Ubisoft Announces Imagine Rock Star For Nintendo DS

Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, announced the newest game to launch within its highly successful Imagine video game series: Imagine Rock Star. The Imagine line, part of Ubisoft’s Games for Everyone division, is the first-ever dedicated brand of video games that allows girls ages 6 to 14 to explore their favorite interests and hobbies in an interactive and entertaining way.

Since the launch of the new franchise, Imagine sales have exceeded expectations with more than three million units sold globally. Following the successful launches of Imagine Figure Skater, Imagine Fashion Designer, Imagine Animal Doctor, Imagine Master Chef and Imagine Babyz, Imagine Rock Star is the sixth game in the Imagine line-up and will be available in June 2008, allowing young players to form their dream band, climb the charts and become music legends.

“Ubisoft has established itself as the leading publisher for girls and we are extremely pleased with the success of the first series of Imagine games,” said Tony Key, senior vice president of marketing and sales at Ubisoft. “By allowing them to play, create and dream of the possibilities, Imagine Rock Star strengthens Ubisoft’s position in this category and provides more DS options for young girl gamers.”

Imagine Rock Star allows players to create a rock band and select who plays the drums, guitar, bass and piano. Each instrument has its own unique control using the Nintendo DS stylus. Players have the ability to customize the look of each band mate in order to become the most stylish rockers. Players can wirelessly jam with up to four of their friends, perform in concerts and earn money as the band works its way up the charts to the No. 1 spot to land its dream recording contract.

Warfare launched in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in German language

Warfare goes on German Market

Game Factory Interactive is happy to announce that we have entered into a 3-year agreement with Rondomedia, one of the leading publishers in the German-speaking market, on publishing and distribution of our strategy headliner Warfare in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in German language.

About Warfare

In this title you have to take command over US armed forces in order to fight back terrorists and restore local government control in Saudi Arabia.

Hired Guns - The Jagged Edge soon available in Poland

Hired Guns soon available in Poland

Game Factory Interactive is happy to announce that we have entered into a 3-year agreement with Top Ware for Polish territory, on publishing and distribution of our fascinating Hired Guns: The Jagged Edge title.

About Hired Guns: The Jagged Edge

The game puts you in command of a squad of specialists for hire in the genre’s biggest game-world.

Choose friends wisely, buy an army of ruthless mercenaries and unleash mayhem on the African countryside.

With multiple story lines and endings, you are in total control of your own fate.

Free 2 Play - Knight Online Update Twin 14th Worlds are now LIVE!

Knight Online Update
Knight Online - Twin 14th Worlds are now LIVE!

K2 Network a global online game publisher, announces today that Knight Online has just gone live with their record 14th world CARNAC! This world is special, as it is divided into two major regions (East and West). There will be some exciting updates and upcoming announcements concerning the new world of Knight Online.

Knight online is a Free2Play MMORPG and can be found at www.gamersfirst.com


About Knight Online -

Knight Online is a fantasy MMORPG in which players must choose to play as an orc and side with the nation of Karus or play as a human and side with the nation of El Morad. There are four classes to choose from (Warrior, Rogue, Magician or Priest), and a second class may be chosen at level ten. This MMOG features many different zones (which can be reached via Warp Gates for a price) to adventure in and events (some scheduled, some spontaneous) to participate in.

Forming a party of two to eight players is encouraged in Knight Online as doing so grants more experience points in combat. Clans can be formed in this MMO which grants the ability to party with other members of the same clan without level restrictions and without them being close enough to manually select them. One expansion has been released for Knight Online, called The Reign of the Fire Drake, which added several new maps, quests, monsters, and bosses, changed the user interface, introduced a “Post-Office” system, and increased the level cap from 70 to 80.

Amazon discounts Hot Shots Golf on PlayStation 3 to $49

Amazon discounted Sony Corp.'s Hot Shots Golf title for the Playstation 3 by 17 percent in the latest promotion for the Blu-ray backed hardware.

Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds on Sun. was price cut to $49.99 from a $59.99 MSRP. The latest entry in the franchise was released last week.

The title features larger, more detailed courses, multiplayer options, online play, and downloadable content.

The promotion is the latest in a slew of promotions to further sales of PS3 product, including adoption of the Blu-ray disc high-definition format.

