Beijing 2008 - Official Video Game Of The Olympic Games on PC PS3 XBox 360

SEGA® Corporation today announced an exclusive partnership with International Sports Multimedia (ISM), exclusive licensee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to develop Beijing 2008™ - the Official Video Game of the Olympic Games. The game is being developed by Eurocom Entertainment Software for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and for PC. The online functionality of all of these platforms will ensure that for the very first time, fans of the Olympic Games will be able to experience the thrill of competing against other gamers across the globe in the world’s greatest sporting event. Beijing 2008 – The Official Mobile Phone Game of the Olympic Games™ is also in the works and will be available summer 2008.

Beijing 2008™ will be an authentic simulation of over 35 events from the upcoming Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and will allow gamers to experience the thrill of competing in many of the official venues ranging from the famous Beijing National Stadium (the “Bird Nest”) to the National Aquatics Centre (the “Water Cube”).

In addition, Beijing 2008™ will incorporate innovative control schemes that allow novice gamers to learn how to play the game, while providing experienced gamers the chance to set new records. Superb online gameplay, and a variety of game modes never seen in an official video game of the Olympic Games before, Beijing 2008™ will be the new benchmark for the sporting genre and truly allow gamers to experience the “Olympic Spirit”.

“Beijing 2008™ will set a new standard for sports games in this genre.” commented Hugh Binns, Director of Eurocom Development Ltd., developers of Beijing 2008™. “With a huge number of events, innovative control schemes to benefit new and experienced gamers, online multiplayer modes providing hours of entertainment and stunning high definition graphics, Beijing 2008™ will be a fantastic experience.”

“After the successful launch of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games™, we are delighted to announce the official video game of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games,” stated Gary Knight, Marketing Director of SEGA Europe Ltd. “Combining an enjoyable game with a truly global sporting license will provide a fantastic sports game experience for gamers everywhere”.

“Extending our relationship with SEGA to include the Official Video Game of Beijing 2008 strengthens the opportunity to build upon the success of the children’s character game, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. We feel certain that SEGA will further the success of Athens 2004™, thereby delivering what will be an outstanding, quality gaming experience”, stated Raymond Goldsmith, Chairman & CEO of ISM.

Boasting over 35 events, an authentic look and feel, superb online gameplay, brand new control schemes, and a variety of game modes never seen in an official video game of the Olympic Games before, Beijing 2008™ will be the new benchmark for the sporting genre and truly allow gamers to experience the “Olympic Spirit”.

Beijing 2008™ for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC is set for release in the summer of 2008. Further information relating to the content of the game will be available over the coming months from the official website of the game – www.olympicvideogames.com.

Pacific Storm: Allies - Naval Ships Overview Available

cdv Software Entertainment USA is inviting armchair admirals to visit the official Pacific Storm: Allies site today, as they have released a new downloadable overview of some of the major naval vessels that will be featured in the game. The overview contains descriptions and renders of key vessels from the game, including the Gato Class submarine, the Akagi aircraft carrier and many more. Pacific Storm: Allies, the latest in the Pacific Storm series of WWII combination action and strategy games, will begin shipping to North American retail on January 21. For more information about Pacific Storm: Allies, please visit http://pacificstorm.cdvus.com.

Download the overview from: http://pacificstorm.cdvus.com

Pacific Storm: Allies is the latest title in the Pacific Storm series of WWII Pacific theater games which combine real-time strategy, resource management and exciting, in-your-face combat action. In Pacific Storm: Allies, players jump into the thick of battle, playing as the United States, Japan, and a new playable nation - the United Kingdom. Allied nations, including the Netherlands, Germany and Russia, offer a new level of diplomacy and resource management to the game. An updated graphics engine brings to life new aircraft, naval ships and landscapes, showcasing them in lush, vivid detail.

As with the original Pacific Storm, Allies offers something for everyone - armchair admirals can take command of massive fleets from a sweeping strategic perspective, while the action fan can jump into the cockpit to battle it out in the skies, or man deck guns to turn enemy ships into smoking hulks.

Whisper Max offers serious Xbox 360 anti-RRoD protection – provides up to 240x more cooling power

Building on the success of the original Talismoon Whisper fan which third party tests indicate is quieter by three decibels and can move air at 17 cubic feet per minute quicker than the original Xbox 360™ fans* comes the… Whisper Max! The new Whisper Max is a deluxe version of the highly regarded Talismoon Whisper fan but with new uniquely engineered features that will provide Xbox 360 ™ cooling far better than any other competing product on the market. Whisper Max achieves its unparalleled cooling achievements due to the following key factors:

Nitro Mode – In the flick of a switch, the Whisper Max fan can run with up to 240% more power. Without a doubt, all users will experience very significant cooling using the Nitro mode. This mode is ideal for long gaming sessions. Moreover, those who wish to have a quieter experience for watching a movie or conducting other less intensive tasks can just switch back to the original mode. This will provide more than adequate cooling and greater noise reduction.

