Scariest video games? By Phil Villarreal

F.E.A.R.
Movies may tell better stories and boast more artistic credibility than video games, but games easily beat movies in frights. Because interactive entertainment can make you feel as though you are the character onscreen, games are a lot more effective at making you jump out of your seat or sending you to bed with shivers.
In honor of Halloween, here are my picks for the most frightening games out there.

1. Resident Evil 4

(GameCube, PlayStation 2, Wii) — The first time I dared to play this on the GameCube I had to stop for a week because I was too frazzled from the game's mission to take on hordes of crazed villagers as you seek to bring the U.S. president's daughter to safety. Some of your enemies, which include grotesque beasts that will haunt your dreams, come at you with chain saws and deadlier long-distance weapons. Ammunition is so scarce you have to improvise ways besides blazing guns to win your battles. You'll do a whole lot of running and looking over your shoulder to see if you're still being followed.
Eventually, I gathered the courage to come back and play the game as it was rereleased for the PS2, then again for the Wii. It's good enough to draw you back again and again. Some hold "Resident Evil 4," with its blend of excitement, tension and dread, as the best of all video games. It's certainly the best of the horror genre.

2. Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse

(Nintendo Entertainment System) — Something about two-dimensional backgrounds and simplistic, old-school graphics ups the jitter factor past most realistically rendered environments. You slash your way through a seemingly never- ending assault of mummies, bats, skeletons and just about everything else you wish wouldn't chase after you. The end battle against Dracula is an overwhelming scourge of mental exhaustion, with the count shifting into other forms just when you think you have him beat.

3. Silent Hill 2

(PlayStation 2, Xbox) — Playing as a depressed widower lured into a desolate village by a letter apparently written by his dead wife, you descend into horrific madness. Shadows and fog make you feel as though you're lost in oblivion, tremblingly aware of all the noises made by evil things you sometimes can't see clearly. Particularly freaky are enemies dangling from the ceiling who choke you with their feet.

4. Ninja Gaiden

(Xbox, PlayStation 3) — This game isn't really intended to be scary, although its off-the-charts difficulty level has caused many a gamer to retreat into a corner, biting his nails. There's just something inherently shiver-inducing about battling ninjas who know how to fight a whole lot better than you. Especially ninjas on horses. The game's checkpoints are spread far apart, making it genuinely unnerving to be approached by a gang of enemies when you're low on life and hoping to save your progress without having to redo an hour's worth of work. Note: The game was rereleased twice, and it's arguably best on the PS3.

5. F.E.A.R.

(Xbox 360, PlayStation 3) — The acronym stands for First Encounter Assault Recon. You play as a supersoldier with the ability to slow down time in order to dodge bullets that specialize in vanquishing supernatural threats. To mess with your mind, the visuals play with ominous shadows. Enemies jump out of the corner of the screen, often accompanied by jolting blasts of noise. Your character also slips into hallucinations starring a creepy little girl.

By Phil Villarreal

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It’s not all fun and games…is it?

Are video games simply toys or are they tools that make them candidates for serious academic study? That’s the topic of the second science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) lecture program, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 6, in the University Union’s Redwood Room.

John Clevenger, a professor in Sacramento State’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, will examine the $60 billion a year video gaming phenomenon and discuss how video games are moving beyond entertainment and gaining the attention of the academic world.

“A common reaction of professionals in scientific disciplines, academicians in general and parents everywhere is that games are not a serious topic,” says Clevenger. “However, video games are increasingly being used in medicine, public service, corporate business, education and the military. Because of that, a number of universities have begun offering courses, and in many cases entire degree programs, in game design and implementation, and many of these programs place heavy emphasis on the scientific and technical aspects of computer games.”

Clevenger earned his doctorate degree in computer science from UC Davis and has more than 30 years experience teaching introductory programming, algorithms and data structures, software design, computer architecture, computer graphics and computer games. He has received the College of Engineering and Computer Science’s Outstanding Teaching Award twice and the Upsilon Pi Epsilon Computer Science Honor Society’s Outstanding Faculty Award five times.

The lecture is the second of four in the annual STEM lecture series. The next lecture is Feb. 26. The topic will be announced at a later date.

Games fans pick real football team...

One club in Israel do not have a manager, just 8,000 online supporters. Could the same thing happen in England?

Frank Lampard, look away now: we are moving closer to a world where England fans really do pick the team. There may soon be an answer to the eternal question of whether manager or supporters know best because plans are afoot to purchase an English club and hand control to fans on the internet. They will select the side and make in-game tactical decisions. And if it works, managers could become an endangered species.

