IL-2 out on handheld video games consoles Nintendo DS and PSP

505 Games has released details on the handheld versions of IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds Of Prey. Currently set for a 4th September release, the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions are being developed by Gaijin Entertainment while DiP Interactive and SME Dynamic Systems Limited are taking care of the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP formats respectively.

DiP Interactive’s Nintendo DS version of IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey has sought to employ innovative use of the DS’ unique touch screen format by way of counter measure. Players will be able to take hand draw notes on the in game flight card into battle, to physically record key information such as enemy positions and bombing coordinates. DiP Interactive has made use of the lower screen for flight instruments with the top screen used for gameplay and have managed to cram over 25 planes across 42 missions into a single DS cart. The DS has been tested to its limits by producing maps that can comprise an area of up to 100 x 100 km, providing ample room for aerial manoeuvre.

SME Dynamic Systems Limited is able to take advantage of the PSP’s considerable graphical capabilities and produce a handheld format that bears notable familiarity to the home console versions of IL-2. The PSP campaign unveils 30 thrilling missions across six major WWII battlefields with over 30 aircraft recreated in stunning detail (14 available for the player to pilot). The non-linear campaign allows players to pick any mission and unlock new ones as they are completed. There are 16 achievements to gain as well as multiplayer support for two player head to head dogfights on the move.

Based around large-scale aerial combat over the ground-based military operations of World War II, variety is at the heart of the action in IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey. Players participate in the most famous confrontations of the era piloting fighters, battle planes or heavy bombers across a range of missions. There are 6 theatres of war in which to engage – The Battle of Britain, Kursk, Berlin, Sicily, the Battle of the Bulge and Korsun – representing the main airborne battles of World War II in Europe.

As well as taking environmental and landscape visuals to new heights by incorporating satellite technology, IL-2 also boasts a tangible damage effects engine. Players will see real-time damage to the aircraft such as holes in the wings and trail lines during dogfights.

Tropico 3 Test your persuasive powers as El Presidente.

Some of us have the gift of oratory, others not – now is your chance to see how you measure up against the great speakers of our time. Your task will be to gain favour from your voters – when you create your speeches as El Presidente.

El Presidente’s Speech Feature:

• Speeches are held before elections and are a great tool to sway some voters in your favor.
• When a speech is created, El Presidente (the player) outlines the general directions of the speech (what problems to address, which faction or superpower to praise, what promises to make). His secretary creates the speech from these notes.
• Some parts of the speeches are automatically generated according to the political context of the election. For example in a country leaning towards communism, Presidente may address his people as "comrades".
• If the player doesn't keep his election promises, he will bear consequences later.
• El Presidente is also able to praise himself in his speeches.

Tropico 3 will be available from September 2009 on Xbox 360 and PC, for more information, screenshots and the teaser trailer please visit the official game website www.tropico3.com.

Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

Star Wars - The Force Unleashed Expands with New Downloadable Content plus New Special Edition out soon! New "Infinities" Storyline Takes Star Wars S

LucasArts today announced that their hit videogame Star Wars: The Force Unleashed will see further expansion this Fall through a new downloadable level for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. In addition, the company also announced Star Wars The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Sith Edition, a special new version of the game for the Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3, that will show gamers the deepest, darkest side of the Force in a story that puts them on a collision course with Luke Skywalker himself.

Available this holiday season at retail stores, The Ultimate Sith Edition will include all of the original missions found in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed as well as content previously only available via download and an all-new exclusive bonus level*.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed completely re-imagines the scope and scale of the Force and casts players as Darth Vader’s “Secret Apprentice,” unveiling new revelations about the Star Wars galaxy seen through the eyes of a mysterious new character armed with unprecedented powers. Originally released in September 2008, the game quickly became the fastest-selling Star Wars game ever, and has since sold six million units worldwide.

About the Tatooine Downloadable Content for Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

Available this Fall via direct download from the Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network and the PlayStation®Network, this new downloadable mission continues the story of The Force Unleashed in a new “Infinities” storyline that takes the Star Wars Saga in an entirely new and unexpected direction.

The mission begins at the end of the story of The Force Unleashed and re-imagines the Star Wars Saga as if the Secret Apprentice had killed Darth Vader and taken his place at the Emperor’s side, becoming the most powerful Sith Lord in the universe. The story picks up as the Emperor sends his new apprentice to the planet Tatooine to dispatch Obi-Wan Kenobi - who has been hiding on the planet ever since the events of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith. During their hunt for the reclusive Jedi, players will also explore the depths of Jabba the Hutt’s palace and encounter notorious bounty hunter Boba Fett.

About Star Wars The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Sith Edition

Due to be released in retail stores this holiday season for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3, Star Wars The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Sith Edition combines the original Star Wars: The Force Unleashed videogame and three new levels to create the definitive ultimate-evil storyline of the events that occurred between the two classic Star Wars movie trilogies*.

The additional content includes two levels set on Coruscant and Tatooine previously only available via direct download, and an all-new exclusive level available only in the Ultimate Sith Edition package.

The exclusive level concludes the “Infinities” storyline set up in the Tatooine mission, as the Secret Apprentice is sent to the planet Hoth on a crusade to crush the Rebellion once and for all. While on Hoth, players face Luke Skywalker himself while visiting iconic locations seen in Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back.