Shaun White Snowboarding on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3

Shaun White Snowboarding, a title destined to break all former action sports video game notions and redefine the action sports genre. The game will appear on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, Windows-based PC, and the Wii home video game system from Nintendo, and is scheduled for release in Holiday 2008.

Powered by the award-winning Assassin's Creed engine for Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 system, Shaun White Snowboarding truly captures the action sports lifestyle. Shaun White Snowboarding is being developed from the ground up for the Wii system, taking full advantage of the Wii Balance Board accessory and featuring its own unique storyline and adventure with Shaun White.

“Shaun White Snowboarding will turn all of the traditional ideas and experiences of past action sports titles upside down,” said Tony Key, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Ubisoft. “The combination of Ubisoft’s innovation approach and the influence of Shaun’s lifestyle and perspective make this gaming experience like no other.”

Developed in close collaboration with Shaun White, Olympic Gold Medalist and eight-time X Games Gold Medalist, Shaun White Snowboarding allows players to enter a world of total freedom, where they can create their own experience and choose how, where, and with whom they want to ride.

Key Features of Shaun White Snowboarding for Xbox 360, the PLAYSTATION 3 system, and Windows-based PC:

• Open World Mountains Choose how you ride in open-world mountains across the world. Conquer extreme peak conditions, create your own paths in the back country, or compete with fellow riders in the terrain parks.
• Your Friends Are Always Around Play in a world where your friends are always around. Do your own runs on mountains populated by real gamers, or join your friends for a quick session from any mountain.
• More than Just Snowboarding Have fun with your friends on and off the board! Throw snowballs, hike to access secret spots, film your friends doing ripping tricks. You can also upload your videos online to share with the world.
• Ride Your Way Express yourself through tricks, riding styles, and highly customizable avatars – both in single-player and in the online world. Use the intuitive dual analogue control to pull off a huge variety of tricks that express your style.
• Next-Gen Technology Built on the Assassin's Creed engine, this game creates a massive world with gorgeous visuals and realistic NPC interactions. This is also the first time a snowboarding game is completely driven by physics instead of animation.

Authentic Snowboarding Ubisoft has worked closely with Shaun White to infuse the gaming experience with authenticity, personality and humor. Shaun is a friend and mentor in the game, and will help you with your skills. And, if you are deemed worthy, you may even be able to play as Shaun in the game …

Key features of Shaun White Snowboarding for the Wii system:

• Exclusive storyline Everybody loves a road trip! You and your crew travel the world to participate in a variety of the largest and craziest events to become a world-renowned athlete. Life on the road to success wouldn’t be the same without the support of your friends, who will always be there to help you out and keep your head on your shoulders. Stand together with your friends - both in the game and in the living room - and you will be able to conquer the madness that fame brings.
• Go on a globetrotting adventure with Shaun White as your partner – Ubisoft worked in close contact with Shaun White in order to infuse the experience with the most authentic elements of his riding style, personality and sense of humor. Shaun will act as a good-natured friend and mentor to the player, hooking him up with the right friends to conquer challenges together, introduce him to new locales, or simply be around to share in a laugh.
• Wii Balance Board Integration – Get yourself into the game like never before by using the Wii Board to control your rider. Control your carves, jumps and grinds with the intuitiveness and fun of having a snowboard in your own living room.
• Everyone plays, no one waits – Engage in a seamlessly integrated multiplayer experience for two to four players, where every player is active in the game at all times.
• Get together your crew – In the world of snowboarding, it pays to have friends on your side. Your crew of friends will always be there to help you by offering you unique abilities to improve both your riding and keeping you grounded with friendly pranks; filming all the antics along the way.
• Fame and Respect - Getting your name out there by doing well as a pro snowboarder is bound to get you some recognition. As your fame grows, so too does your ability to take on bigger and bigger challenges, from new mountains to more prestigious events and competitions. Fame, however, isn’t everything. You’ll need to gain your friends’ respect by riding with style in order to gain their support; they will help you find hidden areas, share their favorite music tracks and keep you laughing.

