UBISOFT'S BEOWULF SOUNDTRACK...

Acclaimed Composers Provide Epic Orchestral Score for Game

Today, Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, announced that top video game composers Sascha Dikiciyan and Cris Velasco have created an original orchestral music score for Beowulf™, the new action combat video game based on Paramount Pictures' and Shangri-La Entertainment's upcoming feature film Beowulf™. The Beowulf™ video game is scheduled for worldwide release in conjunction with the movie's opening in November 2007.

Created by the industry’s most in-demand composer team in Dikiciyan and Velasco, the Beowulf™ video game score is an epic musical journey featuring anthemic choral/orchestral compositions and bombastic action cues driven by heavy brass and thunderous percussion. The grand orchestral score was recorded with many of San Francisco’s best symphony musicians at the world famous Skywalker Sound studios.

"The biggest challenge we had for Beowulf’s soundtrack was that the music not only had to support and enhance the game’s actions, but it also had to follow the evolution of Beowulf universe; starting as a very heavy middle age Barbarian music and ending as a modern and powerful Hollywood score,” stated Manu Bachet, Music Supervisor at Ubisoft. “Within a very aggressive schedule, Cris Velasco and Sascha Dikiciyan managed to compose the most refined barbarian soundtrack ever heard on this side of the Danes kingdom."

"Working with Ubisoft on Beowulf reminds me of why I love being a game composer; it was an amazing experience from start to finish,” said Cris Velasco. “We began by meeting with all the creative teams from around the world to review the incredible visuals and game play that we would use as inspiration for the music. The score was recorded using top players and singers from the San Francisco area, and over the course of two days we had a great time both working in the studio and hanging out at the Skywalker Ranch."

The Beowulf™ video game takes players deep into Academy Award®-winning director Robert Zemeckis’ vision of the classic saga, Beowulf. Gamers live the life of Beowulf, the legendary Norse warrior with the strength of 30 men who is torn between the nobility and brutality within him. Arrogant, self-serving, and lustful for gold and glory, Beowulf will journey to Denmark to destroy a bloodthirsty beast wreaking havoc on a frigid land. But evil persists, and Beowulf succumbs to its lure of even greater fame, quietly maneuvering to claim the Danish throne. As King, Beowulf must face the consequences of ambition, even as war descends on the realm. As Beowulf, players lead their men, called Thanes, into battle, slay the Titans of a dying age, and crush the enemies that threaten to annihilate both their kingdom and people. Only then, when Beowulf looks Destiny in the eye, will he know what kind of hero he has truly become.

For more information on the Beowulf™ video game, please visit http://www.beowulfgame.com

For more information on the movie, visit the official site at http://www.beowulfmovie.com.

Flight & Train Simulation Show 2007

Microsoft has thrown its weight behind First Class Simulations' Flight & Train Simulation Show 2007 being held at Birmingham city centre's brand new Art & Science museum, the ThinkTank on Saturday, November 17th. This event will see flight simming product publishers and peripheral manufacturers promoting their own product lines directly to consumers.

Commenting on Microsoft's prestigious commitment to this new exhibition, First Class Simulations managing director, Robert Stallibrass offered, "We are delighted that Microsoft have decided to attend this show. Their stand will take centre stage and feature up to 20 work stations running Flight Simulator X and the new Accelerator pack. We expect 1500-2000 visitors for the single day."

Those already signed up include a who's who of the largest publishers and peripheral manufacturers in the Flight and Train Simulation market. Exhibitors include Flight 1, Aerosoft, Saitek, RC Simulations and Abacus. Abacus will be launching Flight Deck 5, the sequel to 4, which has sold in excess of 50,000 units worldwide. Arnie Lee, President of Abacus in the US, said, "Robert and the team at First Class Simulations publish our titles in the UK, Scandinavia, and Germany. We wanted to launch Flight Deck 5 at a major, high profile European event. The Flight and Train Simulation Show 2007 is an absolutely perfect fit."

Chronic Logic announces Kingdom Elemental for Windows is 50% off for one day only!

For the 24 hours of November 12th you can get the award winning Kingdom Elemental Tactics for the discounted price of only $9.95. This special price will only be good during November 12th through Game du Jour (http://www.gamedujour.com/=wtva-eml). Be sure to check out Game du Jour for One Day, One Game, One Incredible Deal, KE:Tactics for only $9.95. If you have been waiting to get the full version of KE:Tactics, now is your chance. If you know someone who might be interested please let them know. Once again this deal will only be good for the 24 hours of November 12th, so don't miss it!

