Nordic Game Programme sees huge interest

101 applications for funding sought in 2007 alone
The Nordic Computer Game Program funding initiative, which grants money to developers in Nordic territories, has just closed its second round of funding applications – revealing that funding has been sought for 101 projects in the whole of 2007.

The initiative aims to give five million kroner (just over £466,000) to developers in 2007, with 2.5 million kroner already granted in the first wave of funding earlier this year. Recipients of this round of funding will be announced at Copenhagen’s upcoming games fair, D3 Expo, which runs from November 16th to 18th.

“We have rather mixed feelings over having once again received such a staggering number of applications", says Erik Robertson, head of the Nordic Computer Game Program.

“On the one hand I am proud that our funding programme has had such a great impact, and that we are now receiving applications from all parts of the Nordic countries. On the other hand, over 100 applications in one year is a lot in relation to the total number of Nordic games companies.

Explaining the large number of applications, he added: "This is both because DKK 5 million doesn’t stretch very far considering that the total amount applied for is more than DKK 50 million, but mostly because it indicates a steep rise in the need to attract capital to this industry”

Spyro The Dragon Burning On To Screens?

Computer games have rarely – sorry, never – made good movies. Ever. But maybe that's because movie makers have almost always chosen to adapt games with real humans in them. Maybe the answer is cute little purple dragons.

The Animation Picture Company will certainly be hoping so as they've just secured the movie rights to Spyro the Dragon, the star of a '90s computer game by Sierra Entertainment and Vivendi.

We were a good ten years too old to play Spyro, but it was essentially about a little lavender-coloured dragon who flew around collection treasure and doing bad things to bad people. The animated movie version will reportedly be based on recent Legend of Spyro game trilogy, which is considered a relaunch of the title. Dr. Dolittle scribes Steve and Dan Altiere have been hired to write the script. So that's a really terrific start. Expect this to be, y'know, for kids.

Source: Empire Online

Mad Catz Arcade Stick for Xbox 360!

Mad Catz Europe Ltd, a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider announced today a price readjustment for the Xbox 360 LIVE Arcade GameStick bringing Xbox 360 gamers the authentic arcade experience at a new unprecedented price point in time for the holiday season.

The first Mad Catz accessory to be conceived, designed and built around the Xbox LIVE Arcade service, the Arcade GameStick delivers genuine ‘Arcade Style’ controls, ideal for arcade favourites and retro-style gaming. Originally retailing for a SRP of £49.99, Mad Catz is pleased to announce the new SRP of just £24.99, a truly impressive 50% saving!

Featuring a full size Joystick and the unique 360° ‘Spinner Control’, the Arcade GameStick opens up a world of game play opportunities, bringing a whole new lease on life to the extensive selection of titles available for download on LIVE.

Officially licensed by Microsoft, the Arcade GameStick celebrates its arcade heritage in style, featuring no less than three full Xbox LIVE arcade games free in box with every Arcade GameStick purchased.

Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz commented, “Gamers of all ages continue to embrace the LIVE Arcade service in their millions. Today’s technology allows for pixel-perfect representations of many beloved favourites and the Arcade GameStick brings true arcade style gaming to the living room with no need to compromise on controls.

The Arcade GameStick is our valentine to the true gamer. Frogger, Timepilot™ and Astropop stand the test of time as legendary arcade classics. We’re delighted to offer gamers these three titles absolutely free with every Arcade GameStick purchased representing remarkable value for money and ensuring that the Arcade GameStick is a ‘Must Have’ accessory for gamers everywhere this holiday season”.

The Mad Catz Xbox 360 Arcade GameStick is available to purchase now for a new UK SRP of £24.99

Mad Catz

New Halloween Events In Knight Online

Hunt Pumpkin Monsters, Earn Masks, Increase Health Points and More In the Popular MMORPG

K2 Network, Inc. (K2network.net), a premier online game publisher, today announced a slew of Halloween events for its MMORPG, Knight Online.

“Halloween is always a fun time for the Knight Online community,” said Gokhan Kazar, Associate producer of Knight Online. “This year we really wanted to kick it up a notch for our players and we know they will really enjoy everything we have planned for them!”

From now until November 8th Knight Online players can celebrate all Hallow’s Eve in style! Spooky Halloween Music has been added and will play in certain locations of the game. Players will hunt Pumpkin Monsters spread throughout the world to obtain event items which can be turned in to Vilbor in Moradon for cool prizes (Halloween masks, weapons, and candy).Halloween Masks add bonus damage to a player’s attacks for 30 minutes, the Halloween weapons do extra damage and have a special sound effect, and candy increases Health Points and Magic Points for 30 minutes. Game Masters will also run fun events throughout the duration of the Halloween event.

