Video game 'Rally Master Pro' now free to download on PlayNow for Sony Ericsson Satio and Vivaz

Starting immediately, the high-end 3D racing game Rally Master Pro will be available to download for free on PlayNow for Sony Ericsson Satio and Vivaz. The award winning racing game has been pre-loaded on Satio and Vivaz devices with the first firmware update. Those who own a device without Rally Master Pro pre-loaded can now enjoy the award winning rally simulation free of charge too.

New World Rally Championship Video Game due for release 08 October

Black Bean Games today announced the final release date for WRC, the only official FIA World Rally Championship video game. The game is being developed by Milestone and will be available in stores on the 8th of October for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC.

X Games Star Ken Block Wants To Take You For a Spin... and a 100ft Jump at Silverstone

Ken Block, multi medal-winning Subaru Rally Team USA driver, X Games competitor and stunt driving sensation, will headline Trax 2009 [www.traxshows.co.uk], running Sunday 6th September at Silverstone, with his ‘DiRT 2 Ken Block Jump Jam’ and perform a spectacular 100ft in-car jump to mark the forthcoming launch of Colin McRae: DiRT 2, the sequel to the hit racing videogame.

What’s more, visitors to Trax 2009 will have the chance to win a seat as Ken Block’s co-driver by proving their digital off-road driving skills in a special Colin McRae: DiRT 2 ‘Last Man Standing’ multiplayer challenge, to be held in the DiRT 2 Pit Stop Area. The 'Last Man Standing' race-off will be won by the first across the line after an 8-player race.

For the game’s best players, the prize is a ride along with Ken Block on a specially created extreme driving route around Silverstone’s off track areas. The lucky few winners will be well advised to wear two sets of underwear as Block pulls 360s, handbrake turns and donuts before finishing with his trademark adrenaline-inducing 100ft jump over a dirt kicker. A limited number of places are reserved for media interested in running a competition for their readers in the run-up to the Trax event.

Ken Block, who currently holds the world record for jumping 171ft in a rally car and has given his expertise to design some of the tracks in the game, commented: “It’s all about the physics, so I know it can be done! 100ft is nothing – we do it at the X Games all the time – and I can’t wait to give some lucky thrillseekers the same feeling of riding the air in a roaring rally car.”

X Games team-mate of the late Colin McRae, Block is at the forefront of a new breed of pro drivers, competing as Subaru Rally Team USA Driver #43 in the Rally America National Championship and the world-famous X Games. He has also gained notoriety for his mind-blowing stunts in his Subaru WRX STI.

“I’ve been involved with Codemasters and Colin McRae: DiRT 2 for quite a while and serve as a consultant for the game in addition to featuring in it,” said Block. “It’s been a real pleasure and an honour to be part of the production team – Colin McRae was a huge inspiration to me personally. Actually driving my own car in the game, I was amazed at how dynamic the setup is and how much it performs like the real thing. I hope that Colin McRae: DiRT 2 similarly inspires the thousands of kids who dream of being the fastest, greatest, rally driver out there.”

Colin McRae: DiRT 2 is set to take racing games to a new level with thrilling new race types, striking locations, big event atmosphere and a peerless line-up of super-charged speed machines, each selected to deliver spectacular, fast paced racing. Taking players on an exhilarating World Tour, Colin McRae: DiRT 2 will deliver over 100 stunning events, including aggressive, multi-vehicle races and intense solo challenges, set in the most diverse and demanding real-world environments. From the muddy tracks of the Malaysian rainforest to spectator-packed stadiums in London and Los Angeles, racers will compete in contemporary off-road race disciplines covering Rallycross, Trailblazer, Raid, Landrush, and Rally.

Complete with full head-to-head competitive online play, Colin McRae: DiRT 2 will be available from leading game stores from September 11th for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, Wii, Nintendo DS and PSP (PlayStation Portable) system.

Media are also invited to experience the thrill of riding alongside Block at a special media event on Friday 4th September - please get in touch using the contact details below.

SEGA close SEGA Rally Racing Studio

SEGA has confirmed yesterday's rumoured closure of its Racing Studio in Birmingham, citing a clear business decision as the reason for its demise.

The studio had been responsible for the latest SEGA Rally title, which was received to great critical acclaim, receiving a rare 9 out of 10 score on Eurogamer.net.

However, the title's marketing was disappointing and sales were poor, prompting original plans for an annual update to the franchise's revival to be shelved.

With no other projects for the team to move on to, it's now been deemed that the studio, unable to provide a reasonable return on investment, should be closed as part of SEGA's review into its operations.

The full statement from SEGA is as follows:

"Regrettably SEGA today announced that it is to commence consultation with a view to the unfortunate closure of the SEGA Racing Studio in Birmingham, UK.

"The decision is part of a review of SEGA's Western Development Studios to ensure that each studio is a profitable entity in its own right, and unfortunately the SEGA Racing Studio's 5 year plan would not result in a successful return for the SEGA business moving forward.

"SEGA would like to stress that there will be no changes within their other internal development studios."

Source: Games Industry

Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 for mobile

First ever PES mobile game joins other exciting new titles in latest batch of Glu games launching throughout Europe

Glu Mobile Inc. (Nasdaq:GLUU), a leading global publisher of mobile games, today announced its line-up of games launching in Europe through the remainder of 2007.

The games include big name franchises such as Pro Evolution Soccer, Sega Rally, Who Wants to be a Millionaire? 3rd Edition, Sonic Golf and Call of DutyTM 4: Modern Warfare as well as The Golden Compass, a game based on the new feature film coming this December.

