Multiplayer online game global game festival

Not many things to see about online gaming in the last E4All show? But at the same time in L.A, thousands online gamers gathered in an internet café to watch and participate in massively multiplayer online game global game festival.

During the E4All show, there was The Korean online games service, and foreign direct marketing business as part of the Korea SW Industry Promotion Agency (Chairman, Yu young-min), and subjective (HK) KT-sponsored 'Game&Game World Championship 2007(GNGWC)' the finals of the U.S. region was held on Oct, 20th on L.A.

At U.S. final selection, more than 60,000 players participated from preliminary match of 'Shot online (Sports)', 'War rock (First Person Shooter)', 'Silkroad online (MMORPG)' and US regional final event held successfully with 17 players who advanced from preliminary match and more than 200 supporters from all over the US.

This regional event was held successfully at the 'Internet PC Café' near LA area, and it began with press conference to help local presses understanding, and participants had great time through Korean online games with special events like professional DJ performances, and participants side shows.

Over 20 journalists from 14 local presses such as 'MPOGD', 'WarCry' visited to this event, and they showed off hot interests to Korean game companies and Korean online games.

US regional final had various episodes and special participants due to lot of games took part of it. Especially, 'Lunia (Allm)' has hot-spotlight than any other events, because more than 50% of Lunia users are located in US area. During the event we could see many families, because most of Lunia users are teenagers. Joshua, Jessica Pena (brother and sister) also drew attention from others and mother of Joshua and Jessica said "we recommend to our children to play soundness online games and we like Lunia because it brought something to talk about to our family". Also surprisingly Jessica took 4th place which is better than her brother, and praised from others, and she said "It is inconvenience because we only have one computer." The winner of Lunia, Travis Verhagen who is student of AIU, and wish to be programmer to make games like Lunia said "It is great pleasure to win this event and I will try harder to get better result at Grand final at Seoul on Dec."

The winner of 'Navy field (Enternet)' is Jedi1 (US), and OPR (Poland) took second place on 15 vs. 15 team play match. Even though it is US regional final, the 'Navy field' excited envy in other games because participants showed off great passion like came from all over the world (Canada, U.K., Poland, etc.) and prepare for the final.

Also 'Bomb'N Dash (Innodis)' brought big attentions because a user who has special job. US Marine, Jason who enjoy 'Bomb'N Dash' with his friends very much will dispatch to Afghanistan expressed inconvenience because he cannot play 'Bomb'N Dash' often after dispatch.The winner of 'Bomb'N Dash', SangJun Lee (2nd generation Korean-American) said "After immigrated to US, I could not visit Korea. But I am very happy to visit Korea trough this event."

Last year regional finalists of 'Silkroad online (Joymax)' Gerald Bastien and Zachary took first and second place in this year event again, and have chance to win at Grand final this year too. They said "We could feel much closer to Korea through 'Silkroad online' and very excited to visit Korea again."

The 'War rock (developed by Dream Execution) proceed this event with at scene registration. 'War rock' had great heat from more 50 participants who came very early to enroll this game.

Mr. Kwon (KIPA) said "Over 60,000 players from US, UK, Canada, and Poland participated in this event, it proves that Korean online game already take great part of the world game market.", also "We will try best to lead world game market by Korean online games based on popularity of this event."

Last August, starting with the GNGWC European Finals, Korea (Yong-in, 9.29-30), Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, 10.13), the United States (Los Angeles, 10.20), Japan (Tokyo, 11.17) the series will be held, each chosen gamers through regional finals will be join the Grand final on December 1 during the SoftEXPO & DCF 2007 Seoul COEX exhibition.

About GNGWC (Game and Game World Championship)
GNGWC is an international game competition which began in 2006 by KIPA in order to promote Korean online games throughout the World. Last year, 1,070,000 gamers from 5 regions including Korea, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan, and America took participation in comparing in 3 Korean games, 'Silkroad Online', 'Gun bound', and 'Shout Online'. With the success from previous year, the event is planned to continue in the future.

