Game for Mobile Phones – "Crazy Frog Racer"!

MobilityZone Ltd, a mobile phone games developer & publisher, announced the acquisition of a worldwide exclusive license for the most famous character to emerge from the web and mobile phones, Crazy Frog.

The first games from the Crazy Frog series of games, “Crazy Frog Racer” is ready now

Description
The frog is back!
Ride with The Annoying Thing in a high octane riot through cityscapes and underground mayhem.
Blast your opponents, picking up many power ups and super boosts.
This is your chance to either join The Annoying Thing or help beat him.

Game features
- Variety of Game modes including
- Up to 20 levels
- 3 Crazy Frogs with different abilities to choose from
- 7 opponents to fight with
- Up to 8 players on the track (behind character view)
- Number of weapons, items and power up’s during the course
- Up to 10 mini-games
- Dozens of quests to pass trough the race course
- Great player animations and behaviors
- Many track obstacles and objects
- Online feature – collect points and then send it to server
- Different weather conditions – real impact on the game play

Game Modes
- QUICK RACE: Single race, just pick up random road, a character and be the first on the finish line. Gain points to write your name in online high score.
- STORY: about 30 different races to pass trough during the mode. Each one with different combination of quests, mini-games and conditions player needs to pass.
- CHALLENGE: Around 30 different quests unlocked after pass in Story Mode. Examples:
- Finish with 50% energy
- Eliminate 3 contenders before race is over
- Grab 30 bonus crowns
- Finish the race without using speed up pods
- On each checkpoint last one will end the race, be the first one on the last checkpoint to win the game (just like eliminator mode in Burnout series)
 And more…

Supported phones: All major handsets in the market (more than 700 handsets).

Empire Interactive And The Bitmap Brothers Announce Extra Content For Speedball II: Brutal Deluxe

Empire Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of Silverstar Holdings and veteran British developer The Bitmap Brothers, today announced they will be releasing a range extra content for their Xbox LIVE Arcade title Speedball II: Brutal Deluxe.

Over the coming weeks a steady stream of content will be made available for download. Last week’s Theme Pack, containing four exclusive backdrops and a tiled Xbox blade, is followed up by this week’s addition of 4 new downloadable 3D Arenas, each with 3 variants, giving players even more customisable options.

Ian Higgins, CEO Empire Interactive said, “Offering extra content enables users to tailor the unique Speedball experience to their own individual taste and offers additional promotional opportunities to increase awareness and downloads.”

Since its release on 17th October, Speedball II: Brutal Deluxe has generated tremendous downloads on Xbox LIVE Arcade and received extensive coverage and rave reviews in the gaming press.

“…one of the all-time classic retro games.” Official Xbox 360 Magazine; Review Score 8/10

“…the sort of game that makes Xbox Live Arcade one of the most exciting gaming platforms around.” Euro Gamer; Review Score 8/10

Mike Montgomery, of developers Bitmap Brothers commented, “The extra content, and in particular the arenas, players and strips, dramatically enhance game play and make a real contribution to making Speedball II: Brutal Deluxe the definitive package.”

Regarded as a break-though title that took the sports genre to a new level, the Bitmap Brothers classic, Speedball, was first released for the Amiga in 1990 and quickly became a huge success. However it wasn’t until the release of its sequel, Speedball II: Brutal Deluxe that the title reached new gaming heights and sold over 2 million units. It is still considered by many to be one of the best games of all time. The Xbox LIVE Arcade version is a perfect conversion of Speedball II: Brutal Deluxe but with the addition of an all-new High Definition version, more teams and downloadable content, whilst still retaining all the classic elements that have made it a firm favorite amongst gamers.

At a cost ranging from 100MP to 150MP the extra content releases will please both hard-core fans and new generations of Speedball gamers.

