6th Annual Independent Game of the Year Awards kicks off at GameTunnel

Independent Game Review website continues its yearly tradition of spotlighting the best in Indie gaming.

GameTunnel (www.gametunnel.com) is proud to announce the kick off of the Sixth Annual Independent Game of the Year awards with the awarding of the 2007 Indie Sports Game of the Year to MDickie's boxing game Reach.

Today's awarding of the Sports Game of the Year begins three weeks of awards on GameTunnel. The awards culminate on December 31st with a list of the Top 10 Games of the Year, and the awarding of the Independent Game of the Year.

Over the next three weeks, 15 awards will be given out to the best Independent Games in genres and categories such as Sim, RPG, Action, Strategy, Graphics, Innovation and Multiplayer. This is a time for the entire gaming industry to step back and appreciate the efforts of independent game developers.

While the staff at GameTunnel has been carefully watching the hundreds of Independent Games released this year to pick out the best ones, they are always excited to see everyone else's opinions and are happy to announce that voting for the 2007 Player's Choice award is already underway. Fans of Independent Games everywhere can go to www.gametunnel.com and vote for their favorite Independent Game. The Player's Choice award will be awarded on December 29th as part of the Special Awards section of the 2007 Independent Game of the Year awards.

A full calendar of the awards follows.

Dec 11 - Sports Game of the Year
Dec 13 - Casual Game of the Year
Dec 15 - Sim Game of the Year
Dec 18 - Action Game of the Year
Dec 20 - Adventure Game of the Year
Dec 22 - Strategy Game of the Year
Dec 26 - RPG Game of the Year
Dec 29 - Game of the Year: Special Awards
Dec 30 - Top 10 Games of the Year

About GameTunnel
GameTunnel was created in 2002 to provide news and reviews on the Independent Gaming scene. Since its launch Game Tunnel has published over 800 reviews of Independent (or Indie as it is commonly known as) games. It's most popular articles include the monthly round-up of what's new in indie gaming, and the yearly Independent Game of the Year Awards.

Matrix Games discounts Highway to the Reich and Conquest of the Aegean on Sale!

There's never been a better time to pick up a masterpiece of wargaming from Panther Games!

Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) and Panther Games (www.panthergames.com) are thrilled to announce a $10 discount for both Highway to the Reich and Conquest of the Aegean! Now Highway to the Reich will cost only $29.99 for a Digital Download, reduced from its original $39.99 download price. Similarly, Conquest of the Aegean will now only be $39.99 for a Digital Download, reduced from $49.99.

Act fast, however, because this sale will only last until the final moment of 2007. On December 31st at midnight EST, the price of both games will rise to an additional $10 over their pre-sale price, making Highway to the Reich $49.99 and Conquest of the Aegean $69.99. So in short, there’s never been a better time to buy Highway to the Reich and Conquest of the Aegean!

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said, “Both of these exceptional wargames from Panther Games are hits with critics and gamers alike. This sale is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who has not yet been wholly addicted to the Airborne Assault engine’s fantastic realism and innovative gameplay to come see what they’re missing.”

In Highway to the Reich you learn to command like a true General to achieve real objectives on a historical map all while trying to see through the fog of war. Highway to the Reich combines pausable continuous-time game play, the most advanced artificial intelligence of any wargame, a powerful and intuitive user interface, and a unique command system to create the one of the most realistic and enjoyable simulations of operational warfare. Use the realistic chain of command to issue orders to your intelligent AI-controlled subordinates or take total control of every unit yourself. Lead Parachute Regiments in daring assaults to seize vital bridges, send mighty Armored Divisions into the attack and wield an entire Corps in a race against time. Reshape history in one of the many historical battles covering all major actions of the Market Garden operation or salvage victory from disaster in one of the hypothetical "what-if" encounters.

Conquest of the Aegean is the next generation of the award-winning and revolutionary Airborne Assault series and it takes brigade to corps-level warfare to a whole new level. Realism and accuracy are the watchwords as this pausable continuous-time design allows you to command at any echelon, with smart AI subordinates and an incredibly challenging AI. Conquest of the Aegean takes you to the early years of World War II, to fight over the ancient battlefields of Greece, Crete and even Malta. In the shadows of Mount Olympus in Greece, Allied forces struggle to halt the blitzkrieg German advance. On Crete, beleaguered German paratroopers fight to hold Maleme airfield until reinforcements can arrive. Malta, long a thorn in the side of the Axis, is finally tested against invasion in two hypothetical scenarios.

