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.

Cellphone games The Sims 2 Castaway, NBA Live 08, The Sims Pool, Command & Conquer, and Orcs & Elves 2 released by EA

EA Mobile announces five new games for mobile phones: The Sims 2 Castaway, The Sims Pool, Orcs & Elves II, Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars and NBA LIVE 08. Players can visit an uncharted tropical island, hone their pool hall hustling skills, swing swords, defend a base and slam dunk their way through to Spring with these great games, launching throughout February and March across major European carriers.

“EA Mobile is committed to making exciting, approachable mobile games for players of all ages and tastes to enjoy,” said Tim Harrison, European Marketing Director, EA Mobile. “Whatever type of game you like – from sports to strategy, adventure to action – we have something for you to enjoy, when and wherever you want to play it.”

The Sims 2 Castaway
New and veteran fans of The Sims now will be able to set sail for an uncharted island filled with sandy beaches, lagoons, volcanic caves and more. Help your Sims build a life from scratch after washing ashore on a remote tropical island. Avoid danger, make new friends, and unlock the island’s secrets. Build shelters, craft unique items, and enjoy fun island activities with your new-found friends. Become the ultimate survivors and thrive in this undiscovered paradise as you create a new life for your Sims in The Sims 2 Castaway!

The Sims Pool
Join the Sims and rack ’em up for the ultimate pool experience on mobile! Customise your Sim, then hit the pool hall to compete against other Sims in exciting 8 or 9-ball action. Perfect your skills and watch your popularity soar as you sink balls, execute impressive trick shots and pull off slick combos. Advanced pool physics and an easy one-button interface deliver exciting pool fun for everyone.

Orcs & Elves II
From the creators of DOOM RPG comes Orcs & Elves II, the sequel to the award-winning Orcs & Elves. Journey to a place filled with adventure, where heroes are born and legends are made. Take on the role of Valin, a thief who steals a sentient wand to save his imperiled town. Explore foreign towns, mysterious caverns and haunted forests while battling against strange & mythical beasts with an arsenal of powerful enchanted weapons with unlikely allies such as a mouse familiar. Prepare yourself as you travel to the mystical and dangerous world of swords and sorcery!

Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars
The critically acclaimed Command & Conquer series comes to mobile for the first time with the launch of Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars. This groundbreaking strategic battle game immerses you in combat as you join the GDI to reclaim the region taken by Kane and his evil Brotherhood of NOD. Embark on an adrenaline-fueled single player campaign to stop the launch of a deadly weapon, or engage in the action-packed Skirmish mode to test your strategic wits against wave upon wave of enemies. Welcome to mobile, Commander.

NBA LIVE 08
Real teams, real players, real NBA intensity - it’s easy to pick up and play as your favourite team. Hit the court for one game or a thrilling season. Control offence and defense; make showcase real moves – thundering slam dunks, driving lay-ups, and in-your-face blocks. Hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to win the NBA championship, and then enjoy the instant replay of your game-winner.


The Sims 2 Castaway, The Sims Pool, Orcs & Elves II, Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars and NBA LIVE 08 will all be available from major operators across Europe launching throughout February and March. For more information on availability and pricing, please visit www.eamobile.com.

Gameloft No1 for Cellphone and mobile games

Recent Sales Figures Places Company in Top Spot For Fourth Quarter

lready the No1 mobile games publisher in Europe & EMEA, Gameloft, a leading developer and publisher of games for mobile phones, today announced that it has risen to the top spot in the international market for the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2007. The company posted Q4 sales of 25.8m€ ($38.5 million) with an annual growth of 40%, thus surpassing the announced results of its competitors.

“We have been out-performing our competitors and growing faster than the market for quite a while now; our recent number one position only confirms this long-running trend,” said Michel Guillemot, president, Gameloft. “This market will grow at a fast pace, with 4 billion consumers gaining access to our games by 2011. We will continue to strive for excellence and remain on the successful path that pushed us to No1 in Q4.”

Further driving the market in 2008 will be the introduction of new and advanced devices such as the iPhone, Ngage/OVI and Google Android. Gameloft is well positioned to take advantage of these new handsets since it currently supports well over 1,200 different handsets worldwide. These devices will greatly impact the way mobile games are played and make way for a new generation of mega-games that run on powerful phones.

