BMW M3 Challenge Study of advertising in Video games

In-game advertising performs better than traditional advertising:

JOGO Media demonstrates its success with the BMW M3 Challenge Study

A study commissioned by JOGO Media for the BMW M3 Challenge online racing game has proven just how well new, digital forms of advertising are accepted by consumers. With approximately 75% positive ratings and an improved brand image perception, the game is an outstanding example of what in-game advertising can offer in terms of image building.

In-game advertising is a strong alternative to traditional forms of advertising. This has been demonstrated by JOGO Media, the in-game advertising agency for the BMW M3 Challenge online racing game, through a study they initiated and conducted in February 2008. The auto racing simulation demands a high level of attention and emotional involvement of the player – ideal conditions for effectively reaching a target audience with advertising messages.

Market research firm, BuzzCapture, evaluated over 5000 entries on relevant online forums. Within the sample, 68% of the comments were positive, in particular concerning the graphics, game options and overall high quality of the “Challenge”. Moreover, a good 75% of participants made positive statements about BMW as the main sponsor. This included praise for BMW for being the first advertiser to bring a creative, free game of this kind to the market. BMW is pleased with the overwhelmingly positive response to the game and stated that it has exceeded their expectations. The game is now considered a success model within the industry of innovative advertising formats. Bilstein, a chassis manufacturer whose product is one of the options within the game’s setup, is very satisfied. “We especially liked the way Bilstein’s chassis was actively integrated into the game,” says Christof Prinz, Head of Marketing Services of Thyssen Krupp Bilstein Tuning. “This allowed our key message ‘Better handling with Bilstein’ to reach players’ minds without it being directly perceived as advertising.” The complete BuzzCapture report can be downloaded here: http://www.JOGOmedia.com/news/m3challenge.

Kazunori Yamauchi Creator of Gran Turismo talks

Kazunori Yamauchi

Corporate Executive, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., President of Polyphony Digital and Creator of Gran Turismo Franchise

Hometown – Kashiwa, Japan

Personal Cars – 2005 Ford GT, Honda S2000, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V, Porsche GT3, Nissan 350Z, Mercedes AMG SL55.

Since he was three years old, Kazunori Yamauchi has had a fascination with cars. It was not until he was 15 years old, when he began building the original concept for Gran Turismo. When reflecting back, Yamauchi states, “I feel very lucky to be able to create a driving game that can capture the emotion and true-feel of automobiles from around the world in unique and well-known locales.”

Since the inception of the Gran Turismo franchise, Yamauchi and Polyphony Digital have revolutionized the racing category as we know it today. His offerings provide the gamer with the most true-to-life driving simulation within the industry and a unique medium for automobile manufacturers to showcase their products. In Motor Trend Magazine’s February 2005, 2006 and 2007 issue, Yamauchi was selected among the top 50 most powerful people in the automotive industry. In the January 2006 issue of the UK’s popular Car Magazine, Yamauchi was selected as the most powerful man in the industry. Details Magazine included him in its “Top 40 under 40” feature. When commenting on Gran Turismo, Newsweek stated in its March 10, 2003 issue, “Games like GT3 are turning millions of couch potatoes into living-room racers…becoming the new virtual showroom and design studio for automakers.”

Through the Gran Turismo franchise, one can clearly see that Yamauchi is a great fan of cars and motorsports. Currently, Yamauchi owns a 2005 Ford GT, Honda S2000, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V, Porsche GT3, Nissan 350Z and a Mercedes AMG SL55. Often, one may find Yamauchi racing leisurely at the Twin Ring Motegi race track outside of Tokyo. The track at Motegi was also the testing ground for many of the cars featured in the Gran Turismo offerings.

