The Moose is loose on XBLA! Pinball FX Gets Zanier with Rocky & Bullwinkle

The Moose is loose on XBLA! Pinball FX Gets Zanier with Rocky & Bullwinkle

ZEN Studios Releases Themed Expansion Table in Anticipation of Rocky & Bullwinkle XBLA Game

ZEN Studios has announced the release of the Rocky & Bullwinkle themed expansion table for the popular Pinball FX game on Xbox LIVE Arcade. The Rocky & Bullwinkle table delivers the same wacky, irreverent and heartfelt humor and traditional art styling that made the classic cartoon series “Rocky & Bullwinkle & Friends” so popular and is now available for download.

Pinball FX, released on Xbox LIVE Arcade in 2007, combines the arcade thrills of traditional pinball with enhanced game play, unparalleled graphical detail and exciting, innovative features not found in any other pinball game. The Rocky & Bullwinkle table will cost only 200 Microsoft Points f or gamers looking to join up with Rocky, Bullwinkle, Boris Badenov, Natasha Fatale and all the rest of the gang from Frostbite Falls. The full version of Pinball FX is required and is available for 800 Microsoft Points.

The release of the Rocky & Bullwinkle table for Pinball FX is in anticipation of the release of the full Rocky & Bullwinkle game for XBLA from Zen Studios in partnership with Bullwinkle Studios.

With several modes of gameplay and loads of bumpers, slingshots and kickbacks, the Rocky & Bullwinkle table is a great compliment to the already impressive array of tables for Pinball FX. In addition to the Speed Machine, Extreme, Agents tables that come bundled with the game, Rocky & Bullwinkle joins the recently released Nightmare Mansion table and the free Buccaneer table to give extended life to an already deeply replayable title.

Ecolis - Save the Forest game comes to Nintendo DS

Title: Ecolis - Save the Forest
Release Date: 30.05.08
Genre: RPG
SRP: €39.99/£29.99

Rising Star Games Announces Ecolis - Save the Forest on Nintendo DS

Rising Star Games today announces Ecolis – Save the Forest for Nintendo DS and available from Friday, May 30th 2008.

Deforestation, pollution, global warming and industrialisation of wildlife’s natural habitats are all subjects featured in print, online and broadcast news every day. They are also the core theme to Rising Star Games’ latest release, Ecolis - Save the Forest, a real-time strategy (RTS) game for Nintendo DS. Promoting awareness of environmental perils, Ecolis – Save the Forest proactively tasks the player with defending the Ecolis world against them! The game is also unique in that it manages to weave meaningful issues into a fun video game experience which makes the player champion the environment.

In Ecolis – Save the Forest, the player uses the Touch Screen to control units of woodland creatures named Ecolis, Ecoby and Ecomon which will protect the naturally beautiful Mana Woods, the centre of the Ecolis world, and recover the polluted land. All the different creature types have unique skills which must be strategically managed. With proper nurturing, they can evolve to learn new abilities which can help the player complete the game’s more than 40 environmental missions. As players grow their woodland army they must also plant new trees to prevent deforestation and revitalise the woodlands.

Additionally, Ecolis - Save the Forest includes a creative Land Make feature which lets players build and play their own maps. This eco-friendly RTS also supports two-player play via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and for up to four players via single card download play or ad-hoc multi-card play. The game also features endearing creatures, resource management, magic and level creation.

Curse of Souls download for Two Worlds on XBox live

SouthPeak Makes It Two For Two Worlds

Second Downloadable Content Pack Expands Antaloor Online Multiplayer Experience Even Further

SouthPeak Games has announced that Curse of Souls, the highly anticipated second set of downloadable content for Two Worlds, is now available via Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Curse Of Souls further expands the online multiplayer world of Antaloor with new maps and weapons and is available now via Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 600 Microsoft points.

Four new maps offer over 35 brand new quests for players to conquer together. In addition, Curse of Souls introduces players to Tharnburg, a town famous within the Two Worlds universe for having two divergent districts. The Merchant’s District offers a great variety of shops for players to browse, while the Gladiator District will let players learn new skills and test their mettle against other players in a huge player-versus-player combat ring.

