Fading Shadows video game addictive puzzle-platformer game exclusive to the Sony PSP

Genre: Puzzle
Developer: Ivolgamus
Release Date: February 2007
Price: £24.99
PEGI: 7+
Format: PSP

Fading Shadows, is an addictive puzzle-platformer game exclusive to the PSP from European developer, Ivolgamus. The game offers an entirely unique style of action-packed puzzle gameplay, stunning graphics and visual effects, a riveting and immersive storyline, plus a competitive wireless multiplayer game mode.

The player must safely guide an orb, containing the soul of a young boy to the Castle of Heaven by controlling a beam of light and exploiting the state–changing abilities of the orb to fulfil the challenges of the 40 single player levels or 10 multiplayer levels. Each level will require the player to change the state of the orb to glass, wood or metal, and control it with the appropriate force from the beam of light.



To conquer the Sinister Bridge level the orb must be moved through a series of pools separated by a drawbridge. Activate two switches near the first pool to lower the drawbridge and move to the next pool.

Transform the orb to wood to float across the pool…

Ensure not to evaporate the water in the pool with too much heat from the beam of light until the orb has reached the side – then leave the orb outside the pool and remove the water to enable the light to activate the switch at the bottom of the pool.

This opens a grate to allow the orb to be driven forward between holes in the path.

Avoid the hot centre of the circle while pressing the switches in order to open the final gate and complete the level.

Fading Shadows is to be released in February 2008.

ROCKSTAR GAMES DIRECT DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OF ALL THEIR GAMES ON IGN'S DIRECT2DRIVE

Partnership Includes the Groundbreaking Grand Theft Auto Series, and Marks the First Time Rockstar's Games Will be Offered Digitally

Direct2Drive, IGN Entertainment’s digital retail store, today announced that it will exclusively premiere Rockstar Games’ entire catalog of AAA titles for digital download on Direct2Drive (http://www.direct2drive.com). Available immediately, consumers can browse through and - for the first time ever - digitally download all of Rockstar Games PC titles including: the entire Grand Theft Auto series, Max Payne, Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne, Manhunt, Midnight Club: Street Racing II and Wild Metal.

Rockstar Games was founded in 1998 to create the most innovative and progressive interactive entertainment. Rockstar Games has continued to be an innovator in the gaming industry and the driving force behind many of today’s most popular series including Grand Theft Auto, Midnight Club and the recent smash, Bully.



“Rockstar Games has one of the most celebrated collections of AAA titles available to gamers today and we’re proud to add the Grand Theft Auto series and the entire Rockstar catalog to our world-class library of content,” said Sutton Trout, VP of digital content for IGN Entertainment. “By providing our customers with the ability to easily download these popular titles immediately, Direct2Drive continues to solidify its spot as the gaming industry’s premiere digital retail store.”

“We are excited to be opening our archives,” said Rowan Hajaj, Head of Finance and Corporate Development of Rockstar Games. “For the first time, fans will have the chance to explore our catalog of original, groundbreaking PC titles at the press of a button.”

Since launching in October 2004, Direct2Drive has allowed gamers to conveniently purchase and download the latest premium games from the world’s top publishers. Consumers can download titles from Rockstar Games today at http://www.direct2drive.com/zones/rockstar.

NINJA GAIDEN - DRAGON SWORD video game due March

Tecmo announced that Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword, the highly anticipated action game for the Nintendo DS, will be shipping in March of 2008. With the intuitive use of the DS stylus, Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword will let players control Master Ninja Ryu Hayabusa like never before.

Developed by Executive Producer Tomonobu Itagaki and the Team NINJA development studio, Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword features beautifully rendered environments, fast Ninja Gaiden-style action, numerous enemies, and a new story. Various directional movements and taps with the DS stylus will activate Ryu Hayabusa to run, jump, attack, and cast Ninpo (Ninja Magic). Certain combinations of movements will allow players to perform special attacks like the “Izuna Drop” and the “Cicada Slash” which were made famous in the Ninja Gaiden console games.

“Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword brings a new level of gaming action to the Nintendo DS,” says Yoh Watanabe, Tecmo’s Marketing Manager. “There’s currently a demo available on the DS Download Station and I urge everyone to try it out and you’ll know what I mean.”


Game website here

Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s - winning court case ban attempt by rock band

A federal judge in Detroit on Monday, December 17 denied The Romantics' request to stop the use of the song "What I Like About You" in Activision's popular video game, Guitar Hero Rocks the 80s, ensuring that sales of the game will continue. In making the ruling, Judge Edmunds indicated that to the extent there were any copyright issues, Activision did exactly what the company was supposed to do in developing the product.

