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Thursday, March 20, 2008

Atari UK To Release Driving Theory Training on Nintendo DS


Atari UK To Release 'Driving Theory Training'

Fasten your Seatbelt for Atari's On-the-Move Driving Theory Test and Highway Code Tutor for Nintendo DS

Atari UK today announce the forthcoming release of a new title for the popular Nintendo DS handheld console, Driving Theory Training, giving players the unique opportunity to revise, practice and take virtual tests on driving theory and Highway Code whilst on the move.

This will be the first time that the Nintendo DS has been used as a new media device to help learners study and simulate the actual test. Driving Theory Training is aimed at provisional license holders who need that little extra help to be successful when the day of the real test comes around and offers valuable help to anyone who’s learning to drive.

Available in Summer 08, Driving Theory Training will feature the full driving theory questions and answers officially licensed by the DSA (Driving Standards Agency). In addition to a full theory test based on the real life exam, learners can benefit from revision, graphs, mini games and questions and answers relating to vehicles. The application also features the full Highway-code, ways to learn and revise as well as fun games to entertain whilst stimulating the mind.

“Knowing the rules of the road and the highway-code is vital part of driving and passing your theory test."
Atari UK have been striving to replicate the driving theory exam in an educational and informative application. We hope this title will help people learn everything they need to know to successfully pass their driving theory test. Commented Jeremy Wigmore, Managing Director of Atari UK. Everything from speed limits to stopping distances is covered using the official question bank featured in the actual test. The application also includes the full Highway-code and fun driving related games. Wherever they are, players can take the test, revise the questions or simply play challenges. We are knowledgeable that learners need to have a deep understanding of what they’re studying rather than simply remembering questions to pass the test and hopefully this title will help them achieve that whilst also providing an enjoyable experience.

Driving Theory Training for the Nintendo DS is scheduled for UK launch in summer 2008. For more information about Atari’s entire product line up, visit www.uk.atari.com.

PC video game Dekaron Open beta starts on April 2nd

Dekaron Open beta starts on April 2nd

In a world enlightened by two moons the battle between light and darkness is about to start…

Are you ready to join the war lasting for millennia?

Dekaron is now ready to step into open beta phase: be ready for it on April 2nd!

Choose your warrior, enter Trieste and help the resistance to win the war!

Run to register to GameTribe! The battle is waiting for you!

GameTribe Team

Time to Play!

About Dekaron

• Genre: 3D MMORPG
• Developers: GAMEHI
• Plus:
Mix between a RPG and Action Adventure game styles

• Features:
– Realistic Combat System
– Dynamic Battle Included in Combo System
– Advanced Artificial intelligence
– Realistic 3D graphics

Sunny Blonde stops over dtp releases So Blonde demo


Sunny Blonde stops over: dtp releases So Blonde demo

Sunny Blonde stops over for a quick visit: The cute heroine of Steve Ince’s and dtp entertainment’s new PC adventure game So Blonde invites adventure gamers to have a look into the free demo version of the game. Publisher dtp entertainment today releases a German language version of the demo, an English language version will follow shortly.

Adventure gamers can download the demo from the official So Blonde homepage (www.soblonde.de for German language; www.soblonde.com for English and other languages).

The approx. 400 MB sized demo features the beginning of the new adventure game: See Sunny stranding at the Forgotten Island and meet Max, one of the three playable characters of the game.

Sunny Blonde didn’t exactly want to land in the Bermudas; in fact the gorgeous 17 year-old was on a luxury cruise with her parents to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary. But a raging storm plunged the ship into distress at sea, Sunny went overboard and she regained consciousness washed up on the beach like driftwood!

Much more problematic than her unintended stay on a totally unknown island, which she has no idea how she can ever leave, the horrible realisation dawns on Sunny that she will suddenly have to do without out all the luxuries of life: her mobile has no signal, her make-up is a mess and it looks like the nearest shopping mall is miles away… on foot! And if that wasn’t enough, unfortunate circumstances have thrown Sunny back some one hundred years in time and she has ended up in a golden era of pirates and buccaneers!

Sunny Blonde is also in a really tricky situation and we are calling upon the PC gaming community to solve it in So Blonde! The person responsible for the novel plot is none other than the famous adventure author, Steve Ince (“Baphomets Curse”).

