Hackers put violence back into censored Manhunt 2

PSP version tampered with less than 24 hours after release

Hackers have already tampered with the code of Rockstar's Manhunt 2 to reinstate the violent scenes and images thought to have been removed from the game.

The PSP version of the controversial title has been exploited less than 24 hours since the game was officially released in North America.

The PlayStation 2 version of the game had already been distributed across the internet via torrent sites, a move that Rockstar has blamed on Sony Computer Entertainment.

The game has been censored in the US in order for it to receive an M rating – and therefore a release – rather than the original AO rating it was given by the ESRB.

The illegal exploit of the original PSP code indicates that the scenes that were cut in order to secure an M rating were not removed from the full game, rather disabled, much like the Hot Coffee mini-games in Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

Source: Games Industry

Sony's largest advertising campaign launched

Sony Computer Entertainment America is due to launch one of its biggest advertising campaigns this weekend as it introduces the new 40GB PlayStation 3 to the US market.

For the first time the PlayStation Network service is to be one of the key messages behind the marketing push, along with the console's Blu-ray capabilities, the new price point and the line-up of available software.

"The games are here, the price point is now USD 399 and we wanted to make the news loud and clear," said Peter Dille, VP of marketing for SCEA.

"Beyond the brilliant HD games that the PS3 delivers, you'll also see a big focus behind the PS3's Blu-ray movie capability and, for the first time, you'll see a major focus behind the PlayStation Network and the exclusive gaming content available on the PlayStation Store, as well as break through services like Home," he added.

Sony has lined-up a number of 60 second commercials showing off first-party exclusives including Heavenly Sword, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue.

The company is also pushing third-party software Haze, Burnout Paradise and Assassin's Creed, with Dille describing Konami's delayed Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots as "the mother of all exclusives."

"We have the 40GB PS3 'officially' launching tomorrow at a price point that will appeal to a wider audience and the 80GB PS3 which is demonstrating phenomenal sales growth since we announced the USD 499 price point," continued Dille.

"Add to that the inflow of great games and a PS3 brand campaign – our largest ever behind a hardware platform – and we think it's going to be a great holiday season for PS3."

Source: Games Industry

Boeing To Use Air Assault Task Force

Realistic Real Time Strategy Game To Power Next-Gen AAR Software!

Boeing, the largest manufacturer of commercial and military aircraft in the world, has commissioned noted modern warfare specialist ProSIM Company to create a custom version of their latest title, Air Assault Task Force. The Boeing specific Air Assault Task Force edition will be used as a hyper-realistic ground combat simulator in conjunction with a intelligent tutor/after action review agent application that Boeing is developing. The final product will "watch" a player as he games, providing recommendations as the scenario is being played based on a knowledge base of tactical analysis tools. At the completion of the scenario the application will then provide extended feedback and suggestions for how the player's performance can be improved.

Pat Proctor, President of ProSIM Company said, "We have always felt that computer wargames are the future of training and planning tools for military applications. We are delighted to see the defense industry taking an interest in commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software for these applications. We look forward to working with Boeing to raise the bar in the field of computer-aided learning and analysis systems. And we are honored to be helping to provide better tools to America's warfighters."

While Boeing's custom version of Air Assault Task Force is being developed the base commercial version is available right now for Windows through publisher Shrapnel Games. For anyone wanting to experience a truly realistic simulation of modern combat this is the game to get!

Air Assault Task Force lets gamers take command of airmobile forces, showcasing the pivotal air assault battles of the past forty years in Vietnam, Somalia, and Afghanistan. Additionally, a mini-campaign set at Fort Polk's JRTC will help virtual commanders fine tune their skills and a full featured scenario editor allows players to continue the fight well after the last campaign ends.

Played in command (real) time, gamers will discover that real time does not always have to equate to dexterity driven clickfests. Terrain is based on real world digital maps down to a few meters, allowing intelligent battlefield tactics to be used and making possible such things as true hull down positioning. Combat is just as detailed as the terrain, taking into account individual weapon destruction, radar modes, munitions effects, and much more thanks to a massively detailed weapon platform database.

All the combat modeling in the world doesn't help if you don't have a decent foe though, and Air Assault Task Force's AI delivers the fight quite well. Using decision point tactics the AI will brutally challenge the player. Friendlies likewise take advantage of the superb artificial intelligence, allowing players to actually command a military force instead of babysitting. Air Assault Task Force is also perfect for multiplayer, allowing gamers to challenge each other in a variety of ways including online.

