve made him proud.

Pangolin Sorcerers: The most skilled servants of The Dark, Pangolin Sorcerers can use several different kinds of magic. They’re vulnerable, however, to all kinds of Elemental magic, including teleportation. Those which have the ability to ward off magic attacks are only susceptible to Cold magic.

The Curse: This semi-sentient embodiment of Dark magic is not able to summon any attack spells, but it can invoke various deadly creatures. Weapons and spells do very little damage to the Curse, but after one destroys all the creatures of the Curse has invoked, it recedes for a short time.

Wanted - weapons of fate video game voice talent...

Wanted Stars Common, Thomas Kretschmann and Terence Stamp Join Paz Vega in Lending their Voices to the Videogame Based on Universal Pictures' Blockbuster Action-Thriller

Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today revealed that Grammy Award winning hip-hop artist and actor Common (American Gangster, Smokin’ Aces), noted actor Thomas Kretschmann (King Kong, Transsiberian), award-winning Spanish actress Paz Vega (Spanglish, The Spirit) and Oscar-nominated film star Terence Stamp (Superman II, Valkyrie) will lend their vocal talents to the highly anticipated videogame Wanted: Weapons of Fate, based on Universal Pictures’ blockbuster action-thriller Wanted.

Wanted: Weapons of Fate is one of two self-funded games announced by Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group this year and is being created in partnership with renowned developer GRIN. The game will be published worldwide by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

In Wanted: Weapons of Fate, Common voices the role of Brummel, a businessman and weapons dealer with ties to a secret society of assassins known as the Fraternity, while Paz Vega plays a seductive Spanish assassin named Araña who protects one of the Fraternity’s innermost secrets. Terence Stamp returns to his role from the film as Pekwarsky, a close friend of the Killer who has shrouded affiliations with the team of assassins.

Other vocal talents in the game include performances from Thomas Kretschmann, who reprises his film role as Cross, a former member of the Fraternity who finds himself the target of those who were once his allies. Additionally, award-winning actor Peter Stormare (Constantine, Nacho Libre) lends his voice as The Immortal, the leader of the French Fraternity who will stop at nothing to follow the film’s notable Code of Weavers.

Wanted: Weapons of Fate is an intense, third-person action-thriller that takes combat to a new level with iconic techniques and moves drawn directly from the film — such as “Curving Bullets” and “Assassin Time” — as well as an innovative, multi-layered cover mechanic. The storyline of the game picks up where the film leaves off, providing fans with a new stage to explore in hero Wesley’s journey to becoming an unparalleled enforcer of justice. The game allows users to create another chapter in the epic fiction of the Fraternity.

Wanted: Weapons of Fate is inspired by the blockbuster feature film Wanted, which recently debuted on DVD and Blu-ray Hi-Def from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Starring James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie as members of an elite team of assassins who live by an ancient, unbreakable code, the action-thriller is available in stores now.

In development since early 2007, Wanted: Weapons of Fate will be available in March 2009 on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 Computer Entertainment System and PC. For more information on the video game and the film, please visit www.wantedvideogame.com

Rogue Trooper - Quartz Zone Massacre on Nintendo Wii – coming February 2009

Reef Entertainment, the publisher responsible for Free Running, is proud to announce that Rogue Trooper: Quartz Zone Massacre will be launched across Europe on Friday 27th February 2009.

Rogue Trooper, a genetically engineered super-soldier from the pages of iconic UK sci-fi comic 2000 AD, represents Reef’s first foray onto the Nintendo Wii platform and promises to be one of the Wii’s most exciting and engaging 3rd person shooter titles yet.

Peter Rezon, managing director of Reef said, “We have high hopes for Rogue Trooper®. The tactical use of stealth as well as the all-out action fit perfectly with the Nintendo Wii interface, providing exciting and immersive gameplay. Rogue has a cult following from when he first appeared in 2000 AD and we have returned to the original storyline for the Wii version of the game to remind people how Rogue came about, but it is the strong characters and storyline which will have great appeal for gamers of all types. We believe this will become one of the very best shooter titles ever available on Nintendo Wii.”

The supporting website www.roguetrooper.com is now live and provides a truly in-depth introduction to the game. Packed with intelligence on tactics, enemies, characters and weapons as well as the essential screenshots, wallpapers, artwork and high-octane videos, Reef is confident gamers will be back to the site again and again.