With over 10 million people logging on to play from around the world, Knight Online represents one of the largest MMO communities around. Some of the most exciting features of Knight Online are the most involving, persistent and large-scale wars between players, and its own built in party system.

Experience Knight Online at www.knightonlineworld.com

MIG-15 Flight Simulator

The Cold War hits the flight sim skies with a recreation of one of the world’s first swept wing fighters for Flight Simulator X and 2004.

Label: Flight1
Developer: Bear Studios
Genre: Flight Simulator Expansion
Format: PC CD-ROM
Release: September 2007
SRP: £19.99 / €29.95
Barcode: 5060094400808 (Eng)
5060094400822 (Ger)
5060094400815 (Fre)

“The sheer number and quality of the models and textures in the MiG-15 was stunning… The virtual cockpit in the MiG-15 is done so well that I can say I think it is one of the better VCs I have seen in a military add-on. It really is enjoyable.” Avsim.com


Sheer exhilaration!

The MiG-15 was one of the first swept wing fighters, most notably achieving fame in the skies over Korea in the 1950s. It could climb faster and higher than any other aircraft at the time and outclassed all opposition bar the US F-86 Sabre

The prototype MiG-15 first flew in December 1947. It began appearing in service in 1949 and by 1952 it had been provided to a number of communist satellite nations.

The MiG-15 was deployed against American Air Forces in December of 1950 in Korea. On November 8, 1950, First Lt. Russell Brown, flying an F-80, shot down a MiG-15 in the first all-jet dogfight in history.

This outstanding virtual recreation has been created by Chinese developers, Bear Studios and bristles with atmosphere and authenticity. Stunning details include firing guns with tracers and spent cases, high-G effect and even working eject mechanisms for when the excitement gets too much!

This is an aircraft expansion that not only brings a classic warbird jet to life, but is guaranteed to put a smile on your face!


Details, details, details…

There are so many details and features in this product, its hard to list them all. Below is a list covering many of them:

• 21 accurate models with 50 historical skins, including single and twin seat models covering virtually every variant that was mass produced!

• An incredible virtual cockpit with authentic 1950’s Russian gauges plus the ACK-3 Gyro / Fixed 2 mode gun sight with range and pitch adjustment. Virtually every switch and knob is clickable and fully functional. There are even front and rear cockpits – so you can fly from the front or back.

• The highly detailed and lifelike pilot comes equipped with 3 historically accurate outfits – seem him look around as you fly and you’ll hear the heavy breathing under stress as you pull high-G manouevres.

• Visual effects include engine flame and exhaust effects, high-G vapour trails, gun effects, eject and canopy animations and even ground maintenance models.

• The included Paint Kit includes easy-to-create-your-own MiG skins.

• The boxed edition includes extensive printed documentation – including the important guide to the Russian switches and gauges and the check lists for normal operations will take you step by step through how to have a thrilling but safe flight!

System Requirements
MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR X or 2004

Windows – Windows XP or Vista
Processor – 1.6 GHz
Memory – 512 Mb RAM
Hard Drive – 600 Mb free
Video Card – 128 Mb

About Flight One
Atlanta-based Flight One Software, Inc. (Flight1) is a successful and critically acclaimed developer and publisher of flight simulation technology and software.

Founded in 1997, Flight1 has released some of the best and most recognized expansions for Microsoft’s Flight Simulator franchise, including Greatest Airliners 737-300, FS Clouds, Ultimate Traffic, Flight Environment and many more, including the recently released and officially endorsed ATR72-500 and Pilatus PC12 simulations.

Flight1 Europe has been established to provide local marketing and sales support for the company’s range of products in major markets outside of the USA.

For more information about all Flight1 products visit www.flight1.com

Xbox brings gamers a home away from home with The Xbox 360 Lounge

To celebrate the London Games Festival, Microsoft Xbox has set up the ultimate gamers' paradise – The Xbox 360 Lounge.

Decked out with everything from sofas and cushions to consoles, games and music, The Vinyl Factory in London’s Soho will be transformed into an Xbox lounge room for a whole week, giving lovers of gaming the chance to sample a selection of the 300+ game titles available this Christmas.

There will be something for everyone whether it’s testing your movie knowledge on Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action!, rocking out on Guitar Hero III and Dancing Stage Universe, knuckling down to some blockbuster shooter action on Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4, or just burning rubber on Project Gotham Racing 4.

A host of fantastic prizes are up for grabs as hard-core gamers are invited to battle it out with competitions and tournaments throughout the day including a multiplayer Halo 3 tournament.

For those less familiar with gaming, the friendly Xbox team will be on hand to help out with any questions and demonstrations.