Quality – The Whisper Max is a ball bearing fan providing a quieter and longer life. This construction provides advantages over sleeve bearing based fans which can potentially wear out sooner and become noisier as they age.

Lighting – Not only will the Xbox 360 become physically much cooler with the Whisper Max, but will actually aesthetically look very cool too. When the Whisper Max installed, the user can select between blue, green or red lights or opt not to select any at all. Moreover, if all the mentioned colours are a bit too common, users could in future use just about any other LED including white, UV, orange or anything which captures their imagination.

Essentially, the Whisper Max is a direct replacement fan for the Xbox 360 which offers far superior (refer to internal CPU, GPU test graph) and reliable cooling with a touch of aesthetic class. The whole package includes everything you need (even includes 2 small heatsinks to help lower the overall temperature) and is fully compatible with the original Xbox 360 and Xbox 360 Elite.

See it in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOzsVniZKY0

THEY - mystery first person shooter on PC PS3 XBox360

While other companies are easing gently into the New Year, NVIDIA has started 2008 with a bang by signing an exciting new title to its developer relations program. THEY, a mystery first person shooter from the Warsaw based developer Metropolis Software and the German full service provider IMC has joined NVIDIA’s The way it’s meant to be played™ program after only ten months of development. The developer relations team at NVIDIA have had their eye on the project since August 2007 and, although THEY is not due for release until 2009, its innovative technical and gameplay features mean the title has already become part of this prestigious program.

Phil Wright, Head of Content Business Development EMEAI of NVIDIA: „Our content development team constantly research the development community for new and innovative titles and THEY has been on our radar for some time. This is one of the earliest points in the development cycle that a game has joined NVIDIA’s The way it’s meant to be played™ program, which gives you an idea of how excited we are about its potential. Even in this short time IMC and Metropolis have demonstrated proof of a professional approach and a trendsetting concept for the future. We are happy to have signed this title, which is already promising great things at such an early stage. THEY will be a real highlight for our new and upcoming graphics boards.“

Cologne based service provider IMC, InteractiveMediaConsulting GmbH and the Polish development team Metropolis Software SP. z o. o. joined forces in April 2007, to produce a top title for the games market with a totally new approach. With a coherent concept, interesting gameplay features and high end graphics (DX 10 ready) the Polish-German production is currently being evaluated by leading publishers for a world wide release in 2009 on PC and next generation consoles. The early deal with NVIDIA allows the developer to be excited and focused. IMC’s Head of Communication Ingo Horn: „We are happy to join the exclusive circle of TWIMTBP developers. NVIDIA’s trust in a European product paid off our efforts and long hours during the development of a top title in the overcrowded market of FPS games. NVIDIA’s tech support will further enhance the technical aspects of THEY, so we are able to release a triple A mystery FPS in 2009, which will present future gamers with the best graphics boards of tomorrow!“

PDC DARTS - on Wii and PS2 - PC demo is available to download

In-store dates for the PS2 & PC are set and the PC demo is available to download

Oxygen Games is pleased to confirm in-store dates for PDC World Championship Darts 2008 on PlayStation 2 and PC. Shipping now, both the PS2 and PC will be hitting shelves on 25th Jan. The Wii version follows closely behind, having gone gold and set to hit shelves in mid Feb 2008.

PDC Darts 2008, available on PlayStation®2, PC and for the first time ever on Wii™, challenges players to go head-to-head with the greatest PDC Champions and be part of the year’s most fierce console Championship. For a pre-release chance to take part, download the PC Demo, starring PDC Champions Phil Taylor and Raymond Van Barneveld, from: www.oxygendownloads.com/PDC2008PR/PDCWCD_2008_PCDEMO.zip

About PDC World Championship Darts 2008

Starring even more PDC Champions, a full line up of electrifying tournaments, exceptional graphic enhancements, even more play modes and now on the Wii - PDC World Championship Darts is back for 2008. Calling on darts, sports and Nintendo Wii fans PDC World Championship Darts 2008 is bringing the spectacle and excitement of the nation’s best loved sport to your home.

PDC World Championship Darts 2008 - Pure excitement, Pure pressure, Pure Darts - Game On!

