YoYoGames.com celebrates 100,000th registered user in 10 months

YoYoGames.com celebrates 100,000th registered user in just 10 months

Young pioneers of a completely new casual games publishing model

YoYo Games is excited to announce that more than 100,000 members have already joined the YoYoGames.com development community, still just in its beta stages. That's 10,000 new registered users a month for each of their first 10 months online, and the growth is accelerating.

"We're very excited about this landmark" says Sandy Duncan, CEO, "registered users may represent less than 10% of our traffic, but they're very special to us. These are the guys making games and generating the content that makes YoYo what it is. We believe we're now the biggest casual games developer community anywhere in the world, and that's pretty amazing"

The evidence certainly suggests that the YoYo user-generated casual gaming formula is striking a cord, and the reason is clear. YoYo's approach brings games development to people who previously couldn't even have considered it.

Empowering gamers to become developers using Game Maker (YoYo's easy to use and freely available software) opens up what was once a very exclusive outlet for creativity to a far broader demographic. While connecting gamers more directly with developers, means that the games develop more organically, in tune with demand. Together these changes represent a significant shift in the games publishing "space".

About YoYoGames.com

YoYo Games Ltd is a UK Based Game Start up founded by Game industry veterans, Sandy Duncan and Michel Cassius. YoYo Games launched its beta site in May 2007 and has grown to be the world's largest user generated game site hosting over 13,000 games. Employing a web 2.0 community model YoYo Games encourages users to "Play, Make, and Share games" for free.

You can visit YYG at www.YoYoGames.com

flOw - The most downloaded game on PlayStation Network is now available on Sony PSP - PlayStationPortable

flOw (PSP)

FACT SHEET

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Developer: SuperVillain Stidios
Platform: PSP (PlayStationPortable) system, exclusively for download on PLAYTATION Store for PC
Genre: Zen Gaming
Rating: “E” for Everyone

OVERVIEW

The most downloaded game on PLAYSTATION Network is now available on Sony PSP (PlayStation Portable) system. Soothing and seductive, flOw (PSP) draws you into the evolution of a simple aquatic creature journeying through a surreal abyss. Initially a Master of Fine Arts thesis, flOw (PSP) is a game about piloting an aquatic organism through a surreal biosphere where players consume other organisms, evolve, and advance their organisms. In flOw (PSP), players can join up in the abyss and enjoy ad-hoc multiplayer gaming with up to 4 others. Or play alone as one of 5 creatures in unique environments. flOw (PSP)’s dynamically adjusting experience allows players with differing skill levels to intuitively adjust their game experience and enjoy playing at their own pace. Lose yourself in the crisp “deep blue” and feel the flOw.

KEY FEATURES

Multiplayer Mode – Simply turn on the PSP system’s WLAN switch and meet up with up to 3 other (4 total) organisms via ad-hoc multiplayer.

Dynamically Adjusting Experience – Players with differing skill levels and/or mood can intuitively customize their game experience and enjoy the game at their own pace.

Developed Specifically for PSP system – Based on the best selling downloadable game on the PLAYSTATION Network, flOw (PSP) has been developed by SuperVillain Studios specifically for PSP.

Crime City, a brand-new crime chasing game for the Windows platform

CRIME CHASING DOESN'T GET MUCH SPICIER THAN THIS!

Game2Gaze is proud to unveil Crime City, a brand-new crime chasing game for the Windows platform. The story involves around a big city filled with criminals. Crime in the city must be controlled and, should it get out of hand, be dealt with swiftly. Therefore, an elite police unit is created. This taskforce consists of Policemen in their cars trained in high speed pursuit and motorized urban tactics whose mission is to intervene rapidly and intercept any and all threats to the public before any harm be done. These policemen take their orders from YOU. You are the only line between order and anarchy. Take command of this elite police unit and let no one cross it.

Crime City is a Fast Paced Point & Click Casual game in which speed and strategy are important. The rounds usually last no more than a few minutes each but there is a great deal of strategy buried in the game play.

For more details, visit http://www.crimecitythegame.com.

