Creat Studios Becomes PLAYSTATION Network Publisher

Aqua Teen Hunger Force Zombie Ninja Pro-Am developer to make downloadable Sony games.


Creat Studios, Inc. today announced that it has signed an agreement with Sony Computer Entertainment America that allows Creat to publish games for the PLAYSTATION Network and PLAYSTATION Store online and network services.

“We are very excited to become a PLAYSTATION Network publisher," said Vladimir Starzhevsky, CEO of Creat Studios, Inc. ”Digital distribution is a key component in our strategy of becoming a global leader in creating and providing interactive entertainment.”

Creat Studios will now be able to publish its own downloadable games, as well as serve as a PLAYSTATION Network publisher for developers and content providers in the U.S. and abroad. Creat Studios, Inc. is a premier developer of current and next-gen console and handheld games. Founded in 1990, Creat's corporate headquarters is in Canton, Massachusetts, with development studios in Massachusetts and St.Petersburg, Russia.

ASTRO Gaming to launch Major League Gaming-branded professional-grade headset and audio system.

ASTRO Gaming and Major League Gaming, the leading professional video game league today, announced the launch of a new high-end gaming headset and audio system specifically designed to meet the needs of competitive gamers. Following a full year of field-testing, the MLG Edition of the ASTRO Gaming A40 Audio System will become an integral part of MLG gaming stations at the 2008 MLG Pro Circuit and is now available to gamers nationwide.

“ASTRO Gaming designed the MLG-branded A40 Audio System from the ground up to be a complete tournament-grade audio solution for competitive teams,” said Joshua LaTendresse, producer of the A40 Audio System. “The MLG Pro Circuit is the premier competitive series in professional gaming today, and we wouldn’t have partnered with anyone else for this ground breaking product.”

The MLG-branded A40 Audio System consists of two parts; the patent-pending A40 MixAmp and the revolutionary A40 Headset. The palm-sized A40 MixAmp combines high-quality headphone amplification with Dolby Digital surround sound and integrates a zero-lag voice communication channel for private team chat. The A40 Headset pairs world-class audio quality with versatile configuration, including a noise-canceling boom microphone that can be worn on either side, and an array of noise-dampening Speaker Tags.

When the A40 MixAmp and A40 Headset are combined together, they represent the ultimate audio solution for demanding gamers. When two or more MixAmps are connected, the A40 Audio System becomes the pinnacle of audio performance for professional teams. In partnership with Major League Gaming, ASTRO will deploy a full array of Team MixAmp Racks that will enable simple “drop-in” connectivity at all MLG competition stations.

“The A40 is the most sophisticated, highest quality approach to competitive gaming audio, so we’re proud to debut the systems at the 2008 MLG Pro Circuit as ASTRO Gaming’s exclusive partner,” said Matthew Bromberg, President and CEO of Major League Gaming. “Developed with the needs of gamers in mind and tested by MLG Pros, The MLG-branded A40 will be highly sought after by demanding gamers who want to play with the same equipment used in our pro competitions.”

The A40 Audio System is available for sale online at www.mlgpro.com, www.astrogaming.com and will be available for in-person purchase at all MLG Pro Circuit events during the 2008 season.

Jose Reyes Named Cover Athlete and Official Spokesman for Major League Baseball 2K8

2K Sports, the sports publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, announced today that New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes will be the cover athlete and official spokesman for Major League Baseball® 2K8.

“This year we have signed one of the most exciting players in all of Major League Baseball® as our official cover athlete,” said Ben Brinkman, Executive Producer, Major League Baseball® 2K8. “Jose Reyes is a multi-talented player – a great baserunner, fielder and hitter, making him the perfect spokesperson for Major League Baseball® 2K8.”

“This is the first time I have ever been on the cover of a video game and it is very exciting to be a part of the best video game out there,” said Jose Reyes.

Although he is best known for his speed and base-stealing ability, Jose Reyes is also one of the most well-rounded players in the game and is the first player in baseball history to have more than 63 steals, 120 runs, 192 hits, and 19 homers in a single season. Reyes led the Major League in 2006 with 17 triples and 64 stolen bases and set a new Mets club record with 104 hits at Shea Stadium. Also an avid video gamer and long time fan of 2K Sports’ products, All-Star Shortstop Jose Reyes is a natural fit as the official spokesperson for this year’s edition of the critically acclaimed Major League Baseball 2K series.

Major League Baseball 2K8 will be available spring 2008 for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2 computer entertainment systems, the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, and the Wii home video game system.

