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Thursday, November 06, 2008

Mirror's Edge video game on Xbox 360 and PS3 goes gold

Highly acclaimed and award-winning first-person action adventure title Mirror’s Edge has gone gold. An exhilarating launch trailer has also been released. Mirror’s Edge has been praised by top industry media saying it is ‘the most exciting first-person adventure of the year’ (EGM) and ‘poetry in motion’ (Official Xbox Magazine).

The game also won this year’s Game Critics Award for Best Original Game at E3.

Gamers can experience first-hand what life is like as a runner with the recently released Mirror’s Edge demo that is available via PlayStation Store and Xbox LIVE Marketplace. Players in the UK who pre-order the game from Play.com will also receive an unlock code for exclusive access to the Time Trial mode, an addictive way of playing the game that challenges players to use their speed and best moves to find the fastest routes throughout the city. Gamers can upload their best time to the Mirror’s Edge online leaderboards for their friends to download and compete against. Players can see their friend’s ‘ghost’ run as they race to the top of the leaderboards. Anyone pre-ordering from GAME will get an exclusive limited-edition Fenchurch Mirror’s Edge T-shirt.

Mirror’s Edge is a unique first-person action adventure where players are introduced to Faith, a ‘Runner’ in a world where communication channels are highly monitored and the movement of information is closely watched. When Faith’s sister gets framed for murder, Faith finds herself on the edge of the city, on the wrong side of the law.

In stores on November 14 for the PLAYSTATION 3 and the Xbox 360, Mirror’s Edge was developed at EA Digital Illusions CE AB (DICE) in Stockholm, Sweden. The game is rated “T” by the ESRB and “16+” by PEGI.

Banjo Kazooie - Nuts and Bolts Xbox 360 video game Fact Sheet

Banjo-Kazooie - Nuts & Bolts video game - Fact Sheet

banjo kazooie nuts and bolts gamezplay.org

Famed game developer Rare is reviving one of its most beloved and successful franchises exclusively on Xbox 360 with the third installment of the Banjo-Kazooie series. Banjo-Kazooie - Nuts & Bolts embraces new and old fans alike, as the famous bear and bird duo return in stunning high definition for a unique adventure of epic proportions.

The Lord of the Games (aka LOG) is tired of the petty squabbling between Banjo and the evil witch Gruntilda (aka Grunty), and has arranged a showdown to decide the rightful owner of Spiral Mountain. Claiming to have created every video game ever made, LOG has built the game worlds in which the contest’s challenges take place. Banjo must complete LOG’s challenges to win, while Grunty tries to stop him using every method her devious mind can muster.

Throughout their adventure, players create their own abilities by building vehicles for Banjo to pilot over land, sea and air. Vehicle parts, which range from simple devices such as engines and wheels to more unusual equipment such as springs and egg guns, are earned and collected throughout the game. Players use their imagination to combine parts in any order to create whatever vehicle they choose. LOG’s challenges have one goal, but players’ choice of vehicle and tactics will determine how it gets accomplished. By exploring worlds and solving puzzles, players both young and old will be rewarded with more advanced and diverse vehicle parts in their quest to defeat Grunty once and for all and lay claim to Spiral Mountain.

With the power of Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE, Banjo-Kazooie - Nuts & Bolts brings an entirely new experience to the console and takes the franchise to a whole new level of enjoyment. High-definition graphics, user-created content and online gameplay are just three of the many advances people of all ages and skill levels will discover as they embark on their adventure.

Top features include the following:

An adventure that starts with your imagination. If you can imagine it, you can build it in the Mumbo’s Motors easy-to-use workshop. Then put your creation to the test as you take on Grunty in your quest for Spiral Mountain. Unlike other games, where the player progressively picks up new skills or abilities at points predetermined by the game’s creator, “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” puts the power of improving Banjo’s abilities into the hands of the players as they build vehicles that allow Banjo to progress through the game. Vehicle parts include a wide variety of body panels, engines, wheels, wings, propellers, fuel and weapons, plus many more weird and wonderful gadgets such as floaters, Mumbo Bombos and the versatile sticky ball. Players can design and create anything from a simple object-carrying truck to a space-age flying saucer. Once players have designed their creation, they give it the finishing touch by painting it and choosing a suitable name before Banjo jumps in and pilots it into action.

Customizable experience. With more than 100 contraption parts and unlimited possible combinations, no two players will have the same experience in “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts.” By exploring the vast game worlds, discovering hidden secrets and solving puzzles to win rewards, players continually find more and more ways to customize and improve their contraptions, creating an unprecedented level of user-generated content for a 3-D platform adventure game.
Fun right out of the box. Don’t worry if you aren’t the world’s greatest inventor or want to skip the workshop and get straight to the action, because “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” comes with a fully loaded experience right out of the box. Pre-built vehicles are included so players can jump right in and get started, with many more contraptions available for purchase throughout the adventure using the in-game currency system of musical notes.

