Amazon Software Download Store to include video games soon

A job posting on Gamasutra suggests Amazon will soon start a PC game download store to compliment Unbox, its video-on-demand service, and the site's MP3 download store. The job posting asks programmer/engineers to apply to become a part of the Software and Video Games Digital Technology Team at Amazon, which is "responsible for digital distribution of software and video game products from the Amazon website, including the newly launched Amazon Software Download store."

The job posting itself is unsurprising as Amazon recently launched the software branch of its download services, but the job post includes the bit about the distribution of "video game products," which is currently not happening at the Amazon Software Download Store. The only software presently available from the very new service is unfortunately tax software.

But fear not! We're sure a few competent souls will apply, molding the new service into a very happy reality for those of us that hate visiting and supporting major retail stores like Best Buy and Circuit City.

From: Downloadsquad

Video Games To Be Official Welcome Event At 2008 Olympics

They aren’t turning video games into an official Olympic sport just yet, but they will become an official welcome event at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

The Global Gaming League (GGL) has already sealed the deal that will make video games a part of the festivities.

Currently, there is a tournament planned along with other various events of competitive gaming and contests.

From FileFront

AMBX ARRIVES ON GOOGLE EARTH, ITUNES, QUICKTIME AND MORE

Philips today announced that amBX FXGen+ lighting effects can now be experienced with Google Earth, iTunes, QuickTime, VLC, Media Player Classic, MediaPortal, Zoom Player and Windows Media Center, through Windows XP or Windows Vista. As Windows Media Center and MediaPortal both support TV tuners, users are even able to experience amBX FXGen+ lighting when watching live TV. All the applications support surround and multi-location lighting and the announcement demonstrates just how versatile the ambient experiences platform has become outside the gaming arena.

These latest media applications will also run alongside the all-new amBX Illuminate, an easy to use background application which allows users to set their amBX lighting to any default colour, using hue, saturation and lightness. amBX users can choose between five different lighting presets for a quick change of mood lighting, when the need arises. For more dynamic lighting, amBX Illuminate can be set to loop between the five presets, from slowly flowing shades to sudden, exciting contrasts.

Finally, adding music into the applications mix, amBX also works with audio player visualisers to orchestrate all kinds of light effects, from subtle mood lighting to sophisticated light shows. amBX can bring the excitement of a live show or atmosphere of a club night right into the user’s home.

Using ‘surround senses’, amBX creates a new type of PC application experience by extending the traditional content world out of the screen and into the real world. The revolutionary platform allows content developers to use light, colour, sound, rumble and even air flow through enabled devices, including the Philips amBX PC Gaming Peripherals range of LED colour-controlled lighting, rumble peripherals and variable speed desktop fans. These senses are then used to recreate on-screen effects in the real world.

Whilst the Philips amBX team works closely with content developers to ensure many games and applications are developed to be amBX compatible from release, the amBX FXGen+ allows users to experience amBX effects in synchronisation with existing content, ensuring backward compatibility. Furthermore, amBX patches offering even more new effects are regularly being released for download at www.ambx.com.

“These latest non-gaming applications are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of how dynamic amBX can be,” commented Jo Cooke, Chief Marketing Officer, Philips amBX. “Seeing geographical lighting effects while using Google Earth or watching a movie on the VLC Media Player is an experience we’re convinced users will enjoy. Many more software applications, both gaming and non gaming, will follow suit throughout 2008.”

Philips is setting a global standard by licensing the amBX technology to content developers, publishers and peripherals manufacturers including Ubisoft, Codemasters, THQ, Introversion, Gearbox Software, Gas Powered Games, Zombie, Riot Games, Brain in a Jar, Invictus Games, Instinct Technology, Kuju, Revolution, Sumo Digital and Rivers Run Red.

A full list of FXGenerator and amBX FXGen+ compatible games and programs, including The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Lost Planet, Crysis, Stranglehold and Need for Speed: ProStreet, can be found at www.ambx.com.

XBOX Live Friends Widget v2.1

From 1337pwn...

Early this morning, we released a subtle update to the XBOX Live Friends List widget. The new version of the widget has a further optimized version of the communications code along with usability improvements. For example, you can now have multiple instances of the widget open and give them unique "labels".

download here...

