Second Volume of PopCap's Casual Video Game Hits for Sony PlayStation 2

Second Volume of PopCap's Casual Video Game Hits for Sony PlayStation 2 Coming Soon

PopCap Hits Vol. 2 Arriving at Stores in June

PopCap Games, the leading developer and publisher of “casual” video games, today announced the imminent arrival at retail of a new PopCap Hits compilation for PlayStation 2 featuring two of the company’s best-selling puzzle and “arcade action” games. PopCap Hits Volume 2 features Heavy Weapon and Zuma, carries an SRP of US$19.95, and marks the first time that those two games have been made available for PlayStation consoles. PopCap Hits Volume 2 is expected to hit store shelves in June 2008.

“We’re pleased to be bringing our second PlayStation2 ‘greatest hits’ compilation to stores so quickly after the first volume, and expect the upcoming product to be even more popular with consumers,” said Greg Canessa, VP of Video Game Platforms at PopCap. “Heavy Weapon and Zuma are two of our most successful games on the Xbox LIVE Arcade Service, and should prove equally well received by the PlayStation 2 audience.”

Zuma is a fast-paced action puzzler requiring quick reflexes and pattern-solving strategy as players rotate the stone frog at the center of the screen to shoot colored balls into place. Make sets of three or more balls to succeed – and don’t let the chain of balls reach the golden skull! Zuma is also available for Xbox 360, PC, Mac, online and select mobile devices. Zuma is also the highest-rated game for iPod, based on iTunes’ customer reviews.

Heavy Weapon is a light-hearted side-scrolling action game in which players strive to defeat hordes of enemy armies in the form of tanks, jeeps, fighter jets, helicopters and other land and air vehicles. Power-ups and secret weapons that provide additional speed, shields, firepower and more help the player overcome increasingly nasty enemy forces and bosses while progressing through levels representing the oppressed (fictitious) countries over which the war is being waged. Multiplayer modes available for the PlayStation 2 version of the game enable players to join a friend for furious shoot-’em-up fighting in multiplayer Arms Race and War Party modes. In addition, PopCap Hits Volume 2 provides exclusive behind-the-scenes access in “The Making of a Classic.” Explore early game concepts, high-res game art, and video clips featuring development history and tips from the games’ creators.

InstantAction Offering fully 3D, console-like games in a web browser

InstantAction open To Gamers

The Next Big Thing in Web Gaming is Here; Sign Up and Play at www.instantaction.com

InstantAction open To Gamers

The Next Big Thing in Web Gaming is Here; Sign Up and Play at www.instantaction.com

InstantAction today invited gamers across the globe to enter its public beta.

Offering fully 3D, console-like games in a web browser, InstantAction is launching with four games available to the public today.

“Initial feedback on InstantAction from gamers has been very positive and we are ready to pull the covers off and let everyone take a look,” said Josh Williams, CEO of GarageGames. “Even though it’s early, and there is a lot more to add and improve, InstantAction is already impressive. Now with the community’s help, we’re going to work on making it truly mind blowing.”

With the public beta, four games – MarbleBlast Online, Screw Jumper, Think Tanks and Wideload Shorts’ Cyclomite – are already playable. More games will be added in the coming weeks, including the much anticipated FPS, Fallen Empire: Legions.

Early comments from beta testers have filled the InstantAction feedback boards. Regarding MarbleBlast Online, one tester said of his first experience with the title, “This game is surprisingly a lot of fun to play.” While another tester praised Wideload Shorts’ Cyclomite proclaiming “Cyclomite is my new favorite addiction on InstantAction.com. It's good, crazy fun.”

Social gaming is a core part of the InstantAction experience. Gamers can host parties and invite their friends to jump into a game via a URL link which can be sent via email or IM. Gamers can also seamlessly switch games and move their party with them.

“This is only the beginning. New games and features will be added each month,” added Williams.

