Free download PC racing game - TrackMania Nations

TrackMania Nations Forever - Free and for All!

Launched two years ago, TrackMania Nations became a true video game phenomenon. The free downloadable racing game attracted an unbelievable number of players around the world who were obsessed with the game's fast cars, spectacular tracks single- and multiplayer play and simple yet powerful tools for creating tracks and race videos. For the past two years, it has been installed more than 30 million times and nearly four million players have created an account to play the game online on the game's servers.

Its highly anticipated sequel, TrackMania Nations Forever, will be available as a free download starting on April 16th. TrackMania Nations Forever will offer a new "Forever" version of the Stadium environment, a solid solo mode and 65 brand new, progressively difficult tracks. TrackMania Nations Forever will unite an even larger number of players thanks to its engaging multiplayer modes, innovative online functions and revolutionary interactivity between players.

- Download the TrackMania Nations Forever Trailer (90 MB)

- Watch the trailer (streaming)

- TrackMania Web site

Additional trailer download mirrors -
- Worthplaying

- FileFront

- GamersHell

For TrackMania Nations Forever, Nadeo studio chose to take advantage of the PC's capacities as a gaming, creative and communications platform in order to allow a greater number of players to share a unique gaming experience:

Florent Castelnerac, Director of Nadeo studio, explains:
"The PC is the premier gaming platform when it comes to the number of casual and expert players.

To satisfy this wide range of players, we designed the game for everyone instead of trying to focus on the average gamer. We have put a lot of effort in developing the competitive spirit and challenge between players in order to present a game adapted to big e-sports competitions while remaining captivating and accessible to players who have less gaming experience. Even if you play Nations Forever quietly alone, you can still be ranked in the world, your country, your city or even in your list of friends that you can create by inviting friends to join like in Facebook or MySpace.

It is up to each player to set his/her goals - become one of the best players in the world or just impress friends. These ladders are adapted to everyone and they add ten times more interest to solo or multiplayer modes. Always searching for new ways to add interest and unite an even larger number of players, we explored the possibilities the PC offers as a universal communication platform: for example, a system that allows you to challenge your friends by mail or Messenger. Since the game is free, fun and works on most computers, there is a big chance that many people that you know will play it.

Finally, as for creativity, the PC is the only game platform that allows players to easily create additional game content, and the game comes with powerful creative tools like the track editor. We increased creative possibilities even more with richer, more complete editors while making creation more accessible to a larger number of players with a simplified track editor.

Tomorrow, we will see exceptional creations from the four corners of the world that players will be able to exchange for free and easily. It's a tremendous motivation for the entire development team."

The coming of TrackMania Nations Forever will also allow the convergence of the large TrackMania community. For the first time, players of the free versions will be able to play online with players from the retail version of TrackMania United on servers dedicated to the Stadium environment that is common to both games.

Players of the TrackMania United retail version will also gain a brilliant free extension named "United Forever". In addition to being compatible with Nations Forever, this extension will offer many bonuses - including tracks that have never been seen before, new design blocks for the seven game environments and a spectacular graphics update for the three historic environments (Desert, Snow and Rally).

TrackMania Nations Forever will be available for download starting on April 16th, for free and for all!

Microsoft say they have no plans for a Blu-ray Xbox 360

Microsoft has no plans to release a Blu-ray add-on for the Xbox 360 and is instead backing digital delivery, the head of Xbox in the UK has said.

Microsoft stopped production of its HD-DVD player following the decision by Toshiba, the format's creator, to concede victory to rival Blu-ray.

Microsoft's Neil Thompson said physical media would give way to downloads in the next two to three years.
"We have always said online is the way to go," he said.

He denied that Microsoft had abandoned customers who had purchased the HD-DVD add-on for their Xbox 360 consoles.

"We said to people they had the choice; we didn't force it on them as we didn't put it in the box,"

he said.

Shift focus

He said Microsoft had always planned to shift its focus to digital distribution of content.

"Our belief was that in the lifetime of the Xbox 360 we were going to move to this online world and online distribution for content outside gaming.

"If we didn't believe that we would have put a hi-def player in the console.

More from the BBC

Coin-Op Classic GAUNTLET on Nintendo DS released by Eidos

Eidos Revitalizes Timeless Coin-Op Classic 

GAUNTLET On The Nintendo DS

Eidos Interactive Ltd., creators of some of the world’s leading videogame properties, has today confirmed that Gauntlet, a modern reworking of the classic fantasy hack and slash arcade game from Midway, will be released on Nintendo DS later this year.

Gauntlet is set in a fantasy-themed universe where evil cloaks the world from the high clouds of Ascendia to the depths of the lava-ridden Abyss. Players can choose from the four classic heroes, Elf, Warrior, Wizard, and Valkyrie, each with their own strengths, weaknesses and special abilities. Throughout the journey, the heroes will slash their way through demonic foes and gain up to four power move abilities to aid them in their battle with evil.