For more information, log onto http://www.2ksports.com

Mac game - EVE Online: Trinity released

EVE Online: Trinity was released for download at 22:00 GMT on Tuesday, December 5. Shortly after the deployment of the update, CCP became aware of an issue involving the Premium graphics content download whereby a small percentage of our users may have been affected and now need to make repairs to system files. We immediately set to work to identify the cause and resolve it. A new build is now available and is safe for all users to download and install. Users who are running Microsoft Windows versions other than Vista, with multiple hard drives (or multiple partitions on any hard drive) and began downloading the Premium graphics content before 04:00 GMT on Wednesday, December 6, should visit this link and follow the instructions given to correct any potential system issues.

About EVE Online
Set tens of thousands of years in the future, EVE Online is a breathtaking journey to the stars, to an immersive experience filled with adventure, riches, danger and glory. Supported by a vast player-run economy, EVE offers professions to choose ranging from commodities trader to mercenary, industrial entrepreneur to pirate, mining engineer to battle fleet commander or any combination of these and much more. Your greatest asset is the starship, designed to accommodate your specific needs, skills and ambitions. Complementing its lethal arsenal are thousands of modules and components, allowing for countless customizations. From brokering business deals to waging war, you will have access to a diverse array of sophisticated tools and interfaces to forge your own destiny in EVE. More information is available at www.eve-online.com.

OGPlanet Announces Rumble Fighter Christmas Items

ContestElite 8 Event Pits Players Against Game Masters for Prizes Incinerator

OGPlanet, an innovative provider of multiplayer online games, today announced a variety of holiday-themed in-game events for its MMO fighting game Rumble Fighter.

Rumble Fighter characters will be ready for chilly winter weather with brand-new items including a colorful holiday scarf and snow boots. Also being introduced this month are a new hairstyle, the Avenger Cut, and a powerful new ExoCore, Relic of Phantomcore, which turns its master into a dangerous skeletal form and has the ability to transform opponents into the mindless walking dead.

A brand-new stage, The Incinerator, will also debut this month. This welding furnace used by the Dark Guardians to forge their cryptic weapons will prove a dangerous place for even the most experienced fighters.

Also continuing this month is the Elite 8 Event, available only to OGPlanet's MySpace friends. Every two weeks, eight players who have included Rumble Fighter widgets on their MySpace pages will be chosen for a chance to battle against a team of Rumble Fighter game masters for a shot at winning the spectacular Star Dust armor set. Eight new challengers will be chosen next week to compete on Dec. 15.

The Rumble Fighter MySpace page is http://www.myspace.com/rumblefighter, and Rumble Fighter widgets can be found at http://www.ogplanet.com/community/widgets.asp.

Take on the Banker with New 'Deal or No Deal, The Banker's Quiz' Online Game

World's Largest Skill Game Site Brings Intellect and Agility to New Online Version of Smash Hit TV Show

King.com, the world’s largest skill games site and Endemol USA, the world’s largest independent production company and market leader in interactive entertainment with global hit franchises such as Deal or No Deal, Big Brother and 1 vs. 100, today launched an exciting new version of the online game, ‘Deal or No Deal.’ The new game, ‘Deal or No Deal, The Banker’s Quiz’, will feature elements from the hit NBC game show and popular trivia questions.

In the game, players compete against each other to remove low value briefcases by answering general knowledge questions correctly. Players are judged on both speed and accuracy of response.

Already a leader in bringing TV programming to online games, ‘The Banker’s Quiz’ further extends King.com’s commitment to enable fans to go beyond the passive television experience and actively participate in their favorite games.

“We are excited to bring another compelling game to our Deal or No Deal fans,” said Jon Vlassopulos, vice president, Digital Media, Endemol USA. “We recognize that fans love the banker in the show and now they get to become one themselves through this unique online experience.”

“Deal or No Deal has staying power and continues to enjoy enormous success with television audiences around the world. It is also one of King.com’s most popular games,” said Toby Rowland, co-founder and co-CEO of King.com. “Players of ‘Banker’s Quiz’ will enjoy the new variation, the increased level of interactivity, and the intellectual challenge of this wildly successful game.”

NAMCO BANDAI Games Launches Culdcept SAGA Demo Download On Xbox LIVE

Demo for Unique Trading Card and Board Game Hybrid Hits Xbox LIVE with Single and Multiplayer Modes

NAMCO BANDAI Games America announced today that a free Culdcept SAGA demo is now available for download on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Culdcept SAGA combines the luck and strategy of a board game with the depth of a trading card game to create a unique fusion of traditional turn-based play. The Xbox LIVE demo allows players to experience both the single and multiplayer portions of the game with two different gameplay modes.

