No 120GB PlayStation 3 in UK say Sony

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has told GamesIndustry.biz that there are currently no plans to introduce a 120GB PlayStation 3 in the region.

Rumours are circulating that Sony America is due to launch a new model PlayStation 3 in the US, as stocks of the 80GB model begin to disappear from shelves.

Gaming blog Ars Technica has reported that a 120GB sku is due shortly – complete with DualShock 3 controller and retailing for the same price as the 80GB Spider-Man 3 bundle – although Sony has made no comment to confirm this.

However, if any 120GB unit is to be launched in North America, there's no such roll-out on the cards for Europe.

"We do not currently have any plans to release a 120GB PlayStation 3 in the UK," said a spokesperson for SCEE.

Sony has hinted in the past that it could release PS3 units with larger hard-drives if consumers demanded it, to take advantage of the increasing supply of digitally delivered content via services such as the PlayStation Network.

Sony has constantly chopped and changed prices and hardware configurations in all three of its key territories, most recently discontinuing the 20GB and 60GB skus in Japan.

Source: Games Industry

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 Xbox 360 DLC – Co-op Collection Available Now on Xbox LIVE Marketplace!

Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, today announced release of the Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter® 2 Co-op Collection, a new downloadable content (DLC) package for Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. This new premium content package will enrich and extend the original game by allowing players to expand their LIVE experience with an all-new co-op campaign and a total of nine maps, seven of which are inspired by classic maps from Ghost Recon’s illustrious history and two that are totally brand new. This premium content package is available now via the Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for 800 Microsoft points. Take a look below for an outline of the full contents of the Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 Co-op Collection:

OVERVIEW: The GRAW 2 Co-op Collection consists of five Co-op Campaign missions that continue the story from GRAW 2. In total there are nine maps, seven of which are inspired by classic maps from Ghost Recon’s illustrious history and two that are totally brand new. All nine maps (including adversarial versions of the Co-op Campaign maps) have exquisite visuals and support all of GRAW 2’s thousands of customizable game modes.

ACHIEVEMENTS: The Co-op Collection offers nine new achievements for GRAW 2, totaling 125 achievement points.

CO-OP MAPS

New Co-op Campaign – Story: Manuel Suazo Azcona has emerged as the leader of a new rebel movement in El Salvador. Azcona’s plan seems to be an attempt to destabilize the governments of both El Salvador and neighboring Honduras. Once their respective governments are weakened, he will incite the people to try and overthrow both countries’ U.S.-backed leaders. The Ghosts are being sent in to quell this uprising before it starts. They must first stop the rebel incursions over the two nations’ shared border and then hunt down the rebel leaders one by one. If they fail, America’s efforts in the region could be set back by decades.

Caves – (Ghost Recon)
Azcona’s squads are using the nearby caves as an operational base for raiding army convoys across the river. Detain and extract the rebel leader and recon the area for any hidden weapon caches.

Railroad Bridge – (Ghost Recon)
Intel reports the rebels are moving on a command post 60 clicks southeast of here. Protect the command post, recon the local rail line and hunt down the informant providing intel to the rebels.

Battlefield – (Ghost Recon)
The last rebel unit in the area is holed up in the village of Venta. An allied armor unit on the edge of town is pinned down by artillery. Ghosts, knock out the enemy comm transmitter, then escort the armor through the village.

Plantation – (Ghost Recon: Island Thunder)
Intel shows a rebel leader’s motorcade is moving through the farms south of here. Take out his convoy and destroy all of the surrounding ADATS before Sabre Seven arrives for extraction.

Swamp Airfield – (Ghost Recon: Island Thunder)
Azcona’s rebels have occupied a small island airfield. Recon the area for intel on this operation and destroy all aircraft to prevent any means of escape. The landing strip is targeted for an air strike so get out ASAP.

ADVERSARIAL MAPS

Business Park – (Brand New) / Suitable for 8 to 12 players
Narrow alleys connect open courtyards with overlooking balconies in this concrete corporate paradise.

