The Sims celebrates 100 million sales wordwide

The Sims Is A Global Cultural Phenomenon In 60 Countries And 22 Languages Thanks To Players of The Sims Everywhere

The Sims, a Label of Electronic Arts, today announced a significant entertainment milestone, celebrating 100 million units sold around the world, thanks to players of The Sims everywhere. The first game from The Sims was sold in 2000 and has gone on to become the best-selling PC game franchise of all time and is sold in 22 languages and 60 countries around the world. The Sims franchise has inspired millions of players to tell stories, create characters, explore relationships, live through generations, design fashions, and build homes and design home interiors for their Sims. TheSims2.com, the vibrant online community of players of The Sims, has more than 4.3 million unique visitors per month, who have downloaded more than 70 million user-generated creations. A place to discover player creativity is on YouTube, where more than 100,000 videos and movies of The Sims have been shared, with about 200 million views.

As a special thank you to players of The Sims, visit TheSims2.com on April 16th to download a complimentary exclusive outfit for your Sims in honor of this milestone. It’s the perfect outfit for your Sims to enjoy a night of celebration!

“At this milestone, we want to thank players of The Sims everywhere for making The Sims such a worldwide phenomenon,” said Rod Humble, Head of Studio for The Sims Label. “The Sims has been an interactive experience for people around the globe to explore their passion for creativity and we’re thrilled to be a part of that. From building houses and relationships, from the first kiss to a toddler’s first step, from kitchen fires – and even visits from ghosts, players have told more than 100 million unique and fun stories!”

“The Sims is truly unique in the world of interactive entertainment because it attracts creative people around the world of all ages and both genders,” said Nancy Smith, President of The Sims Label. “Because of the open-ended creative freedom that players experience with the game, The Sims has universal appeal like no other game franchise. We thank players everywhere for their creativity, sense of humor and strong sense of community that has made The Sims the cultural phenomenon it is today.”

The Sims from EA Mobile has seen phenomenal global success, with more than nine million downloads of The Sims games onto people’s mobile devices, The Sims is a market leading downloaded game.

Fun facts to note:

100 million copies of The Sims lined up end to end would line the perimeter of the Wembley football pitch over 115,000 times
100 million copies of The Sims line up end to end would stretch the distance between Land’s End and John O’Groat’s over 200 times

HAZE – 4 Player Co-op Campaign Demo Exclusively on PlayStation Network

Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, today announced the imminent release of a fully playable demo for Haze, the new first-person shooter set in a harsh future where war is never quite what it seems.

Coming exclusively to the PlayStation Network in early May, this playable demo will give gamers a taste of not only the single-player campaign in Haze, but will also allow up to four-player, drop-in drop-out co-op play online.

Developed by shooter experts Free Radical, creators of the critically acclaimed TimeSplitters series, Haze is scheduled for release exclusively on the PlayStation 3 entertainment system on 23rd May 2008.

New screenshot – Haze:

Take a look at this brand-new screenshot from Haze to get a sneak peek at what’s in store for gamers when the playable demo drops in early May. Single-player campaign or four-player co-op…just name your poison. It is nearly time to get your fix…

For more information on Haze, please visit – www.hazegame.com

Quake-type iPhone games on the way

Developers behind Quake port for iPhone named, more games planned

HermitWorks Entertainment has been confirmed as the development team behind the unofficial Quake 3 port. As widely reported this week, the port uses the built-in motion sensors to control action in the game, and offers the capability for two player play using Wi-Fi.

What wasn't known until GameCyte did some digging is that the port took only "a matter of hours" to conduct.

Speaking with the site, developer Cameron Tofer also revealed the studio is also porting its original game, Space Trader, to the iPhone, that game is also built on a modified Quake 3 engine.

HermitWorks is also working on a casual iPhone RPG tentatively called Quest which also uses that engine. The developers are using two jail-broken iPhones.



