NBA Street Online launched in Asia

This follows "exceptional success" of FIFA Online in Korea

Electronic Arts has announced a partnership with GigaMedia Ltd to launch and operate NBA Street Online in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau in Q1 2008.

While EA has licensed and developed the game, GigaMedia will handle marketing, community management, and technical and customer support locally.

Arthur M Wang, CEO of GigaMedia, believes the title will make a positive impact in the sector space: "This product is going to be the star product in the online gaming market."

The move follows what the company calls "the exceptional success" of FIFA Online in Korea, and the NBA game will include a number of community and customisation elements, as well as six player multiplayer tournaments.

A recent DFC report stated that it expected global game revenues to have multiplied by five times between 2003 and 2008, and that Asian territories would account for 68 percent of the total figure by then.

Buzz game wins BAFTA Children's Award

PS2 title honoured at EA sponsored event

Magenta Games' Buzz! Junior Jungle Party won the Videogame category in last night's Children's Awards organised by BAFTA.

In a ceremony that celebrated the best in children's entertainment across all media, the popular PlayStation 2 mini-game and quiz was honoured alongside such kids brands as Happy Feet (Best Feature category), Charlie and Lola (Writer category) and SpongeBob Squarepants (International category).

The Buzz series was launched in 2005 by Relentless Software, with Magenta Software partnering with the developer on the Junior spin-off titles.

The BAFTA Children's Awards were sponsored by Electronic Arts.

One million PSP slims sold in Japan

500 titles available in region

Sony Computer Entertainment Japan has revealed it has sold over one million units of the PlayStation Portable Slim & Lite.

The Slim & Lite was released in the region on September 20, with a special edition Final Fantasy branded unit going on sale a full week before the official launch.

The redesigned handheld reached the one million mark two weeks quicker that its predecessor. The system now boasts over 500 software titles available in Japan.

Rockstar fights back against censor

Manhunt 2 appeal hearing begins

Rockstar today launched its appeal against the BBFC's decision to refuse Manhunt 2 certification, accusing the board of putting its reputation above the interests of gamers.

Geoffrey Robertson, representing Rockstar, began the proceedings by claiming the British Board of Film Classification was a misnomer - suggesting it should instead be referred to as the British Board of Videogame Censors.

"There's no evidence that playing interactive videogames leads to a propensity to act them out in real life. We wonder why Manhunt 2 has been singled out for special treatment," he stated.

Robertson went on to accuse the BBFC of being "simply ignorant of the gaming experience" and "throwing adjectives with hyperbolic abandon at the game".

"Their reputation is not at stake; if it were we could show how, over the last century, they've been derided for some of the most stupid decisions in censorship history," he continued. "But we're not going to go down that road."

According to statistics presented by Robertson, there are 26.5 million gamers in the UK. Their average age is 28 and the gender split is 45 per cent female, 55 per cent male.

Addressing the panel from the Video Appeals Committee present to hear Rockstar's appeal Robertson said, "There you are, seven of you - not one of you has experienced, I'm told by the chairman, computer games, or are a gamer."

At this point one member of the panel interjected, stating, "That's not true. Some of us actually have played computer games." It was also confirmed that the panel did play Manhunt 2 in advance of the hearing.

Robertson described as "offensive and outrageous" the "allegation the board makes against adults in this country that they're somehow going to go and shoot or kill as a result of playing Manhunt 2.

"Millions of gamers play videogames and no crime has ever been directly attributed to them, with one exception."

The exception, Robertson explained, was the alleged connection between the original Manhunt and the murder of British teenager Stefan Pakeerah. The police later issued a statement which said Pakeerah's killer did not own the game and there was no connection.

Robertson added, "We say [Manhunt 2] has been banned not because of any likelihood it will harm gamers, but because of the likelihood it will harm the reputation of the BBFC."

The appeal is ongoing.

DESPERATE FAMILIES PAY UP TO £500 FOR A NINTENDO WII ON INTERNET

A shortage of one of this year's must-have gifts is sure to cause tears and tantrums on Christmas morning.

And the children won't be too pleased either.