Rooftop – (Brand New) / Suitable for 8 to 12 players
Sitting on top of the world, the rooftop structure of a skyscraper has lots of cover and vertical combat.

Caves – (Ghost Recon) / Suitable for 12 to 16 players
Rolling terrain, forest and a cave structure tucked into the side of the mountains.

Railroad Bridge – (Ghost Recon) / Suitable for 12 to 16 players
A deep valley with a rail bridge spanning overhead, hilly and wooded areas nearby.

Battlefield – (Ghost Recon) / Suitable for 8 to 12 players
Open terrain with pockets of war-torn buildings, under the limited visibility of black skies and pouring rain.

Plantation – (Ghost Recon: Island Thunder) / Suitable for 12 to 16 players
Wet, foggy airfield located in the heart of a murky swamp.

Swamp Airfield – (Ghost Recon: Island Thunder) / Suitable for 4 to 8 players
A bright, sunny day overlooks the plantation fields and nearby structures, including a large warehouse.

Prison – (Ghost Recon: Island Thunder) / Suitable for 4 to 8 players
This dilapidated structure has many paths in and out.

Castle – (Ghost Recon) / Suitable for 12 to 16 players
The mighty castle walls and excavation within provide lots of cover and CQB, while thick wooded countryside offers ample stealth and sniping opportunities.

*More Guns Pack – Free Weapons DLC!
The “more guns pack” is a free DLC that includes 7 additional weapons to be used in the Single Player Quick Mission mode in GRAW 2. These new weapon models are from all over the world, and give a new twist to the Ghost’s cutting edge arsenal. The GRAW 2 More Guns Pack is a FREE download DLC available now!

For more information on Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2, please visit www.ghostrecon.com.

cdv USA to Publish Ascaron's Sacred 2: Fallen Angel in North America

cdv Software Entertainment USA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of publicly-traded cdv Software Entertainment AG, today announced an agreement to publish ASCARON Entertainment’s highly anticipated Sacred 2: Fallen Angel in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The title is slated to launch on PC and Microsoft Xbox 360™ in the second half of 2008, timed to meet consumer demand during the 2008 holiday season.

Based on the remarkable success of the predecessor, Sacred, of which more than 1.8 million units were sold world-wide, it is expected that the sequel will achieve 2008 sales revenues in excess of 10 million €.

“With the exceptional Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, our North American subsidiary has secured one of the top titles for 2008. We are delighted to take a major step forward with a game that has such AAA market potential,” said cdv Software Entertainment AG’s CEO, Christian Gloe. “It illustrates that cdv can successfully deliver among the best titles in the industry, significantly growing the organization’s global revenue potential.”

“We are thrilled to expand our relationship with Ascaron -- having proven our marketing, PR and sales know-how on prior titles with them -- and we see this as a crucial step toward realizing our vision of emerging as a leader in the console gaming market,” stated cdv Software Entertainment USA’s CEO, Tom Gross.

“We’ve found our ideal partner in cdv Software Entertainment USA,” remarked Heiko tom Felde, Head of Operations at Ascaron Entertainment GmbH. “Based on our past successful cooperation we are delighted to launch the highly desirable Sacred 2 – Fallen Angel with cdv as our key partner in North America.”

About Sacred 2: Fallen Angel

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is an Action RPG with a rich story that takes place in a giant, open-ended and seamless world. This world contains hundreds of dungeons, treacherous opponents and a variety of challenging quests. Intelligent enemies, steadily adapting in number and difficulty based on player progress, challenge in heroic single- and multiplayer battles.

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel provides numerous unique items that can be gathered in this mystical world. A deep reward system further enables advancements in character, individual attributes and character-specific fighting styles, each designed to keep players returning to the world of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel to discover what is around the next bend. Drop-in styled cooperative multiplayer gameplay ensures players will enjoy the game alone or seamlessly with friends at any time. Five unique multiplayer modes round out the experience and offer a refreshing, first-class gaming experience in Sacred 2: Fallen Angel.

