NVIDIA Launches the Fastest Graphics Card on the Planet

NVIDIA Launches the Fastest Graphics Card on the Planet

New Generation Dual GPU solution provides a complete, high definition entertainment experience for the PC

The NVIDIA GeForce 9800GX2 is the latest graphics card to revolutionise your PC experience. GeForce 9800 GX2 gives the best gaming performance in the world, HybridPower means a quiet, low power and more environmentally friendly PC and PureVideo HD takes your PC to the cutting edge of High Definition.

Bar None the fastest Graphics Card on the Planet

The GeForce 9800GX2 is at the cutting edge of technology; with 256 screaming fast processor cores and a 1GB total framebuffer, all running through PCI Express 2.0, means the GeForce 9800GX2 is designed from the ground up for Gaming at Extreme HD resolutions.

NVIDIA Hybrid Power – gives you power when you need it most

Combining a GeForce 9800GX2 with one of the latest motherboards featuring NVIDIA’s nForce 790i Ultra SLI chipset makes your system ready for Hybrid Power. Not all applications require a high end GeForce discrete GPU, for times such as these an integrated GeForce GPU can run these applications perfectly while saving power and therefore the environment. The intelligent Hybrid Power system can also combine the power of the GeForce 9800GX2 with the onboard graphics for maximum performance.

PureVideo HD – make your PC the centre of your digital home

PureVideo HD makes High Definition content come to life on your PC – whether video’s are downloaded, streamed, or on Blu-Ray – even the most demanding HD content plays back effortlessly thanks to the best HD engine available on the market. But it is not only the speed of HD rendering that is improved, with PureVideo HD films comes to life with dynamic Contrast Enhancement and automatic enhancements to Greens, Blues, & Skin Tones

The NVIDIA GeForce 9800GX2 Makes all of the above possible, for the very best graphics on the planet there is no other choice.

Processor Cores: 256 (128 per GPU)
Core Clock: 600MHz
Shader Clock: 1500MHz
Memory Clock: 1000MHz
Memory: 1GB GDDR3 (512MB per GPU)
Power Connector: 8-pin + 6-pin
Board Power: 197W
Thermal: Patent Pending Integrated Cooling Solution
Outputs: 2x DVI-DL + HDMI

Powershot Pinball Constructor PC video game is shipping!

Powershot Pinball Constructor is shipping!

Play it. Create it. Share it.

Oxygen Games is excited to announce Powershot Pinball Constructor for the Nintendo DS is shipping and will be available in the shops from 28th March 2008.

Powershot Pinball Constructor offers pinball with a twist – disrupt your opponent’s game with the unique sabotage feature – shake their screen, invert their flippers or even deploy the penalty multi-ball!

Powershot Pinball Constructor also allows you to create and design your own customised pinball table. Share your creation with your friends by sending it wirelessly to their DS, then challenge them to a game and see who has got what it takes to reign supreme on the leader board!

Play it… with multiple modes. Create it… with the unique table editor. Share it… wirelessly with friends!

Powershot Pinball Constructor for the Nintendo DS will be available in-store on 28th March 2008.

Rage Of War PC game Patch v1.2 announced

Announcing Rage Of War Patch v1.2

Evolution Vault announced today plans to launch a new patch for their space RTS game Galactic Dream: Rage of War.

Patch v1.2 will make several important changes:

- Adding a simplified, more reliable in-game menu to the bottom of the screen;
- Improving overall game performance;
- Tweaking multiplayer sessions;
- Introducing new game tutorial with voice;
- Adding queue for buildings (a list of structures which the drone will build);
- Enabling the mini-map "fog of war";
- Implementing camera rotation with mouse wheel (or middle button);
- Adding building/unit hotkeys.

Patch v1.2 will be released in the following days on the official Web site. Stay tuned to http://rageofwar.net for further details.

The Whispered World PC adventure game

The Whispered World: New Screens from the Autumn Forest

In the upcoming adventure game The Whispered World from Daedalic Entertainment, hero Sadwick sets out on a perilous journey. An ancient prophecy is supposed to lead him on his way, but first he will have to find it. His adventure begins in the Autumn Forest, where the foliage brims with color thoughout the year. Here he comes across the decaying remains of a building - only a doorway seems to have stood the test of time – but what secrets lie beyond? The second new screenshot shows an old grandfather clock that is part of another riddle for Sadwick to overcome in search of the prophecy.

