Block Stomp! is now available

Hidden Sanctum releases some block stomping goodness

Independent game developer, Hidden Sanctum, today announced the release of "Block Stomp!" for the PC. A demo of Block Stomp! is now available for download and subsequent purchase.

One for the younger game players out there, Block Stomp! is a color-matching game where players select groups of two or more matching blocks to remove them from the screen. As the players move up in levels, additional colored blocks are added to the mix. Players can compete with others from around the world by uploading their scores to web! Block Stomp! is priced at $9.95 or players game combine their purchase with Rune Rescue and Rune Rescue Infinity for additional savings.

“While we thought the game might be appealing to the 10-13 age group as well as adults, we were pleasantly surprised to find during beta testing that we were seeing scores uploaded by some of the tester’s children who were in the 7-9 age group. The bright colors and easy gameplay drew them in which was something we hadn’t expected from players that young. Seeing a 7-year old carefully planning out their moves and really getting into the game was a very rewarding moment.” stated Eric McConnell.

NAMCO BANDAI GAMES EUROPE LAUNCHES OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Leading video games publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe today announced the launch of its official website www.namcobandaigames.eu.

The website contains the latest corporate and product information with official announcements added in the future as they come. Other features include exclusive downloadable contents, online surveys and many more.@

A newsletter service will also be launched which will keep anyone registered to the service updated with the latest announcements information sent directly from NBGE.

For more information about NAMCO BANDAI Games, its products and services, visit www.namcobandaigames.eu

Blazing Lizard's Pirates v Ninjas Dodgeball on Xbox 360 LIVE Arcade

Eternally Warring Camps To Meet On Neutral Ground For The First Time – The Dodgeball Court

Gamecock Media Group announced today that Blazing Lizard’s Pirates v Ninjas Dodgeball will debut on Xbox LIVE Arcade on Xbox 360 in early 2008. The title looks to answer the age-old question of which much-revered profession is better, by settling the score…with (dodge)balls.

“It is no secret that Pirates and Ninjas have beef,” stated Chris Stockman, Studio Director of Blazing Lizard. “But it turns out both have a great love for dodgeball and unique skills when it comes to playing the game. We are bringing together sworn enemies for what I can guarantee will be explosive dodgeball action.”

Pirates vs. Ninjas™ Dodgeball will have sea-faring thieves squaring off against stealthy martial artists in beautiful environments. The game will allow for up to eight players and offer five teams, including pirates and ninjas and three more that will announced soon. Each team has their own unique style and techniques and is hell-bent on destroying the opposition.

Look for Pirates vs. Ninjas™ Dodgeball to hit an Xbox near you in early 2008.

Hellgate - London video game in the stores

Remember the dead, but fight for the living! Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) and NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today announced that Hellgate™: London, the first title from Flagship Studios and one of the most anticipated PC games of the year, is now available at retail outlets in North America and Europe1. Combining the depth and addictive gameplay of traditional role-playing games with the visceral action of first-person shooters, the long-awaited action RPG from the creators of the global blockbuster Diablo franchise is poised to keep gamers hacking-and-slashing for many Halloweens to come.

“Today marks a major milestone for Flagship Studios,” said Bill Roper, CEO of Flagship Studios. “The greatest thrill any developer can have is to see their game actually in a player’s hands. We’ve put our all into making Hellgate: London a great gaming experience, and now we’re able to share what has been a huge part of the past four years of our lives with our friends, family, and the world.”

“The core of the EA Partners program is utilizing our strengths as a publishing organization to help world-class independent development studios like Flagship bring their games to market globally,” said David DeMartini, Vice President and Global General Manager, EA Partners. “Hellgate: London is a great achievement and we are excited to have had the opportunity to work with Flagship and NAMCO BANDAI in delivering a breakthrough action RPG.”

It’s 2038 and London lies in ruins, overrun by hordes of terrifying demons. Players begin their mission to save the once-great city by creating a hero, choosing among six character classes featuring distinct gameplay styles. Hellgate: London offers gamers a deep storyline campaign with over 35 hours of gameplay that is infinitely re-playable because of the game’s dynamically generated levels and random items, enemies and events. Hellgate’s robust, flexible skill and spell system, highly customizable appearances, and a massive variety of equipment ensures each player’s experience will be unique.

While some may prefer to save humanity on their own offline, gamers will also be able to fight online*, joining up with other survivors in a secure, client-server environment and playing through the entire story-driven campaign for free. For those players who want to extend their Hellgate: London experience, Flagship is offering an optional subscription service for $9.99/month2 which will give players access to tremendous amounts of ongoing content in the form of quests, character classes, demons, items, etc.

Hellgate: London has been rated M for Mature (Violence, Blood and Gore, Mild Language) by the ESRB. Visit www.esrb.org for updated rating information. For more information about Hellgate: London, log onto http://info.ea.com or the game’s official website at www.hellgatelondon.com.

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