Disney - Pixar's WALL-E or WALL.E robot video game on XBox 360 PlayStation PSP Wii DS and PS2

Gamers Will Bring Humanity Back to Earth in Summer 2008

THQ announced plans to release the WALL●E video game in conjunction with the film’s eagerly awaited theatrical debut from Disney•Pixar in the summer of 2008. WALL●E is anticipated to launch across all major gaming systems including the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PSP (PlayStationPortable) system, Wii home video game system, Nintendo DS, Windows PC and Mac, as well as wireless devices.

The long-running relationship between THQ and Disney•Pixar has achieved shipments of more than 35 million units worldwide. THQ’s current agreement with Disney•Pixar, which was announced in 2004, includes rights to create games based on four newly created Disney•Pixar film properties. Last year’s Ratatouille video game was the first property released by THQ under this agreement.



WALL●E is expected to release this summer and will mark THQ’s next installment in the company’s well-established and successful association with Disney•Pixar. Development for WALL●E will be led by THQ’s internal Heavy Iron Studios.

About the WALL●E Videogame
Players will take control of WALL●E and EVE through a fast-paced adventure based on the upcoming Disney•Pixar film. The game will allow fans to relive some of the movie’s most thrilling moments as they explore 10 worlds filled with non-stop action and adventure, along with head-to-head multiplayer challenges. Players will recognize the storyline, characters and key locations from the WALL●E film as they carry out intense missions, dodge dangerous enemies and navigate their way through a futuristic world. In addition, the game will contain new storylines and environments that movie-goers will not see in theaters.

About the WALL●E Movie
What if mankind had to leave Earth, and somebody forgot to turn the last robot off?

Academy Award-winning writer-director Andrew Stanton (“Finding Nemo”) and the inventive storytellers and technical geniuses at Pixar Animation Studios (“The Incredibles,” “Cars,” “Ratatouille”) transport moviegoers to a galaxy not so very far away for a new computer-animated cosmic comedy about a determined robot named WALL•E.

After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for, WALL•E (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) discovers a new purpose in life (besides collecting knick-knacks) when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE. EVE comes to realize that WALL•E has inadvertently stumbled upon the key to the planet’s future, and races back to space to report her findings to the humans (who have been eagerly awaiting word that it is safe to return home). Meanwhile, WALL•E chases EVE across the galaxy and sets into motion one of the most exciting and imaginative comedy adventures ever brought to the big screen.

Joining WALL•E on his fantastic journey across a universe of never-before-imagined visions of the future, is a hilarious cast of characters including a pet cockroach, and a heroic team of malfunctioning misfit robots.

Filled with surprises, action, humor and heart, WALL•E was written and directed by Andrew Stanton, produced by Jim Morris, co-produced by Lindsey Collins and features original and innovative sound design by Academy Award®-winner Ben Burtt (“Star Wars,” “Indiana Jones,” “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial”). The film is due for release on June 27, 200

Watch the movie trailer here... http://www.apple.com/trailers/disney/walle/

Dragon's Lair on Sony PSP looking for a publisher.

LEGENDARY ARCADE GAME SEEKING PUBLISHER

Dragon's Lair, the world's first full-animation laser disc video game - debuted in 1983. The game features Dirk the Daring, a rather clumsy knight that must make his way through the castle of an evil wizard to save the beautiful Princess Daphne. The game's visionary team of creators (Don Bluth, Rick Dyer, Gary Goldman, John Pomeroy and Chris Stone) was astounded by the public's overwhelming enthusiasm and witnessed lines as long as several city blocks as people of all ages waited to play the game. Currently, Dragon's Lair is one of only three games on permanent display at the Smithsonian Institution (the other two are Pac Man and Pong).

United Coders, developers of the Nintendo DS version of the game, are currently putting the final touches to the Nintendo DS version, and is currently seeking a publisher for a version of the game on the Sony PSP. In exchange for funding the development and intellectual property cost of Dragon’s Lair for Sony PSP, the publisher will be granted the global publishing rights for the format. United Coders expect to begin development of Dragon’s Lair® for Sony PSP in February with a release date of Christmas 2008 on the platform.