Lost Odyssey Microsoft XBox 360 Fact Sheet

Famed game producer Hironobu Sakaguchi of Mistwalker game studio, along with feelplus Inc. and Microsoft Game Studios, leads a staff of gaming masters to bring a truly next-generation role-playing experience to Xbox 360 in "Lost Odyssey."

"Lost Odyssey" is the story of Kaim, an immortal character who has lived more than 1,000 years and doesn't remember his past and doesn't know where his future lies. Throughout Kaim's journey, a handful of characters will join him on an odyssey to discover their intricate past and destiny, leading players through a dramatic story of massive scale. "Lost Odyssey" will feature breathtaking visuals and an epic adventure made possible only by the power of Xbox 360.
Engaging and unparalleled emotional story. With story sequences penned by award-winning Japanese novelist Kiyoshi Shigematsu in cooperation with producer Hironobu Sakaguchi, "Lost Odyssey" sets a new benchmark for the RPG genre with a combination of true-to-life cinematics and the story of an immortal man who has been suffering in many ways for 1,000 years. Players will witness Kaim's life as he lives through many generations, becomes part of numerous families, falls in and out of love, and confronts all of the conflicts that arise. Kaim's struggles are set in a world that is on the verge of a "mystical industrial revolution," where mankind has attained dark powers.

Innovative RPG gameplay features. "Lost Odyssey" blends massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) elements into the game's traditional RPG system, enabling players to make strategic decisions for a more immersive and deep gameplay experience.

Massive scope and engrossing environments. The massively scoped worlds, memorable characters and epic story line of "Lost Odyssey" play out like an intense and unsettling blockbuster action film. Heading up the artistic demands of the title is famed Japanese comic artist Takehiko Inoue; renowned composer Nobuo Uematsu has been recruited to create a contemporary soundtrack.

Realistic graphics in next-generation gaming. Powered by Unreal Engine 3 technology, "Lost Odyssey" boasts stunning visual fidelity and rendering quality. The Unreal Engine 3 technology pushes high-definition visual designs to a higher level and brings out the smallest details in the largest battles. Gamers will experience a rich dynamic world with an unprecedented level of detail. Users can experience the true-to-life gameplay and facial expressions of emotionally distressed characters in the world of "Lost Odyssey."

MapleStory Europe unleashes new MMORPG quests for 2008

Brand new character jobs and a huge new map to explore as Nexon's popular and free to play MMORPG, MapleStory Europe, gets set for an action-packed 2008.

Hugely popular and free to play MMORPG, MapleStory Europe, is set to start 2008 with a bang, courtesy of an explosion of amazing new content. As part of its ongoing expansion of MapleStory Europe, world-leading online game development company NEXON Europe is pleased to announce the introduction of an extensive new play area based on the city of Singapore, as well as the highly anticipated launch of the game’s third-tier of job advancement.

Arriving on January 17th, MapleStory Europe’s Singapore map is a lavish new area for players to explore, filled with memorable new characters, exciting new quests to complete and fearsome new monsters to battle. Based on the breathtaking Southeast Asian city of the same name, MapleStory Europe’s version of Singapore features both a modern, urban business district as well as a more laid-back quayside to explore. To access the new map players must find Irene the Ticket Usher in Kerning City and buy a plane ticket from her. This sends players direct to MapleStory Europe’s Singapore airport, where all the latest MapleStory action begins, via a ‘unique’ private jet flight that’s sure to raise a smile.

Following the addition of the Singapore map, February sees the launch of the third tier of job advancements in MapleStory Europe. Characters who have reached level 70 or beyond will now be able to choose a brand new job for their character based on their previous profession. There are ten new third tier jobs in all, including White Knight, Priest, Ranger and Chief Bandit, and over 65 new skills to master, ranging from devastating physical attacks such as Armour Crash, to powerful monster summoning spells.

“2008 promises to be a huge year for MapleStory Europe as we continue its rapid expansion,” said Calvin Yoo, Director of International Business Development at NEXON Europe. “We’re adding a huge amount of exciting and entertaining new content to the game with the introduction of the Singapore map, not to mention the launch of the third job tier in MapleStory Europe following the huge amount of demand we’ve had for it from high-level players. Committed and new players alike can be certain of many happy hours of MapleStory Europe fun now, throughout the rest 2008 and beyond.”

MapleStory originally launched in South Korea in April 2003 and quickly went on to become one of the most successful online games of all time, with over 76million registered accounts across the world. MapleStory Europe, which launched in May 2007, is the latest iteration of the completely free to play franchise, and offers gamers in Europe the chance to play MapleStory in five different languages – English, French, German, Spanish and Dutch.

