The future of gaming is on the internet or network say experts

The future of the games industry lies with the internet and content delivered from central servers, a panel of game luminaries has predicted.

"Everything is moving towards the network," said Neil Young, general manager of EA Los Angeles.

Phil Harrison, Sony's head of worldwide studios, said: "Public utility computing is absolutely the future of the games industry."

The panel was assembled by developer Dave Perry to discuss industry issues.

The panel included online gaming pioneer Raph Koster, Fable creator Peter Molyneux and Dungeon Siege creator Chris Taylor.

"A huge game changer for our industry is for there not to be a requirement for there to be a machine in the home," said Mr Young.

More from the BBC

New "Codename: Panzers PC video game - Cold War" Screenshots Released

Developer Stormregion and publisher 10TACLE STUDIOS today released new screenshots and the box art for "Codename Panzers: Cold War." The screenshots offer a glimpse of the variety in the game's levels as well as demonstrating the completely re-worked Gepard3 graphics engines performance. The new real-time strategy game from famed Hungarian studio Stormregion is set in the early 50's, during the Cold War. From Berlin's Tempelhof Airport players set out on a campaign that will take them through Western Europe to far-off Kazakhstan. The newest episode of the "Codename Panzers" series is due for release on PC in March 2008.

During the Cold War conflict, a period in which the differences of opinion between the Allied occupying forces and the Soviet Union become ever sharper, an airplane accident occurs over Tempelhof Airport during the Berlin Blockade, with grave consequences. The tragic collision of an American airplane carrying relief goods with a Russian fighter plane costs not only the lives of both crews, but also overstretches the already tense relations between the occupying forces. Under the command of the merciless Stalin, the Red Army has undergone a tremendous expansion at the end of the Second World War and has more-or-less been waiting for the right time to extend their territory to the West by attacking the NATO.

WARRIORS OROCHI VIDEO GAME COMING TO SONY PSP PlayStationPortable and AND PC

KOEI, recognized worldwide as the premier brand of strategy and action games, announced today that Warriors Orochi will ship for PSP (PlayStation Portable) system on March 25, 2008 and for Windows-based PC in March 2008. Warriors Orochi is in stores now for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system.

Warriors Orochi for PSP boasts the massive seamless battlefields of the console versions, while previous games in the series for handheld platforms had combat taking place on battlefields divided into smaller “cells”. The handheld release includes all 79 playable characters, and features 2-player co-op play via wireless (ad-hoc).

Warriors Orochi for Windows-based PC features enhanced graphics (for PCs meeting the recommended system requirements) and will be available exclusively through digital download.

About Warriors Orochi
Without warning, the venomous Serpent King Orochi descended from the heavens. Using his unworldly powers to shatter time and space, Orochi kidnapped the strongest, wisest and most courageous warriors from Ancient China and Feudal Japan in a scheme to test his might against the heroes of these ages.

In Warriors Orochi the characters from both franchises must team-up to wage war against this new, yet powerful force. The game boasts an amazing roster of 79 playable characters, while four action-packed “crossover” storylines feature amazing team-ups and some long-awaited confrontations between characters from both series.

The game’s new “Team Battle System” and “Weapon Fusion” push Tactical Action to a whole new level. For the first time in KOEI’s Tactical Action games, players can create their own three-person tag team. At any given time, one warrior will be engaged in battle, while the other two are recuperating; restoring their Life Meters and Musou Gauges. Every character is categorized according to offensive ability, and with new fighting techniques, it’s up to the player to find the most lethal combination of warriors. “Weapon Fusion” lets players combine the attributes from different weapons for more devastating results.

SEGA Reveals Details Of Upcoming Aliens: Colonial Marines Video Game

SEGA Europe Ltd. and SEGA of America, Inc. today revealed details of the highly anticipated squad-based first-person shooter video game, Aliens: Colonial Marines. Licensed through an exclusive agreement with Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising and developed by Gearbox Software, the game will be available on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Windows-based PC in late 2008.

In Aliens: Colonial Marines, players are part of a United States Colonial Marine squad and must prepare to face an alien assault more intense and horrific than ever before. Driven by a compelling and original story penned by renowned writers Bradley Thompson and David Weddle Aliens: Colonial Marines will retain the atmospheric look and feel of the original films while leveraging next-generation technology to create an entirely new interactive Aliens experience.

Packing classic Aliens weaponry ranging from pulse rifles to flamethrowers as well as brand-new equipment and skills all within a squad-based combat system, players will become an elite United States Colonial Marine. Featuring claustrophobic environments, a brooding soundtrack, and a multitude of surprises and shocks, players will battle against menacing alien hordes in strikingly detailed levels that include the stark interiors of the abandoned Sulaco and unique environments created specifically for the game.

Aliens: Colonial Marines will feature a story driven single-player mode and an all-new four player co-op mode allowing players to share the chilling experience with three friends. In co-op mode, each player will assume the persona of a Colonial Marine and have a distinct role to play in the completion of every mission. Additionally, more multiplayer modes will be revealed later in the year that will complete the Aliens video game experience.

