Race Driver: Create & Race Wins Best Nintendo DS Racing Game Of 2007

Glasgow, United Kingdom - Firebrand Games developed Nintendo DS hit, Race Driver: Create & Race, published by Codemasters, today was awarded Best DS Driving/Racing game of 2007 in the IGN annual awards.

The critically acclaimed racing title beat off stiff competition from Need For Speed ProStreet, Diddy Kong Racing and Juiced 2:Hot Import Nights to be crowned Best Driving/Racing Game of 2007 for hugely successful Nintendo DS handheld gaming platform.

Firebrand CEO, Mark Greenshields, said "We are extremely confident in our racing game engine and we're sure that the features that we crammed into Race Driver: Create & Race would set the title as one of the best of 2007. We're very proud to receive this award from IGN and it's of great credit to our Scottish Team that they developed the IGN rated Best DS Racing Game of 2007."



The IGN Best of 2007 website stated, "Race Driver: Create and Race brought a console level experience to the handheld market. The game is a fun arcade-style racing game that boasts an impressive amount of features, both online and off. The customizing features add a creative element not seen in other racers and the production value is some of the best we've seen. Race Driver shows just how polished a third-party game can be, and other racers may have a hard time competing".


Launched in September 2007, Race Driver: Create & Race gives players control over 20 of the fastest racing cards on the planet and unleashes them on 30 of the most-exciting official race circuits. What really sets Race Driver: Create & Race aside is the unique and intuitive track designer which gives players a chance to design and share their very own race tracks using the Nintendo DS stylus. The game also was recognised as a runner-up in the IGN 2007 Best Graphics technology and Best Online Multi-Player game categories.

For more information on the game, check out www.codemasters.com/createandrace

World's First Quad Screen Race Simulator The VRX MACH 4

VRX Industries Ltd., a premier designer, developer, and manufacture of home & corporate entertainment products, today announced the launch of the ultimate, home-entertainment race simulator: the "VRX MACH 4" for this holiday season. The VRX MACH 4 is a masterpiece of cutting edge technology combined with an ascetically-stunning design. The VRX MACH 4 is powered by four Xbox 360's, outputting 4 Teraflops of power, which drive the 3 Sharp Aquos LCD's; the fourth Xbox 360 powers a 7" LCD rear view mirror which elevates the virtual racing experience to a new level of realism.

The design and development of the VRX MACH 4 Prototype began in the fall of 2006. "Our goal is to eclipse the success of the VRX PRO (launched with the original Forza Motorsport)," said Robert Stanners, President, VRX Industries Ltd. "With the success of Forza Motorsport 2, we are confident to surpass all expectations. VRX is committed to total excellence in developing the Ultimate Race Simulator by being the world's first to combine a total of 4 LCD's which completely immerses the driver in the virtual race environment. VRX Industries goal is to give drivers the true and complete sense and feeling of speed; taking the sensation further beyond the tactile feedback system of the Buttkicker and Bose Acoustimass 10 sound system by adding a Virtual Wind System powered by 2 dual Honeywell Fans."; another innovation 1st by VRX.

Specifications:
· 4 Microsoft Xbox 360's
· 4 Copy's Forza Motorsport 2
· Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter
· Microsoft Force Feedback Steering wheel
· 3 Sharp Aquos 37" LC-D62U 1080p HD LCD displays
· Adjustable rear view Power Acoustik (PTM 750) 7" LCD display
· Bose Acoustimass 10 series surround sound system with subwoofer
· Harmon Kardon AVR-144 Surround Sound receiver
· 1500 Watt Tactile Vibration Feedback System
· 1900 Watt Tactile Power Amplifier
· Virtual Wind System powered by 2 dual Honeywell fans with chrome shroud
· 1" CNC machined polished aluminum foot assembly that connects to the front of the VRX
· Universal triple screen aluminum mounting bracket that accepts LCD displays from 20" to 40"
· Adjustable aluminum and tinted acrylic component shelves
· On board power bar and unique wire way system conceals cables
· Polished chrome chassis with powder coated wheel mount and pedal mount
· CNC billet aluminum Speaker Mounts and Seat Wing
· Front and rear non-slip aluminum vibration dampeners
· 3M automotive chrome trim concealed edges
· Italian Sparco Monza racing seat (choice of Red/Black or Black/Silver)
· Sparco automotive seat slider
· Suspension seat base
· 3/D epoxy coated graphics
· Velcro and machined rubber grip blocks "prevents wheel and pedal movement"
· 10" diagonal and 8" horizontal wheel adjustments
· Polished Aluminum Speaker Mounts
· LED Lighting effects
· Beverage Containment System