Get more information on Highway to the Reich and Conquest of the Aegean from their respective product pages.

Brain Challenge game on the iTunes Store for iPod

Get Your Mind in Gear with New Game Designed to Keep Your Brain Alert – Now Available for Play on the iPod
Gameloft, a leading publisher and developer of video games for mobile phones, today announced that Brain Challenge, the unique game designed to stimulate and enhance brain activity, is now available on the iTunes Store (www.itunes.com) for players to purchase and download on the fifth generation iPod, iPod Classic and new iPod nano with video. Brain Challenge is available immediately for purchase for $4.99.

"Brain Challenge offers iPod owners a chance to exercise different areas of their brain with a variety of entertaining games, each one more diverse and amusing than the next,” explains Gonzague de Vallois, senior vice-president, Gameloft. “We are excited to have created a brain training game that is specifically tailored for iPod users, so they can exercise and improve their mental health on the go and have fun doing it.”

Brain Challenge serves as an easy solution for keeping your brain alert. There are different levels to choose from based on a player’s abilities and needs along with a simple scoring system to evaluate the level of brain activity. The title features 20 different games designed to train certain areas of brain activity based on five categories of exercises: Memory, Visual, Logic, Math and Focus. At the end of each test, players receive marks based on accuracy and speed and a diagram summarizes their performance in each category so that players can monitor the progress of their brain training daily. A training coach guides the player throughout the game, highlights improvements and offers encouragement. The game allows the development of a personalized relationship with the coach and he or she becomes the player’s constant companion throughout the game.

Xbox LIVE Arcade's Arkadian Warriors and GripShift video games

Prepare for an action-packed dungeon crawl with Sierra Online’s “Arkadian Warriors” and experience the innovative cross genre gameplay of “GripShift,” by Sidhe Interactive, this week on Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360. Both games launch on Wednesday, 12th December, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. GMT.

Three heroic shape-shifting warriors fight to release the Land of Arkadia from the evil Gorgon’s stony gaze. In the uniquely expansive “Arkadian Warriors,” randomly generated dungeons and cooperative multiplayer hack & slash action enhances a deep single-player campaign. The robust cooperative multiplayer mode is available for two players both locally and over Xbox LIVE. Upgrading is key as players hone their skills, acquire loot and master powerful magic spells and numerous deadly weapons in a journey of mythical proportions.

Through a mix of sky-high platforming and stunt driving, “GripShift” combines automotive and puzzle solving skills across 120 challenging levels, 25 rubber burning race tracks and 20 deadly deathmatch arenas across four themed worlds. Zoom to victory with four players over Xbox LIVE or race solo, all while enjoying a customisable music experience! Choose your driver, unlock faster vehicles and customise your ride with new skins. Developed by Sidhe Interactive, “GripShift” is a gravity-defying thrill ride every racing fan must experience!

Where can I get “Arkadian Warriors” and “GripShift “ from?

Arkadian Warriors: available for 800 MS Points from 9:00 a.m. GMT, Wednesday 10th December 2007

GripShift: available for 800 MS Points from 9:00 a.m. GMT, Wednesday 10th December 2007

They are rated 12+.

More information is available at http://www.xbox.com/games/livearcade.

Don King: Prizefighter video game for Wii, DS and Xbox 360

Don King Presents: Prizefighter brings an innovative feature set and story line to set the standard in boxing video games

2K Sports, the sports publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, today announced the spring 2008 release of Don King Presents: Prizefighter, the most realistic boxing video game simulation, for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Nintendo’s Wii™ home video game console and Nintendo’s DS™ portable system. This in-depth, documentary-style title will provide the deepest, most authentic and entertaining experience ever seen in a boxing video game.

“The combination of real-life fight scenarios, story-driven gameplay and photo-realistic graphics will set this title apart from the competition,” said Christoph Hartmann, President of 2K. “Our goal has always been to deliver the most engaging and realistic titles, and Don King Presents: Prizefighter will exceed these expectations. Based on the game’s innovative features and high-profile fighters, this title will be a ‘must have’ for any sports gamer.”

"In all my years working in professional boxing, I have never seen anything come as close to recreating the thrill, the intensity, the courage and the spectacle of the sport," said legendary boxing promoter Don King. "Don King Presents: Prizefighter is more than a game - it is a glimpse at what life is like in and out of the ring for these incredible athletes."