Content: - Release Date:
Theme Pack - 31/10
Arena Pack - 07/11
Gamer Pics 1 - 14/11
Super Star Players - 28/11
Team Strips Pack - 12/12
Gamer Pics 2 - 09/01

Advanced Tactics video game Update

Brand new 1.02 update on your desk and awaiting approval, Herr General

Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) and VR Designs (www.advancedtactics.org) are pleased to announce that a new update for their popular World War II turn-based strategy game, Advanced Tactics: World War II, is now available. This latest 1.02 official update brings over 20 fixes, balance tweaks, and improvements to the table. Specifically, many minor bugs were fixed, the Europe at War scenario has been updated, unit costs were tweaked a bit, and the balance of units like scouts, flak, level bombers, heavy tanks, and more has been improved.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said, “Advanced Tactics has been enormously well received by gamers and critics alike and this update is yet another step in the right direction for VR Designs. Advanced Tactics has so much solid gameplay and replayability that we expect it to stay on your hard drive for ages and never get old. You can count on Matrix Games and VR Designs to continue to improve and support this wonderful game.”

Victor Reijkersz of VR Designs added “Thanks so much for the overwhelming community support I’ve received from fans. Your feedback has added tremendously to the continuing success of Advanced Tactics and we plan on continuing to improve this great gaming system as time goes on. The next update is already in the works!”

Advanced Tactics is a versatile turn-based strategy system that gives gamers the chance to wage almost any battle in any time period. The first module in this series is Advanced Tactics: World War II, which allows gamers to command a mighty army and storm across Europe. Complete with a streamlined interface and an addicting style of gameplay, Advanced Tactics offers a unique and infinitely replayable experience for any strategy fan.

Depending on the scenario, you can decide what your towns should produce, which HQs receive reinforcements, how your chain of command is formed, what sort of troop and equipment mix you put in each unit, if you use air, land, or sea strategies or maybe even call in the paratroopers – the possibilities are endless! Almost any type of strategy or tactic can be used effectively in Advanced Tactics. Perhaps the most powerful feature in Advanced Tactics is the ability to generate random maps and scenarios, giving the player endless hours of strategic fun without having to repeat a single battle or campaign!

Get more information on Advanced Tactics: World War II from its official Matrix Games webpage. This update will bring the game up to version 1.02 and is comprehensive.

Strategic Command 2 Weapons and Warfare Expansion v1.01 Patch and updated Demo

Today we have for you the first patch for our recently released product, Strategic Command 2 Weapons and Warfare Expansion. This v1.01 Patch includes a number of user requested changes, bug fixes and editor enhancements. We have also added a great deal of material to the game manual itself since many players have asked for more details on all the new changes in the expansion. The full patch details and download link are listed below.

In addition to the v1.01 Patch, we have also updated the Strategic Command 2 Weapons and Warfare Demo. The new demo includes all the relevant v1.01 updates.

Strategic Command 2 Weapons and Warfare Expansion v1.01 Patch
Please note, this is a PATCH for the Strategic Command 2 Weapons and Warfare Expansion and will only work for the Battlefront.com English language version. This patch will not work with any non-English version of Strategic Command 2 Weapons and Warfare Expansion at this time.
Separate patches for the other language versions will be released in the future.

v1.01 Version History:
GAME ENGINE CHANGES
- fixed an AI destroyer unit combat error
- fixed an AI upgrade unit error
- fixed an animation replay error
- fixed a MINOR country Corps purchase error
- paratroops that are preparing and engineers that are fortifying are no longer hidden under FoW
- subs caught in sea ice no longer raid convoy lanes until sea ice clears
- subs now use the following rules:
- Silent
- Sub can pass through hidden enemy units except for a Destroyer under FoW
- Sub cannot attack convoy lanes
- Hunt
- Sub cannot pass through hidden enemy units under FoW
- Sub can attack convoy lanes
- Note, a Sub will dive (if a dive is successful) when attacked and move away under either Silent or Hunt mode
- transfer of capitals now reduces that country's morale the same as it would if an ally were to surrender
- transfer of capitals now increase occupier's morale the same as it would if it forced the surrender of a country
- any country tha t has a capital transferred to a disconnected area loses its current production/queue items
(complete wipe out) unless the transfer location is connected to the current location of the capital (pre-transfer) or
to any of the Industrial Center locations for that country
- fixed a script handling error for #CONDITION_POSITIONs
- fixed a Paratroop glider sound error when playing under Military unit icons mode
- fixed a Paratroop drop and new unit selection error when Fortifications are destroyed or a Paratroop unit takes
landing casualties
- surprise encounters will now only apply the 'Hidden Attacker Readiness Bonus' to decrease attacker losses and not to also
increase defender losses as was previously the case
- fixed an 'add_unit' bug when minors are activated
- fixed a resource mpp calculation error that did not include Fortresses if a value was assigned to them
- fixed a bug where custom combat supply loss values via the Editor were not being read in game