“With Gauntlet we’ve revitalised all of the action and fun of the original 1980s arcade classic, whilst updating the visuals and gameplay for today’s DS gamer,” said Ray Livingston, Brand Manager at Eidos. “With four-player Wi-Fi cooperative mode, one of the most memorable multiplayer gaming experiences of all time is back with a bang.”

One of the few titles taking full advantage of the hardware capabilities of the Nintendo DS™, Gauntlet offers Voiceover IP (VoIP) which allows voice communication through the Nintendo DS microphone, giving players more options to interact with their friends online.

Featuring 40 maps across three realms, Gauntlet offers fast-paced, retro RPG crusade-style gameplay in addition to new and in-depth multiplayer features including cooperative play and competitive multiplayer. The arcade style competitive multiplayer feature strengthens the addictive Gauntlet experience by introducing ranked multiplayer games like - Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch and Treasure Hoard game modes, hosted with local Nintendo Wireless play or via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Developed by Backbone Entertainment, a division of Foundation 9 Entertainment, Gauntlet is set for release on Nintendo DS later this year.

Super Hind: Explosive Helicopter Action on Sony PSP

They created the perfect weapon then put it into your hands.

Super Hind - Explosive Helicopter action

Take control of the world's deadliest assault helicopter

The old order has gone. One by one the nations fell, and the multinational Consortium locked its grip on the world’s throat. But to combat the last of the united nationalist forces and maintain power, they needed a new weapon...

20TH CENTURY ASSAULT CHOPPER. 21ST CENTURY UPGRADE: The Russian MI-45D Super Hind can out-manoeuvre and out-fight virtually anything on land, sea or air. You are pilot Warrant Officer Dante Griffin. In your hands is a weapon that can change the world. They gave you the power. Only one question remains: DO YOU GIVE IT BACK?

SUPER HIND is the ultimate tactical air combat game for a handheld.

• Explore breathtaking high-detail environments: rich geology, foliage, buildings, and atmospheric effects like rain, snow, and sunshine- even lightning.
  
• Take on a world of lethal fighting machines: helicopters, tanks, mobile missile platforms, jet aircraft, ballistic missile warships, submarines and more.
  
• Unleash awesome destructive force: high-voltage cannons, super-rapid fire electronic ballistic guns, micro air-fuel bombs, and other high-tech weaponry.
  
• Explore breathtaking high-detail environments: rich geography, foliage, buildings, and atmospheric effects like rain, snow, sunshine and even lightning.
  
• Take on a world of lethal fighting machines: helicopters, tanks, mobile missile platforms, jet aircraft, ballistic missile warships, submarines and more.
  
• Unleash awesome destructive force: high-voltage cannons, super-rapid fire electronic ballistic guns, micro air-fuel bombs, and other high-tech weaponry.
  

Technical information:

Platform: PlayStationPortable
Genre: Arcade - Action
Publisher: v.2 PLAY
Developer: Mountain Sheep
Release date: May 2008 Worldwide
SRP: TBC- please contact your local
PEGI: 7+
Languages: English - French - German - Italian - Spanish

Race Driver - GRID from Codemasters - racing just got exciting again

Get ready for a revolution in racing with official Race Driver - GRID.

Bringing the world of motorsport to life, from muscle cars charging through the iconic streets of San Francisco and prestige marques competing in the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours race through to drift cars racing around Yokohama docks.

GRID features the most exhilarating racing cars.


Aston Martin and Pagani Zondas are there, racing around, on your screen.

Race Driver - GRID arrives on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC and Nintendo DS this summer.

Hellgate: London Beta Patch

The Hellgate: London v1.2 beta patch is for the single-player portion of the game only, and can be found here.

To see what changes and fixes have been made, check out the very extensive release notes.

Since the patch is a beta, use at your own risk.

EA Rail Simulator for PC was £34.99 now £14.99 at PC World UK

PC World UK

EA Rail Simulator £15 (was £35) inc del @ PCWorld

Rail Simulator is the next step in railway simulation. It allows the player to take on the role of a train driver and guide a number of trains through several recreated routes in the UK and Germany.

• Charge steam, diesel & electric Trains
  
• Real routes in the UK and Germany
  
• Challenging and fun gameplay
  
• Design their own ideal journey routes
  
• The gold standard rail simulation title
  

Buy it here

New Game Sales Growth Overtaking Used with Nintendo top seller

In Gamestop’s latest SEC regulatory filing, the major U.S. game retailer has revealed the changing landscape for dedicated video game retailers, with sales of new video games displacing used game sales, and Nintendo-created hardware and software 21% of all stock purchases by the chain.

Specifically revealed in the detailed financial filing for the also internationally-trading firm - sales of new video game hardware, new video game software and used video game products grew by an approximate respective 55%, 39% and 21% in fiscal 2007, due primarily to new store growth and the increase in store sales.

GameStop attributed the increases across the board to “the continued popularity of the Nintendo Wii following its worldwide launch in November 2006, the launch of the Sony PlayStation 3 in Australia and Europe in March 2007, and the release of several strong software titles in the fall of 2007, including Halo 3, Guitar Hero III, Call of Duty 4 and Rock Band.”

