Spell of Play Studios announces the development of T.W.T.P.B.

Spell of Play Studios announces the production of the shoot 'em up game T.W.T.P.B.

In T.W.T.P.B. you must protect the Empire from the numerously superior heretic alien forces. The word and force of the Emperor still rules the galaxy.

The game features intense boss fights, special abilities and strategic thinking as well as the frantic action of a shooter. Video gamers and shooter fans can grab a copy of game's pre-release demo and experience couple of minutes of gameplay.

The game is developed iteratively and gamers are encouraged to supply their comments and suggestions throughout the development. New releases are published once every fourteen days, and detailed development information is available at the Spell of Play community.

NAMCO BANDAI Games 'NARUTO: Uzumaki Chronicles 2' Brings New Threats, Allies And Adventures To Europe

Atari today announced the forthcoming European release of Namco Bandai Games’ Naruto: Uzumaki Chronicles 2 for PlayStation 2 featuring a new original adventure, new characters and high-octane multiplayer co-op action. Set in the Naruto universe popularised by the anime TV show currently on air across Europe, Naruto: Uzumaki Chronicles 2 is scheduled for release in March 2008.

A new evil has risen and threatens to take over not only the Hidden Leaf Village, but all the other villages and ninja clans as well. An ancient organization which was long thought disbanded is alive and well and in search of several orbs to resurrect a mechanical horror that will ravage the land. It’s now up to Naruto and all the Hidden Leaf Genin to join forces with those of the Hidden Sand Village to stop this menace.

While staying faithful to the hugely popular anime, Naruto: Uzumaki Chronicles2 boasts a completely new original adventure, plus co-op gameplay, character customization options, and multiple playable characters switch-able on the fly including Naruto, Shikamaru, Rock Lee, Kakashi, Guy, Neji, Choji, and more. In addition to 2-player Vs Battle gameplay, during normal solo play a second player is able to join in the action for a simultaneous two-player adventure in Co-op mode. Dazzling lethal attacks and an armoury of specialised ninja weapons are taken straight from the anime with over 30 attack items for kicking ninja ass. The thrilling gameplay modes include Story, Head-to-Head, Mission, and Survival modes giving aspiring ninjas plenty of kicks and punches to throw.

Naruto: Uzumaki Chronicles for PlayStation 2 is published by NAMCO BANDAI Games, distributed in Europe by Atari, and scheduled for European release in March 2008.

Sidelines: The Game Writers Agency

Sidelines is a new agency representing specialist game writers and experienced scriptwriters, all with a good knowledge of video games and the requirements of interactive gameplay.

We provide a high quality service to publishers and developers at all stages of script development, including concept evolution, environment filling, storylining, characterization and dialogue tuning.

Andy Emery, Side MD, said “We have created this agency in response to the clear demand for higher quality game scripts and our awareness of a number of talented and experienced writers without game industry representation.”

Sidelines is headed up by Sini Downing who hails from the world of television and event production. Our writers have worked on many of today’s most popular titles, including: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Rogue Trooper, Primal, Fable, Killzone.

Lost The Plot?

With the growing sophistication of many new titles, a player now expects more from a game than a big weapons cache and a fast car. They want intellectual and emotional involvement, not just the gut pleasure of putting down an assailant. A good script should provide the thrills and dilemmas of being part of a developing narrative or an unfolding mystery. Choice and change are at the heart of all good stories, elements that a specialized games writer can bring to a project.

A game world is a place where the player is going to spend many hours. So, the creation of a fictional environment is an area of script development that needs as much attention as the player’s avatar. Detailing and colouring this world imaginatively is vital – a world that is over-familiar, cheesy or populated by clichéd NPCs will turn off even the most dedicated gamer. Quality writing can enhance a developer’s vision, or, if required, provide bold new concepts.

PathEngine Announces SDK Release, New Licensees, Front Line Award Win

PathEngine announces release 5.14.00 of the PathEngine pathfinding and agent movement SDK, with some very significant performances improvements pretty much across the board. We're also pleased to announce licensing to Aeonsoft Inc. and to Deck13 Interactive and to have been chosen as winner in the middleware category in the Game Developer Magazine annual Front Line awards.

SDK performance improvements include:

Around 20% speedup in pathfinding preprocess generation.
Around 15% speedup in collision preprocess generation and run-time pathfinding queries.
Even bigger speedups in pathfinding around dynamic obstacles.
Speedups and improved scaling when loading meshes without a mapping to 2D, with up to 50% speedups being seen in certain cases involving significant amounts of internal detail.
Very significant speedups in the 3D processing, with improved scaling of content processing times with respect scene complexity.