“The online portion of Two Worlds has proven immensely popular with the game’s fans. Curse of Souls not only offers new places to explore for the online mode, but also gives players a new opportunity to go head-to-head and see who has developed the strongest character,” said Melanie Mroz, CEO of SouthPeak Games. “Combined with Tainted Blood, the first downloadable content pack, there are more hours of multiplayer gaming in Two Worlds and its DLC than you’d find in most single-player games.”

Curse Of Souls is available for download via Xbox LIVE Marketplace now for 600 Microsoft points.

Around the World in 80 Days – available for download or online

Around the World in 80 Days – the latest game from Playrix Entertainment hits retail!

Playrix Entertainment is pleased to announce that its latest hit game Around the World in 80 Days will soon be available in European stores.

On February 6, 2008 the developer of such strong titles as The Rise of Atlantis and Atlantis Quest, Playrix Entertainment, released its new addictive puzzler – Around the World in 80 Days. The game is a nice adaptation of the most popular adventure novel of the same name by Jules Verne. The classic Around the World in 80 Days always attracted a lot of interest and inspired several films and TV miniseries.

With this outstanding puzzle game the player gets a chance to travel back in time to the late 19th century and enjoy spectacular adventures on land, sea and air together with the English daredevil Phileas Fogg and his loyal French servant Passepourtout. With only 80 days to circumnavigate the globe the stakes are high – the journey must be completed on time to win the fantastic 20,000 pounds wager (equal to £2,500,000 today).

Around the World in 80 Days from Playrix Entertainment has already shown strong performance on major portal sites worldwide and now it is entering the European retail market. “Based on the game's potential and its strong performance online,” said Dmitri Bukhman, Playrix's CEO and founder, “we believe we will see equally strong results in physical retail. Thanks to our valued partners in Europe the game will be appearing on the shelves in the German and French-speaking markets in Q2-Q3 2008. We are also currently talking to several partners in the US.”

The puzzle game Around the World in 80 Days can be downloaded from the Developer's web site

Its online version

Football Manager 2008 Demo Available on Microsoft Xbox Live

SEGA Wants You To Be A Manager

Football Manager 2008 Demo Now Available Via Xbox Live

SEGA Europe Ltd. and Sports Interactive Ltd. confirmed today that the demo for Football Manager 2008 is available via the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. This demo lets the player experience the first half of the season, with a fully updated database, and a choice of clubs from 14 different countries.

Developed by award winning development studio Sports Interactive, Football Manager 2008 lets the player choose their favorite team and guide them to glory. 

While the Xbox 360 version retains all the depth and realism of the record breaking PC version, it also features revamped online play via Xbox Live, permitting you to challenge friends to one-on-one matches and even host tournaments. With improved gameplay and a depth only seen from Sports Interactive Ltd., the whole range of Football Manager 2008 titles offer a management simulation that is second to none.

Learn to play Doodle Hex with new demonstration videos.

Tragnarion Studios has released a series of videos designed to showcase its forthcoming magical puzzler for Nintendo DS, Doodle Hex.

Due for release via Pinnacle in June, Doodle Hex is a spell-casting game designed exclusively for the DS and uses the touch screen capabilities as a medium to actually draw the runes that will be used.

The new video explain the basic concepts of the Doodle Hex interface, and will be updated on a weekly basis. They can be found on at www.doodlehex.com, which this week has been localized for Spanish fans following massive demand.

Doodle Hex is due for release in June 2008 and will be distributed for Nintendo DS only. Check it out at www.doodlehex.com.

Popcorn Arcade - Two more strikes at Gold for the Nintendo Wii

Video games publisher and games developer Data Design Interactive are pleased to announce another 2 titles turned into gold master, making game approval an almost weekly achievement; ‘Myth Makers Super Kart GP" and "Action Girlz Racing" These two will be released in the 4th Quarter 2007 under the companies dedicated Nintendo Wii label Popcorn Arcade and will be distributed by Koch Media in the UK.

Stewart Green Data Design Interactive MD said….

After seven years in the making, our GODS development system is proving its worth as our eighth and ninth title gets approved on Wii. GODS was designed as a system to rapidly and reliably produce games and after developing and publishing nine titles on a new platform within 8 months proves it has proved its worth. We are well on track for our target of 14 titles by Christmas 2007 and 30 titles by Q2 2008. These two titles are internally designed and developed. This is a great achievement for independent publishers making original IPR titles.

The Action Girlz are here! Grab your lipstick, start your engines and get ready for a excitingly girlie, fun packed escapade.

