Can Sackboy beat Hookers media molecule and Rockstar to win award?

Nominations unveiled for 7th annual Industry Excellence Awards

The nominations for the 2009 Develop Industry Excellence Awards have today been unveiled, with Rockstar and Media Molecule set to contest the most categories.

Rockstar Leeds and Rockstar North share six nominations for GTA: Chinatown Wars and GTA IV: The Lost and the Damned, whilst Media Molecule scoop five after a stunning year for LittleBigPlanet.

A real mix of coding talent go head to head in the Best New Studio category, where home console developers compete against handheld and web-based programmers after a year which has seen gaming explode across a range of platforms.

Perhaps the most interesting contest will be in the Technical Innovation category, where LittleBigPlanet will take on Killzone 2, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, Fable II, PlayStation Home and Football Manager Live.

The Develop Industry Excellence Awards are the only accolades that celebrate the achievements of the European development community. An industry-wide panel of experts drawn from the magazine's extensive readership will vote on 16 awards spread across four categories, with a very special Grand Prix award determined by the Develop team themselves. In addition, another Development Legend will be honoured.

“This year's finalists showcase the wide array of talent working in and serving the UK and European games development sector, and also the broad, forward-thinking remit of the Develop team,” says Michael French, Editor-in-Chief, Develop. “The shortlist covers everything from traditional console games to iPhone, Facebook, Flash and social experiences, proving just what a rewarding and vibrant sector games development in Europe is. We wish all of the nominees the best of luck and look forward to seeing them on what's set to be a great night.”

The Develop industry Excellence Awards are held in association with Partnertrans, Black Rock Studios, Babel Media and Crytek.

The Awards will be held on Wednesday July 15th at the Hilton Metropole Brighton and hosted by Eight out of 10 Cats star, Jason Manford.

Develop Industry Excellence Awards nominations in full:
CREATIVITY

Best New IP
LittleBigPlanet (Media Molecule)
Mirror's Edge (EA DICE)
Pure (Black Rock Studio)
Zen Bound (Secret Exit)
You're in the Movies (Zoe Mode)
Burn Zombie Burn! (Doublesix)

Best Use of a Licence
Lego Batman (Traveller's Tales)
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena (Starbreeze Studios)
Outrun Online Arcade (Sumo Digital)
Beijing 2008 - The Official Video Game of the Olympic Games (Eurocom)
House of the Dead: Overkill (Headstrong Games)
Hasbro Family Game Night (EA BrightLight)

Visual Arts
LittleBigPlanet (Media Molecule)
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (Rockstar Leeds)
Killzone 2 (Guerrilla)
Xbox 360 Avatars (Rare)
PlayStation Home (London Studio)
Pure (Black Rock Studio)

Audio Accomplishment
Fable II (Lionhead)
Mirror's Edge (EA DICE)
You're in the Movies (Zoe Mode)
House of the Dead: Overkill (Headstrong Games)
GTAIV: The Lost and the Damned (Rockstar North)
Empire Total War (The Creative Assembly)

Publishing Hero
Apple
Sega
Direct2Drive
Codemasters
Ngmoco
Valve

TECHNOLOGY & SERVICES

Technical Innovation
LittleBigPlanet (Media Molecule)
Killzone 2 (Guerilla)
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (Rockstar Leeds)
Fable II (Lionhead)
PlayStation Home (London Studio)
Football Manager Live (Sports Interactive)

Best Tools Provider
Autodesk
Havok
Audiokinetic
Hansoft
Perforce
Scaleform
Quazal

Best Engine
Unreal Engine 3 (Epic Games)
Gamebryo (Emergent Game Technologies)
BlitzTech (Blitz Games Studios)
Unity (Unity Technologies)
Vision Engine (Trinigy)
PhyreEngine (SCEE R&D)

Recruitment Company
Aadvark Swift
Datascope
OPM
Amiqus
Natural Selection
Specialmove

Services
Testology
Babel
Universally Speaking
Partnertrans
Testronic Labs
Audiomotion
Centroid

Creative Outsourcing
High Score Productions
Axis Animation
Outsource Media UK
Side & Sidelines
Richard Jacques Studios
Nimrod
Pitstop Productions

STUDIOS

Best New Studio
Media Molecule
nDreams
Hand Circus
Proper Games
Playfish
Crytek Budapest

Best Handheld Games Studio
Rockstar Leeds
Exient
Curve
Traveller's Tales Fusion
Secret Exit

Business Development
Revolution
Gimme5Games
Monumental Games
Playfish
Crytek
Blitz Games Studios

Best Independent Developer
Media Molecule
Sumo Digital
Crytek
Asobo Studio
Starbreeze Studio
Jagex

Best In-House Team
Lionhead
Sports Interactive
Black Rock Studio
EA DICE
Rockstar North
Rockstar Leeds

Winners of the Development Legend and Grand Prix Awards will be announced on the night.