All those hours playing computer simulations were not wasted: they were training for the time when you will use your screen to take charge of the real thing. Coaches and players blaming the fans for defeats? Unreliable broadband connections coming in for as much stick as referees? Good-bye, dugout dictators; hello, footballing democracy.

Fans website here

More from Times Online

Sony register new names - games?

At the Patent and Trademark Office Sony (SCE) having registered a selection of what may turn out to be new game names.

Described as "computer games apparatus adapted for use with an external display screen or monitor," Sony have secured the rights to names such as:


Ember

SkyBlue

Carriage Return

Race Day

Strings Attached

Plus

The Broadcast Engine

which covers products related to phones, DVD players and video cameras.

QUAKE Wars Update soon with New features

We couldn't have hoped for better reviews for our first ever retail game - over 30 publications and counting have scored the game at 90% or over, while we've achieved thirteen more awards from those same reviewers which brings ETQW's award and nomination count to over 50! On the retail front ETQW debuted in the US and the UK and immediately snatched the number 1 slot in the PC game charts of both countries. We're delighted, but don't have much time to hoot about it - the entire Splash Damage development team is still completely occupied with ongoing support of ETQW for the PC. It is less than a month since the game's retail release and we're almost ready with the next feature-packed update. Here's an overview:

FULL VOICE COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT
The ETQW 1.2 Update features full voice communications (VoIP) support, allowing rapid and easy coordination with your team-mates. You can select the input and output devices independently of your speakers which allows you to use dedicated headsets and microphones, communicate on three separate channels, mute all VoIP, specific channels, or just specific players (which incidentally also cuts all bandwidth usage), set the volume and test your devices in-game. There's full hardware refresh support for connecting and using USB headsets while the game is running too.

BETTER GAME BALANCING
Aside from playing a lot with all of you on the public servers, we also continually analyze data from statistics, read and research your forum feedback, and continue to conduct extensive internal play-testing. This has resulted in a number of improvements in game balance: Various weapons have undergone subtle changes to make them fairer, including tweaks in damage fall-off (increases and reductions to damage over distance), weapon spread, firing rates, and accuracy. Highlights include the Pistol and Blaster being more accurate, increased firing rates for the Shotgun and Nailgun, and tracers appearing over all distances for the Sniper Rifle and the Railgun.

Experience points have been improved in many areas too, with level four rewards easier to achieve across all categories in the course of a campaign. There are also increases in experience points for certain classes such as the Medic and Technician when reviving and dropping health packs, and fixes to the Statistics and Achievements site. On the vehicles front, we've discovered and solved a number of bugs, but most noticeably the Anansi and Tormentor will take longer to repair.

REFINED FIRETEAMS AND STOPWATCH MODE
Another thing that a lot of you wanted is for Fireteams to stay together across maps instead of being disbanded at the end of a round. This is in the game now, so once you create a Fireteam on a server, it won't disappear unless you tell it to or switch teams, and this maintains your voice communications channel too. StopWatch mode now features a bit of added logic code to better deal with ties. If neither team wins the map outright, the team that progressed further through the objectives gets the win. While this is the only StopWatch improvement in this update, we have a separate push to add lots more features to tournament support overall. More on that in another Blog.

Engine Software to becomed Wii developers

Engine Software, developer based in the Netherlands, today announces that Nintendo of America has approved the company as official Licensed Wii Developer. The Wii Developer license is the seventh consecutive Nintendo license that Engine Software has acquired, after being approved earlier for Nintendo DS, Game Cube, Gameboy Advance, Gameboy Color, Gameboy, and the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.

Nintendo’s Wii console, released first in November of last year, has had quite an impact on the games industry, and consumer demographic alike, and has been praised for its innovative technology and accessibility. Initial careful 3rd party support policies have been changed more recently due to the console’s apparant success on the market. With the Licensed Developer approval Engine Software hopes to expand its field of work with the Wii platform in the near future.

Ruud van de Moosdyk, VP of Development at Engine Software: “We are very happy to have acquired the Wii Licensed Developer status, as this will open up new creative opportunities for our team, as well as new business opportunities for our company. In the last few months many of our clients have already inquired whether or not we support Wii development, so demand for developers is high. “

Engine Software has no development projects currently scheduled for the Nintendo Wii platform, but will be investigating the possibilities for Wii Retail, and Wii Ware projects, while recreating its key technology on the new platform, including the licensable Music & Sound Replayer already available for Gameboy Advance and Nintendo DS.

About Engine Software
Engine Software B.V., based in Doetinchem, The Netherlands, is a highly experienced game development studio. Founded in 1995, the company pride themsleves on being the longest running game developer in the Netherlands. Engine Software has been developing games for over twelve years, and is dedicated to creating high quality games, now spanning over sixty commercially published titles. In the last few years the company has specialised in developing games for handheld systems such as GameBoy Advance, digiBlast, Nintendo DS, and Playstation Portable (PSP).