Ubisoft Officially Announces Beyond Good & Evil 2

It's official: At Ubisoft's Ubidays 08 event in Paris, CEO Yves Guillemot unveiled a trailer for the company's next project: Beyond Good & Evil 2.

read more | digg story

Ubisoft, Game Crazy, and GGL have teamed up to bring you an Official Haze 4v4 Tournament

Ubisoft, Game Crazy, and GGL have teamed up to bring you an Official Haze 4v4 Tournament, where the top squad can win $5,000! The second place squad takes home two Ubisoft games per player, and everyone gets to join in on the thrill of heated competition.

The game drops on 5/20/08 but we'll open up a Practice Ladder right here on 5/14/08 - join the group and start finding teammates now, so you can join the ladder and start challenging and playing opponents as soon as it opens. On 6/4/08 the Practice Ladder will be reset (all squads' records and points set to 0), and we will start the official Ladder Stage. You can challenge other squads, play matches, and move up and down the ladder. Points are awarded not only for winning, but also just for playing, so the more you play the better you will do! At the end of the Ladder Stage on 7/13/08, the top 64 squads will advance to a single-elimination bracket, and the winner of the Bracket Stage takes home the $5,000!

This is a team tournament, so if you need help finding players for your squad, you can try our "Find/Form a Squad" forum. This prize tournament is open to U.S. residents only, but Haze players from anywhere in the world are welcome to join open competition ladders on GGL's Haze Game Group.

Haze is one of the hottest new titles out for the PS3, so join now, invite your friends, form your squad, challenge opponents, and play!

Ubisoft : Petz Dogz Fashion - Hate them yet?

If you don't hate 'em yet, maybe this will persuade you.

read more | digg story

NLGD Opens Call for Papers

The NLGD today announced that it has opened its call for papers for possible speakers at the NLGD Game Conference, June 18-20 in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Potential speakers are invited to submit their ideas for lectures, workshops and roundtables over the next week. All lecture and session proposals should cover one or more of the Avenues of Exploration that the NLGD has set for the conference. The deadline for the call for papers is May 1, 2008.

The NLGD also confirmed the following speakers for its upcoming Game Conference: Heather Chandler (Executive Producer and founder of Media Sunshine, Inc.), Ben Sawyer (Co-Founder of Digitalmill), and Chris Swain (Professor, University of Southern California).

After several years in the trenches of video game production at Electronic Arts, Activision, and Ubisoft, Heather Chandler started her own development studio. During her eleven years on the front lines of the games industry, she has contributed to the production of over 35 games, including the first seven games in the Ghost Recon series.

Chandler will be leading a 2-hour work shop session focusing on the production cycle of a fictitious game, some of the problems it encountered, and how the production team solved them.

Ben Sawyer is the co-founder of Digitalmill. He has worked in, and covered game development, for over eight years.

Sawyer will talk about the serious games field, providing strong definitions and a well-built platform on what is needed to make serious games. He will also provide tools for attendees to better understand the serious games market.

Chris Swain is a game designer, educator, and co-author of the textbook Game Design Workshop. He co-directs the EA Game Innovation Lab at USC. His work has received many awards including Time Magazine's Best of the Web.

Swain will present best practices in game development processes. He will provide tools and metrics, in order to reveal different approaches to game development.

“When I was invited to speak at the NLGD Game Conference it did not take me long to say ‘Yes’,” said Swain. “It is an excellent opportunity to reach a new audience as I present Master Metrics 2.0 in Utrecht.”

Soul Calibur IV on Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3 on July 31st

Ubisoft announces the European release date for Soul Calibur IV, which is headed for the Xbox 360 and PS3 on July 31st...

Ubisoft has announced that Soul Calibur IV is set for release in Europe on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 this July 31st. The French publisher has taken on the distribution responsibilities in the region for the game's developer/publisher Namco Bandai.

"We are thrilled to be bringing Soul Calibur's successful heritage to PAL territories as it sets into motion a new echelon of dynamic gameplay and exceptional game graphics on next generation platforms," said John Parkes, EMEA Marketing Director at Ubisoft. "Offering players an ultimate fighting game experience, Soul Calibur IV will definitely be an owners 'must have' in building their game collection library."

Soul Calibur IV will bring new characters to the saga, such as Hilde (who looks kind of like a Greek Warrior woman with a shield and short sword), as well as Scheherazade and Angol Fear, who have been designed by renowned manga and character artists. There are also some interesting bonus sabre wielders in the form of Darth Vader and Yoda.