Historically, Gameloft has been a prominent player in the mobile gaming industry. Founded in 2000 by Michel Guillemot, co-founder of Ubisoft Entertainment., the group has multiplied its revenues by ten over the last four years. In 2006, it was named the fastest growing company in Europe by BusinessWeek, and was among the top 5 in 2007. Gameloft has been profitable since 2003.

Already the leading publisher in Europe, Gameloft continues to gain worldwide marketshare thanks in part to its internal development capabilities. That investment allows the company to support 1,200 different handsets in over 80 countries and across 180 carriers. The company’s catalogue of games exceeds 200, and expects to release between 70 to 80 games annually.

About Gameloft
Gameloft is a leading international publisher and developer of video games for mobile phones. Established in 1999, it has emerged as one of the top innovators in its field. The company creates games for mobile handsets equipped with Java, Brew or Symbian technology. The total number of games-enabled handsets is anticipated to exceed two billion units in 2008.

Partnership agreements with leading licensors and sports personalities such as Ubisoft Entertainment, Universal Pictures, ABC, Dreamworks Animations SKG, Endemol, 20th Century Fox, Viacom, Sony Pictures, Touchtone Television, Warner Bros., FifPro, Lamborghini, Paris Hilton, Gus Hansen, Kobe Bryant, Derek Jeter, Reggie Bush, Llewton Hewitt, Jonny Wilkinson or Robinho allow Gameloft to form strong relationships with international brands. In addition to the partnerships, Gameloft owns and operates titles such as Block Breaker Deluxe, Asphalt: Urban GT and New York Nights.

Through agreements with major telephone wireless carriers, handset manufacturers, specialized distributors and its online shop, Gameloft has a distribution network in over 80 plus countries.

For more information visit www.gameloft.com

DRACULA: ORIGIN PC video game launch website

Ascaron Entertainment, Focus Home Interactive and Frogwares are pleased to announce the launch of the official website for Dracula: Origin. The new website can be found at http://www.dracula-origin.com/. Five new images of the terrifying adventure game from Frogwares studio, the team that developed the famous Sherlock Holmes series for PC are also now available for download.

Having successfully tackled the myth of Cthulhu in the award-winning Sherlock Holmes - The Awakened, Frogwares is venturing into the disturbing and fantastic world of the Prince of Darkness, in an adventure which combines romance, mystery and horror.

Young, charming and devout, Dracula was once an ardent defender of Christianity, but lost his faith in God when abandoned by his one true love. Dracula makes a pact with the Prince of Darkness, becoming a vampire with an insatiable thirst for blood and vengeance, doomed to eternal damnation.

DRACULA: ORIGIN
In the game, you play the role of Professor Van Helsing, the celebrated vampire hunter, on the hunt for Dracula, who himself is on a quest for a mysterious manuscript that will give him the power to raise the dead. Your goal is to prevent Dracula from finding and using this manuscript, and killing him in order to liberate the souls of all those who have had the misfortune to cross his path.

Using conventional Point & Click gameplay, Dracula: Origin is a superb adventure supported by impeccable graphics and a rich storyline taking you to London, Egypt, Austria and, of course, to Transylvania; the famous home of the great vampire.

The world, inspired by the celebrated author Bram Stoker, is reproduced through 2D environments and animated 3D characters. All of the elements essential to the Dracula story, including horror, love, blood, crucifixes, stakes and garlic, are included in a disturbing and absorbing Gothic atmosphere.

The official Web site of Dracula: Origin http://www.dracula-origin.com/

Fast facts:
Publisher: Ascaron Entertainment / Focus Home Interactive
Web: www.Ascaron.com / http://www.dracula-origin.com/
Developer: Frogwares
Release date: Q2 2008
Price: TBC
PEGI: TBC
Format: PC
Genre: RPG

SAGA MMORTS announce partners

Silverlode Interactive announced today a retail product for its online collectable game SAGA and the names of distributors to hobby stores in the US and Canada.

Silverlode Interactive has partnered with Alliance Game Distributors, GTS Distribution, Diamond Comics and ACD Distribution to distribute its collectable online MMORTS SAGA to over 4000 hobby and comic book stores in the US and Canada. SAGA will be distributed in a retail display containing the game CD, a registration code and 3 booster packs. Individual booster packs will also be available. Each booster pack will include a card with a code that may be unlocked online to receive a virtual pack that will contain a random assortment of spells and troops.