EDITOR RELATED CHANGES
- fixed the military unit bitmaps to show some differentiation between tactical bombers and strategic bombers
- replaced Manstein with Bittrich in the Wacht Am Rhein scenario
- removed all incorrect references to O'Conner in the 1939 and 1940 campaigns and replaced them with O'Connor
- fixed a SURRENDER_2 script error for the surrender of Italy
- added several new Axis Middle East OFFENSIVE events
- added several new Axis Middle East TRANSPORT events
- added several new Axis Middle East GARRISON events
- added several new ACTIVATION#3 events
- added #PRODUCTION_LOST= entry to localization.txt
- fixed a Polish campaign victory condition error
- fixed several Spanish Civil War campaign errors
- updated Manual with several new entries regarding c hanges in Weapons and Warfare

File Details
Strategic Command 2 Weapons and Warfare Expansion v1.01 Patch
Filesize: 124.75 Megabytes

Link to Patch download site:
http://www.battlefront.com/products/sc2/sc2_wwe/patch.html
Strategic Command 2 Weapons and Warfare Expansion Demo (v1.01)

This demo includes two playable campaigns, Fall Weiss which depicts the German invasion of Poland and Wacht Am Rhein, better known as the Battle of the Bulge. Multiplayer modes are di sabled in the demo but both campaigns are playable against the AI as either the Axis or the Allies.

Strategic Command 2 Weapons and Warfare Expansion incorporates a huge list of new features frequently asked for by the fan community, including a bigger world map, new units, enhanced naval movement and combat rules, a deeper weather model, additional terrain types and resources, the simulation of roads and railways and a greatly extended editor with the ability to add in scripted Image and Sound events and much more.

This demo does NOT require Strategic Command 2 Blitzkrieg to already be installed, however the full game does.
Strategic Command 2 Weapons and Warfare Expansion is currently available for sale. More details can be found here: Official Strategic Command 2 Weapons and Warfare Expansion Website - http://www.battlefront.com/products/sc2/sc2_wwe/index%20.html

File Details
Strategic Command 2 Weapons and Warfare Expansion v1.01 Demo
Filesize: 93.05 Megabytes
Link to Demo Site:
http://www.battlefront.com/products/sc2/sc2_wwe/demo.html

World's Largest Multi-Game Home Arcade video game

Featuring a 120-inch high definition projector the Dreamcade Vision 120 is Wii compatible this monster delivers a larger than life gaming experience to arcade fans!

Dream Arcades (http://www.DreamArcades.com), is the leader in providing high-quality, low cost home video arcades unveils this season's hottest arcade product, the Dreamcade Vision 120. The Vision 120 comes complete and ready to play with more than 145 classic arcade games, including all of your favorite classic games from Atari, Midway, Namco, Digital Leisure, and Capcom as well more than 7,000 classic console games. The system also supports Nintendo's Wii console and even includes a wireless sensor bar.

Retail price is $3,999 and the Dreamcade Vision 120 can be found online at www.dreamarcades.com.

"Ever since my childhood I have dreamed of playing with classic arcade characters." says Michael Ware, Owner of Dream Arcades. "Now this dream can become a reality with this Dream Arcades system featuring a projection screen so large that Street Fighter characters appear life sized and others like the ghosts and zombies from Ghosts 'n Goblins and Pac-Man are almost scary!"

