Bloom Busters video game launched

Zero G Games Publishes Bloom Busters

Zero G Games and independent developer UBrothers today announced the immediate availability of Bloom BustersTM. Bloom Busters is a casual game that tells the story of Jimmy and Jessie, two gardeners who live in magical village called Bloomland. The game centers around the player's ability to help Jimmy and Jessie rescue Bloomland's farms and forests from the invasion of squishy creatures roaming the land. Bloom Busters blends the best in fast pace action-arcade puzzles with a build-your-garden-style theme. The game offers many hours of extraordinary and challenging obstacles for all ages and combines a unique blend of story and humor.

"We set out to create an immersive, active and fun game and Bloom Busters has something to offer to casual gamers that is unique ... its story, humor and overall addictive appeal make it a unique game." stated Marek Uhrin, founder of UBrothers. "We're thrilled to have Zero G publishing Bloom Busters after months of helping us fine-tune the game - Zero G truly has a knack for making a game as good as it can possibly be, and that's reflected in the final version of Bloom Busters."

This game elicits management-style play through actions such as feeding pigs, chickens, sheep, planting and watering crops, and lots more fun with the intent of stopping the invading creatures. Players are able to utilize gardening tools, such as a fly swatter and water hose, to protect the unique flowers needed to save Bloomland. Bloom Busters will have you on the edge of your seat yelling, "get away from my flowers."

"We love Bloom Busters because it captures the ultimate in cute, fun and engaging entertainment. The team at UBrothers has created a masterpiece. Each level comes with several ways to have fun with this playful storyline, beautifully balanced level design, great visuals, adorable sounds, and a great score to keep the player engaged from one adventure to the next," said CEO Mark Lowe Zero G Games. "We've been fortunate to publish groundbreaking and consistent titles that give the audience what they expect from new casual games; Bloom Busters meets our goals in every category."

Ad-supported portal featuring Disney Arcade, offering 60 cellphone mobile games for free download.

THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY LIMITED LAUNCHES NEW MOBILE DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT PORTAL IN THE UK

Barcelona, 11th February 2008 – Today, at the 2008 3GSM World Mobile Congress, The Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) unveiled its new ad-supported Disney.co.uk portal for mobile devices. Already the number one ad-supported UK, US and pan-European online entertainment destination for families, this new portal brings the Disney digital entertainment experience to the mobile world.

In line with Disney’s philosophy of providing guests with the most compelling content anytime, anywhere, the portal is available to anyone with a WAP-enabled mobile handset and can be accessed either by texting “Disney” to 83335 or by entering www.disney.co.uk into a mobile handset browser. Disney is also working with mobile operators to make it accessible directly through operator branded portals, already a significant distribution route for Disney’s mobile content.

Guests using Disney.co.uk online have increasingly demonstrated that games are in great demand. To address this demand, WDIG has incorporated into the new mobile portal Disney Arcade with up to 60 games to play, many of which (such as Pirates of the Caribbean) will be provided free of charge (subject to network data charges). Guests can also interact with and experience areas dedicated to Movies, Music, TV and Community. Disney franchises such as Hannah Montana (a variety of quizzes, real tones and pictures to download) and Pirates of the Caribbean (a mobile game, real tones and logos) are well represented across the portal.

Additionally the portal will have a distinct editorial style; give guests the chance to build and communicate with communities of their existing friends; and customize the site to their own tastes - all in an environment that has been built with safety in mind.

Commenting on the launch, Cindy Rose, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, WDIG, Europe, Middle East & Africa, said: “The launch of Disney.co.uk mobile epitomizes our strategy of bringing Disney to families anytime and anywhere. Now guests can access the best of Disney in the palm of their hands while they are on the move.”

“Disney is uniquely positioned to provide this type of service because our customers engage not only with our extensive range of entertainment experiences, but with our brand itself – which is trusted to deliver high quality family entertainment. Whether you want to see a trailer from our latest film National Treasure: Book of Secrets, find out when the next episode of Phineas and Ferb appears on the Disney Channel or play a mobile game, Disney.co.uk online or mobile is the place to do it.”

Mobile internet is experiencing a significant growth phase precipitated by the emergence of 3G handsets and flat rate data tariffs. Disney.co.uk aims to capture the growing number of mobile internet users. Disney.co.uk mobile will evolve seamlessly to provide guests with integrated cross platform services alongside its online sister sites and with the growing portfolio of Disney virtual worlds such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Club Penguin.