BBC Top Gear Gran Turismo download

Top Gear to provide content for download via GT TV

Sony and Polyphony the creators of the best-selling racing franchise, Gran Turismo, today announced a collaboration with BBC Worldwide that will allow BBC’s Top Gear programme to be downloaded through Gran Turismo TV (GT TV) on PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3).

GT TV, a dedicated online channel packed with the latest news and content from the motoring world, will launch worldwide on PLAYSTATION Network in 2008. BBC Worldwide will provide 40 episodes of Top Gear, the award-winning BBC television series about motoring for download.

In addition, the Top Gear Test Track – the track featured each week on the show, where host Jeremy Clarkson and the Top Gear team test the latest cars – will be replicated in Gran Turismo 5 (GT5) on PS3. For the first time in a racing game, players will be able to burn rubber and experience every white knuckle, hairpin turn on the Top Gear Test Track for themselves.

“We at Polyphony are great fans of the world’s best motoring programme, Top Gear, so we’re delighted to be collaborating with BBC Worldwide to deliver Top Gear content via Gran Turismo,” said Kazunori Yamauchi, President, Polyphony Digital, “We’re sure that players will be as thrilled as we are when they get the chance to put their own driving skills to the test on the Top Gear Test Track in GT5, as well as enjoying classic episodes of Top Gear via GT TV.”

Simon Danker, Director, Digital Media, BBC Worldwide commented, “BBC Top Gear is the world’s number one motoring media brand and we’re thrilled to make it accessible to Gran Turismo gamers. We continue to explore different avenues to share our content with an expanding audience, and are delighted to participate with Polyphony Digital in the launch of this exciting new opportunity.”

DHAN DHANA DHAN GOAL!

Indiagames Ltd, India's benchmark mobile and online games company and Bindass – UTV’s Youth channel have teamed up with UTV Motion Pictures to announce the launch of the ‘Dhan Dhana Dhan GOAL FIFA CHALLENGE’ – a national level FIFA gaming championship where deserving contestants will win a chance to watch the movie with the film’s star cast – John Abraham, Bipasha Basu and Arshad Warsi and also win a host of other cool prizes.

The GOAL FIFA CHALLENGE will be organized by Indiagames at affiliated cyber café’s across 5 Indian cities i.e. Delhi, Kolkatta, Hyderabad, Chennai and Mumbai between 25th October and 19th November 2007 as part of the Games on Demand (GoD) League. Four winners from each zone will compete at the national finals to win a chance to watch the movie with the star cast in addition to loads of other prizes including goodies from Microsoft.

The contestants will play FIFA 08 on the XBOX 360 console platform in a one on one elimination mode and each city winner will travel to play the National Finals in Mumbai on the 23rd of November at the “GOAL” premier show.

Speaking on the launch of the GOAL FIFA CHALLENGE, Vishal Gondal – GoD in Chief, Indiagames said, “The Indian youth are extremely passionate about films while both soccer and gaming have been rapidly been gaining in popularity amongst them. The Goal FIFA Challenge is a unique first of its kind promotion that will involve the entire gaming community with the launch of a film”.

Siddharth Roy Kapur, EVP – Marketing, Distribution & Syndication, UTV Motion Pictures said, “GOAL is a path-breaking sports action drama themed around Football. This theme offers us the unique opportunity to create exciting promotional vehicles to market the film and our association with Indiagames is another innovative way to reach out to our target audience, namely the youth.”

Mohit Anand – Country Manager, Microsoft Entertainment & Devices Division added, "Football and gaming are two very popular forms of entertainment and it's heartening to see gaming challenges like these bring together the entire gaming community in India. Microsoft Xbox 360's endeavour is to promote gaming and create awareness about this genre of entertainment across audiences. We are happy to associate with Indiagames and UTV Motion Pictures in this regard."

In addition to the GOAL FIFA CHALLENGE, Indiagames will also be launching the GOAL mobile game, which will be available for download with all leading Indian mobile operators. The game will also be available for download on the Indiagames mobile gaming portal http://mobile.indiagames.com

GOAL will be in theatres worldwide on November 23rd and the film has already kicked off its marketing blitzkrieg with tie-ups with Indian Idol and Manchester United Football Club.

Arcade-In-A-Box New Xbox 360 Arcade Controllers

Xbox gamers can now experience the authentic excitement of real arcade controls, including the choice of convex or concave buttons and optional Sanwa JLF joystick.