Watch YouTube video here

Source: MacWorld

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue races on to Sony PlayStation 3 in the US

Ten years after Gran Turismo launched on the PlayStation, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue makes its way exclusively on to Sony’s new High Definition games console the PlayStation 3.

GT5 comes on the latest Blu-Ray disk and offers 1080p High Definition (HD) graphics integrated into a precision racing simulator game and a stunning original soundtrack.

With seventy cars up for grabs, from all the world’s top manufacturers, you’ll have plenty to spend you hard earned credits on. From a Ford to a Ferrari all the latest models are available to race round the six fabulous circuits. The courses include street racing round London, the Daytona oval experience plus twisting mountain top racing. Gran Turismo game sales have already topped 48 million since launch and this fifth instalment is set to build on that figure.



The game is available on Blu-Ray for $39.99 and includes extra HD footage of car development and exclusive GT ‘Behind the scenes’ specials. Those with a high speed internet connection can choose to download the game from Sony although the extra HD video will only be downloaded ‘on demand’.

Up to 16 players can race head-to-head both offline and online, with online race players ‘matched’ against each other. You can earn credits both on and offline to gain better vehicles.

The North America game sports an exclusive sound track mixing dance, electronic and ambient HD sounds. Artists include Justice, DJ Shadow, Weezer and The Mars Volta.

The online user homepage carries ‘real time’ weather forecast and live news and updates. The game can update over the internet and new content can be downloaded. Gran Turismo 5 vehicles can be customised and tuned to suit any driving conditions and the game is compatible with Sony’s DualShock 3 wireless controllers.

On a downside the cars never get damaged, no matter how many times you crash and online other users can barge you off the courses without penalty.

Jump into Battle with New Theatre of War Trailer

cdv Software Entertainment USA today released a new trailer for Theatre of War, their upcoming WWII battlefield simulation/RTS game.

The new video is available for immediate download at the links below, and showcases some of the incredibly detailed unit models and battlefields that players will encounter throughout the game’s extensive campaigns. Slated for a May 2008 release on PC, Theatre of War offers an extensive real-time strategy experience.

By combining the look, feel and historical elements of World War II, Theatre of War creates an unrivaled tactical battlefield experience that spans major campaigns from the Battle of Moscow to Normandy. With more than 50 missions spread across multiple campaigns and a rich do-it-yourself mission and map editor included, Theatre of War rewards armchair generals with tremendous gaming and replay value. For more information about the game, please visit http://www.cdvus.com.

Download the video here

Theatre of War offers a fresh take on the WWII Real-time Strategy genre by combining the look, feel, sounds and historical elements of WWII to create the ultimate warfare simulation.

The game engine features realistic shell ballistics, armor penetration calculations and damage effects coupled with destructible environments, trenches, fortifications and individually tracked weapons, equipment, ammo and vehicles.

More than 50 battles spread across seven different campaigns (US/UK, Soviet, German, French, Polish, Battle for Moscow and Panzer Lehr in Normandy), along with eight non-campaign scenarios, five Training scenarios and 11 different multiplayer missions are available in the game to offer a rich and challenging combat experience to players.

Halo 3 Multiplayer action rages on with download content on Xbox Live

"Halo 3" Multiplayer Action Rages On With Downloadable

The award-winning multiplayer experience evolves with three new maps and expanded Forge options now available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace

After launching in September 2007, millions of fans the world over still log onto Xbox LIVE every day to experience the award-winning action of “Halo 3” multiplayer. That experience expanded first in December with the release of the Heroic Map Pack, and today Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie release the next evolution with the Legendary Map Pack.

Available for 800 Microsoft Points exclusively on Xbox LIVE Marketplace, this second major downloadable content offering includes three new multiplayer maps, as well as a load of new Forge options.

Avalanche and Blackout revive two fan-favourite maps from previous “Halo” games, while Ghost Town welcomes desolate jungle combat to the experience. And now, using new options in the Forge, players can create more detailed challenges and map variants than ever, while also utilising a variety of visual effects to create new, unique screenshots and saved films.