Dreamcade Vision 120 Features:
. High powered projector - Bright enough for daytime use!
. 120-inch Portable projection screen - makes it simple to set up, move, and store
. Dreamcade 2.0 Gaming PC - modern PC games can be played using authentic arcade controls
. More than 145 classic arcade games including Ms. Pac-man, Centipede, Dig Dug, and many more.
. Free year's subscription to more than 7,000 classic console games via Console Classix, including games for Atari, ColecoVision, NES, SuperNES, Sega Genesis, Sega Master System, Sega GameGear, and GameBoy.
. Component and HDMI video inputs for your Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 or Nintendo Wii for the ultimate in modern gaming as well as classic arcade games.

Arcade Control Panel Features:
. Lighted trackball - For authentic gaming action on games like Centipede and Missile Command
. Spinner - To play retro classics like Warlords, Breakout and Pong
. Full arcade control panel with additional side buttons allows playing nearly any game from Street fighter to MAME pinball as well as modern games and classic console games through Console Classix
. Removable control panel - Gives you the ultimate versatility

Blu-ray Disc Movie Sales Across Europe Surpass 1 Million Units

Blu-ray disc accounts for 73% of High Definition discs sold

Total Blu-ray Disc movie sales across Europe have topped one million units, it was announced today by the Blu-ray Disc Association European Promotions Committee. Of the High Definition movie discs bought by consumers year-to-date in Europe, 73% were in the Blu-ray Disc format and 27% were HD DVD, according to sales data provided by Media Control Gfk International.*

The only High Definition packaged media universally supported by the film, music, gaming and computer industries, BD is the #1 selling High Definition packaged media. The one million sales figure relates to movies: if BD game disc production is added into the equation then total number of discs produced for sale in Europe already exceeds 21 million units. The so-called ‘PlayStation effect’ is important since it is creating major economies of scale and makes BD disc replication cost effective.

Blu-ray Disc movie sales experienced their highest weekly sales since the inception of the format, in week 44, topping 66,000 units. * This is due to the launch of new release titles such as 300, Spider-Man 3, Die Hard 4.0 and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End releasing in some markets.

“This is an important milestone for Blu-ray Disc in Europe and proves once again that whenever consumers have the choice they decide overwhelmingly in favour of BD,” stated Frank Simonis, Chairman of the Blu-ray Disc European Promotions Committee. “Early indicators show that the Christmas holiday season will be exceptionally good for Blu-ray Disc across all categories from packaged media to standalone players and BD capable games consoles.”

Blu-ray Disc has become the first High Definition movie format to sell more than one million discs in Europe, with Blu-ray Disc's sales lead over the rival HD DVD format increasing each month since the PS3’s release in March, outselling HD DVD by 2:1 YTD and 3:1 since the launch of the PS3.

The launch of the PS3 in March was seen as a turning point for the Blu-ray Disc format across Europe, with weekly movie sales of Blu-ray Disc titles averaging between two- and five-times the amount of HD DVD sales week over week.*

The best selling Blu-ray titles year-to-date are 300 – the number one selling title in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Benelux and Sweden and Casino Royale - the number one selling title in UK and Ireland.

News of the 1 millionth Blu-ray Disc sale in Europe was met with pleasure in many of the leading Hollywood studios. Bob Chapek, Worldwide President, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment believes that this news is the prelude for an exponential growth period in BD sales.

“Blu-ray will inevitably prevail because Blu-ray delivers what consumers want: True High Definition picture without compromise, the best sound quality, the best choice in content, the most in special features, and of course the most disc storage capacity. No tradeoffs. No compromises,” commented Chapek.

Notes to Editors:

Blu-ray Disc is a next generation optical disc format developed for High Definition video and high-capacity software applications. A single-layer Blu-ray Disc holds up to 25 gigabytes of data and a dual-layer Blu-ray Disc holds up to 50 gigabytes of data. This greater storage capacity enables the Blu-ray

Disc to store over six times the amount of content than is possible with current DVDs, and is particularly well-suited for High Definition feature films with extended levels of additional bonus and interactive material, as well as next generation computer games.