Xbox LIVE gets in on the fun. For the first time in franchise history, “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” is going to include competitive and cooperative multiplayer gameplay. Now players can face off head-to-head in multiple multiplayer modes or team up and play cooperatively via Xbox LIVE.* And with the title’s online blueprint sharing system, players can share their designs over Xbox LIVE with friends and gamers everywhere. Rare has an extremely dedicated and active fan base, and we expect this addition combined with the unlimited user-generated content of “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” to help further grow and inspire that community, and push their creative limits!

Engaging storyline and entertaining characters. Two of Rare’s most beloved characters have returned from retirement, making their debut on Xbox 360. To win the deed to their homeland and prevent the evil witch Gruntilda from developing it into tower blocks and malls, Banjo and his best friend Kazooie battle over land, sea and air against their longtime rival. Familiar faces such as Mumbo Jumbo, Bottles, Captain Blubber and the Jinjos are also back to lend a hand, along with an equally colorful cast of new friends and foes. Players can look out for Trophy Thomas, Piddles, Lord of the Games and Grunty’s mechanically menacing army of Gruntbots.

Innovation connecting the franchise’s past and present. With the power of Xbox 360, this newly activated feature, known as Stop ‘N’ Swop, connects “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” to the upcoming Xbox LIVE Arcade release of the original “Banjo-Kazooie.” Players’ accomplishments in the new game will be rewarded with extra content and features in the Xbox LIVE Arcade game, encouraging fans to dive into as much “Banjo” as they can get their hands on!

Enjoy alone or with friends. “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” offers complete single-player and multiplayer experiences. Gamers can play through the adventure alone in the single-player campaign, or with friends in competitive or cooperative challenges alone or in teams on Xbox LIVE.

Fun for everyone. Xbox 360 is the home to the best entertainment experiences for everyone. With “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts,” Xbox 360 continues to build its impressive lineup of content that appeals to people of all ages and types.

Developer - Founded in 1985 and based in the United Kingdom, Rare is one of the world’s leading video game developers and has masterminded some of the most popular video games in history, including multimillion-dollar sellers “GoldenEye,” “Perfect Dark,” “Banjo-Kazooie” and the “Donkey Kong Country” series. From 2005 to 2006, Rare released “Perfect Dark Zero,” “Kameo: Elements of Power” and “Viva Piñata” for Xbox 360. Rare continues to entertain the world with the releases of “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” and “Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise” later this year.

For more information visit http://www.rare.co.uk.

Title: Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Developer: Rare Ltd.
Format: DVD for the Xbox 360 video game system
Availability: November 2008

Watch Banjo Kazooie - Nuts and Bolts Xbox 360 video game trailer here...

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Emergency Hospital video game for Xbox 360 and PC Launching this November

The digital distribution version of Emergency Hospital is complete, and the fast-paced hospital time management game is set for release on November 26. Formerly titled Sarah’s Emergency Room, the newly renamed time management game will be published by Merscom for Xbox Live Arcade and PC download platforms. Emergency Hospital will be distributed through leading portals including RealNetworks, Big Fish Games, and Oberon Media, with a full list included below.

"Digital distribution of our game titles is essential to GAMEINVEST's vision of creating accessible, interactive entertainment for everyone," said GAMEINVEST General Manager Mariana Cardoso. "Working with Merscom will enable us to reach worldwide audiences with our newest title, Emergency Hospital."

"From the graphics and the gameplay to the characters and the storyline, Emergency Hospital has the ingredients for success," said Lloyd Melnick, Chief Customer Officer at Merscom. “Also, we incorporated feedback from gamers to determine a game name that would really resonate with our audience.”

Emergency Hospital casts players as Sarah, an ambitious young nurse who suddenly gets a taste of thrilling emergency room action when she accepts a mysterious management position at a small hospital in Arkansas. Players control Sarah as she frantically diagnoses patients, prescribes medicine, assists in the operating room, and runs back and forth between the waiting room and examination rooms to keep track of troublesome patients. With nine difficulty levels for each of the game’s seven hospitals, and several floors of patients in each hospital, Emergency Hospital provides hours of frenzied fun for gamers of all ages.
Emergency Hospital will be distributed through leading portals, including: RealNetworks, Big Fish Games, Oberon Media, Shockwave, Trymedia, ArcadeTown, Boonty, Gamefools, PlayFirst, iWin, Zapak and Reflexive Entertainment.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Rock Band 2 video game for Xbox 360 coming to Europe

Rock Band 2 will begin shipping in Europe for the Xbox 360 video game entertainment system from Microsoft beginning this November 14th. With an exclusive launch window in Europe, the award-winning Rock Band 2 software will make its debut on Xbox 360 in the UK on November 21st. Pricing for Rock Band software for Xbox 360 in continental Europe is €69.99 and £49.99 for UK. In addition, Rock Band 2 standalone hardware will be available at retail beginning in December.

Rock Band 2 revolutionizes music gaming with the ability to export most of the songs from the original Rock Band disc , Online World Tour, daily Battle-Of-The Band Tournaments, Auto-Calibration to eliminate TV lag, wireless drums, quieter, velocity sensitive drum heads, support for up to three drum cymbals (sold separately), No Fail Mode, and a real Drum Trainer. Rock Band 2’s massive list of innovations also includes the ability to export your in-game band avatar to the internet and order custom Rock Band merchandise including apparel and figures.