The Nintendo Wii - a computer games console designed to appeal to adults as well as youngsters - has sold out in shops across the country.

Chains such as Game, HMV, Woolworths and Tesco say they are receiving more stock only sporadically and the consoles are changing hands for up to £500 on internet auction sites - a huge mark-up on their list price of £179.

A spokesman for HMV said: "The fact people can't find them seems to drive the demand forward. They are selling out as soon as they are going into the stores."

The supply problem stems from the fact that Nintendo is simply unable to keep up with global demand for the family-friendly Wii.

Its more expensive rivals, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, are aimed more at dedicated gamers. But the Wii - pronounced 'wee' - is designed to be easy and fun to use, even for those who have never played a computer game before.
Instead of a traditional control pad, it comes with a motion-sensitive remote controller. This can be waved to simulate playing tennis and other sports.

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Wireless Guitar Controllers

Activision, Inc. today announced that standalone wireless guitar controllers for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock will be available at retail stores nationwide by early 2008.

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock lets fans thrash and burn with new wireless guitar controllers available for each platform, including exclusive Gibson Guitar's Les Paul model for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii home video game system from Nintendo, and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. PlayStation 2 gamers will also get to shred on an exclusive shape, Gibson's Kramer guitar, popularized by hard rockers and known for its body design, pickups, electronics and construction for furious finger fretting.

Wii-kly Update: Three New Classic Games Added To Wii Shop Channel

Let's hope you all survived the long holiday weekend. With all the eating, traveling and family fun, isn't it time to do something just for you? So take a few minutes and do a little shopping from the comfort of your couch, away from the chaos of the malls. This week you can get into a game of hoops, do a little faux gambling or head out to sea with your favorite dolphin friend.

Three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the Wii™ Shop Channel every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

DOUBLE DRIBBLE™ (NES®, 1-2 players, rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): DOUBLE DRIBBLE, the first 5-on-5, full-court home basketball game, is pure hoops action at its finest. While still a surprisingly accurate basketball game for its time, the frantic action keeps you on your toes as your players run from one end of the court to the other. Choose from a handful of teams and multiple levels of difficulty as you take on the computer alone or challenge a friend and see who has the better skills. Take the ball and sink shots from locations all over the court, or get in your opponent's face and do your best to block the shot. Better yet, drive the lane and rock the rim to see one of the game's trademark slam-dunk cut scenes. He shoots, he scores!

Vegas Stakes™ (Super NES®, 1-4 players, rated E for Everyone – Simulated Gambling, 800 Wii Points): Feel like taking a road trip to Las Vegas? Let your inner high roller go wild as you try your luck at five different games-blackjack, slots, poker, craps and roulette. Start with only $1,000 in your pocket and play your way through five casinos, each with a different theme and varying limits. But no one wants to gamble alone, right? Not a problem, as you'll be able to choose one of four friends to tag along and offer advice when you need it. Further enhancing the experience is the fact that you'll be presented with a slew of interactions with random casino patrons. Best be careful, though-your choices in these situations could either get you closer to the millions of dollars you're after or cost you a pile of that hard-earned cash. Roll the dice, spin the wheel, hit or stand-do whatever it takes to stake your claim in Vegas and beat the house!

Ecco Jr.™ (Sega Genesis, 1 player, rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): The aquatic adventures of Ecco come to life for a younger generation of gamers. Perfect for kids, Ecco Jr. finds our young hero heading out to sea with a variety of tasks he must perform in order to get there. Along with his friends Tara the baby orca and Kitnee the young Atlantic dolphin, Ecco Jr. will interact with sea lions, sea horses and other aquatic life as he makes his journey to the Big Blue. Introduce your kids to the classic series of Ecco the Dolphin titles by downloading Ecco Jr. today.

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.

Earn £10 playing football game

United Football is looking for 50 sporty European gamers!

Want to earn £10 playing football? Staggan Interactive, the developer of the multiplayer online game United Football, are looking for 50 European gamers to help in the next phase of development. United Football is a free, fun to play 5-a-side soccer game. It’s the first online multiplayer soccer game where gamers can play in teams consisting entirely of other online human players and boasts a unique control system and viewpoint that puts the gamer right in the action.