Activision is pleased with the ruling and thinks that the case is without merit. Respect for all artists is an important value of the company and Activision has a long history of supporting artists from a range of entertainment fields. The company believes video games represent a growing opportunity for the music industry to reach new audiences and a strong source of potential license revenue for both bands and music publishers.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted net revenues of $1.5 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan and South Korea. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site, which is located at www.activision.com.

UTOUR GOLF AND CALLAWAY GOLF - THE ULTIMATE ONLINE GOLF PRIZE TOURNAMENT

10-Day Event Features Prizes Provided by Industry-Leading Manufacturer, Callaway Golf

UTour Golf, the world's most rewarding online golf experience, and Callaway Golf are pleased to bring golfers a special branded tournament featuring exclusive Callaway Golf merchandise. With rounds scheduled Dec 21st - 30th, 2007, players can vie for top spots by entering designated tournaments at www.utourGolf.com.

"UTour players love the game of golf, and we know that they will compete fiercely for the opportunity to get their hands on the high-performance Callaway Golf clubs that Callaway Golf is offering in our tournament," said Jon Walsh, CEO of Groove Media Inc. "Callaway golf has a long-standing reputation for innovation in golf equipment technology, and we're happy to provide our players with another great reason to compete on our online greens."



Beginning 12:00 a.m. EST on Friday, December 21st, 2007, the Callaway Golf Invitational Sweepstakes is open to all registered UTour Golf players. With each completed game in a Callaway Golf Invitational Sweepstakes tournament, players will get the chance to win one of 25 great Callaway Golf prizes, including a full set of X-20 Irons. The tournament runs a full 10 days, ending 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, December 30th, 2007. Full details and official rules for the Callaway Golf Invitational Sweepstakes can be found at http://www.utourgolf.com/2007callawayinvitational/index.html.

The Callaway Golf Invitational was created in association with Engage In-Game Advertising, an independent media company exclusively focused on targeting core and casual gamers across console, PC, and mobile video games.

Advertising allows UTour Golf to offer players a top-quality online golf experience free of charge. In turn, unparalleled access to the highly sought-after male 18-34 demographic allows UTour to offer advertisers a targeted and measurable way of reaching their intended audience. UTour's ad-serving technology utilizes pre-game videos, sponsored events and tournaments, and customizable in-game ads to deliver the most powerful promotional opportunities available in online gaming.

About UTour Golf
Get ready to hit the virtual links of UTour Golf, the world's first free online full-featured golf video game. Players of all levels can download the game in minutes and tee off online against competitors for fun or cash prizes. The game offers three stunning courses inspired by golfing locations from around the world, and offers multiple game rules, including traditional Stroke Play and Match Play. Every game offers a new challenge with game variables that include dynamic wind and weather conditions, variable pin and tee block placements, and even variable green speed and rough length.

To play, visit www.utourGolf.com.

DARKNESS WITHIN: In Pursuit of Loath Nolder video game - Update 1.01 download

Leading publisher Lighthouse Interactive and developer Zoetrope Interactive today released the first update for their psychological horror Adventure game, Darkness Within: In Pursuit of Loath Nolder. The update includes several new features and upgrades. Darkness Within was released in stores across Europe in November 2007. This chilling PC CD-ROM game is inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft and is Windows® Vista™ compatible.

Key Upgrades and Features included in Update 1.01:

• Inventory Management – Several inventory related issues have been corrected
• Graphics Improvements – The game now uses the default refresh rate of the player’s monitor and the antialiasing option now supports “2X” and “4X” instead of “On” and “Off”
• Document Underlining – Improvements have been made to the interface and game mechanics
• Sound Issues – Audio problems have been fixed
• Alternative Clues and Solutions to Puzzles – There is now more than one way to garner clues to some puzzles (i.e. Clark’s birthday) and alternative ways to solve a puzzle (i.e. photo puzzle)
• Interface Improvements – Upgrades in functionality have been made, especially to the DES feature in the Inventory menu

GAME SUMMARY:

As police detective Howard E. Loreid, players are tasked to solve the murder of Clark Field, a wealthy man involved in the occult. At the top of your list of suspects is Loath Nolder; a highly respected private investigator who mysteriously abandoned his last case for reasons unknown. Rumor had it that he ventured to several exotic places around the world learning from tribe shamans and sorcerers. It remains a great mystery as to why Loath Nolder disappeared so suddenly, resurfacing five years later and resuming his investigations just as abruptly as he had left them. Why does this venerated P.I. now sit on the other side of the law?

