Funcom introduces tiered subscription system in Anarchy Online

Funcom announces the introduction of a tiered subscription system in Anarchy Online, and players can now choose between three subscriptions plans going from free-to-play to 5 to 14,95 USD / EUR a month. The newest subscription level means that gamers can access the areas and content in the Shadowlands expansion pack for only 5 USD / EUR a month, thereby offering one of the most profound, engaging and deep online experiences around for a low monthly cost.

The new areas which open up for the 5 USD a month subscribers are all located in the Shadowlands. This expansion pack got an incredible review score average, several awards and great critical acclaim when it launched, and is one of the most heralded MMO expansions of all time. The expansion not only gives players massive new areas to explore, it also introduces lots of new features as well as a chance to reach the maximum level in Anarchy Online.

“A lot of our free players have really wanted to explore more of Anarchy Online, without committing to a premium subscription. We therefore hope that many will take advantage of the option we are now giving them,” said Craig Morrison, Producer and Game Director on Anarchy Online. “With a great range of subscription choices, a brand new graphics engine and a constant update of fresh content we aim to deliver a great MMO experience for many years to come.”

The new subscription tier comes on top of the existing business models in Anarchy Online, and avid MMO gamers can still play the classic version of Anarchy Online entirely for free. In addition, Funcom continue to focus on premium subscribers, who get access to absolutely all which Anarchy Online has to offer for 14.95 a month.

Anarchy Online was the first of the major western MMO’s to go for a free-to-play business model in 2004, and through the years Funcom has introduced numerous progressive models. Ranging from being the first game with dynamic in-game advertisement to being a pioneer in introducing digital downloads, free-to-play models, free trials, paid virtual items and more, Funcom keeps on exploring new approaches to running a MMO. The introduction of a tiered subscription system is meant to further extend the success of Anarchy Online, while giving Funcom customers even more choices in how they want to access the game.

Anarchy Online have to date entertained more than 1.3 million gamers, and continues to attract new players in the hundreds of thousands. As Anarchy Online goes into its seventh year of operation Funcom also looks ahead, and a great new graphics engine will be launched later this year. Funcom is therefore proud to reveal the first video from the new engine, showing what the Anarchy Online players can expect in the years to come. The impressive new video can be found at www.anarchy-online.com.

SWORD OF THE NEW WORLDTM GRANADO ESPADA LAUNCHES NEW EXPANSION—MANIFEST DESTINY

K2 Network (www.GamersFirst.net) a leading online game publisher, announced today that it has launched an expansion for its epic Age of Exploration MMORPG Sword of the New World: Granado Espada. The new expansion is entitled Manifest Destiny; a name that was proposed by the game’s own community. The expansion offers five new characters, two new maps and five new zones as well as new events and additions to the game’s item store.

In 2007, Sword of the New World: Granado Espada players were included in the process of naming the expansion and the Halian Family from the game’s Orpesia World proposed the eventual winner: Manifest Destiny.

“We feel that this name perfectly encompasses all of the aspect of the expansion,” said Philip Maurer, Associate Producer at K2 Network. “As Pioneers will be exploring further West in this expansion, claiming the new lands “Manifest Destiny” puts a real spin on the continuing storyline as the Crown and the Republic begin to lay claim to lands that seem to be occupied by other inhabitants. As the story moves westward it will become clear, that this land was put here by providence and it is up to the Pioneers, to take it.”

New Characters
The expansion brings with it five new UPC (unique playable characters), with three of these characters immediately available on launch day: Soso, Angie and Viki.

Soso is a girl who has traveled to Granado Espada from the far away lands east of Ciam. She is highly skilled in the martial arts and is eager to join the ranks of any family adventuring through the New World. Angie is the niece of Jack, the Overseerer of the Reboldoeux Quarry. Like her uncle she is skilled in the use of the Construction stance. She has just arrived in the New World and already has a problem that can only be solved with the help of brave pioneers. Viki is a little boy from El Tejado Verde who is sick, but with your help he becomes a powerful ally who can summon some of the strongest monsters in Granado Espada to fight for him. With his help Pioneers will be ready to tackle the wilds of the New World.

New Maps and Zones
The expansion also comes with two new Maps with and fifteen new zones including: Gigante Island, this recently discovered island paradise off the coast of Coimbra. The perfect holiday destination for any tired Pioneer, Gigante Island offers games, fun and battle all in one tropical spot! Also, Andre, the famous fashion designer, has just released his new beachwear line: Andre’s Dolce & Granado!

