The Ultimate 'Hand Made' Fantasy With Odin Sphere

Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, today announces the release of Odin Sphere™ in early 2008, across all PAL territories and exclusively on the PlayStation® 2 computer entertainment system.

Be inspired by the renaissance of the lost art of hand-drawn in-game artwork. Odin Sphere brings a lavishly illustrated world to a home console, experienced through an intuitive, high quality control system. Odin Sphere’s fantasy world interlaces five individual tales to tell an epic story of amazing power, inevitable loss and irresistible love to enchant users.

Fully optimized for Europe, Odin Sphere delivers unique action-combat gameplay that rewards speed and style, revamping the action RPG genre. An alchemy system that lets you combine the spoils of combat for added bonuses and rare items adds further depth to this epic experience.

John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. comments, “Odin Sphere embodies the commitment of Square Enix in bringing new experiences to European gamers. This is especially reflected in our partnership with Atlus, allowing Square Enix Ltd. to publish the first non Square Enix title in PAL territories. The wonderfully crafted Odin Sphere is the best possible start to an exciting new period for the company.”

Xbox Targets We7 For Christmas Campaign

Xbox signs deal with We7 to reach key online audiences for Christmas

Microsoft has teamed up with new ad-funded free music download service, We7, to increase awareness of Xbox 360 and promote key titles in the run up to Christmas. The deal will see Xbox utilise We7’s unique ad grafting technology to get directly into the ears of consumers downloading tracks and albums from www.we7.com, targeting their ads by the genre of music as well as by location, age and gender.

The We7 campaign is part of a wider Christmas strategy from Xbox which includes TV advertising, and will run from 26th November until Christmas day. As well as raising brand awareness for Xbox 360, the campaign on We7 will use the power of music to demonstrate Xbox 360’s strong portfolio of games to appeal to a wide range of audiences, from the latest blockbuster games for the key 16-25 male audience to ‘Fun for Everyone’ – a range of family games suitable for everyone 3 years+.

Stephen McGill, Head of Gaming and Entertainment, Microsoft UK says of the deal: “There’s a natural affinity between music and gaming which We7 allows us to explore in a unique and effective way using a mix of traditional display ads alongside the new audio grafting techniques. We’ll primarily use this campaign to target our key demographic – 16-25 year old males – but as We7 has a varied user base we plan to broaden our focus to a wider family audience too.”

The We7 innovation allows advertisers to digitally reach an audience using the traditional formats of MPU’s and Skyscrapers but the audio segment uniquely goes with the consumers onto their iPods or other MP3 players reinforcing the message in an intimate and highly acceptable manner.

The range of audio ads has been created by Music4 and the 20 second ads use the same memorable backing track that appears on the TV campaign.

Steve Purdham, CEO, We7 adds: “We7 offers a platform to entertain and engage, benefiting both the consumer and the advertiser. We are thrilled to be working with such a leading consumer brand as Xbox as it feels like the perfect fit for our site.

“Since signing our first deal in October, we’ve seen significant interest from the Advertising community to our new innovative model and we expect to make more announcements of We7 adoption in the run up to Christmas as well as in 2008.”

Unreal Engine 3 Licensed by Korea's AcroGames

AcroGames, Inc. announced today that it has licensed Unreal Engine 3 from Epic Games, Inc. for an unannounced project. AcroGames’ seasoned game developers have helped create best-selling titles in Korea such as NCsoft’s “Lineage II” and Softmax's “Magna Carta” series.

“We are very satisfied to be working with Unreal Engine 3,” said HyunTae Jeong, chief executive officer and game director of AcroGames. “We have had positive experiences making games with previous releases of Epic’s engine and are finding that Unreal Engine 3 is extremely flexible and quite capable of meeting our development needs.”

“AcroGames is a promising team comprised of top talent and we look forward to working with them,” said Jay Wilbur, vice president of Epic. “We are committed to supporting the Asian game market with best of breed development tools, and our agreement with AcroGames marks a significant achievement in this effort.”

About AcroGames
AcroGames is an up and coming game development studio in Seoul, Korea. Core team members have contributed to renowned titles including NCsoft’s “Lineage II,” which is powered by Epic’s Unreal Engine 2, and Softmax’s “Magna Carta” series.

About Unreal Engine 3
The award-winning Unreal Engine is known for cutting-edge graphics and a best-of-breed toolset. Unreal Engine 3 is expected to maintain those features while adding massive world support, multi-processor support, next-generation console optimizations, and one of the most mature tool pipelines in the industry. Unreal Engine 3's new toolset is designed specifically to accelerate developers' productivity for ultra-complex, next-generation content. Additional information on Unreal Engine can be obtained at www.unrealtechnology.com.