Since its 1979 debut, Alien and its three sequels have grossed more than $557 million worldwide, garnering numerous awards, including two Academy Awards.

For more information, please visit www.sega.com/aliens, for assets please visit http://www.sega-press.com/.

SEGA Reveals Details Of Upcoming Aliens: Colonial Marines Video Game

SEGA Europe Ltd. and SEGA of America, Inc. today revealed details of the highly anticipated squad-based first-person shooter video game, Aliens: Colonial Marines. Licensed through an exclusive agreement with Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising and developed by Gearbox Software, the game will be available on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Windows-based PC in late 2008.

In Aliens: Colonial Marines, players are part of a United States Colonial Marine squad and must prepare to face an alien assault more intense and horrific than ever before. Driven by a compelling and original story penned by renowned writers Bradley Thompson and David Weddle Aliens: Colonial Marines will retain the atmospheric look and feel of the original films while leveraging next-generation technology to create an entirely new interactive Aliens experience.

Packing classic Aliens weaponry ranging from pulse rifles to flamethrowers as well as brand-new equipment and skills all within a squad-based combat system, players will become an elite United States Colonial Marine. Featuring claustrophobic environments, a brooding soundtrack, and a multitude of surprises and shocks, players will battle against menacing alien hordes in strikingly detailed levels that include the stark interiors of the abandoned Sulaco and unique environments created specifically for the game.

Aliens: Colonial Marines will feature a story driven single-player mode and an all-new four player co-op mode allowing players to share the chilling experience with three friends. In co-op mode, each player will assume the persona of a Colonial Marine and have a distinct role to play in the completion of every mission. Additionally, more multiplayer modes will be revealed later in the year that will complete the Aliens video game experience.

Since its 1979 debut, Alien and its three sequels have grossed more than $557 million worldwide, garnering numerous awards, including two Academy Awards.

For more information, please visit www.sega.com/aliens, for assets please visit http://www.sega-press.com/.

HERO Online Turkey draws near!

Games-Masters.com announced today, that work on the upcoming Online-Roleplaying-Game Hero Online, the first Turkish MMO worldwide, went big steps ahead. The internal testing has been very successful, and thus the Closed Beta will already begin next week. A lot of Turkish-speaking players already registered, but applications are still being accepted for the first phase of testing.

Hero Online was developed by MGame and published in Korea in the spring of 2005. Soon this game climbed the Top-5 of the most successful games in Korea and still continues its huge success. But its success is not limited to just Korea; it is popular in most of Asia as well. It is ranked very highly in both China and Japan, with players connecting from all over the Eastern Hemisphere. The north-american version, published by Netgame, was able to welcome a lot of players.

The Turkish version now will be run by the 100%-daughter company Games-Arena, Istanbul, enabling excellent support and service for Turkish players from all over Europe.

Links:
Games-Masters.com - http://www.games-masters.com
Hero Online Turkey = http://www.heroturkey.com

Exciting times ahead for new look GamesRadar

Future, the special-interest media group, has unveiled an exciting new look for its fast-growing GamesRadar (www.gamesradar.com) website.

Months of development behind the scenes on both sides of the Atlantic have seen the creation of a brand-new GamesRadar.com, built from the ground-up, in response to feedback and comments from users in the US and UK.

The new look has focussed on improving three key elements. The site is now better looking, easier to search and a richer experience.

Better looking: The site is now a great 'shop window' for the innovative, informative, original, challenging and plain weird video game stories the GR editorial team dream up daily. GamesRadar is now much easier on the eye and much easier to get around.

Better search: We've reformatted the database which will drastically improve the quality and quantity of search results.

Better rich media: We've got a new video player, a new screen shot viewer, quick links to jump to specific games, guides and big features, plus loads more to discover.

George Walter, Editor of GamesRadar UK said:

“Over the last year we’ve developed GamesRadar’s editorial content, making it shine among an internet’s worth of tiresome, pedestrian games coverage – now we have a site which makes this great content easier to find and displays it in a fresh new design. Visit the site and you’ll see what I mean.”

James Binns, Publishing Director of GamesRadar UK said:

“GamesRadar is Future’s number one games web brand. We’re already growing our visits and page impressions in the booming games market. The step change we’re putting into our marketing and editorial investment will build an even stronger business. Future is the only media owner capable of offering true multi-media solutions across web, print and events.”

Future’s GamesRadar network of websites has achieved significant reach, with HBX statistics for January 2008 reporting a combined total of 6.3m unique users for the company’s games websites, making it bigger than fhm.com, nme.com, nuts.co.uk, topgear.com and zoo.co.uk combined

Visit the new GameRadar now at www.gamesradar.com

Virtual Console On Wii Expands Into A Commodore 64 Gaming Universe

Already a firm favourite with Wii owners, Virtual Console is once again expanding its catalogue, this time with the addition of a whole new games format. Later this year, Wii owners will be able to enjoy classic titles from the best selling personal computer of all time, the Commodore 64. These titles join classic gems from the likes of Nintendo, SEGA, Turbografx and NEOGEO already available via the Wii Shop Channel.