New Events, Elections and Item Store Items
The expansion brings new events including Faction Wars, Elections and Andre’s Ultimately Fabulous Competition!

Faction Wars pits player against player and Clan against Clan in this mad frenzy to claim the lands of Granado Espada. The Faction that gains the most ‘Colonies’ will be awarded the power to rule and levy taxes on other players. Also once a month players can make their voices heard by appointing the Leader of each Faction and the Ruler of the New World.

Andre’s Ultimately Fabulous Competition is also all the rage. Gamers can experience what happens when End Game Raiding meets End Game PvP! This out of control 2 hour battle royale happens three times a day and no one will want to be left out!

Finally, the expansion will bring a whole host of new items to the item store including new UPC costumes, new back costumes with buffs and a new item that assists players who are upgrading their items by guaranteeing they won’t be destroyed in the process.

Sword of the New World: Granado Espada is available under K2 Network’s Free2Play model where players can explore and enjoy most of the game areas at no cost. Gamers who upgrade to one of the premium editions with the Pay2Play model also have the option to access enhanced game play, including extensive in-game events, new items and unlimited customer support.

For more information or to download and play the game visit www.swordofthenewworld.com.

SAMURAI WARRIORS Katana unsheathed online

KOEI today launched the Samurai Warriors KATANA website ahead of its February 22 release. The site details all areas of the multi-million selling series’ debut on the Wii. From explanations about how to wield and master the eight different weapons, to the variety of game modes and characters within the game. Find out about the challenges that await; from fighting alongside Nobunaga in some of Japanese history’s most renowned battles to mastering the techniques of the ninja, and see the game in action on the downloads page. Samurai Warriors Katana is scheduled for release on February 22, 2008.

To view the site head to www.samuraiwarriorskatana.co.uk

“Samurai Warriors Katana is a radical departure for the series on the Wii. The controllers enable the player to experience the Samurai Warriors world from a totally new perspective. And the implementation of eight different weapons within the game lends this title a level of arcade style action and variety that is unparalleled on the Wii.” said Will Curley, Sales Manager for KOEI Ltd.

Epic Games Invites You to Join Us at Game Developers Conference 2008

Epic Games, Inc., one of the world’s leading game developers and creator of the industry’s most popular game engine, today announced plans to demonstrate the latest Unreal Engine 3 features at this year’s Game Developers Conference, which will be held next month at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, Calif. Epic will hold closed door presentations for its prospective customers, evaluators, licensees, members of its Integrated Partners Program and the media.

Meet with Epic and See Unreal Engine 3

Come and see why so many top developers and publishers have chosen Unreal Engine 3 to power their best-selling PC and console games. Epic will showcase the most recent enhancements to Unreal Engine 3 for licensees, evaluators and partners in a private theater within its expo suite, ES 144, located in the West Hall. Hours for Epic’s booth are the same as expo hours: Wednesday, February 20, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Thursday, February 21, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., and Friday, February 22, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Demos will run on the half hour each day of the show, and appointments are not required.

Those wishing to make appointments to individually meet with Epic should email Mark Rein, mrein@epicgames.com, and specify three possible meeting times, the number of people planning to attend, and whether those individuals would like to see a technology demonstration, chat with Epic business representatives, speak with Epic technical representatives or see to other matters. Availability may be limited, so please respond early. Those unable to confirm an appointment in advance are invited to drop by, and Epic will do its best to accommodate visitors.

GDC Speaker Sessions Featuring Epic

Key members of Epic’s development team will be leading the following GDC speaker sessions:

“Automating Regression Discovery: Finding the Wrenches in the GEARS OF WAR,” will be presented by Martin Sweitzer, programmer, Epic Games. This intermediate-level lecture, to be held Wednesday, February 20, 12:00-12:30, in West Hall Room 3004, will be geared toward programmers, although production and management may also benefit from the talk.

“UNREAL TOURNAMENT 3 Postmortem: ULTRA KILL!” will be led by Dr. Michael Capps, president, and Jeff Morris, producer, Epic Games. This postmortem, to be held Friday, February 22, 2:30-3:00 p.m., in West Hall Room 2001/2003, will cater to all developers, regardless of experience.

