SEGA Unveils Details For Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Games

SEGA Europe Ltd and SEGA of America, Inc., today revealed details of the exciting blockbuster title, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games™. Published by SEGA across Europe and North America, and published by Nintendo in the Japanese market, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games is licensed through a worldwide partnership with International Sports Multimedia (ISM), the exclusive interactive entertainment software licensee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

This exciting new game for the Wii™ video game system Wii™ and Nintendo DS™ system is packed with all-new interactive features and includes 20 authentic Olympic events – played out in stylised Olympic venues. Using the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuck™ control system, players can have an unparalleled interactive experience and compete using one of 16 characters – 8 from the world of Mario and 8 from the world of Sonic. The Wii controls are created specifically to replicate the actions that offer the best results for each event which include:

Fencing – Individual epée
Archery
Shooting – Skeet
Gymnastics - Trampoline
Gymnastics - Vault
Field - High Jump
Field - Pole Vault
Field - Long Jump
Field - Triple Jump
Field – Javelin Throw
Field - Hammer Throw
Rowing – Single Sculls
Table Tennis - Singles
Aquatics – 100m Freestyle
Aquatics – 4x100m Freestyle
Track – 110m and 400m Hurdles
Track – 4x100m Relay
Track –100m and 400m

The interactive Wii controls include actions like swinging the Wii Remote™ to simulate hammer throw, notching the Nunchuk to shoot arrows, and replicating swimming strokes. Players can also discover the best way to win a game by experimenting with different movements to discover secret boosts to propel them towards a win.

With four playing styles to choose from, players can decide their game strategy: all-around, technical, speed, and power - for example: Mario and Amy (All-around), Peach and Tails (Technical), Sonic and Yoshi (Speed), and Knuckles and Bowser (Power). Players will be able to choose and try out, in both single and multiplayer mode, each event individually with Single Match mode (where players can choose their event and play until they score top marks). They can also compete for the highest overall score in a series of events in Circuit mode (where players can either create their own circuit by choosing the individual events, choose a pre-determined circuit, or randomly generate a circuit). Gamers looking for extra tests of their athletic abilities can choose the single-player Mission mode and earn top marks on challenges made for only the toughest athlete. Additionally, gamers can learn about the history of the Olympic Games through trivia, quizzes, and mini-games and unlock all-new facts and figures from past Olympic Games in the Gallery.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games will be in-stores across Europe on November 23, 2007 for Wii, and Q1 2008 for the Nintendo DS.

Open Season - Under a tenner

Action packed adventure for less than a tenner!

September 2007 – If you go down to the shops today, you’re in for a big surprise! Open SeasonTM the video game is here – and thanks to Focus Multimedia it will only cost you £9.99!

Play as Boog and Elliot in this outrageous game based on the hit movie from Sony Pictures Animation. Team up with all your favourite characters to put Timberline Forest back under nature’s control!

The tale of Boog, a domesticated bear who’s befriended by the lovable yet crazy one-horned mule deer Elliot, captured hearts far and wide. The twosome are thrown into the woods just as hunting season is about to begin, and left to fend for themselves! Now, thanks to Focus Multimedia, fans can help them get back to civilization!

The game provides hours of fun for young and old, while useful tutorials guide you through the hilarious activities in the graphically stunning world of Timberline. Before long, you’ll be hooked!

Craig Johnson, managing director of Focus Multimedia, commented: “I’m delighted to be adding another high quality title from Ubisoft and Sony Pictures Consumer Products to the Focus range. Open Season is a film that is enjoyed by the whole family, and since the game mirrors the film’s plot so closely, I’m sure Open Season™ is destined to be a sure-fire hit.”

Open Season™ is available now for a suggested retail price of £9.99 including VAT, from all good retail outlets of PC software. This product can also be purchased direct from www.focusmm.co.uk.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six! - £9.99

Fans of the Tom Clancy franchise, take note! Focus Multimedia and Ubisoft have teamed up once more to release Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Lockdown.

The title will join Focus’ Essential range of PC software, retailing at just £9.99.

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Lockdown® opens as Team Rainbow, the world’s premier counter-terrorist unit, is called on to fight a deadly bioterrorism threat. The crisis takes Rainbow into new territory and new situations, as for the first time the hunter becomes the hunted.

