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Wednesday, April 02, 2008

FLATOUT ULTIMATE CARNAGE FOR PC-DVD ROM

FLATOUT ULTIMATE CARNAGE FOR PC-DVD ROM EXPECTED END OF JUNE/EARLY JULY.

Empire Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of Silverstar, is proud to announce first look screenshots for FlatOut Ultimate Carnage for PC.

With over 2.5 million sales worldwide, the award winning FlatOut franchise is now one of the most successful racing series across multiple formats.

FlatOut Ultimate Carnage debuted on the Xbox 360 in Europe in June 2007, and the game has been a critical success, remaining a Top 5 seller in all European markets for several months. This high demand prompted Empire Interactive to develop FlatOut Ultimate Carnage for PC, improving graphically upon the XBOX 360 version, and bringing PC gamers up to date with the latest instalment of this high-octane, destructive racer.

Exciting New PTO Wargame For Your PC - War Plan Pacific

Shrapnel Games Awakens The Sleeping Giant With War Plan Pacific!

Announcing An Exciting New PTO Wargame For Your PC!

It should have been just another December Sunday morning. It wasn't. Scores of aircraft dropped from the sky, blood red suns adorning their wings, unleashing a Hell borne from bullet, bomb, and torpedo. Body and hull shattered, blood and oil staining the Hawaiian waters as most of the United States' Pacific Fleet was transformed into a mangled wreck of flesh and steel within hours. As bad as the carnage was it was but a sign of the days to come, as the greatest naval conflict the world had ever seen- or would see- erupted upon that infamous day. Forged in the flames of Pearl Harbor this conflict would only end in the atomic flames of Nagasaki.

Shrapnel Games is pleased to announce the upcoming publication of War Plan Pacific, developed by KE Studios, a new development house based in the Puget Sound region.
Currently about to enter beta War Plan Pacific will be available for the Windows operating system, price to be decided.

War Plan Pacific is a turn-based computer wargame for one or two players (IP based multiplayer capability) covering the entire war in the Pacific from 1941 until 1945.

Focusing on power projection through the use of a strong navy, players will assume the role of the heads of either the Imperial Japanese Navy or the United States Navy (along with allied British, Australian, and Dutch forces), commanding a historical force mix in a total war aimed at achieving nothing less than an unconditional surrender of the enemy.

Individual ships of light cruiser size and larger are represented, and each turn represents one month of real world time.

The Japanese player faces a challenging road to victory, although victory is possible through either a quick win or a slow win. He can cut the vital US to Australia sea lines, isolating Australia and thus denying the US its important forward and submarine bases necessary to march steadily towards Japan. If denied for six months the Japanese will win. This is the quick win for the IJN. The slow win involves staving off total defeat until 1946. To do so the Japanese has to do more than hold onto a few ships and bases though, as both the loss of oil or a successful strategic bombing campaign (which also abstractly culminates in the atomic bombings of the mainland) will spell defeat for the Japanese.

Long time wargamers who are familiar with Avalon Hill's classic Victory In The Pacific will feel right at home with War Plan Pacific. This is not a game that seeks to track every single widget, bullet, and drop of sweat in the Pacific theater, but rather one that allows the entire war to be fought in a single session. As lead designer and KE Studios' founder John Hawkins says, "Put the kids to bed, play a full game, be in bed yourself by midnight." Eschewing hexes, War Plan Pacific uses a system of twenty-nine important bases. Your naval forces are either found around the bases or in transit. The speed of your task force determines transit time, something to keep in mind when planning an assault involving task forces from all over the Pacific.

War Plan Pacific is a game of naval conflict, with land combat represented by the taking of bases through the successful use of sea power. And while the game abstracts several elements to make it playable in a few hours, its heart beats a historical reality. Naval forces arrive on a historical timetable. The Japanese long lance torpedo is a thorn in the USN's side. Players can attempt to recreate the Doolittle raid, tying up Japanese coastal forces for months, or as the IJN scare the Hell out of the American public by shelling the West Coast. Try out historical strategies, or try out your own. What will be your turning point? Coral Sea? Midway? Guadalcanal?