Epic Press Sessions and Media Availability

Epic will host two media briefings at GDC. These will take place on Wednesday, February 20 and Thursday, February 21 at 2:00 p.m. in Epic’s expo suite (ES 144, West Hall). Limited space is available, so journalists are encouraged to book places in advance by emailing Dana Cowley, dana.cowley@epicgames.com, with contact details, publication and preferred date. Each 45-60 minute briefing will consist of demos, short talks by key Epic spokespeople and question and answer sessions. There will be additional one-on-one interview slots, and these will be allocated on a strictly first come, first served basis; reporters should indicate interest in booking one of these slots via email as well.

About Unreal Engine 3

The award-winning Unreal Engine is known for cutting-edge graphics and its best-of-breed toolset. Unreal Engine 3 maintains those features while adding massive world support, multi-processor support, next-generation console optimizations, and one of the most mature tool pipelines in the industry. Unreal Engine 3's new toolset is designed specifically to accelerate developers' productivity for ultra-complex, next-generation content. Additional information on Unreal Engine can be obtained through the Unreal Technology Web site at www.unrealtechnology.com.


About Epic Games

Epic Games, Inc., based in Cary, NC and established in 1991, develops cutting-edge games and cross-platform game engine technology. The company has created multiple million-selling, award-winning titles in its Unreal series, recently shipping Unreal Tournament 3 for PC and PlayStation 3. Epic’s breakthrough game, Gears of War, sold over 4 million copies and was awarded overall Game of the Year for 2006 by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, Game Developers Choice Awards, GameSpot, GamePro and many others. Epic is also responsible for the Unreal Engine, which is the underlying technology for a wide range of games including the Game Critics Awards’ Best Console Game and Spike TV’s 2007 RPG of the Year Mass Effect by BioWare and the 2007 BAFTA Best Game and Spike TV Game of the Year BioShock by 2K Games. Epic's Unreal Engine 3 is the current holder, and four-time consecutive winner, of Game Developer magazine's Front Line award for Best Engine. Epic was also recognized as 2006 Studio of the Year by Spike TV, Developer of the Year by Official Xbox Magazine and 2007 Large Company of the Year by the North Carolina Technology Association. Additional information about Epic can be obtained through the Epic Games Web site at www.epicgames.com.

Deadline Games Announces Faith And A .45 For Next-Generation Game Consoles

Deadline Games A/S, the Denmark-based independent game studio, announced the development of Faith and a .45, an original title for next-gen platforms. An intense and atmospheric shooter, Faith and a .45 features a heavy focus on characters, co-operative gameplay, road movie storytelling, and cinematic aesthetics.

Faith and a .45 tells the story of Luke and Ruby - two outlaw lovers destined to go down in history. The duo battles an oppressive enemy force, led by a ruthless, corrupt oilman who's out for their blood. Set in an original take on the Great Depression, one of the darkest periods in US history, the game is a gritty, cross-country epic - a road journey with guns, a dark army of steel-plated vehicles, and armour-clad pyromaniacs.

"Since we at Deadline have our roots in movie production, we value original stories, settings and characters very highly," said CEO Chris Mottes. "Our previous games are testament to this, but we believe Faith is going to take our creative might to a whole new level."

Deadline Games will be presenting the game by invitation only to selected publishers at the 2008 Game Developers Conference on February 18-22.

About Deadline Games

Deadline Games is one of the fastest-growing independent developers to emerge from the highly successful Nordic gaming cluster. Founded in 1996, the company set out as a production company in film, television and interactive entertainment. Today, the company is focused exclusively on games development. The studio currently employs 80 highly-educated, innovative, creative thinkers from twelve nations, and is planning further expansion while maintaining one of the best working environments in the industry. Deadline Games works and communicates entirely in English, making it an ideal company for international development professionals. For more information, please visit: www.deadlinegames.com.

Thwapp! Zok! Kapow! KarjaSoft Announces Spandex Force Beta

Independent game developer KarjaSoft have released the beta version of Spandex Force, a superhero-themed RPG puzzler for Windows and Mac.

Spandex Force is a puzzle/RPG/adventure game that lets the player create his or her own hero to clean up the crime-infested town of Vigilance Valley. The game features many different kinds of puzzles, including, but not limited to match-3 battles in which common crooks and wacky supervillains must be defeated. The battles are similar to those of last year's hit game Puzzle Quest, but feature superpowers rather than magical spells. Spandex Force has a lot of tongue-in-cheek humor and lets the player customize his or her hero with weapon and superpower upgrades.

The game is scheduled for release in early February, but the beta trial is available for download at the website. KarjaSoft would like to urge players to submit feedback and suggestions in the weeks before the release.