Also, Blu-ray Disc features the most advanced copy protection, player backward compatibility with the current DVD format, connectivity and advanced interactivity. Showcasing picture quality with six times the resolution of DVD and theatre quality “uncompressed” audio for the purest digital sound, the cutting-edge discs also feature enhanced and integrated menus, games, High Definition bonus materials and Java-encoding for more dynamic and sophisticated interactivity.

Nintendo DS Passes Game Boy Advance Sales Record, Wii Becomes Must-Have Gift

In the first week of the 2007 holiday shopping season, Nintendo of America has sold more Nintendo products than at any other time in its history. This includes more than 653,000 Nintendo DS™ portable video game systems, 350,000 Wii™ home systems and millions of games and accessories throughout the United States - and the season is just getting started.

Nintendo DS set a new all-time sales record for Thanksgiving week, eclipsing the previous mark of 600,000 Game Boy® Advance systems sold during the same period in the United States in 2005. Nintendo DS remains on track to be the top-selling video game system of 2007.

Nintendo's 350,000 Wii systems represent the highest one-week U.S. sales total outside of its launch week one year ago. Wii has been dubbed the must-have gift of the 2007 holiday season and has been placed at the top of numerous gift lists. Nintendo has repeatedly increased its shipments and its fiscal-year sales forecast for Wii in an attempt to meet soaring demand. Wii reached 5 million sold in the United States faster than any video game system in history, after only 12 months of availability there.

Both Wii and Nintendo DS have continued their yearlong momentum into the holidays without altering their prices. And both remain attractive values for shoppers: Wii has an MSRP of $249.99, while Nintendo DS has an MSRP of $129.99.

"As shoppers look for ways to maximize their limited holiday spending money, they turn to gifts that can be used by the entire family," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "Wii and Nintendo DS offer something for every member of the family. They're the most fun video game experiences at the most affordable price."

With higher gas prices and fuel costs, and the lukewarm expectations for the 2007 holiday shopping season, Wii and Nintendo DS might be just what Santa ordered: Thirty-five percent of consumers said they plan to spend less than they did last year, according to a survey conducted by Opinion Research Corp. for the Consumer Federation of America and the Credit Union National Association. Similarly, a USA Today/Gallup Poll showed that 25 percent of Americans expect to spend less on gifts this year than they did in 2006.

Note that the internal Nintendo of America numbers referenced in this release represent sales from Sunday, Nov. 18, through Saturday, Nov. 24.

Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other Wii features, visit Wii.com.

Ben 10 Skins A Blast Down Under for DS video games

Wrapstar has teamed up with D3P to produce Ben 10 skins for a promotional campaign in Australia.

The Ben 10 skins were used as a promotional giveaway with copies of the new Nintendo DS Ben 10 game in an exclusive deal with Australian retail giant Toys ‘R’ Us.

The campaign has been so popular that over 600 units were sold in the game’s first week of release, more than any other format or retailer down under.

Wrapstar has much previous success with producing promotional skins. Past pre-order campaigns have included skins for EA’s My Sims title as well as Atari’s Arthur and The Invisibles and Tamagotchi.

Wrapstar skins are a distinctive way to customise, refresh and protect gaming machines and iPods. Made of unique high-quality cast vinyl, the skins are designed to maintain a vibrant, glossy finish and to resist general wear and tear. Wrapstar’s top-secret special adhesive also ensures that no sticky goo is left behind on your device upon removal of the skin.

The range now includes many new and existing designs as well as promotional skins and licensed designs, such as Wrapstar’s Rugby Football Union (RFU) skins.

Wrapstar Managing Director Max Haddow says, “Wrapstar’s Promotional skins allow publishers and developers to brand gaming machines with their titles. These act as a constant reminder to the user as well as having the added benefit of continual advertisement of their brands to a wider audience. The benefits of using our skins as an added value, pre-order campaign or bundle deal has seen huge uplifts in sales of the software, particularly with Ben 10”.