Tomy and D3Publisher Of America's NARUTO: Ninja Destiny on Nintendo DS

Tomy And D3Publisher Of America's NARUTOTM: Ninja Destiny Goes Gold

3D Fighting Game for Nintendo DS Destined to Ship Soon

TOMY Corporation and D3Publisher (D3PA), publishers of interactive entertainment software, announced that they have completed development on NARUTOTM: Ninja Destiny for the Nintendo DSTM handheld system. Featuring scenes, characters, and storylines from up to the 140th episode of VIZ Media's hit animated TV series NARUTO, NARUTO: Ninja Destiny brings incredible 3D ninja combat to the DS for the very first time. Easy to play and difficult to master, 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 mode, and wireless two-player battles.

For more information on NARUTO please visit www.naruto.com. For more information on NARUTO: Ninja Destiny, please visit www.NarutoNintendoGames.com.

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SECOND ISSUE OF EQUINOX - THE OFFICIAL EVERQUEST II PRINT MAGAZINE

PRE-ORDERS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN TODAY FOR THE SECOND ISSUE OF EQUINOX - THE OFFICIAL EVERQUEST II PRINT MAGAZINE

Two Legends of Norrath loot cards are pre-order bonus items

WHAT:
EQuinox is the first official print magazine dedicated entirely to EverQuest® II (EQ II), its players, creators and adventurers in the world of Norrath. EQuinox is a community driven magazine written by players, developers and EQ II enthusiasts providing insight, information and excitement about the world of EQ II. Pre-orders for the second issue of EQuinox are scheduled to begin today.

Players who pre-order and purchase the second issue of EQuinox will receive Two Legends of Norrath loot cards:
• EQ II Loot- The War Scout: Wall painting grants a rent status reduction of 300
• EverQuest Loot- Familiar of Valik the Cruel: Summons a cruel and spiteful Gargoyle familiar

EQuinox issue No2 features:
• Artisan Section
• Legends of Norrath Forsworn Feature and Collectible Poster
• Role Playing Tips
• Leadership Guide
• Norrath Guild Bill of Rights
• Developer Interviews
• Community News
• Fan Fiction

Suggested Retail Price:
• Issue No2 - $12.99
• Bundle No1 & No2 - $18.99
• Issue No1 - $8.99
WHEN: Pre-orders are scheduled to begin today and run through
11:59pm PST Monday, March 10th

WHERE: For more information about the magazine log onto
www.equinox-magazine.com
To pre-order the magazine log onto www.store.station.sony.com, click on EverQuest II listed under "products by game" in the left hand margin, and follow the instructions.

PC VIDEO GAME DEMOCRACY RELEASED

Stores Nationwide Vote For Democracy

PC GAME DEMOCRACY RELEASED

Democracy, the political strategy game on PC from Ascaron Entertainment, is elected into stores across the UK today. Players take control of countries modelled on real democratic nations such as the UK, USA, France, Germany or Sweden.

As Prime Minister or President, players need 50% of the vote at each election to remain in power. Think strategically to secure position for as long as possible – implement the necessary new policies or solve national crises to placate or rile voters.

Make decisions on a number of controversial subjects including the legality of cannabis, drinking laws, street violence, fuel tax or the Armed Services that serve to either attract voters or dispel the voting public. You could choose to maintain the ‘special relationship’ with America, or alternatively look to Europe for closer alliances.

Whatever you decide, your electorate will tell you what it thinks; the response means winning and losing power.

Fast facts:
Publisher: Ascaron Entertainment (UK)
Web: www.ascaron.com
Developer: Positech Games
Release date: February 15th 2008
PEGI: 3+
Format: PC
Genre: Business Strategy

LEGO Indiana Jones Web game online

LEGO Indiana Jones Web game online

Three Melons has teamed up with LEGO to create its latest Flash Web-based advergame: LEGO.com Indiana Jones. The game features Indy as its main star and easy to learn, hard to master gameplay suitable for players of different ages. “LEGO is an amazing client to work with and being able to play with Indy was something amazing for the team”, said Mariano Suárez Battán, Captain Melon (aka CEO) at the studio.

“We wanted to keep true to the Indiana Jones story, provide astounding visuals and mouse driven gameplay that allows everybody to play but makes it complex to achieve the maximum score possible”, declared Pablo Mayer and Augusto Petrone, Producer and Lead Game Designer respectively in the project.