Protagonist Sadwick is a young clown but and far from being in a laughing mood. He travels a fairy tale world with his family’s circus. One night, a mysterious form speaks to him in a dream and sends him on perilous journey. Many challenges await Sadwick, for the world he knows so well is doomed...

In the vein of classic adventure games, gamers direct Sadwick and his constant companion, a little worm named Spot, through the gorgeous backdrops of the game world. Hand-painted backgrounds filled with animated details and lovingly crafted characters in the style of classic animated films bring the story to life. The Whispered World meshes fairy-tale elements with melancholic undertones to create an epic fantasy story.

The fantasy adventure game will be released for PC in the 4th quarter of 2008.

http://www.the-whispered-world.de

Nintendo says bandwidth issues have affected online performance for its blockbuster Super Smash Bros.

Nintendo Responds to Smash Bros. Brawl Online Woes

Nintendo says bandwidth issues have affected online performance for its blockbuster Super Smash Bros.

Nintendo has blamed "pipeline strain" for lagging online Wii performance, while promising improvements. Despite this, Super Smash Bros. Brawl has become the fastest selling Nintendo game in history, the company said.

"As with the launch of any online-enabled game, especially one as popular as Super Smash Bros. Brawl, everyone wants to play at once," said a Nintendo spokesperson in an email to GamePro on Monday. "This puts a strain on the pipeline."

With regards to an immediate remedy for ongoing lag and outages of Play With Anyone matches, the representative said, "We have seen improvements in online play performance every day since launch." Those seeking additional troubleshooting support while Nintendo ramps up its network can be found at support.nintendo.com or by calling 1-800-255-3700.

In a separate statement released today, Nintendo of America announced that Super Smash Bros. Brawl for Wii has become the fastest selling Nintendo game in history, selling more than 1.4 million copies after just one week of availability. More than 874,000 units were sold on launch day alone (March 9), the company said.

Source: PC World

Nintendo Wii Fit event in London March 26

Can video games really make you healthier?

Fitness and gaming explored in new event at Science Museum's Dana Centre

Slimmers and gamers have the opportunity to visit the Science Museum’s Dana Centre this March to discover if video games could aid weight loss.

Play away the calories, taking place on Wednesday 26 March, will allow visitors a special preview of the new Nintendo Wii Fit (due to launch across Europe on 25 April) to ascertain if modern, interactive technology could really increase fitness levels.

Visitors will have the opportunity to try out Wii Fit for themselves and watch as its effectiveness is put to the test in a series of live tests. Human guinea pigs will be put through their paces exercising on a treadmill, testing out Wii Fit and playing a more sedentary game, whilst measurements of their heart rate and oxygen consumption are taken to calculate how much energy is burnt.

Throughout the evening sport scientists, physiologists and games experts will be on hand to engage and discuss whether gaming can promote a healthy lifestyle. Epidemiologist Andy Jones from the University of East Anglia will examine how and why adult obesity has quadrupled in the last 25 years and will look at the role technology has played in creating a more sedentary life.

Andy Jones said “Today individuals lead much less active lives than we used to. Levels of employment in manual jobs are falling and we drive everywhere rather than walking or cycling.”

“We need to do lots of things to combat the problem but should try to incorporate activity into our everyday life rather than expecting everyone to go to the gym. We need people to exercise without seeing it as such! So making games more active is one way forward.”

Gaming expert Margaret Robertson will reveal the history of healthy gaming and why this area has failed to make a significant impact before. Visitors will be able to test past examples of gaming technology aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle, such as the original NES fitness games and dance mats.

Gaetan Lee, Dana Centre event organiser said “The Dana Centre aims to explore the most exciting subjects of contemporary and controversial science and technology. Play away the calories is no exception and promises adults an energetic night of game-playing and discussion.”

The Science Museum’s Dana Centre café/bar provides visitors with the opportunity to explore and discuss the latest issues in contemporary science, medicine and technology through informal, interactive and stimulating events. All events are free. The centre is open to over 18s only.