Key Features include:

• A huge, seamless and dynamic world that allows for free-form exploration
• Two campaigns: play as the “Light” or “Shadow” side, complete with distinct skills, rewards and story-elements tailored to the chosen path
• Six exceptional, playable characters, each with a distinct look, capabilities and in-game motivation
• Modifiable combat arts: change and upgrade your alter ego’s combat skills as you make choices throughout the game
• Fight effectively from the back of a number of mounts under your control
• Deities offer unique combat disciplines to players
• The ultimate multiplayer experience – seamless transition between single- and multiplayer gaming modes
• Captivating online modes of play challenge gamers in cooperative and PvP play
• Extraordinary, cutting-edge graphics utilize the latest technologies

Hudson Entertainment's Beloved Series Returns, Features Single-Player & Multiplayer Bomb Fests for $29.99

Hudson Entertainment, the North American publishing arm of Hudson Soft, today announced Bomberman Land for the Wii and the PSP (PlayStationPortable) system, and Bomberman Land Touch! 2 for the Nintendo DS are now available at retail. Published by Hudson and distributed in North America by Konami Digital Entertainment Inc., all three versions are now available for a suggested retail price of $29.99 each.

Bomberman Land brings an exciting single player campaign element to the Bomberman property while holding true to the multiplayer mode that has made it so popular in the past. The series introduces a multitude of attractions, many of which can be played in multiplayer mode. Both the PSP system and Wii feature 50 attractions. While the Wii version is full of interactive games that use intuitive Wii Remote controls, all of the PSP system's attractions can be played and shared in multiplayer. The Nintendo DS version features more than 40 types of attractions that either use the stylus or the microphone to play. In addition, the Bomberman Land series contains a robust single-player Story Mode, where adventurers explore a fantasy land, take on quests and solve puzzles to restore the peace and tranquility of the beleaguered Bomberman world.

The biggest feature on each platform is the classic multiplayer Bomberman experience that gamers know and love. The PSP system and Nintendo DS allow up to four players to compete globally. While both versions offer shared multiplay, the Nintendo DS title allows eight people to play locally. The Wii version, on the other hand, features six "Battle Modes": Normal, Points, Stars, Crown, All-Out and a Wii exclusive mode designed specifically for the Wii Remote. Each "Battle Mode" includes 20 maps, making it the game to have for the ultimate party.

"As one of the most recognizable video game franchises in the industry, the Bomberman series has always been known for its fun and addictive gameplay, and these three new installments are no exception," said John Greiner President and CEO of Hudson Entertainment. Packed with fun attractions, a compelling single-player mode and a competitive multiplayer experience, these new games will keep players coming back for more."

For more information on Hudson Entertainment, BOMBERMAN LAND or BOMBERMAN LAND Touch! 2, please visit http://www.hudsonentertainment.com/bml/.

Blockdot's "Saw IV" Game Leads To Terrifying Fun!

Dallas-based Blockdot has released “Trapped,” a horrifyingly exciting game based on the hit movie Saw IV — now available on DVD!

“Trapped” brings players face-to-face with a wicked scenario: two men imprisoned in separate rooms by Jigsaw — marked for almost certain death! Once inside the game, you face the difficult task of freeing them from their gruesome captivity. To do this, you must place the correct object (such as a hose or a wrench) in the correct room in the correct order. Make the wrong move, however, and the captives will be killed in unbearably painful ways!

Nervous? Get over it: If the game clock ticks down to zero before you work is done, no one will make it out alive!

Those brave enough to enter the Jigsaw Killer’s terrifying world should visit http://saw4.kewlbox.com/.

Good luck — and be sure to tell your next of kin about “Trapped!”

K2 NETWORK INTRODUCES GAMERSFIRST.COM

K2 Network, Inc. (www.k2network.net), an online game publisher, today announced its new website: GamersFirst.com. The website promises to launch features across 2008, with the first set of features released today. Now, with one GamersFirst (G1) account, gamers gain access to all of K2 Network’s upcoming and current products in one place and can buy G1 Credits (site currency) in order to make purchases across multiple titles.

