Trixie in Toyland shows off her Gold badge...

Video games publisher and games developer Data Design Interactive are pleased to announce that its Nintendo Wii development team, working on their ‘Popcorn Arcade’ label, have had another game gain Nintendo approval. This means ‘Trixie in Toyland’ is the 12th of 14 games Popcorn Arcade are aiming to have reach Gold status before the end of 2007.

Trixie in Toyland
This is the mythic, magical world of the Myth Makers – and this time our story follows the fearless Trixie as she single-handedly chases down Penumbra – the new tyrant of Toyland.

The Evil Penumbra, Leader of the Acrostic Riders has stolen the Myth Makers Orbs and has hidden them in Toyland. Trixie must explore every inch of Toyland and find the stolen Magical Orbs and return balance to the Myth Realm. But it’s not going to be easy!

• Control Trixie’s movement using the Nunchuk and bash evil toys with Trixie’s magic baton by swinging your Wii Remote.

• Defeat enemies with multiple attacks. You can bunny hop on their heads or attack from a distance using the Wii Remote to target Trixie’s magical spells.

• Complete Myth Maker quests by collecting hidden objects and special pickups. Have you got them all?

• Completing levels allows you to open special BONUS levels featuring totally different modes of play.

For further information, please contact:

Frazer Nash Communications

Theatre of War "Uber" Patch details and Map Editor video released

Today we have made available a video that 1C has prepared which showcases some of the new features included in the upcoming Theatre of War 'Uber' Game Patch.

The video focuses on the updated Map Editor which now allows the player unprecedented control to edit and create playable landscapes, including full real time 3D terrain transformation, water flow modeling, surface layering, structure manipulation and object/structure/road placement among many other advanced editor elements such as modifiable terrain highlights, structure damage and variable foliage density.

The upcoming patch (more of a genuine upgrade, really) includes much more than just a newly re-engineered Map Editor and a brief list of the other new additions featured in the upcoming Theatre of War 'Uber' Patch is included below.

New components

Map Editor (Builder) with expanded functionality including landscape editing, roads and terrain type mapping capabilities;
Mission Editor (updated with multiplayer missions editing capability and new triggers).

New campaigns

Battle for Moscow (first released with 1.3.0.56 patch, newly updated);
Battle for Normandy (battles fought by German Panzer Division “Panzer Lehr”).

Multiplayer Enhancements

11 new MP missions;
11 new MP maps;
New mission type – Assault/Defend;
Timed missions;
Multiplayer game may include AIs;
Multiplayer game may be played by one player with up to 7 AIs;
In some missions player’s alliance determines their starting positions;
Player now must choose an army instead of country in multiplayer; each mission may have up to 20 different armies;
AIs choose offensive or defensive behavior themselves;
Player spawn indicator added to map in mission setup;
MP stability improved;
Load times for MP missions reduced;
Smo oth unit movement on client side;
Known multiplayer bugs fixed.

General changes

1. Visibility system redone: bushes, tree foliage and tree trunks now fully block line of sight. These obstacles do not count in very close proximity to units (“Forest ignore distance”), making hiding behind them possible;
2. LOS indicator added – color coding of the line which is drawn when player issues one of the attack orders. Solid green part of the line represent “Forest ignore distance” where foliage is ignored, red part represent zone with good visibility (it’s brightness may vary indicating quality of LOS) and black part shows area which selected unit can not see;
3. Difficulty levels changed: enemies suffer from reduced accuracy and penetration values on easy level, are equal to player units on medium difficulty level and have slightly hig her accuracy on hard level;
4. Many missions were rebalanced to account for the new visibility system;
5. Reloading bug fixed, now infantry doesn’t kneel for reloading;
6. Coaxial MG fire error fixed (after main gun breakage);
7. Bug causing indestructible coaxial MGs fixed;
8. Aiming at moving target changed;
9. Detonation time calculations for shells with base fuses changed;
10. Secondary damage calculations (internal armor fragmentation, HEAT pressure wave, etc.) are now more accurate;
11. Errors in unit properties fixed;
12. Daimler Mk I size reduced, crew animations redone;
13. IS-2 crew consists of 4 men instead of 5;
14. Damage calculations changed for tank commander cupolas;
15. Ordinary steel instead of armored steel now used for unarmored vehicles like automobiles and for some auxiliary tank parts;
16. Artillery guns dama ge model corrected;
17. Damage model for additional armor sheets and auxiliary parts changed;
18. Errors in infantry backpacks fixed;
19. DShK machinegun model corrected;
20. Ignited vehicles now burn longer;
21. Aiming accuracy dependence on skills corrected;
22. Bug which could cause disappearing of units during campaign fixed;
23. Infantry behavior in trenches corrected;
24. Air units behavior has been improved;
25. AI units now better at aiming at different spots on vehicles;
26. Error when tanks could possibly crush friendly troops fixed;
27. Wrong behavior of Wz.34 armored car fixed (it no longer can crush trees);
28. More sounds added;
29. Unit behavior in Guard state improved;
30. Weather conditions and trenches affect visibility