Get yourself a Wireless Nunchuck for Nintendo Wii

Go Wireless on Nintendo Wii - Unleash Your Nunchuk

No more messy wires – just gaming full on

Maximise your Nintendo Wii gaming experience

Zappies Ltd is proud to be releasing, exclusively in the UK, for Nintendo Wii gamers the ultimate wireless gaming weapon – The Nunchuk Wireless Kit, which allows you to play your favourite games without being limited or restricted by the Remote to Nunchuk cable.

The easy to install procedure takes seconds……simply snap the wireless receiver to the bottom of your Wii Remote, insert your Nunchuk into the wireless housing, press the synch button and you are away… ready for hours of wireless, unhindered, unobstructed play!!

Ergonomically moulded, an integrated LED status indicator lets you known when you are connected, synched and ready to go and there is no need to buy another Remote or Nunchuk for this kit is all you will ever need to take your gaming to another level.
4 player compatible with Remote power button shut off, the unit is power by 2 AAA batteries which provide 20 hours of non stop gaming!

• Safe, secure and easy to set up
• No more tangling up when stored away or whilst playing!
• Automatically switching – a greener product

Coming with a lifetime warranty, more peripherals will be released in the coming months from Zappies Ltd.

Wolverine Studios Announces Draft Day Sports - Baseball

Wolverine Studios, a developer of sports simulation games, is proud to announce that well-respected developer Shaun Sullivan, creator of the widely praised PureSim Baseball series, has joined Wolverine Studios to produce Draft Day Sports: Baseball.

“I’m really excited to join the Wolverine Studios team”, says Shaun Sullivan. “Gary Gorski and I have known each other for many years and already have a successful history of informally collaborating on titles such as Total Pro Golf and Total Pro Golf 2. Now, as an official member of the team, I am looking forward to working with the talented folks at Wolverine to build Draft Day Sports: Baseball. PureSim Baseball has been a great franchise, and I think bringing the PureSim engine to a title powered by Wolverine’s user interface technology will result in a winning combination.”

Wolverine Studios President Gary Gorski says of Sullivan: “Shaun is a fantastic developer and a very well respected member of the community. He’s played a valuable role in some of our previous projects and I couldn’t be more excited about him joining our team. I always felt PureSim was a terrific game and now with the Wolverine team around him I know that Shaun will be able to take Draft Day Sports: Baseball to new heights.”

More details and discussion about the game will be available from Wolverine Studios’ company website at www.wolverinestudios.com.

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Nintendo Wii, Guitar Hero Become Newest Features of Hotels

Hotels are using Wii as special attractions for guests

The Nintendo Wii is nothing short of a phenomenon.

The console’s innovations have stirred the consumer market, including those outside the videogame buying population, into a frenzy around the Wii.

Hotels are the latest to capitalize on the Wii’s success but offering access to videogames, sometimes at inflated pay-per-play rates. According to USA Today, the fitness center at Manhattan’s Le Parker Meridien offers guests Wii rentals at $50 an hour. That figure will balloon to $120 an hour with the addition of a personal trainer.

Hotel chain Westin said that it will soon be rolling out Wii for guests at over 150 locations and resorts, though details and pricing were not announced.

The Wii is often looked to as a solution to help maintain a hotel or resorts contemporary image – to constantly provide guests with a new experience. Thanks to the Wii’s relatively inexpensive $249 price point, hotels view it as an inexpensive addition.

Nintendo’s console isn’t the only gaming device to be a draw for hotel guests. Guitar Hero is employed at Hotel Monaco Seattle, where businessmen partake in musical playoffs during the hotel’s complimentary social hour on Fridays.

Robert Mandelbaum, director of hotel research and information services for PKF Consulting, told the paper, “From an amenity standpoint, (buying a basic Wii system for $250-$300) isn't as expensive” as installing flat-screen TVs or other frills. “This is a way for hotels to keep up with the times.”

Besides entertaining hotel guests, the Wii has already found good company in various retirement homes and even aboard cruise ships.