Developed by Venom Games, the 2K studio that brought Rocky and Rocky Legends to the Xbox and PlayStation 2, Don King Presents: Prizefighter will bring the realism of live action match-ups and the true tactics of the sweet science together for the first time. More than just a night at the fights - players will be responsible for building a career by overcoming adversity, avoiding temptation, and balancing their commitments to train and promote, all while focusing on the goal of ultimately winning and defending the title belt. The story will be told by a revolutionary sports documentary-style narrative never before seen in a video game.

Don King Presents: Prizefighter will be available in spring 2008 for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Nintendo’s Wii home video game console and Nintendo’s DS portable system, leveraging the unique hardware features of each platform.

Winter Sports 2008 video game – The Ultimate Challenge on PC Wii and PS2

Winter Sports 2008 – The Ultimate Challenge is the comprehensively improved sequel to last year’s winter hit RTL Winter Games 2007.

The arcade-oriented winter sports compilation comprises the 15 most popular disciplines spanning 9 exciting sports. 42 missions with final boss rivals recreate the atmosphere of a magnificent international winter sports event in the brand new single player campaign mode, not least owing to the stirring opening ceremony and the final presentation ceremony.

The hot seat (4 players) and split screen (2 players) modes feature multiple tournament options and a gripping multiplayer experience as players compete for record times and gold medals. Winter Sports 2008 features 9 disciplines including Alpine Skating, Ski jumping, Bobsleigh, Speed skating and Figure skating.

Features

• 15 playable disciplines spanning the 9 most popular winter sports


• Brand new campaign mode with 42 missions, incl. Boss rivals


• Multiplayer party fun: hot seat (4 players), split screen (2 players)


• 21 locations loaded with atmosphere


• Controls perfectly adapted to Nintendo Wii


• Lively sports events with mascots, opening ceremony, presentation ceremony, national anthems and many more


• Career mode with a skill system, incl, increasing skill values


• Magnificent sound tracks to the presenter duo & rousing soundtrack


• Motion capturing in cooperation with a leading European studio and an up-and-coming figure skater


• Winter Sports 2008 – The Ultimate Challenge is available now for the PC, Playstation 2 and Wii

Girls on skis with guns - RTL Biathlon 2008 video game

RTL Biathlon 2008 is the most beginner-friendly and at the same time most authentic game adaptation of the biathlon sport to date. 17 tracks in 13 international event locations, designed with enormous attention to detail, take the player on a journey through beautiful, snow-covered winter scenery.

RTL Biathlon 2008 offers original athletes, original tracks and original rules, as well as an extensive career mode. Biathlon stars Magdalena Neuner, Kati Willhelm, Michael Greis and Sven Fischer challenge players as virtual opponents, but are also available to be played in the game. Never have players been as close to the spprt as in RTL Biathlon 2008!

Features

• Faithful adaptation of the biathlon sport and original rules


• Original tracks Oberhof, Ruhpolding and Östersund


• Sprint, individual, pursuit & mass start with up to 16 biathletes at a time


• Extensive improvements since the prequel: women’s biathlon, comprehensive weather system


• 17 elaborately detailed tracks in 13 international locations


• Easy – to – learn, intuitive controls


• Lively backdrop of sound through innovative stadium announcer concept and ambient sound effects


• Gripping multiplayer modes, 4-player hot seat and 2-player split screen mode


• Top biathletes Magdalena Neuner, Kati Wilhelm, Michael Greis and Sven Fischer as playable characters


• RTL Biathlon is available now for Playstation 2 and PC.

Manhunt 2 appeal on video game censorship

Following the decision by the Video Appeals Committee to allow the appeal by Rockstar against the BBFC’s rejection of the game by a majority of four to three, David Cooke, Director of the BBFC said:
“The BBFC will carefully study the judgement by the Video Appeals Committee when it becomes available.

“The BBFC exercises great vigilance and care in ensuring that all violent games which are submitted to us are correctly classified. Our decisions are based on published guidelines, which are the result of very wide public consultation. The Board also provides very full content information to the public, including parents, about the videogames which it classifies. We recently launched a new website for parents, PBBFC, in addition to the main website and our websites for children and students.