• Race around fairy-tale castles, holiday resorts and even through school corridors (while the teachers aren’t looking)!

• Using the Wii Remote as a steering wheel, Action Girlz Racing puts you in the driving seat in a completely new and wonderful way!

• Fantastic, mad cartoon fun, all rolled together with lots of exciting challenges and engaging races.

• Up to 4 players can play simultaneously, with different modes of play from time trails to cup challenges.

• Collect Pick-ups to enhance and broaden the gameplay; use weapons to knock your opponents off the road, shields to protect yourself and speed boosts to overtake or clear big jumps to take the lead.

• 8 unique characters, with different fashion, attitudes, catch-phrases and lives.

• Race during the day or night unlocking characters, upgrades, courses and much more.

Fantastic family fun and mad cartoon action, all rolled into one mystical experience…Join the magical Myth Makers characters in their Super Kart GP.

• Take up the Myth Makers challenge and race against unique characters, or challenge your friends to leagues, cups, time trails or face a solo challenge and try to defeat the evil Mumbra.

• Collect pick-ups to enhance your kart; use weapons to knock your opponents off the road, shields to protect yourself and speed boosts to overtake or risk big jumps find the elusive shortcuts.

• Use the benefits of the Nintendo Wii control system by placing the Wii Remote in the driving position. Tilt your controller left and right to control your Super Kart like your hands were on the wheel itself.

• Players can race head to head with Mumbra and by beating him you will be taught unique special powers bestowed upon you by the Myth Academy.

• Up to 4 players can play simultaneously, with different modes of play from time trails to cup challenges.

• Earn rewards by competing in different Cup Challenges around the Myth Realm, unlock extra vehicles, levels and special powers.

For more information, screens and video please visit

www.popcorn-arcade.com

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Intel And Epic Games Launch $1 Million Intel Make Something Unreal Contest

Intel And Epic Games Launch "$1 Million Intel Make Something Unreal Contest"

Legendary mod-making contest with more than $1 million in cash and prizes to spark game development

Epic Games, Inc., the award-winning developer of multimillion-selling games and the world’s leading game engine, Unreal Engine 3, today announced plans to follow up the original “$1 Million Make Something Unreal Contest” with an all new competition to include esteemed sponsor, Intel Corporation. Winnings exceed $1 million in value, and consist of one coveted Unreal Engine 3 license as a grand prize and other cash awards and prizes, including IntelSoftware Development Products and Velocity Micro PCs based on the Intel Dual Socket Extreme Desktop Platform with two Intel Core 2 Extreme quad-core processors. The 2008 “$1 Million Intel Make Something Unreal Contest” will be judged in four preliminary phases and a grand final. Judging will begin in June 2008 and will conclude, with the grand final prizes being awarded, in fall 2009.

To participate, aspiring game developers create modifications (“mods”) for the PC version of Unreal Tournament 3 in a wide range of categories including environments, characters, weapons, gameplay, tools, vehicles and more.

Through the contest, players can unleash their creative skills, make new content and game experiences using cutting-edge game technology, and reap rewards on many different levels. The content created for this contest will be freely available to players of the PC version of Unreal Tournament 3 worldwide.

“To all you aspiring game developers out there – this is your chance to get in the big leagues. We have categories for all kinds of creatively talented people including programmers, artists, 3D modelers, designers and even aspiring film directors,” said Mark Rein, vice president of Epic Games. “You get to use the same world-class Unreal Engine 3 toolset we used to create Unreal Tournament 3 and Gears of War. Unreal Engine 3 is used by many of the industry’s leading game companies, so this is truly a chance to prove your worth and get your foot in the door of the game business while having your work potentially exposed to millions. To get mod-makers started, the collector’s edition of Unreal Tournament 3 includes over 20 hours of 3D Buzz’s professional-level video training materials for the Unreal Engine 3 toolset.”

“The ‘$1 Million Intel Make Something Unreal Contest’ demonstrates Intel’s ongoing commitment to helping game developers harness the capabilities of the PC gaming platform,” said Elliot Garbus, vice president, Software and Solutions Group, general manager, Visual Computing Software Division, Intel Corporation. “We are passionate about unleashing developers’ innovation through our popular software developer tools, our Intel Core 2 processor family, and high-performance platforms, like the eight core Intel Dual Socket Extreme Desktop Platform, formerly codenamed ‘Skulltrail’. Combining Intel products with the Unreal Engine modding tools provides a wonderful opportunity for aspiring developers, machinima artists, and modders to jump in and truly change the game.”