Game du Jour
One Deeply Discounted Game a day:
http://www.gamedujour.com/=wtva-eml

About Kingdom Elemental Tactics:
Kingdom Elemental features nigh unlimited number of possible tactics by pitting combinations of your upgradeable heroes and their unique abilities against hordes of unique enemies like GIANT RAT MOBS! Everyone loves giant rat mobs with their secret furry pockets full of gold and armor! Seriously no giant rat mobs, but thARR be Pirates! Giant War Pigs! A crypt full of living dead who are just begging to be killed.....again. Knights who no longer say "Ni!", a Flaming DOOM bear who would like nothing more then to BBQ you for lunch, and so much more!

For more information on Kingdom Elemental Tactics:
http://www.chroniclogic.com/ke.htm

Try the demo today:
http://www.chroniclogic.com/ke_download.htm

Purchase the full version for only $9.95 on November 12th:
http://www.gamedujour.com/=wtva-eml

Knight Online Releases a 13th World

400% Experience Bonus and More For a Limited Time

KNIGHT ONLINE RELEASES ITS 13TH WORLD: AKARA

K2 Network’s Popular MMORPG Launches A New World, 400% Experience Bonus and a New Limited Time Bronze Package Offer

IRVINE, Calif. – November 9, 2007 – K2 Network, Inc. (K2network.net), a premier online game publisher, today announced the release of the 13th world in Knight Online, the world of Akara. This new world will offer a brand new environment for players to explore, level up and be named King! The name Akara is from the story within Knight Online, named after a powerful goddess who is one of many prominent figures within the extremely popular, massively multiplayer game that is Knight Online. Players can also look forward to in-game and forum events to celebrate the launch.

In addition to the new world, players can find extremely valuable offers in the Power Up Store including 400% Experience Boost scrolls (beginning after the November 8th maintenance) to help players level up faster. Also, Bronze Premium Memberships purchased from November 8th (after the maintenance period) through November 20th (up to the maintenance period) will receive an additional bonus of 300 Knight cash!

“The story of Akara is a powerful one in the Knight Online world,” said Gokhan Kazar, Associate producer of the Knight Online Team. “We are glad to bring our community both of these special new offers and this new world for our players to mark as their own.”

Experience Knight Online at www.knightonlineworld.com

Developed by Mgame Corp., Knight Online debuted in Korea in 2004, and has grown at a tremendous rate, with perpetual war servers operating with local language-support in China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, and North America. The popular title is currently being enjoyed by millions of players in over 80 countries.

SEGA REVEALS DETAILS OF PHANTASY STAR UNIVERSE

New adventures for the epic Sci-Fi Action RPG soon to be available for Xbox 360, PC and PS2

SEGA Europe Ltd. today released details for Phantasy Star™ Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and for PC.

Phantasy Star™ Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus on the Xbox 360 is an expansion to the epic sci-fi action role-playing game, Phantasy Star Universe, and will be available for download via Xbox Live exclusively on November 20, 2007 for 1600 Microsoft Points.

The PC and PS2 versions of Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus are stand alone releases. The PC and PS2 versions will be available across Europe on the 11th of January, 2008 for £19.99 or €29.99.

Whether tackling quests online with a party of up to six adventurers, or fighting through the next chapters of the exciting online story missions from the original game, Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus enables gamers to experience the wonders of the Gurhal System through the eyes of a personalised avatar. The expansion pack allows gamers to experience an even richer and more varied Phantasy Star experience. Players will explore exciting new levels, such as the Ruins of Old Rozenom City and the subterranean Granigs Mines, where they will encounter new and more powerful enemy types and bosses, and master additional versatile class types.

The expansion further enriches the online Phantasy Star Universe experience with newly created and enhanced gameplay and customisation features. Players can commune in new and expanded lobby areas filled with colourful decorations and music, including the new Casino Voloyal where roulette and slots can earn players special casino-only items. Character and weapon customisation is even deeper with the introduction of new weapon types, armour, Photon Arts, and clothing. Also, each Guardian’s individual Room is upgraded with far greater options for customisation.

Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus continues the exciting single-player action-RPG storyline as a new Human Fundamentalist group, known as the Illuminus, disrupts the peaceful Gurhal System throwing the Gurhal Government into chaos. Using their custom-made Guardian, players embark upon a series of missions where they will meet familiar characters like Ethan Waber from Episode 1 and others including GUARDIAN instructor Laia Martinez from Episode 2.

Since its introduction in 1988, Phantasy Star has revolutionised the RPG genre by creating new standards through innovative gameplay, as well as being the first console RPG to offer an online experience in Phantasy Star Online. This new installment also expands the popular online adventure of its predecessor and continues the quest for peace in the Gurhal System.

ONLINE TEAM PLAY NOW LIVE FOR FIFA 08

Online Team Play Connects 10 Players on 10 Different Consoles

Electronic Arts threw the switch today on a free downloaded feature called Online Team Play that will enable 10 people on 10 different consoles anywhere in the world to connect online to play a single match of FIFA 08. The new feature is automatically available for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system and the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system when connected online.