In 1993, Yamauchi began his career in the game industry, the same year Sony Computer Entertainment was established. At that time, Yamauchi’s role was to create games for the new PlayStation® game console, to be released in Japan the following year. Since 1993, Yamauchi has created Motortoon Grand Prix (one of the Japanese PlayStation launch titles in 1994), Motortoon Grand Prix 2 (1996), Gran Turismo (1997), Omega Boost (1999), Gran Turismo 2 (1999), Gran Turismo 3 (2001) Gran Turismo Concept (Japanese/European release), Gran Turismo 4 Prologue (Japanese/European release), Gran Turismo 4 (2005), Tourist Trophy (2006), Gran Turismo HD Concept (2006).

Growing up in the city of Kashiwa, Japan in Chiba prefecture, Yamauchi was a role model school boy who dreamed of becoming an astronaut. At the time, he was interested in the motion picture industry and in Junior High School, he established a movie production group, making one film a year. At one point, he wished he could create a movie like Star Wars. Yamauchi adds that Japan’s gaming industry is similar to Hollywood in the film industry.

As Yamauchi proceeded to High School, he explains that he was no longer the “cream of the crop”. In his years at University School, Yamauchi built his skills in graphic design, participating in part time jobs in preparing presentation materials for car manufacturers.

Nearly 10 years ago, Yamauchi began the Gran Turismo franchise with four people. Today, he is President of Polyphony Digital, which is comprised of more than 70 members, encompassing programmers, designers, artists and more. Yamauchi’s main responsibility is for the core game design and balancing of concepts, however, he has an ongoing open forum for suggestions from his team members that often can result in game design plans. The name ‘Polyphony’ is meant to suggest a place for polyphonic people and for their voices to mix with one another. Currently, Yamauchi and team are now preparing for the upcoming release of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue for PLAYSTATION 3.

THQ to release All Star Cheer Squad for Nintendo Wii Balance Board

Officials from publisher THQ have announced a new Wii and Nintendo DS exclusive game named All Star Cheer Squad. Described as the first ever cheerleading video game, it is scheduled for release this autumn and marks THQ’s “first original property created specifically for girls”.

The game will follow a year in the life of a cheerleader as they learn new cheers, participate in practices and create their own routines to make the squad and eventually become captain. The Wii remote and nunchuck can be use to perform cheer and dance moves, with cheerleading choreography Tony G acting as chief consultant to the game.

The game will also make use of the Wii Balance Board controller, to be bundled with the forthcoming Wii Fit. The game will be the second third party game to make use of the peripheral after Namco Bandai’s We Ski, which has already proven successful in Japan and was recently confirmed for a Western release.

"With the explosive growth of the girls gaming market in recent years due to the continued success of Wii and DS, our ongoing goal is to stay at the cutting edge of that success by bringing a brand new property for this segment to these popular systems," said Jim Huntley, director of global brand management at THQ.

"We're thrilled to introduce All Star Cheer Squad to the industry as a triple-a title that will get players involved in the action of what it takes to be an all star as well as make up their own unique cheer routines."

Sega 'Very Happy' to be sixth biggest games publisher

Sega is quite content with its position as the sixth-biggest game publisher by revenue in the U.S., and is not at all interested in merging or being acquired by anyone at the moment, according to Simon Jeffrey, chief executive of the U.S. arm of Sega Sammy.

"There is plenty of room for smaller companies to be successful and profitable in this business. You don't have to be number one or number two. You can be number six very happily," said Jeffrey.

He is also understandably thrilled that Mario & Sonic At the Olympic Games sold a combined five million copies on Wii and DS, saying "I don't think we believed in our wildest dreams that it would sell five million units in just three months." To be honest, neither did we.

Source: WIRED Blog

iGames and Game Centers Launch New Tour of Competitive Gaming Events in Partnership with CEVO

Leading Game Center organization iGames, together with 17 of the nation’s leading Game Centers, today announced the creation of the Gamers Tour (www.gamerstour.com), a new series of eSports tournaments geared towards the amateur to semi-professional communities.