So Blonde, developed by the French developers Wizarbox, promises a wacky story line, an (anti-)heroine as pretty as a picture, deeply black humour, which far outstrips all the blonde joke clichés, fabulous comic-strip graphics and a quite few gameplay surprises!

dtp will publish So Blonde worldwide. So Blonde has shortly been released in German-speaking territories and will be published in Q2 2008 in most territories over the world.

BETA PROGRAM FOR BATTLEFIELD: BAD COMPANY, SHIPPING JUNE 2008


EA DICE, a studio of Electronic Arts today announced the multiplayer beta test for Battlefield: Bad Company on the Xbox 360 video game system from Microsoft. IGN Founders’ Club and IGN Insider will offer keys to members and the public in North America and the UK to participate in the multiplayer beta test, starting March 25, provided by IGN’s popular game download site FilePlanet . In addition, keys will also be available through IGN Entertainment’s gaming web sites including IGN.com, GameSpy, TeamXbox, Planet Battlefield and Voodoo Extreme. Battlefield: Bad Company will launch on the Xbox 360 and the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system in June 2008.

“We’re really excited about this beta since it gives us a chance to let a wider audience play our new multiplayer game, ‘Gold Rush’. The feedback coming back from something like this is crucial for us as developers and will help us with the final changes and polish in the game,” stated Karl-Magnus Troedsson, Senior Producer for Battlefield: Bad Company. “Battlefield and FPS fans get their first glimpse into how tactical destruction can be applied in multiplayer gameplay. We think offering two of the multiplayer maps will give gamers a fantastic experience and some great insight into the game.”

The Battlefield: Bad Company multiplayer beta test will give players a chance to return to the battlefield to embark on an exciting mission to capture the spoils of war. Gamers will battle through two different maps, access new infantry kits and vehicles as well as experience the unique tactical destruction in Battlefield: Bad Company that changes the way first-person shooter games are played. With an unlimited upgrade tree and rewards, the multiplayer beta gives players the exhilaration, excitement and fun that awaits them when the final game ships later this summer.

“Xbox LIVE has a tradition of hosting some of the greatest demo and beta events gamers can play,” said Marc Whitten, General Manager of Xbox LIVE. “We continue this practice of awesome online gameplay with the new beta of Battlefield Bad Company.”

Developed by Sweden-based developer EA DICE (Digital Illusions Creative Entertainment), Battlefield: Bad Company has not yet been rated by the ESRB or PEGI. For more information about the Battlefield franchise, please visit www.battlefield.com

Sequel Announced for epic RPG Two Worlds - The Temptation Arrives This Autumn


SouthPeak Brings Temptation To The RPG Genre

Sequel Announced for epic RPG; Two Worlds: The Temptation Arrives This Autumn

SouthPeak Games has announced that it will be releasing a sequel to Two Worlds, its popular open-world role-playing game. Entitled Two Worlds: The Temptation, this second episode from the world of Antaloor is set for release on PC and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Due on the shelves in autumn 2008, Two Worlds: The Temptation will build on its prequel by including a host of improvements and new features, including a completely overhauled graphics engine.

Taking place shortly after the events portrayed in the first Two Worlds, The Temptation takes place in Eastern Antaloor, mostly in the regions surrounding Oswaroh and the Drak’ar Desert. Two Worlds: The Temptation will also include a host of improvements and all-new game content on the same scale as the original Two Worlds’ epic game world. From more intricate missions, improved voice-overs and animations to re-tooled horseback riding, completely revamped combat and a new graphics engine that delivers visuals that have to be seen to be believed, Two Worlds: The Temptation is set to build on the success of the original and take the fantasy kingdom of Antaloor to new heights of complexity and player freedom.

“We first envisioned The Temptation as an expansion to the original,” said Miroslaw Dymek, Chief Developer with Reality Pump explained. “However, as we started creating the story and reworking almost every aspect of the game, we realised that we were well on our way to crafting a fully-fledged sequel. Our entire development team is now putting their all into making Two Worlds: The Temptation a game that is far and away better than the original.”

“Two Worlds has a huge fan base across the world, and all will be happy to hear that The Temptation will be exactly what they’ve been hoping for in a sequel.” Said Melanie Mroz, CEO of SouthPeak Games. “The team at Reality Pump has taken to heart all the comments made by the players and will incorporate massive improvements that are sure to please and surprise everyone.”

For more information about Two Worlds, or to sign up for the Antaloor Post, please visit www.2-worlds.com.