KartRider Gets into the Halloween Spirit

Nexon America's popular MMO racing game gives racers Tricks and Treats for upcoming holiday

Nexon America Inc., the U.S. division of Asia’s leading online game company Nexon Group, is serving up a special batch of Halloween treats for KartRider players. KartRider, the free-to-download, free-to-play online multiplayer racing game, has already surpassed enormous open beta expectations. Now it sends its “riders” off to the races with special Halloween-themed events and releases. The combination of thrilling competition and Halloween spirit promises to be a potent mix for all gamers. More information can be found at www.kartrider.com or http://kart.nexon.net.

KartRider plans to release a spooky new area, Creepy Hollow, showcasing two new themed tracks, ‘Fright Fight’ and ‘Hidden Monastery.’ Creepy Hollow’s new courses feature winding trails through eerie forests, twisting cliff roads, long dark corridors, and even a ghostly cemetery. These new additions will be welcomed by racers who have already exhausted the numerous available tracks through sheer KartRider addiction.

Keeping up with the Halloween theme, Nexon also plans to release its specially designed Pumpkin Racer E2 Kart in conjunction with the release of Creepy Hollow. As the first kart being released in the E2 series, the Pumpkin Racer E2 will have the distinction of being the highest level kart currently available. The kart’s quirky appearance complements the game’s cartoon theme and is one of the more powerful karts offered. The popularity of the holiday and enthusiasm of users assures Pumpkin Racer E2 karts will invade KartRider courses in high volumes.

KartRider also expands its quest options with the addition of a Halloween quest assigned by one of the more popular non-player characters in the game. ‘The Pumpkin Chase’ is a thrill-a-minute scavenger hunt in which users race to collect Jack o’ Lanterns scattered around various courses. Users able to collect enough pumpkins within a certain time frame will have earned themselves a special reward at quest’s end. Let’s just say that KartRider is literally giving its users a chance to be a pumpkinhead!

KartRider fans can check on www.kartrider.com for more news and weekly updates regarding the game. Nexon plans a pedal to the metal onslaught of promotions, contests, and events in coordination with KartRider’s launch schedule to “drive” this title to success!

Are you the right soldier for the job?

Find Out At - www.MercenariesWanted.com

Activision Launches Official Website for Soldier of Fortune: Payback

Activision, announced today that it has launched the official site for the upcoming Soldier of Fortune: Payback. The website, located at www.MercenariesWanted.com, features a new trailer and exclusive screenshots, videos and weapons profiles. In addition, fans of the series can find:

· Links to recent previews – find out what the press is saying!

· Information on upcoming gaming competitions

· Registration for email updates and pre-ordering information

· A very active Soldier of Fortune community on the Forum

· Frequent updates on the latest news, game information and more

Soldier of Fortune: Payback is the long-awaited third installment of the Soldier of Fortune videogame series. The saga continues with the organization known as “The Shop” where players take on the role of a hired mercenary. Players will experience all the thrills and dangers of authentic mercenary combat blasting their way through high intensity combat situations in the world’s most dangerous hotspots in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe. Using any means necessary, players will need to uncover a complex plot and defeat an extremist organization determined to throw the world into global conflict. Failure is not an option.

Soldier of Fortune: Payback will be available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, and the PC. The game has been rated “M” for Mature by the ESRB and is scheduled for release in November 2007.

Golden Axe III available on Wii Virtual console (US)

SEGA of America, Inc. today announced that the SEGA Genesis classic, Golden Axe III is now available for download on the Wii Shop Channel. Prices start at 800 Wii Points for SEGA Genesis titles. Wii Points can be purchased online or at select retailers at an MSRP of $20 for 2,000 points.

Game Summary

Golden Axe III - The once-peaceful kingdom so familiar to fans of the original Golden Axe is under threat once again, as the Prince of Darkness has stolen the invaluable Golden Axe, taken over the kingdom and rendered all its warriors harmless thanks to an evil curse. One warrior, however, breaks free from the curse and must defeat the Prince and regain the Golden Axe to save the kingdom. In this one- or two-player action game, play as a giant, a panther, or a sword-wielding human and fight your way to victory!

