gamezplay

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Clive Barker's - Jericho playable Demo out now

We're delighted to inform you that the playable demo is now available for download!

Arming players with the Jericho squad’s military firepower and unique supernatural powers, the demo is now available from Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the Games for Windows demo available from www.jericho-game.com and from PlayStation Store for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system.

Monday, October 08, 2007

Wii-kly Update: Three New Classic Games Added To Wii

This week, Nintendo adds another delicious category to its smorgasbord of classic titles. NEOGEO games will now be appearing in the Wii Shop Channel for download. NEOGEO becomes the sixth platform represented in the Wii Shop Channel, and it adds additional depth and breadth to the best selection of classic games available.

Hard-core gamers will especially appreciate the vibrant, arcade-quality graphics and the ability to finally play games they might have missed during the NEOGEO heyday. The first NEOGEO offering includes three fighting games that are a mix of familiar franchises and cult classics. Dive in and check out the deep game play, diverse characters and special moves and combos.

The three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop Channel every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

FATAL FURY (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, rated T for Teen - Violence, 900 Wii Points):

Released in 1991 and one of the longest-running series in the fighting-game genre, this title introduced players to Terry Bogard, Andy Bogard and Joe Higashi. Select one of the three and visit many locations as your chosen fighter engages in numerous street fights around the fictional city of South Town. If you're good enough, you'll eventually take on Billy Kane and then his boss, the notorious crime lord Geese Howard. Use each fighter's own finishing maneuver and battle in two different planes on the screen, one in the foreground and the other farther away in the background. The game also features a two-player mode that is well known for its unique setup, which allows fighters to both fight and help each other. Do you have what it takes to win the King of Fighters tournament?

WORLD HEROES (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, rated T for Teen - Animated Blood, Violence, 900 Wii Points):

A fighting game released in 1992 featuring eight characters, including Hanzo, Janne and Rasputin, modeled on historical figures from throughout the ages. The fighters compete against each other to become the world's toughest combatant, with players using a setup consisting of only three buttons (one each for punching, kicking and throwing). Adding to this unique system is the fact that the strength of your offensive blow depends on how long the button is pressed and held. Along with regular match styles, Death Match mode is also available and features mines, electrified ropes and other dangerous objects in the battle arena that can change conditions during the fight or damage players. Enjoy the wide range of combat forms as you take on history's best!

ART OF FIGHTING (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, rated T for Teen - Animated Blood, Violence, 900 Wii Points):

This fighting game, released in 1992, began the story of the Sakazaki family and Robert Garcia, further developed in two later sequels. Yuri Sakazaki has been abducted by Mr. Big to punish her father, Takuma, and her brother, Ryo. To rescue her, Ryo and Robert must take on numerous enemies around South Town, eventually reaching the mysterious Mr. Karate. The passion of the game's creators is evident in the unique game-play elements introduced. These include an energy gauge that is depleted every time a fighter uses a special maneuver, Desperation Attacks that are usable only when a fighter's health is low and camera zooming that adjusts on the fly as fighters move around the stage. All these features ensure that players use strategy and tactics, rather than simply mash buttons. Adding to the mix are little touches such as characters showing cuts when they are injured and voice-over samples during cut scenes. Can you perfect the art of fighting and save Yuri?

Conan official game demo is now available for free download

Conan official game demo is now available for free download via Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system for Microsoft, while PLAYSTATION Network will offer the demo beginning October 11. The game demo allows players to take on the role of Conan and test their skills with a number of fighting moves, combinations and weapons. The Conan video game is scheduled for a North American release on October 23 for the Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system.

“The 75th anniversary of Robert E. Howard’s first published story and the popularity of Conan provide a great backdrop for us to offer consumers a power-packed, action adventure video game this year,” said Bob Aniello, senior vice president of worldwide marketing, THQ. ”The playable demo will give players a chance to step into the world of Conan, sample a variety of deadly attacks and explore an environment recognizable to fans of Howard’s original stories.”

About the Conan Playable Demo

In the Conan playable demo, the famed barbarian finds himself stranded in the Barachan Isles, a haven for pirates and thieves. A terrible plague known as the Black Death has spread across the land, and Conan must escape before it consumes him as well. Fortunately, Conan crosses paths with the beautiful and fearless warrior queen, A’Kanna, whose ship can provide safe passage from the cursed islands. However, Conan must first save the ship’s crew, which has been enslaved by the local cutthroats. Players will take on the role of Conan as he unleashes his savagery against a horde of scurvy pirates. The demo will allow players to execute a portion of the game’s 100+ fighting moves and combinations as Conan decimates his foes using a variety of deadly weapons, hand-to-hand combat and even his surrounding environment.

About the Conan Video Game

Conan is an action adventure video game featuring a story of true evil and brutal, visceral combat. Inspired by Robert E. Howard’s original stories, players will follow the journey of Conan the Cimmerian as he fights an epic battle against a variety of enemies and an elusive power that threatens to consume the Hyborian world. Playing as Conan, players will take advantage of a deep and gratifying combat system that offers a variety of deadly weapons, fighting styles and interactive environments to battle hordes of enemies. In addition, the Conan video game will harness the power of next generation hardware to deliver a cinematic gameplay experience, complete with special effects, lighting and a powerful, epic soundtrack, to capture the essence of the Conan universe. The Conan video game joins a robust lineup of licensed products for the Conan brand, which is currently celebrating the 75th anniversary of its first published story.

More information about the Conan video game can be found at www.conanthevideogame.com and www.thq.com.

Sony to discontinue 60GB PlayStation 3 in Europe

Europe will only have access to 40GB model once stock has sold out

Sony has announced that once the current stock of 60GB PlayStation 3's has sold out, European regions will only have access to the newly introduced 40GB model.