7-Eleven Brings Nexon America Game Cards To Teen, 'Tween Customers

Real Card Buys Kids Virtual Shopping Experience

While most big news in the videogame industry revolves around the midnight launch of a hot, new game or the latest, greatest console to hit store shelves, 7-Eleven, Inc. is promoting a new videogame initiative that is less about hardware and software than it is about going on a virtual shopping spree.

One of the biggest global gaming phenomenons is the “Massively Multiplayer Online Game” (MMOG), a computer game that is capable of supporting hundreds or thousands of players simultaneously. The games are played on the Internet and feature at least one virtual world. MMOGs can enable players to cooperate and compete with each other, as well as interact meaningfully with people around the world. While many of these games are free to play, gamers can spend money to create the coolest avatar, a graphic or visual online identity.

7-Eleven® stores and their 24-hour operation make it more convenient for the millions of MMOG fans to personalize their play with certain online games by offering the Nexon Game Card at its U.S. stores.

7-Eleven has an agreement with Nexon America Inc., the U.S. division of Asia’s leading online games company, Nexon Group, to be the first convenience retailer in the United States to sell these cards. Gamers can use the prepaid cards to redeem virtual in-game items and accessories within the MapleStory, Audition and upcoming KartRider games produced by Nexon. The prepaid game cards available in 7-Eleven stores are sold in $10 and $25 denominations.

“We have a great assortment of prepaid cards and now we have one especially for ‘tweens and teens who are the biggest fans of these online games,” said Brad Haga, 7-Eleven senior product director for business development and services. “They’re perfect for young people on a budget and should appeal to the Slurpee®-beverage crowd.”

7-Eleven and Nexon worked with InComm, a technology firm that develops, markets and distributes stored-value gift and prepaid products, to add the Nexon gift cards to 7-Eleven’s extensive services category. An animated version of a 7-Eleven store and an employee will appear in the popular MapleStory MMOG. This type of integration is cutting-edge, according to Nexon. It brings relevant content to consumers and provides 7-Eleven with a new way to use virtual worlds to expand its marketing.

“Offering these exclusive game cards is an important first for a convenience chain and massively multiplayer online (MMO) publisher,” said John H. Chi, president and CEO of Nexon America Inc. “By partnering with 7-Eleven, we’re able to reach a much broader audience than ever before. Many of Nexon’s customers are teenagers without access to credit cards. Now they will have a more convenient option to getting the cards.”

The Nexon Game Card can be used within any of Nexon’s games, which are free to download at http://www.nexon.net. Players use an innovative cash shop system (called microtransactions), that provides the option to individualize Audition and MapleStory characters and create unique identities. These features are purely optional, and players can try out items in virtual dressing rooms before making a purchase. Items range from hip haircuts and stylish clothes in Audition to vibrant, colorful outfits and fire-breathing pets in MapleStory.

“7-Eleven is eager to offer more products and services for tweens and teens who have fun personalizing elements of these online games and interacting with other players around the world,” said Haga. “The Nexoncards are a perfect fit for our prepaid product selection.”

As the pioneer of the microtransaction, or Item-Selling business model, Nexon has sold millions of virtual items worldwide through MapleStory and other hit titles like KartRider and BnB: Crazy Arcade. In February 2007, Nexon America reported that North American players spent $1.6 million on 600,000 virtual products within MapleStory alone.

TeliaSonera and Cisco provide Dreamhack with the fastest internet connection in the world

Just an hour or so ago, Dreamhack, the world’s largest computer festival officially opened in Jönköping, Sweden. At the same time, the fastest internet access in the world was also launched. TeliaSonera and Cisco are providing the technology that offers an internet connection speed of 40 gigabits per second. Over the course of the festival, the 15,000 visitors will enjoy an unrivalled broadband and gaming experience.

This is a Multimedia News Release
The pressrelease, still pictures in high resolution and videos (animations, interviews with participants and organisers and pictures from the event) look here:
http://www.world-television.se/world_television.se/mnr_stat/mnr/TeliaSonera/294/

TeliaSonera är det ledande telekommunikationsföretaget i Norden och Baltikum med starka positioner inom mobil kommunikation i Eurasien, Turkiet och Ryssland. I slutet av 2006 lanserade vi mobiltjänster i Spanien. TeliaSonera är den ledande europeiska leverantören av internationella röst-, IP- och kapacitetstjänster som vi erbjuder via vårt eget helägda internationella carrier-nät. 2006 omsatte TeliaSonera 91 miljarder kr och i mars 2007 översteg det totala antalet kunder 100 miljoner i 15 länder. TeliaSonera är noterat på Stockholmsbörsen och Helsingfors börs. Företaget finns med på Dow Jones index för hållbar utveckling. Vi ser enkelhet och service som viktiga verktyg för att skapa lönsam tillväxt och värde för våra kunder och aktieägare. Läs mer på www.teliasonera.se

Win a Wii contest paves the way for first ever Wii Optimized Chat

WiiWasHere, the best place on the net to store all your Nintendo Wi-Fi codes, challenge friends, and earn Achievement Coins is giving away a Wii and Super Smash Bros. Brawl!

