Jagex Launches FunOrb Games New games portal offers greater depth of gameplay and community features

Jagex Launches FunOrb Games

New games portal offers greater depth of gameplay and community features

Jagex Ltd, the online games developer behind RuneScape, today launched FunOrb, their latest games offering. FunOrb is an engaging website that offers an array of online games, which have greater depth of play than traditional casual games.

FunOrb has been designed with time-pressed gamers in mind. “For the first time, there is a generation of experienced gamers, turned young professionals, who want to play and be challenged, but are unable to devote large amounts of free time to gaming. FunOrb addresses this niche by blending quality entertainment with social functionality, offering players of all levels a complete social gaming experience.” said Geoff Iddison, CEO, Jagex.

FunOrb will encompass a broad range of game genres, including classic shooters, puzzlers, 3D platformers and strategy games. FunOrb offers a mix of single and multiplayer games, complete with virtual ‘lobbies’ enabling users to choose who to play against from hundreds of other FunOrb players. Additional features such as friends league tables, player achievements, forums and instant messaging will also be available in-game or on the website.

While a large portion of FunOrb is free, those who become members will be granted complete access to the site with additional game levels, achievements and community features. A new game or feature will be added to FunOrb every two weeks and new multiplayer elements will be rolled out as the site continues to evolve.

FunOrb games use the same Java technology that helped to make RuneScape so successful. The proprietary technology means that the games can be played using any internet browser, without the need for long downloads or access to a high speed internet connection. Once downloaded, the games are cached and available almost instantly.

Pricing and Availability
FunOrb games are available to play by visiting www.funorb.com. Membership costs just £2.00/$3.00/€2.50 per month or alternatively, if players purchase a combined FunOrb and RuneScape package, FunOrb membership will cost only £1.40/$2.00/€2.00 per month. The service is fully localised into English and German and will be launched in new languages throughout 2008/9.

SACRED 2: FALLEN ANGEL - Fact Sheet

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is an Action RPG with a rich story that takes place in a giant, open-ended and seamless world. This world contains hundreds of dungeons, treacherous opponents and a variety of challenging quests. Intelligent enemies, steadily adapting in number and difficulty based on player progress, challenge in heroic single- and multiplayer battles.

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel provides numerous unique items that can be gathered in this mystical world. A deep reward system further enables advancements of character, individual attributes and character-specific fighting styles, each designed to keep players returning to the world of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel to discover what is around the next bend. Drop-in styled cooperative multiplayer gameplay ensures players will enjoy the game alone or seamlessly with friends at any time. Five unique multiplayer modes round out the experience and offer a refreshing, first-class gaming experience in Sacred 2: Fallen Angel.

Key features

• • A huge, seamless and dynamic world that allows for free-form exploration
  
• Two campaigns: play as the “Light” or “Shadow” side, complete with distinct skills, rewards and story-elements tailored to the chosen path
  
• Six exceptional, playable characters, each with a distinct look, capabilities and in-game motivation
  
• Modifiable combat arts: change and upgrade your alter ego’s combat skills as you make choices throughout the game
  
• Fight effectively from the back of a number of mounts under your control
  
• Deities offer unique combat disciplines to players
  
• The ultimate multiplayer experience – seamless transition between single- and multiplayer gaming modes via the Internet or Xbox Live
  
• Captivating online modes of play challenge gamers in cooperative and PvP play
  
• Extraordinary, cutting-edge graphics utilize the latest technologies
  

The information contained in this fact sheet relates to a prerelease product that may be substantially modified before its first commercial release. Accordingly, the information may not accurately describe or reflect the product when first commercially released. This fact sheet is provided for informational purposes only, and CDV Software Entertainment makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to the fact sheet or the information contained in it.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Final Box Shot Released for Psychological Thriller Adventure Overclocked: A History of Violence

Final Box Shot Released for Psychological Thriller Adventure Overclocked: A History of Violence

In anticipation of the official release of their psychological thriller Adventure game for the PC, Overclocked: A History of Violence, leading computer software publisher Lighthouse Interactive today revealed the final box shot featuring five young men and women using the dark and eerie underground passageways of New York City as their last refuge. Psychiatrist, David McNamara, has the hard task of exploring their minds to find out what happened. Created by award-winning developer House of Tales Entertainment, this highly anticipated psychological thriller Adventure game on PC DVD-ROM is scheduled to release on May 2, 2008 in the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and Benelux territories and it will begin shipping to major retail stores across Canada and the U.S. on March 31, 2008.