The full range of designs can be viewed on the website at www.wrapstar-skins.com

Wrapstar skins are available online via Amazon and GAME and the RFU range can be purchased in-store at Twickenham or online via RFU.

Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock (PS3) Review

Unleash your inner Rock Legend! (Sort of)

I admit it. I fell for the craze. After skipping the first two Guitar Heroes, I fell for the temptation of part 3. I pre-ordered it! I paid the somewhat ridiculous amount of $102.99 for the bundle. And you know what? It was worth it. Is it a perfect game? No. Is it a revolutionary game? No. Is it great fun? That’s a resounding yes.

Gameplay :

If you don’t know what Guitar Hero is about, you have been living under a rock. But just in case you are one of the few cavemen left on Earth, Guitar Hero 3 gives you the opportunity to rock like a superstar at your very own house (or cave). Using a guitar-shaped controller with colored fret buttons, a whammy bar and a strum, you follow on-screen cues with timing and rhythm to match the guitar sounds of classic songs like Guns N Roses “Welcome to the Jungle” and Iron Maiden’s “Number of the Beast”. And that is all there is to it.

Since this is my first Guitar Hero game, I found the experience to be a breath of fresh air. Getting used to the guitar controller takes some time, especially in the medium, hard and expert difficulties, which require the use of the pinky finger, a finger not normally used in any gaming experience. However, if you stick around, you will start nailing those notes and rocking like a pro. I have never played a real life guitar. I can’t even dance, I have no rhythm…but I still learned to play. So if you are one of those guys who is somewhat interested in the franchise but has not given in yet because of these concerns, rest assured that with some practice you will learn to play. The neck of the guitar has five colorcoded buttons. One green, one red, one yellow, one blue and one orange in that order. You need to hold the button (or buttons) indicated in the screen while strumming to play a note. The whammy bar comes into play during extended notes, where you are able to hold the notes and move the whammy to change the sound of the note and get extra points. You also need to tilt the guitar to activate star power. During the songs some of the notes will appear in star shapes. Playing the entire series of notes with this shape without missing one will earn you a small amount of star power. By tilting the guitar with the star power meter full, you will double your score multiplier for a short time. This causes the screen to turn blue and shiny and every note you play will be worth double the amount of points. The idea is to use star power when you have a 4x multiplier, so that it doubles to 8x and nets an insane amount of points.

The game’s main attraction is the career mode. Here you will progress trough several tiers of songs, each located on a different venue. Beating songs in the career nets you cash that you use to unlock new stuff from the shop and also unlocks the next tier of songs. Songs range from incredibly easy like Foghat’s “Slow Ride” to insanely difficult like Slayer’s “Raining Blood”. But all songs are beatable with some practice, at least in the easy and normal difficulties (more on that in a minute). As your band gets more famous you will be challenged to Guitar Battles by famous guitarists like Tom Morello and Slash. Beating them unlocks an encore song and also the next tier.

More from 411.com

Meet the Mario Maestros Who Have Videogame Music Rocking Concert Halls

Illustration by Ronald Kurniawan
Tennessee Williams. Aaron Copland. Dizzy Gillespie. Some of the nation's most respected artists have been honored onstage at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, over the past few decades. On a recent evening, it was Sam Greszes' turn.

Greszes, a lanky 18-year-old Northwestern University student, wasn't being feted for his contribution to American arts and letters but for his costume: He waddled onto the main stage of the concert hall dressed as a human-sized, L-shaped Tetris piece.

This wasn't the Kennedy Center Honors but a performance of Video Games Live, a 135-minute showcase of music from arcade, computer, and console titles, arranged for and performed by a 66-piece orchestra and a 16-person choir.

To win the best-costume prize, awarded just before the show began, Greszes beat out a Mega Man, two Marios, and a whole lot of Links. As he took the stage — cutting from side to side as he approached the podium in imitation of a Tetris piece — the thousand-strong audience erupted into a raucous bout of hooting.

More here from: WIRED