Discover why ProSIM Company is the leading choice amongst professionals around the world. Download the Air Assault Task Force demo today and experience why Larry Levandowski of Armchair General feels that "Air Assault [Task Force] is a great way for players to experience some of the danger and challenges of conducting an air assault without actually participating in the real thing."

Dancing with the Stars Ships for Wii + PS2

Cha-Cha, Tango, Mambo and More with Emmitt Smith, Mario Lopez and Stacey Keibler and Others to Claim the Title of America's Favorite Celebrity Dancer

ctivision, in conjunction with Disney-ABC Television Group's ABC Entertainment and BBC Worldwide, announced today that "Dancing with the Stars" for Wii and PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system is available in retail stores nationwide. A limited edition party-bundle containing a "Dancing with the Stars" dance pad along with the PlayStation 2 game will release on November 13th.

Join some of the most popular cast members from past seasons, including nine stars such as Joey Lawrence and Laila Ali and nine professional dancers as you compete to impress the judges. Dance to thirty-six licensed songs from the show, including "She's a Lady", "These Boots are for Walking", "The Final Countdown", "I Like The Way You Move", "Put Your Records On", and "Independent Woman Part 1"and strut your best dance moves to all ten different dance styles from the show. The game features single-player, head-to-head and duet modes. On the Wii, players use the Wii RemoteTM and the NunchukTM to physically mimic elegant dance moves while at the same time allowing the player to add his or her own personal flair! The PlayStation®2 version is compatible with the licensed PlayStation®2 system dance mats available on the market.

"The Dancing with the Stars video game is an interactive embodiment of the hit show's fun and excitement," said David Oxford, General Manager, Activision, Inc. "It's a perfect way for people to enjoy the style, grace, and popular appeal of the show in a social or party setting with their family and friends."

"Expanding the success of our top-rated Dancing with the Stars franchise to the world of gaming has always been a part of our long term business strategy," said Bruce Gersh, Senior Vice President, Business Development, ABC Entertainment & ABC Studios. "Working together with Activision and the BBC, we've created an incredible game that our fans can embrace."

The "Dancing with the Stars" video game, which is published by Activision Minneapolis, is currently available for the Wii for $49.99 and PlayStation®2 for $39.99. Both versions have a rating of "E 10+" for Ages 10 and up by the ESRB. The limited-edition "Dancing with the Stars" dance pad bundled with the PlayStation®2 game will ship to retail stores on November 13th, 2007 for $49.99.

2K Sports Soundtrack for College Hoops

College Hoops 2K8 features a diverse mix of hip-hop, avant punk, electro pop and much more

2K Sports, the sports publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, today announced the in-game soundtrack to College Hoops 2K8, featuring an eclectic cross section of artists hand-picked to reflect the broad and discerning tastes of the college basketball crowd. The mix brings an auditory full-court press to match the one on the screen, featuring some of underground hip-hop's finest, including Dilated Peoples, Jurassic 5 and an exclusive track from the late super-producer J Dilla featuring MF Doom and Guilty Simpson. A full range of popular genres are represented with superior talent including the complex techno of DJ Romanowski, gritty post-punk rock from The Black Lips and Liars, and the foot-stomping rush of UK indie pop from Hot Chip and The Kooks, among many others.

"For the College Hoops 2K8 soundtrack, we wanted to explore the diversity of music tastes of today's college hoops gamers while introducing them to up and coming artists we've come to love and respect," said Tim Rosa, Director of Brand and Lifestyle Marketing for 2K Sports. "The 2K Sports brand is known for redefining the sound of its games with banging soundtracks, and this latest offering stays true to that vision."

Track listing:

Arabian Prince "Professor X Saga"

Bumblebeez "Black Dirt"

Deltron 3030 "Positive Contact"

Dilated Peoples "Spit It Clearly"

E Reece "Just Move" (Bautista Remix)

Guilty Simpson "Make It Fast"

Heliocentrics "Joyride"

Hot Chip "My Piano" (Radio mix)

J Dilla & MF Doom (feat. Guilty Simpson) "MASH"

James Pants "You're Doing It"

Jurassic 5 "Without A Doubt"

Liars "Plaster Casts of Everything"

Oh No "Chump"

Panthers "Goblin City"

Percee P "Legendary Lyricist"

DJ Romanowski "Lord Of The Pants" (2-Cents Remix)

Ski Beats "Idea"

Strange Fruit Project "Underclassmen"

Strange Fruit Project "Thru Tha Lane"

The Black Lips "It Feels Alright"

The Kooks "Eddie's Gun"

College Hoops 2K8 marks the return of the best rated college basketball game for five straight years* and the best selling college basketball video game series in 2006**. College Hoops 2K8 is rated E for Everyone and is available this fall for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and the PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2 computer entertainment systems.