New features include an enhanced tactical experience, deadlier enemies and hostages that must be rescued and kept safe.

Developers have also added some all-new multiplayer features, including a reward system, a "Free-for-All" game type, the return of three classic maps, and much, much more!

Also amongst the new additions to this latest game:
• New Equipment
• Laser Trip Mines, virus grenades and C-4 explosives add new options to the multiplayer arsenal
• New Weapons and Attachments
• 20 new weapons – 42 overall
• Six brand new weapons never used before in a Rainbow Six game
• Customize your weapon to suit your style of play: Silencers, scopes, red-dot sights, hi-cap magazines

Craig Johnson, managing director of Focus Multimedia, commented: “The Tom Clancy range of titles has earned a sterling reputation amongst gamers for its unerring eye for detail and focus on quality. Rainbow Six Lockdown is no exception. With a wealth of additional features and new multiplayer mode, fans of the series will enjoy a brand new challenge.”

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Lockdown® is available now for a suggested retail price of £9.99 including VAT, and can be purchased from all good retail outlets of PC software. This product, and the rest of Focus Multimedia’s range, is available to purchase direct from www.focusmm.co.uk.

FIFA Soccer 08 Kicks Off at iGames

Exclusive Launch Party, Showcase, at Select iGames Member Centers Across North America to Celebrate Release of Blockbuster Sports Title

One-Day Launch Party, October 13; Two-Week Showcase, October 15-28

WHAT:
Leading game center organization iGames will host a series of special events to celebrate the release of EA SPORTS™ FIFA Soccer 08, the latest installment of the blockbuster sports title.

WHEN:
The first event will be a one-day launch party, Saturday, October 13, followed by an expanded showcase, October 15-28, allowing FIFA Soccer 08 fans one free hour over the eagerly anticipated game.

WHERE:*
• Launch Party: Select iGames member centers across the United States and Canada.
• Showcase: Select additional iGames member centers.

(*) Note: This is a multiplatform launch, with centers hosting separate events for the PC, Xbox 360 and the Wii. For more details on which platform is being supported in your area, visit: www.igames.org.

ABOUT THE GAME:
EA SPORTS FIFA Soccer 08 will create a football experience that matches the complexity, finesse and beauty of the real-world game. FIFA Soccer 08 features a new, organic building-block system that enables you to combine tricks and skill moves together to recreate signature moves from the real-world superstars or define your own style of play. You can even capture video of your best moves and goals in-game and upload to the FIFA Soccer 08 website to show off your style and celebrate your glory with friends across the globe. In addition, FIFA Soccer 08 features a true next-generation ball-striking engine that re-creates the drama and unpredictable nature of shooting, and the inclusion of 576 licensed teams, 30 leagues, and more than 15,000 players.

FIFA Soccer 08, developed by EA Canada in Vancouver, B.C., will be available in the US October 9, for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Wii™, Nintendo DS™, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PC and mobile. FIFA Soccer 08 is rated “E” (Everyone) by the ESRB. For more information, visit: http://www.FIFA08.ea.com/us/.

What exactly is a next generation game?

The term next-generation is used a lot in the video games industry but what does it actually mean? How are developers taking advantage of new gaming hardware and what are the challenges and next steps for the industry?
With each new iteration of games console hardware comes the promise of revolutionary game experiences.

When the Xbox 360 launched in November 2005, the then boss Peter Moore said: "Xbox 360 will deliver mind-blowing experiences."

Ahead of the launch of the PlayStation 3 (PS3) Sony gushed: "Gamers will literally be able to dive into the realistic world seen in large screen movies and experience the excitement in real-time."

More from the BBC

Halo 3 sales top £84m in 24 hours

Video game Halo 3 earned more than £84m ($170m) in sales in its first 24 hours on release, according to Microsoft.
The game sets the record for the most money earned in a day by an entertainment product, topping figures set by film Spiderman 3.

Thousands of shops opened at midnight on Monday in the United States as gamers queued for the Xbox 360 title.

But reports of scratched discs have marred the launch, with Microsoft offering to replace them for free.

More from BBC

NCsoft Europe is planning to expand

NCsoft Europe is planning to expand with the creation of over 100 new jobs at its HQ in Brighton.

The company has received a grant from the South East England Development Agency and plans to double headcount and move to a new location by 2010.