Featuring regional and national tournaments, along with a series of online competitions hosted by leading competitive gaming community CEVO (www.cevo.com), the Gamers Tour will showcase the best local gamers from around the US competing for cash and prizes on today’s most popular competitive titles, including Counter-Strike: 1.6 (PC) and Counter-Strike: Source (PC), along with additional games which will be announced shortly.

The Gamers Tour will be focused on complementing the events offered by other eSports event organizers. Many eSports tournament organizers hold high-profile events showcasing the world’s best professional gamers. The Gamers Tour will be focused on providing fun competitive local events for players of a broader range of skill, thereby serving the need for a LAN-based program for non-professionals on their way to competing at higher levels.

In total, more than 32 competitions are planned to take place throughout 2008, with more than $50,000.00 in cash and prizes in the balance. Regional tournaments will offer a set minimum of a $1,000 prize pool. All prizes will be awarded promptly to winning players for their efforts.

The events will take place at Game Centers with a proven history of operating the highest quality eSports events, including X3O Gaming Center in Maryland.

“We are proud to work with iGames and other leading game centers to build the Gamers Tour. Our 2008 Dust-Off Championship Series will be making gaming history for a second year in a row, being the largest tournament ever in the United States to be developed and executed by a gaming center,” said Nick Fitzsimmons, Manager of X30 Gaming Center. “We are looking forward to incorporating the 2008 Dust-Off Championship Series with the Gamers Tour, which will provide more visibility to the thousands of gamers nationwide.”

The Gamers Tour is distinguished in that the events will be accessible to more local players than any other eSports organization with LAN play. As the tour grows, participating locations will be within driving distance of every major city in the United States. The nation’s best Game Center events will be united through a coordinated schedule of tournaments and rankings will be established for players and teams based on results.

“Though many organizations provide online opportunities to play in leagues, ladders and tournaments, game centers, with their in-person atmosphere, are the perfect venue to help strengthen and grow the eSports community,” said Mark Nielsen, Executive Director, iGames. “In addition, the LAN environment offered at game centers provides aspiring professional gamers the opportunity to hone their skills on LAN which is how most big prize tournaments are run.”

Tournaments will be held throughout the year and will be announced as details become available. For more information and a complete list of Game Centers hosting the Gamers Tour, including signup information, visit http://www.gamerstour.com.

Dominions 3: The Awakening Updated download for Windows Mac and Linux

Dominions 3: The Awakening Updated Once Again!

Version 3.15 Now Ready For Immediate Download!

The best keeps getting better! The mad Swedish geniuses behind the multi-award winning Dominions 3: The Awakening, Illwinter Game Design, and their publisher Shrapnel Games (that would be us) would like to announce a brand new patch is available for the game.

As you've come to expect the patch, which is version 3.15, contains a mixture of cool new features and the elimination of a number of bugs. Players will happily note that one of those eliminated bugs is the scale spread bug that brought woe to some. Some other notable highlights that should bring a smile to your face and put a spring in your step: MA Ulm and LA Abysia boosted and Ermor domkill at proper levels now.

A complete list of what can be found in the version 3.15 update includes:

The Features:

• MA & LA Ulm sexier.
  
• Ulm Iron Faith: Black Priests in MA Ulm, Priest Smiths.
  
• Iron Faith spells: Iron Darts, Iron Blizzard.
  
• Iron Angel, MA Ulm summon to battle enemy sacreds and magical beings.
  
• Guardians got Black Halberds that stun enemy sacreds.
  
• Ghoul Guardians no longer sacred, but got Black Halberds.
  
• Halt Heretic: New ability on Iron Angel, Ulrich hero and Lord Guardians.
  
• Plate armors slightly better. Ulm plate armors more so.
  
• LA Abysia sexier.
  
• Slayer cult: Anathemant Slayers, common slayers noncapital.
  
• LA Anathemants got death magic.
  
• LA Smoulderghosts sacred.
  
• Warbreds: huge humanbreds bred for war.
  
• Late Abysian Hero
  
• Fossilized Giants, LA Abysian summon.
  