The Lounge is open from 12pm to 8pm Mon 29th October – Sat 3rd October, and 12pm to 6pm on Sunday October 28th. There will also be street teams in and around Soho over the whole week, with signs and directions.

The address:

Vinyl Factory Marshall St, London W1F 7QH

You can also get there through Phonica Records, Poland St, London, W1F 7NG.

Nearest Tubes: Oxford Circus & Tottenham Court Road.


PROGRAMME OF EVENTS:

Saturday 27th October 12pm – 8pm
All Day: Xbox 360 blockbuster games

Competition: Dancing Stage Universe

Sunday 28th October 12pm – 6pm
All Day: Xbox 360 blockbuster games

Competition: Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action!

Monday 29th October 12pm – 8pm
All Day: Xbox 360 blockbuster games

Competition: Dancing Stage Universe

Tuesday 30th October 12pm – 8pm
All Day: Activision Day

Competition : Guitar Hero III 6pm – 8pm

Tournament: Call of Duty 4- 6pm

Wednesday 31st October 12pm – 8pm
All Day: Xbox 360 blockbuster games

Competition: Guitar Hero III 6pm – 8pm:

Tournament: Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2- 6pm

Thursday 1st November 12pm – 8pm
All Day: Konami Day

Competition: Dancing Stage Universe. 6pm – 8pm

Tournament: Pro Evolution Soccer 9? Rankings Tournament

Friday 2nd November 12pm – 8pm
All Day: Xbox 360 blockbuster games

Competition: Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action! 3pm – 8pm

Tournament: Halo 3- 3pm

Warhammer 40,000 free PSP download demo

Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command demo for Sony PSP available for free download now

Today heralds the start of an intergalactic war the likes of which has never been seen before. Players will be thrust into the heart of the action as they don the legendary armour of the Ultramarines Chapter of Space Marines and fight for their way through this challenging demo for upcoming Sony PSP title Warhammer 40,000™: Squad Command. This PSP demo will be available to download from www.THQ-games.com from Friday the 26th October.

Set in the vibrant and immersive world of Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40,000 universe, the demo gives players a taste of the fast paced strategic action and futuristic weaponry fans of this series have grown to know and love. Gamers are thrust into the heart of the action as their Chapter battles to save the planet of Ruhr III from the grasp of the daemonic Chaos Space Marines.

Players are given command of a small squad of five Space Marines as well as a heavily armoured Dreadnaught to complete their objective. These units showcase some of the 20 types of weapon on offer in this title as well as the player customizable equipment each unit can carry.

The complete game will feature a gripping and immersive storyline spanning 15 single player missions set in vivid 3D environments with destructible terrain and customizable units. Players will also be able to enjoy over nine unique multiplayer maps as either Space Marines or the corrupted forces of Chaos with up to seven opponents from across the globe.

So what are you waiting for? Download the free Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command demo for Sony PSP from the THQ site now and get right into the action! The full version of Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command™ will be available for Nintendo DS and Sony PSP in November.

Keith Chegwin stars in Cheggers Party Quiz

Loveable TV icon Keith Chegwin stars in Cheggers Party Quiz, launching today on PC and PlayStation 2 from Oxygen Games

The Christmas party season starts early with the arrival of the ultimate party guest. Keith Chegwin – the legendary TV star and personality better known to millions as ‘Cheggers’ – lends his cheeky talents as the virtual host of Cheggers Party Quiz on PlayStation 2 and PC – out today (and coming soon on Nintendo Wii)

The game features eight exciting competition rounds (Opening Night, Big Break, Picture Show, Star Turn, Prime Time, Typecast, Channel Hopping and Final Cut) that can be played on your own or, even better, with up to seven of your mates, on the PS2. Gather round to discover who is the most clued-up member of your family when it comes to answering thousands of questions that span the entertainment worlds of film, music, TV and much more.

Keith Chegwin, the virtual star of Cheggers Party Quiz, says:
“I’ve been a gamer since the days of the Atari, so being a star in my very own title is fantastic. I had a right laugh being the host in Cheggers Party Quiz and made sure that it’s a fun game for all the family to enjoy.”

Keith Chegwin rose to prominence in the mid-1970s with presenting slots on Multi-Coloured Swap Shop and Saturday Superstore, as well as hosting classic TV game shows like Cheggers Plays Pop. More recently, Cheggers has appeared in Ricky Gervais’ critically-acclaimed Extras comedy show and has a regular outdoor segment on GMTV.

Cheggers Party Quiz is on sale today, 26th October, on PC and PlayStation 2, with the Nintendo Wii version due for release on 30th November.