Additionally, competitive online modes will be featured for the first time ever in the Soul Calibur series, while equipment damage and the option of 'Critical Finish' ending moves by filling up the Soul Gauge are set to offer a few tasty extra features as well.

Source: TVG

HAZE – 4 Player Co-op Campaign Demo Exclusively on PlayStation Network

Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, today announced the imminent release of a fully playable demo for Haze, the new first-person shooter set in a harsh future where war is never quite what it seems.

Coming exclusively to the PlayStation Network in early May, this playable demo will give gamers a taste of not only the single-player campaign in Haze, but will also allow up to four-player, drop-in drop-out co-op play online.

Developed by shooter experts Free Radical, creators of the critically acclaimed TimeSplitters series, Haze is scheduled for release exclusively on the PlayStation 3 entertainment system on 23rd May 2008.

New screenshot – Haze:

Take a look at this brand-new screenshot from Haze to get a sneak peek at what’s in store for gamers when the playable demo drops in early May. Single-player campaign or four-player co-op…just name your poison. It is nearly time to get your fix…

For more information on Haze, please visit – www.hazegame.com

Nintendo trio of awards plus Assassins Creed Halo 3 and Cooking Mama celebrate

MCV Industry Excellence Awards 2008: Winners Announced

The games industry's most prestigious accolades unveiled; Nintendo bags unique hat-trick; Assassins Creed, Halo 3 and Cooking Mama also celebrated.

The sixth annual MCV Industry Excellence Awards were unveiled last night, as over 600 industry executives gathered at the Brewery, London, to celebrate the best gaming achievements of the past 12 months.

Hosted by industry news bibles MCV and MCVUK.com and presented by Simon Amstell, the BAFTA nominated comedian, the MCV Industry Excellence Awards 2008 saw Nintendo grab three honours (Games Publisher, PR Team and the prestigious Grand Prix Award). Other big winners included Assassins Creed as new Games Brand, GAME as Specialist Retailer, Play.com as Online Retailer and Cooking Mama as Sales Triumph.

The MCV Industry Excellence Awards are voted for by a panel of over 100 of the industry’s most influential executives. The judges are spread across all areas of the business, offering an unprecedented pool of knowledge and influence.

If Nintendo’s trio of awards wasn’t success enough, this is also the third time the publisher has bagged the ridiculously-prestigious Grand Prix Award: awarded by the magazine’s editorial team to the firm or individual they feel has contributed the most to the business in the previous 12 months.

“The last 12 months has been an amazing – and often unpredictable – ride for the games industry,” says Stuart Dinsey, managing director of Intent Media, publisher of MCV and MCUK.com. “From the departure of Ken Kutaragi in April 2007, to this month’s launch of Wii Fit, it’s been an incredible year – and it’s been an honour for MCV to be right at the heart of the business yet again. The winners of a 2008 Industry Excellence Award can quite rightly claim to have been at the very top of their game – during gaming’s biggest ever year.”

The MCV Industry Excellence Awards Winners in full:

INDEPENDENT RETAILER

Winner: Grainger Games
Finalists: Playtime Video Games, Console Connections, Powerplay, Ninja Games

SPECIALIST RETAILER

Winner: GAME
Finalists: Gamestation, CHIPS, Gameseek, Gamestop

ENTERTAINMENT RETAILER

Winner: HMV
Finalists: Zavvi, Woolworths, Blockbuster, Asda

ONLINE RETAILER

Winner: PLAY.COM
Finalists: Amazon, Gameseek, Shopto.com, Tgrav.com

STAR STORE

Winner: ZAVVI, OXFORD STREET
Finalists: Gamestation (Hull), Playtime Video Games (Doncaster), Gamestation (Birmingham), HMV (Trocadero)

PR TEAM

Winner: NINTENDO/RED
Finalists: Microsoft/JCPR, EA/Shine, SCE/Shine, Vivendi/Indigo Pearl

GAME CAMPAIGN

Winner: HALO 3 (MICROSOFT)
Finalists: Touch! Generations range (Nintendo), FIFA ’08 (Electronic Arts),
Mario & Sonic (Sega), Call of Duty 4 (Activision)

NEW GAME BRAND

Winner: ASSASSINS CREED (UBISOFT)
Finalists: Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune (SCE), Mario & Sonic (Sega), Bioshock (2K Games), Mass Effect (Microsoft)

