Focus Multimedia and Ubisoft Extend Partnership

New republishing deal agreed between Focus Multimedia, one of the of the UK’s leading PC games and software publishers, and Ubisoft, a leading worldwide producer, publisher and distributor of entertainment software.

The agreement further cements the long-standing partnership between the two publishing giants and will see key Ubisoft titles of recent years launched on PC in the UK under the Focus best-selling ‘Essential Games’ label.

Ubisoft games for digital download

Individual Ubisoft titles will be available to purchase digitally for the first time

Metaboli announce that Ubisoft titles will be available via download-to-own for the first time. The deal, which comes into effect on 12th June, will be available to customers in EMEA through www.gamesplanet.com and in the U.S. through www.gametap.com. Metaboli has a longstanding relationship with Ubisoft, with numerous titles currently available through Metaboli’s subscription-based services.

“Metaboli currently has 47 Ubisoft titles in its catalogue, which have proven particularly popular with our users. Several games including Assassin’s Creed, Raving Rabbits, Prince of Persia, Far Cry, Brothers in Arms, Rainbow Six and the Splinter Cell series have performed consistently well across our subscription platform,” comments Pierre Forest, VP Content at Metaboli. “These games will undoubtedly achieve the same success through our download-to-own model, especially as they will now be distributed in the U.S. market following our acquisition of GameTap.”

In addition, Ubisoft will provide its own download-to-own service through its digital store, UBIshop. Metaboli’s white-label Digital Tycoon technology will be used to power UBIshop as well as individual e-stores dedicated to specific titles. Initially this will include:
• PC Brothers in Arms – Hell’s Highway
• CSI: NY
• Far Cry 2
• Grey’s Anatomy
• Prince of Persia
• Shaun White Snowboarding
• Tom Clancy’s EndWar
• Tom Clancy’s HAWX
• World in Conflict – Complete

Far Cry 2 video game blamed for German school shooting - what a surprise...

Raise your hand if you didn't see this coming after reports surfaced about the recent mass killings in Germany being linked to 'violent videogames'.New details have emerged giving a little insight to why 17 year-old Tim Kretschmer decided to go on a rampage and kill 15 people, before committing suicide. Not only was he the spoiled son of a wealthy business man, but it is also believed that the whole reason he lost his marbles was because he was rejected romantically by a female whom he was friends with. There's more, turns out Kretschmer was a 'gun fanatic' and he was 'obsessed' with guns according to a neighbor.

According to reports Kretschmer was well liked in high school and never bullied. But it is noted by his former Tennis instructor that he was a "poor loser". From here the media (London's Times Online specifically) start playing the scapegoat card, starring media pundits favorite target in tragic shootings: videogames.

In the Times Online article they paint a very clear picture of why Ubisoft's Fry Cry 2 was a staple in Kretschmers road to madness. The article states that he played the game the night before he went on his killing spree, he hijacked a car and wore black - just like you do in the videogame. The similarities between Kretschmer's rampage and Far Cry 2 don't end there. As the Times Online even did some digging and found out the the gun he used, was a Baretta 92; which can be found in Far Cry 2!

Source: TalkXbox

Ubisoft Announces The Official Far Cry 2 Map Editing Guide

Ubisoft announced a unique partnership with Charles River Media, one of North America's leading publishers of video game development books. Both companies are working together to create one of the first game design books written by gamers for gamers.

"Designing Wargames: The Official Far Cry 2 Map Editing Guide" will be published in the spring of 2009. Written and edited by David Hutchison, author of “Playing to Learn: Video Games in the Classroom,” the book will comprise of map making techniques and advice contributed by Far Cry 2 map makers around the world.

"This is the next milestone in gamer-generated content," says David Hutchison, Associate Professor at Brock University. "Far Cry 2 makes it easy for both PC and console gamers to create cool new multiplayer maps that they can then share with other gamers. We want to honour this effort by inviting the Far Cry 2 map-making community to contribute to this first-of-its-kind game design book."

As underlined by Jessy-Gosselin Gant of the Far Cry2 development team:“Level design is a defining factor in how the player will experience a video game. It constitutes a key role in production by having the responsibility of presenting all the different game components such as art, animation, AI and gameplay mechanics at their best, so the player can enjoy them in a convincing and attractive environment.”

Far Cry 2 map-makers who are interested in contributing to the book can learn more at the book's website - www.farcrybook.com - where they can submit Far Cry 2 map reviews, map editing quick tips, tactical analyses, and feature articles.

PC gamers - Win Far Cry 2 - 50 copies to be won!

Intel, Ubisoft Give Away Games

On the heels of the Intel Core i7 Processor launch, Intel and Ubisoft have joined forces for a worldwide contest for PC gamers. Each day from December 1-30, 2008, 50 sweepstakes entrants will win a copy of Far Cry 2 for Windows optimized for Core i7 processors.

Using Havok physics to create a dynamic and realistic gaming experience, in-game cloud formations follow atmospheric rules, tree branches break by the strength of the wind and fire spreads across brush in the wind's direction. Additionally, one participant daily will be awarded an Intel Core i7 Processor Extreme Edition, Intel's fastest chip that delivers massive gaming, video editing and multi-tasking performance.

Enter the contest and read complete contest details here: http://intelcorei7.ubi.com/

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Far Cry 2 Download content - The Fortune's Pack - new weapons and vehicles

Exciting new downloadable content (DLC) for Far Cry 2. The Fortune’s Pack DLC will bring new vehicles and new weapons to both the single-player game and the multiplayer game, giving gamers even more diverse means of destruction. Be the silent stalker armed with your silent shotgun or jump on your new quad and blast through the dunes of Africa. The Fortune’s Pack DLC for Far Cry 2 will be available for download from Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and from PlayStationNetwork.





The Fortune’s Pack DLC for Far Cry 2 includes:

Single-Player Mode

Three brand-new weapons
- Silenced shotgun
- Sawed-off shotgun
- Crossbow

Two new vehicles

- Unimog
- Quad

Multiplayer Mode

- Four new exciting maps
1. Cheap Labor
2. Last Resort
3. Lake Smear
4. Fort Fury
- New single-player weapons and vehicles also available in multiplayer

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