Hurry Up Hedgehog – a cute addition to your Nintendo DS collection!


Hurry Up Hedgehog – a cute addition to your Nintendo DS collection!

Release date set for Hurry Up Hedgehog for the Nintendo DS.

Oxygen Games is pleased to announce that its cute and addictive puzzle title is now shipping and will be in the shops on 28th March 2008.

Hurry Up Hedgehog! is both a simple and thoroughly addictive puzzler offering an easy-to-learn playing experience for the whole family to shrewdly manoeuvre their way to victory. For board game aficionados, it’s based on the popular board game, Igel Ärgern.

Play against the computer or with up to 5 friends on a single Nintendo DS™ (or with multiple consoles through local wi-fi) whilst dodging hazards and out-smarting friends to race your hedgehogs home.

Featuring multiple game play environments and a selection of customisable game play and game rules options, Hurry Up Hedgehog offers up to 32 unique ways to play the game providing enough depth to keep players coming back for more and more!

Hurry Up Hedgehog! – Race, creep, jostle and out-manoeuvre in this intriguing multi-player brainteaser for all ages.

Probably the cutest hedgehogs to be seen on the Nintendo DS will be in shops from 28th March 2008.

Popcorn Arcade Signs BATTLE RAGE THE ROBOT WARS on Nintendo Wii


Popcorn Arcade Signs BATTLE RAGE: THE ROBOT WARS

Coming soon for Nintendo Wii...

Stourbridge, England. Data Design Interactive - a successful video games publisher and games developer - is pleased to announce that it has secured rights to publish and develop the Nintendo Wii version of Battle Rage through their Popcorn Arcade label. Battle Rage is a third-person PC shooter and has been developed by Destan Entertainment and produced by Teyon Games. The company also announced the games full working title for the Nintendo Wii format: BATTLE RAGE: THE ROBOT WARS.

Data Design Interactive managing director Stewart Green said,

"Battle Rage is already an excellent game on the PC, but we saw the potential for the title on the Wii and jumped at the chance to develop it further for Nintendo's system. With our proven technology and the GODS engine all aspects of the original game will be effortlessly transferred over to the Wii. The combination of the high-end PC graphics, proven gameplay and addition of motion control will make for a very compelling and enjoyable experience."

BATTLE RAGE: THE ROBOT WARS the third person shooter with elements of a beat’em'up game that allows a player to control giant robots. Battles between the robots take place on carefully selected battlegrounds (so called “arenas”) and they are short, quick, brutal skirmishes. The player can fight alone (versus one, two or even three opponents) or in a team against a common foe. Every robot has its own weapons (for melee and distance combat), additional weapon types can be collected on the arena.

The player can modify a robot’s parameters in the single player mode as well as in the multiplayer to fit its possibilities to his/her own fighting style. Also many new, powerful robots will wait for the player to unlock in the story mode. The Tournament has begun.

Features:
  • Single player and Multiplayer modes.
  • Arcade mode with a separate Storyline for each of the robots characters.
  • Robot Customization.
  • Compelling mechanics (Rage, Rush, Power Traingle).
  • Special Attacks (push, stun and other unique abilities for each robot).
  • Robots allowed to fight with 3 weapons at the same time (two ranged and one melee).
  • 8 different robots.
  • 20 weapons.
  • 10 arenas.
The Story:

Exodus It all begun in 2036 with invention of The Drive. After nearly a century the humanity turned its eyes at the stars again. First the Moon and then Mars, so unwelcoming and mysterious, had to submit to mankind’s expansion. Space became swarmed with shiny hulls of ships. Cosmos turned into an obsession. It was an everyman’s dream to witness, at least once, extraterrestrial wonders. Whether it was the surface of the Silver Globe bruised with craters, or for many years, intriguing "human face” – Cydonia. The governments were competing with propaganda, promising the volunteers piles of gold and the glory of conquerors. Those who believed them mostly found tough, dangerous life and uncertain fate. However, they wouldn’t back off.

The Colonization Era has come.

Creation When you want to penetrate the mysteries of Cosmos you need more then just sheer determination. Quickly it turned out how much we are dependant on machines that we create. So we built more - each bigger and more advanced than the previous. We designed metal giants in our own image – Shells. We considered them the finest tools in the history of craftsmanship.

The Golden Age of humanity was to last forever.