Rock Band 2 features the largest music catalogue of any music-based videogame to date including over 100 songs on the Rock Band 2 soundtrack with an unrivaled blend of classic and new artists including AC/DC, Guns ‘N Roses, Bob Dylan, Pearl Jam, Motorhead and more! With the addition of complete and immediate backwards compatibility for songs purchased from Rock Band’s ever-expanding online music store and the ability to export most songs from the original Rock Band disc, the Rock Band music library will feature more than 500 songs by year’s end.

The Rock Band online music store has surpassed 25 million paid downloads since the game’s launch in late November 2007. With more than 400 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at www.rockband.com/music), the massive Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks, packs and albums from the vast selection of offerings available as they build their own custom Rock Band library.

Rock Band 2 is rated 12+ by PEGI.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Eat Lead - The Return of Matt Hazard video game

An action hero emerges from the pixels as D3Publisher (D3P), a publisher and developer of interactive entertainment software, today announced plans for Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard™, a third-person shooter with a sense of humour for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. Offering an original storyline and an off-the-wall cast of characters, Eat Lead is written by 2008 Writer’s Guild Award winner, Dave Ellis, and features the return of imaginary 80’s videogame action hero, Matt Hazard, and parodies some of the most beloved genres of games and pop culture. Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard is anticipated for release in Q1 2009.

In Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard, videogame action hero Matt Hazard gets his chance to prove once and for all that he is the king of shooters when the new owner of mega game publisher, Marathon Megasoft, gives Matt his comeback role starring in a new title for next-gen consoles that pits him against all of his memorable foes from videogames past. In the world of Eat Lead, however, everything stops being a game and becomes reality when it is clear that someone is using the new game to bring about Matt’s death once and for all. With only the mysterious “QA” to help him, Matt must fight against a legion of Marathon Megasoft catalogue of videogame characters to keep it from being “Game Over” forever.

“Eat Lead parodies some of our fondest memories in classic gaming and pop culture, so gamers will have a laugh out loud experience every time they pick-up the controller,” said, Pete Andrew, vice president, product development, North America, D3P. “With an original storyline, Eat Lead perfectly blends action and humour with rock solid gameplay for an experience like no other.”

Eat Lead pays homage to the games of yesteryear with a menagerie of classic enemies such as zombies, space marines, cowboys, genetically mutated super snipers, and more in an expansive level environment design that reflects videogame history in a next-gen package. The game fires on all cylinders with explosive artillery and combat moves to help gamers escape from a variety of predicaments including radically-changing environments during gameplay via the “hack effects” Hazard’s nemesis uses by altering the game’s code on the fly. Throughout the adventure, players will utilize a strategic cover system dubbed “point and cover”, upgradeable weapons and different interactive melee moves to attack and outsmart foes.

Developed by Vicious Cycle Software, Inc., Eat Lead will feature its new game development engine, Vicious Engine 2 (Ve2).

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Bethesda Softworks and Best Buy Bring Fallout 3 to Fans with Midnight Launch Events Across the Country

Bethesda Softworks, a ZeniMax Media company, and Best Buy Co., Inc. have announced that in response to huge demand for Bethesda’s award-winning upcoming game, Fallout 3, there will be midnight openings at Best Buy stores across the country the evening of October 27. Best Buy customers at select stores in the Washington, DC, New York, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Dallas and Chicago metropolitan areas will be among the first to play one of the most anticipated videogames of the year.

“Fallout 3 has been a labor of love for the team at Bethesda and we can’t wait to get the game into the hands of consumers,” said Todd Howard, Game Director for Fallout 3. “We’re looking forward to celebrating the launch of Fallout 3 with the fans.”

The Fallout 3 team’s hometown Best Buy in Rockville, MD will serve as the flagship location of the midnight events, with special festivities including game kiosks, giveaways, contests and a live broadcast from the event with DC 101 FM. Game director Todd Howard will be on-hand along with other key members of the development team to sign copies of the game and chat with fans. In addition to the Rockville event, 11 Best Buy stores across the country will be hosting special midnight sales events.

Midnight sales event lines will begin forming at 3 pm local time, October 27 at the following Best Buy locations:

Washington, DC area

• Rockville, MD - 1200 Rockville Pike
• Tysons Corner, VA – 8449 Leesburg Pike

New York Area

• New York, NY – 44th And 5th
• Westbury, NY – 1100 Old Country Rd.

Los Angeles area

• Glendale, CA – 2909 Los Feliz Blvd.
• Pasadena, CA – 3415 E. Foothill Blvd.

Chicago area

• Chicago, IL. – 1000 W. North Ave.
• Downers Grove, IL – 1432 Butterfield Rd

Dallas area

• Plano, TX – 2800 N. Central Expy.
• Fort Worth, TX – 6750 West Fwy.