Play away the calories takes place at the Science Museum’s Dana Centre on 26 March, 19:00-21:00 and is sponsored by Nintendo.

Tragnarion Studios now Nintendo official Wii developer - Doodle Hex on Nintendo Wii?

Following last weeks announcement of the release date for their upcoming Nintendo DS title “Doodle Hex” together with Pinnacle Software, developer Tragnarion Studios has more exciting news to share. The Spanish development studio has successfully acquired another Nintendo License, this time becoming an official licensed Wii developer.

“Now that we are releasing in May 2008 our Nintendo DS title 'Doodle Hex', we are really looking forward to work with our recently acquired Wii Licensed, so that we can bring the Doodle Hex saga to this amazing platform. We've been working on preparing some really innovative projects which will make full use of the Wii's unique capabilities”

said Ricardo Carretero, Lead Designer of Doodle Hex.

Doodle Hex is due for release in May 2008 and will be distributed for Nintendo DS only, check it out at www.doodlehex.com or www.tragnarion.com.

Heavy Duty Website Goes Live - Vast amounts of content, numerous unique feature sets in the mix of compelling strategy and fast-paced action

Heavy Duty Website Goes Live

Vast amounts of content, numerous unique feature sets in the mix of compelling strategy and fast-paced action available on http://hd.akella.com/.

Akella is pleased to announce the launch of the Heavy Duty official website that shows off latest assets and storyline additions. Visitors can now go online to http://hd.akella.com/ to get an in-depth look at game features, browse and download screenshots and videos (both promotional and in-game). The website also provides an integral insight into the game content (via fact sheet and FAQs) and features what others are saying about Heavy Duty .

The website also contains Forum section where players will be able to keep up with and discuss all the latest news, screenshots and videos that are released as development continues.

The site also features a news section to keep all fans up to date. Stay tuned as more updates are coming soon!

About Heavy Duty

With the spread of mankind throughout the galaxy new colonies had to be found in the vast reaches of space. Colonists and scientists made the first landings, tasked with setting up settlements for others to follow. These colonized planets are ruled by rival corporations entrusted by the governments of Earth to protect its citizens from harm.

Little did they think from where that danger might manifest itself...

On the frontiers of the human incursion into space hostile alien forces have made themselves known, and they aren't willing to share. Beholden to the organizations in charge of this fragile frontier is the militarized installation: Heavy Duty. Their task: to halt the advance of the alien menace at all costs.

This beautiful-looking game features many advanced technologies allowing new scope in the field of action/strategy games. Featuring the first full planet simulation the player can zoom in from the depths of space to the smallest blade of grass waving in the breeze next to a running stream.

Key features:

• Advanced graphical engine providing visual scale not seen before in real-time action strategy.
  
• Reverse kinematics mean the end of scripted animation and make sure that characters interact with the world on a believable level.
  
• Manage the base, characters and finances as you battle to keep the alien menace at bay.
  
• Engage the enemy in multiple ways from dogfights in the skies with UFOs, to ground-based cleanup operations after wrecked UFOs crash planetside as well as the whole-scale assault of alien bases or the defence of your own.
  
• Fully deformable terrain provides a new tactical challenge – blow craters in the ground to provide your units with cover.
  

Eidos breathes soul into new Nintendo DS title Soul Bubbles

Eidos breathes soul into new Nintendo DS title Soul Bubbles

Eidos Interactive, creators of some of the world’s leading videogame properties, is pleased to announce a new phenomenon to come to the Nintendo DS entitled Soul Bubbles.



In Soul Bubbles the player controls a young shaman apprentice, who is entrusted with saving lost “souls” and guiding them to safety. He must protect these fragile beings from the hostile and dangerous world around them, and he does this by creating protective bubbles to keep the spirits safe.

“This will be THE new phenomenon on the Nintendo DS,” said Brand Manager Ray Livingston. “Every single person who has picked up this game has fallen in love with it instantly. We can’t wait to introduce the world to Soul Bubbles.”