Rogue Trooper is being released through Reef partners in the major European countries,
Ubisoft in the UK and Ireland, Digital Brothers in Spain and Atari in France, Germany and Italy.

Battle Rage - The Robot Wars 3D video game on Nintendo Wii

The first ‘REAL 3D’ console game, by using stereoscopic glasses on the Nintendo Wii. The first title to be released in 3D will be forthcoming game BATTLE RAGE: THE ROBOT WARS. So, get out your 3D glasses and visualize the future, watch the trailer which showcases the companies venture into 3D gaming.

The media has been salivating about how the future of entertaiment will be in 3D, and with 14 planned 3D film releases, this year 2009 is the year of 3D. DDI will lead the games industry with 3D support planned in all its future titles. While some companies are looking at expensive 3D technology requiring specialised and expensive TV’s and headsets. Data Design Interactive has continued with its accessable family friendly pricing, and found solutions through proven technology and software rather than hardware.

Stewart Green CEO of Data Design said ”This is an exciting development which will really enhanse the players experience. You can now feel you are inside the gameworld, by seeing real depth, objects float infront of you or appear to jump out of the screen. Players are now part of the game world, rather than sat outside watching the screen. Implimenting this code has been a natural progression for our internal development system ‘GODS’, which has already proven to be the fastest and most reliable development system on Wii. We are now enhansing the technical ability of our GODS engine and stereoscopic 3D is just one of many new innovative enhansments we will be making to improve the players enjoyment.”

BATTLE RAGE: THE ROBOT WARS is a third person shooter with elements of a beat’em'up game that allows a player to control giant robots. It will offer standard visual mode or visually stunning 3D graphics mode. 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 enhanced weapon types can be collected on the arena.

The player can customize their robot’s parameters in the single player and multiplayer modes to create their own unique fighting style. Also many new, powerful robotic upgrades will be waiting 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 Triangle).
  
• 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 unique starting robots.
  
• 20 weapons.
  
• 10 arenas.
  
• Innivotive 3D graphics and VR control system.

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.

BATTLE RAGE - THE ROBOT WARS is based on a PC title developed by Destan Entertainment and produced by Teyon Games.

The Sims 3 Content Creator Camp

The Sims 3 Content Creator Camp was held at The Sims Studio. EA played host to some of the most passionate and creative custom content creators for The Sims PC franchise and they were able to get hands-on with The Sims 3 and do what they do best—create custom content! Today we have a new video that gives you a behind the scenes look at the creator camp which included creators from Italy, France, Germany, Brazil, Korea and more.

Additionally we have a few more samples of the excellent creations that stemmed from the camp from elaborate lots to personalized furnishings. Hundreds of pieces of content were created to establish a robust set of user-created content for The Sims 3 players which will all be available at www.TheSims3.com on launch day June 2, 2009.

The Sims 3 Game Features

Create any Sims you can imagine and give them personalities! Design your ultimate Sim by choosing up to five traits and numerous body characteristics in the Create-a-Sim feature. Customize your Sims body type, facial features, hair styles, and more. Create an evil, handsome, ripped kleptomaniac that wreaks havoc on those around.

Control your Sims’ destinies. From a rock star or world leader to an expert thief, you choose whether or not to pursue the Lifetime Wish of your Sim. Choose whether to fulfill their destiny, giving them a lifetime of happiness and rewards—or not and be devious!

Customize everything! You are the designer! From clothing to houses, customize patterns, colors, or create any house you can imagine. Customize any aspect of your Sims' style…even down to the style and color of their shoes!

Be the Director of your Sims’ movies! Never before have you been able to make your own movie with a cast, a set, soundtrack, a story and editing without leaving the game. Now you can with the movie making mash up tool set. Make a movie and share it with the world!

Share like never before! Join The Sims 3 online community where you can show off your creations from Sims and houses to objects, movies, and more. Download exclusive content and hear the latest news of The Sims 3 world first.