Games website: http://www.virtualracerx.com

Requiem: Bloodymare PC video game Delivers Intense Experience for Mature Gamers

Gravity Interactive Unleashes A Nightmare Of Violence And Death Into The MMO World

Requiem: Bloodymare Delivers Intense Experience for Mature Gamers

Gravity Interactive, developer and publisher of a wide variety of online games including both casual and hardcore MMOs, is bringing the bloody horror of Requiem: Bloodymare to the United States in early 2008. The title introduces a world where the misuse of science and magic has warped the natural world into a twisted vision of death.

Set in the world of Ethegia, players take on the role of the Temperions, beings created through genetic engineering and arcane rites to engage in bloody combat with the walking nightmares stalking the land.

Using the Havok engine, Requiem: Bloodymare brings to life a visually stunning realm where fallout from generations of scientific and mystical warfare has polluted the natural world and given birth to horribly mutated monsters. The battles between players and these grotesque creatures are rendered with intense sequences of bloody and gory graphics.

“We’ve dedicated more than four years of intense development to be sure Requiem: Bloodymare really brings something unique in the MMO market.” Peter Kang, CEO, Gravity Interactive, said. “We very consciously decided when we started the project that we wanted to diversify our offering to include much more than the cute, anime inspired gameplay of our previous hits. Requiem isn’t a game for kids; this is for mature players that are looking for hardcore content that conjures up their deepest nightmares and fears.”

Requiem: Bloodymare also brings several game mechanics that set it apart from the rest of the MMO market. The time of day will be an extremely important factor for players under the Nightmare System with incredibly powerful creatures awakening to terrorize the world at night. To defeat these challenges players will be able to draw upon the DNA System and the Beast Possession System. Players will use genetic engineering to modify their DNA to obtain characteristics and abilities nature never intended. The mystic arts will enable players to possess and transform into different bestial beings with extraordinary abilities.

More information about the Requiem: Bloodymare can be found at http://www.playrequiem.com.

Stargate Worlds PC video game MMORPG Sneak Peek Coming With Stargate Atlantis

Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment (CME) will give fans a sneak peek of its debut massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG) - titled Stargate Worlds® - when the first trailer debuts Jan. 4, 2008, with the mid-season premiere of Stargate AtlantisTM on the SciFi Channel.

Stargate Atlantis returns on Jan. 4 at 10/9 p.m. EST/CST.

Starting Jan. 18, 2008, viewers can enter for a chance to win an opportunity to have their name or likeness incorporated into Stargate Worlds in the Unlock the Gate Sweepstakes.* Viewers are invited to watch Stargate Atlantis each Friday starting on Jan. 18, 2008 at 10/9c on SciFi to retrieve a unique code to enter the sweepstakes.

“We have spent years looking for a quality gaming partner to extend the Stargate franchise beyond television and DVDs,” said Travis J. Rutherford, executive vice president, MGM Consumer Products and Location Based Entertainment. “This trailer is an exciting preview of that extension, and we are proud to have the opportunity to debut it as part of the Stargate Atlantis return. Our fans will jump at the chance to have their likeness incorporated in the MMORPG and become a part of Stargate history.”

Based on Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s (MGM) Stargate franchise, Stargate Worlds features tactical modern combat vs. science-fiction weapons and instant travel across the galaxy in a story-driven MMORPG.

“The trailer will give gamers and fans a glimpse at what they can expect to find in Stargate Worlds,” said Rod Nakamoto, senior vice president of product development, Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment. “It’s a mix of old and new elements that hint at the direction we are taking the franchise.”