Overclocked explores an archetypical, yet actual condition of mankind: violence. Players will become engrossed in a world where memories and illusions; dreams and reality; perpetrators and victims… collide. Overclocked: A History of Violence is Windows Vista compatible.

To download the official box shot, visit:
ftp://ftp.lighthouse-interactive.com/Overclocked/

To find out more about 'Overclocked: A History of Violence' and to keep up with the latest news on the game, visit www.lighthouse-interactive.com.

GAME SUMMARY

Set against the backdrop of a catastrophic thunderstorm raging over New York City, step into the world of Overclocked as army psychiatrist, David McNamara. You are called to the Staten Island Forensic Hospital in New York City to consult on a case that requires your expertise in forensic psychiatry. Tasked with exploring the minds of five young men and women who were found scared, screaming, and without memory, you make alarming discoveries as you begin to cautiously probe the psyches of your young patients. Throughout the game, you will play as five other characters in this chilling interactive psycho thriller.

FEATURES

• Experience Overclocked from various perspectives as you play as six different characters throughout the game
• Explore 45 diverse locations with densely animated pre-rendered settings
• Innovative storytelling techniques create a unique gameplay experience
• Meet and interact with a cast of intriguing characters, each with their own distinct personalities
• Characters come to life with fluid movements and realistic facial expressions created with Emotion™ FX 2 technology
• Cinematic cut-scenes designed using advanced camera techniques pioneered by feature films
• Exceptional visuals enhanced by shadow and shader effects, real-time atmospheric particle effects (rain, snow, lightening), and dynamic lighting
• Unique icon-based dialogue system

MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

OS: Windows 2000 / XP / Vista
CPU: 1.3 GHz Intel Pentium or AMD Athlon processor
RAM: 512 MB RAM (1 GB recommended for Windows Vista)
Video: DirectX 9-compliant video card Shader Model 1.1
PC DVD-ROM: 4x
Sound: DirectX 9 compliant sound card
Available Hard Disk Space: 4.4 GB
DirectX: 9.0c
Other: Mouse, Keyboard and Speakers

Brings Friends Closer Together With Go! Messenger Video chat, voice chat and instant messaging for PSP

Brings Friends Closer Together With Go!Messenger

Video chat, voice chat and instant messaging for PSP

Friends and Gamers can be that little closer together with the launch of Go!Messenger, the new wireless communication package for PSP (PlayStationPortable) from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) and BT.

PSP users can now keep in touch with each other, for free[1], from any wireless broadband internet connection. Go!Messenger will allow gamers to Video, Voice and Instant Message (IM) each other from anywhere in the world all from their PSPs. When connected to a Go!Cam, the attachable video camera and microphone for PSP, users also have the ability to make video calls to their friends and leave fun video and voice messages.

Go!Messenger has been developed in partnership with BT, allowing users to connect to wireless broadband at over 2,500 BT Openzone hotspots and in and around city centres. Users will have the freedom of a mobile phone except that through Go! Messenger all calls to other users are free1.

“With Go!Messenger, the PSP is pushing new boundaries, adding unique communication features to all the existing multimedia experiences,” said Stephane Hareau, PSP European Marketing Manager. “Enabling more than 8.5 Million PSP users across the SCEE region to communicate with each other, through Video or Voice chat, truly confirms the always evolving nature and potential of PSP."

Warren Buckley, BT Group Director Mobility & Convergence said, “By working with PlayStation, BT is helping to consolidate PSP as a communications and entertainment device that will sit at the heart of a PSP user’s digital lifestyle. For the first time, the PSP community can stay constantly connected through voice and video chat and instant messaging both in and out of the home. We believe that this exciting development will only help SCEE to attract even more customers for the PSP.”

Obscure: The Aftermath And The Audition Set To 'Warm Up' Both Gamers And Music Fans

Ignition Entertainment has partnered with Chicago-based music group THE AUDITION on the band’s latest music video. The music video for “Warm Me Up,” the pop-rock quintet’s first single off their second album, Champion (Victory Records), features gameplay footage from Ignition’s upcoming survival-horror videogame Obscure: The Aftermath (Wii, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PC). In turn, The Audition provided several songs for use in a series of groundbreaking live-action trailers created by Ignition to promote Obscure: The Aftermath.