Ubisoft My Health Coach: Weight Management for Nintendo DS

A Healthier Life Thanks To My Health Coach: Weight Management on Nintendo DS

Premiere on Nintendo DS : An exclusive accessory, the pedometer

Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, announced that it will publish My Health Coach: Weight Management for the Nintendo DS system, in summer 2008. Developed in Ubisoft’s Montreal studio, under the guidance of both a fitness coach and a nutritionist, My Health Coach: Weight Management is a new and innovative way to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle and loose weight. For the first time on Nintendo DS, My Health Coach: Weight Management includes an exclusive accessory: a pedometer which counts the steps you walk each day.

Your new daily partner

More than two thirds of UK inhabitants are overweight, and almost 25% of them are obese (source World Health Organization). All over Europe, the number of people that are overweight is increasing every year, and there are common concerns about obtaining a healthier way of life, changing nutrition habits and finding the energy to exercise in order to lose those extra kilos.

My Health Coach: Weight Management has been designed to be an engaging and fun method to help reach and maintain a proper balance between the food you eat and the physical exercises you perform. When other methods keep you in front of your TV or send you to the closest gym, My Health Coach Weight Management slips in your pocket so your personal coach is always at hand, and will keep you motivated as it fits into your daily routine.

No more lack of motivation!

My Health Coach: Weight Management is totally adapted to the needs of our modern lifestyles. Instead of putting you under pressure and setting you distant objectives, it is a fun, short and rewarding method to help you and guide you, step by step, to a healthier more balanced lifestyle. After just 10 to 15 minutes playing each day, the coaching sessions, daily challenges, mini-games and quizzes will leave you feeling the difference.

If you take healthy steps, how far would you go?

For the first time on Nintendo DS, My Health Coach: Weight Management includes an exclusive device: a pedometer. Record your daily activity as you would with any normal pedometer, then simply slot it into the DS and transfer your efforts into your personalized health program!

An added fun incentive is that all your efforts and achievements are translated into distance. Eat better, exercise a bit and keep a track of your daily walking distance with the pedometer… and you will soon have travelled the distance equivalent to the Great Wall of China!

Apart from the physical challenges and daily sessions, My Health Coach: Weight Management also features trivia games, hints and tips so that you can learn everything you need to know about proper nutrition and working out.

My Health Coach: Weight Management will be available this summer 2008.

Warrior Quest, The Online RPG For PC, Wii And PS3, Receives Its First Major Update

Warrior Quest, The Online RPG For PC, Wii And PS3, Receives Its First Major Update

Online RPG Optimized for PC, Mac, and Home Consoles Receives Updated Battle System, New Locations and Characters to Meet

NextGenBooks.com has today announced that, following a huge response to Warrior Quest’s launch, the game has received its first major update. Adding new and improved functionality to the original game engine, the new build of the game features an optimized battle engine, and new areas to explore, adding a roster of characters to meet and interact with. This update is the first stage in adding non-combat based quests to the game, and will be followed throughout March by further incremental additions to continue improving upon the adventure experience.

“User response to Warrior Quest has been incredibly positive with many players suggesting ideas and improvements that have been incorporated into this update.” explains site manager Ray Reid, “We had no idea the response would be so large. Releasing this update ahead of schedule, and incorporating our player’s suggestions, was something we wanted to do as a thank you to our great player base.”

Warrior Quest launched in 2008, an online RPG that has been optimized to run not only on PCs and Macs, but also on home consoles such as Wii and PS3. Since its launch, Warrior Quest has gathered a strong user base across all compatible formats, particularly the PS3 which has the largest console based audience playing this exciting online adventure. Little has been made of the PS3’s ability to play online games, up to this point, and the success of Warrior Quest on the system demonstrates that there is a strong demand for accessible and casual online gaming content for home videogame consoles that NextGenBooks.com is striving to provide.

In addition to tailoring Warrior Quest for home consoles, a PSP compatible version is also being developed, tentatively scheduled for release by the end of March. Further updates to Warrior Quest are also being developed with a view to releasing at least one major update a month and incremental updates on a weekly basis.
For more information please visit www.nextgenbooks.com

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? mobile cellphone game

Glu and 2waytraffic extend partnership for 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?'

Leading global publisher to bring top-selling mobile franchise to new regions

Glu Mobile, a leading global publisher of mobile games, and 2waytraffic International, a global leader in interactive entertainment, today announced an extended partnership to develop and publish games based on 2waytraffic’s successful ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?’ franchise.