In Stargate Worlds, gamers will explore new worlds and encounter ancient, alien cultures across an evolving galaxy. While staying true to the spirit of the Stargate franchise to which its fans have become familiar, Stargate Worlds will also introduce new worlds, characters and action to the Stargate universe that are far beyond the scale that can be shown on television.

“Stargate Worlds is about instant adventure in an epic, evolving universe,” said Stargate Worlds studio head Dan Elggren. “That’s what fans and gamers are going to see in this trailer.”

Stargate Worlds is based on Stargate SG-1 and the show’s spin off Stargate Atlantis. Stargate SG-1 is the longest-running science fiction series in US television history, airing 213 episodes over 10 years.

Unreal Tournament 3 to Teach Valuable Game Development Skills

Today’s teens are the first generation born into a world completely oriented around technology. Their births were announced on a cell phone and their images growing up were sent to family on the Internet. They have social networking pages and build relationships by calling and texting friends.

So what’s the best way to teach technology, and more specifically, the emerging field of video game development, to teens? Campbell, CA based iD Tech Camps, America’s largest national youth summer computer camp, thinks it has the answer. Instruction is broken into manageable parts and classes promote hands-on learning in small groups of just 6 or 7 students—a big departure from a typical school classroom of 30. Topics at the camp focus on the interests of teens. And who wouldn’t want to make their own video game? The small peer group collaboration and emphasis on experimentation encourage exploration and creativity in the rapidly expanding field of video game development.

“We provide an environment where instruction is personalized and fluid,” said Pete Ingram-Cauchi, president and CEO of iD Tech Camps. “Teens choose our computer camp because we have the cutting edge software and tools that are most relevant in the industry. Partnering with industry leaders like Epic Games is vital. They believe in our teaching philosophy. They understand that a key component to offering the best tech courses involves instruction of the industry’s leading game engine, Unreal Engine 3, as provided with the Unreal Tournament 3 game.”

Midway, a leading interactive entertainment publisher and developer, and world-renowned developer Epic Games, Inc., recently announced that the highly anticipated and award-winning Unreal Tournament 3 game has shipped for PC. Building off of the massive success of Gears of War, the 2006 Game of the Year, Epic Games has brought the world's premiere and multi-million unit selling first-person shooter back to the PC. Students at iD Tech Camps will get instruction on the Unreal Engine 3 tools that ship as part of the Unreal Tournament 3 PC version. This way they are getting training in a world-class professional game engine that has also been used in award-winning, million-selling, games including Gears of War, Mass Effect and BioShock.

“We’ve partnered with iD Tech Camps because of their reputation for quality game development instruction for teens,” said Mark Rein, vice president of Epic Games. “Unreal Tournament 3 delivers unparalleled game quality that gamers have come to know and expect from Epic Games. We are reaching an audience of gaming enthusiasts who play the game as well as learn to design and mod with our deep set of tools.”

iD Tech Camps and the iD Gaming Academy use the recently released Unreal Tournament 3 in their curriculum and during NVIDIA-hosted Gaming Tournaments. Students will be able to modify Unreal Tournament 3 by adding new levels, redesigning skins or replacing characters to customize game play through interactive modding tools. They can also create 3D video games and design 3D environments and levels complete with advanced special effects.

The “couch potato” characterization of video game players is being tossed out the window. Players no longer passively play; they build their own environments, characters and strategies. Educators and manufacturers are responding by providing the training, technology and tools that allow users to be more than just players.

About iD Tech Camps and the iD Gaming Academy
iD Tech Camps provides weeklong, day and overnight summer computer camps for beginner to advanced students at 50 prestigious universities in 23 states. Students create, design, mod and code 2D and 3D video games, as well as design websites with Flash animation, film digital movies, build robots, learn programming and more. iD Gaming Academy immerses teens in the dynamic world of video game. Courses include Camp Fatal1ty™, Game Modeling with Maya® and Game Programming. For more information, visit www.internalDrive.com and www.iDGamingAcademy.com.