"Spandex Force could very well be the best superhero RPG-puzzle-adventure currently on the market," says Miro Karjalainen, owner of KarjaSoft, not in the least bit deterred by the fact that Spandex Force is also the only such game available.

Official website with more information, downloads and screenshots:

http://www.spandexforce.com

Blast Off With Planet Busters

Many videogames feature explosions – big explosions - but none of them have ever come close to the big bang of Planet Busters, the brand new PC title from Slam Games.

Planet Busters is a new casual game that combines fast, simple gameplay, with the chance to avenge mankind, rearrange the universe and – well – blow a lot of it up.

After a sneak attack by the evil Scourge, Earth is gone. Disintegrated. Vapourised. Nothing more than a slowly drifting cloud of interstellar dust.

As one of the few survivors of this unprovoked assault – you're pretty much furious. Thankfully you have a well-armed spaceship and time on your hands for a spot of revenge.

So you swear to chase the Scourge to the ends of the galaxy, communicating in the only language they understand – violent destruction.

Planet Busters’ gameplay couldn't be simpler. Sets of extremely dangerous missiles flash up the screen, messing up the space-time continuum. Players have to move the missiles to create matching groups. This creates chain reactions and triggers some ridiculously powerful explosions. Once a sufficiently large group is made, they flash away into the inky blackness and explode, shattering enemy ships, battle stations and even planets – leaving destruction on a massive scale – and teaching the Scourge that mankind is not to be trifled with.

Lets face it – blowing up the enemy who obliterated your home planet is FUN! The ravening hordes of Scourge flee before your awesome fire power and missile matching skills. Where heavily armed, tentacled alien scum and fleets of mighty spaceships have failed to make even a dent in the galaxy, Planet Busters makes it simple and fast enough to fit world-shattering punishment into your lunch break.

Planet Busters is suitable for every PC running Windows XP or Vista. The game can be played – for FREE – for one of your Earth hours. So players can get their world-destroying wits about them before they decide if they have what it takes to pursue the Scourge to the far end of space and time.

Once the game has been played for 60 minutes, the full game can be unlocked online.

“Planet Busters is a whole new universe for us,” says Slam's Linda 'Star Commander' MacKellar. “Over the last few months, we've released games based on spelling and language and games for the female market, but we've not had anything which has featured lots of really, really big explosions. We're delighted with the results. I've always wanted to be an all-powerful force in the galaxy and now I can be – all without leaving the comfort of my PC.”

Planet Busters is due for release in Quarter 1 2008 and is rated “E” for Everyone by the ESRB. It will be available for download from from selected casual games sites, motherships and invading alien armies.

“Mwaah hah ha ha haaaah!” added MacKellar, as she obliterated the ancient worlds of Omicron Reticuli IV, V and VII.

PlayStation 2 video game NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: RISE TO POWER goes GOLD

KOEI's Simulation of the Conquest and Unification of Feudal Japan to Ship on February 5, 2008

KOEI, recognized worldwide as the premier brand of strategy and action games, today announced that Nobunaga’s Ambition: Rise to Power has reached gold status. The historical simulation from legendary game producer Kou Shibusawa will ship to North American retailers starting February 5, 2008, exclusively for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system.

Gamers looking for the latest information on Nobunaga’s Ambition: Rise to Power, can visit the newly launched minisite at www.koei.com/risetopower.

About Nobunaga’s Ambition: Rise to Power
Set during the 16th century, Nobunaga’s Ambition: Rise to Power sends players back in time to the Sengoku (Warring States) period of Feudal Japan. It was during this time that the visionary Nobunaga Oda assembled the most advanced military force in Japan, and instituted new policies that stimulated the growth of the nation’s economy.


In Nobunaga’s Ambition: Rise to Power, players will assume the role of Nobunaga, or of a rival warlord, in their quest to unite Japan under one rule. Packed with 7 dramatic scenarios - from the 1551 Struggle for Power to the events following Nobunaga’s death in 1582, Nobunaga’s Ambition: Rise to Power lets players embark on their quest from more than 300 different starting points.

For the first time in the series, military campaigns are carried out using an explosive 3D real-time battle system. Plus a new command lets players go “all in” and risk their entire empire in battle. If victorious, players will expand their empire, but a defeat could mean the total loss of their land.