Updated SDK benchmarks have been posted on this page:
http://www.pathengine.com/benchmarks.php

The Game Developer Front Line awards are intended to recognise the most innovative, user-friendly, and useful products from behind the scenes of the world's best video games.

We're very proud to have been chosen from amongst the many excellent middleware providers working in this industry to receive this prestigious award.

About PathEngine

PathEngine was founded in 2000 to provide a solution to some fundamental issues in intelligent agent movement based on hard industry experience.

Our SDK is built around an advanced implementation of points-of-visibility pathfinding on three-dimensional ground meshes. The approach taken enables us to provide both pathfinding and collision in tight integration against a single, sophisticated, agent movement model, with agent shape taken into account, with seamless support for overlapping geometry, and with dynamic obstacles directly integrated into the core movement model.

The PathEngine SDK features in the genre-breaking MMORPG 'Granado Espada' (by IMC Games) (released in the west as 'Sword of the New World'), 'Mobile Suit Gundam: Operation Troy' (by Dimps Corporation), 'Titan Quest' (by Ironlore Entertainment), 'Pirates of the Burning Sea' (by Flying Lab Games) and many other triple-A titles.
For a more complete list of our clients please see:
http://www.pathengine.com/clients.php

For more information, including documentation and demos, or to arrange an evaluation, please visit our website:
www.pathengine.com

HeroCraft and i-Free companies release the new game «Mafia and the Beauties» for Russian operator Tele2

HeroCraft and i-Free companies announce the successfull launch of a game «Mafia and the Beauties» for a significant Russian operator Tele2.

«Mafia and the Beauties» is a branded game which responds to the spirit of TELE2 company. Designed in world famous «Tetris» genre, this game will give You a chance to meet the stunning beauties who are looking for the serious, solid gangsters. The subscribers of TELE2 can download this game for free and participate in the contest with valueable prizes for the winners.

The details of this contest are available at the WAP-Portal of operator. WAP.TELE2.RU.

HeroCraft

HeroCraft is a dynamically expanding Russian company working in the field of designing and releasing high-class games and other programming products for mobile phones. Founded in 2001, the company currently occupies one of the leading positions on the world market for mobile phone games, and does not intend to rest on its laurels. We employ experienced programmers, talented artists, gifted designers and many other brilliant specialists who truly enjoy making games. Our major aim is in attaining maximum enjoyment from our games through the highest quality and excellent gameplay.

The company currently employs over 50 persons in 4 offices in Russia and the Ukraine. A large number of outside design teams also work with us, having chosen us as publisher for their products the world over. Specifically for the purpose of promoting our products on world markets, we have, together with iFree and FounDreams, set up United Fun Traders. The major task of UFT is the active promotion of the products and services of leading Russian content providers. UFT represents a whole range of mobile entertainment: J2 ME-games, animated and still images, mobile serials, realtones, video, as well as Jamango – one of the most “advanced” community services for subscribers to cell networks in the world at the present time. UFT are two dozen professionals who promote our products on world markets.

TELE2
TELE2 is a leading alternative telecommunication operator in Europe. The company's objective is to provide cheap and simple services to the citizens of all the countries where TELE2 is present. In Europe the company provides its subscribers with the most needed products and services: mobile and fixed telephonia, data exchange, Internet access and cable TV. The base of the marketing policy is an urge to offer the lowest prices on market so everyone can afford the communication. The subscriber base of TELE2 group counts about 25 millions of subscribers in 15 countries.
In Russian Federation the company presents since 2003. Currently «TELE2 Russia» provides the GSM mobile communication services in 16 regions with summary population about 35 millions: St-Petersburg and its region and Archangelsk, Murmansk, Novgorod, Kemerovo, Rostov, Omsk, Nizhegorod, Smolensk, Kursk, Voronezh, Belgorod, Lipetsk and Cheliabinsk regions, Udmurtia Republic and Komi Republic. There are 7 996 000 subscribers of TELE2 in Russia (information on 30 September 2007).

Last Chance To Create A Wrestling Legacy With The WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2008 International Tournament

Leading worldwide video game developer and publisher, THQ Inc., today called on fans to join the hundreds already registered to compete in the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 International Tournament, before registration closes on February 8, 2008.

Since registration began in December 2007, almost 700 WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 players have signed up to compete against international opponents from the USA, United Kingdom and Europe on Xbox Live.

The tournament, which is running qualifying challenges until February 8, 2008, places online gamers across the globe in a virtual ring, battling for the ultimate prize of two highly coveted floor tickets to the WWE live event, WrestleMania 24, which will take place on March 30, 2008 in Orlando, Florida, USA.

Major League Gaming, the world’s largest organised video gaming league, is producing, hosting and operating the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 International Tournament on www.gamebattles.com/svr. In early March, the four top players in each region will move on to compete in regional finals.

