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Saturday, May 09, 2009

From the Creative Mind that brought Sonic the Hedgehog to Life Comes a Finger Tapping Sensation

lets tap video game SEGA announce 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.

Win a NVIDIA GeoForce 9800GTX+ video card with Sacred 2 desktop contest

sacred 2 contest
cdv Software Entertainment USA and GameRigs are inviting gamers to show off their creative skills in the newly launched Sacred 2: Fallen Angel “Mighty Desktop Wallpaper” contest. The contest challenges entrants to design and submit a Sacred 2-themed desktop wallpaper, which will then be judged by cdv USA and GameRigs staff.

The best wallpaper entry will then be converted to a large-sized poster to be given to the winner, along with the following first-place prizes –

• One NVIDIA GeForce 9800GTX+ video card
• A Razer DeathAdder gaming mouse
• A GameRigs “Sacred 2 BattleMat” gaming mouse pad
• Sacred 2 decal set
• A copy of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel for PC or Xbox

There will also be 10 “Honorable Mention” prize packs given out, which include –

• A Sacred 2 “Monster” poster
• A GameRigs “Sacred 2 BattleMat” gaming mouse pad

To enter, please visit the URL for complete instructions –
http://www.game-rigs.com/promos/sacred2wp

Guitar Hero sales pass $2 billion with Guitar Hero 5 confirmed (surprise!)

guitar hero 5 playing guitar on stageActivision has officially confirmed earlier reports that it will expand its 2009 rhythm game line-up this Fall with Guitar Hero 5, DJ Hero, and Band Hero. Additionally, the publisher has announced that the franchise has reached a USD 2 billion milestone, and is only the third gaming franchise to do so.

According to a press release issued today, Guitar Hero 5 "gives players an unprecedented level of control over the way they play the game with the ability to drop in and out of songs and change band members, instruments and difficulty levels on the fly." Band Hero meanwhile is an attempt to expand the franchise to a younger audience, and DJ Hero, which has seen some court attention recently, introduces a brand new turntable peripheral. All three titles are slated for fall of this year.

During a conference call discussing the publisher's quarterly financial results, Activision expanded on its music genre strategy, revealing that the Guitar Hero franchise has now generated USD 2 billion in sales.

In response to a question by Deutsche Bank analyst Jeetil Patel, Activision CEO Robert Kotick said "We feel very good about our holiday slate."

"The Guitar Hero franchise in fact, this quarter, surpassed the USD 2 billion dollar mark, and was only the third franchise in the history of gaming, besides Super Mario and Madden, to ever achieve that milestone," he continued. "So, it's got a strong foundation."

In regards to music titles from other publishers, Kotick said "We're much more focused on our own business than the overall market, because we can't really control what happens with the other titles, such as Rock Band, where we've seen a rather precipitous fall-off of that franchise."

Kotick also said that Guitar Hero Metallica is "off to a good start," and that the publisher will be sponsoring the band's European tour next month - just in time for the game's European launch. "We think that's going to be a very positive addition," he said.

"And then the triad that we've got in the holiday, between Guitar Hero 5, DJ Hero and Band Hero, we think will not only serve the current user base, but also provide significant additional expansion opportunities to new genres, so that we can start tapping into the significant number of households that are a part of the 170 million install base of hardware, but haven't yet engaged with Guitar Hero."

"So, I think we're feeling that we've got a very strong programme in the year ahead, and we're bullish on the music category."

In response to an additional question from Piper-Jaffray analyst Anthony Gikas, Activision CFO Thomas Tippl spoke briefly on the profit margins for the Guitar Hero franchise, saying that "margins have been compressed as a result of the hardware cost related particularly to the band products," but that the publisher expects profit margins on the franchise to improve later this year.

"What we expect to see is that margins will improve as we get into the latter part of the year, where we will have new hardware out that is not only better and innovative, but also cost-optimised," he continued, also adding that another factor for higher margins will be a heightened focus on software over hardware, which has significantly lower manufacturing and freight costs.

Wii Sports sells 45.7m games, Wii Play 22.9m, Wii Fit 18.2 million...

nintendo wii consoleFollowing full year financial results Nintendo has released internal sales figures for its top-selling first party titles on the Wii and Nintendo DS.

