Grand Chase, the Action Adventure MMO Brawler open beta

Ntreev USA, Inc., based in Irvine, California, announced today that it has successfully launched the Open Beta Service for Grand Chase!

Grand Chase Open Beta is Live!

The Grand Chase Open Beta has begun, and for the first time ever, players will be able to experience the exclusive North American release of this highly anticipated Action-Adventure MMO Brawler!

Grand Chase is a fast-paced, heart-pounding, action brawler that combines the elements of traditional RPG character advancement & customization, and adds new cooperative and competitive elements for players who aren't afraid to put their brawling skills to the test! Grand Chase raises the bar for Free-To-Play online games by setting itself apart from the pack by featuring superior quality in design and execution. Grand Chase is a title unlike any other, and is poised to make its mark on the North American, English market!

The North American release of Grand Chase will be the most enhanced and upgraded version of the game available in the English market. In addition to this, it is also a completely different and unique title that pushes the boundaries of traditional online gaming. A fully realized fantasy world sets the stage for high adventure and epic action, as players join the forces of the Grand Chase Knights to fight the evil Kaze'aze and protect not only the land of Bermesiah, but the very world!

This completely Free-to-Play, five star title, is being brought to North America for the first time ever by the online game publisher, Ntreev USA Inc.

http://www.grandchase.net

Grand Chase Official Website Launch!

Along with the launch of the North American Open Beta of this trend-setting title, Ntreev USA, Inc. has also launched the official website for this game. The website incorporates not only all official announcements for the game, but includes: exclusive Player Forums, Downloadable Media, an Animated Trailer, Game Client Download, and information regarding special and exclusive Bonus Items, which will be available to ALL players who sign up and register for Grand Chase through the new, official website. Everyday, new Bonus Items will be given to registered players during Open Beta!

Registration for the Open Beta of Grand Chase is both free and easy! Make sure to check the official website (www.grandchase.net) for details and begin your adventure in Bermesiah.

Join the Chase, Save the World!

http://www.grandchase.net

FINAL FANTASY & FINAL FANTASY II on Sony PSP

Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of Square Enix interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, announces that FINAL FANTASY and FINAL FANTASY II will both be on sale in the UK on 8th February, 2008 on the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system.

Experience the classic gameplay, captivating storylines and unforgettable characters that gave birth to the FINAL FANTASY phenomenon. Completely re-mastered exclusively for PSP, FINAL FANTASY and FINAL FANTASY II are the definitive versions of the epic games that established the biggest RPG brand in the world.

These new editions feature redrawn graphics and character art, exclusive all-new dungeons, full 16:9 widescreen visuals and an updated camera view that gives players a new perspective on these two timeless classics that defined the RPG genre.

John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. comments, “FINAL FANTASY and FINAL FANTASY II represent the foundations of the Square Enix success story. They are the first two imaginative steps in the long and distinguished history of the FINAL FANTASY franchise. With these beautiful new versions, fans can now experience the origins of FINAL FANTASY wherever they go.”

For more information about FINAL FANTASY and FINAL FANTASY II, please visit the official website www.finalfantasy1.co.uk

About FINAL FANTASY


Story

The tale begins when four young warriors, each possessing a crystal, are summoned to restore the world’s harmonious elemental balance. During their voyage, they discover a nefarious entity has created turmoil in the structure of time in order to take control of the world, causing the heroes to travel to places they never imagined possible.

Features

The ultimate edition of the game that gave birth to a phenomenon.

The original game in the amazing FINAL FANTASY series that has sold over 80 million copies worldwide now returns in completely re-mastered form, exclusively for PSP.

Redrawn graphics and enhanced sound capitalise on the PSP’s impressive audiovisual capabilities.

Featuring an all-new dungeon, the Labyrinth of Time.
Art Gallery mode allows you to view the stunning artwork of leading illustrator Yoshitaka Amano.

About FINAL FANTASY II

Story

A malevolent emperor has called upon monsters from a demonic realm to take over the world, ending what seemed to be an eternal period of peace. From the destruction rise four young survivors who will take it upon themselves to stop the merciless ruler and avenge the death of their parents.

Features

Redrawn graphics and enhanced sound capitalise on the PSP’s impressive audiovisual capabilities.

