TIMESHIFT BLASTS ON TO SHELVES

Sierra Entertainment and Saber Interactive Change the Face of the FPS Genre with Time-Bending Game Mechanics and Deeply Customizable Multiplayer Action

Sierra Entertainment, a division of Vivendi Games, announced that the next generation of first-person shooters, TimeShift, is officially available today at retail stores nationwide for the PC and Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system. The game, one of the most talked about titles of 2007, will also be available on the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system on November 19, 2007.

Developed by Saber Interactive and published by Sierra Entertainment, TimeShift, allows players to control time and use it as the ultimate weapon in a fierce battle against the neo-fascist regime of Dr. Krone. In TimeShift, the story revolves around a highly respected physicist with a mysterious past. When your colleague Dr. Krone goes rogue and uses an experimental time-manipulating suit to create an alternate time stream where he is a grim dictator in a dystopian alternate reality, players must chase after him and use time to overthrow his rule. Armed with similar, yet less stable time-bending suit, players have the ability to slow, stop and reverse the flow of time, while being able to freely interact with the environment and enemies, a feat never before accomplished in video games.

Featuring ground-breaking artificial intelligence, powerfully realistic graphics and deeply immersive sound and story, TimeShift is proving to be one of the first truly next-gen games to come to market this holiday season.

“We are very excited to ship this highly anticipated title to retail,” said Pascal Brochier, president, Global Retail for Vivendi Games. “Players are going to see effects in this game like they never have before – the ability to control time is a very unique feature, which is a lot of fun to play in single or multiplayer mode.”

With a comprehensive online 16-player multiplayer mode, featuring time controlling “chrono” grenades, 14 different maps and over 40 different customizable features, TimeShift, was developed for elite multiplayer gamers by drawing inspirations from the best FPS’s and adapting itself to the players’ unique style by incorporating highly customizable gameplay modifiers resulting in a frenetic and competitive multiplayer experience every game.

The TimeShift video game has an ESRB “M” for Mature rating. For more information, please visit the game’s official Web site at www.TimeShiftgame.com

Soulcalibur Legends on Wii

World Renowned Franchise Set to Make Exclusive Debut on the Nintendo Wii

Souls are burning with anticipation as NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., announced today that Soulcalibur Legends™ has gone gold for the Nintendo Wii™. Exclusive to the innovative console, Soulcalibur Legends reinvents the unparalleled weapon-based fighting franchise and immerses players into a third person action adventure game. Making evolutionary strides in the series, the Wii’s intuitive controls will be the weapon of choice that provides an unmatched gameplay experience complete with various modes of play, a unique combat system and classic roster of Soulcalibur characters.

Set between the events of Soul Blade and Soulcalibur, Legends follows the exploits of Siegfried and other familiar characters from the series as they find themselves on a quest for the ultimate power. Weapons and warriors will clash as they endure to unify the pieces of the Soul Edge sword, the very element which leads to Siegfried’s inevitable possession by the cursed blade.

In Soulcalibur Legends, use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk to master orchestrated attacks to crush scores of enemies or large bosses. Battle through more than 10 diverse stages and environments in the single player Quest Mode; rising through the ranking system to earn the honored titles of Knight or Soldier. Players can deliver a one-two punch by switching between their character and an ally for more versatility in any given situation. Gamers can also put their skills to the test in a split-screen Co-op Mode, compete against a friend to defeat the most fearsome enemies in Competitive Mode, or spar in Versus Mode to determine the true Wii weapon master.

Soulcalibur Legends is rated “T” for teen by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) and will be released on November 20. For more information on Soulcalibur Legends, please visit www.namcobandaigames.com

Myst online - Uru Live video game

Finale wraps up a dynamic season of new Ages, puzzles and player-driven plotlines

GameTap, the first-of-its-kind broadband entertainment network from Turner, announced that the season finale for its popular multiplayer online game “Myst Online: Uru Live” will launch today.

“Myst Online has been a great addition to our roster of GameTap Original titles,” said Ricardo Sanchez, GameTap’s vice president of content and creative director. “With our recent change to make content updates occur on a regular schedule, Myst Online is another example of how the episodic format can be effective across different styles of play.”

This season started in February and has already introduced multiple Ages, puzzles and dynamic characters that have drawn players into the ever-changing world of Uru. For the first time ever in a video game, the choices, actions, and experiences of the players themselves have helped drive the ongoing live storyline, which has expanded throughout the season.