About Unreal Tournament 3
Unreal Tournament 3 marks the return of the world's premiere first-person shooter to the PC, and its debut on the PLAYSTATION 3 system. Unreal Tournament 3 unleashes the full power of Unreal Engine 3, taking graphics, gameplay, and challenge to a whole new level. Players engage in intense battles with other human players online, or against Unreal artificial intelligence that sets the industry standard. With the most powerful futuristic weapons and vehicles available, this is FPS action at its best! More information about Unreal Tournament 3 can be found online at www.unrealtournament3.com.

Wideload Games Launches GRRNews.com, the No:1 Source For Election Coverage In The Animal Kingdom

GRRNews.com Sponsored by Politically-Charged Party Game, Hail to the Chimp

News Team Anchor Woodchuck Chumley on Assignment at Iowa Caucus

In the spring of 2008, democracy comes to the animal kingdom in Wideload Games’ politically-charged party video game Hail to the Chimp. Only one animal will rally enough support in the wild to win and become president. If you feel like you are uninformed about this election, it is likely due to the human bias at CNN, MSNBC, and the so called Fox News. With the launch of GRRnews.com, you now have a site “by animals for animals” that scares up hard-hitting, probing coverage of the issues YOU care about every day.

The GRR News herd of top notch correspondents includes award-winning News Anchor Woodchuck Chumley, Co-Anchor Juliet the Ostrich, and everyone’s favorite Weatherturtle Rusty. Together they will bring you up-to-the-minute election polls, gossip, stock tips, interviews with candidates, and more. Tireless reporters will track the ten candidates, and each of their different political parties and platforms. Other site features will include a daily blog, video, horoscope, obituaries and regular columns including “This Day in History.”

"News is our territory,” said GRR News team anchor Woodchuck Chumley. “Other news networks are nothing more than the lapdogs of the ruling elite. GRR is the network for the discerning news hound. No matter how chaotic the world gets - and it's going to get pretty wild during the upcoming election - animals everywhere know they can turn to GRR for the truth. Now, with the advent of GRRnews.com, you can get your full dose of GRR using cutting-edge 'Internet' technology."

As the recognized Godfather of animal news, Woodchuck Chumley is a hero of reporters around the world. Wideload Games and Gamecock Media Group are sponsoring Woodchuck Chumley's trip to the upcoming Iowa caucus in Des Moines where he and his video crew will show legions of admiring journalists how it’s done.



Hail to the Chimp, the lead sponsor of GRRnews.com, will deliver exciting gameplay, lush interactive environments, and a comic look at politics. Just like any political race, the candidates will fight hard and are encouraged to team-up and form alliances when it helps their campaign. But, only one will win the right to party.

Hail to the Chimp (www.hailtothechimp.com) will be published by Gamecock Media Group and released on Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system at a price point of $39.99.

Professor Kageyama's Maths Training on Nintendo DS

Improve your calculus with DS!

The foundation of Dr Kageyama’s Maths Training is 100 square calculations a method conceived by Kageyama Hidea, a Japanese elementary school principal. The DS is held side ways like a book and all answers are written using the stylus.

The key principal of the software is repetition which according to Kageyama stimulates the brain. The main exercise 100 cells maths, consists of 100 hundred simple maths problems combined into a 10 by 10 grid using the numbers at the top and side of the grid. There are however many other exercises, ranging from simple one digit math problems to slightly more complex three digit challenges.

Features:
The selection of three exercises changes every time the user advances to the next level 9which happens every five days).

Depending on speed and accuracy a player will be rewarded with a bronze, silver or gold medal and a listing in the top three best times for that particular exercise.

* The software keeps track on the days in which the users trained by rewarding them with ‘tick’ mark in the built-in calendar.

One Piece: Unlimited Adventure - The Straw Hat Pirates to Land on Nintendo Wii

Leading video games publisher and developer, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., announced today that One Piece™: Unlimited Adventure™ has gone gold for the Wii™. Based on the hit animated TV series, One Piece™, players will follow the adventures of the Straw Hat Pirates as their journey leads them to treasure and perilous encounters on an uncharted isle. Danger awaits swashbuckling players when One Piece: Unlimited Adventure is released on January 22.