At GamersFirst.com, gamers can download games and learn about all of K2 Network’s titles, including Global MU Online, Knight Online, Red Stone, Sword of the New World and War Rock. Current features of GamersFirst.com include unified login and registration, consolidated account management and the new G1 Credits. With those features, users can create and manage as many K2 Network game accounts as they want under a single G1 account. Gamers can also visit “Free2Play News” which offers wallpapers, articles, screenshots and videos and the “What is G1?” and “What’s Next?” sections have information about the site’s ambitious plans.

“As our user base has grown to more than 16 million worldwide, we decided to create a single convenient destination where gamers could access everything K2 Network has to offer,” said Joshua Hong, CEO and co-founder of K2 Network. “With all the exciting features we have planned for 2008, gamers around the world will soon have an awesome place to come together. It is going to be one big GamersFirst family!”

To celebrate the site’s introduction, GamersFirst is running “G1 Giveaways”-- 12 weeks of giveaways via a raffle. Prizes include: Alienware Desktop PC’s, Apple Ipod Touch, Creative Labs Aurvana Headphones, Samsung 19" LCD Monitors and more -- with a total of 61 valuable prizes. Gamers enter the giveaways by registering an account, referring friends, playing a flash game and by other means.

Existing users will find no changes to their accounts but are advised to sign-up and move their accounts over to GamersFirst.com within 12 weeks to take advantage of the G1 Giveaways.

For more information and to experience the new site, visit GamersFirst.com.

Codemasters Online Partners with NetDevil to Bring New MMO for 2008!

Codemasters Online have today unveiled their next generation MMORPG set for release in 2008, Jumpgate. Developed by the US-based experienced MMOG developer NetDevil, Jumpgate is a space-based MMO incorporating all-new action style gameplay like never seen before in any previous online game.

‘We are very pleased to be working with NetDevil to release this exciting project across North America & Europe. Jumpgate brings something new and fresh to the online persistent space,” commented David Solari, Vice President, Codemasters Online. “The all-action approach and thrilling, twitch-based space combat really sets it apart from other MMOs in the market and we are very much looking forward to releasing this space epic in late 2008.”

Jumpgate is the definitive space combat MMO allowing players to choose from one of three playable nations and engage in an intense action-packed universe. Embarking on an immersive and accessible space adventure players can trade valuable commodities, take part in dangerous outer-space raids, meet and play with friends and live out the dream to become an elite hero or infamous space pirate. The game features both a rich and varied universe to explore and has been designed for experienced and novice MMO players alike.

“We’re really excited about this relationship. Codemasters has already established themselves as a premium game developer and publisher; as well as one of the most successful MMO operators in the business. Very few companies have those kinds of credentials.” commented Scott Brown, President of NetDevil. “This combination of experience and dedication is a perfect fit for NetDevil and we are thrilled to be working with such a great partner.”

Codemasters Online have confirmed that they will be the exclusive publisher / operator of this next generation MMO across Europe and will be working along with NetDevil to bring the game to the North American market.

For more information on Jumpgate visit www.jumpgateevolution.com

Lighthouse Interactive Announces Sword of the Stars Collector's Edition

Leading Publisher Lighthouse Interactive and acclaimed developer Kerberos Productions today announced the upcoming release of the Collector’s Edition for its award winning 4x space strategy game, Sword of the Stars. Since its original release, the Sword of the Stars franchise has received much praise for reinvigorating the 4x genre through its winning combination of turn based strategy and real-time space combat, along with its robust multiplayer capabilities.