The last “$1 Million Make Something Unreal Contest” catapulted World War II shooter Red Orchestra to fame. Its development team, Tripwire Interactive, was awarded the grand prize, an Unreal Engine 3 license, for overall Best Mod and throughout the contest earned nearly $80,000 in cash and computer hardware prizes. Red Orchestra was later shipped to retail outlets worldwide.

“A few years ago, we were just a group of fans with an idea to make a mod that we would all like to play," said Tripwire Interactive President John Gibson. "The Unreal Engine and its mod tools were perfect for the game we wanted to make, and with the hard work and determination of our team we used those tools to create Red Orchestra and win the mod competition. Winning the ‘Make Something Unreal Contest’ helped the Tripwire Interactive team realize our dream of founding our own development studio and bringing our game to retail. It is a real life 'Rags to Retail' story.”

Universities and students can participate as well. “We were pleased to be a winner in the educational category of the first contest sponsored by Epic and look forward to being part of this year’s competition,” said Dr. Peter Raad, founder and executive director of The Guildhall at SMU. “Unreal Engine technology has been a cornerstone of our program and has been a big part of us sending more than 180 artists, level designers and programmers since 2004 to work at more than 70 video game studios around the world.”

For more information about the “$1 Million Intel Make Something Unreal Contest,” visit www.makesomethingunreal.com.

Ubisoft unveils Tom Clancy's HAWX

A Tom Clancy air combat title was first announced back in September 2007, and Ubisoft has now revealed the game will be titled Tom Clancy's HAWX.

According to IGN the game is in development at Ubisoft's Bucharest studio and will enable players to pilot more than 50 planes. Set in the year 2012, the world has become dependent on increasingly powerful private military companies, which has lead to an imminent global conflict.

Thanks to something called Enhanced Reality System (ERS) even an average pilot can take to the skies, using radars, incoming missile detection, an anti-crash system, damage control system, tactical map, weapons trajectory control and more. When the ERS is switched on you'll be taking it safe, but won't have the same freedom as available when ERS is switched off.

Other cool stuff included is cooperative play for up to four players in the campaign and 16-player online battles, which earn experience points and cash used to unlock new weapons and such.

Source: VideoGamer

With the Tom Clancy brand attached there's considerable pressure on Ubisoft Bucharest to ensure HAWX lives up to the name come its planned autumn release on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

City of Heroes adds In-Game advertising

The decision to add in-game advertising to City of Heroes may alarm players shelling out the game's monthly fee, but NCSoft's Brian Clayton says there's no need to be concerned.
NCSoft's deal with Double Fusion would replace the fake billboards that dot the scenery of Paragon City and the Rogue Isles with genuine, revenue-generating advertisements. The ads should go live some time this summer, but Clayton stresses that it's up to the player whether or not the ads are visible.

"I want to make it very clear that we are not 'forcing' in-game ads upon our players. Thus, the word 'optional' is of key importance. None of our players have to change their game experience in any way if that's what they prefer. All that you need to do is opt-out via the Options menu in the game," he wrote in a post on the City of Heroes web site.
If given the option, why would anyone choose to view the ads? Because 100 percent of the money generated by the ads will go straight back into City of Heroes development, says Clayton.

"Our development costs are ramping up in a major way as we look to literally double the team this year to accommodate big plans for the short, medium and long term. Optional in-game advertising is another revenue stream that helps us to accomplish all of this at no additional expense to our players," he said.

Clayton also pointed out that only "contextually relevant" ads will be permitted by the development team, and nothing that would violate City of Heroes' T rating, such as ads for alcohol or tobacco, will be allowed.
"We will be very careful not to break the immersion and feel of Paragon City or the Rogue Isles," said Clayton. He also suggested that the ability to swap signs in and out dynamically opened up the possibility of putting player-created content or fan art on display.

This should be an interesting experiment. If it all works the way NCSoft says its going to, it could be a relatively painless way for players to give a little bit extra back to the developers, thereby improving their own gaming experience. That said, I expect at least some City of Heroes players are going to be tweaked that they're paying a monthly fee to play a game with advertisements, even if those ads are optional.

Source: W.I.R.E.D.