In hard numbers, sales increased by $1.78 billion, or 33.4%, to $7.09 billion in fiscal 2007, compared to $5.32 billion in fiscal 2006. The sales broken down:

- New video game hardware sales increased $595.2 million or 55.4% over the year, and increased as a percentage of sales from 20.2% in fiscal 2006 to 23.5% in fiscal 2007.

- New video game software sales increased $788.2 million, or 39.2%, and as a percentage of total sales increased from 37.8% in fiscal 2006 to 39.5% in fiscal 2007.

- Used video game product sales increased $270.7 million, or 20.6%. As a percentage of sales, used video game product sales decreased from 24.8% to 22.4%.

- Sales of other product categories, including PC entertainment and other software and accessories, magazines and trading cards, grew 13.2%, or $121.0 million, from fiscal 2006 to fiscal 2007.

The filing revealed that the majority of these sales came within the fourth quarter of 2007, with approximately 40% of sales and 58% of our operating earnings gained during the fourth fiscal quarter, which includes the all-important holiday selling season.

Gamestop’s filing also revealed their vendor relationship, revealing that they purchase products from approximately 75 manufacturers and software publishers, and approximately five distributors.

In particular, purchases from the top ten vendors accounting for approximately 80% of new product purchases in fiscal 2007 – with Nintendo (21%) Sony (17%) Microsoft (16%) and Electronic Arts (11%) individually accounting for most of the new product purchases.

Source: Gamasutra

MLB ’08 The Show – Best Baseball Video Game?

For you baseball fans with a Playstation 3 -

I strongly suggest walking down to your nearest Best Buy, Gamestop, Walmart or wherever you buy your video games from - and do yourselves a favor and pick up MLB ‘08 The Show.

Simply put, this game is the most realistic baseball game I have ever played.

For starters, the graphics are amazing. The stadium recreations are top notch and the player movements are as real as they come. For example, if you play a game at Shea, there are cranes working on a half-done CitiField in the background. Sick.

It actually really FEELS like you are playing a baseball game, which is why I like it so much. Not since Baseball Stars on NES have I enjoyed playing a video baseball game.

Check out the YouTube video below and you’ll see what I’m talking about. I apologize in advance as the vid shows Pedro and the Mets losing to the Braves (which we all know will never happen lol).

Notice how Pedro’s windup and pitching style is recreated EXACTLY in the game.


Source: Metsbrotha

Better graphics on Sony PlayStation 3 than Microsoft XBox 360?

Red Faction: Guerrilla producer tells VideoGamer.com dev team is "finding some of the challenges of the PS3 beneficial".

The PS3 has the potential to achieve better graphics than the Xbox 360, a Volition developer has told VideoGamer.com.

Speaking to VideoGamer.com at THQ's Gamers Day in San Francisco, California, this week, Jeff Carroll, associate producer in charge of multiplayer and PS3 on upcoming third-person action game Red Faction: Guerrilla, said that while developers will struggle with the PS3 at first, once they "figure it out" they will find "a very powerful system underneath".

Red Faction: Guerrilla, the third in the popular series, sees a switch from the FPS view seen in the first two games to a third-person view. Scheduled for a simultaneous Xbox 360, PS3 and PC release in THQ's fiscal year 2009, the game has come on leaps and bounds since its first-look public unveiling earlier in the year.

When asked if there would be any differences between the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions, Carroll replied: "We've got the PS3 running at a similar frame rate to the 360. We're finding some of the challenges of the PS3 beneficial. We feel like we're doing rather well with the PS3."

Carroll went into more detail on the benefits of the PS3: "We have been getting the physics system, the Havok system and our own proprietary destruction system running on the SPUs, as well as our animations. We're seeing quite a decent speed improvement now that we've effectively got that running on the SPUs instead of the CPUs."
Carroll agreed, however, that many developers have found the PS3 to be a challenging platform, and admitted that Volition shared that struggle, at first.

"We were like that at the beginning. But I think mainly because we had to get our destruction system running on the SPUs, we had to get it running well in order to succeed, we felt a tremendous pressure right at the beginning to learn as much as we could about the PS3. And our programmers have done a wonderful job."

When asked whether it is possible to achieve better graphics on the PS3 compared with the Xbox 360, Carroll said: "I think potentially you will. I think early on people are going to be struggling to figure out exactly how to make the PS3 work. But I think once they do they will see it's a very powerful system underneath. They both have their advantages. The Xbox 360 pushes polygons rather well, which for us, because everything is destructible, that means that we have a tremendous number of polygons in our game compared to regular games, we see a great benefit with the Xbox 360, but we just learn to optimise in different ways for the PS3."

In Red Faction: Guerrilla, players will be able to destroy every building they see through a combination of weapons, vehicles and explosives. Real world physics are applied to the structures, often leading to a collapse through real-time structural stress.

Carroll added that the game is "very much" pushing the PS3, "both in terms of memory and processing power."