Arma II Flash video game link

505 Games and Bohemia Interactive, creators of award winning military simulations Operation Flashpoint and ArmA: Armed Assault, are pleased to announce the release of ARMA II: The Flash Game.
A short introduction to the beginning of the ARMA II story is now available for all dedicated fans that are eager to explore the world of the Post-Soviet Republic of Chernarus, a small country chained by the thread of an upcoming civil war.

Marek Spanel, CEO of Bohemia Interactive talks about the new Flash game: “At Bohemia we're known for our innovative, original, approach to game development and our intent was to create additional content based on the original world of ARMA II, using it in a way which makes it possible to connect with hundreds of thousands of gamers worldwide.“

In a further nod to its dedicated community, Bohemia Interactive have announced a competition. For each of the following 5 weeks, the two flash game players with the highest score will win a free copy of ARMA II via digital download!

ARMA II offers the ultimate realistic combat simulation experience in a modern day setting. With unprecedented freedom of movement, actions and tactics, the game will allow players to immerse themselves into intense large scale battles as never seen before on a home PC.

ARMA II will be released across Europe June 19th exclusively for PC. For all the latest information please visit www.arma2.com


And remember: If you see the Flash, it’s already too late!

Let it Shine with SingStar Take That! E3

The UK's ultimate band is back for good with a dedicated SingStar title on PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe today announced SingStar Take That is coming to PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) on Blu-ray Disc and PlayStation 2. Take That fans are in for a treat this year as one of Europe’s hottest acts comes to SingStar. Set to launch late 2009, SingStar Take That will have fans and music lovers singing along to classic pop hits and soulful ballads that span the group’s hugely successful career. You can get practising this summer when the Take That SongPack comes to SingStore™, giving you five exclusive tracks so you’ll be ready to impress when SingStar Take That arrives later this year!

Featuring a collection of new and classic tracks from their multi-million album selling career, SingStar Take That is packed full of those tunes that will tug on your heartstrings and have you delivering the performance of your life. Grab your Wireless SingStar Microphones and get your mates together for a harmonious performance of uplifting, chart topping single Shine - or serenade your loved one with the heartfelt Back for Good and Could it be Magic.

Whether Take That stole your heart in their early days or won you over with their latest releases, prepare to put on a performance you’ll Never Forget and perform the hit ballads of one of the world’s hottest groups when SingStar Take That launches on PS3 and PlayStation 2 later this year.

As proud sponsors of the band’s record breaking UK stadium tour which sees the band perform to an audience of some 1.2 million people in just twenty shows, there’ll be the opportunity for fans across the country to warm up their vocal chords early, in dedicated SingStar sampling areas, at many of the concert venues.

For those with a PS3 there will be a taster Take That SongPack to download from SingStore, these tracks will be on the disc, but for those that just can’t wait – this SongPack is sure to get you singing.

Raunchy Fuel Girls help FUEL video game launch

Codemasters' FUEL Burns Up XFM's Breakfast Show With Surprise Appearance By The Raunchy Fuel Girls

To celebrate the launch today of FUEL for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, Codemasters enrolled the services of the Fuel Girls to spread the word about the game that sets the new standard in open-world racing. The globe-trotting, fire-breathing, stunt-driving divas burnt up the airwaves this morning on XFM London 104.9's Breakfast Show, providing one lucky listener with the chance of winning a PlayStation 3 and a copy of FUEL on Ian Camfield's "Hard Rock" quiz.

Built on ground-breaking technology developed by Asobo Studio, FUEL’s huge world is one of atmospheric beauty and awe-inspiring size, fully open to race and explore. This unprecedented racing playground features dramatic weather effects, including tornados, blizzards, sandstorms and lightning, a full day / night cycle and enormous environmental diversity, from the snow-capped dormant volcano Mount Rainier to the arid Grand Canyon and everything in between.

FUEL’s free-roaming nature allows gamers to pick and choose their route, races and career progression while extensive multiplayer options allow up to 16 players to race against each other in pre-set events, explore the world in free ride or create their own challenges and share them online.

FUEL is set to become the ultimate racing sandbox when it launches Friday June 5th for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft® with a Games For Windows® edition to follow. Prepare for a FUEL injection by downloading gameplay videos at www.fuel-game.com.