In addition to all of the items above, this patch includes all the fixes from the original "Battle for
Moscow Patch" which includes the following:

1. Many new hotkeys added for formations, Hold Fire and Hold Position commands;
2. Tank and SPG AI improved;
3. Units no longer stop when they receive a new order;
4. Waypoints added for units (hold 'shift' key when issuing movement orders to place waypoints);
5. Expanded sound system (hear sounds further away and louder in some cases) including Improved Sounds;
6. Improvements to the gun towing process implemented;
7. Better handling of the Reverse command for vehicles. Tanks and halftracks now automatically use reverse while moving back for short distances;
8. Game speed acceleration/deceleration feature added (accessed via the "Change time speed" hotkey currently);
9. AI much better at deciding at which unit part of vehicle to aim at;
10. Quick Saves error fixed;
11. Tow setup now automatically detects best settings for user hardware;
12. Minor errors with crew animations fixed;
13. Improved logging functions to help with determining the causes of certain crashes;
14. General performance and stability improved;
15. Numerous other gameplay fixes

Cranium Kabookii Video Game in the stores

Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, announced that Cranium Kabookii has shipped to retailers nationwide and is available exclusively for the Wii home video game system from Nintendo. Developed by Ubisoft’s Quebec studio, in collaboration with five-time Toy Industry Association Game of the Year winner Cranium, Inc., Cranium Kabookii celebrates the amazing things friends and family can do as they create, perform, discover and connect with one another. Cranium Kabookii is rated “E” for Everyone and has an MSRP of $49.99.

“The Cranium brand is synonymous with creativity, expression, and fun. By bringing these attributes to the Wii, Cranium Kabookii is the perfect addition to our Games for Everyone line,” said Tony Key, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Ubisoft, “We are extremely excited to be working with Cranium, Inc., who have established themselves as pioneers in the industry by creating unique and innovative games for all ages.”

Cranium Kabookii brings a new dimension to Wii play through the use of the Wii Remote and special Kabookii Decoder Glasses. New questions and 15 activities get teams playing music, drawing, acting, puzzling and even cracking codes to win. Spray paint the solar system on a wall (you actually hear the can shaking in your hand!); use the Wii Remote as a mallet to hammer out “Auld Lang Syne” on a xylophone; solve word puzzles (what word is both a face card and car lifter?); or even trot the globe to test your knowledge of world flags, landmarks and national anthems (frequent flier miles not included!).

“Cranium Kabookii is our first family video game, and we couldn’t have found a better partner in Ubisoft,” said Cranium Chief Noodler and co-founder Whit Alexander. “The Quebec studio’s understanding of our brand, paired with their excellence in video game development, allowed us to create a play experience that’s a first for the Wii and a first for Cranium. This is an exciting milestone for us.”

Key Features:

• The family game show for your Wii: Enter the Cranium Kabookii arena, spin the carousel and land on one of 15 different activities to start the fun!


• CREATE works of art and imagination with spray paint, chalk and disappearing ink


• DISCOVER fascinating new things in true-false, multiple choice and globe-spinning trivia puzzles


• PERFORM hilarious feats by acting, playing songs and mastering the art of memorization


• CONNECT with friends and family as you crack codes, decipher clues, and remix phrases.


• Something for everyone: Unlimited players! Up to four teams, each with two or more players of all ages, can compete against each other. Engaging and hilariously entertaining, Cranium Kabookii is perfect for any combination of aspiring artists, performers, data heads or wordsmiths.


• Special Kabookii Decoder Glasses: Unveil secret clues on the TV without revealing them to other players in the room.


• Play globally, act locally: Custom built! Cranium Kabookii is the first Wii game with international questions carefully crafted to celebrate the unique culture and sense of humor of players in Canada, France, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

LEFT BRAIN RIGHT BRAIN FOR THE NINTENDO DS

It’s never too late to become ambidextrous as Majesco Entertainment Company, an innovative provider of video games for the mass market, today announced it has shipped Left Brain Right Brain for the Nintendo DS. Left Brain Right Brain is the only brain game that promotes ambidexterity by requiring players to flip the DS and play a challenging set of mini-games with both their dominant and non-dominant hands.