In Culdcept SAGA, players move around a game board and attempt to claim ownership of land squares while battling enemy monsters. Players can customize their own unique decks, choosing from nearly 500 hand-illustrated cards with fearsome monsters, powerful spells and useful equipment. New cards can be unlocked by playing through the game’s single player and multiplayer modes, and players can also venture online with custom decks to participate in strategic clashes for up to four players on Xbox LIVE.

The newly released demo includes both single and multiplayer modes in which players can learn the rules of the game using several pre-made decks. The multiplayer portion of the demo allows up to four players to compete against one another on a single system, matching tactics and upgrading their minions in an addictive battle for territory.

Culdcept SAGA will launch for the Xbox 360 on February 5, 2008 for a suggested retail price of $39.99. For more information, please visit: www.namcobandaigames.com.

World of Warcraft -New features to Feast of Winter Veil 2007

- The Preserved Holly that players can get from completing special holiday quests can now be used on flying mounts. This will temporarily turn their flying mount into a flying reindeer that trails sparkles as it flies through the air

- Handful of Snowflakes – this is a new item you can obtain by /kiss –ing a Winter Reveler NPC. It will create a light snowfall above any targeted player.

- Burning Crusade Holiday Bosses – as in past years, certain bosses will be dressed in a festive fashion and will drop seasonal hats when defeated. The holiday versions of the bosses will begin on Dec. 25 and end on Jan. 2. These bosses include:

• Grand Warlock Netherkurse (Shattered Halls)



• Grandmaster Vorpil (Shadow Labyrinth)



• Exarch Maladaar (Auchenai Crypts)



• Captain Skarloc (Durnholde Keep)



• Nethermancer Sepethrea (Mechanar)



• High Botanists Freywinn (Botanica)

- Mechanotoy – This is a new gift that can be obtained from under the Winter Veil tree in Ironforge and Orgrimmar. It lets you summon a Mechanotoy non-combat pet to follow you around.

The rest of the event remains as in the past, which is described on the event page:

http://www.wow-europe.com/en/info/basics/events/winterveil/

Escape from Paradise City Arrives on Direct2Drive

Escape from Paradise City, the hybrid RTS and RPG game for the PC, is now available for purchase and download on IGN’s Direct2Drive service. In Escape from Paradise City, gamers play as three unique characters -- an ex-con, a streetwise hand-to-hand expert and a corrupt FBI agent – who find themselves forced to help the government infiltrate the criminal underworld of the most corrupt city in America. Players must use each character’s unique skills and traits in their quest to defeat local gang leaders and make their way to the final showdown with the city's mysterious crime bosses to get to the root of their stranglehold on power. The game is available for immediate purchase and download at http://www.direct2drive.com/5474/product/Buy-Escape-From-Paradise-City-Download. More information about Escape from Paradise City is available at http://paradisecity.cdvus.com.

“Escape from Paradise City offers an innovative blend of role-playing and strategy gaming mechanics within a dark, modern setting where the anti-hero rules the day,” said Mario Kroll, cdv Software Entertainment USA’s Director of Marketing and PR. “We are delighted to be able to expand our purchase options to our customers and are delighted that Direct2Drive’s partnership offers a great, customer-friendly way to purchase and instantly play our titles.”

Escape from Paradise City drops players into a dystopian world that combines a dark underworld and elements of the supernatural. In the game, the player is required to infiltrate the gangs of Paradise City on behalf of a powerful government agency that, despite its influence, has been unable to introduce even a glimmer of law and order to this horribly corrupt city. In an intertwining chapter-driven story, the player takes turns controlling one of three gritty characters that, for their own reasons, have “volunteered” to get to the bottom of the mystery behind the controlling crime syndicate’s power.

Third Official "Grand Theft Auto IV" Trailer available on Xbox.com and Xbox LIVE

Today “Grand Theft Auto” fans will get their next look at the eagerly anticipated “Grand Theft Auto IV” with the release of the third official trailer, "Move up, ladies" on Xbox.com and Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

At 20.00, gamers can get another glimpse at Grand Theft Auto's colorful world in HD on Xbox.com and Xbox LIVE Marketplace. While online you can also check out the first two trailers, screen shots, and a preview of the “Grand Theft Auto IV” Marketplace theme.

“Grand Theft Auto IV” is the next chapter of the award winning “Grand Theft Auto” franchise from Rockstar Games and will be coming to the Xbox 360 on day one. In addition to online multiplayer, a first for the series, gamers will experience hours of additional gameplay with two downloadable episodes exclusively available on Xbox LIVE following the release of the game. Focused on the story of Eastern European immigrant Niko Bellic, “Grand Theft Auto IV” takes players back to Liberty City and promises a cinematic story told like only Rockstar can, an extremely vast and detailed world to explore and gameplay like the series has never seen before.

For all things Xbox 360 and Grand Theft Auto IV visit:

www.xbox.com