Search This Blog

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

CASUAL GAMING GETS A SHOT IN THE TENTACLE - OCTOMANIA INKED FOR Wii


Atlus U.S.A., Inc., the video game publisher voted "least likely to distribute a fun, family-friendly puzzle game," today announced it will be the exclusive North American distributor for Octomania, a new multiplayer puzzle game for Wii. Formerly beautiful and serene land suddenly ruined by a magic spell gone awry? Check. Challenging puzzle gameplay, online multiplayer, and a variety of different play modes? Affirmative. A story of mischief and mayhem filled with zany characters? It's all here, along with the hundreds of thousands of octopi you'll have to deal with. Let the Octomania begin! Octomania is scheduled to be on sale March 11, 2008, at a MSRP of $19.99.

For more on Octomania, please visit the official website: http://www.conspiracygames.com/products.php?productid=81531500073

Octomania has been rated "E" for Everyone with Comic Mischief and Mild Suggestive Themes by the ESRB.

About Octomania

On a peaceful day in the land of Lonronpia, Kari, an apprentice magician, is summoning up her favorite treat. When her spell goes horribly awry, hundreds of thousands of colored octopi suddenly rain down from the clouds. A guardian angel appears before her, asking Kari to rid the land of the octopi and undo the damage of her failed spell.

Key Features
  • Encounter zany foes on your quest to rid Lonronpia of octopi! Story mode takes you to multiple locales to battle a variety of clever and humorous opponents, while Arcade mode lets you jump straight into the action. You can even opt to play in "Endless mode," where it's all about how long you can hang in there before your screen fills up.
  • Local head-to-head and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection multiplayer modes! Whether you're playing alone, alongside a friend, or against a random player online, the fast-paced puzzle gameplay is always a blast! Two players can face off online, and up to four players can play in local multiplayer.
  • Tons of content for a great price! Combo chains, special attacks, multiple difficulty levels... Experienced gamers will find a lot to enjoy, but newcomers will find just as much fun to be had. And with the included tutorial mode, anyone can pick it up and play!

Lighthouse Interactive Announces New Release Date for Belief & Betrayal


Leading Publisher Lighthouse Interactive and dtp Entertainment AG today announced that Belief & Betrayal, their highly anticipated and enthralling Adventure game that propels players into the heart of a secretive and mysterious world of power and intrigue; truth and conspiracy, finally has a new release date for the US, Canada, United Kingdom, Scandinavia and Benelux territories. Originally scheduled to release in 2007, this PC CD-ROM game will be hitting stores shelves on March 28, 2008 across the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and Benelux territories. On March 25, 2008 Belief & Betrayal will begin shipping to major retail stores across Canada and the US. Six screenshots accompany this press release. Belief & Betrayal is Windows Vista compatible.

“We decided to delay the launch of Belief & Betrayal to early 2008 to further polish the game. High quality voiceovers are especially critical in an Adventure game, therefore we invested more time in carefully casting the best actors who could bring out the individuality and believability of each character,” said Erik Schreuder, CEO of Lighthouse Interactive. “Belief & Betrayal offers an amazing gaming experience with strong gameplay features. For instance, to solve the mystery, players must take on the role of 3 different characters. Belief & Betrayal was released in France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland to critical acclaim, and our goal is to continue this success into English speaking territories, bringing Adventure gamers an experience they will thoroughly enjoy.”

GAME SUMMARY

As journalist Jonathan Danter, you discover that a ten year old murder is somehow part of a greater mystery that could destroy humanity itself. Filled with baffling plot twists and conspiracy theories, you must uncover the mystery that reaches back through history from 1194 A.D. to the time Judas received 30 pieces of silver to betray Christ.

Travel to exotic locations throughout Europe including: London, Venice, Rome and the Vatican, to uncover skeletons hidden deep within the closets of some of the most powerful leaders around the World.

FEATURES

• Play as 3 different characters throughout the game to solve the mystery
• Find lost ancient manuscripts and decipher mind-boggling codes and symbols
• Explore stunning environments and incredibly re-created historic locations
• Strong action/adventure storyline creates a compelling gameplay experience
• Use the memories and thoughts of the intriguing cast of characters to solve puzzles and expose dark mysteries
• Game based on historical events though the story is pure fiction
• Easy to navigate 3rd person point & click interface using the Virtools engine

Monday, February 04, 2008

CRYPTIC STUDIOS LOOKING FOR TALENTED ASPIRING ARTISTS


Cryptic Studios, one of the leading independent developers of Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOG), today announced that they are looking for aspiring gaming artists to submit their art portfolios for review.