One European finalist, one UK finalist and two North American finalists will then battle head-to-head at the grand finale, scheduled to take place during the 6th Annual THQ Superstar Challenge on March 27, 2008 at the House of Blues, Orlando, Florida, USA.

At the 6th Annual THQ Superstar Challenge, finalists will not only have the opportunity to play live against one another in front of a capacity crowd, but will also get to share the gaming spotlight with the top WWE Superstars in attendance.

In addition to the grand prize winner receiving floor tickets to WrestleMania 24, all will not be lost for the three runner-up competitors. After battling to the end on stage, each will receive two stadium tickets to WWE’s biggest event of the year.

Registration for the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 Global Challenge began on December 8. Gamers may register for the tournament at www.gamebattles.com/svr.

What: THQ’s WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 International Tournament

Who: Gamers around the World

When: Online Registration closes February 8. Qualifying Tournaments begin February 1 and close February 8.

Where: Gamers can register for the tournament, as well as review rules and tournament prizes, at www.gamebattles.com/svr.

Alienware's Performance-Leading Area-51 7500 ALX SLI Desktop Now Includes NVIDIA® 3–Way SLI technology

Alienware® the leading manufacturer of high-performance desktop, notebook and professional systems is now offering NVIDIA® 3–Way SLI technology on its Area-51 7500 ALX SLI desktop system. 3-Way SLI technology is the fastest gaming solution available thanks to three NVIDIA® GeForce® 8800 GTX or GeForce 8800 Ultra-based graphics cards on one desktop system.
www.alienware.co.uk/3waysli

By utilising an NVIDIA nForce® 680 SLI MCP motherboard and three GeForce 8800 GTX or GeForce 8800 Ultra graphics cards power hungry users need look no further to satisfy their unrelenting demands for increased graphic performance. With 3-Way SLI, gamers can harness the power of 384 stream processors, a 110+ gigatexel per second texture fill rate, and over two gigabytes of graphics memory for no-compromise gaming performance.

The increased performance translates to nearly a 2.8X increase in speed over a single card on graphic intensive games such as Crysis. 3-Way SLI fuels the high-end gaming experience by offering 60 frames per second at resolutions as high as 2560x1600 and with 8x antialiasing.

"Alienware delivers the most advanced technology with the highest performing metrics on our award-winning systems," said Brian Joyce, Senior Vice President at Alienware. "We are very excited to offer 3-Way NVIDIA SLI as a way for our customers to fully experience the rich, life-like environments of today’s next-generation games at their top settings."

"The new crop of PC games offers stunning visuals. And for truly immersive game play with all the eye candy you need to play on a PC with a lot of graphics horse power," said Ujesh Desai, general manager of GeForce desktop GPUs at NVIDIA. "3-Way SLI produces stunning visuals, pristine image quality, and a truly awesome gaming experience."

Area-51 7500 ALX SLI

• NVIDIA® 3–Way SLI technology
• Fastest gaming solution available thanks to three NVIDIA® GeForce® 8800 GTX or GeForce 8800 Ultra-based graphics cards
• 2.3GB dedicated video memory
• 384 stream processors
• 110+ Gigatexel per second texture fill rate

Price:
Area-51 7500 ALX SLI from £3,076 Inc VAT and free delivery

Best New Games 2007: Zero Online

Hi! Here comes good news for Zero Online!

Zero has been awarded the 2nd place as one of the Top-3 Best New Games of Reader’s Choice Award 2007, on MMOSITE. http://contest.mmosite.com/annual_vote2007/

ZERO is a sci-fi online game developed and published by TQ Digital Entertainment. In the world of ZERO, the players no more play as warriors or mages in a desolate land but the pilots who master high-tech weapons, fighting in the immense universe. Shuttling between the numerous galaxies, the units of various forms and functions are navigated by the pilots to fight against ferocious alien enemies. It is an epic war: battling for the Earth Alliance is the pilot’s ultimate honor and eternal duty. According to the players, the following 6-points will tell you why Zero is one of the best:

1.Free to Play
Zero Online is a free MMORPG game, which means it is free to register, free to play, free to have fun! The variety of in-game currencies not only forms a comprehensive transaction system, but also an interesting game mechanism.

2.Rich Game Play
Well, Zero is definitely a free online game, but the game play is pretty rich! Unique professions and skill provide unique characters; various missions give players different experiences; weapons and gears upgrading enables the emergence of super-strong robot; the great diversity of transformations endows the players with amazing power…

3.Low System Requirements
This may be nice news for every player: Zero Online only requires middle-lower hardware configuration, which means the players can have an easy access to the game!