The Collector’s Edition brings all of the Sword of the Stars universe together in one package and further expands it with special bonus materials. Sword of the Stars: Collector’s Edition includes: the original base game, the highly acclaimed add-on Born of Blood (never released to retail in Canada or the US), the first ever Sword of the Stars novella The Deacon's Tale by renowned science fiction writer Arrin Dembo and a bonus CD with concept art, screenshots, trailers, cd tracks and other media. Sword of the Stars: Collector’s Edition will begin shipping to retailers across the US, Canada and English speaking European territories on March 25, 2008 on PC CD-ROM.

Erik Schreuder, Lighthouse Interactive CEO said, “Sword of the Stars is a great franchise and well deserving of a Collector’s Edition. Kerberos Productions has proven themselves to be an extremely talented team, which consists of team members behind the successful Homeworld series. They have also stayed loyal to their community by adding loads of new features and additional gameplay to the fanchise over the past 18 months.” Schreuder went on to say, “Current and new fans of the franchise will enjoy discovering the Sword of the Stars universe in much greater depth.”

GAME SUMMARY

The year is 2405. Human scientists have discovered a new technology, the Node Drive, which will finally allow travel from star to star at speeds faster than light. As mankind sits poised on the brink of a new era, tragedy strikes: the first interstellar colony ship is destroyed and Earth itself ravaged by an unknown alien race. What was to be the Dawn of a new Age instead was the beginning of a new reality…We are not alone…and we are not safe.

Take control and build the ultimate empire in Sword of the Stars. In classic 4X style, prepare to eXplore mysterious star systems, claim planets to eXpand your empire, eXploit your resources, then design and build your own bigger, faster, stronger ships to eXterminate your enemies in epic, tactical, 3-D battles, in single- or multiplayer.

In Born of Blood, over 30 years have passed since the first stellar empires began to expand. Four races once set out to explore and conquer the galaxy, meeting in fiery clashes that spanned the universe, but now a promising age of diplomacy dawns. A new alien race emerges shattering the uneasy peace. With new drive systems, ships, technology, and tactics, the Zuul burst onto the scene with a devastating agenda. Form alliances and learn to work with your foes as you lead your fleets to victory in a universe at war.

FEATURES

• Play as one of 5 distinct races - Human, Hiver, Tarkas, Liir and Zuul; each with their own technological advantages and disadvantages
• Each race has a unique mode of transport between star systems, creating very different styles of play and bold new challenges.
• Live out tense, first-contact situations in full 3D combat, which rivals anything seen in the 4X strategy genre
• Over 175 distinct technologies to research in a dynamic tech tree that changes from game to game
• Over 55 weapons from 6 different weapon classes varing in size classes, from devastating nuclear missiles, cutting laserbeams, cloaked mines, boarding pods and plasma projectors, to massive siege drivers that can destroy entire planets
• Research rewards players with new detailed ship models, weapons and combat effects
• Deep economic model that is easy to control through an intuative interface
• Research languages to open diplomatic lines of communication or simply stick to negotiating with your own race; form alliances, non-aggression pacts or go to war with anyone who stands in your way
• Dynamic environments and random events add to the overall atmosphere; discover alien artifacts, wade through meteor showers, and encounter strange alien menaces
• Players can design and build ships from three size classes: Destroyer, Cruiser, and Dreadnought, by mixing and matching ship sections to suit their game play style
• Up to 8 players can play against the AI or one another over LAN or online
• 3 difficulty settings, 15 galaxy types, and 9 singleplayer scenarios, each adding more tactical depth to the Sword of the Stars universe

For more information about Sword of the Stars, please visit: www.swordofthestars.com or www.lighthouse-interactive.com.

School Was Never This Much Fun

KOEI today announced the release of Persona 3 on PlayStation 2 this February. Widely renowned as one of the freshest and most captivating RPGs of recent years, European gamers finally get the chance to experience life in a Japanese high school plagued by creatures of the night. Already bestowed with numerous awards after its US release, Persona 3 has now been awarded the rare honour of a 10/10 review in this month’s Official PlayStation Magazine UK. Persona 3 is scheduled for release on PS2 across Europe on February 29.