Website: http://thesims3.ea.com/

More on Battlefield Bad Company 2 video game - sign up for Battlefield Heroes beta

Before Rejoining the 'B' Company, Players Go Back to WWII in Battlefield 1943

DICE, an Electronic Arts, announced the development of Battlefield: Bad Company 2, the sequel to last year’s blockbuster title. In this installment, the Bad Company crew again find themselves in the heart of the action, where they must use every weapon and vehicle at their disposal to survive. The action unfolds with unprecedented intensity, introducing a level of fervor to vehicular warfare never before experienced in a modern warfare action game. To get ready for the assault this winter, players can prepare for action in Battlefield 1943, an all-new multiplayer game available this summer via PlayStation Store, Xbox LIVE Marketplace and on the PC.

In Battlefield: Bad Company 2, the ‘B’ company fight their way through snowy mountaintops, dense jungles and dusty villages. With a heavy arsenal of deadly weapons and a slew of vehicles to aid them, the crew set off on their mission and they are ready to blow up, shoot down, blast through, wipe out and utterly destroy anything that gets in their way. Total destruction is the name of the game, delivered as only the DICE next generation Frostbite engine can. Either online or offline, enemies will soon learn there is nowhere to hide. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will be available for the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system, the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and the PC.

Using the same Frostbite engine, Battlefield 1943 takes players back to WWII. The game offers endless hours of 24 player multiplayer action over three classic and tropic locations; Wake Island, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. Delivering the award-winning through-the-gun and vehicle warfare online experience DICE is best recognized for, Battlefield 1943 will have players battling in ruthless aerial dog fights and intense trench combat. Players can see the game in action at New York Comic Con (Booth No 1441) from February 6th-8th.

“Bad Company 2 takes everything that players liked in the original and ups the ante – more vehicles, more destruction and more team play,” said Karl Magnus Troedsson, Executive Producer Battlefield Franchise, DICE. “Battlefield 1943 is a new take on a blast from the past classic coming to life with brand new technology that we’re eager to get into players hands.”

To sign-up for the Battlefield Heroes beta, players can visit www.battlefield-heroes.com

The Penguins are being fixed! - video game gets a revamp

Meridian4 and Frogames have been hard at work tweaking Penguins Arena, their action-packed, non-stop battle for survival – FPS (First Penguin Shooter) and have fixed a few things and added others.

The update to Penguins Arena: Sedna's World has been released and is available through normal digital distribution channels. The specific changes include:

• Added "Custom maps" game mode, which allow players to play maps created with PAME (Penguins Arena Map Editor)
• Added 4 new custom maps created by fans (Thanks!)
• Fixed case of penguins falling into the water but are still alive (The ‘Tread Water’ bug)
• Fixed some achievements not being able to be unlocked
• Fixed crash when a player tries to join a full server
• Fixed not being able to bind the 'E' key

About Penguins Arena

It all begins when a penguin legend comes to life in the form of Sedna, the ancient Penguin Goddess. Global warming, pollution... Penguin tribes are endangered. Sedna utters them that there is room for but one tribe. And so the purging begins.

Penguins Arena is a thrilling and innovative First Penguin Shooter with very short rounds and where the magic of reincarnation, combined with the supernatural ability to return to the game as a ghost, ensures that your character has every chance to change your tribe's fate.

Save the Penguins, Save the Planet!

• 5 different weapons and bonuses
• Up to 4 different penguins tribes
• 15 different Icebergs battlefields
• Cute and colored cartoon graphics
• Fight the good fight and earn achievements
• Short rounds and furious, intense gameplay
• Player interaction, even after death
• Reincarnation system
• Multiplayer game (LAN or Internet)

Pirate Galaxy – revolutionary browser game closed beta starts

Leading European Publisher gamigo AG is happy to announce the start of the closed beta testing phase of the revolutionary browser game “Pirate Galaxy”. From now on up to 5000 players who register on www.pirategalaxy.com get gradually unlocked, allowing early access to the game.

The Revolution of Browser-MMOGs
With Pirate Galaxy publisher gamigo and developer Splitscreen Studios, will push the boundaries of what is possible in a web browser. The game uses a new, unique technology which allows advanced 3D graphics without the need to install client software to the computer.

Besides that, the game offers exciting gameplay and a huge Galaxy to explore. Players are able to travel to hundreds of different planets, visit space stations in orbit and fight the dangers of their hazardous surfaces. In addition to a compelling story-line, there will be an unlimited amount of automatically generated quests, so space pilots will always have some exciting adventures waiting for them.