BioShock 2 video game E3 Fact Sheet

Step back into the unforgettable world of Rapture in BioShock 2, the next installment in the franchise that has won more than 50 Game of the Year Awards and has sold more than 2.5 million units worldwide. Developed by 2K Marin, 2K Australia and Digital Extremes, BioShock 2 provides players with the perfect blend of explosive first person shooter combat, compelling storytelling and intense multiplayer to form one of 2009’s most highly anticipated titles.

Storyline:

Set approximately 10 years after the events of the original BioShock, the halls of Rapture once again echo with sins of the past. Along the Atlantic coastline, a monster has been snatching little girls and bringing them back to the undersea city of Rapture. You are the very first Big Daddy as you travel through the decrepit and beautiful fallen city, chasing an unseen foe in search of answers and your own survival.

Multiplayer in BioShock 2 provides a rich prequel experience that expands the award winning BioShock gameplay. Set during the fall of Rapture, players assume the role of a Plasmid test subject in the underwater city that was first explored in the original BioShock. Players will need to use all the elements of the game’s toolset to survive as the full depth of the BioShock experience is refined and transformed into a unique multiplayer experience that can only be found in Rapture.

Singleplayer Features:

* Evolution of the Genetically Enhanced Shooter: Innovative advances bring new depth and dimension to each encounter. New elements, such as the ability to dual-wield weapons and Plasmids, allow players to create exciting combinations of punishment
* Return to Rapture: Set approximately 10 years after the events of the original BioShock, the story continues with an epic, more intense journey through one of the most captivating and terrifying fictional worlds ever created
* You Are the Big Daddy: Take control of BioShock’s signature and iconic symbol with the original prototype Big Daddy, and experience the power and raw strength of Rapture’s most feared denizens as you battle powerful new enemies
* Continuation of the Award-Winning Narrative: New and unique storytelling devices serve as the vehicle for the continuation of one of gaming’s most acclaimed storylines


Multiplayer Features:

* Genetically Enhanced Multiplayer – Earn experience points during gameplay to earn access to new Weapons, Plasmids and Tonics that can be used to create hundreds of different combinations, allowing players to develop a unique character that caters to their playing style.
* Experience Rapture’s Civil War– Players will step into the shoes of Rapture citizens and take direct part in the civil war that tore Rapture apart.
* See Rapture Before the Fall – Experience Rapture before it was reclaimed by the ocean and engage in combat over iconic environments in locations such as Kashmir Restaurant and Mercury Suites, all of which have been reworked from the ground up for multiplayer.
* FPS Veterans Add Their Touch to the Multiplayer Experience – Digital Extremes brings more than 10 years of first person shooter experience including development of award-winning entries in the Unreal® and Unreal Tournament franchise.

Disney's A Christmas Carol video game E3 Fact Sheet

Inspired by the Dickens tale re-imagined by Robert Zemeckis, Disney’s A Christmas Carol is an innovative puzzle-adventure game celebrating the spirit of the holidays with a Scrooge twist. The game invites a new generation to connect with the illustrious story & characters like never before and is sure to become a tradition embraced by the whole family. This keepsake from the movie will provide hours of festive entertainment and is destined to be an instant classic.

Key Features

* Manipulate Scrooge’s environments to guide him on his supernatural adventure
* Blow and shout into the microphone and use the DS stylus to pull, shake, drag, rattle and tap Scrooge’s world and influence game play
* Experience immersive animated cutscenes that unfold like an interactive story book with amazing beauty and detail
* Interact with your favorite characters from the film, including Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, Mr Fezziwig, Marley and the three spirits of Christmas
* Use the real-time advent calendar to unlock surprises for everyday that you play leading up to Christmas
* Sing carols, decorate with holiday ornaments, and cook recipes from the Victorian era
* Master over 10 single-player mini-games, plus join a friend for a “pass the DS” multiplayer game

11-time NBA All-Star Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers as Cover Athlete for NBA 2K10

Award-winning film director Spike Lee partners with 2K Sports for NBA 2K10 reveal commercial

2K Sports, the sports publishing label of Take-Two, announced today that 11-time NBA All-Star Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, will be featured as the cover athlete and spokesman for the highly anticipated basketball video game, NBA 2K10.

After leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a remarkable 65-17 regular season record, Bryant’s star power was a natural fit for the 10th anniversary of the hugely popular NBA 2K franchise, the #1 selling basketball video game* and No1 rated NBA simulation **.