November 29, 2007 – On the heels of the first ever Wii Optimized Chat system launch, WiiWasHere is proud to announce a contest that will reward the most dedicated gamers with outstanding prizes. The user with the most Achievement Coins will win a new Wii system, and the second place user will receive a new copy of Super Smash Bros. Brawl for the Wii.

Users simply need to sign up as WiiWasHere members and challenge friends, all for free. After each challenge, members rate each other’s performance and earn Achievement Coins, which gamers use to prove skill level and win WiiWasHere contests like the WinWii contest. Previously members were able to plan challenges for the future though an online form, now they can instantly challenge online friends via the Wii Optimized Chat! Either way, Achievement Coins are awarded upon completion of ratings.

To participate in the WinWii contest please visit http://wiiwashere.com, where you can sign up and get more information on the contest.

Deal or No Deal: Secret Vault Games for PC Now Available

2K Play offers an all new take on the popular Deal or No Deal game as the perfect gift for the entire family this holiday season

2K Play, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, and Endemol USA announced today that Deal or No Deal: Secret Vault Games, the next release in the popular Deal or No Deal PC game series, is now available at major retailers throughout North America. Based on the hit TV show, Deal or No Deal: Secret Vault Games builds on the success of the first Deal or No Deal game and features host Howie Mandel.

"I’m thrilled to be bringing the franchise to the next level with Deal or No Deal: Secret Vault Games for the PC," said Howie Mandel, who provided the voice-over in the game. "Fans of the show are going to love playing all new games that are so secret even The Banker needs special clearance to get in."

With all new content, Deal or No Deal: Secret Vault Games contains a heavily-guarded vault with 20 cases, each containing a unique game inspired by the hit show. Gamers can try their hand at any of these exciting games such as Strike a Deal, The Keys to Success, Cross the Banker and Dice or No Dice. Players can work to master them all or risk leaving the game with one penny instead of millions of dollars. In addition, the game offers players three types of tournaments with the goal to climb in the rankings on the Leader Board.

"Based on the success of our first Deal or No Deal PC game, we wanted to bring fans an entirely new Deal or No Deal experience,” said Steve Lux, Vice President of Business Development for 2K Play. “By going deep inside the Secret Vault, we've created a game that is the perfect holiday gift for fans of the show and casual gamers looking for a fun and unique gaming experience."

When the third season of the hit NBC TV show premiered this past September, an average of 10 million fans began tuning in weekly. The show remains an anchor of the network's fall lineup.

Rated E for Everyone, Deal or No Deal: Secret Vault Games is now available exclusively on the PC for a suggested retail price of $19.99. It is licensed in conjunction with the Joy Tashjian Marketing Group and was developed by Cat Daddy Games, a Take-Two development studio. For more information, please visit www.2kgames.com/2kplay.

MangaFighter video game launch in December

OnNet USA announced today that it will launch MangaFighter globally on December 3rd, 2007. MangaFighter, a revolutionary new online game, will offer players a fast-paced third-person shooter experience blended with anime-style characters and environments. MangaFighter features a high level of character customization, as well as unique offline skill cards which provide players with special effects for their characters.

The offline skill card sets, as well as complete sets of MangaFighter action figures, will be given away during this official launch period. The action figures, produced exclusively for the launch of this game, will be given to players randomly through various promotional events. Players who receive the skill cards, which are suitable for trading, will scratch off an area at the bottom of the cards to reveal codes which can then be used to give in-game characters special abilities.

"What happens when manga meets third-person shooters?" asked Jin Yong, producer of MangaFighter at OnNet USA. "We're eager to let our players find out."

MangaFighter was developed by OnNet Korea, under the title "QPang," and the localized version will be published by OnNet USA.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAMING SERIES

Media Event to Kick Off 2007 World Final

Championship Gaming SeriesTM (CGS), the only worldwide professional gaming league will hold its inaugural World Final December 6-14 at Sony Studios in Los Angeles. At the highly-anticipated showdown, 12 top CGS teams from around the world will battle each other for their share of an unprecedented $1,000,000 total prize purse, of which $500,000 will go to the World Champion team.