For more information about Cheggers Party Quiz, go to
www.oxygengames.net

StreamMyGame launches Game Streaming

StreamMyGame.com is set to revolutionise the gaming industry. This free to join website provides its members with a free plugin that converts computer games into IPTV channels called Game Streams.

StreamMyGame enables games to be played remotely by converting a game's video and audio into a Game Stream and sending it over a home network to a laptop or second PC. The game can be played on the laptop without any lag and the laptop does not need to have the game installed.

StreamMyGame is compatible with both Windows XP and Vista, with all computer games based on Microsoft's DirectX8, DirectX9, DirectX10 including the latest games such as FIFA 08 and BioShock and OpenGL standards. Game Streams can be created with resolutions up to Super HDTV 3200 x 2400.

"We are embarking on a new paradigm in the gaming industry fuelled by advances in computer hardware, network speeds and the want of gamers to have more freedom," said Richard Faria CEO. "We network the power of their main PC so it can be used to play high end games on other PCs and laptops around the home. I believe the demand for high resolutions will drive the sales of high end PC hardware".

"We will release a Linux version in Q4 2007 which will enable PC games to be played on the PlayStation 3 and many other devices including DVD players, set top boxes, networked media devices and mobile phones," he said.

StreamMyGame will extend its services in Q1 2008 to enable games to be played remotely over broadband networks that have sufficient capacity such as Verizon's FiOS. Publishers will be able to use StreamMyGame to establish Pay-for-Play services.

StreamMyGame also offers its members the ability to record and broadcast gameplay and includes a free MP4 video player. "An easy solution to record your gameplay and upload it to the web has been demanded by gamers and StreamMyGame delivers that. Our YouTube ready MP4 format keeps file sizes low," said Joanna Softly, Marketing Manager, "and broadcasting games at LAN parties so everyone can watch the final from the comfort of their own PC makes so much more sense than crowding around one monitor".

You can try out StreamMyGame for free by simply registering at http://www.StreamMyGame.com/

Hellgate - London video game Opens Wide at iGames

Exclusive Launch Party, Showcase, at Select iGames Member Centers Across North America to Celebrate Release of Hotly Anticipated Action RPG

Events Sponsored by 3D Monitor Manufacturer iZ3D, with exclusive event coverage provided by Premier MMO Community MMOABC.com to Include Launch Party, Nov. 10; Two-Week Showcase, Nov. 12-25

WHAT:
Leading game center organization iGames will host a series of special events to celebrate the release of Hellgate - London by EA, the hotly anticipated action RPG from Flagship Studios, the core team behind Diablo.

WHEN:
Co-sponsored by 3D monitor manufacturer iZ3D, the events will include a one-day launch party, Saturday, November 10 at select iGames member centers, followed by an expanded showcase, November 12-25, allowing gamers one free hour over a two-week period to sample the game.

WHERE:
• Launch Party: 50 select iGames member centers across the United States and Canada.
• Showcase: 100 additional iGames member centers.

ABOUT THE GAME:
From Flagship Studios –fathers of the action role playing genre – comes Hellgate: London, the next benchmark in the evolution of the RPG genre.
Combining the depth of traditional RPGs with the frenetic, visceral feel of first-person shooters, Hellgate: London offers infinite replayability with dynamically created levels, monsters, items and events that gives each player their own unique hack-and-slash experience.

A post-apocalyptic London has been overrun by hordes of terrifying demons, leaving the city desolate and scorched by hellfire. Those who were unlucky enough to survive now gather in the only sanctuary left, the Underground, banding together in order to gain a foothold against the minions of darkness and ultimately save the bloodline of humanity.
It is no surprise that these sole survivors come from three of society’s most elite factions, each of whom are masters of a robust number of skills and weapons essential to demon-thrashing.

The Templar, a secret society preserving the rites of the original Knights Templar, mix futuristic technology with ancient artifacts to create powerful weapons and armor perfect for short-ranged and melee attacks.
The Cabalists are students of the dark arts and edges of science which often leaves them standing right on the line between good and evil. Their mystifying spells make them suited for mid-range combat.
The Hunters are mysterious, highly trained ex-military operatives who lay waste to their foes with hyper-advanced weapons that blend theoretical science and the latest in technology – and their bullets can come from almost any distance.
Hellgate: London delivers an amazing gaming experience to PC gamers of all types – delivering the eye-popping DX10 visuals demanded by the hardcore, and scaling to ensure the masses of casual RPG players can still get the best performance on older PCs.
Hellgate: London is rated “M” for “Mature” with descriptors Blood and Gore, Mild Language, Violence, by the ESRB and comes with a MSRP of $49.99. For more information about the title, visit: http://www.hellgatelondon.com.