Be A Pro: Online Team Play in FIFA 08 enables up to five friends on five different consoles to select and take control of their own individual players on the same team, supported by AI teammates, to play against up to five rivals playing on five different consoles of another team. You can choose to play as a single, fixed player the entire game, with free roaming players, or teams can have a combination of both. Anyway you choose to play, Be A Pro: Online Team Play challenges you to master the same disciplines as a real football player—from positioning and tackling to reading the field and passing.

FIFA 08 is developed by EA Canada in Vancouver, B.C., and is rated “E” (Everyone) by the ESRB and 3+ by PEGI. FIFA 08 is available in stores now for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Wii , Nintendo DS , PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, PC and mobile.

Screenshots can be downloaded at www.electronicarts.co.uk/press.

Hollywood studio buys UK games developer

Warner Bros has signalled its intention of expanding more aggressively into the video games industry with the acquisition of TT Games, the UK publisher of the LEGO Star Wars series which has sold 12m copies around the world.

The deal, for an undisclosed sum, will give Time Warner’s Hollywood studio a stronger in-house capacity for developing game spin-offs of its film franchises, but will also allow it to create video games which are unrelated to its movies.

“We’re very serious about building this [games business],” said Kevin Tsujihara, president of Warner’s Home Entertainment Group, adding that TT would be the “cornerstone” of its games plans. “There will be a number of pieces of the puzzle. This is an important piece but it’s not the whole puzzle.”

The deal comes as media groups are becoming increasingly interested in the video games business, as one of the few sectors to have shown consistent growth through a period when the growth of the internet has disrupted other media business models.

The TT Games acquisition follows September’s announcement of a multibillion-dollar partnership to develop an entertainment hub in Abu Dhabi, which included the creation of a $500m fund for video game development.

The transaction will secure a multi-million pound windfall for Jon Burton, TT Group’s controlling shareholder, who founded the company as Traveller’s Tales 18 years ago in the era of the Commodore Amiga and Sega Mega Drive.

The value of TT Games, based in Knutsford in Cheshire, had been estimated by one local newspaper at about £80m, making Mr Burton’s stake worth more than £60m.

The company’s family-friendly positioning was one reason for Warner’s attraction to TT Games, Mr Tsujihara said.

“TT Games is the leading video game developer for young gamers and their families,” he said, making it “a great match with our brands”, which would benefit from Warner’s global infrastructure.

TT Games is already developing its first title for Warner Bros, a LEGO Batman game, based on its Batman film franchise. It also develops for other studios, however, including Walt Disney and LucasArts, maker of the Star Wars films.

Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment, the games division created in 2004, will maintain its license agreements with other games companies such as Electronic Arts and Eidos, the group said.

TT Games was created in 2005 through the merger of Traveller’s Tales, one of the largest independent game developers, and Giant Interactive Entertainment, a games publisher started by LEGO.

It has sold over 12m copies of its two Star Wars titles, “LEGO Stars Wars: The Videogame” - published in 2005 - and “LEGO Star Wars 2: The Original Trilogy”, released in September 2006.

“After 18 years in the video games industry, the opportunity to become a meaningful part of the world’s leading entertainment company is the fulfillment of a dream,” Mr Burton said.

Source: FT

Atari: Hanging On By A Thread

Pretty soon, it's likely that we won't have Atari to kick around anymore.

The embattled videogame publisher, having already sold off most of its major game franchises and in danger of losing its flagship Dragon Ball titles, has filed a quarterly earnings report with the SEC that paints a bleak picture of a company on the rocks.

Reporting an $11.9 million quarterly loss, Atari said outright in the statement that the company has "substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern."

A going concern is a company that will "continue to operate indefinitely, and will not go out of business and liquidate assets."
Atari notes that its only current line of credit is in real danger of being canceled by the lenders "if, as is likely, we fail to meet financial covenants."

Atari's hottest property right now is the fact that it produces games based on the Dragon Ball Z animated series, but it notes in the SEC report that license holder FUNimation is currently pursuing a breach of contract notice and is attempting to pull the games from Atari.

Atari's plans to save itself, such as they are, have been to sell off its internal studios* and divest itself of valuable properties like Stuntman, which it sold to THQ for $9 million last year.
But this can't go on forever, of course, if Atari plans to release any video games at all: " Further significant asset sales may not be practical if we are going to continue to engage in our current activities," reads the report.

