Manhunt 2 may be banned - again BBFC appeal decision

The BBFC is applying for a judicial review of the decision by the Video Appeals Committee to overturn the Board’s rejection of the video game Manhunt 2. The Board’s challenge also seeks suspension of the Committee’s decision that the game should be classified.

The BBFC is contesting the VAC judgement because in the Board's view, it is based on an approach to harm which is an incorrect interpretation of the Video Recordings Act. The VAC judgement, if allowed to stand, would have fundamental implications with regard to all the Board’s decisions, including those turning upon questions of unacceptable levels of violence. If the VAC’s decision is suspended, then the game will not be classified before the outcome of the Judicial Review.

Ragnarok And Gunz Now On Indiagames Games On Demand

INDIAGAMES AND LEVEL UP PARTNER TO OFFER MMORPG'S TO A LARGER AUDIENCE

Indiagames Ltd, India’s benchmark online and mobile games company announced its partnership with Level Up – a leading massively multiplayer online role playing game’s company (MMORPG) to launch two of its popular game titles – Ragnarok and Gunz on its online PC gaming service - Games on Demand (GoD).

MMORPG has been a rage amongst gamers worldwide and allows thousands of players to play in an evolving virtual world at the same time over the Internet.

Ragnarok or RO as it is popularly referred to, is a popular MMORPG game based on Norse mythology, with its style influenced by various Asian cultures as well. It boasts an estimated 25 million online players worldwide, making it larger than World of Warcraft. Ragnarok was amongst the earlier MMORPG’s launched in India and has an established user base.

Gunz is an online multi-player third-person shooting game that allows players to perform exaggerated, gravity defying action moves including wall running, flipping, tumbling, blocking bullets with swords in the style of action movies and anime

Speaking on this tie-up, Vishal Gondal, CEO, Indiagames said, “The number of role playing games on our Games on Demand service has been growing as they have all been well received by our subscribers, who can look forward to many more in the future. The GoD service will now make Ragnarok and Gunz available to a whole new audience across India as well as enhance the gaming experience, incentivize players and offer a source of revenue for the publishers”.

“The Indian gaming industry is at the beginning of a growth cycle with a number of new entrants and positive infrastructure trends. Indiagames GOD offers us a platform to widen our reach to audiences across India especially in the home market and in smaller towns. Ragnarok and Gunz are the two most popular Multiplayer online games in India and we are looking forward to further their franchise through this partnership with Indiagames GOD” says Venkat Mallik, MD, Level Up! India.

The Games on Demand service is an online monthly subscription based gaming service that offers a catalogue of over 300 games across multiple genres catering to gamers of all skill sets. The other titles on the catalogue include leading international titles like Age of Empires II, Brian Lara’s Cricket, the Lara Croft Tomb Raider series and Hitman amongst others. Indiagames has exclusive distribution agreements with leading international publishers like Atari, Activision, Codemaster, Microsoft, Cenaga, Eidos, Enlight, Hipsoft, Magnasoft and Oberon amongst others.

IndiaGames

PEGI Online, delivers on consumer demand just three months after launch

Just three months after the launch of PEGI Online (Pan European Game Information for Online), an ambitious system of guidelines promoting online gaming security for minors, fifteen major videogame publishers* have signed up to the scheme, with more in the pipeline.

PEGI Online, an offshoot of PEGI, is backed by the European Commission and by the world's leading interactive entertainment companies who see it as a robust method of protection online. From the outset the European Commission grasped the value of the user-friendly formula allocating it a financial contribution drawn from the Safer Internet Action Plan budget line. Commenting on PEGI Online in June 2007, Viviane Reding, Commissioner for Information Society and Media said: “This is a good example of an industry initiative developed in co-operation with other stakeholders that allows a rapid and flexible solution to the problems of new technologies and greater safety for our children.”

Taking stock of the achievements at the end of the first quarter, Patrice Chazerand, Secretary General of the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE), said, “All ISFE members involved in online gaming are now holding a PEGI Online license. The ISFE membership has again taken the lead in addressing an area of concern for European consumers. Prospects for establishing a harmonized safety standard throughout Europe for online video games look very promising.”

PEGI Online is designed to offer youngsters across Europe enhanced protection from unsuitable gaming content as well as help parents understand the risks and potential for harm within the online environment. It is the videogame industry’s own initiative, an evolution of PEGI, the first ever pan-European age rating system for safe use of videogames, launched in 2003. The ambitious programme operates on a voluntary self-regulating basis and is designed to adapt to the demands of the fast changing technology.

The system, combining self assessment by publishers with scrutiny by an independent body, boasts the strictest standards in Europe, turning the protection of minors online into reality. Said Chazerand: “First and foremost this is about the industry exercising a sense of responsibility. Whereas PEGI helps parents make sure that their children are exposed only to material appropriate to their age and their stage of development, PEGI Online secures the best effort of signatories to guarantee that children playing online are not exposed to adult material or inappropriate behaviour. The Europe-wide scheme shows an industry attuned to consumer needs and adept at anticipating them.”