“The Audition is a fantastic band, and their energy on the single ‘Warm Me Up’ really compliments our teen horror game Obscure: The Aftermath,” said Ajay Chadha, president of Ignition Entertainment USA. “The videogame has a unique blend of genuine horror, witty dialogue and awesome co-op gameplay. It’s only fitting that this one-of-a-kind game benefits from such a unique, synergetic collaboration between the music and videogame industries.”

The first-of-their-kind trailers are the opening scenes from Obscure: The Aftermath and follow the story of a group of friends attending college who discover that a mysterious black flower, with addictive hallucinogenic effects, also has the terrifying ability to transform people into hideous monsters. The films were shot at the old American Greetings Creative Studios building set just outside of Cleveland, Ohio, and feature a cast of sexy, young men and women, including Cleveland native Matt Waldeck, who recently appeared in “The Young and the Restless.” The Audition’s “Warm Me Up” music video was shot in conjunction with the trailers and features the same set and actors.

For more information about The Audition or their sophomore album, Champion, please visit www.theauditionrocks.com or www.myspace.com/theaudition.

Shuttle introduces attractive Mini-PC solution for demanding gamers

Shuttle introduces attractive Mini-PC solution for demanding gamers

XPC P2 3500G ensures games run smoothly through its high-grade components and delivers a unique gaming experience

Shuttle Inc., the market leader in the Mini-PC sector and manufacturer of Multi-Form-Factor solutions, in the run-up to CeBIT is now supplying a Mini-PC Complete System specifically suited to gamers with its optimally-tuned configuration.

"The high performance of the specially selected components is particularly striking", explained Tom Seiffert, Head of Marketing & PR at Shuttle Computer Handels GmbH. "Our proven Heatpipe-Cooling System with its automatic rotational control is supported in this Mini-PC through the 'OASIS' chipset cooling which is also based on Heatpipes."

The XPC P2 3500G is based on the aluminium-manufactured XPC Barebone SP35P2 Pro and uses an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 processor with four cores. Four Gigabyte DDR2-800 quality memories from takeMS (Model: TMS2GB264C081-805) ensure no waiting times in dual-channel mode. A fast 750 GB Serial-ATAII Samsung hard disk (Model: Spinpoint F DT Series HD753LJ) with 32 MB cache also contains additional memory capacity. It easily accommodates the HD-capable ATI Radeon HD3870 graphics card with 512 MB and also the current DirectX-10 games.

Shuttle provides an integrated fingerprint scanner for those enthusiastic users who use the high system performance for better working and who value the extra security highly. The Mini-PC with its high-quality finish is available now as a bundle package with Wireless-LAN, a DVD burner and a 25-in-1 card reader and pre-installed Windows Vista.

For servicing the Complete System purchaser of the can make use of the 24 month Pick-up-and-Return-Service and a Europe-wide free telephone hotline. Shuttle's recommended price is EUR 1,450 (ex VAT). The configuration of the Complete System can be individually adapted in the Shuttle Systems Configurator.

Samurai Warriors 2 Xtreme Legends Moves Online

Samurai Warriors 2 Xtreme Legends Moves Online

Xbox 360 version available only as a download on the Xbox LIVE online entertainment network.

KOEI today announced the release of Samurai Warriors 2 Xtreme Legends as an additional download for Samurai Warriors 2. It will be available on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Featuring new characters, levels and play modes, Samurai Warriors 2 XL greatly enhances the Samurai Warriors experience, adding a multitude of new features to this legendary series. Samurai Warriors 2 Xtreme Legends is scheduled for release on Xbox 360 via Xbox Live download on March 21, 2008.

The release of Samurai Warriors 2 Xtreme Legends sees KOEI’s first moves into download content for European gamers. The game is only available to owners of Samurai Warriors 2 on Xbox 360, who will be able to download an entire new game’s worth of content to enhance and expand their Samurai Warriors experience.

Samurai Warriors 2 XL will also be available on PS2 as a standalone game which can also be used to power up the Samurai Warriors 2 experience or be played on its own as an entirely new Samurai Warriors experience. Samurai Warriors 2 Xtreme Legends on PS2 will be available in stores on March 21, 2008.


About SAMURAI WARRIORS 2 XTREME LEGENDS

Samurai Warriors 2 Xtreme Legends introduces brand new levels, play modes, characters and challenges, whilst also enhancing the Samurai Warriors 2 experience. It enables owners of SW2 to power up all of the original characters with new charge attacks and a fifth new weapon and increase their growth level from 50 to 70. Players are also able to use the brand new SW2 XL characters in SW2’s Survival, Story and Sugaroku modes.