Mario Kart Wii on Nintendo Wii some artwork

Mario Kart Baby Mario

Mario Kart Baby Peach

Mario Kart Kinopio

Mario Kart Luigi

Nintendo Wii - Mario Kart Wii Fact sheet

Mario Kart Wii

Format: Wii
Launch Date: 04/27/08
ESRB: E (Everyone) - Comic Mischief
Game Type: Kart Racing
Accessories: Wii Wheel (included)
Players: 1-4 locally or up to 12 on Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection with up to 2 players locally
Developer: Nintendo

KEY INFORMATION

The worldwide race is on with a whole new set of tricks, tracks and ways to play.

The Wii Wheel transforms the Wii Remote controller into a steering wheel that feels natural in anyone's hands, while the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controller offer a classic control style for the Mario Kart veteran. In either configuration, players can perform speed-boosting tricks with a shake of the Wii Remote.
Players can race as their favorite Nintendo character, or even as themselves! Mario Kart Wii lets players race with their personalized Mii characters. And racers will see other Mii characters they have created cheering from the sidelines on some race courses.
Players can compete with up to three friends in their living room. Or challenge up to 11 opponents via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection in the biggest Mario Kart race yet. All tracks and modes of play are available via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, and players can visit the Mario Kart Channel to compete in tournaments, check rankings, see when their friends are playing and download ghost data.
Cruise new tracks and arenas or tour classic courses from Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Mario Kart: Double Dash!! and Mario Kart DS. Tired of riding on four wheels? Bust out one of the new motorbikes for special tricks and techniques.

Game storyline: Drawing on courses and battle arenas from every game in the series – not to mention tons of new ones – the true king of the Mushroom Kingdom racing circuits will finally be crowned.

How to progress through the game: Place first in Grand Prix circuits or clear skill-based missions to open up increasingly difficult and thrilling circuits. Players can have multiplayer races on any open courses or battle in arenas.

Characters: Nintendo favorites Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Wario, Bowser and Toad, plus a host of new faces-including your own! Get into the game and put your Mii character behind the wheel.

Special powers - weapons - moves - features: Whether racing around an obstacle-filled track or battling in an arena, drifting and tossing items are the keys to Mario Kart success. Players can shake the Wii Remote while launching off a ramp to pull off a trick that will temporarily boost their speed. When riding a bike, players can gain additional speed by flicking the Wii Remote up and popping a wheelie.

Control: Mario Kart Wii is compatible with four different control schemes, so players can customize how they want to play:

Wii Remote Controller (with or without Wii Wheel): Steer by tilting the Wii Remote left and right. Or snap the Wii Remote into the Wii Wheel to transform it into a steering wheel for an intuitive, motion-based control scheme.
Nunchuk Controller: Steer with the Control Stick on the Nunchuk and use the Wii Remote to accelerate, perform tricks and drift.
Classic Controller: Mario Kart veterans can let their thumbs do the driving with the Classic Controller. However, players cannot perform certain moves with this control scheme.
Nintendo GameCube Controller: Experienced Mario Kart fans may also enjoy this familiar scheme, although some maneuvers cannot be performed.

Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection: There are two options for races and battles over Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection: up to 12 people via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection or up to 10 people via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection with two people playing locally.

SONY ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT TO AWARD UP TO $10,000 SCHOLARSHIP TO HELP GIRLS GET THEIR GAME ON

Applications are now being accepted for the 2008 G.I.R.L. Game Design Competition scholarship of up to $10,000 designed to educate and recruit more women into the field of video game production and design. Sponsored by Sony Online Entertainment LLC. (SOE) a global leader in online gaming, applications and complete rules for entry are available online at www.girl.soe.com.

The SOE G.I.R.L. - Gamers In Real Life - competition is the first of its kind to encourage students toward career paths in the field of video game design and production, ultimately resulting in the development of games that are more interesting for women to play.

"The secret is out: Females game. We're just trying to encourage more women to make the games they obviously enjoy playing, said Torrie Dorrell, Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, Sony Online Entertainment. "With the application process starting today, we're taking a concrete step towards opening the door a little wider for women who want to go into game development, and that can only help expand our industry's audience."