• Altered spell: Hidden in Snow more expensive and gives more units. Also more
  
• effective with luck, magic and turmoil.
  
• New spell: Hidden in Sand. Summons dust walkers if cast in a wasteland. More
  
• powerful in luck, magic and turmoil.
  
• Altered spell: Flight is personal.
  
• New spell: Gift of Flight.
  
• New icons: Halt Heretic, Animal Awe, Spy and Assassin.
  
• Avalon witch changes: Crones strat move 1, mother and daughter random nature/air.
  
• New national militia events for UW nations.
  

The Bug Fixes and Balance Changes.

• Scale spread bug fixed.
  
• Ermor domkill upped to proper levels.
  
• Old militia event made rare.
  
• Peshti got Kite Shields.
  
• Peshti Spearman strat move 2.
  
• Bogatyr strat move 3.
  
• Some more strat move fixes.
  
• Plague Scythe -> twohanded.
  
• Exarch and Kosheij got robes.
  
• Grid Druzhina cold res 50.
  
• Fivefold Angel stump attack instead of fist.
  
• Simargl Falchion -> bite.
  
• Simargl patrol -> 10.
  
• Bloodlord helmet.
  
• Rigor mortis no longer affects inanimates.
  
• Internal Alchemy works properly.
  
• Demonbred got correct age.
  
• Forester and Bakemono scout stealth fix.
  
• Moose Riders cheaper 45 -> 30.
  

* #coldpower mod command fixed.

The patch can be downloaded directly from Shrapnel Games and is available for
Windows, Mac, and Linux. Point your browser to:

www.shrapnelgames.com/Illwinter/Dom3/6.htm

Dominions 3: The Awakening Updated Once Again!

The best keeps getting better! The mad Swedish geniuses behind the multi-award winning Dominions 3: The Awakening, Illwinter Game Design, and their publisher Shrapnel Games would like to announce a brand new patch is available for the game.

As you've come to expect the patch, which is version 3.15, contains a mixture of cool new features and the elimination of a number of bugs. Players will happily note that one of those eliminated bugs is the scale spread bug that brought woe to some. Some other notable highlights that should bring a smile to your face and put a spring in your step: MA Ulm and LA Abysia boosted and Ermor domkill at proper levels now.

A complete list of what can be found in the version 3.15 update includes:

The Features:

•MA & LA Ulm sexier.
•Ulm Iron Faith: Black Priests in MA Ulm, Priest Smiths.
•Iron Faith spells: Iron Darts, Iron Blizzard.
•Iron Angel, MA Ulm summon to battle enemy sacreds and magical beings.
•Guardians got Black Halberds that stun enemy sacreds.
•Ghoul Guardians no longer sacred, but got Black Halberds.
•Halt Heretic: New ability on Iron Angel, Ulrich hero and Lord Guardians.
•Plate armors slightly better. Ulm plate armors more so.
•LA Abysia sexier.
•Slayer cult: Anathemant Slayers, common slayers noncapital.
•LA Anathemants got death magic.
•LA Smoulderghosts sacred.
•Warbreds: huge humanbreds bred for war.
•Late Abysian Hero
•Fossilized Giants, LA Abysian summon.
•Altered spell: Hidden in Snow more expensive and gives more units. Also more
effective with luck, magic and turmoil.
•New spell: Hidden in Sand. Summons dust walkers if cast in a wasteland. More
powerful in luck, magic and turmoil.
•Altered spell: Flight is personal.
•New spell: Gift of Flight.
•New icons: Halt Heretic, Animal Awe, Spy and Assassin.
•Avalon witch changes: Crones strat move 1, mother and daughter random nature/air.
•New national militia events for UW nations.