“Left Brain Right Brain uses the unique Touch Screen capabilities of the DS to give this first-rate gaming device a dual purpose as a self improvement tool,” said Gui Karyo, Executive Vice President of Operations, Majesco. “Regardless of their age, players will enjoy the wide variety of games designed to help each hand keep pace with their brain.”

In Left Brain Right Brain, players flip the DS around in book-style play to improve their hand-eye coordination in games based on speed, accuracy, association, recognition, memory and strategy. Using both right and left hands to play develops physical dexterity while also encouraging development of the right and left side of the brain.

Additional game features include:
15 different drills: Connect the Dots, Pop the Balloons, Defend Earth, Touch the Green
Square, Open the Safe, Trace the Shape, Navigate the Maze and eight more;
Five difficulty levels per activity help prepare players for ambidexterity tests;
Four single-player game modes: Hand Exercises, Balance Check, Left Hand vs. Right
Hand and Ambidexterity Check;
Development percentages for each hand let you monitor improvement;
Challenge a friend via single card DS download play.

Left Brain Right Brain is rated E for Everyone, and is now available for a suggested retail price of $19.99. For additional information, please visit www.majescoentertainment.com.

The History Channel Battle for the Pacific Video Game Bursts into Retail Stores Nationwide

Step right into the heart of combat in The History Channel: Battle for the Pacific video game from Activision. History is brought to life in this authentic, epic experience as players relive famous conflicts fought on the intense battlefields of World War II. Told through the eyes of an American GI, the game features heart-pumping action, real WWII weapons and actual documentary video footage as players fight through a variety of territories including Guadalcanal, the Philippines and Iwo Jima.

"We're thrilled to continue our collaboration with the award-winning The History Channel to deliver gamers with a new chapter in the WWII series," said David Oxford, Activision, Inc. "Everything in The History Channel: Battle for the Pacific from the combat and mission locations to the weapons and documentary footage is painstakingly researched, allowing us to deliver a cinematic war experience that is both incredibly exciting and accurate."

The History Channel: Battle for the Pacific thrusts players directly into the Pacific's most historic battles of WWII. Utilizing real combat skills and authentic allied and axis weapons, including sub-machine guns, sniper rifles, anti-aircraft guns and grenades, players will be able to relive history and fight through missions based on actual battles. Additionally, players can go online on next generation platforms and the PC and play as an American or Japanese soldier in individual or team based modes such as elimination, deathmatch, team deathmatch and capture the flag.

The History Channel: Battle for the Pacific, which is published by Activision Minneapolis, is available now on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for a suggested retail price of $49.99 and the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Wii home video game system and the PC for $39.99. The game will also be available on the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system for $49.99 on December 12, 2007. The game is rated "T" (Teen) by the ESRB.

Matrix Games Releases a new Maximum Football 2.0 Gameplay Video!

A new hard-hitting gameplay video slams like a sack from the blind-side

Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) and Wintervalley Software (www.wintervalley.com) are excited to send out a new video showing off the revamped graphics and improved gameplay found in Maximum Football 2.0. This first 2.0 video illustrates some of the game’s statistical features in addition to some bone-crunching hits found on the Maximum Football 2.0 virtual gridiron!

Download the video below or check it out on Youtube! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKPtItkIFlw

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Football fans everywhere will no doubt be pumped up and ready to burst off the line of scrimmage when they see this gameplay video. For the armchair coach or the fan of hard hits and exciting gameplay, Maximum Football 2.0 has got it all!”

Dave Winter of Wintervalley Software added “I feel this gameplay video really lets the improvements coming with the second iteration of Maximum Football shine. Maximum Football 2.0 presents sports fans with a great blend of the hardcore strategy and statistical analysis with the fast-paced, action-oriented gameplay found on game day.”

Maximum-Football 2.0 is the latest and greatest release from the acclaimed sports management video game studio, Wintervalley Software. Bringing a whole host of new features like full Xbox 360 controller support, full DirectX 9.0 utilization, and scores of other upgrades and improvements, Maximum-Football 2.0 delivers on gameplay and fun like a bullet pass through double coverage. Like its predecessor, Maximum-Football 2.0 allows players to experience the thrill of managing a team in any league!

Design and play in leagues where you pick the size and layout. Play against others in user created leagues. The sky is the limit to how far you can take Maximum-Football 2.0. Get down and dirty with the editor as you create new plays and playbooks, design your own uniforms and helmets, and even select nicknames to appear on jerseys.

Maximum-Football 2.0 is the football fans dream. Whether you are a head coach or an armchair quarterback, Maximum-Football 2.0 has the features for you.

Get more information on Maximum Football 2.0 from its official Matrix Games webpage.

Need for Speed races into number one

Title tipped for Christmas number one moves into top spot

Need for Speed: Prostreet has moved up into pole position in the UK all formats chart, the place it's tipped to take for Christmas this year, according to sales information from Chart Track for the week ending December 1.