TRADE MARKETING TEAM

Winner: ELECTRONIC ARTS
Finalists: Sony Computer Entertainment, Activision, THQ, Microsoft

MARKETING TEAM

Winner: NINTENDO
Finalists: Microsoft, Ubisoft, Electronic Arts, Sony Computer Entertainment

UK DEVELOPMENT TEAM

Winner: CODEMASTERS
Finalists: Bizarre Creations, Sports Interactive, Criterion, Rebellion

DISTRIBUTION TEAM

Winner: CENTRESOFT
Finalists: Koch Media, Gem, Advantage, Trilogy

SALES TRIUMPH

Winner: COOKING MAMA (505 GAMES)
Finalists: HSM: Sing It! – Disney Interactive Studios, Mario & Sonic – Sega,
Assassin’s Creed – Ubisoft, Devil May Cry 4 - Capcom

SALES TEAM

Winner: UBISOFT
Finalists: Activision, THQ, Electronic Arts, Nintendo

GAMES PUBLISHER

Winner: NINTENDO
Finalists: Ubisoft, Activision, Electronic Arts, Microsoft

RETAIL ADVISORY BOARD: SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Winner: PAUL DONNELLY (GEM)
Finalists: Rob Gross, Dave Gould (Vivendi Games), Jonathan Grimes (Microsoft),
Penny Humphrey (Electronic Arts), Rosemary Buahin (Sony Computer Entertainment)

GRAND PRIX

Winner: NINTENDO

LOVEFiLM TOM CLANCY'S RAINBOW SIX VEGAS 2 - UBISOFT

LOVEFiLM Vegas Bound For Tom Clancy Tie-Up

TOM CLANCY'S RAINBOW SIX VEGAS 2 MARKS CONTINUED LINK WITH UBISOFT

LOVEFiLM.com, the UK’s largest digital entertainment portal has once again teamed up with games producer Ubisoft to mark the launch of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 across PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PC formats.

Following the hugely successful partnership late last year for the release of Assassin’s Creed, LOVEFiLM has launched an exclusive multi layered marketing campaign for the title.

The tailored campaign sees Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 receive placement in the weekly e-newsletter, reaching LOVEFiLM’s customer base of over 460,000 subscribers plus unique promotion across the distribution of 200,000 exclusively branded product envelopes delivered directly into customer’s homes. This direct marketing is supported with targeted online advertising across the LOVEFiLM site.

LOVEFiLM has further extended its online support of Ubisoft to run a Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 microsite at www.lovefilm.com/micro/vegas2. Through the targeted microsite users can buy and/or rent the game and enter an exclusive competition to win a trip for two to Las Vegas. Editorial content includes the developers’ video diaries, the game trailer, plus a list of favourite films suited to the game’s main character Commander Bishop. The microsite also showcases upcoming Ubisoft releases, with previews of titles including Haze, Tom Clancy’s EndWar™ and Far Cry 2 and drives users to the official Rainbow Six Vegas 2 website through several direct links.

Dionne Georgiou, Advertising Sales Manager for LOVEFiLM said;

“As LOVEFiLM becomes increasingly entertainment focused, we’re glad to offer our gaming audience not only an anticipated title in this franchise, but also deliver exclusive competitions and content alongside the usual rent or buy options. For LOVEFiLM and our ever-increasing community of users, major games releases are as important as film releases, so we’re thrilled to work with Ubisoft once more for the launch of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2.”

Phil Brannelly, Senior Brand Manager at Ubisoft commented;

“LOVEFiLM’s customer base provides an avid audience not only for fans of the Tom Clancy series, but for gamers that are looking for the best of both worlds – top class gameplay combined with seamless cinematic action.”

The deal was brokered by media planning and buying agency BJKE.

Ubisoft - NINJA GAIDEN - Dragon Sword on Nintendo DS

Ubisoft Signs A Deal With Tecmo To Distribute NINJA GAIDEN: Dragon Sword to EMEA Territories In June 2008

NINJA GAIDEN Dragon Sword brings the authentic Ninja experience to Nintendo DS for the first time.

Today Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, announced a distribution agreement to release Tecmo’s NINJA GAIDEN Dragon Sword to all EMEA territories. Already a critically acclaimed game in the US and Japan, NINJA GAIDEN Dragon Sword will hit European shelves in June 2008.