The Fall Delighted with our creation, we disregarded teachings of history. After what happened, many theories that would allow us to prevent tragic events emerged. If we were that creative before, we might have saved thousands of innocent lives. We died instead, like the passengers of “Titanic”, driven by our vanity. Ironically, our greatest and most promising undertaking – “New Hope” – turned into a flaming tomb for countless individuals.

So began the end of Colonization Era.

Renaissance The "New Hope” incident deprived us of delusions, we were far from perfection. We turned our backs on our children. Where the luminous, glimmering cosmic cities once stood, heaps of junk laid – the only remnants left by Shells. The fall of such a great idea affected our whole society. Never before were criminal records that high. Boredom and resignation overcame us. It was when the Corporation emerged, finding a niche on the entertainment market. Who would have thought that few, cheaply bought wrecks of Shells and the ruins of an old factory would start a madness not weaker than that of a couple of years back. Several convicts were offered freedom and money if they were to fight and win in front of the TV cameras. Quickly they have become the true heroes of our bored society.

Data Design Interactive is part of Green Solutions Ltd (GSL) which manages the production of interactive products for the entertainment industry. From game design, development and publishing on PC and Console. GSL owns the popular MYTH MAKERS and KIDZ SPORTS brands and the publishing rights to the GODS development system. We control a number of studios which specialize in key areas. Data Design Interactive develops and publishes, and is a licensed publisher for Sony Playstation, Nintendo and Microsoft, Artworld Studios for computer animation and Advergaming is the market leader for in game advertising and custom games. Popcorn Arcade www.popcorn-arcade.com is the brand name for our family friendly, value priced Wii range.

6 MILLION SONGS IN ROCK BAND PURCHASED IN JUST OVER 3 MONTHS


Rock Band Downloadable Content Goes Six Times Platinum

6 MILLION SONGS IN ROCK BAND PURCHASED IN JUST OVER 3 MONTHS

BRAND NEW IN-GAME MUSIC STORE FEATURED IN ROCK BAND

SOFTWARE UPDATE HITS THIS WEEK

Red hot music video game Rock Band continues to fly off shelves and satisfy music fans and gamers voracious appetite for rock as more than 6 million game levels based on songs have been purchased since its launch on November 20, 2007. With an impressive weekly stream of downloadable content since launch and an unmatched offering of over 70 songs available for purchase to date, Rock Band has gone six times platinum featuring a diverse selection of artists ranging from classic rock to up and coming, emerging acts.

"Thank you to the music lovers who have helped Rock Band reach an incredible milestone of over 6 million purchased downloads at such an early stage,” stated by Paul DeGooyer, SVP DVD, Gaming and Audio, MTV. “The success of Rock Band downloadable content to date firmly reinforces our vision and its potential as a platform for music discovery. By empowering players with the ability to customize their Rock Band library with a rapidly growing selection of rock artists and songs on a weekly basis and adding great new features such as the in-game music store, we are thrilled to give fans more ways to enhance and enjoy their Rock Band experience.”

As an ever evolving platform for players to experience music like never before, Harmonix and MTV Games also announced the release of a software update this week which features the new in-game Rock Band Music Store. This innovative new feature allows Rock Band players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks and packs from the vast selection of offerings available to date without ever leaving the game as they build their own custom Rock Band library. The Rock Band Music Store has a user-friendly interface to streamline and enhance the music shopping experience and will be available via a free download through the Xbox LIVE® and PLAYSTATION®Network this week. Accessible from the main menu, the Music Store now lets you view, purchase, and sort all downloadable songs tracks by Artist, Song Title, Genre, Albums, Pack, and more! You can also view album art, listen to song previews, as well as check out detailed information about a song, such as difficulty for each instrument.

Also included in the Rock Band software update are additional game features that address many of the popular requests by the gaming community. Access to Xbox LIVE or the PLAYSTATION Network is required to download the Rock Band feature update. Users will be prompted to accept the Music Store software update automatically when starting Rock Band while connected to Xbox LIVE or PLAYSTATION Network.

Rock Band™ allows online play and possesses features that expand the boundaries of music gaming. Rock Band™ downloadable content is playable and integrated into setlists in all game modes including: Solo Tour, Band World Tour, head-to-head competition either locally or online, and from any Quickplay mode. In order to play downloadable content for head-to-head matches or multiplayer online, all players must own the same downloadable track. Downloadable content for the Xbox 360 is available for purchase via Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft using Microsoft Points and is downloaded directly to the Xbox 360 hard drive. Downloadable content for the PLAYSTATION 3 system’s version of Rock Band is available for purchase on the PLAYSTATION Store through the free PLAYSTATION Network and is downloaded directly to PLAYSTATION 3 system's built in hard drive.