Minneapolis area

• Roseville, MN – 1643 Country Rd. B2
• Richfield, MN – 1000 W. 78th St.

Fallout 3 will be available on store shelves and online in North America on October 28, in Europe and Australia on October 30 and in the UK on October 31. Developed at Bethesda Game Studios – creators of the 2006 Game of the Year, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – Fallout 3 is slated for release on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Playstation 3 computer entertainment system, and Games for Windows.

Fallout 3 features one of the most realized game worlds ever created. Set more than 200 years following a nuclear war, you can create any kind of character you want and explore the open wastes of Washington, D.C. however you choose. Every minute is a fight for survival as you encounter Super Mutants, Ghouls, Raiders, and other dangers of the Wasteland.

Hailed as one of the most anticipated games for 2008, Fallout 3 has already won numerous awards including Best of Show from the official Game Critics Awards at E3 2008 and a perfect 10 out of 10 from Official Xbox Magazine.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Lips - Xbox 360 Singing party video game - songs list

New Xbox 360 singing experience includes 40 hit songs spanning party-favourite genres and decades from artists such as Coldplay, Leona Lewis, Radiohead and Nirvana
New exclusive wireless microphones give real on-stage feel

Calling all shower singers, wannabe rappers, pop princesses and bedroom belters: “Lips”, the highly anticipated singing party game exclusively on Xbox 360, will be hitting stores on 21st November 2008.

Priced at a recommended retail price of £49.99, “Lips” is the only music video game that comes with two wireless motion-sensitive microphones, allowing you the freedom to put your own spin on a song and not trip over any cumbersome wires as you dance around your living room. You can even get other people involved in your songs by having them playing percussion with your Xbox 360 controllers.

The “Lips” line-up features great songs from a wide range of musical genres that set the stage for evenings of fun. Whether you’re throwing a party for your friends or simply staying at home with your family, “Lips” will have everyone singing and dancing together to party favourites, backed by their ORIGINAL music videos, lyrics and scoring.

For those that want to grow their music collection, there will be a whole host of fantastic hits to download from Xbox LIVE Marketplace, giving you the opportunity to continue adding to your “LIPS” music library - up already is Estelle’s “No Substitute Love”. Plus, you can even plug in your MP3 player and sing along to your OWN music collection while a virtual music video accompanies your performance.

It doesn’t stop there. “Lips” also has exciting features like the ability to compete against your friends or family and a co-operative element that allows you to try and crack the song together.

So if you feel like you want to “Bust A Move” or simply want to “Boogie 2 Nite” then “Lips” is simply “Irreplaceable” for a night of unbelievable entertainment in the comfort of your own home!

More information about “Lips”, the hottest party game this Christmas, can be found at http://www.xbox.com/lips.

Lips Track List

1 No One - Alicia Keys
2 Stand By Me - Ben E. King
3 Irreplaceable - Beyoncé
4 Call Me - Blondie
5 Boogie 2Nite - Booty Luv
6 With You - Chris Brown
7 Yellow - Coldplay
8 Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode
9 Survivor - Destiny’s Child
10 White Flag - Dido
11 Mercy - Duffy
12 Hungry Like The Wolf - Duran Duran
13 An End Has A Start - Editors
14 It's Raining Men - Geri Halliwell
15 Virtual Insanity - Jamiroquai
16 Ring Of Fire - Johnny Cash
17 Ruby - Kaiser Chiefs
18 Suddenly I See - KT Tunstall
19 Love At First Sight - Kylie Minogue
20 Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
21 Superstar - Lupe Fiasco (feat. Matthew Santos)
22 Makes Me Wonder - Maroon 5
23 Rome Wasn't Built In A Day - Morcheeba
24 In Bloom - Nirvana
25 Young Folks - Peter Bjorn And John
26 Another One Bites The Dust - Queen
27 Fake Plastic Trees - Radiohead
28 I Wanna Be Sedated - Ramones
29 Umbrella - Rihanna
30 Listen To Your Heart - Roxette
31 Amazing - Seal
32 Put 'Em High - Stonebridge
33 Song For Whoever - The Beautiful South
34 Just Like Heaven - The Cure
35 ABC - The Jackson 5
36 Naïve - The Kooks
37 Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic - The Police
38 I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) - The Proclaimers
39 Love In A Trashcan - The Raveonettes
40 Bust A Move - Young MC

Two wireless interactive microphones: Featuring stylish interactive motion sensors and lights, the microphones respond to the singer's actions and can be utilized as percussion accompaniments. With the freedom and encouragement provided by the high quality wireless microphones, everyone can live out their singing dreams in style.
The best music: Lips ships with a diverse selection of songs, including your favorite blasts from the past like "Bust a Move" by Young MC, as well as new songs from breakout artists like "Mercy" by Duffy, and "Young Folks" by Peter Bjorn and John.
Sing to your music collection: Customize your experience with the songs that matter most by singing along with friends to DRM-free music from your own personal collection.*

Play along: Using the standard Xbox 360 controller, up to four people can join the fun and choose from a variety of percussion accompaniments to play along. By placing control of various tambourines, claps, and of course, the ubiquitous cowbell, at the finger tips of anyone with a controller, you have a social entertainment experience for friends, family, and kids alike!
Constant flow of new music: From the songs that come with the game, to your own music collection, and the ability to download new tracks from Xbox LIVE Marketplace, Lips continuously provides new music to bring people together and keep the party going.