Featuring innovative mobile 'jump' navigation, guests can move instantly from Movies to Games to Music to TV to Community by pressing a single button on the home screen.

The launch of Disney.co.uk mobile follows the successful launch of Disney.co.uk online, which has experienced more than a doubling of usage and a significant growth in market share since the introduction of the new design and features in December 2007.

Disney 2008 cellphone games announced - From Hannah Montana to Donald Duck

DISNEY ANNOUNCES BUMPER LINE-UP OF MOBILE GAMES AND PERSONALISATION CONTENT FOR SPRING 2008

Barcelona, February 11th, 2008: Walt Disney Internet Group today announces five brand new titles for its mobile phone range of easily playable, highly enjoyable games that can be played by all ages.

In keeping with Disney’s unrivalled reputation for family entertainment and traditional gameplay values, the games encompass a variety of genres, suitable for all types of mobile phone user. They also feature well-known, well-loved characters, both from Disney’s roster, from Living Mobile, and beyond.

From Hannah Montana to Donald Duck, there’s something for everyone here:

First up is Lego Bionicle Defenders, (based on the Flash game Tower Defenders), featuring the popular Lego line of articulated toys in the mobile world. This fast-moving game takes place in a hostile undersea environment, where the player must battle through 16 levels and clear out all the Barrakis’ hostile sea creatures in their search for the Mask of Life. Lego Bionicle Defenders’ simple, yet addictive gameplay ensures that Lego fans of all ages will find it an entertaining challenge, as they build towers to outwit and thwart the Barrakis. Lego Bionicle Defenders will be available from March 4.

Also in March, Disney Channel TV star Hannah Montana will be available on mobile, with a range of phone personalisation features, including wallpaper, screensavers, realtones, ringtones, and phone themes. All of these showcase 14 year old Miley Cyrus, the seemingly normal girl-next-door, whose alter ego is famous teen pop sensation Hannah Montana.

Hannah Montana, the TV show is watched in over 23 million homes across Europe, and Hannah is sure to be a hit on mobile phones as well.

The more traditional Disney characters also feature in the spring line-up of mobile games, with the ever-popular Donald Duck returning in Disney's PK - Phantom Duck. Disney's very own superhero is available on your mobile screen now, in a platform game, with puzzle challenges running through it to test the player’s brains. Help Super Donald use his wits to solve them and see him find clever ways to outsmart his enemies! Comic strip cut-scenes come to life seamlessly between levels continuing the storyline of the game. There are also wallpapers, screensavers, and themes available to augment the game experience.

Donald Duck also stars in Disney Bonus Selection, which includes two games for the price of one. Donald Duck's Quest Deluxe is a sequel to the wildly popular Donald Duck’s Quest game, delivering more than 60 levels of puzzles and five hours of brain-tickling fun! Follow the story of Donald & Friends in this brand new plot written for mobile featuring beautifully animated cut-scenes. You get to choose your character – Donald, Uncle Scrooge, Dewey, Huey or Louie – and must try to foil Magica de Spell's wicked plan to steal Scrooge's Dime Number One.

In the second game, Duckburg, you play as rookie cop Donald Duck and help him keep traffic moving smoothly through the chaotic streets! Donald has just joined the Duckburg force and must work his way through 15 promotion levels to become Best Traffic Officer. But beware of rival rookie cop and cousin, Gladstone, who tries to set him back at every turn! Help Donald meet the challenge by directing traffic without causing accidents; synching up the traffic lights, ensuring that Scrooge McDuck gets to the Millionaires Club on time, and more. Three mini-games also help you rack up points and keep Donald on his traffic-taming toes.

Then, in May, WDIG is proud to be releasing the second game in its Narnia series, based on the classic books by C S Lewis, Narnia Prince Caspian. From the silver screen to the mobile phone, Prince Caspian takes on the enemies of old to restore the Golden Age. Following their adventures in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, the Pevensie children return to Narnia one year later to find it a very different country indeed. The land is now under control of the evil King Miraz, who rules without mercy.

In addition to the game itself, WDIG will be releasing Prince Caspian branded wallpapers, ringtones, realtones, theme, and screensavers.

SPEED RACER, the Highly-Anticipated Live Action Film from Warner Bros Mobile cellphone game

Glu to Launch Mobile Game Based on SPEED RACER, the Highly-Anticipated Live Action Film from Warner Bros.