Manipulate your bubbles by first drawing them, then deflating them, cutting them or joining them to other bubbles, filling them with water or gas; then escape traps, extinguish fires and avoid all the sticky or dangerous surfaces that will slow the bubbles down.

The game features 8 worlds, with over 40 levels to explore which will challenge the shaman in a variety of ways – and push the physics capabilities of the Nintendo DS to the max. Soul Bubbles is designed with the next generation of casual gamers in mind.

EA Signs Multiyear Agreement With Massive to Offer Dynamic In-Game Advertising on Titles for Xbox 360 and Windows-Based PC Platforms

EA Signs Multiyear Agreement With Massive to Offer Dynamic In-Game Advertising on Titles for Xbox 360 and Windows-Based PC Platforms

Agreement enables integration of in-game advertising and premium video game content into long-term campaign planning and media buying processes.

Electronic Arts and Massive Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft Corp. and a leading network for video game advertising, today announced an expansion and two-year extension of their agreement to offer dynamic in-game advertising for EA video games. The new global agreement provides unprecedented opportunities for advertisers to engage with EA’s highly coveted audience — especially males ages 18 to 34 — through its roster of blockbuster games on the Xbox 360™ platform and exclusive rights to a majority of EA’s premium PC products.

With over three years of experience in dynamically serving advertisements in video games, Massive is the definitive in-game advertising solution for advertisers around the world, including Ford Motor Co. in the U.S., Rogers in Canada, and Puma in Europe. Massive’s long-standing relationship with EA, publisher of many of the world’s most popular games, provides advertisers with extensive reach through EA’s portfolio of premium content video games. This agreement represents a critical point of differentiation for Massive as the in-game advertising medium continues its momentum as a more attractive and effective medium compared with traditional forms of established advertising.

With the latest agreement, EA will further expand the opportunities available to advertisers by extending the participation of current titles in the Massive network as well as incorporating additional, highly anticipated games over the course of the deal. The wide range of EA content that will be available in the Massive network includes the next two iterations of popular EA SPORTS™ franchises including Madden NFL* football, NBA LIVE basketball, NASCAR* ® racing and NHL® hockey.

Massive will continue to be the exclusive in-game ad network for PC and Xbox 360 platforms of the world’s largest racing franchise, EA’s Need For Speed™, including current live titles Need for Speed Carbon and Need for Speed ProStreet. Massive is also working with marketers to incorporate dynamic advertising into another popular EA racing title, Burnout™ Paradise.

“We continue to utilize the breadth and depth of Massive’s content to market a range of our clients’ key brands,” said Brian Bos, senior vice president, Convergence Director, Mindshare - Team Detroit. “With this expanded partnership, we will be able to plan dynamic in-game campaigns several years out, which is critical in making Massive’s content platform a more integral part of our video game marketing strategy.”

“EA strongly believes that dynamic in-game advertising is an important growth area for our business, and is one of many opportunities we are pursuing in growing the advertising market,” said Kathy Vrabeck, president of the Casual Entertainment Label at EA. “We selected Massive because they are the industry leader in this space with a global sales footprint, solid brand recognition and in-depth experience in video game advertising.”

By providing certainty around Massive’s ad inventory for years into the future, the multiyear agreement enables advertisers to plan in-game advertising on a calendar year basis as part of a holistic campaign development process alongside other mediums such as TV, online and print media.

Rouwen Bastian, Coordinator European Media Strategies at Opel said: “In-game advertising plays an essential role for us in reaching today’s young adult consumers. The multi-year agreement between Massive and EA makes it possible for us to make greater strategic use of in-game advertising by incorporating it into the same long-term planning as other media forms.”

Richard Dance, Group Account Director at MindShare Interaction UK, said: “The growing channel of in-game advertising provides an exciting and creative medium in which to work. Although we are only scratching the surface with regards to the opportunities it provides, more and more of our clients are keen to include in-game advertising as a part of their multichannel strategy.”

“Our latest agreement with EA expands advertisers’ unprecedented access to EA’s world-class franchises to reach young male gamers around the world,” said Cory Van Arsdale, CEO of Massive. “This multiyear partnership reflects both the maturity of the dynamic in-game advertising medium and the benefits that our network continues to deliver for both publishers and advertisers.”