“I’ve been playing sports video games for as long as I can remember and honestly, I’ve never seen one come so close to replicating real basketball. What 2K Sports has done is truly incredible and I’m proud to be a partner with them and on the cover of NBA 2K10,” said Bryant, currently seeking his fourth career NBA championship. “2K Sports is constantly improving and adding something new to their game every year that makes them better and better, and that’s exactly what I try to do each season with my game. It’s as if 2K Sports has been on a sports video game championship run for several years now, and I’m not even sure there’s a word for that kind of dominance.”

To support this announcement, 2K Sports brought on legendary, award-winning film director and die-hard New York Knicks fan, Spike Lee, to produce an exclusive TV spot that aired last night to reveal Kobe Bryant as the cover athlete for NBA 2K10. Lee, who recently directed the highly publicized documentary on Kobe Bryant, Kobe Doin’ Work (ESPN Films), is famously known for his intense love and passion for the game of basketball.

“It's quite obvious why 2K Sports put Kobe Bryant on the cover of NBA 2K10, which is the best NBA video game,” said Lee, whose recent documentary on Bryant has earned high praise. “One day Kobe and I will go 1 on 1 playing NBA 2K10.”

In conjunction with the reveal of Bryant as the cover athlete for NBA 2K10, 2K Sports will invite fans to vote on their choice for the official box cover. A dedicated voting site will offer fans a selection of NBA 2K10 box covers to choose from, and the voting period is open now through June 15. The box cover that receives the most votes at the end of the voting period will be unveiled as the cover of NBA 2K10 on June 16th. More information on voting can be found at the official NBA 2K10 voting site, www.2ksports.com/vote.

Bryant’s star power was evident at an early age when he was drafted out of high school in 1996 from Lower Merion HS (PA). He is widely regarded as one of the best players in NBA history. Given the nickname “Black Mamba,” Bryant has won three NBA Championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, was named the Most Valuable Player in the 2007-08 NBA season, and most recently, won a gold medal as a member of the 2008 Summer Olympics U.S. Men’s Basketball Team. During his career, Bryant has also led the league in scoring twice, and has been elected to every All-NBA team since 1999, along with being named to nine All-Defensive teams. Since his second year in the league, Bryant has started in every NBA All-Star Game that has been hosted, including winning the All-Star MVP award in 2002, 2007, and 2009.

Developed by Visual Concepts, NBA 2K10 is not yet rated by the ESRB and will be available this fall for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, Nintendo Wii system from Nintendo, and Windows PC.

The Princess and The Frog video game E3 fact sheet

For the first time players can experience Tiana’s exciting world set in the jazz-infused era of 1920’s New Orleans with the official video game inspired by the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures release of The Princess and the Frog. Celebrate favorite moments from the movie and take on new challenges with Tiana, as she pursues her dreams in a fun adventure. Meet favorite characters from the film and new friends, triumph over enemies, play frog games in the bayou, create music, cook New Orleans style and so much more. Along the way, discover what it takes to make Tiana’s dreams come true!

Nintendo Wii™ Key Features

* 30 replayable Wii-exclusive mini-games for 1-4 players
* Play & move to music, cook New Orleans cuisine, and try on multiple outfits with Tiana & her friends
* Collect Mardi Gras beads to trade for new dresses, fabrics, ingredients and recipes
* Explore quest hubs with drop-in/drop-out Multiplayer
* Discover five beautiful New Orleans hub locations including the French Quarter and the Bayou
* Have fun with eight playable characters and multiple NPCs

Nintendo DS™ Key Features

* Play as Tiana and Ray and master the art of platforming as you swing, jump and soar to new heights
* Explore 27 beautiful levels set in New Orleans and the Bayou
* Go on special quests to find and collect items & ingredients and outsmart enemies along the way
* Cook New Orleans cuisine in multiple activities and discover real recipes
* Perform music with 1-4 players and save tunes in the game’s jukebox
* Use Ray’s special abilities to fly through the Bayou
* Includes DGamer™ - the online community exclusively for Disney gamers. Customize unique 3-D avatar, create a persistent profile, chat with friends, share “Princess and the Frog" themed accessories, earn in-game honors and unlock exclusive Disney content

Inferno Pool video game coming to PlayStation Network and Xbox LIVE

A debut gameplay trailer has been released for Inferno Pool during E3 2009 showcasing the revolutionary new gameplay concept of this brand new PSN / XBLA title. This isn’t Pool as you know it; this is multiplayer mayhem for 1-4 players simultaneously fighting for victory. Alliances will be formed, friends will be betrayed, and the battle isn’t over until the stat screen appears.