Leading Mobile Publisher Unveils First Title to Come through Partnership with Warner Bros. Digital Distribution

Glu Mobile Inc. (Nasdaq: GLUU), a leading global publisher of mobile games, today announced that it will be publishing a mobile game based on the forthcoming Warner Bros. Pictures live-action film SPEED RACER, a high-octane family adventure written, directed and produced by the Wachowski brothers, creators of the The Matrix trilogy, with producer Joel Silver. The mobile game marks the first title Glu will develop and publish through its strategic worldwide partnership with Warner Bros. Digital Distribution.

“The SPEED RACER film features key elements that make a great mobile game —speed, adventure, exciting characters and storyline,” said Jill Braff, senior vice president of global publishing, Glu. “As buzz builds for the upcoming film, we’re excited to bring a truly engaging game based on this highly anticipated film to the mobile phone.”

In addition to the mobile game, Glu will publish additional mobile content including wallpapers, ringtones, animated screensavers, voice tones and ringbacks.

“Glu has demonstrated its ability to create the highest quality games and make them available to a broad audience of mobile consumers around the world,” said Maria Seidman, vice president, sales development, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution. “We’re excited to see the roll-out of SPEED RACER on the mobile platform and we believe we will benefit from their mobile expertise in reaching SPEED RACER fans around the world on the mobile platform.”

SPEED RACER opens in U.S. theaters on May 9. The SPEED RACER mobile game will be released in late April and will be available worldwide through Glu’s global network of wireless carriers and distributors.

For more information on SPEED RACER, visit www.speedracerthemovie.com

I-play Unveils Paparazzi Snapshot! New 'Photo Action Adventure' Category for cellphones

I-play Unveils New 'Photo Action Adventure' Category for Mobile

'Paparazzi Snapshot!' announced as 1st in series of exciting new Photo Action Adventure titles from I-play

I-play, the mobile publishing division of Oberon Media, the world’s leading multi-platform casual games company, today unveiled an innovative new category for mobile gaming: ‘photo action adventure’. The new category combines popular ‘seek-and-find’ gameplay, exotic locations and adventures with larger than life characters and situations! ‘Paparazzi Snapshot!’ will be the first – unique to mobile – ‘photo action adventure’ game to launch in the US and Europe at the beginning of the second quarter.

‘Paparazzi Snapshot!’ combines all our guilty pleasures into one entertaining package, taking the massively popular hidden object game concept, adding adventurous quests, and some tongue-in-cheek tabloid gossip to the mix. As a photographer moving up in the photo journalism world, you will take pictures of some of the hottest celebrities ever: the pregnant star, the leading man, the lip-synching pop singer, Bigfoot, they’re all money-making photo opps. But beware, you must dodge body guards, build your reputation and earn cash along the way in order to become the top hotshot, dirt-digging tabloid photo-journalist you know you are.

Don Ryan, SVP Publishing, Oberon Media commented: “We’re very excited to be the first publisher introducing this innovative category of game to mobile. ‘Paparazzi Snapshot!’' in particular is a first class ‘photo action adventure’ game, where a tremendous job has been achieved to make the game as close as possible of the successful PC version, with exceptionally high quality graphics. The ‘photo action adventure’ category will bring fresh innovation to the mobile games market and accessible, original entertainment to mobile gamers everywhere.”

Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Named Overall Game Of The Year

Activision's Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Named "Overall Game Of The Year" At 11th Annual Interactive Achievements Awards Show

Activision, announced today that its best-selling Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare title was named “Overall Game of the Year” at the 11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards Show, held last night in Las Vegas, Nevada. Infinity Ward’s intense and cinematic action game swept the awards show, also taking home top honors for “Console Game of the Year,” “Action Game of the Year” and “Outstanding Achievement in Online Game Play.”

“It’s an honor for Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare to be recognized by the Academy as the best game of 2007,” said Robin Kaminsky, executive vice president of publishing, Activision, Inc. “The team at Infinity Ward is committed to delivering groundbreaking entertainment to gamers worldwide and all of the awards are an acknowledgement of their talent, dedication and hard work.”

“With Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, we wanted to deliver the best, most intense action experience ever,” added studio head and project lead Jason West from developer Infinity Ward. “We’re thrilled and truly appreciate that our efforts have been recognized by the Academy, especially with the incredible competition this year.”

Released in November of 2007, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare quickly topped worldwide sales charts to become the #1 best-selling game by units worldwide for calendar 2007, according to The NPD Group, Chart Track and GFK Group.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted net revenues of $1.5 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan and South Korea. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site, which is located at www.activision.com.