The Bug Fixes and Balance Changes:

•Scale spread bug fixed.
•Ermor domkill upped to proper levels.
•Old militia event made rare.
•Peshti got Kite Shields.
•Peshti Spearman strat move 2.
•Bogatyr strat move 3.
•Some more strat move fixes.
•Plague Scythe -> twohanded.
•Exarch and Kosheij got robes.
•Grid Druzhina cold res 50.
•Fivefold Angel stump attack instead of fist.
•Simargl Falchion -> bite.
•Simargl patrol -> 10.
•Bloodlord helmet.
•Rigor mortis no longer affects inanimates.
•Internal Alchemy works properly.
•Demonbred got correct age.
•Forester and Bakemono scout stealth fix.
•Moose Riders cheaper 45 -> 30.
•* #coldpower mod command fixed.

The patch can be downloaded directly from Shrapnel Games and is available for
Windows, Mac, and Linux. Point your browser to:

http://www.shrapnelgames.com/Illwinter/Dom3/6.htm

Dominions 3: The Awakening is a fantasy turn-based strategy game that proves that today's gaming landscape still has room for the garage developer. It's also probably the best damn hardcore turn based fantasy strategy game you'll ever play, but you already know that since you're reading up on the patch. Unless you just like to collect game patches. In which case go on and grab the demo from the same spot and see why
everyone worships at the altar of Illwinter. Then once enthralled head on over to the Gamers Front and grab a copy to apply this patch to, especially since it's on sale all month long!

Throughout March Dominions 3: The Awakening is $7.00 off its normal retail price of $54.95! Don't have it yet? Great time to grab it. Already have it? Christmas is only nine months away and it makes a perfect gift! Remember, you can never have enough Dominions in your life!

For more information on Dominions 3: The Awakening, or to check out any of our other fine products, please visit us at www.shrapnelgames.com. Recent releases include the
modder's paradise dungeoncrawl of Scallywag: In the Lair of the Medusa and coming soon to a tabletop near you, Eat Electric Death!, the tactical starship combat board game set in the Infinite Space universe.

Carriers at War PC video game Update patch for download

Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) and Strategic Studies Group (www.ssg.com.au) are happy to announce that a new minor update is now available for Carriers at War. This quick but helpful 1.02.2 update address two issues which arose after the major 1.02 update. The 1.02 update brought a new scenario, an editor tutorial, and tons of new editor/gameplay changes too.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “The latest 1.02.2 update is riding on the tails of the fantastic 1.02 update which was recently released. With a few quick fixes to improve upon an already solid game, Carriers at War is more addicting and fun than it’s ever been!”

Carriers at War is a WWII naval combat and strategy game set in the Pacific Theatre. Putting you at the heart of WWII carrier combat, you are in charge of commanding carriers with powerful airgroups tasked with delivering a knockout blow to the enemy, while avoiding retribution at the hands of a canny foe. Although it includes land-based airpower, surface combat and invasions, Carriers at War focuses heavily on carrier fleet command strategy, which requires the player to use all of their naval prowess to best the enemy. Throughout the wide range of scenarios found in Carriers at War, history buffs and strategy fans alike will recognize and enjoy playing through famous engagements including Pearl Harbor, Midway, Coral Sea, Eastern Solomons, and more! This 2007 release is a fully modern, brand new Carriers at War, though it remains true to the incredible gameplay of the original wargame classic.

Get more information on Carriers at War from its official Matrix Games webpage.

This update is comprehensive and will bring the game up to version 1.02.2.

WITCHES - 3rd person action adventure game developed by Revistronic

Witches (working title)

GENRE: 3rd person action/adventure game
PLATFORMS: PC, Xbox 360 & PS3
PARTNER(S): Schanz Intl. / TBC
LAST UPDATE: Dec 05th, 2007

“Where the Dark Arts reign… you can still rise up… and fight.”

Overview

Project WITCHES is a 3rd person action/adventure game developed by Revistronic and designed to exploit the capabilities of new generation consoles.

Players find themselves in terrifying dark medieval surroundings in an epic struggle for survival against the repellent deformed Hordes of the Beast, an evil creature that has established a reign of slavery and terror throughout the land.