The release of the Commodore 64 in 1982 was an historic moment for the computer and video games industry. According to the Guinness Book of World Records it remains the best selling single computer model of all time, with an estimated 22 million units sold. Its immense popularity saw an unrivalled collection of over 4,000 rich games titles released through its production lifetime (1982-1994), helping to establish the C64 as a ‘gamers favourite’. Now, some of the greatest Commodore 64 titles will be made available for Wii owners to download and play via the Virtual Console service.

Bala Keilman, CEO of Commodore Gaming, commented, “The massive impact the Commodore 64 had on video-gaming is still evident today with many gamers remembering the computer and its games with great fondness. By working with Nintendo of Europe, we are ensuring that future generations of gamers can play some of the best and most popular titles that kick-started the computer games revolution and so keep the C64 legacy in gamers hearts.”

Laurent Fischer, Managing Director of European Marketing & PR of Nintendo Europe adds, “We are extremely pleased to be working with Commodore Gaming to provide even more retro hits for Wii owners to choose from on Virtual Console. With over 184 classic titles now available to enjoy, Virtual Console on Wii is a great way for users to access a breadth of classic retro games. We hope that this great choice of games will bring nostalgia to our gaming fans, while an entirely new generation of video game players can experience a host of classic games for the very first time.”

Among the first titles from Commodore 64 which will be made available on Virtual Console are International Karate and Uridium. These great titles will be bolstered by regular updates to the line-up from the Commodore 64 back catalogue.

Virtual Console games from Commodore 64 will be available from the Wii Shop Channel soon and can be downloaded for 500 Wii Points each. Currently these titles will only be available on the European Wii Shop Channel.

About Commodore Gaming BV
Founded in 2005, Commodore Gaming is reviving the Commodore brand with a range of mobile, PC and video game products. In March 2007, it successfully launched a line of innovative custom painted gaming PCs which are currently available in retail and e-tail stores across Europe and most recently North America, as well as through its own online webstore (www.commodoregaming.com).

KING OF CLUBS ARRIVES ON Nintendo Wii and Sony PSP

Oxygen Games is delighted to announce that King of Clubs is coming… This wickedly fun and devious party game is set for release on 14th March 2008. With 5 exciting themes, 95 unique holes, collectables, resident course pro’s and much much more… King of Clubs is out soon on Wii and PSP. To see for yourself watch the Trailer - downloadable from Oxygen's press site, or viewable at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cW-ZNDtQHc

About King of Clubs:

Set in a run-down amusement area by a truck-stop somewhere in Nevada, King of Clubs is a fun and engaging party game with a multitude of tricks and visual wit up its sleeve. Designed for casual games players, this is a ‘pick up and play game’ offering 5 exciting environments, 95 unique holes, collectables, a resident course pro and a Pro Shop with groovy gadgets including barmy balls and funky clubs - adding an element of strategy and tactical twist to every game no matter how many times you have already played! It’s so addictive, you just can’t stop!

King of Clubs, for up to four players, will be in shops from 14th March, for Wii and PSP.

Belief & Betrayal Official Box Shot and More Screenshots Released for Thriller Adventure Game

Leading Publisher Lighthouse Interactive and dtp Entertainment AG today revealed the final box shot for their highly anticipated Adventure game Belief & Betrayal. Players are thrust into a secretive and mysterious world of power and intrigue; truth and conspiracy, as well as faith and superstition. This point-and-click, Windows® Vista™ compatible Adventure game for the PC is scheduled to release on March 28, 2008 in the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and Benelux, and will begin shipping to major retail stores across Canada and the U.S. on March 25, 2008. 6 more screenshots accompany this press release.

To download the official box shots and 6 more screenshots, visit: ftp://ftp.lighthouse-interactive.com/

To find out more about Belief & Betrayal and to keep up with the latest news on the game, visit www.lighthouse-interactive.com and www.beliefandbetrayal-game.com.

GAME SUMMARY

As journalist Jonathan Danter, you discover that a ten year old murder is somehow part of a greater mystery that could destroy humanity itself. Filled with baffling plot twists and conspiracy theories, you must uncover the mystery that reaches back through history from 1194 A.D. to the time Judas received 30 pieces of silver to betray Christ.

Travel to exotic locations throughout Europe including: London, Venice, Rome and the Vatican, to uncover skeletons hidden deep within the closets of some of the most powerful leaders around the World.

FEATURES

• Play as 3 different characters throughout the game to solve the mystery
• Find lost ancient manuscripts and decipher mind-boggling codes and symbols
• Explore stunning environments and incredibly re-created historic locations
• Strong action/adventure storyline creates a compelling gameplay experience
• Use the memories and thoughts of the intriguing cast of characters to solve puzzles and expose dark mysteries
• Game based on historical events though the story is pure fiction
• Easy to navigate 3rd person point & click interface using the Virtools engine