Thus, the one concrete (if one can call it that) proposal that Atari offers by way of bettering itself is the following:
The "Atari" name (which we license) has been an important part of our branding strategy, and we believe it provides us with an important competitive advantage in dealing with video game developers and in distributing products. Further, our management has been working on a strategic plan to replace part of the revenues we lost in recent years by expanding into new emerging aspects of the video game industry, including casual games, on-line sites, and digital downloading. In addition, we are considering licensing the "Atari" name for use in products other than video games. However, our ability to do at least some of those things will require expansion and extension of our rights to use and sublicense others to use the "Atari" name. We have no agreements or understandings that assure us that we will be able to expand the purposes for which we can use the "Atari" name or extend the period during which we will be able to use it.

In other words, Atari realizes that its name could be much better used to sell casual games, toys, T-shirts, and electric cake mixers branded with the stylized Mount Fuji. But it isn't quite sure if it has the right to even do that, because they are, technically, licensing the Atari name from their majority stockholder company Infogrames.

Infogrames became owner of the Atari brand name (and the company's back catalog of legendary games like Pong, Asteroids and Centipede) for a song in 2001, when it acquired Hasbro Interactive for $95 million in Infogrames stock and $5 million in cash.

Infogrames' American subsidiary changed its name to Atari in 2003.

*That post made me laugh when I read it again.

Source: WIRED

Target - remove violent video games

A controversial video game has been removed from the shelves of Minneapolis-based Target Corporation stores.

"Manhunt 2" has already been banned from sale in the United Kingdom. For months, activists have been calling on retailers to ban its sale in the U.S.

"It is some of the most horrific, senselessly violent stuff you've ever seen," said James Steyer, CEO of Common Sense Media, a media watchdog group that has worked with retailers on making sure the videogame rating system is enforced.

The game tells the story of an inmate of an insane asylum who escaped. As government agents hunt the game's hero, he uses extreme violence, killing anyone who gets in his way.

Target issued a statement to WCCO-TV, writing, "All video games and computer software sold at Target currently carry ratings by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) -- from early childhood through mature audiences."

The company said it took issue with a software fix put into place by Rockstar Games, the creator of "Manhunt 2." Rockstar also developed the controversial "Grand Theft Auto" games.

Initially, the game was given a restrictive "Adults Only" rating by the ESRB. Major retailers like Target and Wal-Mart do not sell stories with that rating.

The company went back to the board, after inserting software filters to hide the objectionable content. Within the past several days, hackers have been able to remove those filters, in editions of the game for PlayStation Portable. Games made for PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii don't appear to be hackable.

"While 'Manhunt 2' was given a 'Mature' rating by the ERSB, we received additional information that players can potentially view previously filtered content by altering the game code. As a result, we have decided not to carry the game," explained Target Corporation.

"It's a very violent game, there's no question about it," said Matt Helgeson, senior editor of Minneapolis-based Game Informer Magazine. Helgeson said he played the game for approximately 15 hours, completing it, as part of his work reviewing the game for the magazine.

"It is not a game for kids, it is very much a game for adults," said Helgeson. "And any adult thinking about buying the game for their kids should really reconsider that."

However, Helgeson believes that much like adults can buy violent films rated "R," they should have the opportunity to buy violent video games rated "M."

"I would say there are probably ten movies I could walk in right now and buy in Target that are every bit as gory as 'Manhunt,' if not more," he said.

For now, Target is the only major U.S. retailer pulling the game from shelves. Richfield, Minn.-based Best Buy Corporation explained, "Best Buy offers a wide variety of game content to suit our broad spectrum of customers. ... 'Man Hunt 2' will be available for our customers to purchase. Best Buy recognizes the concerns regarding video games, which is why we've worked with the industry to develop and refine the ESRB rating system."

Mario Galaxy sells 250k in first week

The long-awaited Wii title outsells most of the rest of the top ten

Super Mario Galaxy for the Nintendo Wii has rocketed into the Japanese software chart at number one, selling over a quarter of a million units in its first week on sale, according to the latest data from Media Create.

That represents a number that's almost equal to the rest of the top ten put together, despite Ace Combat 6 entering the chart at number two, and Final Fantasy Tactics A2 continuing to sell well.

The Xbox 360 flying action game sold 77,000 units, and was one of three titles in the top 30 for Microsoft's platform, otherwise dominated for the most part by DS, which accounted for over half of titles.

The full list is as follows:

1. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
2. Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation (360)
3. Final Fantasy Tactics A2 (DS)
4. Super Robot Wars Scramble Commander the 2nd (PS2)
5. DS Literature Collection (DS)
6. DS Nishimura Kyotarou Suspense Detective Series: Deadly Intent (DS)
7. Wii Sports (Wii)
8. Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day (DS)
9. World Soccer Winning Eleven DS: Goal to Goal (DS)
10. Pokemon Mysterious Dungeon: Time Expedition Party (DS)