Nobunaga’s Ambition: Rise to Power is more than just a game of military domination. Life in Feudal Japan is brought to life with remarkable detail. In vibrant castle towns the daily lives of characters will unfold while players nurture their village into a flourishing empire. Players will also manage government affairs and develop critical infrastructure such as ninja camps, blacksmiths, and markets. A robust character edit function features a wide variety of character faces, the ability to edit stats, and let’s the player choose when and where the characters will appear.

Originally released in Japan as Nobunaga’s Ambition: Tenkasousei, Nobunaga’s Ambition: Rise to Power marks the return of the series to North America. Nobunaga’s Ambition: Rise to Power is developed by KOEI Co., Ltd and produced by Kou Shibusawa, the mastermind behind the legendary Romance of the Three Kingdoms and P.T.O.™ historical simulation series.

PIRATES OF THE BURNING SEA PC game launched Online

Online PC Game Delivers Unique Swashbuckling Action Experience

Grab your parrot, raise the gang plank and ready the cannons with Pirates of the Burning Sea™ (PotBS), the hotly anticipated online PC game where players can clash on land and sea. This new title from Sony Online Entertainment LLC’s (SOE) Platform Publishing label, and Flying Lab Software LLC (FLS), is available today at participating retail outlets worldwide and as a digital download through www.station.com and www.direct2drive.com for a suggested retail price of US$49.99, with a monthly subscription fee of US$14.99 plus applicable taxes.

“After years of hard work by our top-notch crew, we are thrilled to announce players can now conquer the virtual Caribbean, circa 1720, in Pirates of the Burning Sea,” said Russell Williams, CEO of Flying Lab Software in Seattle. “Working together with SOE’s Platform Publishing, we are able to launch this game simultaneously in the U.S. and Europe and release localized versions in English, French, Spanish and German, allowing players from all over to captain a ship in this world full of swashbuckling and high-seas adventure.”

Players start by joining the French, Spanish, English or Pirate nations as a naval officer, freetrader, privateer or pirate. At sea, players can blow enemy ships out of the water. On land, players can engage in a world of action and peril rife with sword fights. A unique economy lets players become captains of industry, running mines, lumber mills, shipyards and other large-scale operations. Players produce all the various goods needed to supply others with the raw materials to conquer the Caribbean, one port at a time. A player-generated content system lets gamers create their own sail and flag designs and even model their own ships.

Set in the New World circa 1720, PotBS recreates a dramatic time of conflict and riches with action for every play style, from epic ship combat to building an empire. With more than one thousand missions per nation, dozens of ports to explore, and the entire Caribbean as their domain, players will find an online experience like no other.

Pirates of the Burning Sea game features:

• Join one of four nations (Pirate, English, French, or Spanish)
• Every player is the captain of their very own ship in massive naval battles
• Duel other players to control more than 80 conquerable ports in the Caribbean
• Explore the world and make a name for yourself with more than 1,000 missions per nation
• Economy driven by players, who manufacture and sell all ships and equipment found in the game
• Take command of more than 50 historical ships
• Design your own flags and sails
• Build your very own or customize any of the ships in-game to your liking
• Choose from three different combat styles – deadly and formal Fencing, flashy, dual-wielding Florentine or rowdy and treacherous Dirty Fighting
• Participate in epic PvP sea battles with up to 25 players per side

For more information on Pirates of the Burning Sea, log onto www.piratesoftheburningsea.com or the community site at www.burningsea.com

SwitchBlade Coming To Guild Wars, Hellgate: London And Half-Life 2

Blue Orb Brings its Custom-Tailored PC Gaming Controller Software to Scores of New Titles While Further Refining its Original World of Warcraft Solution.

Blue Orb, Inc., the company that brings the console controller experience to PC games with SwitchBladeTM, has announced plans to add support for Guild Wars, Hellgate: London, and Half-Life 2 on January 29.

The game-specific solutions, called "Blades," are being fine-tuned by Blue Orb's user experience team, and promise to bring gamers a whole new way to play these popular titles. In addition to the new offerings, the World of Warcraft Blade has been upgraded, with new class-specific templates that offer a better controller experience to individual classes.

"The WoW Blade launch exceeded even our own expectations," said Aaron Levin, Vice President of Business Development for Blue Orb. "Its success has only reaffirmed our goal - to provide something that many people have been demanding; the console experience with their PC. It goes beyond just slapping on controller support. Our team creates a finely tuned experience."

SwitchBlade is now available for free download from SwitchBladeGaming.com, FileFront.com, FilePlanet.com, Curse.com, and Xfire.com. For more information, please visit www.switchbladegaming.com.