Players won’t only have to watch out for other Space Pirates in the game, but for an evil alien race called MANTIS. This technological highly developed race attacked many of mankind’s colonies and outposts. Only experienced squads of players will be able to fight the strong MANTIS-battleships and save the galaxy from these hideous aliens.

Servers are now open!

From today on, the first servers are commencing operation and a couple of hundred players are already unlocked, with more able to play every day. Everyone who wants to join the beta-phase should register at www.pirategalaxy.com. Of course, Pirate Galaxy is completely free of charge and requires no monthly fee to play.

“We are very happy about how the players responded to our Pirate Galaxy announcement”, says Elmar Kofler, Product Manager of Pirate Galaxy. “The game quickly became one of the most anticipated titles in the next g lineup. Now we are looking forward to the feeback of the players, which will help us to give the final touch to every aspect of the game and make decisions for upcoming features.”

gamigo will use this testing phase to find and remove remaining bugs. Beyond that, gamigo will watch player’s comments and suggestions in the forum closely and consider their opinions in the further development of the Pirate Galaxy.

About Pirate Galaxy:

In Pirate Galaxy the player immerges into a Science-Fiction-World, where the galaxy is controlled by maleficent aliens, called MANTIS. The player takes control of a spaceship and takes his fate into his own hands. Along with thousands of other online-pirates, players will fight with aliens, hunt for worthwhile treasures and reconquer the despoiled colonies.

Pirate Galaxy introduces a new era of browser-games and offers a fantastic Science-Fiction-Online-World to the gamers. The game can be played via a client-program, or directly in a web-browser from almost any PC. In both cases players are able to navigate their spaceships through a high-resolution 3D-ambience.

Features:

· detailed 3D-Graphic within the browser
· exciting real-time-fights in PVE and PVP-Modes
· spaceships can be adjusted individually
· motivating role-playing-elements
· a huge game universe with hundreds of planets and innumerable quests
· easy and simple navigation
· comprehensible user interface
· free to play – no payments, no monthly fees

Pixie a New game on Mac and PC Free video game demo

Long-time independent Mac and PC game developers Phelios, Inc. (creators of the PTK Game Engine) and EMV Software (of Warblade fame), have collaborated on a new game called, Pixie. Pixie, a game that is reminiscent of vintage arcade games met with a modern twist, has just been released for both Mac and PC platforms. Pixie was created with the PTK Game Engine. The sound effects and music were composed by William Lamy, and the graphics were created by Paul Conway.
Description of Pixie

The game's main character, Pixie, loses her way in a magical forest one day and needs your guidance to return home. To succeed, gamers must play and advance in each game level, which will ultimately send Pixie on her way home, safe and sound. For each level, the objective of the game is to fence off or claim a majority of the playing field. Click on the playing board and send a magical vine to block off areas of the board. Block off bugs as well and turn the playing field into flowers or magical mushrooms. Catch coins as they fly off the bugs, to buy helpful bonuses like bombs, shields, health potions, extra lives and more.

Pixie features 100 levels, 2 big boss challenges, 4 backgrounds and hours of entertaining game play.

Pixie is available to purchase for $19.95 at both Phelios' and EMV Software's websites:

http://www.phelios.com/
http://www.emv-software.com/

Free PC demo downloads of Pixie are available at:

http://www.phelios.com/files/pc/pixie.exe
http://www.warblade.as/pixie/pixie.exe

Online Real-Time Fighting Game - Battle

Multiverse, a leading provider of interactive entertainment development technology, today launched Battle, the company's first web-based video game that pits players against one another in an action-packed gladiator match.

When playing Battle, players choose from a variety of weapon attacks and magic spells to overwhelm and defeat their opponents. Consumers can play Battle for free at leading social networking sites, including Facebook, MySpace, and Friendster; leading casual game portal, Kongregate; and Multiverse's own site http://battle.multiverse.net. Because the game uses Flash, which is already installed on over 98% of all computers worldwide, consumers don't need to download or install any new software.

"Battle is the first glimpse of a whole new level of excitement in casual games. While new players can begin having fun in seconds, experienced gamers will be thrilled to finally see in a web browser the kind of action and graphics they've found on consoles and in massively multiplayer online games," said Corey Bridges, co-founder and executive producer, Multiverse. "We're confident Battle is going to redefine players' expectations of what's possible in casual games."