NINJA GAIDEN: Dragon Sword is the latest iteration in the series and the first to be made for Nintendo DS handheld system, featuring gorgeous rendered backgrounds, a new exciting story and the traditional fast-paced action that the franchise is known for. Taking perfect advantage of the Nintendo DS with intuitive stylus gameplay, Ryu Hayabusa’s combat moves are mapped onto the DS touchscreen and directional buttons which allows him to run, jump, attack and cast Ninpo. Certain move combinations will enable Ryu to perform fatal special attacks such as the Izuna Drop and Cicada Slash which are some of Ryu’s signature moves.

NINJA GAIDEN: Dragon Sword is developed by Executive Producer Tomonobu Itagaki and the Team NINJA development studio.

Ubisoft unveils Tom Clancy's HAWX

A Tom Clancy air combat title was first announced back in September 2007, and Ubisoft has now revealed the game will be titled Tom Clancy's HAWX.

According to IGN the game is in development at Ubisoft's Bucharest studio and will enable players to pilot more than 50 planes. Set in the year 2012, the world has become dependent on increasingly powerful private military companies, which has lead to an imminent global conflict.

Thanks to something called Enhanced Reality System (ERS) even an average pilot can take to the skies, using radars, incoming missile detection, an anti-crash system, damage control system, tactical map, weapons trajectory control and more. When the ERS is switched on you'll be taking it safe, but won't have the same freedom as available when ERS is switched off.

Other cool stuff included is cooperative play for up to four players in the campaign and 16-player online battles, which earn experience points and cash used to unlock new weapons and such.

Source: VideoGamer

With the Tom Clancy brand attached there's considerable pressure on Ubisoft Bucharest to ensure HAWX lives up to the name come its planned autumn release on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

Ubisoft Announces Imagine Rock Star For Nintendo DS

Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, announced the newest game to launch within its highly successful Imagine video game series: Imagine Rock Star. The Imagine line, part of Ubisoft’s Games for Everyone division, is the first-ever dedicated brand of video games that allows girls ages 6 to 14 to explore their favorite interests and hobbies in an interactive and entertaining way.

Since the launch of the new franchise, Imagine sales have exceeded expectations with more than three million units sold globally. Following the successful launches of Imagine Figure Skater, Imagine Fashion Designer, Imagine Animal Doctor, Imagine Master Chef and Imagine Babyz, Imagine Rock Star is the sixth game in the Imagine line-up and will be available in June 2008, allowing young players to form their dream band, climb the charts and become music legends.

“Ubisoft has established itself as the leading publisher for girls and we are extremely pleased with the success of the first series of Imagine games,” said Tony Key, senior vice president of marketing and sales at Ubisoft. “By allowing them to play, create and dream of the possibilities, Imagine Rock Star strengthens Ubisoft’s position in this category and provides more DS options for young girl gamers.”

Imagine Rock Star allows players to create a rock band and select who plays the drums, guitar, bass and piano. Each instrument has its own unique control using the Nintendo DS stylus. Players have the ability to customize the look of each band mate in order to become the most stylish rockers. Players can wirelessly jam with up to four of their friends, perform in concerts and earn money as the band works its way up the charts to the No. 1 spot to land its dream recording contract.

Ubisoft pay $100m + for Tom Clancy rights?

As reported earlier - In a deal some analysts are saying could be worth north of $100M, Ubisoft announced last Thursday that it had “concluded an agreement with Mr. Tom Clancy to acquire all intellectual property rights to the Tom Clancy name.” That means Ubisoft now has total control over the 61-year-old author's name regarding its use in video games and all related products, including movies, books, and merchandise.

This is a clear indication of the value Ubisoft places on its ever-growing roster of Tom Clancy branded titles. Over the past decade the military themed games have become the French publisher's most lucrative franchise, with dozens of titles now available on virtually all platforms—including Tom Clancy's Rainbox Six Vegas 2, which was released just two days prior to Ubisoft's announcement and is widely expected to be one of the best-selling console titles this spring.