Four cornerstones define the PEGI Online scheme: a safety code and framework contract; a PEGI Online icon for display by the license holder; dedicated websites for applicants and for the general public; an independent administration to manage the scheme together with a process for advice and dispute settlement.

The six point PEGI Online Safety Code (POSC) to which all PEGI Online license holders commit embraces issues such as age-rated game content, appropriate reporting mechanisms, removal of inappropriate content, a coherent privacy policy, community standards for online subscribers and a responsible advertisement policy.

“Videogames and the Internet are a part of today’s reality,” said Jens Uwe Intat, ISFE Chairman. “This is tremendously positive for kids, as new technology gives young people opportunities to learn, have fun, be creative and communicate in ways that previous generations couldn’t have imagined. PEGI Online equips parents to help their children navigate this technology safely.”

Wim Bekkers from NICAM (Netherlands Instituut voor de Classificatie van Audiovisuele Media) the Administrator of both the PEGI and PEGI Online systems stated: “Today, 230 companies subscribe to PEGI. It is recognised by consumers and policy makers as being the reference in videogame rating at pan European level. The goal now is for PEGI Online, still in its infancy, to get wider uptake. Thanks to our expertise in media rating, the objective of affording European parents the choice of having their children play on PEGI Online labelled sites is clearly in sight.”

*List of PEGI Online signatories as of today:

Name of Company Name of Gamesportal

Burda:ic GmbH www.alaplaya.eu

CCP www.ccpgames.com

City Interactive S.A www.city-interactive.com

Eidos Interactive Limited www.eidosinteractive.com

Electronic Arts www.electronicarts.co.uk/

Funcom A/S www.funcom.com

Koch Media GmbH www.kochmedia.com

Microsoft Corporation www.xbox.com

NCsoft Europe Ltd. www.eu.plaync.com/eu/games/

Nintendo of Europe GmbH www.nintendo-europe.com

Sony (SCEE) www.playstation.com

The Walt Disney Company Limited www.disney.co.uk/toontown

THQ (UK) LTD www.thq-games.com

UBISOFT www.ubi.com

Vivendi Games Europe www.vugames.com

Electropy free download for Mac and PC

Team Phobic is excited to announce the release of their first game title, Electropy, an arcade style platform game. Players make their way through over 130 levels, collecting power-ups and coins to reach the exit in the fastest time possible. Scores may be submitted and viewed online, allowing players to compete against others from around the world. Electropy comes with same built in level editor used by the developers, allowing for unlimited replayability.

Electropy can be purchased online for $19.95 from Electropy.com for Mac OS/X and Windows 2000/XP/Vista. A demo is also available for free on Electropy.com.

Brain Sanity demo download save the life of patients

The players represent a rookie doctor in his first day of work in the great hospital of the city. After coming, you have to confront a complicated operation in which a patient has been infected by virus cerebral. You mission will be to save the life of the patient.

Some features of the game:

- Explore and learn the different parts of the human brain and try to recover your patient.

- 20 exciting levels with an increasing difficult.

- 2 funny multiplayer online modes, upload your scores and battle against other surgeon.

- Colourist graphics and beautiful audiovisuals with a lot variety in each level.

- 4 addictive offline modes with a lot of amazing challenges for the players.

- Incredible effects in your screen when you are affected for the diseases.

- 4 difficult modes they turn it in spectacular challenged game.

- World ranking with the best scores allows that the players could check their statistics.

In conclusion, Brain Sanity represents the spirit of the amusement and addiction in pure state thanks to it original gameplay and it terrific difficult.

Demo Download: ftp://72.232.10.28/BrainSanityDemo_EN.exe

Mobile detective adventure on N-Gage

Meet the world's first mobile detective with Dirk Spanner and the Fallen Idol

Hollywood's classic Film Noir world creates an atmospheric backdrop for this story-driven detective game. Dirk Spanner and the Fallen Idol by Nokia Games Publishing brings classic detective gaming onto mobile devices with unique twists and turns around every corner.

Set in the stylish, yet seedy fictional city of New Haven, Dirk Spanner and the Fallen Idol comes to life through its comic book ambiance. Gripping yet funny stories of conflicts, romance and deception with plenty of movie stars, rip-offs, double-crosses, wigs and moustaches make this an entertaining game that will engage novices through to the most experienced game players.

"Dirk Spanner and the Fallen Idol will re-introduce the long forgotten detective game genre for mobile devices," said Dr Mark Ollila, Director of Technology and Strategy and Head of Games Publishing, Nokia. "With the combination of stunning visuals and enthralling storylines, players cannot help but be spellbound by this game."

Featuring Dirk as the lead private eye, players are propelled into mysterious adventures, battling an array of femme fatales and gangsters. From solving the mystery of a stolen statue and a brutal murder, to uncovering the case of an accidental penguin-related death, Dirk will not rest until the case is solved.

Players guide Dirk through mysterious assignments using the unique one-button, camera-based controls, giving players an intuitive way of exploring the city of New Haven. A jazzy soundtrack helps set the mood for each stage of the game.

Dirk Spanner and the Fallen Idol is expected to be available in the first half of 2008.