Disney Friends video game out now for Nintendo DS

Disney Friends Now Available in Retail Stores Nationwide for Nintendo DS

Interact with Your Favorite Characters from Popular Disney Films and Create Lasting Friendships with Stitch, Dory, Simba, and Winnie the Pooh

Disney Interactive Studios announced today that the virtual life simulation and adventure game Disney Friends for Nintendo DS™ has shipped to stores across North America. Disney Friends is a brand new adventure simulation game that allows children to interact with their favorite characters from popular Disney films including “The Lion King,” “Winnie the Pooh,” “Lilo & Stitch,” and Disney/Pixar’s “Finding Nemo.”

“Disney Friends gives players the chance to interact with and befriend some of their favorite Disney characters and embark on new and exciting adventures,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president, global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “With Disney Friends, players can take their new friends wherever they go, explore their worlds and build lasting friendships along the way.”

Disney Friends is a simulation video game that teaches players the virtues of caring and nurturing friendships, all while creating a unique adventure in the worlds of their favorite Disney characters. The game features helpful tips and guidance from the feisty, fun-loving fairy, Tinker Bell. Players use the Nintendo DS touch screen and microphone to explore the worlds of Stitch, Dory, Simba, and Winnie the Pooh. In addition, players can use voice recognition features on the DS to influence their character’s actions and behaviors. Players can obtain unique tradable “pins” and earn valuable gold through a multitude of adventures in the various character worlds. The gold allows players to purchase new objects such as food, clothing and toys for their friends to keep them happy.

This unique video game allows players to interact with their friends in day or night exploration mode through the Nintendo DS’ real-time clock. It even allows players to celebrate special events and holidays in the virtual world. Fans can also capture special moments with the in-game camera and save them to browse for years to come.

Published by Disney Interactive Studios and developed by Amaze Entertainment, Disney Friends is rated “E” for Everyone. It is now available in stores nationwide for Nintendo DS for $29.99.

For more information on Disney Interactive Studios and Disney Friends, visit http://www.disney.com/videogames.

Dream Pinball 3D soon on Nintendo Wii and DS

"Dream Pinball 3D" is coming to Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS

Cutting edge pinball videogame to make European debut on Wii and Nintendo DS

“Dream Pinball 3D” will be a cutting-edge pinball simulation for Wii and Nintendo DS making the best use of available technologies to elevate pinball simulations to the next level. Featuring six distinctive tables, “Dream Pinball 3D” draws on the latest hardware features to provide visuals that easily surpass previous pinball titles. The tables themselves feature a wide range of designs and themes, each one complete with multiple areas, secrets, an array of special effects and spectacular three-way multiball.

“Dream Pinball 3D” also excels in the gameplay stakes, with real-world physics determining the game’s ball dynamics. In a unique spin, balls can be made from six different materials including marble, oak, ivory and gold - each with their own distinct ballistic properties. With a multiplayer mode allowing up to four players to compete for points, “Dream Pinball 3D” is set to become the definitive pinball simulation when released in Europe for Wii and Nintendo DS at the end of April 2008.

(Australia) ABC TV'S 'GOOD GAME' AUDIENCE INVITED TO CREATE THEIR OWN GAME

LET THE GAME BEGIN!.......ABC TV'S 'GOOD GAME' AUDIENCE INVITED TO CREATE THEIR OWN GAME.

In an Australian first, ABC TV’s Good Game – the show for gamers by gamers, and the Australian Film Commission, are inviting the Good Game audience to bring their creative ideas together to help build their own playable online game.

Tonight at 9pm on ABC2’s Good Game, presenters Bajo (Steven O’Donnell) and Junglist (Jeremy Ray) will announce the first stage of the Good Game ‘Game’ project.

“We want people to put forward their ultimate game fantasy. This is a chance for them to create the game they’ve always dreamed of playing!” said Bajo (Steven O’Donnell).

As well as giving the audience a chance to develop a ‘crowd sourced’ game of their choice, the most innovative contributors will be rewarded with prizes, including two mentorships with an Australian games development company on offer.

A selection of the best ideas will be judged by the online audience as well as a panel of industry judges.

By the end of the Good Game series the audience will be able to play their own game online. “We’re hoping that through this experience our audience will gain knowledge on what the game development process actually involves, and that it will encourage more game development within Australia”, said Junglist (Jeremy Ray).

More details about this creative venture can be found at abc.net.au/goodgame.

Good Game screens 9pm Mondays on ABC2, is repeated Fridays after triple j tv on ABC1, and is available for download at abc.net.au/goodgame.

Download entry form here...