Today’s announcement follows a long-standing partnership between the two companies. Glu first developed and published the original ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?’ title in Dec 2004 and has since launched four editions of the game, and the franchise of mobile titles has been critically and commercially successful. The 2006 launch of ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? 2nd Edition’ spent 18 months on the Entertainment & Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) Official Mobile Games Java download chart, achieving the no. 1 spot in October 2007.

Through the extended partnership, Glu will develop titles based on the ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?’ franchise for numerous mobile platforms to be published China, the Middle East, Chile and Venezuela in addition to existing publishing rights in Europe.

“Glu has a longstanding partnership with 2waytraffic and we have seen great success with the ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?’ franchise, so we are pleased to extend our relationship to bring the franchise to additional territories and new gaming platforms,” commented Frank Keeling, managing director of publishing, EMEA, Glu. “The broad consumer appeal and strong brand recognition of ‘Millionaire’ make it a perfect title for mobile, and we look forward to continuing on the franchise’s success.”

“We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Glu to bring ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?’ to additional platforms and territories,” said Selma Turajlic, Director of Interactive, 2waytraffic International. “The franchise of titles has achieved top-selling success in nearly every major European territory, and we look forward to working with Glu to extend our long-standing partnership and the success of the franchise to a broader audience.”

Nintendo Wii Update: Two New Classic Games Added To Wii Shop Channel

Got enough challenge in your daily routine? Chances are that basic everyday tasks - getting to work or school on time, walking the dog, taking out the trash - aren't enough to keep you firing on all cylinders. Luckily, Virtual Console™ is close at hand to help you test your mettle in fresh and unusual ways. Whether you're rescuing a kidnapped pal or mastering a set of mind-bending grid puzzles, this week's new arrivals, imported from Japan, offer a refreshing break from the late-winter blahs.

Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

DoReMi Fantasy: Milon's DokiDoki Adventure (Super NES, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone – Alcohol Reference and Comic Mischief, 900 Wii Points): This is an action game where an energetic boy named Milon sets off on a great adventure in a cute fairy-tale world. Piccolo is a village in the country of Fantasia. One day, they hear from the fairy Alis that songs and music have disappeared from the forest. Suddenly, the wizard Amon appears, grabs Alis and vanishes with her. The brave Milon must now go on a journey to rescue his kidnapped friend, with his bubble shooter as his only weapon. Along the way, he'll need to retrieve five legendary instruments and stars by defeating Amon's minions. Get ready to enjoy the fun and comical action of this charming game.

Puyo Puyo 2: Tsuu (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 900 Wii Points): The object of this head-to-head puzzle game is to clear your grid of falling patterns called puyos by forming chains of four or more same-colored puyos in a straight line or one of several geometric patterns. What makes this a challenging two-player contest is the fact that when you clear a chain of puyos from your grid, it drops a random piece of filler onto your opponent's grid. The more puyos you clear, the more you fill your opponent's grid, and if you can clutter up his grid enough to fill it to the top, you've won the game. An intriguing backstory makes this an amusing experience for one or two players.

Microsoft lower price of XBox 360 with price cut in Europe yipee cheap XBox

Everyone's Invited To Experience Xbox 360 As Microsoft Lowers Estimated Retail Price in Europe

With Estimated Retail Price Starting At £159.99, Even More European Consumers Can Enjoy The Definitive High-Definition Gaming and Entertainment Experience

Microsoft today announced it is lowering the estimated retail price (ERP) for its Xbox 360 family of consoles in Europe. Now with an entry-level ERP of £159.99, Xbox 360 is a mass market entertainment proposition with something to offer for every interest and budget.

From Friday, 14th March, Xbox 360, which includes a 20GB hard drive and one wireless controller, will have an ERP of £199.99 – a saving of £50 on the current ERP. The Xbox 360 Elite, which comes with a massive 120GB hard drive enabling consumers to store huge quantities of content downloaded from Xbox LIVE™ Marketplace as well as their own music, will have an ERP of £259.99 – a saving of £40. The Xbox 360 Arcade console, perfect for those wishing to make their first foray into the gaming and entertainment world of Xbox, will have an ERP of £159.99 – a saving of £40.