Here’s what happens when you open a SAGA booster: you’ll reveal one of ten random cards, each representing a specific pack type, some of which are less common than others. Some of the specialty packs are the five faction packs, double-rare packs, dragon packs, spell packs… This makes the retail version more exciting than the online purchase.

Following the success of Eye of Judgement and MapleStory, the SAGA retail product will allow Hobby store owners to carry a virtual collectable game. “Hobby Stores who first spurred our imaginations with role playing games have seen a decline in sales with the proliferation of online MMO worlds, and the same decline is now being seen in collectable game sales as more and more games move online. But SAGA turns the tables, providing a retail product to the people who brought us collectable games in the first place,” said Jason Faller, Executive Producer for Silverlode Interactive.

Unlike traditional RTS games that have 10 or 20 different units, the first SAGA set contains over 100 unique troops and over 50 spells in varying rarities. The common troops may be used by any of the five warring factions while most of the uncommon and all rare troops and spells are faction specific. Only the War faction can use Fiery Catapults, for example. Unlike traditional RTS games, troops in SAGA gain levels through questing and may be equipped with powerful weapons and armor.

Retailers are encouraged to contact their distributor before the pre-order deadline of February 22nd. Both products are currently scheduled to ship to distributors on March 14th.

Football video game PES 2008 heads to Nintendo Wii

Due for release March 28th, PES 2008 has been redesigned to make incredible use of the motion-sensitive nature of the Wii’s control system. The player has more control over the on-screen action than ever before, and in line with such advances, Konami has also unveiled an all-new pack design that conveys the unique in-game visuals and ease of use while maximising its use of cover stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Owen.

Crucial to PES 2008 for Wii is an all-new control system that truly elevates the level of control available to the player while retaining the depth and intuitive moves of the series. Making use of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, the player must also consider the movements of their teammates around them. The Nunchuck is used to move the current player, while the Wii Remote is used to pick out players to send them on runs or to receive passes via simple click and drag system which uses arrows to show the path of the run, and a press of the ‘B’ button to complete the move.

The level of control offered by the bespoke Wii system elevates PES 2008 far beyond any other football game. Dribbling is effected by clicking on the player and using an arrow and the ‘A’ button to guide the ball. The speed of the run can then be altered by extending or reducing the length of the guiding arrow, allowing stunning quick turns and bursts of speed to catch defenders off-guard.

Shooting also benefits from more control over the players, with the Nunchuck used to shoot or head simply by shaking it. As with the real sport, however, timing is everything in front of goal, and the speed of the pass or cross, the ability of the player, the angle of trajectory and the timing of the shot or header will all have differing effects on the resultant shot.

To ease the player into the stunning level of control PES 2008 offers, the Wii game features a wide-ranging Tutorial mode wherein a series of instructional videos and tests detail how the Wii Remote and Nunchuck can be used to man-mark players, pass into space, clear dangerous crosses and perform slide tackles. Every aspect of the modern game is brought to vivid life, and the advances in control ensure that PES 2008 is a game that develops and surprises as the user’s skill grows.

PES 2008 challenges the player further across six game modes, including Match, League and Cup games, the aforementioned Training system and a Player Trade option. By the far the greatest challenge, however, awaits in the all-new ‘Champions Road’ competition.

Champions Road is a global, rewards-based challenge, where players are invited to guide and develop the team of their choice through a series of league games all over the world. By systematically winning each competition, the user is given Experience points which can be used to bolster the attributes of their team. Likewise, as team after team is defeated, the player can cherry-pick the best players of the teams they have beaten to their starting XI. In turn, extra skills can also be unlocked, allowing users to piece together a ‘Dream Team’ that constantly grows and evolves as they become more successful. Additional mini-tasks are also randomly set during the course of a Champions Road match, too, such as scoring a hat-trick or stringing together a succession of passes, and doing so allows the player to add higher-rated players to their team.

PES 2008 is also the first Konami Wii title to make use of Nintendo’s highly personal Mii characters. Used as in-game avatars by the Wii user, players can integrate up to 16 pre-defined Miis into a team, while the resultant teams can be stored on to the Wii Remote and switched between two linked Remotes. PES 2008 also enjoys a strong online element, allowing users to play ‘Free Matches’ against unknown opponents, or ‘Friend Matches’ against people on the Wii’s Friends list, while team data can also be sent to friends via the console’s WiiConnect24 system.