Play Sacred 2: Fallen Angel and Sudden Strike 3 Hands-on at SXSW!

Come Play Sacred 2: Fallen Angel and Sudden Strike 3 Hands-on at SXSW!

cdv USA showing two exciting titles during the "Screenburn Arcade" session

cdv Software Entertainment USA will be giving hands-on demos of their upcoming Action-RPG Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, and their WWII RTS – Sudden Strike 3: Arms for Victory at the 2008 South by Southwest (SXSW) Screenburn Festival on March 8 and 9 in Austin, Texas. Visitors to booth S1 in the Screenburn Arcade will get hands-on time with both exciting titles. For more information about Sudden Strike III: Arms for Victory or Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, please visit http://www.cdvus.com.

SXSW Screenburn Arcade visitors will also be able to purchase popular cdv titles such as War Front: Turning Point, Attack on Pearl Harbor and Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened at special SXSW show pricing. By stopping by the cdv booth, gamers will get a double treat of hands-on time with one of the most-anticipated games of 2008 along with the opportunity to purchase some great games at great prices.

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 in 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.

MEDIEVAL MAYHEM - STRONGHOLD CRUSADER EXTREME PC game NEW AND IMPROVED

FIREFLY STUDIOS AND GAMECOCK TO DELIVER MEDIEVAL MAYHEM WITH "STRONGHOLD CRUSADER EXTREME"

A Perfect Balance Of Epic Battles and Empire Building

Gamecock Media Group announced it will publish Firefly Studios’ Stronghold Crusader Extreme, a new and improved version of the best selling Stronghold Crusader. This real time strategy game for the PC features huge battles with over 10,000 units on screen, a new tactical aid bar which allows you to unleash super moves on your enemies, and a new Extreme Trail with dozens of linked missions to test even the most elite Crusader players. The unforgettable saga hits shelves this May.

Stronghold Crusader Extreme’s gameplay is a seamless combination of city building and real-time strategy. You are put in the armor of a fearless warlord during the Crusades and as sovereign of your own people, your goal is to “Lead, Conquer, and Expand”. Defend your kingdom against invading forces with new tactical powers like commanding reinforcements, bombardments and healing. New maps also allow for brand-new, more ambitious conquests.

“Stronghold fans demand the most from their RTS and simulation games, and Firefly delivers once again,” said Harry Miller, el Presidente of Gamecock Media Group. “Crusader Extreme steps up and delivers medieval Mayhem on a scale previously unseen in the series. Firefly has nurtured their baby into a true, manic adult.”

Stronghold Crusader Extreme expands the Stronghold series in many aspects. Loaded with 20 brand new missions as well as many features previously available only in Limited Editions, Extreme makes exclusive content now available to everyone.

"Working with Firefly in the Gathering days was awesome. It was great to see a developer own and live off its IP," said Mike Wilson, Grand Champeen of Gamecock Media Group. "Even better is that’s they've come back to us now with the continuation of the series, which is concrete evidence that the relationship based model works. You don't have to own or control a developer or their IP to have an ongoing relationship and mutual benefit of a hit franchise."

For more, visit www.fireflyworlds.com.

2K Sports Major League Baseball 2K8 Launched 0n Sony PS2 PS3 PSP Microsoft XBox 360 and Nintendo Wii

2K Sports' Major League Baseball 2K8 Hits Retail Store Shelves

Fans to enjoy the most fun and complete baseball experience available on the virtual diamond

New York, NY – March 4, 2008 – 2K Sports, the sports publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), announced today that the highly anticipated title, Major League Baseball® 2K8, is now available on retail store shelves nationwide. As the most fun and exciting baseball experience on the market, Major League Baseball 2K8 revolutionizes player control in the latest installment of the popular franchise with brand-new pitching, fielding and baserunning, as well as a completely overhauled batting interface.

To bring fans closer to the action than ever before, Major League Baseball 2K8 will also feature authentic Major League and Minor League™ stadiums that have been redesigned for accuracy, complete with the details and specific architecture of each ballpark and city. Other in-game features include a wholly unique trading card system to reward special achievements, robust Minor League system including 90 playable teams, all-new Signature Style™ animations complete with home run celebrations and unique player walk-ups, and much more.