*Sing along to your DRM-free music on select popular music players. Lyrics won't display with songs from your music collection. To see what you can do with songs from your personal music collection and for a list of compatible music players, visit xbox.com/lips.

No Gears of War 2 video game release for Japan or Germany

Microsoft has confirmed that Gears of War 2 will not see a release in either Germany or Japan.

It has been known for some time that Epic's upcoming highly-anticipated sequel would not pass through Germany's notoriously strict videogames censorship, considering the original title's failure to see a release in the region, however the news that it will not be released in Japan will come as a surprise to some.

This news comes after reports that Gears of War 2 is already being offered on torrent sites, well before its official release.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Saints Row 2 for XBox and PlayStation 3 screenshots and new features

THQ Gamer's Day kicked off with a look at Saints Row 2 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The release date is August 26th and it's packed full of new features.

Character customization: You can take your gang banger from ripped hardbody to overweight and flabby in a matter of seconds. The fat character models which were nicely detailed, rather than just looking like a big balloon. Volition also added the ability to create a female character.

Taunts and compliments: Your avatar can prompt appropriate reactions from non-player characters. And yet even more customization can be had through decorating your gang's crib, featuring a ton of new items like pool tables and even a pole dancing stripper.

A new over the shoulder view allows those of us who are disabled in the ways of first person shooters to get a better handle on the game. One new weapon feature was a remote sticky bomb that can be placed anywhere, then detonated whenever you see fit. Just make sure you're far enough away or you may find yourself blown up along with everything else.

The ability to use a human shield, any NPC can be grabbed and held in front of you to take the gunfire intended for you. When you are done with them, you can simply toss their limp corpse through a plate glass window.

A new mini-game deal was also present, allowing you to hop in a helicopter and fly around the city blowing up cars. It seemed pretty cool, although I really only got a glimpse of that particular mechanic. The game also includes a co-op mode that will allow you and a friend to play the game as a team from start to finish.

During my brief time with Saints Row 2 I was really impressed with the graphics and the control scheme. The aforementioned over the shoulder view made the shooting an easier time for me and much more enjoyable. If you were a fan of the original title, there will certainly be a lot of new content for you to discover and enjoy.

And of course, the inclusion of a pole dancing stripper is always going to put any game at the top of your list.

Or it should anyway.

I just wish she looked like Elizabeth Berkeley.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

PES 2009 adds new club and national side to football video game

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has confirmed a number of additional licenced elements for its forthcoming PES 2009 title. Due for release on October 16th for PLAYSTATION 3, Xbox 360 and PC-DVD, the new game will benefit from the inclusion of some of the world’s biggest club and national sides.

Following the recent announcement of Konami’s four-year agreement to feature UEFA’s Champions League competition in the game, the publisher has also added a strong selection of other licensed teams for use in the game. The Dutch Eredivisie and French Ligue 1 will both be represented in their entirety, with full kits, player rosters and affiliated elements. Likewise, key clubs such as FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, FC Porto, Liverpool and Manchester United, will also be resplendent in their official livery. Other additions include the likes of Zenit St. Petersbourg and Brondby IF, amongst others. Konami has also added a number of new national sides to PES 2009, with Northern Ireland amongst those added to the International rosters of respected teams like Netherlands, England and Italy.

The publisher has also included several new stadia in the new game, with faithfully recreated versions of the Stade de France, Stadio Olimpico di Torino and the new Wembley Stadium included for the first time. These new agreements confirm Konami’s commitment to constantly adding new licences to the PES series.

PES 2009 will be released for PLAYSTATION 3, Xbox 360, PC-DVD and mobile phones on 17th October, followed by versions for PlayStation 2 on 30th October, and for PSP (PlayStation Portable) on 6th November and for Wii in 2009.

Barack Obama buys advertising for Xbox video games

Barack Obama, flush with cash and ramping up his advertising in the final weeks before the November 4 election, is making U.S. political history by placing the first presidential campaign ads in online video games.

The Democratic Illinois senator is using the Internet ads, featured in 18 games through Microsoft Corp's Xbox Live service, to promote his online voter registration and early balloting drive in 10 battleground states, a campaign spokesman said on Wednesday.

Unprecedented in U.S. presidential politics, the video game buy is targeted mainly at young adult males who are difficult to reach through more traditional campaign advertising.

"The 18-to-34-year-old male is the mainstream demographic for the hard-core video gamer," said Van Baker, an analyst for Gartner Inc., a technology market research firm in San Jose, California. "They're hard to get to because they don't watch much TV and they don't read a lot, so it's a good venue to get that segment."