The Wii Shop Channel serves as the Wii’s online storefront where visitors can redeem Wii Points to download games. Users need a high-speed Internet connection to access the Wii Shop Channel. Users can buy Wii Points at retail or with a credit card online from the Wii Shop Channel and redeem their Wii Points to download these and other classic games.

For more information on upcoming Virtual Console titles from SEGA, please visit the official Web site at www.sega.com. For assets, please visit the SEGA Press site at http://segapr.segaamerica.com

Wii helps Nintendo double profits

The success of the Wii has helped Nintendo to double its profit in the six months to the end of September.
Demand for the console has outstripped that for Sony's Playstation 3 and Microsoft's XBox 360 - selling about 7.3 million units.

The Japanese firm made a net profit of 132.4bn yen ($1.16bn; £506m) from 54.4bn yen a year earlier.

Popularity of the handheld DS also helped, with Nintendo selling about 13.4 million of the consoles.

The DS console, which allows users to control play with a stylus, has proved popular with women and older users.

Meanwhile the motion sensitive Wii has proved popular after introducing a new way of playing computer games. (see earlier post)

More from the BBC

Zack and Wiki Exclusive on Wii

CAPCOM RELEASES ZACK & WIKI: QUEST FOR BARBAROS' TREASURE, A PUZZLING NEW ADVENTURE EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE Wii

Pillaging Pirate Adventure Challenges Gamers to Play Different

Capcom, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced that ZACK & WIKI: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure for the Wii home video game system from Nintendo is now available at retail. Capcom’s first original title exclusively for the Wii is an innovative, full-length puzzle adventure game that utilizes the unique control mechanics of the Wii Remote and challenges gamers to “play different.” Rated E for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB), ZACK & WIKI: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure carries a suggested retail price of $39.99.

Legend has it that a revered pirate named Barbaros once stole the world’s treasure and hid it on a mysterious island. Though no one knows of its exact location, stories about the untold riches that lay in wait have been passed down through the ages, driving pirates from all walks of life to pursue the alluring prizes. One of these treasure seekers, a young apprentice pirate named Zack happens upon a mysterious talking skull, the skull of Barbaros himself. Barbaros promises to reveal the key to the island, if Zack will help to lift the curse he is under.

Players will explore a variety of wondrous environments and stages, solving puzzles and interacting with the world in search of a legendary pirate ship and the ultimate pursuit of becoming the greatest pirate the world has ever seen. Inventive gameplay mechanics and controller movements allow players to move and open objects, transform enemies into items, unlock new pathways and navigate through perilous stages based on a variety of themes including Jungle Ruins, Frozen Temple, Volcano Cavern and more, each with multiple sub-areas. Players will use the Wii Remote controller in various ways - rotate handles, turn keys to open doors, play a piccolo and much more in order to solve the progressively difficult puzzle stages and collect key items that will lead to the legendary pirate ship.

Wikipedia - Video Games listing

A video game is a game that involves interaction with a user interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. The word video in video game traditionally refers to a raster display device.

However, with the popular use of the term "video game", it now implies any type of display device.

The electronic systems used to play video games are known as platforms; examples of these are personal computers and video game consoles. These platforms are broad in range, from large computers such as mainframes, to handheld devices such as cell phones and PDAs.

Specialized video games such as arcade games, while previously common, have gradually declined in use.

More from Wikipedia

Wii can all lose weight playing games

Table tennis champion Nikolaus McClellan wiped his brow as he exultantly described his victory over more than 30 competitors at The Grid Lab on Tuesday and the resulting throbbing in his arm after playing four games.

But the tournament did not involve any tables or paddles, and it did not involve any ping-pong balls either.

The only equipment were Nintendo Wii remotes that allowed competitors to simulate real table tennis techniques while trying out Rockstar Games’ debut table tennis game for the Wii and Xbox 360.

Despite a lack of traditional equipment, some gamers and exercise professionals consider interactive sports video games a form of alternate exercise.

While many avid Wii Sports players have documented weight loss online from playing the games, Jill Wagner, an Ohio University physical education professor, is documenting the fitness benefits of exercise video games in an experimental course.

More from The Ohio Post

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.