Amazon earlier this month offered the new DualShock 3 controller for $49.99, $5 under the MSRP. The product, which includes rumble functionality, will be sold in mid-Apr.

Best Buy Co. Inc. this month began offering $100 the purchase of a PS3 and an HDTV $999 and up.

Sony's U.S. game division this month said that a new software update for the Playstation 3 will add new interactive Blu-ray features to the hardware in late Mar.

The new Blu-ray disc Profile 2.0, or BD-Live, will enable new interactive features, including downloadable video content, ringtones, games, and more.

The PS3 sold 280,800 units in Feb. U.S. sales according to NPD Group.

Hot Shots Golf video review here

Super Smash Bros. Brawl on Nintendo Wii rakes in the cash for Nintendo

Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. Brawl is one of the best games of the year so far.

If retail sales are indication, it might also be one of the best-selling.

The popular cartoon fighting game for the Nintendo Wii console has set a new record for Nintendo of America, selling a whopping 1.4 million copies in the U.S. in one week – including 874,000 copies its first day of release, March 9.

Similarly, Super Smash Bros. Brawl became the fastest-selling Wii game in Japan with more than 1 million copies sold in 11 days. Canadian numbers aren't available yet.

"Super Smash Bros. Brawl has made the leap from video game to cultural phenomenon," said Cammie Dunaway, spokesperson for Nintendo of America.

Next up from Nintendo is Mario Kart Wii (April 27), which ships with the Wii Wheel racing peripheral, and the Wii Fit (May 19) fitness suite, which includes the wireless Wii Balance Board.

Nintendo's Next Big Thing?

In related news, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime has already hinted at big things to come for the holidays.

In an interview with GameTrailers TV this week, Fils-Aime confirmed a "big game" will be unveiled July at the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, adding it will be available for the Wii over the 2008 holidays.

The only clue given is that it'll appeal to both the casual crowd and hardcore players. Hmm, let's hope it's the next instalment in the beloved The Legend of Zelda franchise. Fils-Aime also revealed a new Wii music game in the works would likely be announced at E3.

The top 10 PC games

With all the news surrounding the console scene it's easy to ignore computer game fans. If you're itching to play a new PC game on your new laptop, here's a quick look at the top-selling computer games for the week ending March 1 (source: NPD Group):

1. The Sims 2: FreeTime (Electronic Arts)

2. Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision)

3. Sins of a Solar Empire (Stardock)

4. Frontlines: Fuel of War (THQ)

5. World of Warcraft (Blizzard Entertainment)

6. World of Warcraft: Battle Chest (Blizzard Entertainment)

7. The Sims 2 Deluxe (Electronic Arts)

8. World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade (Blizzard Entertainment)

9. Lost: Via Domus (Ubisoft)

10. Mystery Case Files: Madame Fate (Activision)

EA games 'Dead Space' Cartoon Promotes Game's Release

Animated film will bridge the comic book series and upcoming video game.

Electronic Arts and Starz Media are producing an animated prequel movie to the upcoming sci-fi horror video game "Dead Space."

The film, being developed by Starz subsidiary Film Roman, will pick up where the comic book series on which it is based ends and leads to the beginning of the game.

With the game, set for a Halloween launch, Film Roman president and COO Scott Greenberg said the company is looking to release the animated film between mid-September and late October, initially as a TV special in multiple markets, followed by a home video release through Starz's home entertainment company, Anchor Bay Entertainment.

"We're really looking for this to be an event," Greenberg said. "We feel we'll attract the hardcore gamer, but we'll also get sci-fi and animation fans as well."

Greenberg said there will be two versions of the film -- a softer one for TV and a harder one with more blood and coarser language for the DVD. Starz also is eyeing Web-based and wireless distribution.

Film Roman has been working for several years with Electronic Arts on projects tied to EA games. "We felt this one was the best one to launch with," noted Greenberg, whose animation company is behind "The Simpsons," "King of the Hill" and the preschool hit "Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!"