About PERSONA 3

It’s gonna take a lot more than a fountain pen and a compass to survive a full year in Persona 3. Not only will players have to contend with the day to day challenges of life in a Japanese high school but there’s also the matter of the demons who lurk within the hidden hour that lies between one day and the next.

Although part of the Shin Megami Tensei series, Persona 3 is a standalone entry in the series requiring no previous knowledge of Shin Megami Tensei games and has no connection to previous scenarios or characters. Set in a completely new fictitious city Persona 3 recreates an authentic Japanese school setting right down to the relationships that the player can make and break throughout an entire school year.

During the day players get to experience high school life whilst also getting the chance to enhance their character’s abilities with the choices they make throughout the school day. By spending their time wisely during the day players will get the opportunity to enhance their abilities in battle and expand the variety of Personas which they can summon.

Personas come into play during the night when they can be summoned to fight the demons and protect you from an untimely death. As your relationships with fellow students grow so will your mastery over your Personas. Different Personas can even be combined to produce even more powerful creations that await your command.

Commenting on the release of Persona 3 on PS2, Naoki Katashima, Executive Vice President of KOEI Europe and KOEI US, said, “Persona 3 is one of the most highly regarded RPGs of recent times and we are delighted to be able to bring this renowned title to European gamers. We look forward to continuing to work with Atlus to bring the very best Japanese RPGs to Europe.”

Having already received widespread critical acclaim for releases such as Disgaea Afternoon of Darkness, Atelier Iris and Phantom Brave, KOEI have now bolstered their line up of RPGs even further with this latest release and are fast becoming one of the foremost European publishers of quality Japanese RPGs. Already renowned as the leading name in the tactical action arena with their Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors series having sold over 15 million worldwide, KOEI continues to look for opportunities to bring many more diverse titles to European gamers and add to the success of titles such as Colosseum: Road to Freedom, Devil Summoner and the hugely popular G1 Jockey series.

Persona 3 is the latest installment from Atlus in the Megami Tensei series that has entertained gamers in Japan for many years. The previous three Persona games have sold over 1 million units in Japan. The various games throughout the series have taken gamers from present day Japan to unique periods in history, and have given players incredible abilities and remarkable moments of excitement, shock and breathtaking entertainment.

Rule Your Personal Leaderboard... GameStrata Launches Today

GameStrata, the premier developer of community tools for gamers, today announced the launch of gamestrata.com, a new online community and ranking system for gamers. In cooperation with publishers of popular online games, including EA's Battlefield 2, Capcom's Lost Planet: Extreme Condition, Sega's Universe at War, Activision's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, and Sega's upcoming title, The Club, GameStrata provides players with the most comprehensive data and statistics available on their own gameplay, allowing gamers to prove once and for all how they stack up against the best players in the world.

"Whether you are playing a simple, casual game or a really immersive first person shooter, everyone wants to know where they rank," said Lance Smith, CEO of GameStrata. "You may be surprised to see your stats, but you will likely be even more surprised to see how you stack up against your friends!"

GameStrata members can use the site's broad array of game-tracking tools to analyze their own skills, and share their stats with friends and competitors. More than just keeping score, the extensive data analyses of GameStrata track every aspect of the game, providing statistics for accuracy, a user's favorite weapon, kills scored on specific classes, and more. Users can proudly display their rankings in an overall profile, listed on a public "MyStrata" page for all to see. Gamers can also add select stats and achievements on other social networks, throwing down the gauntlet to their fellow gamers and friends on sites such as Facebook.

Members will be able to bring their entire guild or clan on board, building a clan site within GameStrata for any or all of their games, arranging new matches with rival groups, and keeping track of their friends' latest accomplishments with a daily clan news feed. In addition, GameStrata will integrate users' profiles with their achievements in existing third-party award systems, including Xbox Live Achievements. Allowing gamers to come together with rich community features, forums, user-provided game tips and advice, GameStrata's unique offerings will enhance the game experience for several top-tier online titles.

Gamers can sign up now or request an invite to join and find out where they stand at www.gamestrata.com.