The SOE G.I.R.L competition was created in response to survey findings that focused on women in the field of video games. The survey interviewed female students currently enrolled in Game Art & Design, Visual & Game Programming and Visual Effects & Motion Graphics programs at The Art Institutes schools. The SOE-sponsored survey revealed that:

- 61% of students surveyed believe male dominance in the industry is a deterrent to women pursuing a career in gaming
- 42% of those surveyed would like to see women portrayed as leaders in video games
- 35% of the students surveyed want to create more games that are fun and interesting for women to play
- 31% of those surveyed want to become involved in gaming because more women need to represent the industry

According to the Entertainment Software Association, thirty-eight percent of all game players are women. In fact, women over the age of 18 represent a significantly greater portion of the game-playing population (31%) than boys age 17 or younger (20%).

The G.I.R.L Game Design Competition officially begins today, April 1, 2008. In order to be eligible to participate, entrants must be currently enrolled at one of The Art Institutes schools, have a graduation date of June 2009 or later and must comply with the Official Rules [Official Rules]. Entrants are required to complete an online application and submit an in-game design, concept art and two (2) essays. Online applications must be completed on or before April 15, 2008 and related asset submissions must be received on or before May 31, 2008. The winner will be announced on or about June 30, 2008.

One skilled student will win up to $10,000 towards tuition for his or her education at The Art Institutes school at which he or she is currently enrolled and a paid internship of up to ten (10) weeks at one of the Sony Online Entertainment studios (located in Austin, Denver, San Diego and Seattle; room, board, transportation and living expenses not included). Entrants will be judged by a panel of industry professionals from SOE. To learn more, visit girl.soe.com.

Red Stone Selected As A WCG Official Tournament Game

K2 Network a worldwide publisher of online games, in cooperation with Samsung Electronics, announces today that Red Stone was selected as the only MMOG (massively multiplayer online game) for the World Cyber Games 2008 (WCG).

Red Stone is unique 2D fantasy MMORPG with an amazing and compelling story.
Players may choose from eight character classes, each of which can transform into fantastic alternative classes to learn new skills and abilities. In Red Stone, you will explore dangerous lands, fight powerful monsters, complete exciting quests, and battle other guilds for superiority and glory. For more information on Red Stone’s upcoming WCG tournament details and to play the game yourself for free visit Gamersfirst.

“We are thrilled that Redstone was selected to participate in such a prestigious event,” says Joon Woo Kim, Associate Producer for Red Stone, K2 Network. “With its robust international community Redstone is a perfect fit for the World Cyber Games and we wish all the participants the best of luck.”

The World Cyber Games is the premiere global tournament and cultural cyber festival in gaming, with well over 1.5 million players from 74 countries participating in 2007.

Announced early this month the largest line up of official tournament games in its history with an epic lineup of PC and Xbox 360 titles, including the debuts of Halo 3 and Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, along with the return of tournament favorites including Starcraft: Brood War, WarCraft III: The Frozen Throne and more.

The Reawakening – follow-up to Dreamlords announced

Swedish online game developer Lockpick Entertainment is proud to announce the upcoming release of Dreamlords – The Reawakening, the follow-up to last year’s critically acclaimed debut.

The game will be online Q2 2008...and it will be free...and it’s not a joke!

After working like mad ferrets locked down in Skövde, Sweden Lockpick Entertainment is happy to finish the latest installment in the Dreamlords saga: The Reawakening.

The story continues where the original game left off: The world ended in a cosmic disaster (yes we had to use that expression, apart from sounding extremely dramatic it is what really happened) and the Cynos had to put the world to sleep to heal itself. Everything went black but after eons of silence, the Dreamlords slowly reawakens and begins to put the world back together.

Guess what, all is not what it seems though and it is not just the Dreamlords that has been awakened…

What is new in Dreamlords – The Reawakening then?

Well, here are some of the things:

• An improved user interface with a client-based 3D Patria.
• We’ve made an effort to simplify the rules of the game while maintaining the complexity and long-lasting gameplay.
• Ok, this is the biggest change and you’ll love it! The Reawakening will be FREE to play. Yes, you read it right: FREE. No cost at all, just free fun!
• Customization is king! We’ve added new features such as upgrades, items and gear that will boost your Dreamlord.

Dreamlords – The Reawakening… Coming soon to a screen near you...

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Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Tuesday, April 01, 2008