"Brighton is a lively and growing hub for the creative and software sector," commented Geoff Heath, CEO of NCsoft.


"Our expansion will stimulate local competition and the exchange of best practice in the region. SEEDA’s support of our investment will help grow the business and keep us and Brighton at the forefront of our industry, both nationally and internationally," he said.


NCsoft Europe began operations in 2004 with just three members of staff. It now employs 112 people and plans another 116 positions over the next three years.

Codemasters refuses to edit Jericho for Germany

Codemasters has refused to edit the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Clive Barker's Jericho for release in Germany.

The decision comes after the German ratings board USK declined to give the game a rating in the region.

"Following a review by the USK ratings board, which declined to give an official rating, Codemasters has decided not to change the artistic vision of the renowned author and film-maker Clive Barker though cuts and extensive changes,".

"Codemasters respects Mr Barker's creative ideas, despite the German distribution and marketing consequences for the title.

"Therefore Codemasters will release only the PC version of Clive Barker's Jericho in its original form for adult gamers and Clive Barker fans," confirmed the company.

The game is due for release in Europe on October 26, with a demo of the game due on Xbox Live tomorrow and on PlayStation Network next week.

Source: Games Industry

Retail reports "record breaking" Halo 3 sales

Day one sales already rivaling DVD and CD products

UK retail has reported that copies of Halo 3 are flying off the shelves, with High Street outlet Woolworths praising the "record breaking" sales.

As numerous retailers up and down the company took advantage of the anticipated release by opening at midnight or early this morning, some are suggesting the game may even beat day one sales of the biggest DVD and CD releases.

"Halo 3 has been flying off the shelves this morning," said Gerry Berkley, trading manager for games at Woolworths.

"In the first two hours that our stores were open it sold thousands and thousands of copies, breaking all previous first morning sales records for a computer game.

"If sales continue at this rapid pace, it could end up being the biggest ever first day sales number for an entertainment product, beating any CD, DVD or book that has gone before it," he revealed.

Specialist retailer Gamestation also saw a successful launch, as it opened over 190 stores at midnight throughout the UK, and provided a link-up for customers in two different cities to play against each other.

"Our midnight openings were a great success. Big crowds showed up with customers and staff alike in great spirits," offered Jenny Leach, senior product manager for Gamestation.

"The live link-up between our Birmingham flagship and Edinburgh stores added another exciting new dimension to the launch, providing extra entertainment during the lead up to midnight."

Don McCabe, managing director of Chips, said that some stores were close to selling out already, and he expected to be ordering more before the weekend.

"It's gone very, very well indeed," he said.

"In hindsight I wish we'd ordered more. Quite a few shops are heading for a sell-out by the end of the day and we'll be restocking for the weekend.

"Microsoft and (distributor) Gem have done a very good job, they deserve praise for keeping the supply lines strong and giving us everything we've asked for," he added.

Following a successful launch in the US, Microsoft treated a select audience of UK gamers to a special red carpet screening of Halo 3 last night at London's iMAX cinema.

Source: Games industry

Activision acquires Bizarre Creations

Activision has announced the acquisition of UK-based developer Bizarre Creations.

Under terms of the agreement, Bizarre Creations will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision and the company's management team and employees will continue with the company as their teams start to develop two new AAA titles alongside their current projects.

According to Bizarre, there will be no redundancies.

"Activision continues to grow and drive greater value for our shareholders by broadening our portfolio and entering new gaming categories with strong global appeal," said Robert Kotick, chairman and CEO of Activision.

"Bizarre Creations is the leading independent developer with a proven track record in developing highly successful and influential original properties, especially in the racing field. They are one of the most innovative and creative studios in the industry, and we are very excited to welcome this talented creative team to Activision."

Bizarre Creations is best known for the Project Gotham Racing franchise, which has sold more than 4.5 million units in North America and Europe. The developer is currently finishing The Club for SEGA, and also created the Geometry Wars series on Xbox Live Arcade.

"Our goal at Bizarre Creations has always been to do all we can to nurture our creative and passionate teams, who excel at and enjoy what they do," said Martyn Chudley, managing director of Bizarre Creations.

"Activision's independent studio model will continue giving us creative freedom to build exciting new brands. Their financial support and marketing prowess will also enable us to build upon the commercial success that we currently enjoy, and take the company – and our games – to an even higher level."