Samurai Warriors 2 Xtreme Legends also features 36 new scenarios, including the new battlefields of Okehazama and Shikoku, and the brand new Mercenary mode, where players get the chance to hire other samurai to fight alongside you. 2 player co-op mode can be played in Story mode and Free mode and the game now has two new difficulty modes for beginners and veterans alike, leading to six in total.

And most significantly Samurai Warriors 2 Xtreme Legends introduces six new legendary characters: Kojiro Sasaki, Yoshimoto Imagawa, Katsuie Shibata, Toshiie Maeda, Motochika Chosokabe and Gracia.


Chosokabe Motochika

He looks calm and unflappable but always has passion in his heart. His weapon is a Shamisen. It is a traditional Japanese guitar and he uses the sound waves from this weapon to attack his enemies.

Gracia
She is a daughter of Mitsuhide Akechi. She has a curious and innocent character. On her travels through Japan she met Magoichi Saiga and built a great relationship with him. Her weapon is her martial arts ability and agile movement coupled with her magical power.


Imagawa Yoshimoto
He is a man of refined taste such as his love of Kemari (an ancient Japanese sport similar to football) or poems rather than War or politics. He is very proud of his lineage but is always pretty idle on the battle field and keen to avoid dangerous situations. His weapons are the Katana and the ball of Kemari.

Maeda Toshiie
A hot-blooded man who makes much of bonds of friendship. He respects Katsuie Shibata and treats him like a father. His weapons are the Katana with a wide blade and two spears. He overwhelms enemies by super quick attacks with his sword and wide-range attacks with spears.

Sasaki Kojiro
He is Musashi Miyamoto’s rival and a man who wants to master the way of sword. He understands the sword is just a weapon for killing people and he believes defeating people in battle is the only way to be a true sword master. His weapons are the Katana with a very long thin blade and the gigantic Katana which is summoned from a parallel world.

Shibata Katsuie
He is a fearless soldier who belongs to Nobunaga Oda. He tries to teach the way of the Samurai Warrior to Toshiie Maeda whom he treats as a real son throughout his battles. His weapons are two gigantic axes. His powerful attack can sweep all opponents in front of him.

About Koei Ltd.
KOEI Ltd. is a subsidiary of Japanese company KOEI Co., Ltd. and has had offices in Hertfordshire, UK since 2003. KOEI maintains operations in Japan, the US, UK, Canada, China, Korea, France, Taiwan, Singapore, and Lithuania. KOEI employs over 900 people worldwide with sales exceeding $250 million. The company constantly seeks to achieve a fine balance between entertainment, technology, art and education and provides games that will mesmerize gamers globally.

Victorious Boxers Challenge on Nintendo Wii Fact Sheet

Ubisoft presents:

Victorious Boxers Challenge

Release Date: 28th March 2008
Website: www.ubi.com/uk
Formats: Nintendo Wii

Enjoy several rounds with your friends or play through the deep and compelling Story Mode as you follow the story of Ippo Makunouchi, a high school student who is bullied by his classmates, while he tries to rise to the top of the professional boxing ranks.

Key Features:

Live a realistic boxing experience in first person view:
• Your boxing moves are replicated on the screen

Choose among 3 different control modes:
• Swing Mode: very realistic
• Pointer Mode: very precise
• Classic Controller Mode : easy to play

Improve your boxing skills:
• Battle your way up the ranks through the Story Mode to claim the Pro Boxing Championship

Enjoy the Sparring Mode with your friends:
• Variety of adjustable settings : number of rounds or KO limits

Unlock and choose your fighter among 25 different boxers:
• Each of them has his own devastating special moves

Discover a variety of stages:
• 10 different rings, from the local boxing gyms to the Las Vegas Arena

Developer: Grand Prix

Dynasty Warriors 6 Website Is Ready For Action

The Dynasty Warriors 6 Website Is Ready For Action

More Dynasty Warriors info and eye teasing visuals than you can shake a pointy spear at and free Japanese Artbooks when pre-ordered at Game website.

KOEI today launched the Dynasty Warriors 6 website ahead of the game’s release on March 7th. The website details all of the characters and new weapons along with info on every facet of the game. Learn about the new RENBU system and discover some of the new techniques that will need to mastered in order to defeat the tooled up armies that await. Discover how the new skill allocation system works and see the game in action with a multitude of exclusive videos that reveal the games stunning new character animations in spectacular fashion. Dynasty Warriors 6 will be available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system on March 7, 2008. The full list of playable characters, currently hidden on this site, will also be revealed on this day.