The story of Dragon’s Lair is classic: “Dragon’s Lair: The fantasy adventure where you become a valiant knight, on a quest to rescue the fair princess from the clutches of an evil dragon. You control the actions of a daring adventurer, finding his way through the castle of a dark wizard, who has enchanted it with treacherous monsters and obstacles. In the mysterious caverns below the castle, your odyssey continues against the awesome forces that oppose your efforts to reach the Dragon's Lair. Lead on, adventurer. Your quest awaits!”

According to Hans Olsen, the Executive Producer and Lead Programmer on Nintendo DS and Sony PSP, the PSP version will feature – like the Nintendo DS version, two distinct modes of play.

Cryptex of Time Puzzle game released - PC demo download

SOLO development proudly announces the release of Cryptex of Time, a fun, mind twisting and addictive PC game for all ages.

Cryptex of Time is a new, innovative puzzle game that brings the casual match game into its third dimension without leaving simplicity and fun factor behind.

Cryptex of Time takes you, a young archaeologist , into a world full of mysteries, old tales and fabled treasures while solving the puzzles of the Cryptex. Travel around the world, find new exciting challenges and carefully rotate the wheels of the Cryptex to free the secrets inside.

The game is now available on SOLO developments website: http://www.solodev.eu/g_Cryptex.html

Cryptex of Time features
- 48 unique and varied levels of puzzles
- 12 different game modes that ensures a new fresh gaming experience throughout the story
- Lots of special gems, cubes and symbols to help or betray you
- Stunning art and audio
- 4 different worlds with unique game modes and themes
- Innovative 3D environment

System Specifications:
1 GHz or faster processor, 256 MB Ram, DirectX 7 or better, Windows 98, ME, 2000 or XP. 3D graphics card recommended.


Download the demo here... http://www.solodev.eu/Files/Builds/CoT-Setup.exe

Jack's Bouncy Qubes – Jumping to a PC on download now!

Prepare yourself for the most frenzied and explosive 3D puzzle experience that will leave you bouncing for more. Jack's Bouncy Qubes puts you in control of a board of explosive bouncy qubes. Control Jack around the board, jumping over the qubes and link them in like combinations. Once they connect, the qubes are detonated and will explode!

Iik Games (www.iikgames.com) is proud to announce the release of Jack's Bouncy Qubes for the PC. A unique and highly addictive 3D puzzle game that everybody can play, but no one would like to leave. Control the lovely character Jack. Mess around the board jumping over the qubes, change its color and link them in like combinations, once they connect, the qubes are detonated and will explode. Don't get to close as the explosion will knock you into next week. The object is to clear each level, but be careful, the action gets harder and harder as you go along.

Jack´s Bouncy Qubes features a unique and addictive fast-paced gameplay with 4 different game modes: Arcade, Free, Survival and Puzzle. Bright and colorful 3D accelerated toon graphics and special effects. 50 Mind-Bender hand crafted puzzle levels and many more!

Join the Bouncyness now by downloading a 60-Minutes free trial of Jack´s Bouncy Qubes from www.iikgames.com

Nintendo Wii Fit preview offers a whole new level of gaming

Wii Fit was recently released in Japan, and so far the Japanese love it. But will the same love be repeated over here in Europe? Well lets hope so as Wii Fit promises to open up a whole new level of gaming - just what Wii Sports did back at the launch of Nintendo‘s, innovating machine.

Like Wii Sports and Wii Play, the game is based solely on mini games. The first is a soccer game where you will have to hit with your Mii’s head whilst you dodge other incoming items such as boots and panda heads; this means you have to shift your weight around to the left, right, and forward. As you hit the soccer balls with your Mii’s head the score will be taken next to where you hit the first ball, and then the score for this mini game increases if you hit balls in succession.


Once you have finished the mini game the same sort of screen as Wii sports will pop up to tell you the results, you will be rated with star ranks with 1 star being the lowest and 5 the highest, it gives you a good idea on which mini game you’re doing better at. Yoga is another very important categories in Wii Fit. Yoga is split up into several different positions. The first one is the tree pose; it involves the player balancing on one leg while your other foot is resting on the thigh. You then have to raise up your arms and locking your hands together. Now you have to hold this pose for about thirty seconds once in the correct position, which will be signalled by a white backdrop appearing and a pink circle measuring your balance.