4.Dazzling Graphics
Surprisingly, Zero’s graphics are extremely dazzling, even if with low system requirements. The games top-class 2.5D graphics engine produces gorgeous light and shadow effects for different weapons and skills, especially the XP skills and senior upgraded gears!

5.Clear Guide & Fast Leveling
Zero cares about the newbies very much. The game have a clear guide delivered by NPCs and missions so that every player can know exactly what to do in the game. Besides, while completing each mission, players can enjoy fast leveling in order to have more fun in the future.

6.Transformation
Zero’s UNIQUE fun is the ability of transformation. Players’ robots can transform into more than 30 types of mechs such as tank, beasts, cannons, etc. One of the player said, “Transformers is already outdated, the time for Zero comes!”

TQ and Zero’s developing group said, “We really appreciate the players’ support, and this support is also a kind of trust and the most valuable treasure for us. So, we will try our best to make better games for our players, in order to requite their support and trust.”

From v.2PLAY coming soon, the success of the Crusades in your hands this Spring

There are always two sides to a coin, two stories to tell the truth. Crusaders: Thy Kingdom Come offers the opportunity to fight on both sides.

Your *Moslem Commanders:

Kilij Arsljan
Dāwūd Qilij Arslān ibn Soleymān ibn Qutalmish was the Seljuk sultan of Rüm from 1092 until his death. He ruled the Sultanate during the time of the First Crusade, and re-established the Sultanate of Rüm after the death of Malik Shah I of Great Seljuk.

Danishmend Gazi
He was the founder of the Beylik of Danishmends. After the Turkish advance into Anatolia that followed the Battle of Manzikert, his state controlled the north-central regions in Anatolia. During the First Crusade, he was directly on the path of the advancing crusaders. On the losing side at the Battle of Dorylaeum in 1097, he scored a success in capturing Bohemond I of Antioch in 1100. He continued campaigning, extending southwards and capturing Malatya (Melitene) in 1103.

Duqaq of Damascus
Abu Nasr Shams al-Muluk Duqaq (died June 8, 1104) was the Seljuk ruler of Damascus from 1095 to 1104. Duqaq was a son of the Seljuk ruler of Syria, Tutush I, and Khatun Safwat al-Mulk, He was the brother of Radwan.

Fakhr al-Mulk Radwan
Fakhr al-Mulk Radwan (also Ridwan or Rudwan; died December 10, 1113) was a Seljuk ruler of Aleppo from 1095 to 1113. He was the son of Tutush I and brother of Duqaq, but was raised by his tutor (atabeg) Janah ad-Dawla al-Husain.

Kerbogha
Kerbogha was Atabeg of Mosul during the First Crusade and was renowned as a soldier. In 1098, when he heard that the Crusaders had besieged Antioch, he gathered his troops and marched to relieve the city.

Iftikar ad-Daula
Iftikar ad-Daula was the Fatamid governor of Jerusalem. He isn’t represented directly in the game but appears in the text of the story, missions and secondary objectives.

*Unblocked as you advance through the game and complete missions.

Claim Your Cash Back From Amazon with 30 days offer

If you were one of the thousands of Christmas shoppers who bought your presents online, you probably felt quite smug. After all, I expect you saved yourself countless fruitless searches for items that had sold out, not to mention the nightmare of trying to find a parking space, let alone the time wasted standing in monstrous queues to pay.

And if you happened to order most of your gifts from online retailer Amazon, you may have the opportunity to feel even more pleased with yourself. Why? Because the company offers a "Price Drop policy". Essentially, this means if anything you've purchased in the past 30 days has dropped in price, you can claim the difference back!

Clearly, with the retailer currently holding a January sale the chances of what you ordered having been reduced since

Christmas are pretty high so it's well worth checking out.

How to claim

• Firstly, log into your account in Amazon and view the orders you've placed in the past 30 days.
  
• Check the price you paid for each item, and then how much it is currently selling for (you should be able to do this by simply clicking on the item itself).
  
• If the price has been reduced, make a note of it.
  
• Now go to Help (top right hand corner of the screen) and select 'Contact Us'.
  
• Click on 'Customer Service'. You should now be able to select the right order.
  
• Next you should be able to select the item you would like the refund for and click on 'Contact Amazon'.
  
• Explain that you would like a refund as the price of the item has dropped in the past 30 days. You should then receive an email to confirm the difference will go back onto the card you paid with.
  

So you can benefit from any sales reductions, while still having been able to give your loved ones their gifts on Christmas day itself. Fantastic.

Of course, if you were one of the organised few who ordered their gifts before 8 December unfortunately, your time to claim has already run out - but keep it in mind for the future. And for anyone who ordered after this date, time is running out so get your claim in quickly. What's great about this policy is that it doesn't just apply at Christmas - and I and a number of friends can vouch for the fact that it really works!

More from the Fool...