The ads appear in games as banners or billboards with an image of Obama, the slogan "Early voting has begun," and a reference to his VoteForChange.com Web site. The site allows users to register online to vote, obtain absentee voter information and find a polling location.

Polls consistently have given Obama, 47, an edge over Republican rival John McCain, 72, among younger voters.

Far from turning his back on more conventional media, however, Obama's campaign last week said he planned to make a prime-time pitch to voters October 29 in a 30-minute ad slated to run on two broadcast networks, CBS and NBC.

More from Reuters here...

Sunday, October 12, 2008

XBox 360 £125 advert - video games system

Against the backdrop of one of the world’s largest video games event, Tokyo Game Show 2008, Microsoft Corp. today unveiled a blockbuster portfolio of games for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from many of the world’s most renowned developers. The line-up, which features a variety of high profile titles coming this holiday season, as well as in 2009 and beyond, was headlined by “Halo 3: Recon,” an exciting new chapter in the legendary “Halo” franchise from acclaimed developer Bungie.

During his keynote address, John Schappert, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of LIVE, Software and Studios showcased the best blockbusters Japan has to offer from the most popular genres. Cementing the reputation of Xbox 360 as the premier home for great storytelling and the industry’s best role playing games (RPGs), Schappert provided an exclusive look at the widely anticipated “Star Ocean: The Last Hope” and “THE LAST REMNANT” from developer Square Enix. Action-adventure fans were also given a new look at the latest trailer for “RESIDENT EVIL 5,” slated to launch on Xbox 360 in March 2009.

“Xbox 360 continues to be the destination of choice for the best and broadest games from the world’s biggest and best developers,” said Schappert. “With the latest incarnations of the ‘Halo’ universe, as well as global hits like “Star Ocean: THE LAST HOPE” we continue to deliver on our commitment to provide the calibre of entertainment and games that capture the imagination of people across the globe.”

A New Look at the “Halo” Universe

To the delight of devoted fans across the world, Microsoft debuted “Halo 3: Recon,” developed exclusively for Xbox 360 by acclaimed developer Bungie. “Halo 3: Recon” is a new chapter in the “Halo” saga that lets gamers experience events leading up to the epic story told in “Halo 3” through the eyes of a new hero in the “Halo” universe. The standalone expansion, set to release in autumn of 2009, extends the award-winning “Halo 3” experience with hours of new campaign excursions and multiplayer gameplay. In addition, attendees were given an all-new glimpse of the Xbox 360 exclusive strategy game “Halo Wars” from Ensemble Studios. By showing campaign mode for the first time, the live demo provided viewers with a thrilling taste of the revolutionary gameplay and new perspective of the “Halo” universe. Players will be able to enjoy the full experience when “Halo Wars” hits retailers in early 2009.

Japanese Developers Gain Worldwide Momentum

By partnering with the best and brightest Japanese developers and publishers, Microsoft is committed not only to providing an unparalleled gaming experience on Xbox 360 not only to Japan, but also to helping Japanese games reach new audiences worldwide. During his keynote address, Schappert announced that Xbox 360 has the most top-selling, third-party Japanese titles among all other current games platforms. He also noted that Japanese publishers have sold more than $800 million worth of games thus far on Xbox 360 and are on track to see lifetime revenue of more than $1 billion by the end of this holiday.

To underscore that point, Schappert unveiled dramatic new titles from Japan, including “NINETY-NINE NIGHTS 2[1]” produced by Q Entertainment and developed by Feelplus. The title will join the “Ninja Gaiden” franchise and the just-announced “Ninja Blade” in making Xbox 360 the best place for Japanese action games. Schappert also declared that the release of “Star Ocean: THE LAST HOPE” and “THE LAST REMNANT” are further proof that Xbox 360 is the best console for RPGs, citing a rich portfolio of global blockbusters including “Infinite Undiscovery, “Fable II,” and “Fallout 3.”Additional Japanese-developed blockbusters debuting this holiday and 2009 include the following:

• “THE LAST REMNANT” (Square Enix) “THE LAST REMNANT” is a new role-playing game crafted using the finest artistry and technology Square Enix has to offer. Set in a fantasy world, war-torn and scarred by years of conflict, gameplay revolves around mysterious artefacts — Remnants — that possess magic powers. Groundbreaking graphics possible only on Xbox 360 bring the intensity to a whole new level. “THE LAST REMNANT” is launching worldwide on 20th November and will be available only on Xbox 360.

• “NINETY-NINE NIGHTS II” (Q Entertainment) Set amid a dramatic, epic backdrop of a warring world, “NINETY-NINE NIGHTS II” blends strategy and action, allowing players to take control of massive armies to defeat thousands of enemies in massive-scaled battles never before seen on the Xbox 360.

• “RESIDENT EVIL 5” (Capcom Entertainment Inc.) Destined to bring new fans to the series, “RESIDENT EVIL 5” is the sequel to one of the highest-rated video games in history (according to Metacritic.com and GameRankings.com). Promising to revolutionize the series by delivering an unbelievable level of detail, realism and control, “RESIDENT EVIL 5” unleashes an unprecedented level of fear for the next generation. New technology developed specifically for the game, as well as incredible changes to both the gameplay and the “RESIDENT EVIL” world, will make this a must-have game for gamers across the globe.