Avalanche is a throwback all the way to “Halo: Combat Evolved.” This snowy battlefield was inspired by the original Sidewinder, but the massive, vehicle-oriented objective map adds a twist to its classic predecessor with all new interiors, dramatically reshaped exteriors and brand new vehicle variants. Admire the view from above, as Avalanche also marks the arrival of the Hornet to “Halo 3” multiplayer.

In keeping with the theme of “fan-favourites,” Blackout will fill the void left by fans of “Halo 2’s” Lockout. Although fully re-visualised, this map adheres very faithfully to the tightly wound perfection of the original, but eschews Forerunner architecture in favour of industrial human design. Blackout is perfect for fans of small battleground Slayer matches.

The Legendary Map Pack also packs a brand new punch, in addition to the two classics, with Ghost Town – a battle-scarred maze of narrow passages and dangerous ruins. Collapsed ceilings and shell-battered buildings provide both valuable cover and deadly traps, as catwalks and stairways take the fight from claustrophobic ground combat to dizzying rooftop battles. Ghost Town is a mid-sized map ideal for Team Slayer games and smaller, objective types.

As an added bonus, for a limited time only, gamers who purchase the Legendary Map Pack will receive a four month subscription to "Bungie PRO" via Xbox LIVE. Bungie PRO greatly expands the Halo 3 experience by increasing the maximum number of file share storage slots from six to twenty-four while also increasing the total file storage size to 250MB. This will allow players to upload and share more films, maps, screenshots and game-types than ever before.

The maps of the Legendary Map Pack are available in matchmaking today to those who have purchased the download. Additionally, fans that have yet to purchase the Heroic Map Pack, which released in December, can now download it for free on Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

Scotland's schoolchildren to be taught games design in school

Scotland Spearheads Curriculum for Excellence Games Design Initiative

Scottish school children afforded opportunity to develop and design their own games thanks to new Curriculum for Excellence initiative.

New moves in Scotland to encourage a greater understanding and harnessing of the digital age – including teaching pupils to make computer games in class – have been welcome by the UK’s games trade body ELSPA.

Scottish schoolchildren are to be taught how to design and develop their own electronic games as part of the Scottish Government's new approach to learning, Curriculum for Excellence.

Pupils will use software to create their games in a move which it is hoped will create dynamic young programmers of the future who will ensure the continued success of Scotland's games industry, which employs more than 500 and generates £20million annually.

Pupils will also be taught how to use computer software to create animations and feature films.

Some children across Scotland are already experiencing computer design and animation in class but this is the first time guidelines on what skills children should be equipped with have been presented.

Paul Jackson, ELSPA Director General, said: “We applaud the move to teach a better understanding of the digital age. The Leitch Review, a report instigated by the Treasury, concluded that the UK was falling behind other leading countries when it came to developer skills – a vital resource for the UK gamers industry.

“The initiative in Scotland is clearly a step in the right direction and the Scottish government is setting a good example. We hope similar schemes will be considered for the rest of the country. Programming and developing games is one of the areas in which we have traditionally done well in the UK – but ensuring we stay among the top countries for development in the years ahead is no easy task. Introducing the mechanics of making and designing games in schools is one way to ensure we stand a chance of staying ahead of the curve.”

PlayStation 3 to join Nintendo Wii with BBC iPlayer support

Following last week's news of BBC iPlayer compatibility with the Wii, the PS3 is now set to join the party as well...

The BBC is looking at the best way to bring its iPlayer service to the PS3, adding that it will be officially implemented on the platform "in due course". This follows last week's announcement that the broadcaster's on demand service will come to Nintendo's Wii.

The news comes from the BBC's own Internet Blog, where Anthony Rose commented, "We're investigating the optimal video profile and browser proposition to enable us to officially make iPlayer available on PS3 in due course."