If you have a couple of hours to spare, are English speaking and aged over 14 send an email to playtest@staggan.com with the words “Tell Me More” as the subject.

WWII Battle Tanks: T-34 vs. Tiger

Leading Publisher Lighthouse Interactive is proud to announce that it has acquired the PAN European publishing rights to Russian Publisher IDDK and Russian developer G5's highly anticipated simulation game ‘WWII Battle Tanks: T-34 vs Tiger’. Scheduled to release in Q1 2008 on the PC, this highly realistic WW2 Tank simulation game will allow players to experience the power of some of the most advanced weaponry of its time and battle the enemy head on during some of the most critical campaigns of World War 2.

Steve Wall, Vice President Business Development for Lighthouse Interactive said: “We are very excited to be publishing ‘WWII Battle Tanks: T-34 vs. Tiger’ throughout Europe. This is truly the most immersive World War 2 tank simulation available to date.” He went on to say, “The development team has created something special with their attention to detail in all aspects of the game. The combination of gorgeous graphics, realistic physics models, interactive environments and deep and engrossing gameplay is sure to satisfy the most ardent gamer.”

Dmitry Demenchoock Head of Games for IDDK said “Our developer G5 Software, ourselves, our volunteer testers and consultants from around the world have put a tremendous amount of effort and passion into creating ‘WWII Battle Tanks: T-34 vs. Tiger’. A game of this kind requires specialized publishing and promotion abilities from a publisher. Experience, professionalism and real passion for the game are what is required. This describes Lighthouse Interactive perfectly and is why we think that Lighthouse Interactive was the ideal choice for us and we are pleased to be working with them.”

Game summary

The tank simulation ‘WWII Battle Tanks: T-34 vs. Tiger’ takes place in Belarus during the summer of 1944, in which the Soviet Union launched “Operation Bagration”, the Belarusian offensive, against the retreating German Wehrmacht. After Kursk, this was the most significant struggle of the two tank armies and resulted in the complete destruction of the German Army Group Center and the Soviet recapture of all territories within their 1941 borders.

The player can experience the battlefield from within the Russian T-34 and the German “Tiger”, with fully animated 3D interiors and playable Driver, Gunner and Commander positions. The tanks’ dynamics include realistic physics, accurate ballistics and elaborate damage models. Interior models feature historically accurate gun-sight optics.

The vast Belarusian landscape of the early 20th century, with its rolling hills, villages and large forests was carefully recreated from historical reference photos and maps. The rich battlefield environment includes AI controlled Russian and German tanks, infantry, armored-personnel-carriers, anti-tank-guns and airplanes.

Stunning special effects, such as explosions, fires and smoke, the ability to completely destroy vehicles and buildings, all combine to create a lifelike combat environment. The action can be viewed from various camera angles in first or third person view.

‘WWII Battle Tanks: T-34 vs. Tiger’ includes two single-player campaigns and two multiplayer modes (skirmish and team-play) for LAN and Internet play for up to 16 players.

Features

• German and Russian Campaign missions are based on “Operation Bagration”, the codename for the Soviet Belarusian Offensive during World War II.
• Playable tanks: The Russian T-34/85 and the German Sd.Kfz. 181 "Tiger" Ausf. E.
• Control your tank from fully modelled and animated 3D positions. (driver, gunner and commander).
• “Napalm Engine” 3D technology allows for impressive effects, such as dynamic shadows, self shading, bump mapping, specular maps, glow and bloom.
• Stunning graphics and huge realistic landscapes to explore.
• Interactive environment with various levels of destruction: Buildings, trees and vehicles can be damaged or destroyed by cannon, MG fire or ramming attacks.
• AI controlled vehicles include: T-34/85, T-34/76, Tiger, Sk.Kfz.251, M3A1,ZIS-5, Opel Blitz, ZIS-3, Pak. 40, IL-2, FW-190.
• Multiplayer options include: LAN and Internet play for up to 16 players; Two multiplayer modes: Skirmish and TeamPlay.
• The game is GameSpy Arcade ready for online multi-player sessions and uses DirectPlay TM technology for direct IP multi-player connections via LAN and Internet.
• “TrackIR TM” support immerses the player in hands-free first person views for all available crew positions.