• “Star Ocean: THE LAST HOPE” (Square Enix) “Star Ocean: THELAST HOPE” is the long-awaited continuation of the celebrated science fiction and fantasy role-playing game series. Slated for release on Xbox 360 in spring 2009 and published by Square Enix, this prequel set during the aftermath of World War III combines science fiction and fantasy elements spanning multiple planets and the vastness of space itself to recount the origins of the Star Ocean universe. Exhilarating combat expands upon the franchise’s famous real-time battle system, introducing the amazing graphics and visual effects possible only on Xbox 360.

Xbox LIVE Arcade Debuts New line-up

Xbox LIVE Arcade continued momentum built during the summer of arcade as Microsoft announced seven new titles to the already robust lineup of classics and original titles. With the power of Xbox LIVE Arcade, a new generation of gamers can now experience some of the most beloved games of all-time from Japan’s most legendary developers. Classic titles showcased at Tokyo Game Show include the following:

• “ARKANOIDTM Live!” (TAITO) First appearing in the 1980s as a block-breaking game, the next evolution will now be available on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Gamers can enjoy “Arkanoid” in high -definition with beautifully choreographed background movies and background music. “Arkanoid” is loaded with 120 stages and colourful cooperative and versus modes.

• “The King of Fighters ’98 Ultimate Match” (SNK PLAYMORE) The original “dream match” comes to Xbox LIVE Arcade with new features, characters and game modes. Gamers can face their favourite “The King of Fighters” characters to determine the ultimate champion.

• “Metal Slug 7” (SNK PLAYMORE) Gamers can join Marco, Tarma, Eri, Fiolina, Clark and Ralph as they prepare to take on Modern’s Forces across seven new missions. “Metal Slug 7” will also feature new weapons, colossal new bosses, new gameplay modes, and new Slugs to pilot.

• “Meteos Wars” (Q ENTERTAINMENT) Take a ride through this intergalactic journey where you slide, stack and ignite your blocks to blast away the world‐ending meteors! Only you can stop them from falling and crushing your planet. Master the combo links and power-ups to challenge your friends in intense multiplayer sessions

• “R-Type Dimensions” (Microsoft) “R-Type Dimensions” combines the genre-defining coin-op classics “R-Type” and “R-Type II,” with a twist. For the first time ever, “R-Type Dimensions” allows multiplayer co-op play locally or over Xbox LIVE for up to two players. Gamers fight through all 14 Bydo-infested stages in the original 2-D or all-new 3-D graphics, and can swap between the two seamlessly.

• “SPACE INVADERS EXTREME” (TAITO) Gamers can experience “Space Invaders” in fully immersive sound and vivid high definition on the next-generation system, with visuals that will excite their senses.

• “Tenchu: Shadow Assault” (FROMSOFTWARE) Tenchu, the world-famous ninja action game, is now on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Gamers can control their favourite characters as they use a variety of ninja weapons to defeat their enemies and complete their missions. They can use traps in multiplayer mode[2] to kill their friends for massive points.

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Star Ocean - The Last Hope video game out on Xbox 360 next year

STAR OCEAN - The Last Hope will be released across all PAL territories in 2009, on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system.

With this highly anticipated prequel, acclaimed development studio tri-Ace Inc. brings the STAR OCEAN series to Xbox 360 for the first time. STAR OCEAN - the Last Hope continues the series traditions of soaring space opera, blending science fiction with fantasy for a unique RPG experience. The refined gameplay features four party members and team-oriented combat, while maintaining the innovative real-time battle system that has become a trademark of the STAR OCEAN series.

The newest STAR OCEAN: THE LAST HOPE trailer can be viewed at the Square Enix booth at the Tokyo Game Show 2008. Additionally, STAR OCEAN: THE LAST HOPE is playable for the first time at the Microsoft booth.

John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. comments, “STAR OCEAN has already proved to be a popular series in Japan, we now hope that players around the world can discover why. With STAR OCEAN: The Last Hope arriving in 2009, there’s never been a better time to enjoy a STAR OCEAN adventure.”

About STAR OCEAN - The Last Hope

Story
The year is S.D. 10. In the aftermath of World War III, humanity voyages into the stars in search of a new home… and a second chance.

Features
A prequel that combines sci-fi and fantasy elements, spanning multiple planets and the vastness of space itself to recount the origins of the STAR OCEAN universe.
Exhilarating combat expands upon the franchise’s famous real-time battle system, including the amazing graphics and visual effect only possible on the Xbox 360
Feature breathtaking CG movies by Visual Works, the cutting-edge studio whose previous work includes cut-scenes for the acclaimed FINAL FANTASY RPG series
Fully localised for PAL territories with French, German, Spanish and Italian subtitles and menu screens

Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts Xbox 360 video game - Fact Sheet

Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts - Fact Sheet

Famed game developer Rare Ltd. is reviving one of its most beloved and successful franchises exclusively on Xbox 360 with the third installment of the “Banjo-Kazooie” series. “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” embraces new and old fans alike, as the famous bear and bird duo return in stunning high definition for a unique adventure of epic proportions. The Lord of the Games (aka LOG) is tired of the petty squabbling between Banjo and the evil witch Gruntilda (aka Grunty), and has arranged a showdown to decide the rightful owner of Spiral Mountain. Claiming to have created every video game ever made, LOG has built the game worlds in which the contest’s challenges take place. Banjo must complete LOG’s challenges to win, while Grunty tries to stop him using every method her devious mind can muster.

