Advergames For Everyone

There were a number of interesting news tidbits this week, ranging from EA's decision to take a severe Big Brother approach to piracy protection with the upcoming "Mass Effect" and "Spore" PC releases, to the drama between Take Two and the City of Chicago Transportation Authority regarding the removal of $300,000 worth of advertising for "GTA IV," in response to standard fare, violent game fear-mongering. But the most interesting story is Microsoft's new game building functionality from Popfly for its Silverlight rich-media platform.

Popfly is part of Microsoft's Developer Division's Non-Professional team. That mouthful essentially means they worry about how users that aren't actually professional developers can still do cool stuff with Microsoft tools. They just added functionality to the site that allows users to build games by customizing pre-existing game templates.

The Good: This new development opens up many possibilities for hobbies game developers and long-tail marketers to develop simple but potentially compelling games and advergames on a budget. No programming experience or knowledge is required, just some elbow grease and sweat. Once the game is finished, it can be plopped down anywhere on the Internet, from a blog to a company Web site.

The Bad: Silverlight. Not everyone has it, which requires users that want to play the game to download and install the plug-in, assuming they are on a Mac or Linux computer, or on a Windows computer that hasn't run updates recently. Browser compatibility is also limited to Firefox 2.0 and Internet Explorer. Personally, I think Silverlight is a clunky offering compared to Flash (its competition), but that is purely my personal bias. Additionally, the interface, while not requiring any programming knowledge, does have its own learning curve, and it is a bit steep for a lay user.

The Ugly: The alternative. Paying $150,000 for a Flash game developed from scratch may yield a great game that catches on virally, but not all marketing wallets are that large. Popfly offers a free solution, in the hopes of spreading the good word about Silverlight. For marketers unable to pay for development from scratch, or even larger marketers who want to play around with game concepts before committing to development of an advergame, the Popfly solution is an extremely viable one.

For more information on the system, I highly recommend watching this video.

Source: Media Post Publications

Book 13 - Doom of the Last-King for the Lord of the Rings Online

Turbine, Inc. and Codemasters Online announced the details of the fifth content update for subscribers to The Lord of the Rings Online - Shadows of Angmar. Book 13 - Doom of the Last-king continues the epic story of The Lord of the Rings Online, adds an entire new region to the world of Middle-earth, a new Monster Play class and the introduction of the hobby system. Book 13 - Doom of the Last-king is available now to subscribers of The Lord of the Rings Online in North America and Europe.

“The Lord of the Rings Online has grown dramatically in scale, content and the size of our community in its first year of operation,” said Jim Crowley, president and CEO of Turbine, Inc. “We’ve received a very positive response from players about the new region of Forochel and the long-awaited addition of fishing that adds an entirely new level of fun and enjoyment to the game. It’s been an incredible first year and we are hard at work finishing up Book 14 slated for release this summer. All of us are very excited for our journey this fall into the Mines of Moria.”

"We have seen a huge increase in overall players over the last few months as more people than ever move to Middle-earth", said David Solari Vice President of Codemasters Online. "After a fantastic first year we look forward to continued momentum as more and more people try this incredible game".

NEW FEATURES:

• New Region — In the far, frozen north of Eriador lies Forochel, a land unlike any other in Middle-earth. This new region lets players see the ocean for the first time and introduces several new temperature based landscape effects. Players will need to be mindful of the cold due to a new damage type - frost. Frost will slowly damage their character until they find a source of warmth in the form of shelter or a campfire.
  
• New Faction — Beneath the brooding skies of Forochel dwell the hardy tribes known as the Lossoth. Suspicious of outsiders, they have long warred against other folk - especially the Guaredain, bloodthirsty wolf-loving barbarians in league with the forces of Angmar. Players can earn favor with the Lossoth by helping them in the struggle against their ancient enemy in this latest addition to The Lord of the Rings Online’s (LOTRO) reputation system. Lossoth reputation rewards include unique armor sets, weapons, a new mount, housing decorations, and class specific items.
  
• Introducing the Defiler — The first new class for Monster Players debuts in Book 13. The Defiler is a healer that will round out any War Band in their quest to dominate the Ettenmoors. The Defiler uses new healing skills such as Fertile Slime and Fungal Bloom to aid its party in battle and has a host of new Debuff skills including Curse of the Lethargic Heart to defeat their enemies.
  