Brent Hill, the internet content manager of LEGO Playthemes commented: “The LEGO Indiana Jones online game sets a new bar for wickedly-fun play, integration with our global communication strategy, faithfulness to the storyline and excellent adherence to the LEGO brand values (and have you seen the graphics? They ROCK!) Three Melons have far exceeded our brief and I look forward to partnering with them more in the future!”

The game is now live and ready to be played online at: http://indianajones.lego.com/en-US/Games/Default.aspx

Satellite imaginary provided by NASA in Geo-political Supreme Ruler 2020

Satellite imaginary provided by NASA in Geo-political Supreme Ruler 2020

Publisher Paradox Interactive releases screens showing one of the title's most unique features

Leading strategy publisher Paradox Interactive released today a new set of screen shots of the next big title within the geo-political strategy genre, Supreme Ruler 2020.

By using high resolution satellite imagery provided courtesy of NASA, the Canadian developer BattleGoat Studios has certainly managed to create a unique feeling of accuracy when playing as one of 250 regions world-wide. In Supreme Ruler 2020 players can zoom in from outer space to small regions and capitals such as Stockholm, Sweden, shown in the accompaning screenshots.

Release: May 2008
Suggested retail price: USD 39.99/ EUR 39.99

Aerosmith Rocks This Way To Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Free download

World Renowned Recording Group Aerosmith Rocks This Way To Guitar Hero®: Aerosmith®

Epic Collaboration Creates First Music-Based Game to Feature One Band

Free Download of “Dream On” Offered to Commemorate Alliance

Fire up the fret board, crank the amp to 11 and get ready to rock this way with Activision, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, the first game built around the legendary music of America’s Greatest Rock ‘N Roll Band: Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer. Slated for release this June, this latest installment from the franchise with the No1 best-selling video game in 2007, puts players in the shoes of Perry (guitar), Whitford (guitar) and Hamilton (bass), as they rock out alongside frontman Tyler and drummer Kramer. Gamers will experience Aerosmith’s GRAMMY winning career, from their first gig to becoming rock royalty, in a way that no other entertainment vehicle offers.

To celebrate this historic, ground-breaking collaboration, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock fans will have the opportunity to download and jam to Aerosmith’s “Dream On.” The song will be available for free from February 16-18 on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION Store for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. For more information, please visit www.guitarhero.com.

“Having a game built around Aerosmith has been a huge honor and really a great experience for us,” says Joe Perry. “We’ve put a lot of ideas into the game so that fans can have fun interacting with our music, getting inside our body of work and learning about the band’s history.”

Steven Tyler says, “Any band that can go from ‘Don’t Want to Miss A Thing’ (Aerosmith’s No1 smash hit) to the ass-kicking ‘Sweet Emotion’ to the cheekiness of ‘Love in an Elevator,’ to the classic ballad ‘Dream On’ shows why Activision chose us to headline this game based on the diversity of the Aerosmith catalog. Not only is songwriting a bitch, but then it goes and has puppies.”

Perry adds, “On a larger scale, it’s cool for us to be pioneers helping to rebuild the music industry through a format like video games. It’s great for rock since the record companies are struggling to make sense of how things are changing. Fans want to get and experience music in new formats-and there are going to be some of them who will play the game, then pick up the guitar for real and start bands. It’s what’s happening now, and it’s only going to build more momentum in the future. It’s a massive change for the music business.”

“We are extremely excited that Aerosmith chose to team up with Guitar Hero, bringing one of the world’s all-time best-selling artists together with one of the biggest video game brands, to deliver a new and unique interactive way for our customers to connect with artists and their music,” said Dusty Welch, head of publishing for Activision/RedOctane. “This partnership will give Aerosmith, a band that has sold more than 150 million albums worldwide, a powerful and innovative platform to reach their fans and new audiences.”

Guitar Hero: Aerosmith brings these quintessential rock legends to the interactive realm to create the ultimate gaming experience. As fans progress through their careers in the game, they can rock out to scores of Aerosmith’s greatest hits, as well as songs from celebrated artists that the band has either performed with or has been inspired by in some way. Venues from historical moments during the band’s illustrious career offer the experience of “sweet emotion” and further capture the essence of the band’s rise to fame.

Guitar Hero: Aerosmith is being developed by Neversoft Entertainment for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. The Wii™ version is being developed by Vicarious Visions. The PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system version is being developed by Budcat. The game is not yet rated by the ESRB.