Xbox 360 is the number one next-gen console in EMEA, owning 42% of the market in terms of life-to-date revenue. Xbox 360 continues to enjoy the highest software attach rate of any game console in Europe with more than 7.0 games sold per console (PS3: 3.8; Wii 3.5) after 26 months on the market[1].

The new ERPs are part of Microsoft’s ongoing strategy to open up the ultimate in high-definition gaming and entertainment to an even wider audience, with an offering for everyone:

· Best Choice for Families:

o Xbox 360 grows as your family does, offering games and entertainment for every member of the family – from movies to games to music videos.

o With over 150 3+ rated[2] games and unparalleled parental controls, parents can feel good about their kids playing Xbox 360

· Most Diverse Entertainment:

o Xbox 360 offers great choice in high-definition entertainment

o Xbox Live Video Store offers a wide variety of movies to download, both in HD and SD, enabling great entertainment in the living room at the press of a button

o It’s easy to view and enjoy video and photos on Xbox 360 as well as connect wirelessly to share content with a Windows Media Center PC

· The Best Games:

o There will be over 1,000 games available on Xbox 360 by the end of the year, with something for every skill level, interest and taste

o New community games allow gamers to sample the best of indie games, providing innovative new ways to play and enjoy

o Blockbuster franchises like Grand Theft Auto IV, with exclusive downloadable episodes on Xbox LIVE, and Rock Band make Xbox 360 the place to be this Spring

o Xbox 360 exclusives for 2008 include Fable 2, Gears of War 2 and Too Human, setting new standards for next-generation gaming

“Xbox 360 is now mass market in Europe,” said Chris Lewis, Vice President, Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Business Europe. “We have reached and surpassed several key milestones that form part of our long term strategic plan to achieve critical mass in Europe; and our portfolio now offers the kind of mainstream entertainment experiences that secure wider appeal for Xbox 360. These factors allow us to execute on our strategy to widen the market for Xbox 360, as planned.

“We continue to offer intense, immersive gaming experiences for gamers – but now we’re priced in a way that will allow new consumers to find out for themselves why Xbox 360 is the ultimate in high-definition entertainment.” said Lewis. “History shows that £159.99 is the price point where a console’s audience begins to expand, and with these new ERPs in place we’re ready to bring more consumers into the Xbox 360 world.”

2K Sports Announces Free Demo of Major League Baseball 2K8 Now Available for Download on Xbox LIVE

2K Sports Announces Free Demo of Major League Baseball 2K8 Now Available for Download on Xbox LIVE Marketplace

While dedicated fans eagerly await the launch of the highly anticipated title, Major League Baseball 2K8, 2K Sports today announced a free demo is now available for download through Xbox LIVE Marketplace. Players will be able to practice their skills at Boston’s legendary Fenway Park by playing three full innings as either the Colorado Rockies or Boston Red Sox.

The free game demo will also offer fans a chance to experience the new and exciting features that Major League Baseball 2K8 brings to the virtual diamond through retooled pitching, batting, fielding and baserunning gameplay mechanics. Fans will also get a sneak peek at the stunning realism and depth of gameplay in Major League Baseball 2K8 through new Signature Style™ animations and redesigned stadiums that showcase the detail and specific architecture of each city.

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

For more information about Major League Baseball 2K8, please visit www.2Ksports.com.

Bleach: Dark Souls game on Nintendo DS

Bleach: Dark Souls on Nintendo DS

Genre: Action-Fighting
Launch Date: Summer 2008
Developer: Treasure
Platform: Nintendo DS
ESRB: Rating Pending

Bleach: Dark Souls on the Nintendo DS brings an exclusive storyline, expanded cast of playable characters and fast multi-plane fighting action for up to four players via Wi-Fi. Players will also build a power-packed Spirit Card Deck and collect power crystals to augment their spirit card powers on the lower screen and dish out moves that will directly affect their opponent’s gameplay. With a burgeoning cast of 44 characters including the ability to play as Hollows, players can spend hours experiencing furious fighting gameplay and unlocking personal character stories all based on the series’ story arc.