The results suggest that Wii Sports has become the best-selling bundled videogame of all time, beating NES classic Super Mario Bros. In turn Wii Play is now the best-selling non-bundled game, with Nintendogs taking its place if its status as a hardware bundle with the Wii remote is discounted.

In total Wii Sports has sold 45.7 million units worldwide, which is only slightly below the current 50 million total for the Wii itself, since the game is not bundled with the console in Japan.

Wii Play sales are currently on 22.9 million, followed by Wii Fit on 18.2 million and Mario Kart Wii on 15.4 million. The best-selling Wii title not to be bundled with additional hardware is Super Smash Bros Brawl on 8.4 million units.

The critically acclaimed Super Mario Galaxy is the Wii's sixth strongest seller on 8 million units, followed by Mario Party 8 on 6.7 million and Wii Zapper bundle Link's Crossbow Training on 3.76 million.

Animal Crossing: Let's Go to the City (aka City Folk) is the best-seller from Nintendo's 2008 Christmas line-up on 3.76 million units, followed by Wii Music on 2.65 million. Super Mario Stadium Baseball (aka Mario Super Sluggers) is the last of the million-selling titles on the list at 1.2 million units.

On the DS the top-selling title is Nintendogs and all its many near-identical SKUs, with sales of 22.2 million units. This is followed by New Super Mario Bros which stands at 18.4 million.

Brain Training (aka Brain Age) has sold 17.4 million units worldwide, with Pokemon Diamond/Pearl on 16.8 million, Mario Kart DS on 14.6 million and More Brain Training (aka Brain Age 2) on 13.7 million.

Animal Crossing: Wild World stands at 10 million, followed by launch title Super Mario 64 DS on 7.5 million, Mario Party DS on 5.8 million and Pokemon Mystery Dungeon on 4.5 million. Pokemon Platinum is on 3.7 million and Kirby Super Star Ultra is on 2.3 million - with neither title yet having been released in Europe.

Pokemon Ranger has sold 2 million units worldwide, while Rhythm Paradise (aka Rhythm Heaven) is on 1.9 million. Professor Layton and the Curious Village has sold 1.6 million units in the West, although this figure does not include Japan where the game is self-published by developer Level-5.

Source: GamesIndustry

Duke Nukem Forever Unreleased concept art from laid off developers...

duke nukem forever
Joystiq have managed to get hold of some artwork from canceled game Duke Nukem Forever and placed it on their website here...

Previous posts on Gamezplay.org here...

Official SBKTM09 Demo is Free on Xbox LIVE Marketplace

sbk09 superbike world championship 09From Friday 8th May at 10 am the official SBK 09 Superbike World Championship Demo is live on Microsoft Marketplace exclusively for Gold Subscribers.

Silver Subscribers will be able to download it as well starting from Friday 15th May on Marketplace.

SBK 09 Superbike World Championship

Enjoy the taste of pure adrenaline in the utmost realistic motorbike riding experience ever!!

Free trip to Antaloor Second "Two Worlds" add-on - "Curse of Souls" – now available for free

free download update
The wonderful world of Antaloor just keeps on growing! The new add-on, “Curse of Souls”, means that there are now four totally new Multiplayer maps with around 40 new quests which will immediately hook you and spirit you away into the fantastic RPG world of “Two Worlds”.

One of the new RPG missions involves the player forcing his way into a town besieged by the Orcs - then either catching a traitor red-handed, or searching for a powerful Mage who has hidden himself away near Qudinar and is cooperating with a mysterious secret organization.

For those of you who prefer hard action, you'll get plenty in the PvP mode, where competing teams have to collect magical spheres and get rid of their opponents at the same time. Whoever gets the most points wins the game!

You can download “Curse of Souls” right away - just go to “Updates” on the right of the Support section at www.2-worlds.com! The file size varies between just 100 MB (update from Version 1.6) and 1.2 GB (update from Version 1.0).

Armin Van Buuren In the Mix, DJ - Nintendo Wii video game

Armin Van Buuren video gameForeign Media Games, part of the Foreign Media Group, has formed a unique collaboration with Armin van Buuren.

This fall, Armada Music, Cloud 9 Music and Foreign Media Games will release a Nintendo Wii game based on the best DJ in the world, Armin van Buuren.

The game, ‘ARMIN VAN BUUREN - IN THE MIX’, allows players to experience for themselves what it is like to be a DJ like Armin, mixing electronic dance music and interacting with the audience.