Arcade-In-A-Box (www.arcadeinabox.com), announces the immediate availability of single and dual-player authentic arcade controllers for the Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 control panels feature authentic arcade controls that are identical to those used on your favorite arcade machines including Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, and Galaga. In addition to being compatible with the Xbox 360, the arcade controllers can also be used with a Windows PC.

"Xbox 360 gamers have a wide variety of classic arcade games to play, but until now there hasn’t been a high-quality, stick with the authentic controls that hard core gamers demand" Says Ed Farias, Owner of Arcade-In-A-Box. "Our goal was to design and deliver a product for the gamer who wanted the most elite, most authentic, and most thrilling Xbox 360 arcade experience possible."

The Xbox 360 arcade controller joins other items that are at the top of home arcade gamer’s holiday wish lists, including the Arcade-In-A-Box home arcade console, Jamma-In-A-Box featuring authentic arcade PC Boards and the extremely popular home arcade cabinet kit. More information on those products can be found at: http://www.arcadeinabox.com

Xbox 360 Arcade Controller Specifications:


- 15" L x 10" D x 4.5" H
- Authentic Arcade Buttons and Joysticks

- Optional Custom Overlay

- You choose the colors for T-molding, buttons and joystick D-Pad, A, B, X, Y, RB, LB, Start, Back, and Guide buttons are included

- Optional Headset Jack

- Wired USB controller means it's also compatible with Windows XP and Vista

- Constructed with 3/4 black melamine coated wood to give that authentic arcade weight and feel

- Optional joystick upgrade to the Mag-Stik Plus or Sanwa JLF

- Your choice of button types, either Concave or Convex

Pricing: Single-Player $149, Dual-Player $299

Runaway's Coming to the Nintendo DS

The smash hit animated adventure heading to Nintendo's handheld in 2008

Nintendo DS owners will need to get ready for an unbelievably exciting trip, as today Focus Home Interactive and Pendulo Studios are pleased to announce Runaway, The Dream of the Turtle DS. With Runaway for DS, players will be invited to travel all around the world, where they'll solve some of the most unique (and hilarious) puzzles and greatest mysteries seen in adventure games. Taking full advantage of the DS' stylus controls, coupled with a new graphical codec that will bring the animated world of Runaway to life, the game promises to keep players immersed in the game world as they encounter outstanding characters and environments.

View the "making of" video:
http://www.runaway-thegame.com/video_ds/RDS.php

THE GREAT ADVENTURE DEBUTS ON DS!

A truly phenomenal adventure game with more than one million of players on PC, Runaway has now debuted in full force on the Nintendo DS™ with this groundbreaking new version.

The game begins as Brian and Gina are enjoying a well-deserved vacation under the Hawaiian sun. The couple decides to visit Tiki Falls. Unfortunately, their plane crashes in the jungle, and our two miraculously uninjured heroes are separated during the crash. This sets off a wacky adventure that leads Brian and Gina to the four corners of the globe where they meet military men, pirates, spies, surfers and possibly even aliens!

Perfectly tuned to take advantage of the touch-screen features of the DS, Runaway, The Dream of the Turtle DS introduces a wonderful animated graphical adventure with a hilarious storyline, full of unique humor and plot twists

This DS version features more than an hour of amazing animated sequences to underpin the plot, its surprise developments and multiple comedic moments.

With Runaway, The Dream of the Turtle DS, you'll feel like you're living an incredible adventure at the heart of a hilariously fun animated film. The player moves and interacts in truly vibrant, rich and detailed environments, from tropical jungles to arctic wastelands

Follow Brian and Gina and meet dozens of eccentric characters while completing wacky puzzles and exploring more than one hundred places at the four corners of the globe with a flick of the stylus! A unique and exciting adventure is at your fingertips!

MAIN FEATURES

The fabulous adventures of Brian Basco and Gina Timmins for the first time on console
Discover 6 great chapters of an unforgettable adventure full of surprises and meet more than 30 eccentric 3D characters!
Up to 100 locations from all four corners of the globe, all rendered in lush graphical detail.
A unique graphical experience due to a perfect combination of animations in 3D and the traditional 2D design of adventure games.
As never seen before on DS, the game offers one hour of amazing animated sequences that will underpin the plot. This true technological exploit has been made feasible thanks to the use of the advanced VX2 codec.
Enjoy the great experience of Point 'n Click gameplay on DS thanks to the mouse / stylus substitution.
An intuitive zoom system offers an excellent visibility when exploring the adventure environments.
Thanks to the DS double-screen, a highly-optimized navigation system gives you the possibility to switch from the inventory to the game screen at any time.
Integrated help system making it easier to solve the most difficult puzzles.