Battle: A Sneak Peek of New Platform Capabilities
By extending its platform to enable the development of games for social and casual sites, Multiverse is helping its customers tap into a growing and lucrative consumer resource. According to the Casual Gaming Association, casual games have 200 million active players worldwide who generate $2.25 billion annually.

"We built Battleto showcase what's possible with our underlying technology, the Multiverse Platform," said Rafhael Cedeno, co-founder and CTO, Multiverse. "As a platform provider, we're focused on helping teams build any kind of game or virtual world they want for any outlet – with us, the possibilities are virtually limitless.”

This technology enables game-developers to bring, for the first time, proven genres of gameplay – MMO, sports, combat, real-time strategy, and more – to web browsers in an action-packed multiplayer experience. Multiverse plans to make this new functionality available for public use in the coming months, and has already begun working with a select number of its current customers who have received a preview of its capabilities.

Free Radical to become Crytek UK

Crytek has officially confirmed the acquisition of Free Radical Design and all of its assets, which now becomes part of the Crytek network.

The Nottingham outfit now joins Crytek's other studios in Germany, Ukraine, Hungary, Bulgaria and South Korea.

"We’re very excited about this step to expand Crytek into the UK with such an experienced and highly talented team," offered Avni Yerli, MD of Crytek.

"Free Radical Design is a great fit to Crytek and its culture, given that Free Radical has a proven track record on delivering high quality games.

"The combination of this team, the Crytek network and our CryENGINE technology will be a foundation for outstanding gaming experiences and a magnet for the best talent in the UK," he added.

Source: GamesIndustry

The Guild and Neighbours From Hell to be released on Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS

JoWooD Productions has announced that they will increasingly focus on Nintendos DS and Wii systems to broaden the corporate product portfolio. Popular brands like The Guild and Neighbours From Hell will be released for Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii.

“Bringing our most popular and well-known brands to DS and Wii is a great opportunity and illustrates JoWooD’s multi-platform approach. The Guild is set in an incredibly rich post-medieval world. Its compelling and unique gameplay will translate well to the new hardware. The humorous, family-friendly puzzle game Neighbours From Hell will especially benefit hugely from the innovative control schemes offered by Nintendo’s highly successful consoles.

The broad games portfolio enables JoWooD to contribute to almost every segment of the Wii and DS gaming market. With our experience in the industry and reliable development partners we are well positioned to attract console gamers from all over the world.” says David Skreiner, Assistant Producer.

The release for Neighbours From Hell is planned for the 2nd quarter of 2009. With this step, the Austrian publisher will position his popular games on the growing console market.

EA has confirmed that Battlefield: Bad Company 2 and Battlefield 1943 are in development.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 sees the return of Bravo Company and their darkly comic slog through the Second World War. We're promised such locations as snowy mountaintops, dense jungles and dusty villages with destructible scenery once again courtesy of the Frostbite engine.

The game will be released on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Meanwhile the multiplayer-focused Battlefield 1943 will be released for PC, and for consoles via the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live. EA says the game features 24-player multiplayer action over three classic and tropic locations; Wake Island, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. It is powered by the same graphics engine as Bad Company 2.

"Bad Company 2 takes everything that players liked in the original and ups the ante – more vehicles, more destruction and more team play," said Karl Magnus Troedsson, Executive Producer Battlefield Franchise, DICE. "Battlefield 1943 is a new take on a blast from the past classic coming to life with brand new technology that we’re eager to get into players hands."

Source: Boomtown

Rise of the Argonauts video game out in UK tomorrow 6th February

Codemasters announced that Rise of the Argonauts, an epic action RPG developed by Liquid Entertainment and published by Codemasters, will be available to buy from UK retail stores from tomorrow (6th February 2009) for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and the PC. To see the exclusive “Big Finish” UK launch trailer and for more information about the game, visit www.rise-of-the-argonauts.com.

Rise of the Argonauts immerses players in a gladiatorial adventure set in a wondrously imagined vision of ancient Greece. Taking the role of Jason, a hero and weapons master, players will battle alongside Hercules, Achilles, Atalanta and other Argonauts as they engage in brutal combat and enchanting dialogue against formidable beasts and enemies, in a vast world alive with fickle gods, jaw-dropping panoramas, deep exploration and epic quests. The search for the Golden Fleece is not only one of exploration, but of transformation: from warrior king to exalted hero touched by the gods.