Unleash Your Inner Russian Farmer

The hero in the game isn't a warrior who blasts away bad guys with a super powerful arsenal of weapons. Instead, Iv@nich wears a plain apron and relies on his hens instead of a pistol.

Tula, Russia - November 26, 2007: Blagotek today announces the immediate availability of "Farmer Iv@nich - Eggs Lord", a new computer game that lets you unleash your inner farmer.
You assume the role of Iv@nich, a Russian farmer geek who bred a new kind of hens that lay eggs faster than sound. The eggs come so fast that the farmer is having a hard time collecting them! Things would be easier if it were not for the annoying cock. The cock is not pleased at the farmer's success and does everything to stop his progress.

The goal of the game is to help Iv@nich become the eggs lord. Collect the eggs until all the baskets are full. When a basket is full of eggs, it disappears. The faster you collect, the more points you score and the more chances you have to win the level. But if you take too long and do not collect the eggs in time, the level is lost and you have to start all over again.

While collecting eggs may not sound as exciting as blasting away bad guys with a super powerful arsenal of weapons, you'd be surprised at how challenging it is. Advancing in your career, you'll go through 33 difficult levels. Besides, there the angry cock! It'll try to attack you if you do not shake a leg and run away. And do not step on the baskets because if you do step or the cock bites you, the eggs multiple and you are not likely to collect them in time.

"Farmer Iv@nich - Eggs Lord" features outstanding graphics that complement the gameplay.

Try your hand at collecting eggs. It's fresh and fun to play!

Download the trial from http://www.blagotek.com/download/IvanichSetup.exe

Farmer Iv@nich: Eggs Lord – worst game ever or decent hoax?

Russia’s Blagotek provides the answer to violent computer games with a game that makes 3D Monster Maze look like Crysis...

With meat-spraying killfests such as Manhunt 2 being refused classification in the UK, and Clive Barker’s Jericho receiving similar treatment in Germany, violence in computer games is a hot topic at the moment. However, Russia’s Blagotek supposedly has an answer to the latest trend in butcher battles in the form of Farmer Iv@nich – Eggs Lord, a family-friendly game that’s all about collecting eggs, and there’s not an Uzi or a BFG in sight.

The company’s website paints a dismal, but humorously worded, picture of the gaming scene today. ‘Today the video game market is flooded with shooters and monsters,’ says Blagotek, with ‘lots of blood and tons of meat – that’s what many gamers like today. But these games are played by our children!’ The answer, we’re led to believe, is to get your kids playing Farmer Iv@nich – Eggs Lord instead.

We’ve had a play on the demo and we can safely say that the game is one of the worst things we’ve ever seen. For a start, Blagotek says that ‘Farmer Iv@nich - Eggs Lord’ features outstanding graphics that complement the gameplay.’ Now, no one expects a game about collecting eggs to rival Crysis in the graphics stakes, but you might at least expect the game to be fun to play. For example, you don’t expect to have to restart from the beginning of the game if you step on a basket. What’s in these booby-trapped baskets exactly, or are you not allowed to tell us because they might be full of something bad like bombs?

Still, the music is comically bouncy, and there’s also some good fun to be had in the pigeon English. In the game, you have a counter of ‘catched eggs’ rather than ‘caught eggs,’ but the game’s press release is also a good read, particularly the parts about your nemesis - the farm’s cockerel. ‘Besides, there the angry cock!’ says Blagotek, ‘it'll try to attack you if you do not shake a leg and run away. And do not step on the baskets because if you do step or the cock bites you, the eggs multiple and you are not likely to collect them in time.’

The game costs 12.75 Euros, but you can download the free demo, complete with ‘catched eggs’ here. Let’s hope that Blagotek has some better ideas in the works, as we’re sure it wouldn’t want to put all its eggs in one basket. (See what we’ve done there?)

Check out our video of the gameplay below. Is this terrible game for real, or is it just an elaborate wind-up?