Patrick Mork, Marketing Director for Glu EMEA, commented, “Our line-up of titles launching offer a range of mobile gaming experiences that appeals to a wide variety of audiences. We’re proud to be working with such prestigious partners as Activision, Konami, Microsoft, SEGA and Two-Way Traffic, and we believe our upcoming line-up really demonstrates that Glu offers a true breadth of quality, engaging titles.”

More about Glu’s Q4 line-up:

Pro Evolution Soccer 2008

The world’s favourite football game finally makes it to mobile. Based on the world’s most successful console and PC soccer game and launching with Pro Evolution Soccer 2008, this is the most realistic football simulation ever to appear on mobile


SEGA Rally

The SEGA Rally franchise stands for instantly accessible excitement, and the first-ever mobile version is no exception. Racing real rally cars through realistic environments, players will be challenged thanks to fluid and intelligently designed controls.


Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare arms gamers with an arsenal of advanced and powerful modern-day firepower and transports them to the most treacherous hotspots around the globe to take on a rogue enemy group threatening the world.


The Golden Compass

Following the storyline from this Christmas’ big family movie and the award-winning series of books by Philip Pullman, players embark on a journey of adventure and exploration playing as the main characters Lyra and her morphing daemon Pan. Players will set out on a quest to rescue best friend Roger and the other children captured by the evil Gobblers.


Sonic Golf

Set in Sonic’s own universe, Sonic The Hedgehog’s latest adventure sees the blue hedgehog and friends complete a series of Golf challenges. Classic Sonic style twists as well as features that fans of the original game have grown to love are still present; drive and putt to success while collecting gold rings and running through loop-the-loops before challenging the evil Dr. Eggman!


Who Wants to be a Millionaire? 3rd Edition

Building on the massive success of the previous Millionaire editions, Who Wants to be a Millionaire? 3rd Edition introduces innovative new features including 3D elements, statistics and the ability to choose your Phone-A-Friend

Sega Rally lakeside details

Title: SEGA Rally
Developer: SEGA Racing Studio
Format: PS3, XB360, PC, PSP
Genre: Racing
Release date: September 28th 2007

The introduction of SEGA Rally to the arcades in 1995 had the single biggest impact on the racing genre. Subsequent console rally games concentrated on a realistic simulation of the sport but their popularity, reflecting in sales, steadily dropped over the last decade. Now, SEGA Rally is back and set to reinvigorate the genre with the vital ingredients that many of the modern racers lack – fun, character and beauty, with few rally games able to match its unique and rewarding experience. Rally’s dead, long live SEGA Rally.

Lakeside Environment
Unlocked only when players have opened the Masters Final, the Lakeside environment features a mixture of tarmac, soil and gravel surfaces. Players good enough to unlock this track will find reward in racing through beautiful English countryside on a sunny summer’s afternoon. As the title suggests, the Lakeside track guides players on a race around an idyllic lake where sail-boats sit quietly as spectators to the aggressive rally racing around them. Above all, this is a classic track worthy of those who obtain the skills to unlock it.

SEGA Rally

Title: SEGA Rally
Developer: SEGA Racing Studio
Format: PS3, XB360, PC, PSP
Genre: Racing
Release date: September 28th 2007

GAME OVERVIEW

The introduction of SEGA Rally™ to the arcades in 1995 had the single biggest impact on the racing genre. Subsequent console rally games concentrated on a realistic simulation of the sport but their popularity, reflecting in sales, steadily dropped over the last decade. Now, SEGA Rally is back and set to reinvigorate the genre with the vital ingredients that many of the modern racers lack – fun, character and beauty, with few rally games able to match its unique and rewarding experience. Rally’s dead, long live SEGA Rally.

Safari Environment
The first track players will discover in the SEGA Rally Championship is set within the Safari environment. Strewn with animals and glorious views across the plains, players will encounter varying types of surfaces from the very muddy to the very dry. With arching corners that seem to go on for an eternity, it’s a chance for players to throw their cars around whilst wearing a smile from ear to ear.

SEGA Rally has been released across Europe. For more information on SEGA Rally please visit www.segarally.com. For assets please visit www.sega-europe.com.

SEGA Rally

SEGA Rally

Title: SEGA Rally
Developer: SEGA Racing Studio
Format: PS3, XB360, PC, PSP
Genre: Racing
Release date: September 28th 2007

GAME OVERVIEW

The introduction of SEGA Rally™ to the arcades in 1995 had the single biggest impact on the racing genre. Subsequent console rally games concentrated on a realistic simulation of the sport but their popularity, reflecting in sales, steadily dropped over the last decade. Now, SEGA Rally is back and set to reinvigorate the genre with the vital ingredients that many of the modern racers lack – fun, character and beauty, with few rally games able to match its unique and rewarding experience. Rally’s dead, long live SEGA Rally.

Arctic Environment
Set in one of those days which are brilliantly bright, yet utterly freezing, the Arctic Environment in SEGA Rally is where players can warm themselves up by haring across snowy tracks at break-neck speeds. Featuring a range of surfaces to challenge drivers, tracks take players past icy industrial buildings, across frozen lakes and along snow covered roads which beautifully show off the unique SEGA Rally deformation engine. These tracks certainly aren’t for the faint hearted, yet offer room for empowering power slides around heroic corners. Players will have to remain focused, and be careful not to be distracted by the likes of sea planes sweeping over head or ski-do riders showing off next to the track, if they are to become the ultimate SEGA Rally champion.

SEGA Rally will be released across Europe on September 28th 2007. For more information on SEGA Rally please visit www.segarally.com. For assets please visit www.sega-europe.com.