The game will contain many of Armin van Buuren’s music masters and features artists he often works with. To make the experience complete, Armin will also include unique, never before released material in the Wii game. Players can use the available effects, loops and individual parts to mix music. Wii functionality will be optimally utilised to maximise the music mixing experience.

Armin van Buuren, awarded World's Best DJ for the second consecutive year, is proud to be the first DJ in the world to have his own Wii game. "I’ve been a huge games freak for years and I am, of course, a music fanatic. Music mixing technology has improved enormously over the past few years. You can do a lot more with your choice of records and the various effects, making it even more fun to mesmerise your audience, take them on a musical journey and let them party on. Now you can discover how great it is to mix your own music in your own living room! This game shows you how I work as a DJ, but you can use your own style. Perfect your skills and make your friends and family totally crazy about Dance and Trance."

‘ARMIN VAN BUUREN - IN THE MIX’ will be released internationally, this autumn, by Foreign Media Games. Michel van Elmpt, Director of Foreign Media Games commented, “We are very proud that we, as a Dutch publisher, have been able to establish this fantastic collaboration with one of the greatest music icons of recent times.”

Altitude video game - Free Weekend for PC, Mac, and Linux

Altitude video gameDogfight Your Way Across The Cartoon Skies in Frantic Free Weekend Free-For-All from Nimbly Games

Independent game developer Nimbly Games today announced the launch of Altitude™, a fast-paced game of aerial combat suitable for all ages.

Altitude pits you against up to 64 online opponents as you blast your way across the cartoon skies, unlocking brilliantly original fantasy planes, completing devilish challenges, and customizing your loadout with a wide array of perks along the way. Featuring both strategic team-based and wild free-for-all modes of play, Altitude is available online for PC, Mac, and Linux at http://altitudegame.com for US$19.95.

"We've been blown away by the community response, from professional gamers to people who'd never played an online game before," explained Erik Measure, CEO of Nimbly Games, "We're excited to show everyone exactly what we've done, and invite them to join this awesome community - a free weekend seemed like a no-brainer."

Altitude is free to play online with friends. Players can unlock additional planes and perks for a one-time purchase of $19.95. Starting Friday, May 8th at 12:01 AM EST and ending Sunday, May 10th, at 11:59 PM EST, everyone can experiment with all of the goodies for free.

Features of Altitude include:
• Pilot five completely unique planes: Loopy, Bomber, Explodet, Biplane, and Miranda
• Customize your plane with 25 unlockable perks, from twin-fire missiles to rear-mounted flak guns, rubberized armor to reverse-thruster engines
• Complete challenges and compare stats with friends
• Navigate 9 official maps, or create and share your own with the Altitude Editor
• Strong parental controls and cartoon action ensure a safe experience for young children
• Play online with up to 64 players, and always find your friends with slick community features

The free-to-play fantasy MMORPG Rappelz gets new content with the Navis Lamia expansion release

Rappelz video gameThe time has come. In April we announced Navis Lamia, the new expansion for the free-to-play fantasy MMORPG Rappelz and from today when you log into Rappelz, you can jump straight into the new content on all European servers.

Discover a revised Trainee Island, which shines in new splendour. Tame a whole range of new evil creatures and see the brand new dungeon, the cursed ghost ship Navis Lamia. Or be noble and donate rupy at the Temple of Goddess to earn moral points and various gift boxes. There are a lot of new things to see, so what are you waiting for!

The only thing you have to do to get the Navia Lamia expansion is to open Rappelz and the download will commence automatically. As with all gPotato Europe games, there is no cost for this expansion. Are you are curious right now but are not registered to play? Just register for your free gPotato.eu account at the www.gPotato.eu portal and immerse yourself in the Rappelz world.

Launched in February 2008, Rappelz is available at the gPotato.eu portal in German and French and in the past year has welcomed over 450,000 players. With this popularity, we are now taking the next step and will offer a fully localized version of Rappelz and gPotato Europe’s support to players from and across Turkey. Turkish players should keep an eye on the gPotato.eu portal as it goes into Closed Beta this month. You can register now for the closed beta test at http://tr.rappelz.gpotato.eu/ad/.

Puzzle Bobble Galaxy and Space Invaders Extreme 2 on Nintendo DS

puzzle bobble galaxySquare Enix Ltd., the publisher of Square Enix interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, today announces two brand new releases from TAITO based on classic video game franchises. PUZZLE BOBBLE GALAXY will be released on Nintendo DS this summer, and SPACE INVADERS EXTREME 2 will be available on Nintendo DS in the autumn.

PUZZLE BOBBLE GALAXY is a match-three arcade puzzle game starring the loveable Bub and Bob dinosaur brothers from the hugely popular Bubble Bobble game. Players will embark on a magnificent adventure set in space as they help battle against powerful enemies who are trying to rule the entire universe. True to the original classic, players will shoot balls from the cannon located at the bottom of the screen, matching colours with the gaggle of bubbles at the top. Patience and perseverance not included but, the rewards will be generous!

SPACE INVADERS EXTREME 2 follows in the footsteps of last year’s critically acclaimed SPACE INVADERS EXTREME, which was regarded by many as the best remake of the original classic. This year the iconic Invaders are back again and this time the action is even more extreme! The game combines the essence of the original game with a stunning alliance of futuristic graphic design and cutting-edge audio, overhauled gameplay details, and a whole new range of amazing power-ups.

PUZZLE BOBBLE GALAXY – the story

An unmanned spaceship suddenly descends from the skies. Just for the fun of it, the brothers Bub and Bob board the ship and begin pushing buttons at random... Before they know it, the ship moves into action! Just then, a transmission comes over the ship's Comm. line -- A voice crying, "Help!"

Unknown to Bub and Bob, several planets have “doors” in their vicinity that lead to an alternate dimension. These doors have been opening, releasing a flood of bubbles that turn into hazardous space-debris; causing problems for the planets’ inhabitants. Because Bub and Bob's planet is the only one that doesn't have debris, it was decided that a small spacecraft would be sent there to call for help. Bub and Bob learn that to close the doors leading to alternate dimensions, they have to use Cosmo Bubbles: high-energy concentrations that float around outer space. So they set off to an area where Debris Bubbles drift, for within their numbers…the Cosmo Bubbles lie hidden out of sight!

The brothers get their hands on a Cosmo Bubble and arrive at a door that’s releasing Debris Bubbles… but lying in wait is a giant Boss protecting the passageway!

PUZZLE BOBBLE GALAXY – key features

Enhanced Presentation - Even flashier Item Effects than the typical Puzzle Bobble that covers the screen as you enjoy gameplay without hindrance.
Shops - Accumulate points in various modes, and use them to buy merchandise. Merchandise includes extra modes, sound test, staff roll bubbles & arrows
Mini-games
Factory: A new mode you have to clear using a limited number of bubbles.
Pressure: A new mode in which you only have one bubble to clear the stage.
Puzzle: An addition to the normal puzzle.

World View Construction - Following the 20+ year history of Bub’s world, this release has cameos from familiar characters
Wireless Battles - Heat things up with 2-4 player multi-play through Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection & DS Wireless Play connectivity.
New Versus & Communications rules - Destroy and acquire special bubbles that appear in the top screen, then use them to torment your opponents with various Effects and give yourself the advantage!

SPACE INVADERS EXTREME 2 – product overview and key features

By combining the essence of the original game with a stunning alliance of futuristic graphic design and cutting-edge audio, overhauled gameplay details and a whole new range of amazing power-ups, the basic concept of the iconic SPACE INVADERS shooter from TAITO has transformed into a whole new way to take the fight to the alien invasion and get your name up in lights on the high score table!

The differences between Space Invaders Extreme 2 and the previous release are:

* New Additional Stages
* Higher Stage Volume
* Enhanced Games System
* Enhanced Battle Play
* New Beginners Course
* New Time Attack Mode

Additional features include:

* Futuristic, techno-inspired graphic design takes SPACE INVADERS to new heights of presentation
* Interactive, totally immersive sound scheme where sound effects are synchronised to match the beats of the music
* Wide range of amazing new power-ups
* Background movies
* Ranking registration
* Play a friend with Nintendo DS Wireless Play and DS Download Play and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection

Ys Online – 2nd closed beta announcement! In Spanish, French and German

Ys Online beta* Now available in four languages
* Brand new features accessible
* No character wipe for 1st closed beta players
* Sign up for the beta at the official site

The Ys world will re-open its doors on May the 26th. And for the first time in Europe, Ys Online will be completely available in three more languages – Spanish, French and German – besides English.

This new phase will also have brand new functionalities, such as:

PvP. For first time in Ys you will enjoy a fully featured PvP system, with a points system to punish merciless players called the Villain Points.

Enchanting. You will be able to enchant weapons, armours or accessories that will glow in a fantastic luminous and colourful way your efforts.

Crafting. Almost everything will be able to be crafted in the lands of Ys Online! So it gives a real chance to everyone to have access to all the items available in game.

More quests, due to the level cap raise and new Quest Cards placed in.

If you want to enjoy this amazing game, you can apply now for a Beta Key on the Ys Online Official Website.

Ys - Call Of Solum

Call of Solum is an MMORPG based on the famous Ys series, created for the Japanese company Falcom. Since its first title for 8 bits, already turned into a classic, several manga series, OAVs and even novels have been stemmed. This time, Falcom and CJ Internet are joining to present Ys - Call of Solum, the new title of the series turned into an online videogame that follows the anime style, so characteristic in the entire saga.

Ys - Call of Solum arrives in Europe thanks to of Key To Play.
With Man of Wings’ ascent to the sky, chaos reigned in the continent of Eresia. The central region known as Europe was divided into two enemy realms: Romun, dominating the centre and south of the region and Etruria, in the north.
After one hundred years of constant battles all over the continent, several kingdoms fell, one after the other, against the fearful monsters emerging from the chaos. This way, 12 soldiers of different races, Eresians, Kimoans and Afrocans, joined Grey the hero, to defeat the monsters and establish a new empire under the name of Romun all over the continent.

Key To Play

Key To Play is a new online videogame portal of different genres, created in 2008 with the aim of bringing great international titles to the European market. With several offices in Europe and Asia, Key To Play is offering offers online players a large network of support and development possibilities. All this with one goal: to be able to give the best quality and playability.

Currently, the titles are launched in 4 languages simultaneously, English, French, German and Spanish, to offer more convenience to the players.

Key To Play has committed, up to now, to two titles, Priston Tale 2: The Second Enigma and Ys Online - Call of Solum.

The Party Started With It's My Birthday, Exclusively For Nintendo Wii Just Add Kids & Cake!'

my birthday wii gameIt’s My Birthday, an innovative game exclusively for the Nintendo Wii home video game system from Nintendo, that will bring back the traditional birthday party to living rooms across the nation this June. It’s My Birthday gives savvy mums and dads a complete “Party-in-a-Box” to throw the best next-generation birthday party for their kids, including themed games, invitations, banners, colouring sheets and a birthday crown – blue for boys, pink for girls!

“Getting older is about to become a lot more fun!” said Steve Lux, vice president of business development for 2K Play. “With It’s My Birthday, we deliver the ultimate home birthday party experience – from new twists on classic games to customized themes. We’re excited to give kids the gift of great memories and offer parents meaningful value.”

Up to 12 party goers can join in the festivities as they whack, roll, splash, pop, scribble, climb, jump, and shimmy their way through more than 20 birthday games, including Pin The Tail On The Donkey, Sack Race, Musical Chairs and Cake Stacker. The birthday boy or girl can also choose from ten party theme rooms to set the scene for an unforgettable bash, from “Pirates,” complete with sword and treasure chest, to “Princess,” with a royal castle, a fancy crown and unicorn. When it’s time to break for cake, a lively rendition of the traditional “Happy Birthday” song will play for everyone to sing along in karaoke-style, with a virtual cake on screen.
It’s My Birthday was developed by 2K’s Cat Daddy Games studio, the creators of the highly successful Carnival Games franchise, which has sold over four million copies to date. It’s My Birthday will be available at retailers nationwide in June 2009 for the suggested retail price of £19.99 and is rated 3+ by PEGI.

Wonder Pets! Save the Animals video game on Nintendo DS out now.

wonder pets nintendo dsWonder Pets! Save The Animals is now available in shops and online stores across the UK. A perfect companion to the international hit pre-school TV show from Nickelodeon, fans of the series can join Linny The Guinea Pig, Turtle Tuck and Ming-Ming Duckling on their latest adventures, learning along the way - and having a whole lot of fun while they do it!

Designed specifically for pre-school children, Wonder Pets! teaches an appreciation of teamwork and promotes exploration of language through its unique operatic script. What’s gonna work? Team work!

Wonder Pets! Save The Animals is available for Nintendo DS from all good videogame stockists, RRP £19.99.