World in Conflict Classic contest

On Sunday November 11 2007, MyInternetServices.com will host the World in Conflict Cold War Classic. The Cold War Classic will pit the best players from the Total-War: World in Conflict Tournament against the best from Massive Entertainment.

The match will be video cast live over the internet on E-REV.TV using the World in Conflict Broadcast tool.

The 3 round match will begin at 1pm EST (19:00 CET). The battle will be fought on the following 3 maps (1 round per map): Xmas, Riviera and Riverbed. Each round will run 20 minutes.

To view the live cast just go to E-REV.TV on the day of the match and hit the link under “Live Streams” Saying Total-War VS Massive.

The Massive team:
[MSV]Soundboy
[MSV]Mir
[MSV]Taarm
[MSV]Konflux
[MSV]hello kitty

The Total-War team:
[MyIS]Airborne
[51P]Col.Mav
[51P]11|CPT.Bigcracker
[186I]Rescue
[186I]Trekker

The Weakest Link for mobiles

I-play, the mobile entertainment company, today announced the North American and UK launch of the third game in the hugely successful mobile series of the “The Weakest Link™ 2008”, based on BBC Worldwide’s popular trivia quiz game television show format, which has more than three million viewers in the UK each week and six million in the US.

Developed under licence from BBC Worldwide, the mobile version of The Weakest Link brings all the excitement of the hit television show direct to your mobile phone. Packed with sharp-witted phrases and a wealth of challenging questions, this is a single-player quiz game for the seasoned trivia player. You must answer a series of multiple-choice questions on a variety of subject categories all before time runs out. The game challenges players with a range of question categories across topics including entertainment, geography, history, general knowledge, nature and science. Can you answer, from the medical science category, ‘Which infectious disease is known as Kissing Disease?’ Dengue Fever, Scarlet Fever, Typhoid Fever or Glandular Fever?

The third in the series delivers photo-realistic graphics, the biggest number of questions ever packed into a mobile game with more than 1,500 nail biting questions and answers, as well as the ability to personalize contestants with ten different avatars with photo realistic graphics and animated emotion for extra realism. Advanced and improved AI of the opponents. It increases the importance of the strategy during the vote. The game has already received critical acclaim:
“I-play has managed its source material admirably. The Weakest Link 2008 is an impeccable conversion”
8/10 Silver Award, PocketGamer

The show has aired for over six years making it one of the best TV branded shows over the past ten years with high awareness and lasting appeal, with national versions of the game broadcast in over 23 countries. Phrases from the show have entered people’s everyday vocabulary, especially the “You are The Weakest Link. Goodbye!” put-down when a contestant is evicted from the show.

The new mobile version of the Weakest Link is the latest deal for BBC Worldwide’s mobile division and marks a further development of the company’s drive into the space. Alongside branded formats for games applications, the division also offers a broad range of mobile content types such as ringtones, icons and wallpapers based on world-famous content brands.

David Gosen, President, I-play: “This casual, trivia title has had a huge following in Europe and North America already, and successfully combines a stimulating mental challenge with compelling mobile fun, which should make it another hit.”

Peter Mercier, Head of Mobile, BBC Worldwide commented: “We’re constantly looking to leverage our huge archive of formats and content across all possible media channels, and this latest version of Weakest Link is great demonstration of how that process can work at its best.

“I-play has created several fantastic mobile games from our highly popular franchise. Now fans of the show will be able to test their wits and knowledge and by taking on this latest challenge to see if they can escape being ‘The Weakest Link.”

Win Joe Perry's Guitar Hero III Guitar!

Enter here

If you're someone who peruses the circulars in the Sunday paper for deals, you know that the big game featured this past weekend was Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock. It was on the cover of every company’s ad in the paper, just as it was the featured review on all the game sites.

Thanks for GameStop, Activision and Joe Perry, you’ll be able to win the game from Game Break. But wait: there’s more. You’ll be able to win Joe Perry’s guitar controller. Not only that, the Les Paul controller is signed by Perry himself.

How do you win? Just tell us which Legend of Rock you’d like to play Guitar Hero III with, and why. Folks, the why part is really important. So convince us in 150 words or less. Don’t go over 150 words or you’ll be disqualified! All entries must be received by 11:59 PM (ET) on November 6, 2007.