Throughout their adventure, players create their own abilities by building vehicles for Banjo to pilot over land, sea and air. Vehicle parts, which range from simple devices such as engines and wheels to more unusual equipment such as springs and egg guns, are earned and collected throughout the game. Players use their imagination to combine parts in any order to create whatever vehicle they choose. LOG’s challenges have one goal, but players’ choice of vehicle and tactics will determine how it gets accomplished. By exploring worlds and solving puzzles, players both young and old will be rewarded with more advanced and diverse vehicle parts in their quest to defeat Grunty once and for all and lay claim to Spiral Mountain.

With the power of Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE, “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” brings an entirely new experience to the console and takes the franchise to a whole new level of enjoyment. High-definition graphics, user-created content and online gameplay are just three of the many advances people of all ages and skill levels will discover as they embark on their adventure.

Top features include the following:

• An adventure that starts with your imagination. If you can imagine it, you can build it in the Mumbo’s Motors easy-to-use workshop. Then put your creation to the test as you take on Grunty in your quest for Spiral Mountain. Unlike other games, where the player progressively picks up new skills or abilities at points predetermined by the game’s creator, “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” puts the power of improving Banjo’s abilities into the hands of the players as they build vehicles that allow Banjo to progress through the game. Vehicle parts include a wide variety of body panels, engines, wheels, wings, propellers, fuel and weapons, plus many more weird and wonderful gadgets such as floaters, Mumbo Bombos and the versatile sticky ball. Players can design and create anything from a simple object-carrying truck to a space-age flying saucer. Once players have designed their creation, they give it the finishing touch by painting it and choosing a suitable name before Banjo jumps in and pilots it into action.

• Customizable experience. With more than 100 contraption parts and unlimited possible combinations, no two players will have the same experience in “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts.” By exploring the vast game worlds, discovering hidden secrets and solving puzzles to win rewards, players continually find more and more ways to customize and improve their contraptions, creating an unprecedented level of user-generated content for a 3-D platform adventure game.

• Fun right out of the box. Don’t worry if you aren’t the world’s greatest inventor or want to skip the workshop and get straight to the action, because “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” comes with a fully loaded experience right out of the box. Pre-built vehicles are included so players can jump right in and get started, with many more contraptions available for purchase throughout the adventure using the in-game currency system of musical notes.

• Xbox LIVE gets in on the fun. For the first time in franchise history, “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” is going to include competitive multiplayer gameplay. Now players can face off head-to-head in multiple multiplayer modes via Xbox LIVE.* And with the title’s online blueprint sharing system, players can share their designs over Xbox LIVE with friends and gamers everywhere. Rare has an extremely dedicated and active fan base, and we expect this addition combined with the unlimited user-generated content of “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” to help further grow and inspire that community, and push their creative limits!

• Engaging storyline and entertaining characters. Two of Rare’s most beloved characters have returned from retirement, making their debut on Xbox 360. To win the deed to their homeland and prevent the evil witch Gruntilda from developing it into tower blocks and malls, Banjo and his best friend Kazooie battle over land, sea and air against their longtime rival. Familiar faces such as Mumbo Jumbo, Bottles, Captain Blubber and the Jinjos are also back to lend a hand, along with an equally colorful cast of new friends and foes. Players can look out for Trophy Thomas, Piddles, Lord of the Games and Grunty’s mechanically menacing army of Gruntbots.

• Innovation connecting the franchise’s past and present. With the power of Xbox 360, this newly activated feature, known as Stop ‘N’ Swop, connects “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” to the upcoming Xbox LIVE Arcade release of the original “Banjo-Kazooie.” Players’ accomplishments in the new game will be rewarded with extra content and features in the Xbox LIVE Arcade game, encouraging fans to dive into as much “Banjo” as they can get their hands on!

• Enjoy alone or with friends. “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” offers complete single-player and multiplayer experiences. Gamers can play through the adventure alone in the single-player campaign, or compete head-to-head with friends in multiplayer challenges on Xbox LIVE.

• Fun for everyone. Xbox 360 is the home to the best entertainment experiences for everyone. With “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts,” Xbox 360 continues to build its impressive lineup of content that appeals to people of all ages and types.

All Banjo Kazooie gamezplay.org including video here...

Title: “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts”
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Developer: Rare Ltd.
Format: DVD for the Xbox 360 video game system
ESRB Rating: E10+
Availability: November 11, 2008
Price: $39.99 USD

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