“The BBFC twice rejected Manhunt 2 for its focus on varied and cumulative killings. We recognize that rejection is a very serious step, in which the desire of publishers to market their games, and that of gamers to buy them, must be balanced against the public interest, including the full range of possible harm risks to vulnerable individuals and to any children who may be wrongly exposed to such games. Such balancing judgements are inevitably complex and multi-faceted, and are made only after very careful consideration of the contents of a work. We played Manhunt 2 for well over 30 hours prior to our decision.

The Board recognizes that the available research findings on the effects of video games (including positive as well as harmful effects) are varied and contested. But we continue to believe that a broad approach to the possible risks is needed, which goes beyond purely behavioural harm, and which also takes account of other possible effects on the sensibilities and attitudes of individuals.”

The Creators of 'PaRappa the Rapper' to add Music-Based Video Game for Nintendo Wii

Majesco Entertainment an innovative provider of video games for the mass market, today announced a partnership with legendary multimedia musician and game designer, Masaya Matsuura, and famed New York artist Rodney Alan Greenblat, to develop and publish an original music-based video game scheduled for release in late 2008. Creators of the highly acclaimed, best-selling PaRappa the Rapper series, Matsuura and Greenblat will bring their engaging gameplay and distinctive art style to the Wii™ home video game system for the first time.

“Masaya Matsuura and Rodney Alan Greenblat are industry visionaries whose legacy was built on crafting groundbreaking, genre-defining entertainment experiences that everyone can enjoy,” said Jesse Sutton, Chief Executive Officer, Majesco. “We are incredibly excited to be working with talent of this caliber and believe our game shares the same broad mass market appeal as successful music-based products like Activision’s Guitar Hero and MTV’s Rock Band.”

Adds Masaya Matsuura: “Majesco’s publishing know-how and retail relationships allow us to stay focused on creating a game that is conceptually unique and, above all else, fun. Working with Rodney is a true creative collaboration.”

“Matsuura-san and I share similar artistic perspectives so I welcomed the opportunity to re-team with him and NanaOn-Sha to produce a one-of-a-kind music game designed from the ground up for the Wii system,” said Rodney Alan Greenblat.

757 Professional download for Flight Simulator 2004

Title 757 Professional (for FS2004)
Label Just Flight
Developer: Phoenix Simulation Software (PSS)
Genre Flight Simulation
UK Release Download – Out Now
Boxed - 18th December 2007
SRP £29.99 / €44.95 / $59.99
UK Barcode: 5035063005735

Flexible and versatile – the 757 is the obvious choice for any simulator fleet!

Just Flight is pleased to announce that they have now released, by download, the long-awaited 757 Professional for Flight Simulator 2004; pre-orders for the DVD-ROM version are now being taken on Just Flight's website and it will be shipping out on 18th December. Here... http://www.justflight.com/product.asp?pid=174#

Commenting on this release, Just Flight's Paul Hyslop said: "We were hoping to release an FSX/FS2004 version of 757 Professional by now. Unfortunately this probably won't be possible and so we have decided instead to release an FS2004-only version. Currently we've got no plans to upgrade this title to FSX compatibility – this release is purely to satisfy the healthy demand from the many customers who tell us they are still using the older sim."

This spectacular 757 expansion has been developed by the experts at PSS for FS2004 and is a professional simulation in every sense of the word. It comes in both the -200 and -300 variants and an impressive selection of over 60 different airline liveries from around the globe. The 757 is acknowledged throughout the world as the leader in short to medium-range operations. It flies routes from under 100 to over 4,000 miles apart and now desktop pilots can enjoy the same fantastic flexibility!

• Animations include undercarriage "gear droop"; flaps, elevators, rudder, spoilers, ailerons, flexing wings, APU Inlet RAM air turbine, cargo and cabin doors

• Accurately designed virtual cockpit includes moving yokes, pedals, throttles; reflective gauges, lighting and even a functioning weather radar!

• Choose the -200 or -300 variants with Rolls Royce or P&W engines and over 60 different liveries

• High quality avionics include a custom designed autopilot and programmable FMC with LNAV VNAV FIX pages and much more

• Full printed manual that includes a comprehensive tutorial to assist users in getting to grips with the 757

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 – Windows Vista or XP

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS: PC with 2.5GHz (equivalent or higher) processor, 1.0Gb RAM, graphics card with 128Mb (or higher) video memory, DVD-ROM drive, Hard disc space 3.0Gb