Featuring two all-new dungeons: Arcane Labyrinth and Arcane Sanctuary.

Find and use new equipment, battle new enemies and defeat a new boss, all exclusive to the PSP version.

Art Gallery mode allows you to view the stunning artwork of leading illustrator Yoshitaka Amano.

Band Mashups Bringing Musical Warfare to Wii

Band Mashups is scheduled to bring the ultimate band battle to Wii in April 2008. Featuring 150 tracks and five distinct musical styles: rock, funk/hip-hop, country, marching band and Latin, Band Mashups combines fast-paced combat with customizable bands in the fight for musical supremacy, fully utilizing the Wii Remote controller’s highly intuitive control scheme to deliver a unique game-play experience.

"Band Mashups takes an innovative approach to the rhythm/action genre by blending music and combat in the ultimate battle of the bands,” said Randy Shoemaker, global brand director, THQ. “Using a rhythm based game-play mechanic, the game delivers 70 over-the-top musical weapons and utilizes the Wii Remote’s functionality to deliver a completely original musical combat experience. Fighting with a sniper violin or flamethrower guitar is something gamers should definitely look forward to.”

About Band Mashups

Band Mashups is the first time a musical “mashup” game has been delivered on Wii, allowing players to battle it out with their preferred musical style. Band Mashups features both an exciting two player versus mode and an extensive single-player campaign where players take on the role of one of eleven bands trying to topple the nefarious big boss Mr. Hong and take control of the faraway city of New Cadenza. Band Mashups introduces the innovative concept of “music switching,” putting the player winning the battle in control of the style of music both players hear. When an opponent turns the tide of battle, the music changes as well, switching between different music styles. Band Mashups features 30 classic and modern chart-topping hits from over the last four decades, all of which have been recorded in five different styles - (rock, funk/hip-hop, country, Latin and marching band) - for the game, resulting in a total of 150 unique, playable recordings.

PET PALS: ANIMAL DOCTOR FOR NINTENDO DS

New Game Lets You Diagnose and Treat Animals Just Like a Real Veterinarian

DS owners can see if they have the healing touch as Majesco Entertainment Company, an innovative provider of video games for the mass market, today shipped Pet Pals: Animal Doctor for Nintendo DS. Developed by Legacy Interactive and Frontline Studios, Pet Pals: Animal Doctor lets players experience the challenging world of veterinary medicine by diagnosing and treating 30 different medical cases created by real-life veterinarians.

“Pet Pals: Animal Doctor is designed to provide players with a deeper understanding of the care and expertise required to keep pets healthy,” said Gui Karyo, Executive Vice President of Operations, Majesco. “Complete with realistic medical cases and intuitive Touch Screen procedures, Pet Pals: Animal Doctor is a fun and educational experience that players of all ages can enjoy at a great value.”

In Pet Pals: Animal Doctor, players will learn the techniques required to diagnose and treat 23 different lovable pets, including a Yorkshire terrier, turtle, parakeet, rabbit and hamster. To do so, players must successfully administer more than 40 Touch Screen tests while interacting with stressed patients and concerned pet owners. Players face 30 different real-life medical cases from hairballs to infections to broken bones that add authenticity to the gameplay. After treatment, players can feed, clean and play with their patients in the Recovery Room to help improve each animal’s spirits as it heals.

Pet Pals: Animal Doctor is now available for a suggested retail price of $19.99. For additional information on this game as well as Majesco’s exciting line of products, please visit www.majescoentertainment.com.

PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 Join the Fitness Revolution

All of the newest games consoles can now be used to keep fit with the release of the GZ Pro-Sport, from fitness innovators Gamercize.

This release completes a product range offering mini exercise equipment, such as steppers and cycles, as add-ons for games consoles and computers. The specialist fitness machines provide genuine cardiovascular exercise, capable of burning the highest number of calories per hour out of all popular video game exercise systems.

The Gamercize concept requires exercise to keep the game from pausing, using the distraction of playing a game to make it easy to work out for longer without giving up.

Gamercize products are designed to inspire young and old to take the first steps towards a healthier lifestyle, as well as provide a fitness top up for active people with little free time. The equipment can be used with existing or future games, ensuring sustainable use and appeal for all.