On top of the over combined 125 Rock Band tracks available to date via disc or download purchase, fans can continue to expect more music available for download every week through 2008 through a variety of song packs, albums and individual tracks with suggested retail pricing varying from $.99 to $2.99 per track (The equivalent of 80 to 240 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360), with the vast majority selling for $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360). For a complete list of Rock Band songs available for purchase to date, please go to http://www.rockband.com/dlc.

Rock Band is rated “T” for Teen (lyrics, mild suggestive themes) by the ESRB.

EA is the exclusive distribution and marketing partner for Rock Band, managing distribution for the game.

Naval simulation game Ship Simulator 2008 add-on New Horizons


GOLD Announcement for true-to-life naval simulation game Ship Simulator 2008 add-on: New Horizons

Leading computer software publisher Lighthouse Interactive and Dutch developer VSTEP are proud to announce that the next incarnation for their successful Ship Simulator franchise: the official Ship Simulator 2008 add-on: New Horizons has gone gold.

The Dutch duo confirmed the eagerly awaited game is ready to set sail on retail shelves on the 4th of April, 2008 in the UK and Scandinavia. Release dates for other European countries and North-America are to be determined. This new edition to the popular franchise is packed with upgrades and is Windows Vista compatible.

Erik Schreuder, CEO of Lighthouse Interactive: "The Ship Simulator series has already generated a large community of Ship Sim fans. They will now be able to extend their naval experience with the official Ship Simulator 2008 Add-on: New Horizons. There are so many improved elements to the game that make this a challenging true-to-life experience – everyone interested in simulator games should really check this out."


VSTEP's CTO Pjotr van Schothorst: "After months of intensive development and testing, we are proud about New Horizons reaching gold status. With its brand new features, improved visuals and added gameplay options, New Horizons provides an exciting addition to Ship Simulator 2008 and will surprise Simulation fans worldwide. New Horizons is the next step in creating an even more immersive experience for our Ship Simulator fans."

Become Napoleon And Conquer Europe In New PC Game


Become Napoleon And Conquer Europe In New PC Game

TRAVEL BACK IN TIME AND COMMAND THE MOST FAMOUS HISTORICAL BATTLES OF THE 19TH CENTURY

Napoleon’s Campaigns is an engaging battle strategy game from Ascaron launching in April 2008. Take on the role of the infamous leader Napoleon Bonaparte to experience renowned battles of the 19th century in complete historical accuracy.

For immersive realism, Napoleon’s Campaigns has been developed based on extensive historical records. The different battle campaigns take place in chronological order, starting with Austerlitz and Trafalgar in1805, through other famous battles such as Jena in 1806 and the Danube in 1809, ending with Napoleon’s final defeat at Waterloo in 1815.

There are more than 1,500 historical figures in Napoleon’s Campaigns, each with their own specific character traits. At Waterloo, Wellington’s stern countenance will mean a meticulously organised army, while during battle at Leipzig, Blücher’s decisive movements and sheer determination help to create a tactical and brutal conflict.

Napoleon’s Campaigns features over 1,000 different types of army units, including infantry, cavalry, cannons, warships, spies, doctors, partisans and engineers. These have been accurately recreated, from the type of formations they take during battle right down to the smallest detail of their uniforms.

Genuine political scenarios and military strategies add to the accuracy of Napoleon’s Campaigns. Geographical borders and topography are represented on a map based on real 3D satellite projection, so visual effects and gameplay are as realistic as possible. If an army is ordered to march from one city to another, it may take a day if the land is flat with roads, but it could take 5 days over mountains with a rough terrain.

Change history

Napoleon’s Campaigns also features an exciting bonus level with the chance to change history as Napoleon wins at Waterloo and achieves his biggest dream; invading England.

To play the demo of Napoleon’s Campaigns visit www.napoleons-campaigns.com

Fast facts:
Publisher: Ascaron Entertainment / Nobilis
Web: www.ascaron.com
Developer: AGEOD
Release date: 11th April 2008
PEGI: 3+
Format: PC
Genre: Battle Strategy