But just what has Ubisoft purchased? Much like the majority of books that carry the Tom Clancy moniker, none of the Tom Clancy games have actually been penned by the American author. What's more, people don't normally buy Tom Clancy games for their characters, stories, or political concepts. The games' value to consumers derives primarily from their evolved play mechanics and polished presentation—things that have sprung entirely out of the minds of the hard working developers at Ubisoft, and which could easily be applied to a military game lacking the Tom Clancy name. Indeed, that which we call a Tom Clancy game by any other name would still play as sweet.

The question is, without the Tom Clancy logo, would people buy it?

Ubisoft seems to think not. The Tom Clancy brand is familiar. What's more, people who like realistic military games have come to trust anything with the Tom Clancy emblem; all of the most recent console entries in the Tom Clancy canon (Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2, and the Rainbow Six game mentioned above) have received rave reviews from critics and gamers alike.

Simply put, Tom Clancy games sell themselves, and Ubisoft knows it. Indeed, it seems entirely possible that their intention in buying the Tom Clancy name is not just to avoid paying royalties on their existing series, but also to stamp the Tom Clancy brand on newly conceived military themed games that have little or nothing to do with established Tom Clancy stories and characters. In other words, they're going to use it as a marketing device to sell otherwise unrelated games.

Ubisoft currently has at least three wholly new Tom Clancy franchises in the works, including a World War III real-time strategy game called EndWar, an as-yet unnamed air combat title, and a recently unveiled massively multiplayer online game. Little is known about these games yet, but from what I've been able to gather they appear to have next to nothing to do with anything Tom Clancy has ever written. (The book Tom Clancy's EndWar, which was published earlier this year—and which Ubisoft now owns outright—isn't the foundation for the upcoming game, but rather derived from it; a clever tool to drive publicity for the software.)

It would be easy to chalk up Ubisoft's acquisition of the Tom Clancy name as simply being a sly marketing manoeuvre—which it undoubtedly is. However, it may also be good news for gamers tired of finding the shelves of their local game shops lined with little more than sequels to existing blockbusters and games based on movies, comics, and television.

How so? The upcoming Tom Clancy games appear to feature new characters in fresh stories set in their own universes. Plus, Ubisoft has a track record of introducing some great new play concepts in each new Tom Clancy sub-franchise (the Splinter Cell games reinvented the stealth genre, and Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter delivered a decidedly novel form of futuristic combat). In other words, despite the fact that they will be called Tom Clancy's this or that, Ubisoft's new crop of military games could end up being surprisingly original in both narrative and design.

Indeed, it seems possible that by purchasing the ability to use the Tom Clancy name however it wishes, Ubisoft has, in effect, freed its designers to create any kind of military games they can think of while letting the company's suits rest assured that the familiar logo on the package will help these titles earn mountains of cash. And now that they own Tom Clancy's name, they'll get to keep every last penny.

Source: The Globe and Mail

Ubisoft games acquire Tom Clancy name for video games, related products

Ubisoft makes Tom Clancy-branded video games such as Splinter Cell, Ghost Recon and Rainbow Six.

French video game maker Ubisoft said it acquired intellectual property rights to the Tom Clancy name for use in video games, books and movies.

Ubisoft now expects to have a net cash position of about 130m eur at the end of its fiscal year, down from a previous forecast of about 150m eur.

Ubisoft will make additional, unspecified payments for the Tom Clancy rights in each of its next two fiscal years as well, Ubisoft said in a statement.

Royalty savings generated by the acquisition are expected to have an average positive impact on Ubisoft's operating profit of at least 5m eur per year.


Source: Thomson.com

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 Legacy Edition For Microsoft Xbox 360

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 Legacy Edition For Xbox 360 In EMEA Territories in April 2008


Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, announced that it would release a special Legacy Edition for Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2, the follow up to the massively popular squad-based action franchise, and next generation smash hit of 2006.

This exciting new Legacy Edition will include the original game, and an additional disk containing all the GRAW 2 downloadable packs available on Xbox Live to date! It includes:

- 32 additional maps, a combination of new maps and best of maps!

- New exciting game modes and a large variety of exclusive ground-breaking missions

- Exclusive additional weapons that enrich the tactical possibilities in Single Player

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter ® 2 Legacy Edition is scheduled for release on the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft in April 2008 and will be available in stores at Mid-Price.

For more information about Ubisoft, please visit www.ghostrecon.com or www.ubi.com.