Rose also had a few choice words for the anonymous internet coder(s) who managed to make the iPlayer for Wii available on the PS3. "By the way, if the person who created the ps3iplayer port is looking for a job at the BBC, (s)he's welcome to contact me."

By typing ps3iplayer.com into your PS3 browser you can currently get an unofficial version of the BBC iPlayer for Sony's next-gen system. The coder(s) responsible for this translation provide their mission statement on the ps3iplayer site:

"It's mainly a demonstration of how easily the BBC could support the PS3 with their Wii version. This does nothing more than mask your PS3's user-agent string and makes half a dozen changes to make the JavaScript and CSS function correctly on the PS3. It only took a day to produce, so come on BBC - how about implementing this properly?"

Well, it would appear that their wish will be granted in the not too distant future.

Flight Simulator X real airfield scenery - Download today

Title Real Scenery – Denham Airfield
Label Just Flight
Developer Just Flight
Genre Flight Simulation
Format PC – ESD download
UK Release Out Now
Price £6.99 / €10.95 / $13.99



REAL AIRFIELD SCENERY FROM JUST FLIGHT!

DOWNLOAD DENHAM TODAY! (40MB)

The first in our new series of British airfield sceneries for Flight Simulator X. Real Scenery Airfields – Denham faithfully re-creates the well-known airfield situated to the north-west of London.

Following their success with the VFR Real Scenery series, our development team has been hard at work putting together this highly accurate model of Denham for Flight Simulator X. Designed using the latest high resolution aerial images and on-site research, the scenery includes all the distinctive buildings – from the Biggles restaurant, to the Air Cadets hut, the Denham of today is instantly recognisable

Among the many unique features of this scenery is snow on the ground during December and January – a first for FSX add-on airports! As well as the authentically-modelled buildings, custom night textures and high resolution mesh, Denham boasts static and AI aircraft, people and objects - there are even animated tractors in the nearby fields and flocks of birds. Denham is designed to blend seamlessly with the default FSX landscape or Just Flight's VFR Real Scenery.

Available to download exclusively from Just Flight, and at just £6.99 / €10.95 / $13.99, Real Scenery – Denham Airfield is fantastic value and a must-have for flight simulator enthusiasts who need a touch of realism in their airfields.

About Denham Airfield
Denham is one of Britain's most famous airfields and it has a rich and varied history that begin with its early days as a Royal Flying Corps base in WW1, licensing by the CAA in 1938, further war service from 1939 and its post war reinstatement and new lease of life as the home of Denham Aero Club. Today it boasts a tarmac runway and is popular as, among other things, a base for helicopter operations thanks to its close proximity to London.

Download page here...

New Screenshots for take anywhere - Guitar Hero - On Tour for Nintendo DS

New Game Introduces Revolutionary Guitar Hero Guitar Grip Peripheral for Anytime, Anywhere Guitar Hero Gameplay

New screenshots have been released to celebrate the impending release of Guitar Hero - On Tour for the Nintendo DS.

For the first time, handheld gamers will have the freedom to unleash their inner rock star anywhere, anytime with Activision, Inc.'s (Nasdaq: ATVI) upcoming Guitar Hero - On Tour for Nintendo DS. The game will deliver a unique Guitar Hero experience by challenging handheld gamers to rock out and prove their shredding skills on the most diverse set list of master tracks ever offered in a Guitar Hero game, including classic rock, alternative and pop favorites such as Nirvana, OK Go and No Doubt.

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The game will be packaged with a revolutionary Guitar Hero Guitar Grip peripheral that fits snugly into the DS and a unique Guitar Hero pick-stylus that brings a new dimension to handheld gaming and the core gameplay that defines Guitar Hero. Guitar Hero: On Tour has been designed specifically for the DS platform and will offer the DS audience an all-new compelling music experience.

Guitar Hero - On Tour 2008 Activision Publishing, Inc. Guitar Hero, Activision and RedOctane are registered trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc.