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Monday, August 27, 2007

Rise of the Mage



In anticipation of the official release of their dynamic fantasy Action RPG game for the PC, AVENCAST: Rise of the Mage, leading Publisher Lighthouse Interactive today revealed the final box shot featuring the hero performing one of his devastating magical spells while being hunted by demonic monsters.

Scheduled to release in October 2007, this new Action RPG successfully combines fast-paced and dynamic combat elements with a solid RPG foundation to create a compelling story-driven gaming experience that’s a blast to play! AVENCAST will also be Windows® Vista™ compatible.

GAME SUMMARY:

As the sun rises over Avencast, the renowned academy of magic; a young adept begins his perilous journey. In a world of wizardry, wonder and untold mystery, you must undertake some of the most diverse quests to hone your abilities in spell casting, weaponry and melee combat. Your martial skills are soon put to the test as demonic monsters of unknown ancient origin descend upon Avencast turning the academy into a horrific state of chaos and destruction.

Armed with over 50 combat moves and spells, and a vast arsenal of equipment items, you must uncover the source of these ominous happenings while vanquishing an onslaught of fiendish enemies. Treachery and deceit reveal themselves as the vicious army of adversaries beleaguers your frail haven threatening Avencast’s very existence. Amidst the mayhem, an astonishing truth unfolds which will forever change the battle scarred Wizard.

AVENCAST: Rise of the Mage is accessible to novice RPG game players, but it will also challenge core RPG and Action fans. Both combat and non-combat interactions create a perfect balance between brains and brawn. By requiring players to bring their own combat and strategic skills to the forefront, they will have the excitement of crafting a powerful character unleashing their hero’s potential.

FEATURES:

• Cast Lethal Spells from Different Skill Trees – Surrounded by vicious foes, unleash a mighty soul magic spell. The pure agglomeration of energy alone produces a warp in the surrounding atmosphere before the catastrophic nova demolishes your enemies. Blood Magic (elementally charged blows with varying speeds, ranges, and damage properties) and Soul Magic (covers all kinds of ranged magic spells allowing better area control) – both allow players to summon reinforcements during combat.
• Perilous Quests – While brawn and agility will win most battles, acumen and strategic thinking are necessary to survive challenging quests.
• Fluid Combat System – Chain together spells and easily execute lethal attacks using an innovative system that favors skillful gameplay over dull mouse clicking. Unleash your hero’s potential as you bring your own player skills to each intense battle.
• Strong Player Personification & Character Development - Acquire new equipment, armor, weapons and spell casting skills to craft a powerful character.
• Over 30 Nightmarish Monsters with Advanced AI – Each with versatile combat strategies, attacks, and defensive moves dependant upon the player’s behavior and attack strategy.
• State-of-the-art 3D Engine – Stunning graphics enhanced with advanced visual effects make for an impressive display of devastating spell casting.
• Many Hours of Exciting Gameplay – Set in diverse worlds with both indoor and outdoor environments to explore.
• Attractive to a Broad Range of Players – An Action RPG at its core, but dynamic gameplay and adventure-like quests make AVENCAST attractive to a broad range of game players.

Castlevania: Order of Shadows, available in September


Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. underscored its commitment to the mobile games market today by announcing the development of original content specifically for mobile phones, based on the company's legendary videogame brands. Featuring never-before-seen game play, storyline features and original music, Castlevania: Order of Shadows for the mobile platform will be available on September 18 on most major carriers, including AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Networks.

"As a worldwide leader in high quality, multi-platform videogames, Konami is looking to raise the entertainment standard of games for mobile phones," said Joe Morris, Vice President of Konami Mobile. "Mobile technology has exploded, providing powerful new tools to enhance today's mobile gaming experiences. Konami's esteemed game developers will be creating original titles based on the company's top franchises including Castlevania, Metal Gear Solid Mobile, Contra and others."

Castlevania: Order of Shadows is the latest chapter in the popular videogame series, designed exclusively for the mobile platform. Developed in collaboration with franchise mastermind Koji Igarashi (aka "IGA"), the game breathes new life into the Belmont family bloodline with fresh adventures, characters and perils. Featuring updated abilities and spells, unique enemies, original songs and full screen particle effects, the title takes mobile gaming to new heights.

To give consumers a direct connection to Konami Mobile's development team and insight to upcoming game titles, the company has launched the "Developer's Corner" on its Web site, www.konamimobile.com. The first installment of the Developer's Corner will feature a blog written by Castlevania: Order of Shadows' lead game designer, Tyrone Rodriguez, discussing the genesis of the title, working with IGA on his vision for a mobile Castlevania game, and Konami's aspirations for improving mobile gaming experiences. Also featured on the website will be mobile game emulators as well as art and video, so consumers can sample the new games before purchasing them.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Mario Party 8 returns to number one position


Nintendo continues to dominate the charts in Japan, with 25 of the top 30 best-selling games in the region for the DS or Wii formats.

The top ten best-selling games for the week ended August 19 follow:

1. Mario Party 8 (Wii)

2. SD Gundam: G Generation Cross Drive (DS)

3. Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber (DS)

4. Wii Sports (Wii)

5. Wii Play (Wii)

6. My Housekeeping Diary (DS)

7. J-League Winning Eleven 2007: Club Championship (PS2)

8. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS)

9. New Super Mario Bros. (DS)

10. Hot Shots Golf 5 (PS3)

Microsoft replace official wheel following overheating


Microsoft is retrofitting its official Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel after reports the peripheral overheats and releases smoke.

The company said a component in the wheel chassis overheats when the AC/DC power adaptor is used to power the wheel.

"There have been no reported incidences of fire, personal injury or property damage resulting from the component failure in the wheel," said the company in a statement.

Microsoft advices that owners of the peripheral in the US should contact the company for a retrofit and stop using the AC/DC adaptor, although it's safe to use the wheel using battery power.

The company has notified the the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Microsoft Europe was not available at the time of writing to advise on any retrofitting for European consumers.

Sony - no plans to cut the PlayStation 3 price

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has no plans to cut the price of PlayStation 3 according to president David Reeves, but the company will introduce new bundles with different games to help drive sales.

"What we're going to allow, and it doesn't need an announcement, is simply that we'll probably put out more hard bundles than the Starter Pack," Reeves told GamesIndustry.biz in an interview published today.

"We're not making any pricing announcements at Games Convention at all. There's none. And we don't have any plans in that regard. We're really happy with the way that things are going for the PAL business. We really are. It's on track."

Reeves also said that Sony chose not to announce new PS3 games during its press conference in Leipzig last night because it wants to make sure people are "focused on five or six games".

"We're not going to try and overload - I'm not trying to escape the question, I'm just saying we're not going to overload the consumer with too many new ones."

"It's important to get a window so that someone's played a game and they're ready for the next one, because they don't have huge wallets and they can't go out and buy five games at 59 Euros all the time. So we're trying to do pillar titles every month.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

The top ten best-selling games

The top ten best-selling games on all major formats:

Multiformat

1. World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade (PC)

2. Pokémon Diamond (DS)

3. World of Warcraft (PC)

4. Counter-Strike 1: Anthology (PC)

5. Guitar Hero 2 Rock the 80´s (PS2)

6. The Sims 2 H&M Fashion (PC)

7. Pokémon Pearl (DS)

8. Motorstorm (PS3)

9. Resistance: Fall of Man (PS3)

10. Singstar 90's (PS2)

PC

1. World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade

2. World of Warcraft

3. Counter-Strike 1: Anthology

4. The Sims 2 H&M Fashion

5. The Sims 2

6. Warcraft III Frozen Throne

7. Warcraft III Reign Of Chaos

8. The Sims 2 Året runt

9. Battlefield 2

10. Counter-Strike Source

Playstation 2

1. Guitar Hero 2 Rock the 80´s

2. Singstar 90's

3. Singstar Svenska hits

4. MX vs ATV Unleashed

5. Singstar Pop Hits Skandinavisk

6. FIFA 07

7. Need for Speed Carbon

8. Guitar Hero 2

9. Singstar 80's

10. Harry Potter och Fenixorden

Playstation 3

1. Motorstorm

2. Resistance: Fall of Man

3. The Darkness

4. Rainbow Six Vegas

5. Ninja Gaiden Sigma

6. Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion

7. Transformers The Game

8. Harry Potter och Fenixorden

9. Fight Night Round 3

10. Ridge Racer 7

Xbox 360

1. Guitar Hero 2

2. Colin McRae Dirt

3. Perfect Dark Zero

4. Forza Motorsport 2

5. Gears of War

6. NHL 07

7. Kameo Classics

8. The Darkness

9. FlatOut Ultimate Carnage

10. Call of Duty 2

Wii


1. Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition

2. Legend of Zelda: The Twillight Princess

3. Wii Play

4. Mario Party 8

5. Harry Potter och Fenixorden

6. Rayman Raving Rabbids

7. Trauma Center: Second Opinion

8. Mario Strikers Charged Football

9. Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree

10. Red Steel

Nintendo DS


1. Pokémon Diamond

2. Pokémon Pearl

3. New Super Mario Bros

4. Harry Potter and the Order of the Fenix

5. Rayman DS

6. Nintendogs: Dalmatian & Friends

7. Madagascar

8. The Sims 2 Pets

9. Rayman Raving Rabbids

10. Super Mario 64 DS

PSP

1. Pro Evolution Soccer 6

2. Need for Speed Underground Rivals

3. Harry Potter och Fenixorden

4. Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters

5. Scooby Doo: Who's Watchin' Who?

6. Tekken Dark Resurrection

7. Daxter

8. Rainbow Six Vegas

9. Transformers The Game

10. GTA Vice City Stories

Friday, August 24, 2007

Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock



Activision has today announced an official journalist-only Guitar Hero play-off at the forthcoming Games Media Awards.

The Awards will honour the very best videogames journalism across specialist and non-specialist media – print, broadcast and online – at the first ceremony of its kind.

And, thanks to Activision, there’s an even bigger accolade: that of best journalist Guitar Hero player.

With over 150 press attendees at this inaugural event, competition is likely to be fierce, but once the Awards have been concluded, Guitar Hero will take centre stage. Rival magazines, publications and broadcast media will battle against each other for the ultimate bragging rights: being better than the competition at the best game of the year.

“Guitar Hero III introduces competitive online play for the first time in the series,” says Gary Sims, Brand Manager, Activision UK, “so the special journalist-only play off at the Games Media Awards are particularly relevant. And with the greatest selection of songs a music game has ever had, the performances will ensure the party concludes with a bang.”

Guitar Hero III will be released on PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii during Q4 2007. Featuring a vast collection of worldwide-recognised rock tracks, all new multiplayer modes alongside the classic Guitar Hero gameplay, thrilling boss battles with the greatest guitarists of all time, and superlative sound and vision, the game will prove to be the definitive guitar simulation of all time.

The GMAs are being hosted by Intent Media, and will take place at the Soho Revue Bar, London, on October 11th 2007. Attendance is free to qualified media. The shortlist for the 16 categories will be announced soon.

Mario smashes his way back onto virtual console


Prepare for a smashing time as Mario returns to the Virtual Console in one of his wackiest adventures to date. Originally released on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987, Wrecking Crew sees Mario take on the unique role of demolition engineer. Players must identify the most effective route through the many enemy infested levels before demolishing all the structures. With a level editor allowing players to save and play their own creations as well as support for two players, Wrecking Crew™ is a blast for 500 Wii Points.

If you’re looking for something more traditional, why not have a go at Lunar Pool originally released on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1991? Lunar Pool reinvents the classic game of pool by giving it a quirky and futuristic flair. Simply hit the cue ball with your cue and get as many of the other balls into the pockets as possible. With interchangeable features including different ball arrangements, multi-player and a varying degree of friction on the table, this game is sure to bring out the competitive side in anyone. Lunar Pool is available on Virtual Console this week for 500 Wii Points.

Rounding off this week’s Virtual Console offering is 1990 Turbografx classic Neutopia. This classic action RPG follows a young boy who sets off on an epic adventure to free a captive princess and recover medallions stolen by an evil Demon. Players must travel across land, sea and sky, solving puzzles and navigating through labyrinths as they hunt for hidden treasure and powerful equipment to aid them in their quest. Neutopia is available now for 600 Wii points.

These great games join the list of 125 classic titles already available for Virtual Console in Europe.

Jolt keeps an eye out for innovative new MMO

As part of its commitment to groundbreaking, independently developed massively multiplayer games, Jolt Online Gaming, Europe's largest independent online gaming network, is pleased to announce a partnership with Eyes Out Entertainment that will help see the innovative MMO Tatsumaki: Land at War enter its next stage of development.

Shunning genre conventions such as races, classes, experience points and even monsters, Tatsumaki offers players a unique role-playing experience, where real-time PvP combat, detailed crafts and even idle pursuits take place against a backdrop of player-built towns set in feudal Japan. Striving for the perfect balance between realism and action, and featuring a novel system of family ties, the game allows players to be as notorious or as anonymous as they please. Furthermore the game will offer players an innovative and highly competitive pricing structure, including a limited free-to-play option.

Following an intensive testing and development period, Tasumaki has entered early beta stages, with the first of many towns along with several visual enhancements now in development. Jolt’s involvement sees the game hosted on its cutting-edge servers located at a state-of-the-art data centre facility, and with an overhauled website to keep the game’s growing community informed and up-to-date.

As part of the development team’s ongoing efforts to broaden and diversify its capability to provide the best gaming experience possible, openings have been made available for talented and passionate programmers, modellers, artists, animators and musicians.

For more information about the game, visit www.landatwar.com.

For a list of available positions, head to www.eyesoute.com/apply.

“We’re very excited to be working with Eyes Out Entertainment on a game that we’ve come to be as passionate about as they are,” said Jolt’s CEO, Dominic Silk. “With our world-class server technology and years of experience in the MMO community, we hope to see Tatsumaki go from strength to strength over the coming years.”

“Jolt’s proven track record and commitment to independently developed online games makes them the ideal partner to help bring our first MMO to a wider online audience,” said EOE’s founder Jonathan Rush. “Our relationship so far has been great and we look forward to working with them in the future.”

Halo 3 Special Edition Xbox 360 Console




Limited Edition Xbox 360 Will Have Estimated Retail Price of £279.99, Available From 26th September


Microsoft today announced estimated retail pricing and availability for the Xbox 360 Halo 3 Special Edition Console, launched in anticipation of this year’s largest blockbuster gamer launch, Halo 3.

The Xbox 360 Halo 3 Special Edition console, with an authentic Spartan green and gold finish, will carry an estimated retail price of £279.99 when it comes to retail on 26th September. The Xbox 360 Halo 3 Special Edition console comes with the following features:

· Halo 3 Special Edition Wireless Controller

· Halo 3 Special Edition 20GB Hard Drive

· Halo 3 Special Edition Wired Headset

· Halo 3 Special Edition Gamer Pics and Theme (Exclusive download via Xbox LIVE®)

· Component HD AV Cable

· Ethernet Cable

· HDMI Port

· Play & Charge Kit

· Xbox LIVE Silver Membership

· One-month Xbox LIVE Gold Membership

“We are pleased to offer the cool Halo 3 Special Edition console for the huge Halo fan community,” said Stephen McGill, Microsoft’s Head of Gaming and Entertainment. “It’s a great way for Halo fans to show their allegiance to one of the most popular and successful entertainment franchises ever. Halo 3 is just one of the amazing games coming to Xbox 360 this Christmas. Combine the best games lineup of any console ever, including the universally acclaimed Bioshock launching this week, with today’s new affordable estimated retail pricing that makes it easier for more people to enter the world of Xbox 360, and it’s clear there has never been a better time to be a gamer.”