With a simple control scheme and silky smooth arcade gameplay, Inferno Poolis easy to pick up and play, while offering tonnes of depth to have serious gamerspulling off outrageous skill shots and unleashing the power of Inferno Mode.

“Just like all the great ‘one more go’ games, it comes straight from the ‘why didn’t I think of that’ drawer.” - PS3Attitude.com

The game includes classic 8 ball and 9 ball Pool modes for 1-2 players, but the real star of the show is the original Inferno Pool mode, where 1-4 local or online players pot as quickly as they can to clear their tables, while firing their potted balls to opponents tables, or stockpiling them for a later onslaught.

“Whether or not you like and indeed play pool, this game will still provide you with an unrivalled amount of multiplayer mayhem and competitive fun” –
TheSixthAxis.com

Crazy skill shots such as Multiball, Combo, Kick, Bank and Jump Shots rack up skill points which fill players Inferno Meters. When full this unleashes the devastation of Inferno Mode, where flames fly out of pockets and potting power is doubled.

“The physics are spot on, the controls are super simple yet extremely satisfying and the framerate is consistently 60FPS.” - PushSquare.com

The game also includes a punishing Endurance Mode where players battle to pot against the clock, scalable AI opponents, stunning 60fps HD graphics, online leaderboards and challenging trophies / achievements.

“We have a feeling that, no matter what the social occasion in the future, Inferno Pool will be making an appearance. And we can’t think of a better recommendation than that.” - PS3Attitude.com

“It is an essential purchase from the Playstation Network Store and a demonstration of the quality we should now come to expect from Dark Energy Digital.”
- TheSixthAxis.com: 9/10

Inferno Pool is available now on PSN in PAL territories, and will launch shortly on PSN in NTSC regions and on XBLA.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen released on 19th June, 2009

Activision is recruiting gamers to join the battle for world domination in the Battle for the AllSpark V2 web game, launching today at www.TransformersGame.com, the official web site of the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game, developed under license from Hasbro, Inc. Fans that answer the call can join the AUTOBOTS or DECEPTICONS and compete in real time challenges online against other players worldwide, for control of the AllSpark and the fate of the world.

Players create their very own Transformers character, customising the character to suit their playing style. Players then battle online in this game of strategy, choosing from a number of attacks and defences in real time, round-by-round combat. In addition, secret codes that allow players to upgrade their characters will be hidden online.

“The Battle for the AllSpark V2 delivers even more challenges and fun than before for our ever-growing and fervent Transformers gaming community that spawned in 2007 – we are thrilled to invite fans to join the battle again and immerse themselves in the universe prior to the official Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen game launch on June 26th,” said Rob Kostich, head of marketing for licensed properties, Activision Publishing, Inc. “In Battle for the AllSpark V2, players can play as an AUTOBOT or a DECEPTICON, picking their favourite character and customising their abilities on their way to global domination online.”

The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game is based on the upcoming live-action feature film from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures in association with Hasbro, which opens nationwide on 19th June 2009.* The game lets players take on the role of their favourite AUTOBOTS or DECEPTICONS, picking from the largest, most diverse range of playable Transformers – each with their own distinct abilities and weaponry. Set in unique environments across the globe such as Cairo and Shanghai, the game allows players to instantly switch between vehicle and robot modes as they drive, fly, fight and blast their way through intense, pressure-packed levels. After engaging in single player action players, for the first time ever, will be able to go online and battle friends in all-new multiplayer modes.

The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game is currently in development by Luxoflux for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, the Windows PC version is being developed by Beenox Studios, the distinct Wii™ and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system versions are being developed by Krome Studios and the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system version is being developed by Savage Entertainment. All platforms are rated BBFC PG. Two unique AUTOBOT® and DECEPTICON®-specific Nintendo DS™ versions are being developed by Vicarious Visions and are rated PEGI 7+.

Icy Tower Video game version 1.4 released

Free Lunch Design, the company behind the Internet cult hit Icy Tower today released Icy Tower 1.4. What might seem like an indie release is actually an eagerly anticipated title. The game’s fan base has steadily grown from a handful of enthusiasts to a large international following.

“Currently, the game Icy Tower 1.3.1 is downloaded at least 10 000 times every 24 hours. With the release of Icy Tower 1.4 we are certain the numbers will double” says original creator, Johan Peitz.

Icy Tower 1.4 includes new gorgeous graphics, customizable game play, user profiles and the possibility for users to create their own characters. Currently, the game has over 200 000 Facebook fans, hundreds of user generated videos on Youtube and even several European national teams.
The game can be downloaded from the site www.icytower.com which opened today.

Obscure - The Aftermath video game for the PSP go System

Experience grisly monsters, spectacular powers and mysterious battles 'on the go' this fall!

Playlogic, an independent worldwide publisher of entertainment software, announced today that the grisly survival teen horror title Obscure: The Aftermath is coming to the PSP go Portable Game System and will be available for download when the system launches this fall.

“We are thrilled that this critically acclaimed title will be available for the PSPgo when the system makes it debut,” said Rogier Smit, Executive Vice President of Playlogic. “Our talented team has crafted the game to fit the unique co-op capabilities and controls of the PSPgo while also maintaining the exciting gameplay and stunning graphics featured in the original console versions.”

Obscure: The Aftermath, the sequel to 2005’s acclaimed survival horror game Obscure, picks up two years after the terrible events at Leafmore High, following the few teens who survived being trapped inside their school, hunted by monsters and their maniac headmaster. Hoping to put the past behind them, the kids start college at Fallcreek University, but soon discover all is not well as strange black flowers appear all over campus. While experimenting with these flowers, a dangerous substance is discovered that induces hauntingly vivid dreams. Soon the survivors find themselves fighting for their lives—and their sanity—as their nightmares become a horrible reality.

Game features include: Six individually developed characters, all with their own unique skills; Unique co-op mode; second player can join in or drop out at any time; Highly detailed and rich 3D environment; Huge variety of weapons and horrifying monsters; Stunning soundtrack performed by the Boston String Quartet and the Paris Opera’s Children’s choir; User accessible playlist of the musical tracks and FMV cutscenes; Stunning storyboard, artwork and concept art galleries.

Obscure: The Aftermath is rated “M” for mature by the ESRB.

Is Left for Dead 2 sequel just 'in it' for the money?

Only recently announced at E3 a few days ago, Left 4 Dead 2 is already causing a stir amongst fans who feel let down by Valve, the development team behind the original and the upcoming sequel. A group of boycotters claim that this sequel is nothing more than a money grabbing opportunity through the success of the original Left 4 Dead game released only 6 months ago.


The group known as ‘L4D2 Boycott (NO-L4D2)’ have set up a protest on the Valve Steam-Software social network system to bring awareness to Valve’s False Promises which the group have also highlighted their issues:

* Significant content for L4D1 was promised, and never delivered.
* Valve put little faith in L4D1 since they almost certainly started working on L4D2 right after release.
* The fact that L4D2 is nearly identical to L4D1 will decimate the community for both games.
* The announced date is not nearly enough time to polish content or make significant gameplay changes.
* The new character designs seem bland and unappealing so far.
* L4D2 is too bright to fit in with L4D1’s visual aesthetic.
* The fiddle-based horde music is extremely disliked, though the differently orchestrated music is otherwise welcome.
* L4D2’s release will result in a drop in quality and frequency for L4D1 content, even compared to before.
* The community has lost faith in Valve’s former reputation for commitment to their games post-release.

The group currently has almost 4500 members and is expecting to increase these numbers as a protest against not only the lack of content promised for the original, but the quick release of the sequel. Do you think this group are justified in their angry claims at Valve, or should they move on and look forward to the sequel due out Nov 17th, which happens to be a year on from the original ‘Left 4 Dead’ release anyway?

Source: xboxic

Tropico 3 PC video game Developer interview

Kalypso Media are happy to unveil the first third of an interview with the developers of Tropico 3. In the first 15 questions Haemimont Games discuss amongst other things - the online part of the strategy game and give insights into diplomacy, weather, natural disasters, production chains and game editors.

Tropico 3 goes back to the roots of the hit strategy series closely following the original Tropico story-line. Tropico 3 is being developed by Haemimont Games who previously developed the popular Imperium Romanum and Grand Ages: Rome for Kalypso Media.

Kalypso Media would like to invite you to their tropical paradise, Tropico 3 – El Presidente is awaiting you this September!

Tropico 3 will be released in September 2009.





TROPICO 3 - Interview with the developers (Part 1)

Kalypso: Is Tropico 3 going to be more complex than its predecessors? Will it still be
accessible to casual gamers?
Haemimont Games: One of our goals during the development of Tropico 3 was to make the
game even more accessible than its predecessors without sacrificing the gameplay elements
we all love. While Tropico 3 has cool new features and expanded mechanics in addition to the
classic Tropico gameplay, we are confident that the game is still accessible to regular gamers.

Kalypso: Will there be an overview of your people's status (happy/neutral/angry)?
Haemimont Games: It is possible to monitor the individual happiness satisfaction of every
citizen in several categories. Various overviews summarize this information.

Kalypso: What new edicts will there be?
Haemimont Games: Just recently El Presidente firmly denied the rumors of nuclear testing on
Tropican land and the establishment of a Secret Police in Tropico - http://twitter.com/el_prez.
And, as you know, when the government denies something, it is probably there. Don't tell
anyone, but these are two of the new edicts we are working on.

Kalypso: In the multiplayer component, will you be able to visit islands of other
presidents and help them with their administration or start trade alliances?
Haemimont Games: After the successful completion of any game scenario or player issued
challenge, you will have the opportunity to share your country and island online and invite
other players to visit it. Visitors have the opportunity to take over and reign in your place after
your mandate is over - this is just for fun and doesn't grant score, campaign progress, or any
other in-game benefit.
This should be the island you are most proud of and you can identify yourself with - the one
with the biggest population, the most beautifully decorated, or just the most challenging
scenario that you've ever completed. Of course, you are always able to change your mind and
invite visitors to another island of yours.
There are no trade alliances between players possible.

Kalypso: Since music was such a big and impressive part of the game (more than
graphics, which is rare), how will this aspect be handled in Tropico 3? Do you have any
plans concerning the soundtrack?
Haemimont Games: The music was one of the most important parts of the game's unique
identity and we are staying true to the style established by it. Certainly, to feel like Tropico,
the game has to sound like Tropico.

Kalypso: Will diplomacy and the education system in this game be expanded upon?
Haemimont Games: Veterans from the original Tropico will quickly recognize the base
mechanics behind diplomacy and education.
Players have to balance the external affairs of their countries between the cold war
superpowers USA and USSR, possibly even allying with one of them. A ruler who disregards
the foreign politics will receive less foreign aid and may even have to face the threat of an
invasion. Diplomatic negotiations will be themes for several missions in the campaign.
High-school and college education are still required for prestigious jobs such as doctors,
engineers, soldiers, and generals. Qualified foreign experts may be attracted, but it is often
better (and cheaper) to educate your own people.

Kalypso: Will there be "political" events such as a world finance crisis?
Haemimont Games: Yes, there will be many such events in the game. Furthermore, players
will be able to use them to create their own scenarios with the Timeline Editor.
Kalypso: Will the weather and/or natural disasters have an effect on the game and what
will these effects and disaster be like?
Haemimont Games: Various plants require different humidity and soil conditions. The
Caribbean winds spread the effects of industrial pollution. There will be various disasters such
as earthquakes and tropical storms, but they will function differently than the disasters in the
original Tropico. Players will be able to play and create both – scenarios without any disasters
and disaster-themed scenarios.

Kalypso: Will your people be able to express their complaints directly to their leader (for
example by petition or open letter)?
Haemimont Games: Factions will express their major concerns by petitions. Individual people
are able to protest, and if their demands are not met they may even become rebels and take
arms against the government. El Presidente is finally able to meet the protesters and calm
them down personally.

Kalypso: What will the production chains in this game look like? Can you give an
example?
Haemimont Games: A classic example - Logs are produced from nearby forests by a Logging
Camp. While the player is able to export them directly, it is more profitable to convert them to
Lumber in a Lumber Mill. Furniture, constructed from Lumber in a Furniture Factory, is an
even more lucrative export.
Another example would be Oil that is found in two types of deposits – under the sea and on
land and may be refined into advanced oil based products.

Kalypso: Will Tropico 3 be presented tongue in cheek like the last one?
Haemimont Games: We are currently replacing the hamsters powering our own patented
tongue-in-cheek humor generators. We are assured by our finest experts that the new hamsters
are of the highest quality, so we hope they will do their job well.

Kalypso: What kinds of new industries (aside from the ones we know from Tropico 1)
will we be seeing in the game? Will there be new things to mine? Different kinds of gems
for instance? Maybe "advanced" metals such as titanium, or maybe radioactive metals
such as uranium/plutonium/radium or even oil that the Superpowers might take a lot of
interest in?
Haemimont Games: Oil is a new natural resource found both in water and on land. Players
will be able to export it or process it into advanced oil based products in their refinery. Prices
of oil generally go up over the years, so it is wise to save your oil reserves for later in the
game, instead of exploiting them instantly.