BLEACH is a popular animated series on Cartoon Network. The series follows the life of a 15-year-old boy, Ichigo Kurosaki, who crosses paths with a Soul Reaper and becomes one. The franchise has established itself as a major anime series in Japan, and is now creating a stir in North America. The first season of the show was featured on Cartoon Network’s program, Adult Swim, and received solid ratings in America this past year. The series is poised for a successful second season that began March 2008.

KEY FEATURES:

• Exclusive Single-player Storyline. Bleach: Dark Souls features an exclusive storyline that takes place in between seasons 1 and 2 of the animated series. Fans of the anime will have to play Bleach: Dark Souls to uncover story plot points that are sure to shed new insight on Ichigo’s quest to save Rukia.
• Exciting Multiplayer fighting action. Up to four players will enjoy the fighting action via Wi-Fi connection. This game supports the Download Play feature where one player has a cartridge and transmits the game to another player’s Nintendo DS which allows them to play head-to-head.
• Variety of multi-plane 2D fighting arenas. Players can switch between the foreground and the background battlelines to chase after or escape from opponents.
• Large cast of popular characters. Players will select from 44 of their favorite characters who are all voiced by the actors from the anime series including the Hollows.
• Special attacks to master. Players can inflict massive damage on opponents with special Combos and Super Power Attacks taken directly from the series.
• Seven thrilling gameplay modes. Story, Arcade, Versus, Training and Challenge modes along with two unlockable modes which will provide hours of replayability and keep players coming back for more.
• 30 New Power-up Cards and Power Crystals to Customize Spirit Card Deck. On the lower screen, players can customize and manage their deck of Power-up Cards for boosts to Health, Attack and Defense, and much more.
• New Bleach Encyclopedia. Contains fun and interesting facts about the entire Bleach universe. Fans of the series are sure to use this as a reference for to expand their Bleach knowledge.

Take part in a 24-hour Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 multiplayer game world record

Ubisoft invite you to take part in the first ever Guinness World Records multiplayer marathon gaming attempt

Ubisoft, Guinness World Records, Xbox 360 and the UK Frag Dolls team up for the ultimate Rainbow Six mission

Ubisoft and the Guinness World Records are proud to announce that they will be hosting the first ever Guinness World Record attempt at a marathon 24-hour Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 multiplayer gaming session.

The attempt will take place at the UK's premier multiplayer event organised by Multiplay at their Newbury Racecourse venue. "i33" will take place from the 21st - 24th March and all 1500 tickets have already been sold. This sets the stage perfectly for Ubisoft's Guinness World Record attempt which, if successful, will go into the Guinness World Records: Gamer’s Edition 2009.

Taking part in the attempt will be the UK Frag Dolls: Jam, Kitt and Sarin. As the record session will be taking place connected to Xbox LIVE for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, anyone and everyone is welcomed to join in - be it at the event or from their living room.

The attempt will commence at 10am on Saturday 22nd March, and finish as and when there is no one left standing - literally!

To join the UK Frag Dolls in their record-breaking attempt, send an Xbox Live friend request to "Jam FDUK" "Kitt FDUK" and "Sarin FDUK" up to 24 hours before the event begins. You will then be able to join them in-game, or request a game-invitation. If their friends lists are full, please look for game sessions hosted by "Jam FDUK" "Kitt FDUK" or "Sarin FDUK". They will be playing across all maps and modes during the course of the event.

The world record attempt coincides with the release of the eagerly awaited sequel to Team Rainbow's glowing 2006 next-generation debut. Released from March 20th, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 will be available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC-DVD ROM and will be equipped with many new single and multiplayer features such as a completely new character progression system that allows you to advance both in the single and multiplayer game, new weapons and equipment, and an even more challenging and tuned A.I.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Vegas 2 will also deliver a host of new multiplayer options for the best team, individual, live and co-op multiplayer experience available. For those who are already discussing team tactics with their friends, HMV Online have a special 'Clan Pack' offer whereby you can buy three copies of the game and get one free.

For details, please head to:

http://www.hmv.co.uk/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;-1;-1;-1&sku=786296