Source: Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

Gibson Goes on Suing Spree Over Guitar Hero, Rock Band

Follow up story --

Gibson Guitar hits Wal-Mart, Target, others for selling Guitar Hero games

Earlier this month, Gibson accused Activision of its Guitar Hero franchise violating several of the real-guitar makers’ patents. Activision responded by asking a federal judge to declare that the Guitar Hero does not owe anything to Gibson’s patents.

U.S. Patent number 5990405 awarded to Gibson in 1999 reads,

“A musician can simulate participation in a concert by playing a musical instrument and wearing a head-mounted 3D display that includes stereo speakers. Audio and video portions of a musical concert are pre-recorded, along with a separate sound track corresponding to the musical instrument played by the musician.”

Gibson isn’t finished with just Guitar Hero, however, as it has also filed a patent infringement lawsuit against those behind Rock Band – Harmonix, MTV Networks and Electronic Arts – over the very same patent thrown up against Guitar Hero.

“Gibson Guitar had made good faith efforts to enter into a patent license agreement with the defendants in this case. The defendants have not responded in a timely manner with an intent to enter into negotiations for a patent license agreement,” read a Gibson press statement. “Gibson Guitar had no alternative but to bring the suit, and it will continue to protect its intellectual property rights against any and all infringing persons.”

Besides going after the makers of the music-rhythm games, Gibson is also launching an offensive against retailers selling such products. Last week, Gibson brought a lawsuit against Wal-Mart, Target, Wal-Mart, Kmart, Amazon.com, GameStop and Toys “R” Us for their sale of Guitar Hero games.

“Gibson Guitar took this action reluctantly, but is required to protect its intellectual property and will continue to do so against any other person in accordance with the law and its rights,”

the guitar maker said in another statement.

Activision responded in a press release to Gibson’s attack on retailers:

“Our Guitar Hero retailing partners have done nothing wrong. We will confront this and any other efforts by Gibson to wrongfully interfere with Activision's relationship with its customers and its consumers.

“As Activision noted in its filing, Gibson waited three years to make its patent allegations, and only did so after it became clear that Activision was not interested in renewing its marketing and support agreement with Gibson. Activision continues to believe that Gibson's claims are disingenuous and lack any justification.”

Source: DailyTech

Nyko Front Man Wireless Guitar for Guitar Hero III ships

Nyko Technologies, a leading gaming peripherals manufacturer has announced to ship Front Man Wireless Guitar for the Nintendo Wii. The new peripheral is compatible with Guitar Hero III.

The new Front Man Wireless Guitar uses the Wii Remote for wireless power and connectivity.

Other features of the new Front Man Wireless Guitar include:

• Accurate and responsive whammy bar
  
• Bi-directional strum bar
  
• Responsive and durable fret buttons
  
• Two interchangeable pick guards in designer colors
  

"We wanted to expand upon our success with the FrontMan for PS2 by adding additional functionality and attention to detail that true fans of the series can appreciate,”

said Chris Arbogast, Marketing Director at Nyko Technologies.

“The Front Man for Wii ups the bar on aesthetics and customization for third party guitars while still providing top-notch gameplay at a decent price point,”

added Arbogast.

Nyko’s Front Man Wireless Guitar is available in the US market right away at the price of $49.99.

Source: TechShout

Two Worlds: The Temptation for Xbox 360, PC coming in 2008

SouthPeak Games together with ZUXXEZ Entertainment have announced a sequel to its hugely popular open world RPG called Two Worlds: The Temptation. This game is being developed for the Xbox 360 and Windows PC platforms.

This game takes place shortly after the events portrayed in the first Two Worlds. The sequel takes place in Eastern Antaloor, in the regions surrounding Oswaroh and the Drak’ar Desert.

Two Worlds: The Temptation is expected to feature as much content as the original game.

Miroslaw Dymek, Chief Developer with Reality Pump explained, “Our entire development team is now putting their all into making Two Worlds: The Temptation, a game this is far better than the original.”

It is also known that this game will feature much more intricate missions, improved voice-overs and animations, retooled horseback riding, revamped combat as well as a new game engine.

“We’ve taken to heart all the comments made by gamers about Two Worlds and we’re going to give them what they want with the sequel,”

added Dymek.

The role playing game Two Worlds: The Temptation is expected to be out on Windows PCs and the Xbox 360 console in Fall 2008.

Source: Tech Shout