Kalypso: Will there be political parties/factions and elections? If so, how will elections be
handled? Will there be campaigns, debates or interviews? If there are political parties,
will these replace generalized citizen factions, or be in addition to factions?
Haemimont Games: There are political factions - the six from the original Tropico and a new
one. Factions have leaders and their own agenda, so they may be perceived as a generalization
for political parties.
Election Speeches are a new feature for Tropico 3 that allows the player to sway voters in his
favor before the elections. He is able to make election promises (and bear the consequences
from them at the next elections), praise a faction or foreign power, or address a hot issue by
blaming it on someone else.
Of course, the player will be able to listen to his own election speech just before the elections.

Kalypso: Will there be a trade system with import/export goods?
Haemimont Games: Goods export prices change over time. For instance a lucrative trade
agreement will adjust the prices of processed goods in the player's favor, but the rumors of a
mad cow disease will lower the price of beef. As said before, Oil prices generally go up over
the years.
Like in the original Tropico, there is no general mechanic for imports.

Kalypso: Are there any plans for building a community through modding and scripting
support? How "open" and customizable will Tropico 3 be in this regard? Will you
provide an easy to use map editor?
Haemimont Games: The timeline editor is a powerful tool allowing users to create their own
custom scenarios called challenges. Events in these challenges will be very customizable,
right up to the flavor text. So if you want to create a challenge about aliens abducting
Tropican citizens, or to recreate a historical event like the Cuban missile crisis, you can now
do so. The game will fully support sharing and rating user created scenarios online.
The players will be able to customize some aspects of the maps. The Map Generator allows
you to quickly create a wide variety of random islands by setting various parameters such as
map size, elevation, vegetation and natural resources.

New Professor Layton game - Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box Nintendo DS E3 Fact Sheet and video

Puzzle master Professor Layton and his apprentice, Luke, have stumbled upon another mystery. It’s up to them to navigate their way through numerous puzzles to determine who – or what – caused the death of Professor Layton’s mentor, Dr. Schrader. Was it the mysterious Elysian Box, rumored to kill all who open it? Professor Layton and Luke find a clue that begins their adventure: a train ticket for the Molentary Express.

New game - with video hereProfessor Layton and the Unwound Future

FEATURES:
• Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box features a riveting new mystery and more than 150 new brain teasers, riddles and logic puzzles to challenge and delight players.

• Beyond the puzzles found in the game, players with a broadband Internet connection who connect their Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi™ systems to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection will get access to downloadable bonus puzzles. A new puzzle will be available each week for 33 weeks after the game launches.

• The new game includes a significantly greater amount of voice work and animated movie scenes compared to the original.

Platform: Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi
Genre: Puzzle Adventure
Players: 1
Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Alcohol Reference and Mild Violence
Release: Aug. 24, 2009
Developer: LEVEL-5 Inc.
URL: www.Nintendo.com
Suggested Retail Price: TBD

Japan - Nintendo to sell Red Dsi and Black Nintendo Wii

Set for sale in Japan in July is the Red Nintendo DSi… And if you are fed-up with the boring white of your Nintendo Wii, in August to could buy yourself a Black Nintendo Wii.

GameTap - Top Ten Most Played Games This Week: S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow Of Chernobyl Titan Quest Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Warlords Hitman - more

This week's new release for GameTap subscribers is Runaway: A Road Adventure, a widely acclaimed adventure game that harkens back to classic titles such as Broken Sword. Slick animation, lush visuals and a fun story separate the Runaway from most modern hum-drum adventure games.

Additional Announcements:

* This week we announced that 3D Realms Prey would soon be coming to GameTap.
* Last week saw the debut of GameTap's new Parental Controls which allow parents to create up to 6 sub-accounts for their children. This system also provides web-based tools for parents to schedule play times for each sub-account, limit total time spent playing, and restrict games based on content (ESRB rattings).

New Release For Subscription Service, Available 06.04.09:
Runaway: A Road Adventure- One minute, Brian Basco is a nerdy physics student headed from New York to California for grad school. On his way out of town, he (literally) runs into Gina, a beautiful singer with a secret. As a result, Brian's life is turned upside-down, as he finds himself fleeing from the Mafia with Gina in tow in this stylish adventure game from Focus Interactive.

Next Week's Release: Freelancer

Free Game Of The Week:
While we aren't adding any free games this week, we aren't removing any either. The complete list of free games can be found here: http://www.gametap.com/video-games/free-pack-games.html

Top Ten Most Played Games This Week:
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow Of Chernobyl
Titan Quest
Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Warlords
Hitman: Blood Money
Cradle Of Rome
Deus Ex: Game Of The Year Edition
Psychonauts
Heroes Of Might and Magic III: The Restoration Of Erathia
Zoo Tycoon Complete
Puzzle Quest: Challenge Of The Warlords