In what will become an annual platform for the world’s best gamers to compete professionally, the inaugural CGS World Final will be broadcast on television to more than 350 million viewers by DIRECTV’s The 101 in the U.S., BSkyB’s Sky One, Sky Two and Sky HD in the UK, ESPN STAR Sports in Asia, SKY in Mexico and Brazil, DIRECTV throughout the rest of Latin America, and across mainland Europe via additional soon-to-be confirmed broadcast partners.

CGS WORLD FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE

WHAT: Join CGS Commissioner/CEO Andy Reif and Eric Shanks, DIRECTV’S Executive Vice President of Entertainment as they share important league news and officially kick off the 2007 CGS World Final. They will discuss the latest pertaining to the World Final while also announcing exciting developments for the 2008 season. Additionally, both Andy and Eric will address audience questions and be available for one-on-one conversation immediately following the press conference.

WHO: Andy Reif, Commissioner and CEO, CGS
Eric Shanks, Executive Vice President, Entertainment, DIRECTV

WHEN: Thursday, December 6, 2007
2:30-4:00p PST

WHERE: Radisson Hotel (press conference) Sony Studios (event)
Playa Vista Meeting Room Sound Stage 29
6161 W. Centinela Ave. 10202 W. Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90230 Culver City, CA 90232
310.649.1776 310.244.4000

CGS WORLD FINAL EVENT

WHAT: CGS World Final

WHEN: December 6-14

WHERE: Sony Studios

EVENT SCHEDULE:

December 6 (7:00p-10:00p PST): First round day 1
December 7 (7:00p-10:00p PST): First round day 2

December 8 (9:00A-1:00p PST): WoW:BC 2v2 CGS Championship (Competition will be webcast on thecgs.com)
December 9(12:00p-6:00p PST): Individual World Final (Competition will be webcast on thecgs.com)

December 10 (7:00p-10:00p PST): Quarterfinals day 1
December 11(7:00p-10:00p PST): Quarterfinals day 2
December 13(7:00p-10:00p PST): Semifinals
December 14(7:00p-10:00p PST): Final

CHAMPIONSHIP GAMING SERIES

Media Event to Kick Off 2007 World Final

Championship Gaming SeriesTM (CGS), the only worldwide professional gaming league will hold its inaugural World Final December 6-14 at Sony Studios in Los Angeles. At the highly-anticipated showdown, 12 top CGS teams from around the world will battle each other for their share of an unprecedented $1,000,000 total prize purse, of which $500,000 will go to the World Champion team.

In what will become an annual platform for the world’s best gamers to compete professionally, the inaugural CGS World Final will be broadcast on television to more than 350 million viewers by DIRECTV’s The 101 in the U.S., BSkyB’s Sky One, Sky Two and Sky HD in the UK, ESPN STAR Sports in Asia, SKY in Mexico and Brazil, DIRECTV throughout the rest of Latin America, and across mainland Europe via additional soon-to-be confirmed broadcast partners.

CGS WORLD FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE

WHAT: Join CGS Commissioner/CEO Andy Reif and Eric Shanks, DIRECTV’S Executive Vice President of Entertainment as they share important league news and officially kick off the 2007 CGS World Final. They will discuss the latest pertaining to the World Final while also announcing exciting developments for the 2008 season. Additionally, both Andy and Eric will address audience questions and be available for one-on-one conversation immediately following the press conference.

WHO: Andy Reif, Commissioner and CEO, CGS
Eric Shanks, Executive Vice President, Entertainment, DIRECTV

WHEN: Thursday, December 6, 2007
2:30-4:00p PST

WHERE: Radisson Hotel (press conference) Sony Studios (event)
Playa Vista Meeting Room Sound Stage 29
6161 W. Centinela Ave. 10202 W. Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90230 Culver City, CA 90232
310.649.1776 310.244.4000

CGS WORLD FINAL EVENT

WHAT: CGS World Final

WHEN: December 6-14

WHERE: Sony Studios

EVENT SCHEDULE:

December 6 (7:00p-10:00p PST): First round day 1
December 7 (7:00p-10:00p PST): First round day 2

December 8 (9:00A-1:00p PST): WoW:BC 2v2 CGS Championship (Competition will be webcast on thecgs.com)
December 9(12:00p-6:00p PST): Individual World Final (Competition will be webcast on thecgs.com)

December 10 (7:00p-10:00p PST): Quarterfinals day 1
December 11(7:00p-10:00p PST): Quarterfinals day 2
December 13(7:00p-10:00p PST): Semifinals
December 14(7:00p-10:00p PST): Final