You have to do this position on both legs and after which your results will follow. This compares the two and makes it easier for the player to read and understand which leg they balance better on. It’s not all Yoga and sport mini games though. Other crazy themes such as rolling a ball into a hole; tight rope balance; guiding yourself down a river and a dancing mini game, which looks like it’s straight from a Dance Dance Revolution game will be present giving this game a most wide variety as possible.



All the mini games are unique and clever, each offering a certain degree of challenge for both the hardcore and casual gamers. So what’s the Wii Balance board all about? Is it just another peripheral that provides a quick gimmick or does it offer a new way in which we play games? The Wii balance board is shaped like a normal house hold set of scales, with a plain white top and a light grey underneath. Just like the Wii remote the balance board is wireless, but it contains multiple pressure sensors that are used to measure the users centre of pressure. Shigeru Miyamoto goes as far to claim that the Wii balance board was probably more accurate than a pair of typical bathroom scales. All of the mini-games will be making use of the board whether it'd be applying pressure to a certain spot or tilting it for side to side.

Once again, Nintendo are proving that fun games are no longer confined to regular controllers. Games like Wii Fit are incredibly unique and are powering the gaming industry. It’s no surprise that the game was well received in Japan seeing as it primarily aimed at the older, more casual generation, and should in no doubt be well received over here. Shockingly, Nintendo originally designed the Wii balance board for the Japanese market to have a maximum weight of 300 pounds; (140kg) but due to the varying weights and enormous sizes of both Europeans and Americans, Nintendo will be releasing different sized Wii balance boards all around the world. So we could be seeing delays for both parties, but Nintendo have currently got Wii Fit down for an early 2008 release. Check back at Nintencast when we’ll bring you the full review straight after the launch.

Source: Nintencast

December games charts in Germany and Spain wipe out Sony PS 3 and Microsoft XBox 360

The charts, compiled by Media-Control GfK International for the sales week ending December 23, also show Nintendo featuring in all top five positions in Germany, and eight of the top ten in Spain.

Germany

1. More Brain Training with Dr Kawashima (DS)


2. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training (DS)


3. Wii Play (Wii)


4. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)


5. Mario & Sonic at the Olympics (Wii)


6. Need for Speed Pro Street (PS2)


7. FIFA 08 (PS2)


8. High School Musical: Sing It (PS2)


9. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PC)


10. New Super Mario Bros (DS)

Spain

1. More Brain Training with Dr Kawashima (DS)


2. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training (DS)


3. WWE Smackdown! vs Raw 2008 (PS2)


4. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (PS2)


5. Eye Training (DS)


6. Wii Play (Wii)


7. Mario Party DS (DS)


8. Triiviial (Wii)


9. Imagine Babyz (DS)


10. Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS)

Video games what to look forward to in 2008

The PSP is still looking for a killer app, and God of War: Chains of Olympus is probably not it - even though the game will definitely appeal to the hardcore players. While it will never catch the DS, PSP hardware sales are decent; software sales not so much. As for the Wii, Super Smash Brothers Brawl is probably the most highly anticipated just as Xbox 360 owners may be looking forward to Too Human. Meanwhile, the PS3 should see Little Big Planet as well as the launch of Home. All of these titles pale in comparison to GTA IV and MGS 4, however, not only in terms of interest but in importance to the publishers and developers.

Just as Halo 3 was the most anticipated game of 2007, GTA IV is certainly the most anticipated game of 2008. Publisher Take-Two doesn't have much riding on the outcome - other than the future of the entire company. Bioshock not withstanding, the company hasn't had much luck establishing new franchises outside of GTA. They can only get by on notoriety (thanks Manhunt 2) for so long.

Unfortunately for Rockstar, and for Take-Two, the world has changed since GTA III was released for the PS2 nearly seven years ago. Open world/sandbox gameplay is commonplace, and although no one has quite surpassed GTA, some (Crackdown, Saint's Row) have come close. Take-Two should be able to sell nearly a million copies of GTA IV across all platforms on the name alone, even if reviewers don't fancy the game, but if the programmers have trouble coming to grips with current hardware, or if they haven't fixed the perceived flaws of the prior games, the wheels may come off the franchise.