Your seemingly routine investigation takes a dramatic twist as strange and terrifying happenings begin to plague your psyche. You experience lucid horrifying dreams and are tormented by paranormal happenings. Why do days pass instead of hours when you sleep? What’s real and what’s not? As you pursue fugitive murder suspect Loath Nolder, you must face dire truths hidden deep within a haunting darkness and the recesses of your mind.

FEATURES:

• Built-in Hint System with 3 Difficulty Levels – Players can choose to play in Standard, Detective or Senior Detective modes.
• Unique Inventory System – Utilizing the ‘thinking screen’ allows players to collect and examine items, and thoughts. Clues can also be researched, combined or used.
• Dynamic Puzzles and Features – Traditional adventure game puzzles are complimented by deciphering dreams and underlining excerpts in documents to garner critical clues.
• Enhanced Gameplay Experience – The proprietary game engine enables compelling special effects, stunning visuals, and dynamic lighting and shading, in a panoramic first person game environment.
• Eerie Gameplay Atmosphere – An immersive experience is created by a fascinating story, chilling real-time cut scenes, and haunting music.

MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

OS: Windows 2000 / XP / Vista
CPU: 1 GHz Intel Pentium processor or AMD Athlon processor
RAM: 256 MB (512 MB Recommended for Windows Vista)
Video: 128 MB DirectX 9.0c compatible or better video card (nVidia GeForce 3 Ti 200)
PC CD-ROM: 4x (or PC DVD-ROM drive)
Sound: DirectX 9.0c compatible sound card (
Available Hard Disk Space: 1.1 GB
DirectX: 9.0c
Other: Mouse, Keyboard and Sound Speakers

RECOMMENDED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

OS: Windows 2000 / XP / Vista
CPU: 1.4 GHz Intel Pentium processor or AMD Athlon processor
RAM: 512 MB (1 GB Recommended for Windows Vista)
Video: 128 MB DirectX 9.0c compatible or better video card (nVidia GeForce 6 / ATI Radeon 9600 Pro / comparable) and Pixel/Vertex Shader 2.0 support
PC CD-ROM: 4x (or PC DVD-ROM drive)
Sound: DirectX 9.0c compatible sound card (Sound Blaster X-Fi series sound card recommended)
Available Hard Disk Space: 1.1 GB
DirectX: 9.0c
Other: Mouse, Keyboard and 5.1 or 4.1 Surround Sound Speakers

To download Update 1.01, visit: www.lighthouse-interactive.com

Ship Simulator 2008 video game v1.3 update patch download

Publisher Lighthouse Interactive and developer VSTEP are proud to present a brand new update to their successful simulation hit Ship Simulator 2008. This highly realistic simulator puts players at the helm of some of the World’s most varied and detailed ships found at sea, allowing them to explore accurately recreated environments including the newly added Southampton, Marseille and San Francisco harbours.

Ship Simulator is available in 20 countries and 7 languages, selling over 280,000 copies to date. This revolutionary simulator was released across Europe during the summer of 2007 and will hit retail stores across Canada and the U.S. in January 2008. This new update introduces multiplayer capabilities and a mission editor! Both of these features will be included in the North American release for Windows and is Vista compatible.

VSTEP’s Technical Director Pjotr van Schothorst stated, “The large and active Ship Simulator community has contributed a lot of ideas for new features, many of which have been included in this update. We are especially proud of the multiplayer function that adds a significant level of interactivity to the simulator. Ship Sim fans all over the world can now sail together with their friends and chat via in-game instant messaging.”



With the growing number of Ship Simulator users worldwide, VSTEP is continuously adding new content and features. In Ship Simulator 2008, players will need to perform a multitude of tasks, all set within stunning 3D environments. They will take control of a wide array of vessels – from massive cargo ships and ferries, to speedboats, yachts, water taxis, personal watercrafts, and even the mighty Titanic. The waters you sail are as varied as the ships, including the harbours of New York, the Thai Phi Phi Islands, Rotterdam and Hamburg, plus three newly added harbours Southampton, Marseille and San Francisco. Ship Simulator 2008 incredibly recreates real world locations from around the world and presents players with the challenges of commanding the vessel of their choice on the open sea.