Discs Of Tron video game on XBox live from Disney

Combatants Prepare To Battle Sark Again in Discs Of Tron

Disney Interactive Studios Announces Classic Game Will Be Available Through Xbox LIVE Arcade on February 13

The ground-breaking film “Tron,” about a man who ventures inside a video game and has to battle for survival, spawned two classic arcade games in the early 1980s. Disney Interactive Studios today announced Discs of Tron, the second arcade game inspired by the film, will be available on February 13 for Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

In Discs of Tron, players face off in a three-dimensional arena against the film’s villain, Sark, as they throw discs to try to knock him off of a platform or “derezz” him with a disc while he counters. The game, which includes both classic and enhanced modes, gets increasingly more difficult as players progress. A player’s advancement through the game includes multiple platforms of different altitudes, a barricade between the two combatants and chasers, which are secondary weapons from Sark. The player’s deflector can provide necessary temporary protection from Sark’s onslaught of discs.

Discs of Tron, which received an 8.0 out of 10 review score from Official Xbox Magazine (U.S.), includes multiplayer modes: Classic Versus (highest score wins), Speed Versus (player to reach determined score first wins), Co-op (two players’ scores combined for leader board results) and Deadly Disc Versus (players play simultaneously and power-ups help one player or hinder another).

“Discs of Tron is considered an arcade classic as it mesmerized fans who wanted an entertaining and challenging experience derived from the innovative film,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “The game’s release on Xbox LIVE Arcade enables multiple generations to play the addictive game in both its original form from 25 years ago and an enhanced mode with upgraded graphics and sound.”

The enhanced mode features high-definition graphics that show the three-dimensional arena surrounded by a cityscape from the world of Tron. The game’s audio is also upgraded in the enhanced mode.

From Disney Interactive Studios and developed by Backbone, Discs of Tron is rated E for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).

The original Tron arcade game, which is comprised of four mini-games inspired by the film and features an enhanced mode and multiplayer challenges, is now available on Xbox LIVE Arcade.

Deal of the week on CasualGameStore.com

Artex Studios, Inc. announced today the new 'Deal of the week' discount program. Every week CasualGameStore.com sells one popular casual game at 20% discount.

"Deal of the week discount program is a unique and new distribution model on our portal. We would like to offer the best casual games for our customers at lower price." - said Jozsef Trencsenyi, Founder and CEO of Artex Studios, Inc. and owner of CasualGameStore.com.

About Artex Studios, Inc.
Artex Studios, Inc. is a Hungary based independent casual game developer company founded by Jozsef Trencsenyi. Artex creates high-quality games for Windows, MacOSX, Linux, arcade, handheld and mobile platforms since 1999. Located in Budapest, Artex is recognized for games like Franklin the Turtle for GameBoy Advance, Mahjong Zodiac and Happy Melodies for Windows and MacOSX.

Website

Last Of The Patriots II Release as freeware on March 28th

Last Of The Patriots II Release Date Announced

The Sci-fi shooter designed on a movie script. Last of the Patriots II concludes the story from the first game, as well as show-casing a new concept of dual-story driven gameplay.

Paul Davis author and creator of the prototype series Last Of The Patriots has announced the sequel will be released as freeware on the 28th of March, 2008.

Continuing the concept of innovative story-based solutions, the sequel is showcasing a new concept of dual-story driven gameplay. "The aim of this sequel is to introduce the concept of dual-story gameplay, as the player follows the story of the two main characters and how their stories inevitably intertwine" said Paul Davis founder of the series. "This series is very much a foundation for which the industry can hopefully work from".

Website

Puzzle Guzzle Demo Now Available for Sony PSP

Puzzle Guzzle Demo Now Available
Agetec, Inc. today announced a demo of their upcoming puzzle game, Puzzle Guzzle, for the PSP (PlayStationPortable) system. The demo is available now as a featured download in the PLAYSTATION Store (http://store.playstation.com).

Puzzle Guzzle is expected to triangulate its way onto store shelves later on this month. The game features three highly addictive puzzle modes and over ten original gameplay styles. Giving players the ability to upgrade and customize their in-game personalities, Puzzle Guzzle is a refreshing take on the cliché-ridden puzzle genre. Unlike most solitary, brain-twisting titles, Puzzle Guzzle inspires people to come together by combining their love for enigmatic games with the recent social networking craze. Players are given the chance to exchange game profiles and send other players feedback on their stats via the PlayStation Portable’s infrastructure mode. Additionally puzzlers are encouraged to create and share their own unique puzzles while on the go.

“PlayStation”, “PS” Family logo and “PSP” are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Memory Stick Duo may be required (sold separately).