3 on 3 NHL arcade skates onto PlayStation Network and Xbox Live

EA SPORTS Downloadable Title Prioritizes Accessible Fun with Low Cost of Entry

Electronic Arts announced today that 3 on 3 NHL Arcade - an all-new downloadable experience from EA SPORTS Freestyle - is now available worldwide on the PlayStation Network for £6.29. The game will be available on XBOX Live Arcade for MS Points, on February 11, 2009. Developed at EA Canada by the team that produced the critically acclaimed NHL 09, winner of 10 Sports Videogame of the Year Awards, 3 on 3 NHL Arcade is a no rules, fast paced, hockey experience that gamers of all types can enjoy.

From the exaggerated player-looks of 40 of the NHL’s top stars to game changing power-ups, 3 on 3 NHL Arcade is a light-hearted hockey game that appeals to everyone. With no rules to hinder the action, you can deliver devastating checks that send your opponent over the boards, or check the goalie if he skates out of the crease to play the puck. Feel like you need to turn the tide? Grab one of eight power-ups to change the momentum of a game and fly down the ice with a super-speed skater to beat a mini-goalie with a trick move for that highlight reel finish.

With two control schemes to choose from, players can pick between button controls that allow gamers of all skill levels to pass, shoot, hit and use the all-new trick moves with ease, or the more advanced Skill Stick controls from NHL 09. In addition to standard ranked matches, 3 on 3 NHL Arcade allows the ability for three players on one console to play three other players on another console anywhere in the world*. With fast paced action, crushing hits and loads of room to experiment, 3 on 3 NHL Arcade will have gamers from all walks of life excited about hockey.

This game has been rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and 12+ by PEGI.

*Internet connection required

Super Robot Taisen OG Saga - Endless Frontier video game on Nintendo DS

Atlus U.S.A., Inc. today announced that it has secured the North American publishing rights for Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier on Nintendo DS, a sci-fi/fantasy-action RPG side story of the Super Robot Taisen Original Generation games. Embark on a journey across the fascinating worlds of the Endless Frontier along with robots, were-people, mermaids, demons, and humans all living with each other in harmony... more or less. From the fantastic new battle system to the captivating story of alternate worlds and characters bursting at the seams with personality, there is plenty to discover and uncover (*ahem*) in this well-rounded adventure.

Unlike most RPG battle systems, players will be engrossed in the interactive, action-packed, fighter-style combat in Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier. Customizable turn and time-based attacks allow players to administer the ultimate beat down on enemies by juggling them in the air and executing a continuous chain of kicks, punches, slashes, gun attacks, bombs, and more. In addition, players can call on their allies to extend their attack chains to ridiculous lengths.

As a continuation of the Atlus Spoils fan appreciation program, each and every launch copy of Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier will be a premium boxed release, with a soundtrack CD featuring music from the game included in the final retail package. It's our way of saying thanks to our fans for their continued support!

Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier is scheduled for release on April 28th, 2009 with an MSRP of $34.99.

About Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier
Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier is a unique sci-fi/fantasy RPG that takes players across a variety of worlds, ranging from an apocalyptic wasteland covered with the hulks of downed spaceships to a fantastical place of fairy tales and dark magic. Join Haken Browning: gunslinger, professional bounty hunter, and amateur ladies' man, along with his motley crew of robots, were-beasts, secret agents, and busty princesses as they delve deep into the mysteries of how their worlds came to be and face a threat that imperils the multiverse.

Key Features

• Super Robot Taisen is back - Built on the DNA of the beloved Super Robot Taisen series, Endless Frontier expands the scope of the universe into a saga of multiple worlds and the conflict of humans, robots, and countless others living across space and time. The long-awaited return of the series brings with it with a brand new story and characters and a reinvented battle system.
• High-action chain combat system - Enemies go up and stay up with a battle system that lets you juggle foes with a run of kicks, punches, slashes, gun attacks, bombs, and more! Chaining is the name of the game, and timing-based button presses let you create an acrobatic string of assaults. You can even call in allies to keep the chain going longer!
• Customize your attack combos - Pick and choose from a menu of attack skills to create the combo line-up you want to use in battle. Skills vary in strength and resources used, in addition to side benefits of stunning, triggering critical hits, and more.
• Bonus items - Owners of the Super Robot Taisen Original Generation games for Game Boy Advance™ can unlock bonus items in their Endless Frontier game by booting the game with the GBA cartridges in the GBA game slot of their DS unit.

Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier has been rated "T" for Teen with Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, and Suggestive Themes by the ESRB.

Tekken 6 video game Fact Sheet

• Ultimate Entry to the World’s No.1 Fighting Game Brand!
• Largest Character Roster in Tekken History – 40 Playable Characters to Master!
• Ground-Breaking Online Game Modes!
• Endless Possibilities to Customize and Design Your Ultimate Fighter!

Watch HD game trailer here on my YouTube channel... please subscribe

With over 33 MILLION UNITS SOLD WORLDWIDE, the No 1 FIGHTING GAME FRANCHISE of all time soars onto the NEXT GENERATION PLATFORMS with UNBRIDLED VENGEANCE!

Armed with jaw-dropping HD graphics running flawlessly at 60 fps; the largest character roster ever in Tekken gaming history; ground-breaking online game modes and robust character customization system; the greatest fighting game franchise soars onto the PlayStation 3 Computer Entertainment System and Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system!

• Gorgeous Graphics! – The advanced high definition graphics and 3D animation technologies create the most impressive HD visuals in Tekken history.
• The Largest Character Roster Ever! – Master 40 unique fighters representing the world’s top martial arts styles! The character line-up includes 34 beloved characters, such as Jin, Heihachi and Kazuya, as well as 6 brand new characters with unique fighting styles and combo systems!
• Compete and Battle Globally! – Prove your supremacy against players from around the world with online VS mode!
• Endless Possibilities to Customize! – Create new characters and customize them with every imaginable detail. Customize their hairstyles, apparel, fashion accessories, tattoos, etc. Then take your own ultimate fighters online!
• Dynamic, Interactive, Destructible Environments – Punch your enemies through concrete walls or kick them through floors to open a whole new battleground. The stages go through dynamic changes ranging from a sudden attack helicopter crash to vehicle explosions!
• Plus More!

Publisher: NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe SAS
Developer: NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
Release Date: Q4, 2009
Platform: PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
Genre: Fighting Action
Player: 1 – 2 Players
Rating: TBC

Kung Fu Panda voted best animation in a video game by the International Animated Film Society

The video game based on Dreamworks Animation's movie of the same name just scored an Annie, beating out Dead Space and Wall·E.

The 36th Annual Annie Awards threw down this past weekend, honoring the best that animated things have to offer, whether they be animated feature length movies, achievements in storyboarding or outstanding television commercials.

Another Gamezplay.org Kung Fu Panda post here...

Three games were nominated in the "Best Animated Video Game" category, with Activision's Kung Fu Panda snatching the Annie "in recognition of creative excellence in the art of animation."

I'd cry foul, but I've yet to bask in the animation of Kung Fu Panda in any of its forms. Who objects?
Source: Kotaku

Sims 3, Godfather 2 and Dragon Age video games delayed to next year - 2010

EA said it would delay the release of "Sims 3," "Godfather 2" and "Dragon Age" to fiscal 2010 from fiscal 2009, and that it would narrow its product portfolio and cut variable costs.

EA in December warned its fiscal 2009 profit and revenue will fall short of already-low forecasts due to disappointing holiday sales of its video games in North America and Europe.

"The quarter was definitely worse than I thought, definitely below the most pessimistic of expectations," said analyst Todd Greenwald of Signal Hill Group. "The sort of silver lining on the cloud: they gave fiscal 2010 guidance that is slightly above where I was and slightly below consensus, but I think people were fearing worse."

EA to dedicate half it's games output to Nintendo Wii console

Speaking during a conference call, the CEO of EA detailed a renewed focus on the popular machine, as the publisher dedicates half of its home console output to the Nintendo Wii.

"The Nintendo Wii is even more important than one year ago. It is a clear leader in this cycle," said Riccitiello. "They are getting half our emphasis in terms of title count."