Some of the new key features included in update v1.3 include:

• Multiplayer functionality: For the first time in the Ship Simulator series, players can now sail around in their favourite environment with all of their Ship Simulator friends.
• In-game download and rating of Custom Missions: The Mission Editor enables users to create custom missions and share these online with the Ship Simulator community.
• Even More Realistic – Radio sounds on the bridge have been added.
• Better Customization – Select a starting point in a sailing environment in both Free Roam and Multiplayer modes.



To download update v1.3, visit:
www.lighthouse-interactive.com

To find out more about Ship Simulator 2008 and to keep up with the latest news, visit:
www.lighthouse-interactive.com and www.shipsim.com.

Voyage Century Christmas party events claim your gift

With Christmas fast approaching and the 1st anniversary of Voyage Century coming soon, Voyage Century (http://vc.igg.com) will be holding a series of activities to celebrate these two important events.

Voyage Century 1st Anniversary

All of the valued players will receive a special gift to celebrate the 1st anniversary of Voyage Century Online. And as an added bonus; the shopping mall is also offering a special discount on all of its merchandise.

Gift claim website: http://vc.igg.com/active/anniversary/index.php

Christmas Party

Voyage Century Online has decided to hold a party to celebrate this coming Christmas.
Party Time: from 11 pm to 12pm on the 24th Dec. 2007
Place: the outskirts of Seville
Contents: During game playing, GM will invite all of the Bosses to celebrate. There are many items that may be dropped by the Monsters whilst the players are playing. Even lower-level players may find it possible to get a hold of some good items.

To get more details, please check here

Phase 3 Skill Manual Exchange

• Activity time: One round every other week


• Time for the first round: from the 17th Dec 2007 to the 23rd Dec 2007


• Time for the second round: from the 24th Dec 2007 to the 31st Dec 2007


• Place: In front of Seville Sea


• Contents: Players who have the items required by the GM can exchange them for Phase 3 Skills Manual

How to Register: Input characters’ names and corresponding server names in the space at the bottom of the Event Zone in the forum. If players meet the requirements then they can request to make an exchange for certain items, if they are available.

For more information about these activities click here

Two Worlds - The Temptation sequel video game expansion pack

The "Two Worlds" universe is now even more interactive.

Together with the upcoming sequel "The Temptation", a new gameplay feature has been developed that will enable the player to influence his environment even more! He can now use chests, barrels and other items to defeat his opponents or to reach higher ground - and as far as the vertical is concerned, there are ladders available in "The Temptation"!

And when you've climbed up there, you'll be able to see the wondrous new landscapes which have been created by the developers! Two examples of these are a Savannah and a Jungle. You'll have mangroves, lianas, cacti and new animals, all filling the new worlds with an abundance of life, like rhinos, baboons, leopards and panthers.



CEO Alexandra Constandache: “So with ‘The Temptation’ we've succeeded in realizing a truly intensive gaming experience - an experience that also includes the refining of the 'older' elements together with truly stunning new features! When you move objects, for example, the possibilities are almost endless... you can use all your creative talents and enable very interesting quests at the same time."

Stranger video game Mordlock - The Necessary Information Is Close at Hand download demo here

Leading video game publisher Fireglow Games® today presents the first part of the summarized information which aims to help you to play Stranger, the superb combination of RPG and RTS.

For both experienced Stranger players and beginners we have prepared a set of summary cards which show heroes with schedules of their combat skills, magic and tips about playing for this hero. This information will help you to be victorious in multiplayer battles as well as complete the single player campaign. Today we release the first card dedicated to the strongest among three heroes - Mordlock.

About Stranger:

Stranger is an RPG blended with the best elements of RTS.

An innovative and never before seen magical system allows you to select your strategy and tactics in the course of a battle, thus providing an adequate answer to an enemy's every turn - you will be surprised by its simplicity and variety at the same time.
Hiring, training and control over squads of infantry and archers - you will take part in clarifying the eternal question regarding what is more important – brute force and weaponry or cunning and magic.
There are three heroes - different from each other, each one with its own personality and preferences in combat and magic. What will happen when they assemble in a single squad?
The colourful universe of Stranger inhabited not only by hundreds of types of monsters but also with intelligent tribes, which can either be your allies or enemies.
All of this is "Stranger" - 2 worlds, 3 destinies.



Features:

• RPG blended with some of the best RTS elements
• 3 main heroes and many units to choose from
• Over 100 different monsters
• Unique and flexible magic system
• Great variety of items and equipment
• More than 30 hours of single player campaign
• Multiplayer with up to 8 players
• Level design enables distinctive tactical options

Game site: http://www.stranger-game.com/