Assassin's Creed- Director's cut edition PC video game

Assassin's Creed- Director's cut edition

PC Product Description

Assassin’s Creed is the next-gen game developed by Ubisoft Montreal that will redefine the action genre. While other games claim to be next-gen with impressive graphics and physics, Assassin’s Creed merges technology, game design, theme and emotions into a world where you instigate chaos and become a vulnerable, yet powerful, agent of change.

The setting is 1191 AD. The Third Crusade is tearing the Holy Land apart. You, Altair, intend to stop the hostilities by suppressing both sides of the conflict.

You are an Assassin, a warrior shrouded in secrecy and feared for your ruthlessness. Your actions can throw your immediate environment into chaos, and your existence will shape events during this pivotal moment in history.

Key Features

• Be an Assassin
Master the skills, tactics and weapons of history’s deadliest and most secretive clan of warriors. Plan your attacks, strike without mercy and fight your way to escape.

• Director’s Cut edition: experience exclusive PC content
Four PC-exclusive investigation missions make the game an even better experience than its console predecessors, including the Rooftop Race Challenge, a race to a specified location and the Archer Stealth Assassination Challenge, where the player must assassinate all archers in a certain zone to help out fellow Assassins.

• Realistic and responsive environments
Experience a living, breathing world in which all your actions have consequences. Crowds react to your moves and will either help or hinder you on your quests.

• Action with a new dimension – total freedom
Eliminate your targets wherever, whenever and however. Stalk your prey through richly detailed, historically accurate, open-ended environments. Scale buildings, mount horses, blend in with crowds. Do whatever it takes to achieve your objectives.

• Relive the epic times of the Crusades
Assassin’s Creed immerses you in the realistic and historical Holy Land of the 12th century, featuring life-like graphics, ambience and the subtle, yet detailed nuances of a living world.

• Intense action rooted in reality
Experience heavy action blended with fluid and precise animations. Use a wide range of medieval weapons, and face your enemies in realistic swordfight duels.

• Next-gen gameplay
The proprietary engine developed from the ground up for the next-gen console allows organic game design featuring open gameplay, intuitive control scheme, realistic interaction with environment and a fluid, yet sharp, combat mechanic.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
(Both Minimum and Recommended):

Supported OS: Windows XP/Windows Vista (only)
Processor: Dual core processor 2.6 GHz Intel Pentium D or AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ (Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz or AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ or better recommended)
RAM: 1 GB Windows XP / 2 GB Windows Vista
Video Card: 256 MB DirectX 10.0–compliant video card or DirectX 9.0–compliant card with Shader Model 3.0 or higher (see supported list)*
Sound Card: DirectX 9.0 or 10.0–compliant sound card (5.1 sound card recommended)
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0 or10.0 libraries (included on disc)
DVD-ROM: DVD-ROM dual-layer drive
Hard Drive Space: 8 GB
Peripherals Supported: Keyboard, mouse, optional controller (Xbox 360 Controller for Windows recommended)

*Supported Video Cards at Time of Release:
ATI RADEON X1600*/1650*–1950/HD 2000/3000 series
NVIDIA GeForce 6800*/7/8/9 series
*PCI Express only supported

Laptop versions of these cards may work but are NOT supported. These chipsets are the only ones that will run this game. For the most up-to-date minimum requirement listings, please visit the FAQ for this game on our support website at: http://support.ubi.com.

NOTICE: This game contains technology intended to prevent copying that may conflict with some disc and virtual drives.

Ubisoft to bid for game licences rather than major takeover - Guillemot

Ubisoft Entertainment may speed up its expansion plans as a result of the bid by Electronic Arts for Take Two Interactive Software but is targeting the purchase of new licences for games rather than a major takeover, Yves Guillemot, chairman of the French video games maker, told Les Echos.

'The desire of EA to buy Take Two pushes us to go faster, to accelerate internal growth but also to look at acquisition opportunities,' the business daily quoted him as saying.

Ubisoft shares fell 1.85 pct yesterday after investors decided that EA's bid for Take Two meant the US games giant is less likely to seek to acquire its French rival, in which EA holds 25 pct of voting rights.

Source: Forbes AFX

Ubisoft confirm UBIDAYSTM Makes A Comeback

Today Ubisoft announced that UBIDAYS 2008 will take place May 28- 29 in the heart of Paris’s world-famous Louvre museum.