EA Sports games are key to breaking the Wii market, said Riccitiello, with the new Wii MotionPlus accessory enabling EA to increase quality and deliver the type of gameplay experiences associated with Nintendo's own first-party output.

"You will see we are taking great advantage of their new hardware addition with the motion sensor," he said. "What that is going to give us is the kind of gameplay we think will rival Nintendo on their own platform, and we are bringing marketing together in such a way that we think we can get noticed in ways that no other third party will."

Two titles central to this are EA Sports Active, the fitness game due later this year, and a new tennis franchise, which also makes use of the Wimbledon license.

"We're going strong, right out of the box, with EA Sports," declared Riccitiello.

"EA Sports Active is taking advantage of the world's fascination with fitness - the strength of the Wii Fit platform - with a spectacular title in my judgement that's coming out in our first quarter."

"The second thing that is coming out in the quarter is we are launching our tennis SKU, and initially Wii only, and following it up with other franchises."

Along with more MySims releases, EA plans to market its Wii range collectively, rather than as individual titles.

"We are bringing three titles together, and we are aggressively marketing them," said Riccitiello.

Yesterday, EA reported a loss of USD 641 million, the decision to close 12 facilities and increase redundancies to 1100 across the group.

Source: GamesIndustry

Free PC video game America's Army picks up five Guinness World Records

The U.S. Army today announced that its America's Army PC game, which lets players explore Soldiering in the U.S. Army, has been recognized with five records in the upcoming Guinness World Records 2009: Gamer's Edition. Guinness World Records 2009: Gamer's Edition, the second installment of the must-have "Gamer's Bible," will hit shelves February 4th with a list price of $21.95. The Gamer's Edition features the definitive collection of video game records, facts and trivia.

The America's Army PC game received awards in the following categories:

• Largest Virtual Army
In January 2007, America's Army recruited its 8 millionth registered user; at the same time, the actual U.S. Army comprised just 519,472 Soldiers. This makes the virtual America's Army 15 times larger than the real thing! Today the game has over 9.7 million registered users.

• Most Downloaded War Video Game
According to official estimates, America's Army, in all its various iterations, has been downloaded 42,611,601 times. It is also the most downloaded game from Fileplanet.com, itself one of the most popular gaming download sites on the internet. The most recent version of the game was downloaded almost 2.4 million times between January and July 2008.

• Most Hours Spent Playing a Free Online Shooter
According to the U.S. Army, as of August 2008, gamers have spent 230,918,365 hours playing the PC version of America's Army. Gamers from over 60 countries have played America's Army since it was launched in 2002.

• Earliest Military Website to Support a Video Game
The website americasarmy.com is the first military website to support a video game series. America's Army is also the first multiplatform game to receive a government-licensed trademark.

• Largest Travelling Game Simulator
The Virtual Army Experience (VAE) is a highly modified version of America's Army that includes six life-size Humvees surrounded by multiple flat screens, with room for up to 50 participants. Mounted in the vehicles are modified light-gun weapons. The teams inside each vehicle, which shakes in reaction to nearby explosions, are tasked to drive supplies to a beleaguered group of aid workers in dangerous territory. The VAE takes up 1,811 m2 (19,500 square feet).

The U.S Army recently announced the upcoming America's Army 3 game where every detail counts. America's Army 3 is the only free action game that delivers an authentic and entertaining Army experience by reflecting the training, technology, actions and career advancement of a Soldier within a unique exciting game experience. AA3, which will be rated T for Teen by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), will be released in 2009. As with previous versions of America's Army, AA3 will be frequently updated to include new features and missions and to highlight new technologies being incorporated in today's Army. Using the state-of-the-art Unreal Engine 3, America's Army game developers brought the most popular trademark gameplay features from the previous versions to an all new level in AA3. Highlights include authentic weapons and technologies, realistic training and exciting gameplay missions. AA3 provides p layers new insights into the Army and Soldiering while making the game easier to play, easier to install and easier to download.

The first edition of Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition was published in February 2008, and received critical accolade from gaming industry reviewers. PC World said: "if you truly want to prove your mettle in the gaming arena... your name in the Guinness World Records Gamer's edition is the only way to go about it," while critics from Popular Science praised: "If you care about gaming, something here is going to fascinate you." The latest book is currently available everywhere books are sold.