Artists attending the Game Developer Conference (GDC) in San Francisco on February 18-22, 2008, as well as Bay Area artists and students, are invited to submit their art portfolios to Cryptic Studios for consideration. Fifteen selected artists will have the opportunity to visit the award-winning development studio in Los Gatos, California, for a professional review session. The selected artists will sit down with Cryptic’s art team and receive professional critique and feedback on each individual’s portfolio and suggestions for how to get into the gaming industry.

“This is a terrific opportunity for budding artists who aspire to work in the gaming space to learn about current game industry trends and how we might align your work to be successful,” said Shayne Herrera, Art Development Director of Cryptic Studios. “Gettingprofessional feedback from artists who are working on games on a daily basis can be really helpful to artists trying to decide on their career path.”

The deadline for portfolio entries is Friday, February 15. Selected artists will then be invited to visit Cryptic Studios on Friday, February 22, to meet with the creative team and present their work.Artists should submit their art portfolio for consideration via e-mail to artists@crypticstudios.com

For more information about Cryptic Studios, please visit www.crypticstudios.com

CID THE DUMMY FACT SHEET


Format: PSP/PS2/Wii/PC/DS
Launch Date: Q2, 2008
ESRB: TBD
PEGI: TBD
Game Type: Action Platformer
Publisher: Oxygen Int. (Wii,PSP,PS2,PC,DS) - Playten (Russian Territories PC version only)
Developer:
Twelve Interactive
Technology: Vicious Engine (Wii,PSP,Ps2,PC) Xproton (DS)

KEY INFORMATION/FEATURES

A star is born and he's made to last. CID THE DUMMY makes his debut in Twelve Interactive's first multi-platform production. It's an all-new action platformer that is sure to grab you with its enjoyable, fun gameplay, featuring a totally original character with charisma and moves, different fighting styles with which to battle enemies from unarmed combat to weapons like the Bazooka that can freeze, hit and burn.

• Interact as only a crash dummy can. Climb walls, swing on ropes, burn obstacles, destroy exploding barrels, use lifters, bounce on springs and with a neat head butt destroy walls all in stunningly realized environments. Game environment interaction is the most important part of the gameplay.
• CID's world is swarming with a host of fearfully fun enemies like the Dumper, Cursed Dummy and the bizarre Failed Experiment.
• Apart from fighting enemies, the player will enjoy solving puzzles, avoiding traps and using acrobatic skills to get out of dangerous situations!

Game Storyline

The game is set in a near-future version of our planet where litigiousness and refusal to accept responsibility have grown to such an extent that the lowly Crash Impact Dummy has risen to a position of unrivalled importance, employed in an almost endless barrage of safety tests. Professor B.M. Werken and D-Troit saw the gap in the market and opened their own hugely successful Crash Impact Dummy manufacturing plant.

When Professor B.M. Werken tries vainly to regain his lost daughter through the creation of M.I.A. (a state of the art Crash Impact Dummy imbued with his daughter's essence) and D-Troit turns Evil life gets more complicated.

Fast forward to the present day. The Evil D-Troit has kidnapped M.I.A. and the Professor is desperate to get her back. In his hour of need he turns to one of his trusty Crash Impact Dummies, CID is chosen at random to go on the against-all-odds mission to save M.I.A. He's heard rumours that she’s the most beautiful girl in the world and ... given the chance to rescue her? That’d show something, right? It’d show that a mere Crash Impact Dummy, a nobody, a guy stuck in a job that he hates through no choice of his own - it’d show that he really can be something, right? Wrong. Just doesn’t have the kahonas to take a chance. Until, that is, the Professor fits CID with his latest development in Crash Impact Cyberemotics: the ESS. The ESS gives CID basic emotions - it gives him hopes, dreams, self-confidence. You name it, CID’s got it. And, thus armed, he goes forth to rescue M.I.A.

Special powers,weapons,moves and features

The game mechanics of CID THE DUMMY are largely based on classic action gameplay. CID can jump, fight, climb ladders, bounce on springs and bumpers, use stealth mode to creep, flip-jump walls and swim underwater. He'll need to in a world where there are obstacles like, dangerous prickles, swinging trunks or blades, exploding barrels, acid spits and flames, robot fish and exploding mines. But he wouldn't be the hero he is without his Bazooka. Depending on the enemy he can choose the ammo: Freeze, Flame or Rubber Bullet them out of his way to a sticky but never gory end.

Finally in panic situations when the going gets tough he can use the SPECIAL BLOW which creates a Shockwave explosion that destroys everything around him.