The shock decision comes after Sony Europe announced a price cut for the 60GB model to GBP 349 / EUR 499, which the company said was in response to consumer feedback.

The company also unveiled a 40GB PlayStation 3 due to go on sale this Wednesday, but gave no indication at the time that the 60GB model would be discontinued.

"Our offering in the UK market place for Christmas are the two SKU's announced on Friday, but as the 60GB stock is depleted the £299 40GB SKU will be the only version available going forward," said a spokesperson for SCEE

Sony has already phased out the 60GB model in North America, where an 80GB unit sells for USD 599 with a copy of
MotorStorm.

Sony admits early PS3 adopters may feel cheated

As Sony ships its new model PlayStation 3 to stores for launch this Wednesday, UK managing director Ray Maguire has told GamesIndustry.biz that the new SKU is a natural evolution and the company always had plans to offer a cheaper product.

But he also admitted that he could understand that PlayStation 3 early adopters might feel cheated for buying the console earlier in the year when it commanded a luxury GBP 425 price point.

Briton claims first gaming gold

BBC WEbsite

British gamer Shaun Clark has won the UK's first gaming gold at the World Cyber Games.
Mr Clark, aka Apollooo, took the top medal in the Command & Conquer 3 tournament at the week-long festival of video gaming held last week in Seattle.

The gold is the first the UK has claimed in the six years that the global tournament has been staged.

Britons also took a silver and bronze in other games to put the UK in sixth place in the overall medal rankings.

More from the BBC

Manhunt 2 banned - again

Censors have rejected a revised version of computer game Manhunt 2 which was blamed by a schoolboy's parents for his murder - a claim dismissed by police.
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) first banned the game in June, saying it "constantly encourages visceral killing".

Manufacturers Rockstar Games made changes but censors still had concerns.

More from the BBC

Championship Manager 2008 signs for Mobile

The Award-winning mobile phone game is back with all the tactical play, scouting, transfers and gameplay you could possible imagine

Eidos Interactive, one of the world’s leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, has announced it is to bring No.1 selling Championship Manager series to mobile phones again, with Championship Manager 2008 set for release in November.

The mobile phone version of Championship Manager 2008 will be released through Eidos New Media and is a fully featured conversion of the pioneer of football management titles. Developed by Dundee-based Dynamo Games, the mobile game features all the tactical acumen and logistics of the PC title, in a simple to navigate menu system specifically designed for mobile handsets.

Players select a team and are charged with turning them into trophy-winning heroes; Every aspect of a manager’s job is covered, from using your talent scouts to spot the next young stars, transfer negotiations and mid-week training that covers everything from fitness, to positional awareness and set plays. As with the real thing, results are everything and the club’s board will want to see a return on any transfer investment.

Dynamo has ensured that Championship Manager 2008 is extremely easy to navigate. A series of bespoke menu and shortcut systems akin to those used when sending SMS messages allow the player rapid access to team rosters, transfer dealings or balance sheets. Vital information such as fixture lists and team information are also available at the touch of a button. The result is a brand new iteration of the award winning Championship Manager with a new 2D match overlay.

Boasting a worldwide list of players and teams, a full transfer system and a rolling news system, Championship Manager 2008 is the most immersive mobile phone game to date and is certain to elevate the series to an even wider fan base.

Championship Manager 2008 will be released for mobile phones in November and will be available across all UK operators. Please visit Eidos for more information.

Educational video game simulates drunk driving

A University of Calgary fine arts professor has created a video game designed to tackle the problem of drinking and driving.

Dr. James Parker developed the game "Booze Cruise," which was developed with the help of students, challenges players to get their cars home within a certain period of time without hitting anyone.

"This game is not like any other racing game you've played," student Nathan Sorenson told CTV News, "It's extremely difficult to achieve your objectives. You'll notice that you're hitting everything (and) you're losing a lot of points."

In the game, the player's key functions are delayed, much like a drunk driver's reaction time. Objects appear from nowhere, allowing the player to experience a type of tunnel vision.

"Somewhere in your mind, you're getting a tangible experience of how difficult it is to drive, even with a few drinks," said Sorenson.

Even those normally opposed to racing games are embracing the realism of "Booze Cruise." The Calgary Police Service provided input at the game's research stage.

"I think they've captured quite a bit of... what stage you'd be at if you drove at three times the legal (alcohol) limit," said Constable Rob Haffner.

With original art, music and design, "Booze Cruise" has been entered in the Future Play Game Contest in Toronto.

Lori Shyba, a digital media artist at the university, was one of those who developed the project. Her hope is that, when players discover how bad they are at the game, they won't try it in real life.

"I hope that one life gets saved for our efforts," she said.

Sunday, October 07, 2007

Women Balance the Spatial Skills Scale with Videogames

A recent study indicates that playing video games can increase the spatial skills in both men and women, and may also allow women to catch up to men.

Recent research at the University of Toronto discovered that an inherent difference in spatial skills between the sexes is reduced by playing video games. According to the study, women score lower than men when it comes to spatial tasks, an ability necessary for such tasks as reading a map and advanced mathematics.

"On average, women are not quite as good at rapidly switching attention among different objects and this may be one reason why women do not do as well on spatial tasks.”

However, continued research indicated that while both sexes can improve their spatial skills through playing video games, the ability in women improved to a level that allowed them to “catch up to the men.” In addition, performance in both sexes was maintained when their abilities were assessed again after five months.

Perhaps, as Professor Ian Spence suggests, “bringing the spatial skills of young women up to the level of their male counterparts could help to change the gender balance” in fields like mathematical science and engineering.” That’s certainly a more mature—and helpful—response than derivative wisecracks about the driving ability of women which are heating up the comment boards.

The study is published in the October edition of Psychological Science.