Fashion Boutique enjoys a glamorous grand opening!

Total Eclipse (www.totaleclipsegames.com) is proud to announce that their latest title, Fashion Boutique, is now available. Manage several floundering clothing stores on the East Coast of America on your quest to bring them financial success in this time management game for the fashion crowd.

Fashion Boutique features 5 different stores of 10 stages each. Handle 12 challenging customer types as they bring the game to life, each with their own demands and quirks. As you progress through the game you will move from city to city and at the same time earn new garments for your wardrobe, which you can use to dress the main character, as you like. At several intervals in the game you’ll be presented with a Dress up mini game, both as a memory challenge, as well as in free play mode. The easy going soundtrack coupled with immersive sounds and voice-overs create a well rounded gaming experience you will be sure to enjoy!

Playing Fashion Boutique is simple but it requires quick reflexes. As customers come in the store, you have to serve them by bringing the items they order, drag them to changing rooms, so they can try their new clothes on and then taking them to the counter so they can pay. A fun twist introduced early in the game is called Upselling and it allows you to get the customer to buy something else as well, using your sales ability. You can win back customers who lose hearts when they are kept waiting using your charisma to flirt with the men and compliment the ladies. To increase your abilities, you can choose how to spend your free time during the weekends when you are not working at the boutique. Those choices will also affect the development of the story, which is presented through gorgeously illustrated comic cut scenes.

The Fashion World awaits you! Experience the thrill for yourself by downloading the free demo from the official Fashion Boutique website at www.fashionboutiquegame.com.

Exit Games Announces Neutron Integration With Airplay Platform To Enable Multiplayer 3D Mobile Games

Exit Games, a world leading service provider of mobile and online multiplayer gaming, today announced that it will integrate Neutron, its cross-platform multiplayer gaming technology, with AirplayÔ, the ground-breaking native mobile games platform from Ideaworks3D.

Under terms of the agreement, Airplay and Neutron will combine forces to offer mobile game developers a complete solution for multiplayer mobile game development. The addition of Neutron to the Airplay development platform provides developers with the rock solid framework needed to simplify the development of multiplayer mobile games and social communities. Enhanced connectivity features including in-game voice/text chat, real-time multiplayer gaming, leader boards, in-game billing capabilities, and advertisement delivery are all part of the offering. Airplay provides a powerful integrated C++ development environment, which allows a single native application binary to be deployed unmodified to every accessible native platform, including BREW, N-Gage, Symbian OS (Series60 and UIQ3), Windows Mobile, Linux and selected RTOS environments.

“Joining forces with Ideaworks3D falls right in line with our overall goal of reducing the complexity and the cost of development for multiplayer mobile titles,” said Tom Sperry, CEO of Exit Games. “As companies increasingly turn to connected mobile gaming features, we’re confident that Neutron and Airplay will stand out as leading technologies that push the industry forward.”

“The multiplayer mobile gaming capabilities that Neutron brings to Airplay will lead to the development of advanced, connected, and entertaining 3D titles,” added Alex Caccia, CEO of Ideaworks3D. “The Airplay platform is open for middleware providers to bring their additional value to the offering. We’re now in a great position to provide a connected, graphically-rich and cost-effective development platform that addresses the needs of mobile developers and publishers today”.

Exit Games will be exhibiting at Mobile World Congress (Feb. 11-14 in Barcelona) and Game Developer Conference (Feb. 18-22 in San Francisco).

D3Publisher Of America And Vicious Cycle Software's Dead Head Fred Wins WGA's First-Ever Videogame Writing Award

Dead Head Fred, the critically acclaimed videogame created specifically for the PSP (PlayStationPortable) by publisher D3Publisher of America, Inc. (D3PA), and developer Vicious Cycle Software, Inc., has won the Writers Guild of America's inaugural Videogame Writing Award. The 2008 Writers Guild Awards for outstanding achievement in writing for screen, television, documentary, radio, promotion, and videogames during 2007 were announced on Saturday, February 9th.

"D3PA and the entire Dead Head Fred team at Vicious Cycle are all very grateful and humbled by this award," said Yoji Takenaka, executive vice president and chief operations officer, D3PA. "We look forward to bringing fans many more top quality games and continuing to elevate the standard of game writing in the industry."

Developed by the WGA and spearheaded by the Guild's New Media Caucus to encourage storytelling excellence in videogames, improve the status of writers, and foster uniform standards within the gaming industry, the WGA's inaugural Videogame Writing Award spotlights quality work by videogame writers, raising their profiles, and validating their contributions to this rapidly maturing medium. The WGA Videogame Writing Award honors the best qualifying script from a videogame published in the previous year.

"Being nominated along with so many top caliber writers for the first WGA Video Game Writing Award was an honor in itself, so it's fantastic that we won," said Eric Peterson, president and chief executive officer, Vicious Cycle Software. "Dead Head Fred was something we had a lot of fun with and we are glad that players and fans are enjoying the game as much as we do."

Dead Head Fred is rated "M" (Mature - Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor and Strong Language) by the ESRB. In Dead Head Fred, writers and nominees Dave Ellis and Adam Cogan draw players into an original 1940's-inspired alternative universe where players take on the role of Fred Neuman, a private detective savagely murdered and then resurrected in a bizarre scientific experiment without his memory or his head. Players embark on a quest for vengeance as they solve their own murder by using the severed heads of enemies as replacements for the one missing on the game's cranium-impaired hero.

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