“We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to launch ‘Myst Online: Uru Live’ with GameTap,” says Rand Miller, CEO of Cyan Worlds and co-creator of Myst. “Being able to bring this dynamic world to the fans of the franchise and a brand new audience of explorers has been a great experience.”

Over the past several months, the great underground cavern of D'ni has been home to many ups and downs. Numerous new areas of the cavern have been restored, granting Explorers access to amazing new worlds and places. However, the road has not been easy for the D’ni Restoration Council (DRC) as they’ve had to overcome tragedies and adversities ranging from petty in-fighting to horrific, unexplained deaths.

Now the DRC must deal with the emergence of the Bahro creatures and the questions that have come with them. Each Council member has his own opinions on what will happen next. Will the Bahro War bring destruction to the cavern? Will the DRC find funding for further restoration work? There has been great progress. There have been setbacks. Still, the future remains as cloudy as ever.

In the season finale, Explorers will be able to explore new areas of Uru, including the new Age of Ahnonay, K’veer Island and Myst Island. In Ahnonay, an Age of deception, mystery and visual wonders spanning thousands of years, players will witness the deterioration of a rugged landscape as they travel through time to uncover the truth. It will require cooperation, investigation, a keen eye, and the comprehension of a subtle and clever ruse.

“Myst Online: Uru Live” includes elements unique to the Myst franchise, including the use of books as teleportation devices, exploration through wondrous, immersive worlds, and mind-challenging puzzles that can be solved alone or with a group. Myst Online also includes all of the key social features such as text and voice chat that make today’s massively multiplayer online games so popular.

New players interested in playing Myst Online can join the adventure now and play for free by visiting www.mystonline.com. The website also offers ways for players to catch up on the currently storylines and to receive a variety of hints and tips.

“Myst Online: Uru Live” was created exclusively for GameTap and is available to GameTap subscribers in the United States and Canada. The game is also available via direct download to consumers in select countries around the world. Expanding beyond computer borders as well, “Myst Online: Uru Live” was launched for Mac users last Spring.

GameTap continues to offer the most video games on-demand in the industry with more than 950 classic and current console, arcade, PC and original titles. Gold level plans are currently available for as low as $5.00 per month and new subscribers can get their first month for only 99 cents. Sign up today at www.gametap.com.

Cyan Worlds, Inc., located in Spokane, WA, is best know for Myst and Riven, which received numerous awards, critical acclaim and broad popularity, Cyan has been designing and building immersive interactive worlds since 1987. They currently employ over 40 designers, programmers and artists. For more information about Cyan Worlds, visit www.cyanworlds.com.

Free access to games library

Console Classix Celebrates 30 Years of Console Gaming with the LargestSelection of Legal, Classic Console Games Online Anywhere

Console Classix's online classic game library features more than 3,000 uniquegames, including more than 600 Sega Genesis games, 500 NES games, 600 SuperNintendo games, 200 Sega Game Gear games and hundreds of other classic consolegames, including hits such as Final Fantasy, Lufia, and Chrono Trigger, whichare available online only at Console Classix.

Console Classix, is celebrating 30 years of home video console gaming by offering free access to part of its library. Free access includes games from Nintendo's NES, ColecoVision, and the Atari 2600, which launched in 1977. Console Classix, with nearly 3,000 titles features the largest library of classic console games that are legally playable anywhere online, including services such as GameTap, Xbox Live Arcade, and the Nintendo Wii Virtual Console.

"Console Classix was founded to help preserve console gaming history," says Aaron Ethridge, Owner of Console Classix. "The 30th Anniversary of the Atari 2600 is an exciting event, and I'm very pleased that we can be part of that legacy. By offering the games that made Atari great, we allow veteran players a chance to relive the past and provide younger gamers a chance to see where today's games were born. That is what Console Classix all about … preserving what the gaming industry has produced so it can be enjoyed throughout the future."

Console Classix currently offers more than 3,000 classic console games for nine different consoles available to play on a Windows PC, with new games being added on a weekly basis.

Console Classix games originally appeared on console video game systems including:
Atari 2600
ColecoVision
Game Boy
Game Boy Color
Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)
Sega Game Gear
Sega Genesis
Sega Master System

Minimum System requirements:
Windows 98, 2000, XP, or Vista
DirectX 8.0
Pentium 500 Mhz
256 Megs of RAM

Free Lite Console Classix Subscriptions are now available, which include access to hundreds of Nintendo (NES), Atari 2600, and ColecoVision games. To access the other console games subscription fees are $5 per month or $50 annually.

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