Successfully trialled in schools and health clubs in the UK, the Gamercize has proved six times more engaging than exercise alone and twice as popular as a dedicated video game racing bike.

The concept was conceived in 2004 when, now company director, Richard Coshott designed the first Gamercize for his children. They played games for only as long as they kept exercising, which proved successful in increasing their fitness and willingness to be more active in general. Following successful grant of patent the company was formed and products have been sold worldwide to consumers on all continents.

The GZ Pro-Sport will be officially launched on February 21 2008, in partnership with Southampton Football Club, where commercial installations for PlayStation3 and Xbox 360 will be unveiled simultaneously in two Southampton City Council leisure centres.

Alone in the Dark Official Website at CentralDark.Com Exposes Shadowy Mysteries and Conspiracies Of Central Park

Atari today announced the launch of the official website of forthcoming action survival game Alone in the Dark, featuring a series of fascinating and intriguing facts, legends and stories which reveal the myriad strange and unexplained happenings which have dogged the history of New York’s magnificent municipal parkland, Central Park. Visitors to the site at www.CentralDark.com will begin a journey into the murky past of New York’s backyard and see how the park’s chequered history has influenced and inspired the production of Alone in the Dark.

With new facts, park lore and more scheduled every Thursday up to launch of the game in May, visitors can already learn a great deal of incongruous information gathered by a group of amateur researchers and drawn from historical documentation, newspapers and the work of scholars. Facts suggest there’s more than meets the eye behind the design and perfect preservation of this enormous parkland in the city that never sleeps. The implication is that considerably different motives were at work than just the desire to create a grand public parkland for the people of New York. Here’s just a taste of the questions posed:

In a city with debts of $4.8 Billion, who has the power to ensure that Central Park’s $528 Billion of prime Manhattan real estate has remained completely untouched since its creation?

What were the suspected political motivations behind the complete decimation of Seneca village, Manhattan’s first African American community, during the park’s construction?

Why was the topsoil that was used to construct Central Park not from New Jersey as recorded, and according to micro-chemical analysis not even from America?

Who built the existing tunnel network under the park that was used for Oppenheimer’s Manhattan Project of 1853 that led to the creation of the atomic bomb?

Featuring a gripping story, design inspired by contemporary TV action dramas, and original gameplay based on real world rules physics, Eden Games’ action survival opus Alone in the Dark is scheduled for release in May 2008 for Xbox 360, PC, Wii and PlayStation 2, with the PlayStation 3 version following later in 2008.

PC-based, strategy game Europa Universalis: Rome out soon

ABOUT Europa Universalis: Rome:

Europa Universalis: Rome will cover the time period from the first Punic War to the start of the true Empire. Players will have thousand of gameplay choices ranging from country, culture, provincial and character options to name but a few, making each and every game infinitely customizable and truly unique.
The technology system has 5 categories: land, construction, naval, civic and religion. Each category has a set amount of levels, somewhat similar to earlier releases Europa Universalis III and Victoria. However, one of the differences is that there are no immediate effects from aquiring new "level" of technology in EU:Rome.

FEATURES:

- Fully 3D map with integrated graphics and detailed topography.

- Start at any date between 280 B.C. and 27 B.C.

- Choose between 10 different cultures, including the Roman, Celtic, Greek and Egyptian civilizations, with more than 53 playable factions on a map spanning hundreds of provinces.

- Watch your characters develop new traits through political intrigue and various interactions with thousands of other characters.

- Trade, negotiate or fight with your neighbours and advance your technologies to unite the Mediterranean World.

- Robust multiplayer allows you to challenge up to 32 players either competitively or in co-op mode.

hell-tech will release “Europa Universalis: Rome” in Q2 2008 in Greece.

Powerboat Challenge: Hot Motorboat Racing as a 3D Cellphone Game

FISHLABS, the leading developer for premium 3D mobile phone games, is launching the Powerboat Challenge. Fast-paced game play, breathtaking visual effects, and hours of fun make this racing game on the water unique. Powerboat Challenge will first be sold in Europe by Player X and will surface at the end of March 2008 on all standard 3D-capable mobile phones from Nokia and Sony Ericsson.