“We’re excited to offer our dedicated fans an incredibly fun and enriching baseball experience with Major League Baseball 2K8,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “With the added level of depth and realism this year, including the new intuitive player controls, online trading card system and fully playable minor league teams, Major League Baseball 2K8 provides fans the opportunity to enjoy playing baseball like never before.”

Some of the exciting new features** and added content in Major League Baseball 2K8 include:

• Total Pitch Control - A new, innovative pitching interface allows players to emulate the realistic motion of pitching a baseball. Speed and accuracy are achieved by matching specific gestures and release with the right analog stick, simulating the arm and wrist action involved in throwing that particular type of pitch.
  
• Swing Stick 2.0 - Improved batting controls offer players unparalleled ball-to-bat contact that is determined by timing, direction and pitch location for a greater variety of realistic hits, including grounders, blooper singles, dribblers, gappers, and long home runs using the right analog stick.
  
• All-New Baserunning - Simplified controls allow fans to easily select players with the left analog stick and guide them toward specified bases with ease.
  
• Precision Throw Control - Provides unprecedented control over throw accuracy using the right analog stick, bringing a new level of realism to playing defense.
  
• Full Minor Leagues - Fans will be treated to 90 playable authentic Minor League teams, along with 18 Minor League stadiums in franchise and exhibition modes.
  
• Two of the Best Commentators in the Business - 2K Sports proudly brings back to the broadcast booth the popular duo of Jon Miller and Hall of Famer Joe Morgan, delivering the most entertaining and deepest commentary available in any baseball franchise.
  
• 2K Trading Cards - Earn them, share them, collect them, trade them, and then take a card-based team online to compete. Unlock and open trading card packs for the most in-depth card trading system ever, taking the Major League Baseball 2K community to a new level.
  
• Online Additions - Experience all-new multi-player offerings, including new online lobbies to help users match up with others who want to play with a similar style, including a “Strikes Only” lobby, where pitchers can only throw in the strike zone, and lobbies where players use the advanced analog stick controls or the controls from previous iterations of the Major League Baseball 2K series. With more than one million dedicated gamers in the 2K community, it’s always game time.
  
• A Smashing Soundtrack - 2K Sports has partnered with Pitchfork Media to construct an epic and cutting edge in-game soundtrack for the diverse tastes of today’s gamers. Some of the featured artists include Modest Mouse, Peter Bjorn & John, the Cure, the Strokes, LCD Soundsystem, The Cool Kids, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
  

**Certain features will vary between platforms.

Major League Baseball 2K8, rated E for Everyone by the ESRB, is now available for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2 computer entertainment systems, PSP (PlayStationPortable) system, and Wii home video game system.

For more information, log onto http://www.2ksports.com.

CELEBRATIONS, PRANKS AND PINK ELEPHANTS ABUNDANT IN EVERQUEST II GAME UPDATE No43

CELEBRATIONS, PRANKS AND PINK ELEPHANTS ABUNDANT IN EVERQUEST II GAME UPDATE No43

WHAT:
From the third annual Brew Day festival to the traditional Bristlebane Day celebration, EverQuest II’s Game Update No43 will present players with a month chock full of merriment.

In addition to scheduled live events, GUNo 43 will bring some new group looting options as well as a change to how players harvest the ever elusive "shiny". Now the shiny will be subject to standard group looting settings however, players will be able to loot them or leave them and, if left, the shiny will remain intact until it is harvested and respawns again.

Brewday Festival:
Grab a stein and celebrate in recognition of Brew Day! Receive a Tumpy Tonic bottle for your in-game house when you complete the quest given out by the Avatar of Below. Keep an eye out for the magical appearance of portals, and listen for the shouts of rowdy patrons who will lead you to The Bar of Brell where adventures await those thirsty enough to enter. For those who can’t seem to stop celebrating, you may just run into pink elephants and flying pigs as you embark on quests.

Bristlebane Day:
Fans of mischief are invited to celebrate the King of Thieves and the Grand Prankster himself, Fizzlethrope Bristlebane. Be on the lookout for the Comfort Cube as you never know what laughs and pranks you may come across.

WHEN: Game Update No43 is scheduled to launch on, March 4, 2008.
The Brew Day Festival is expected to run March 14-21 and Bristlebane Day is Tuesday, April 1, 2008.

WHERE: www.everquest2.com
EverQuest II is rated T (for Teen) by the ESRB with content descriptors for suggestive themes, use of alcohol and violence.