Make your entry funny, compelling, personal, heartstring-tugging, hard sell, soft sell, anything that will get us to want to give this prize package away to you. But don’t plead and whine. The concert will run for seven days. Next Friday, November 9th, we’ll announce the lucky winner. Good luck!

Meet the Renegade Gaming Chair

The Gaming Collection are proud to announce the UK launch of US best-seller the from the UGC (Ultimate Game Chair) range, the Renegade Game Chair.

Previous chairs from the UGC range have been featured in such movies as 'The forty year old virgin', 'Stay Alive', 'Grandmas Boy' and on 'CSI Vegas'. The Ultimate Games Chair comes in two latest versions (the Renegade and the UGC) both of which bring a whole new dimension to the gaming experience and to the phrase 'flying by the seat of your pants'.

Available now the Renegade allows gaming fanatics to connect their own wired controller to the chair, enabling them to retain their favourite and familiar gamepad whilst integrating the sensational features of the chair.

For those who want the maximum effect the chair shakes rumbles and rocks in time with the gaming action, headset speakers provide 3D sound whist ground-effect lighting adds that extra dimension to explosive action.

With reclining action for comfortable gaming, this great gaming chair also converts into a relaxing massage-recliner complete with kick plate.

Compatible with all major gaming consoles, the chairs sport a range of fabulous features designed to improve comfort and seriously enhance gameplay experience, including:

Ground Effects Lighting for action packed realism

3D Stereo Speakers for a immersive sound experience

Headphone jacks to keep things quiet when you play into the night

Audio out jacks for maximising sound through home theatres

Smooth Reclining Action to provide the most comfortable playing position

Multiple Massage Settings in sync with gameplay for unwinding after a hard days gaming

A fantastic UGC patented 12 motor vibration system that besides giving the most authentic shakes and rumbles, out-shaking even the washing machine cycle.

Connections for external devices (such as steering wheels and shooters)

Pull-out compartment for easy storage of games and accessories

Beverage and remote control holder - you need never get up again! And don't worry if you spill anything in excitement - the chairs are made from stain resistant fabrics.

Compatibility:
The Renegade is compatible with all games stations including; Xbox, Xbox Live, PS2, PSOnline, Sony PSX, Gamecube and PC/Mac USB 2.0. Xbox 360, Sony PSP, Nintendo DS and MP3 Players.
For full specifications please see the following link:
www.tru-pr.co.uk/press/client.php?c=ugcspecs

Availability:
Now available and with delivery guaranteed well in time for Christmas, the Renegade can be ordered from the Gaming Collection Website situated off this link:
www.thegamingcollection.com

Pricing:
The Renegade will be priced at around £ 225.

The Ultimate Game Chair Inc:
The Ultimate Game Chair Company is devoted to the "ultimate gaming experience." True immersion requires maximum external stimulation with minimized distraction. The Ultimate Game Chairs will continually deliver all the benefits from video gaming technology in luxury and comfort.

At Ultimate Game Chair, our goal is to amplify the video-gaming experience. The company achieves this by escalating the existing effects of video games, and delivering them to gamers' senses in style, while delivering a comfortable gaming environment. Supporting Xbox, Playstation/PS2, and Game Cube platforms, the Ultimate Game Chair will revolutionize the world of video-gaming.

Dementium - The Ward video game on Nintendo DS

Renegade Kid and Gamecock Media Group today announced that Dementium: The Ward for Nintendo DS has shipped in North America. Developed by Renegade Kid, the first-person survival-horror game is rated M for Mature, and is available now for $29.99.

Those who dare to play Dementium: The Ward will find themselves trapped in a derelict hospital with no memory of who they are or how they got there. Only by exploring the dark corridors and facing off with its horrific denizens will you have any hope of escaping and finding the truth…but perhaps you’ll find there are some things better left unknown.

“Even we are taken aback by how creepy Dementium has turned out, and we made the game!” Said Jools Watsham, Creative Director for Renegade Kid. “I’m happy to say that we’ve exceeded our own expectations and created a game that sets new standards for handheld titles, as well as the horror genre.”

“This game will scare the sh** out of you,” said Harry Miller, ‘El Presidente’ for Gamecock Media Group. “There’s a hundred other reasons why I’d recommend Dementium: The Ward, but that is by far the best one.”

For more about Dementium: The Ward, including developer diaries, wallpapers and community links, visit www.dementium.com.

About Renegade Kid
Founded in 2007 and located in Austin, Texas; Renegade Kid was formed by a small group of industry veterans, each with over 11 years of experience in the development of video-game software. For more information please visit www.renegadekid.com.