In Powerboat Challenge, players can choose among four zany characters, who always have a cheeky comment on the tips of their tongues. Every driver has his or her own racing boat with different handling characteristics. Among other things, the powerboats differ in terms of top speed, acceleration, and manoeuvrability.

Powerboat Challenge offers a large variety of game modes that is extraordinary for mobile phone games. Five different game types guarantee long-lasting fun. They include classic lap racing, the thrilling elimination competition, and time qualifications. In the elimination race, the last boat on each lap drops out until the winner has been determined.

While casual gamers will find it easy to get into the game thanks to the simple controls, experts will enjoy the finesse. Every course is marked with buoys that have to be passed on the correct side and as closely as possible. Of course there will be lots rumbling with rival boats to find the perfect line. Those who navigate with skill can ignite a turbo for a brief moment and earn even faster best times.

Naturally, tuning also plays an important role in Powerboat Challenge. Players receive style points for every skilfully rounded buoy. With enough points, tuning sets are unlocked. Of course, these offer more than just better handling; they also offer fantastic visuals and provide a hot look on the course…

METAL GEAR SOLID: ESSENTIAL COLLECTION FOR SONY PLAYSTATION 2

Three Classics of Stealth Action in One Collection

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today confirmed speculation that Metal Gear Solid ®: the Essential Collection is currently planned for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. Now Metal Gear Solid fans have the final chance to fully immerse themselves in the Metal Gear Solid universe before the release of Metal Gear
Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.

”Since its inception, the Metal Gear Solid franchise has been one of the most successful game series in the history of video games, receiving worldwide recognition and praise,” said Anthony Crouts, Vice President of Marketing for Konami Digital Entertainment Inc. “Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection represents a great value for gamers, bringing together three must-have classic titles which pioneered the stealth action genre.”

Metal Gear Solid: the Essential Collection includes the original Metal Gear Solid for the PlayStation game console, the director’s cut of Metal Gear Solid 2 and Metal Gear Solid 3 in a commemorative package with artwork by renowned Metal Gear Solid artist Yoji Shinkawa.

Metal Gear Solid: the Essential Collection is rated M for Mature by the ESRB and sells for a suggested retail price of $29.99. For more information visit the website at www.konami.com.

KARAOKE REVOLUTION PRESENTS: AMERICAN IDOL video game

Latest Installment in Popular Singing Game Series in America Ships to Retailers

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced Karaoke Revolution® Presents: American Idol® Encore is now available for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Nintendo Wii™, and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. Together with FremantleMedia Enterprises and 19 Entertainment, licensors of the top-rated television show “American Idol,” Konami has developed a game that lets players sing and perform through a full season of competition of “American Idol”. Featuring 40 all-new, smash-hit songs and several unique modes of play, Karaoke Revolution: American Idol Encore delivers an immersive “American Idol” game experience as players sing their way to fame.

“’American Idol’ is arguably one of the most successful shows on TV,” says Anthony Crouts, Vice President of Marketing for Konami Digital Entertainment. “By bringing the game to a variety of platforms, Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore, provides gamers the one-of-a-kind experience of being singing stars in their own living room.”

Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore allows players to play the part of an “American Idol“ contestant as they audition, earn an invitation to Hollywood, perform on center stage and receive verbal feedback on their performance from the judges. Just like the TV show, the evaluation by the
game’s judges – Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and the always entertaining Simon Cowell - will affect whether or not they move on to the next round of competition.

Players will be able to personalize their own contestant with clothing, hair styles and accessories in the Character Customization mode, creating a specialized look that is sure to catch the attention of the judges and the crowd. Players can also create a 3D model of their own heads with the EyeToy USB Camera (for PlayStation 2), PLAYSTATION Eye and Xbox LIVE Vision to bring them directly into the actual competition. Xbox 360 and PS3 gamers can also select and download from a catalog of over 140 songs via Xbox LIVE.

“Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore absolutely rocks and we’re sure it’s going to entertain all those Idol fans out there looking to personalize their own ‘American Idol’ experience,” added David Luner, Senior Vice President of Interactive & Consumer Products, FremantleMedia Enterprises in North America.

Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and sells bundled with a microphone for a suggested retail price of $49.99 (PS2 version), $59.99 (Wii version) or $69.99 (Xbox 360 and PS3 versions). For more information on the game, please visit: www.konami.com.