To view the site head to www.dynastywarriors6.co.uk

Dynasty Warriors 6 will also come with a free high quality Japanese Artbook when pre-ordered at Game.co.uk. This hardback collector’s item details all of the characters from the game in stunning, full page, hand drawn artwork. A fantastic addition to the game experience and completely free when pre-ordered at Game.co.uk.

About DYNASTY WARRIORS 6

Set in Ancient China during the 3rd century, Dynasty Warriors 6 immerses gamers in a truly cinematic kung-fu action experience. Celebrated characters have been completely re-imagined with new weapons and fighting techniques motion-captured from some of today’s leading stuntmen and women in Asia. With the game’s new “Renbu” attack system and game controls, players can execute lightning-fast combos and the most dazzling fighting moves with ease.

Developed from the ground up exclusively for next-generation platforms, the game’s proprietary engine delivers the most chaotic and challenging Tactical Action experience to date. Players can use the landscape to elude the thousands of soldiers swarming the battlefield. But as players move and attack, adaptable enemy A.I. devises offensive and defensive combat tactics, and can retaliate with packs of fierce hunting dogs and patrol boats. All of the explosive action comes to life in high definition, 60 frames per second graphics.

Based on the epic novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Dynasty Warriors 6 depicts the massive battles ignited by the fall of the Han Dynasty when three rebellious states moved to overthrow the Emperor of China.

Use Your Wits to Restore the Glory of the Ancient Persian Kingdom

Use Your Wits to Restore the Glory of the Ancient Persian Kingdom

Awem studio announces the release of version 1.0 of Cradle Of Persia, an astonishing match 3 puzzle that lets you become the creator of the greatest architectural treasures of Persia. Use your wits to build some of the most amazing monuments in the Middle East history.

The Earth has known many great empires, but none of them had as many tales as Persia. The legends say it was a place of amazing architecture and culture, the land of golden palaces and almighty genii. The story of the Persian kingdom had its rises and downfalls and composed of several epochs. And it's is your destiny to guide Persian people towards prosperity and wealth with your final goal of possessing the greatest artifact you can ever imagine. You are to restore some of the most significant places on the Persian map, solving intriguing puzzles to find out what's hidden behind the sacred doors of the Cradle of Persia. And so your journey begins.

Welcome to Persepolis, this is where you start off. It's the capital of the Empire but there's little left of its former glory, the precious pearl of Persia has turned into faded ruins. The only hope to restore the noble city is to collect scattered resources presented by tiles. To do so, you need to link three or more similar tiles by clicking on the first piece and dragging cursor over the adjacent ones. But to get the job done, you also need to get rid of all marble plaques underlying some tiles. That won't be easy with all the obstacles to face with, such as chains, boxes and walls preventing tiles from sealing. There's also a timer giving extra challenge to the player.

As there are plenty of obstacles standing on your way, there are even more means to avoid them. Cradle Of Persia awards nice matching with bonuses. At first you can only use dynamite but as the game progresses you will gradually enlarge your collection up to eight bonuses, facilitating your challenge in various ways. That includes the power of lightning, hourglasses, magic wands, etc. Moreover, you can double the fun by upgrading bonuses by playing well and make series of strikes using several bonuses together.

Still, there's much more to do after you handle a puzzle. Cradle Of Persia wouldn't be so extremely addictive without the city construction part. Certain types of tiles bring you resources that may be spent on erecting various structures, each giving you some sort of advantage for the upcoming challenges. You decide how to rebuild the city and select which buildings should appear. This feature has a serious impact on the gameplay - to success in restoring the city you have to remember gathering resources even when the timer rushes fiercely.

In Cradle Of Persia, it takes a long road to fulfill your role, but the prize for your effort is great. On your path comprised of over 100 levels you will witness 7 historical epochs and reveal 20 most valuable architectural treasures of Persia, and finally, discover the secret of the Cradle of Persia. Altogether the game offers a good old match 3 entertainment with impeccable visuals and a catching background story. Make the history of Persia with your own hands. Please, try out the free trial right now from http://www.awem.com/cradle-of-persia.html.

Pricing and Availability

Cradle Of Persia runs under all versions of Windows and costs $19.95 (USD) for a single-user license. Licensed customers are entitled to the fully-functional version of the product, free technical support and free upgrades. Further information on Cradle Of Persia, as well as a free trial copy is available free of charge from http://www.awem.com/cradle-of-persia.html.