For further information on MapleStory Europe, and to sign-up to the game please visit www.mapleeurope.com.

Ninja Combat To Nintendo DS In NARUTO: Ninja Destiny

Chakra-filled Battles Explode onto Two Screens with Innovative New Gameplay

TOMY Corporation and D3Publisher of America, Inc. (D3PA), publishers of interactive entertainment software, today announced the upcoming release of NARUTOTM: Ninja Destiny, the first-ever head-to-head 3D NARUTO fighting game for the Nintendo DSTM handheld system. Based on VIZ Media's hit animated TV series NARUTO, NARUTO: Ninja Destiny will pit characters from the hit NARUTO series against each other in high-energy combat. Players will use both screens for innovative, unique gameplay featuring trademark ninja moves and the cinematic special techniques of the NARUTO world. NARUTO: Ninja Destiny is scheduled to ship in February 2008.

"We've listened to the fans and made a slew of improvements to the Japanese original, including a much faster frame rate, additional characters, and never-before-seen content," said Laura Yoshioka, director, consumer software of TOMY Corporation. "Through the innovative use of the dual displays and touch screens, NARUTO: Ninja Destiny will bring the series' iconic battles to players in a way that is only possible on the DS."

Players will soon be able to take their ninja battles on the road with NARUTO: Ninja Destiny, the first 3D head-to-head NARUTO fighter for the Nintendo DS. Any aspiring ninja can unleash powerful jutsu and take advantage of items to brawl his way to victory against 16 different characters. Dual-screen combat will allow fierce battles to unfold on the top screen while power ups can be strategically unleashed on the touch screen for fast, frenetic action. Core fighting game fans and casual gamers alike will find plenty to enjoy, thanks to a combo move system that is both intuitive to pick-up and challenging to master. Featuring scenes, characters, and storylines from up to the 140th episode of the hit animated television series currently airing on Cartoon Network, NARUTO: Ninja Destiny offers an intense single-player story and versus mode, along with wireless multiplayer combat.

For more information on NARUTO please visit www.naruto.com. For more information on NARUTO: Ninja Destiny, please visit www.NarutoNintendoGames.com.

Imagine Poker 3 Texas Hold 'Em Poker game

Candywriter announces the release of Imagine Poker 3, an offline Texas Hold 'Em Poker game. Imagine Poker allows players to pit their wits against 20 infamous characters from history, mythology, and legend, including Cleopatra, Robin Hood, Abraham Lincoln, Dracula, Marie Antoinette, the Grim Reaper, and many more. The game features fully animated opponents and an adaptive artificial intelligence engine.

Version 3 features a revamped 3D interface, four new characters, two dealers, six new rooms to play in, and optimization for Windows Vista and Mac OS 10.5 Leopard.

Imagine Poker allows users to set up a tournament with any rules they like and then try to defeat all 20 characters in order to win! Imagine Poker tracks detailed statistics across all games and ranks players in a Leaderboard.

Embedded within Imagine Poker is Candywriter's Poker Ghost software that provides detailed mathematical analysis of a poker hand at any given time.

"This game truly has something for everyone, and can be appreciated by players at any level." - MacPokerTools.com

Imagine Poker 3 runs flawlessly on Windows XP, Vista, and Mac OS X. It requires 52 MB of disk space.

A free trial of Imagine Poker 3 is available at:

http://www.candywriter.com/imaginepoker.html

The software can be unlocked for $19.95.

Pacific Storm: Allies Goes Gold

Pacific Storm: Allies, the latest title in the Pacific Storm series of WWII Pacific Theater of war titles from Buka and cdv Software Entertainment USA, has gone gold today. The game, which puts players in the roles of fighter jocks, ship captains and master strategists with its unique combination of strategy and action-based gameplay, is set for a retail release in late January. For more information about Pacific Storm: Allies, please visit the new official site at http://pacificstorm.cdvus.com.

Pacific Storm: Allies is the latest title in the Pacific Storm series of WWII Pacific theater games which combine real-time strategy, resource management and exciting, in-your-face combat action. In Pacific Storm: Allies, players jump into the thick of battle, playing as the United States, Japan, and a new playable nation - the United Kingdom. Allied nations, including the Netherlands, Germany and Russia, offer a new level of diplomacy and resource management to the game. An updated graphics engine brings to life new aircraft, naval ships and landscapes, showcasing them in lush, vivid detail.

As with the original Pacific Storm, Allies offers something for everyone - armchair admirals can take command of massive fleets from a sweeping strategic perspective, while the action fan can jump into the cockpit to battle it out in the skies, or man deck guns to turn enemy ships into smoking hulks.