Variety in the action and gameplay guarantees hours of fun for players of all ages. Gameplay features have been introduced to help make CID THE DUMMY a more recognizable and unique character and to better implement the crash test dummy theme, we have introduced simple but fun to use devices that underline the ‘crash test dummy’ essence of our hero. And finally what self-respecting crash dummy would be complete without the ... ... CRASH TESTS!

There are three Crash Test levels (one in PS2, plus 2 Extra levels on PSP) in which the player drives a super-modded vintage Italian car, trying to reach maximum speed in order to destroy all the five walls during the crash test! These are bonus levels that are great fun and give the player the chance to earn bonuses and special gifts.

NEW TRAILER FOR NARUTO: NINJA DESTINY UNLEASHED


TOMY Corporation and D3Publisher of America, Inc. have released a kickin' new trailer for NARUTO: Ninja Destiny for the Nintendo DSTM handheld system. Available to download and view now, this trailer showcases Rock Lee and Gaara squaring off in a one-on-one fight, while demonstrating the intuitive touch-screen gameplay unique to the DS. NARUTO: Ninja Destiny is expected ship to retail stores nationwide on February 26, 2008.

Players can soon 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 special 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. With new characters, stages, and a much-improved frame rate, NARUTO: Ninja Destiny offers new content over the original Japanese version while offering a slew of popular gameplay options like the intense single-player story mode, versus, and wireless two-player battles.

Download the new trailer by visiting www.kohnkecomm.com/dl/d3/ninjadestiny-exclusive.zip

Deep Silver publishes X³: Terran Conflict

Computer games developer Egosoft and Koch Media, a leading distributor of games and application software, today announced the conclusion of an exclusive publishing and distribution agreement for the title X³: Terran Conflict. The contract covers the worldwide rights (excl. USA, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean). X³: Terran Conflict will be released under the Deep Silver label.

"The X series has always been one of our top quality brands, and an integral part of the Deep Silver portfolio," states Craig McNicol, Managing Director of Koch Media. "So we are very happy to be presenting the gripping next installment of the X universe's story in X³: Terran Conflict."

"We look forward to adding another successful chapter to the X story, together with Koch Media," says Bernd Lehahn, Managing Director of Egosoft.

X³: Terran Conflict is a brand new, stand-alone game set in the universe of X³. It is the culmination of the X trilogy, with a grand finale that takes us all the way back to Earth's own solar system. Gamers can take on the roles of different characters in the X universe, or of a Terran military pilot, and experience a multitude of stories in the largest X universe ever featured – for X³: Terran Conflict will offer more missions than any other X game before. Meanwhile, X³: Terran Conflict will pose questions such as: How has Earth changed in all these years? And how will relations between Earth and its counterparts in the X universe develop?

X³: Terran Conflict is scheduled for release in the third quarter of 2008.

EMPIRE INTERACTIVE ANNOUNCES FLATOUT ULTIMATE CARNAGE FOR PC


Empire Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of Silverstar holdings announces that the PC-DVD ROM version of the best selling arcade racer FlatOut Ultimate Carnage is currently in development and is due for release in June 2008.

The FlatOut series has enjoyed global success on multiple formats, selling over 2 million copies and winning numerous awards in the process, with FlatOut 2 being named Xbox ‘Best Racing Game of 2006’. FlatOut Ultimate Carnage for Xbox 360™ was released to critical acclaim in June 2007 and now award-winning Finnish studio and creators of FlatOut, Bugbear Entertainment, are currently developing FlatOut Ultimate Carnage for PC.

While simulation racers have traditionally found their home on PCs, FlatOut Ultimate Carnage blurs the line between arcade and simulation, offering PC gamers a “Deathproof” experience with carnage gameplay modes and enhanced graphics to rival the Xbox 360™ version. Multiplayer online provides wheel-to-wheel action as opponents try to fishtail other cars and get across the finish line in a ‘no holds barred’ extreme driving smash fest.

Ian Higgins, CEO of Empire Interactive commented, “We are very excited about bringing FlatOut Ultimate Carnage to PC gamers. Research suggests that arcade racers are becoming ever more popular on the PC, with the Xbox 360 controller providing the perfect way to enjoy the genre. Ultimate Carnage is an entirely new prospect for PC and we’re excited to be bringing FlatOut’s unique gameplay experience to PC gamers everywhere.”