Selected European press and business partners will be invited to discover Ubisoft’s new titles and have the opportunity to play the games that will pave the company’s future.

Last year’s UBIDAYS showcased major announcements, notably the launch of the highly successful Games for Everyone line. The 2008 edition promises to reveal similar surprises and exclusive announcements, while at the same time offer a rare opportunity for guests to meet Ubisoft team members and creative talents.

“The inaugural UBIDAYS in 2007 was a big step for us and a calculated bet, given the worldwide evolution of the industry,” said Alain Corre, Executive Director for Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific (EMEA). “The positive feedback from last year convinced us that this was the ideal way to present our games and to have enriching exchanges with partners who support us year after year. We’re eagerly awaiting UBIDAYS 2008, which is already shaping up to offer a look at future industry trends and the group’s upcoming blockbuster titles.”

The list of featured games and event program will be revealed later.

FIRST DETAILS FOR TOM CLANCY'S RAINBOW SIX - VEGAS 2

Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, announced the first details for Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2, currently in production for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and Games for Windows. Scheduled for a March 2008 release and developed by Ubisoft’s award-winning Montreal studio, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is the sixth iteration of the multimillion-selling Rainbow Six tactical shooter franchise and follow-up to the highly successful and award-winning Rainbow Six Vegas.

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is the last chance for gamers to rescue America’s sexiest city from an escalating terrorist siege that will impose heart-pounding action from beginning to end. The best are back and this time winner takes all. The highly-anticipated sequel to the recipient of numerous awards, including 2006’s Best First Person Shooter and Best Online Game, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 will push the top-selling franchise to new heights with new gameplay features and groundbreaking co-op and multiplayer modes.

Product Highlights:

• More Multiplayer – The highly acclaimed multiplayer mode in Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas has been upgraded to include 13 new maps with more intense face-offs, two new adversarial modes, more rewards, and easier access to matches using the improved and intuitive matchmaking system.

• Unprecedented Customizable Experience – Create your own identity that persists through both the single player and multiplayer modes and progresses along with you. Reap the benefits of your single player rewards in multiplayer and vice versa.

• Vastly Improved Co-op Mode – Turn single player mode into co-op mode at any time, just by jumping into the game. Now you and a friend can jump into a single player game and assist without any change to the story. The single player maps and storyline were created with co-op in mind, meaning every map has multiple entry points and the story is unaffected.

• Challenging AI – The AI is more challenging than ever. Now, the terrorists are equipped with thermal vision, night vision, and shields – not to mention a multitude of varying tactics – all of which are guaranteed to give you a new playing experience every time you go into battle. As you progress within the game, you’ll be able to outsmart your enemies by taking advantage of intelligence opportunities, such as thermal scanning.

• New Weapons and Armor – Take down the terrorists more effectively using 11 new weapons. New camouflage, clothing and gear allow for the ultimate customizations.

• More Vegas – Sin City is back and bigger than before. Explore all new Vegas hot spots and the gritty back streets creating a visual experience that is as challenging as it is breathtaking.

Web-Based Video Game In The Heroes Of Might And Magic Universe

Heroes of Might and Magic Kingdoms to Hit the Web in Spring 08

Today Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, announced that Heroes of Might and Magic Kingdoms , a new Web-based game in the critically-acclaimed Heroes of Might and Magic series is being developed for a Spring 2008 worldwide launch.

Heroes of Might and Magic Kingdoms is a strategy game set in a persistent version of the heroic-fantasy world of Heroes of Might and Magic. Thousands of players will be able to rule their virtual kingdoms, lead gigantic armies against each other, master the trades or create legendary heroes. The game requires no download or installation, only an Internet connection. In addition, players can play at their own pace; from 10 minutes to multiple-hour sessions.

“This is a new type of game for Ubisoft, one that allows you to jump into a rich and complex universe just with your Web browser,” said Serge Hascoët, Chief Creative Officer. “Heroes of Might and Magic Kingdoms will open a wide door to the Might and Magic universe, allowing players to immerse themselves within it unlike ever before.”

An exclusive key for the beta test is hidden in the Heroes of Might and Magic Complete Edition that releases today, you can also register on www.hommkingdoms.com.