“One Piece: Unlimited Adventure is the perfect fit on the Wii system as gamers can come together to explore, compete and experience the world of the animated series,” said Todd Thorson, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. “One Piece: Unlimited Adventure embodies our commitment to produce top-notch games that are an extension of its popular anime properties.”



While sailing the open sea, an island mysteriously rises from deep beneath the ocean waves, leaving the Straw Hat Pirates stranded on a strange land. Players will take control of their favorite One Piece characters to explore new areas, battle vicious enemies and solve challenging puzzles.

With the innovative Wii Remote and Nunchuck controller, players will pull, turn and swing to battle nefarious villains using each character’s own unique set of moves including Luffy’s “Gum Gum Storm” and Nami The Navigator’s “Cyclone Tempo”. Players can experience the exclusive new storyline in Adventure Mode with one of eight Straw Hat Pirates; put their skills to the test in Survival Mode; or go toe-to-toe with friends in Vs. Mode. Players can also unlock over 40 characters, secret items, and special costumes. With more characters to play as and hours of gameplay, One Piece: Unlimited Adventure marks the spot for fun and adventure on the high seas.

One Piece: Unlimited Adventure is rated “T” for teen by the ESRB. For more information on One Piece: Unlimited Adventure, please visit: onepiece.namcobandaigames.com

Deca Sports For The Nintendo Wii with Basketball, Supercross, Figure Skating and Curling

Ten Unique Sports Including Basketball, Supercross, Figure Skating and Curling Form the Most Comprehensive Sports Game Ever

Hudson Entertainment, the North American publishing arm for HUDSON SOFT, today announced that it is bringing Deca Sports, a unique ten-sport game, exclusively to the Wii™ home video game system in Summer 2008. Combining ten sporting events into one addicting and fun-filled game, Deca Sports offers an immersive experience for fans of any age. The sporting events: Beach Volleyball, Snowboard Cross, Badminton, Basketball, Curling, Figure Skating, Archery, Supercross, Soccer and Kart Racing.

"We have seen tremendous growth in the casual sports gaming market in the last few years, and saw an opportunity that would be a perfect fit for the Nintendo Wii" said John Greiner, President and CEO of Hudson Entertainment. "With Deca Sports we wanted to offer a sports package that is unrivaled in terms of sheer number of available sports. More importantly, the game is easy to play, but offers layers of depth that even hardcore sports enthusiasts will love to play."

Each sport in the game uses the Wii Remote™ in unique yet accessible ways. With a subtle swing of the Wii Remote™ players can hit and spike the ball in Beach Volleyball, while twists of the wrist produce a wild ride down the slopes in Snowboard Cross. In Figure Skating players need to keep to the music and properly time all of their jumps and spins in order to impress the judges while passing the ball and lining up shots is essential in Soccer. All ten sports support both single player and multiplayer modes, in addition to a training mode to practice essential skills. The wide range of events and modes make Deca Sports the perfect game for players and sports fans of all ages.

Bear in the Air on soundtrack of the new Tony Hawk game Proving Ground

Motorcity Daredevils give New Year treat to fans

New Midlands rock band Motorcity Daredevils recently signed a deal to have their song ‘Bear in the Air’ on the soundtrack of the new Tony Hawk game, Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground. (®)

The band have just finished filming a promotional video for the track and have now released the video as a New Year present to their many fans. The video is available to view on

YouTube http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bgkKg9QdQz0) and

myspace http://www.myspace.com/motorcitydaredevils and
http://www.myspace.com/worlddominationmusicltd

Including ex-Raging Speedhorn front man Frank Regan amongst its members, Motorcity Daredevils are a three-piece rock band in the classic 70s mould, from the Midlands town of Corby. Their sound is made up of influences such as Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Motorhead, Budgie and Thin Lizzy.



Singer and Drummer Frank Regan said:

‘We beat some stiff competition to get a place on the new Tony Hawk game and it has given us a massive boost. The video is our way of giving something extra to our fans throughout the world. It is now up on Myspace and YouTube sites to view”.

Motorcity Daredevils have already signed a publishing deal with World Domination Music, and are now negotiating with several record companies to secure the release of their first album. They are currently in the studio making their second album which they hope to have ready for release before MIDEM in January 2008.