Clive Kabatznik, CEO of Silverstar Holdings added, “The FlatOut series has been a global success story for Empire and we are delighted that Ultimate Carnage will now be made available to PC gamers. With over 2 million sales globally the FlatOut franchise is an important part of the Empire portfolio and we are sure that the FlatOut Ultimate Carnage for PC will only add to the ongoing success and bring new fans to the title.”

Jussi Laakkonen, Business Development Director of Bugbear Entertainment noted, “We’ve witnessed fanatical anticipation and demand for FlatOut Ultimate Carnage to be released on PC ever since we announced the Xbox 360 release. It gives us great pleasure to be finally providing what FlatOut fans have long been clamouring for!”

FlatOut Ultimate Carnage for PC launches globally in June 2008.
The next instalment in the franchise, FlatOut Head On for the Sony PSP, is due for release on 14th March 2008.

Dekaron


Great news for you, merciless PvP players: GameTribe will launch the European Closed Beta of the famous MMO DEKARON on Feb. 22nd!

Limited access is available, so run to GameTribe and register: do not miss the opportunity to fight for the DEKARON resistance army. We’ll send an email to all the lucky players that will be extracted!

Dekaron is a fusion-fantasy 3D MMORPG set in a Middle Ages based scenery. Its realistic environment and explosive adventure make this extraordinary game much like watching a fast-paced action movie. You must journey into this magical world with hundreds of other adventurers and explore perilous dungeons and fantastical cities in the world of Trieste.

No mercy for the weak: Dekaron is pure survival!

The game already has localized versions for the Korean, Japanese, Taiwanese and Chinese markets. The English version dedicated to the North American market by Acclaim is under the “Two Moons” title.

Register to Gametribe.com and get a change to be selected for the Dekaron European beta test !

www.gametribe.com
Time to Play!

About Dekaron

• Genre: 3D MMORPG
• Developers: GAMEHI
• Plus:
– Mix between a RPG and Action Adventure game styles
• Features:
– Realistic Combat System
– Dynamic Battle Included in Combo System
– Advanced Artificial intelligence
– Realistic 3D graphics

TwelveJ Acting Up for Developers

TwelveJ, the games industry leader in bespoke learning programmes for development studios today announces a workshop entitled 'Acting for Animators' hosted by world renowned expert Ed Hooks.

In 'Acting for Animators', Ed explains seven essential acting principles, focusing on the connections between thinking, emotion and physical movement. He discusses the importance of empathy in acting and tells how to achieve it in animation.

Kumar Jacob, founder and managing director of TwelveJ said, "In addition to the two exclusive workshops that Ed is hosting for SCEE, we've added this extra date for progressive developers who recognize the value of continual training of their staff. There's no room for complacency in today's competitive development environment. The workshop will be informative and inspirational."

TwelveJ's 'Acting for Animators' workshop will take place on February 13th in London with delegates from Media Molecule, Relentless and Black Rock Studio already booked to attend.

About the Workshop:

Acting For Animators involves group improvisations, lecture on acting theory and deconstruction of scenes from live-action and animated films. The basic thrust of Acting For Animators is an examination of the correlation between thinking, emotion and physical action. Content will include:

• The psychology of physical movement. (Movement is a result of thought, emotion.)
• Negotiations within a scene, value of conflict.
• Playing Actions, Pursuing Objectives.
• Character Analysis
• Status Transactions
• Empathy - what it is, why it's important, how to get it
• Psychological gestures
• Clips from Charlie Chaplin

GDAA To Host Australian Games Industry Business Networking Session At GDC 08 (San Francisco)

GDAA will be hosting a private invitation only Australian Games Industry Business Networking Event in conjunction with Austrade on 21st February during the GDC conference and expo in San Francisco. This will be a major marketing event for the export focused game developers in Australia.

“We are limiting the invitation to around 50 – 60 key CEOs and decision-makers (publishers, investors, game developers etc) to the event at which real business can be conducted in relaxed and corporate environment” said Greg Bondar, CEO of the GDAA.

Australian Game Developers will be showcasing their capabilities at the business session.

“GDC is a world class event and an important event on the Australian game developers’ calendar and GDAA will be making the point to all international investors, publishers and game developers that making games is a serious business in Australia” added Greg Bondar.

Australian game developers offer the following benefits to potential business partners:
Over 40 world class game developers
Developing games for over 25 years
More than 300 titles
Fresh creative talent
Huge skills base
State of the art infrastructure
Critical mass of complementary industries
A base for global companies
Open for business 24/7
The Business Networking Session is by Invitation Only and anyone interested in further details and/or in attending should contact the GDAA.

The event will also see key Australian Government Officials in attendance including the Australian Consul General