Dr Kawashima's Brain Training continued to sell well in second place, despite being released in June last year, while The Simpsons Game and FIFA 08 also moved up to third and fourth respectively - giving EA three of the top four chart placements this week.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare fell to fifth place, while Assassin's Creed dropped from the previous week's number one to hold sixth place.

Mario and Sonic at the Olympics was the biggest gainer in the top ten, moving up seven places to seventh, with WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2008, More Brain Training from Dr Kawashima and Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 rounding out the top ten.

The highest new entry was Namco's Sight Training, which debuted at 22, while Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles only managed 28.

Sony boss admits to slow start for PS3, but is positive on the future.

Sony Computer Entertainment America CEO Jack Tretton says that while there were "missteps" in the PlayStation 3's first year, "19 exclusives" for Christmas and the promise of games like Metal Gear Solid 4 and Final Fantasy XIII are a reason to be positive.

"I don't think there's any question that there were missteps, but I don't think anybody is being honest with you if they say that the first year of any platform goes perfectly according to plan," Tretton told MSNBC.

"I think the biggest miss for us was the launch, in that we had easily a million consumers in North America alone that wanted to get their hands on a PlayStation 3 ... and we had roughly 200,000 units to take advantage of that demand. ... I think that that was probably the biggest disappointment for the first year."

Tretton also countered the suggestion that Sony has been charged as "arrogant toward its fans".

"I don't know that we were ever considered arrogant by consumers," he said. "I think the arrogant claims came from the press and bloggers more than true consumers. ... I think the arrogance claim comes with a leadership position and being unwilling to admit that you're failing.

"And anybody who's been through media training or been with the press isn't going to get on a soapbox and talk about their failures. If that gets construed as arrogance, then I guess that's a risk you have to take."

But Tretton couldn't resists a sideswipe at Microsoft's promotion of Xbox Live. "Another thing that I think really strikes a chord with PS3 consumers is that we're giving them everything they need, in the box, day one," he said.

"Our competition talked about the fact that they want to offer consumers a choice, but then they make it clearly apparent that if you really want to have the full gaming experience, you need to go out and invest a lot more money than you originally thought you were."

Sony's recent price cut had the desired effect on sales, with a strong post-Thanksgiving performance in the US.

Equestrian Horses video game launched - My horse and me

The equestrian game My Horse and Me was launched last week, marking the first time that the FEI has ventured into the realm of video games.
Published worldwide by Atari, My Horse and Me for Wii, Nintendo DS and PC aims to capture the thrills and emotions from the world of horsesport in a unique video game experience perfect for anyone with an interest or passion for horses.

We know that engaging with youth is one of the greatest challenges facing all sports and to have the capacity to take horsesport to the gaming audience gives us the opportunity to talk direct to both the athletes and fans of horsesport in this and future generations of young people," emphasized FEI President, HRH Princess Haya.

Players begin at the stable customising themselves and their horse from a host of options, then learning how to properly care for their mount. Training takes place across a range of arena disciplines and fun mini-games which teach the skills required to become a master horse rider. The care and training culminates in competition riding, with thrilling tournaments set in a variety of charmingly realised indoor and outdoor locations around the globe ranging from rustic stables to giant arenas.

"The exclusive license from the FEI, the world's foremost authority on horse sports, is testament to the great quality of this game which offers players the most authentic way to enjoy the equestrian lifestyle whether or not they ride in real life," said Mathias Hautefort, Executive Vice President of publishing and production, Atari.

This collaboration between Atari and FEI has really closed the gap between the virtual and the real, allowing for the development of accurate horse models and animations, alongside rewarding gameplay set in a variety of enchanting environments. Furthermore, My Horse and Me for Wii and PC is the first game of its kind to offer players a choice of first-person as well as third person views while riding, putting players right in the saddle for an unbeatably authentic riding simulation.

Microsoft is Being Sued for $5 Million Over Halo 3 and Xbox 360 Problems

A federal lawsuit was filed against Microsoft and Bungie recently alleging that Halo 3 “routinely, consistently, and systematically ‘froze,’ crashed,’ or ‘locked up’” the plantiff’s Xbox 360. The plaintiff is Randy Nunez and he is seeking class-action status along with $5 million in damages plus costs and attorneys’ fees.

The lawsuit also claims that “many consumers” have these issues, making their console “totally inoperable” and the court papers site “industry Internet web sites, weblogs, and message boards” as the sources to prove these problems exist. It also states that Microsoft and Bungie have “received numerous complaints” from consumers over the phone and on their support forums without admitting these alleged Halo 3 issues to the public.

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