Right behind GTA IV in terms of importance for 2008 is Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. For reasons which are beyond me, this franchise still has a fanatical following, despite awkward camera angles and convoluted plot lines.

For reasons also beyond me - seeing as how Microsoft would likely throw bags of money their way - Konami has chosen to release MGS 4 as a PlayStation 3 exclusive (for the time being). I don't think that the game is mainstream enough to be a system seller, so the question becomes whether or not the installed base of the PS3 is large enough for Konami to earn a return on their investment. That's even assuming the programmers have a handle on Sony's current console.

By Mark Androvich - Games Industry

Bill Gates to make Important Xbox 360 news next week - new HD DVD drive for XBox 360?

Microsoft overlord Bill Gates is set to make an "important announcement" regarding the Xbox 360 at next week's CES show in Las Vegas, reports The Seattle Times.

The paper doesn't say exactly what Gates' revelation will regard at the electronic show, but it does go on to speculate that it might be the reveal of yet another Xbox 360 SKU with built-in HD-DVD playback.

"Microsoft may be preparing to license the Xbox gaming platform to consumer-electronics companies," says Seattle Times columnist Brier Dudley. "In particular, Microsoft could work with Toshiba to develop a digital video recorder with a hard-drive, high-definition HD-DVD drive and Xbox gaming capabilities.

"They're already allied against Sony and other backers of the Blu-ray DVD format," he continues, "and Toshiba could help Xbox finally penetrate the Japanese market.

"Microsoft could also make a splash by announcing plans to give the Xbox 360 an internal HD-DVD drive, putting it on par with Sony's PlayStation 3 that has a built-in Blu-ray drive."

At least year's CES, rumours were abound on the now long since unveiled Xbox 360 Elite, which built on the previous console SKUs with a bigger hard drive and built in HDMI port.

Built-in HD-DVD playback is the logical next step for the 360, but we're not so sure about this video recorder malarkey - anyone remember the Panasonic Q?

We'll be strutting the CES show floor next week and will of course keep you bang up to date with whatever Bill reveals.

Project Revolution mod for Warcraft III brings you StarCraft in 3D

All things being tickety-boo at Blizzard, 2008 will see the release of StarCraft II - but a mod team's got the hop on the developer with a 3D version of StarCraft: Brood War.

Project Revolution's a mod for Warcraft III, and while it's still work in progress the team behind it has released a Terran Demo allowing you to sample its efforts.

We've not downloaded the demo ourselves yet, but it appears you'll need to dust off your original StarCraft: Brood War CD as it's required to play it - along with Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne patched to v1.21.

here's nothing like a confirmed release date for the full Project Revolution monty, but the mod team says it's over half done. Still, if you can get the demo up and running it'll help tide you over till StarCraft II arrives (which is already being tipped for release on Xbox 360).

Download the demo here... http://www.wc3campaigns.net/revolution/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11222

Game Tunnel Independent video games of the year: Number 1 - Aquaria on PC

As I enter the cavern, the fish swim by my side then change directions and swim away. The world around me beckons and repels me. Each of the many dark caverns that lead away from here has its own story. Some of that story is darker than the caverns, filled with war and destruction. Other parts are more sublime, echoing the dreams of civilizations long lost. My part in the story seems to be ever changing as I discover melody in the peaceful sounds of the waves and harmony in their angry thrashing on the shore.


Aquaria is perhaps the most well-known indie game in recent memory and it should be. The underwater world painted on the screen is captivating and mesmerizing. The game world feels immense and will leave more than a few people scratching their head as it teases with information. It provides puzzles and challenges that will test your abilities to reason and will occasionally leave you entirely unsure of what to do next. As the breakthrough moments of understanding hit, the game becomes magical. The feeling of success mixed with the wonderful fantasy playing out in front of you creates an experience that is as unique as every game wants to be.



Aquaria is a masterful stroke of vision in its appearance, sound and play. It's a game that no one should miss. After walking away with our awards for best graphics and best sound as well as the 2007 Adventure game of the year award, we're happy to add one final jewel to Aquaria's crown, the 2007 Independent Game of the Year.

Download a demo here: http://www.bit-blot.com/aquaria/index.html

Source: Game Tunnel

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