Spike Dash alien tortoise PC video game demo download

New Irish Indie games developer Riverplay Games proudly announces the release of their first PC game title “Spike Dash”. In Spike Dash, players take on the role of an alien tortoise in a classic platform genre wrapped up in 3D environments across ancient worlds such as the Egyptians & Aztecs.

Dash across over a dozen ancient colourful environments & save the planet from a secret evil plot from our hero’s own brother! Locate the Star Elements, beat the count-down timer, avoid the health damaging environments & spellbound creatures to stop you at every turn!

Our alien tortoise hero named as “Spike”, must collect 4 special stars with each star containing world elements such as Fire, Water, Wind & Earth in order to open a special exit portal to progress onwards with the next level. With only a stun gun at hand for players to defend themselves & bonus items to collect to survive the progress aggressive enemies. The stakes are raised with each level reducing the clock down-timer in completing near heart stopping escapes and health damaging environments without warning are everywhere!

Spike Dash is a simple, easy to get into game-play & controls with addictive fast levels that becomes very difficult with limited lives & no save points in a 3D game vision of 1980’s games style game-play! Spike Dash is also a re-make of the Commodore 64 game, “Spike!” which was developed by the “Spike Dash” Producer, Keith Killilea.

To download the Demo or buy the Full Version, log onto: www.RiverplayGames.com

COOKING MAMA Video game feeds over a million on Nintendo DS

505 Games raised a glass as the European sales of its celebrated Cooking Mama franchise surpassed one million units. Released initially on Nintendo DS and later for Wii, the series becomes 505 Games’ most successful title to date.

Since its September 2006 release, Mama has sliced, chopped and sautéed her way into the hearts of casual and hardcore gamers alike with her unique and easily accessible ‘hands-on’ gameplay. And with plans for the much-anticipated sequel to be released in 2008 in full motion, budding chefs keen to serve up seconds won’t have long to wait.

“These fantastic results vindicate the hard work and dedication from everyone at 505 that has gone into making this our most successful franchise to date,” commented Ian Howe, 505 Games’ Managing Director. “We’ve set ourselves a lofty target, but now we’re all keen to see how quickly we can get Cooking Mama 2 to one million!”

Cooking Mama is available in all good gaming outlets for DS and Wii. Cooking Mama 2 is currently scheduled for an early 2008 release.

Disney games announce ENCHANTED mobile video game

Movie aficionados can look forward to a magical mobile game this Christmas. Beautiful Giselle, Prince Edward and Pip, the squirrel, are catapulted out of the animated fairy tale realm Andalasia into modern day New York in the newest motion picture - Walt Disney Pictures Presents Enchanted.

Disney Mobile Studios will release the Enchanted mobile game at the same time as the movie. Meet Giselle and her animal friends and enjoy exciting adventures in three mini-games which challenge both your brain and your reflexes over 14 levels in each game. The mini-games will rotate, which means to complete a stage you must play through one level of each.

Enchanted has been designed to be as accessible as possible to casual gamers: each mini-game uses an in-game tutorial so that any instructions that are included as part of the playing experience.

The story behind the game, and the film, is a romantic one: Giselle, the charming princess, has only met Prince Edward once in her entire life. To make sure she will never forget his face, she wants to immortalise him as a mannequin. Through the three mini-games, the player experiences different parts of Andalasia while helping Pip, the squirrel, and other animals from the forest collect materials to create the statue.

In the first game, Pip, the squirrel has to get the statue piece by jumping through the forest. This mini-game is full of action: avoid traps and out smart malevolent bees and mushrooms.



When he reaches the goal he has to solve a challenging puzzle together with Bunny. Move rows of fruit and put them together to free the piece hidden behind. As you play two characters in this game you can move up and down as well as left and right. By carefully managing the time limit you can earn some very high scores.

Finally, Fawn and Boar bring it all back to Giselle’s cottage and each of the animals use their various strengths. Boar is strong and can carry heavy items while Fawn, the deer, is quick and nimble!

The whole game has a positive fairytale feel and rich, beautiful graphics. Friendly forest animals cooperate with each other to help their friend Giselle. This combined with the variety of gameplay make it ideal for the whole family.

"Enchanted is a great game for the Christmas season, and fits perfectly with our strategy to develop games that anyone can pick up and play without a steep learning curve," says Sunil Gunderia, VP Mobile, EMEA. "Enchanted the mobile game is a great extension of this wonderful story and will enable fans of all ages to experience the Enchanted story everywhere."

Granado Espada: Sword of the New World patch download

Granado Espada: Sword of the New World - v2.4 Patch

Bahia Island Client Patch - The new Version 2.4 Bahia Island Expansion of Granado Espada has been made available for download. Immense yourselves in the tropical beaches of Bahia Island as this new expansion comes to you this Christmas. Take part in light hearted mini games and stand to win special in-game items! Dress up in beach wear and explore the new maps.

Team up with valiant heroes of Vespanola to defeat the new powerful raid bosses in Island of Fire. Unfold the story behind the “Nameless person” & “The one who searches for his memory”, choose your alliance with them and make your family stronger.