Across a landscape of devastation, you have to direct Tempest, Shadow and Fire, sultry warriors that still resist his dark will and leads the rebellion against his satanic power.

Key Features

Scenario: Everything reeks of death, torture and destruction. People have been enslaved. They are prisoners of a dark power that has established a reign of terror and devastation throughout the land.
Sultry girls against satanic monsters: Let’s yourself go in this dark medieval narrative and enjoy the contrast between sensual beauty and sinister horrors. Direct the beautiful but dangerous Shadow in a spectacular fight against hordes of repellent deformed creatures.
* Feel the fear: Skies rent by terrifying storms, hair-raising shrieks, shadows in the fog, stealthy movements and menacing growls, the glint of monstrous eyes that watch from the shades.

* Spectacular system of tactical combat: Combining spectacular combat with sequences of caution and stealth. The tactics you use will be decisive for your survival. You must rescue the captives and obtain their help. You will lead your team. You can be a great leader or sacrifice your comrades in the fight. Your decisions will shape your destiny.

Totally interactive environment: All game items can be used, creating a sensation of total immersion such as never before. You can use all kinds of objects to achieve your aims, even the amputated limbs of adversaries.
* Gameplay: 2 modes, requiem and arena that exploit the full the spectacular possibilities of new generation consoles. More than 12 hours of gameplay across 4 levels and 80 scenarios.

Technology: powered by “Picture Next–Gen engine V.3”.
Game Engine v.3 uses pioneering technologies in the development of techniques and processes for the creation of interactive content applied to the representation of surroundings 3D in Real time.
Strengths: fast learning curve, real time cinematography render, Real-time physics, High savings, and easy adaptation to multiplatform developments, Reduction of Development times and costs.

Unique Selling Points (USP’s)

• Main characters: Sexy and sensual warriors designed with specific strengths and weaknesses.
  
• Powerful Witches Squad: Levels and scenarios are designed specifically to encourage cooperative play.
  
• Strong visual gaming: cutting edge graphics, full of lights, shadows and special effects, beautiful scenarios and interactive cinematics to increase immersion present a cinematic experience and make the game spectacular.
  
• Easy & intuitive control: The Player can switch the Main Character, perform combos, use magical powers, run, jump, climb, perform the stealth occultism arts and move the lights in real time.
  
• Combat system: Engage your foes in one-on-one fights, skirmishes with dozens of adversaries, or even battles with hundreds of monsters at once.
  
• Script: Original plot that open different endings based on witches actions. Their relationship delivers surprises.
  

Target focus

Males 18-35 years old.
Casual gamers that enjoy good stories, easy gameplay and amazing action.
Hardcore gamers own a high-end PC and graphics card, and/or the most recent consoles (XBOX360 or PS3).
Fans of 3rd person action/adventure games.

Disney Mobile Studios - PK: PHANTOM DUCK GAME on MOBILE CELLPHONE NETWORKS

TACKLE THE MEAN STREETS WITH PK: PHANTOM DUCK

Immerse yourself in the richly detailed world of PK: Phantom Duck, out now for mobile phones.

Disney’s PK: Phantom Duck, based on the legendary comic book franchise, puts a novel, darker twist on Donald Duck, fusing comic strip storytelling with action-packed gameplay. PK is a masked avenger with a mission to protect the town of Duckburg from the evil Ma Beagle and her Beagle Boys.

PK must keep the crooks and creeps in check as he battles against foes such as an army of security robots run amok, flying robot menaces, boss battles with each of the Beagle Boys, and many more.

This exquisitely rendered comic book world features stunning Disney classic art and animations, and 14 levels of puzzles. Physics-based puzzle play will test your brainpower as you devise clever ways to outwit the enemy. You’ll uncover secret zones as you progress through the levels to discover hidden bonuses and new ways to meet challenges – you’ll never play the same game twice, so the action is always fresh.

PK: Phantom Duck is out now and available from all major mobile phone operators.