• The Hobby System — The player hobby system is introduced in Book 13. Fishing is the first hobby being introduced in LOTRO. From the Midgewater Marshes to the Shores of Evendim, players will find fishing to be a relaxing, entertaining and beneficial pastime. Players can earn deeds and traits as they improve their fishing prowess and captured fish can be used to cook in recipes or be mounted as trophies in a player’s house.
  
• The Epic Continues! — At Elrond’s urging, players venture into the frozen wastes of the north to continue Laerdan’s search for the remnants of the ring Narchuil. Aided by the Snowmen of Forochel, players will uncover the fate of an ancestor of Aragorn and strive to thwart the terrible aims of Angmar.
  
• Over 100 New Quests — The story continues for players as they aid the Fellowship and encounter new adventures in Middle-earth.
  

Nintendo Wii Real Heroes - Firefighters

Conspiracy Entertainment, a developer, publisher and marketer of interactive entertainment software in North America and Western Europe, announced today that it has entered into a publishing agreement with Epicenter Studios, developer of Real Heroes: Firefighters ("Real Heroes"), the fire-fighting action game exclusively designed for the Nintendo Wii. According to the agreement, Conspiracy has the rights to market, sell and distribute Real Heroes in the US, Canada, Mexico and South America. Conspiracy expects to begin distribution in the 2nd Quarter of 2009.

Real Heroes emphasizes non-violent, game-integral puzzles that mirror the challenges and on-the-fly choices firefighters face every day. Featuring Epicenter's proprietary "Thinking Fire" technology, Real Heroes' blazes will seem almost alive as they not only attack structures, potential victims and firefighters, but also cause unexpected changes to the environments that will suddenly alter the player's options and strategies. No two scenarios will play out the same way.

"The motion sensing capability of the Wii Remote, combined with Epicenter's intuitive fire technology, equips anyone to step into the role of rookie firefighter," said Sirus Ahmadi, CEO of Conspiracy Entertainment. "Not only is this game thrilling, but its realistic action pays homage to the nation's real firefighters and is appropriate for the whole family."

Epicenter CEO Nathaniel McClure, "We are favorably impressed by Conspiracy's flexibility and industry expertise in reaching the North American marketplace. We look forward to a successful product launch next year."

Keith Tanaka, CFO of Conspiracy Entertainment, said, "We are pleased to add Real Heroes to our product line up for 2009. Designed by some of the world's top gaming producers, the early buzz on Real Heroes has been very positive. We anticipate a very busy year into 2009, including distribution of this highly-anticipated release."

Aardvark Records teams up with gaming company Audio Surf

Aardvark Records and Audio Surf LLC today announcing a partnership which will see the British record label supply the US-based gaming company with its extensive catalogue of pop, rock and dance tracks. The innovative deal will see the initial delivery of 160 songs - including chart hits from Yahel, Zetan Spore, Jeff Alford, Eric M, Little Spitfire and other artists signed to the label - available to Audio Surf enthusiasts.

Audiosurf is the Independent Games Festival 2008 Audience Choice Award winner and the Excellence in Audio award winner. The game is popular with hundreds of thousands of users and a top seller on Steam, the #1 online publisher, for three months with good reason. Audiosurf is a music-adapting puzzle racer where players use their own music to create their own experience. The shape, the speed, and the mood of each ride is determined by the song a player chooses. Players earn points for clustering together blocks of the same colour on the highway, and compete with others on the internet for the high score on their favourite songs.

Like many other racing games, Audiosurf can import music from a player’s collection - including CD audio, MP3s, M4As, WMAs and OGGs. Unlike those other games, Audiosurf actually analyzes each track a player uploads and generates a course specific to that song, using the primary instruments to place coloured blocks and tempo to alter the elevation of the highway. The result is a compelling and intuitive experience. As a song slows, players find themselves slowing, moving uphill, weaving between lanes and casually scooping up the blocks. As the tempo increases, players start heading downhill and pick up speed until the blocks are flashing past so quickly it's practically dizzying. Music can be shared amongst players, however, not in the peer-to-peer or download sense of sharing music. Songs sit on the game’s central server and can be accessed directly, through recommendations made by Audiosurf itself or through Audiosurf’s virtual radio station.

Artists receive branding in the game with links to artists’ websites, promotional artwork, artist details and other information embedded with their songs.

Aardvark Record Director, Alex di Savoia, said: “I didn’t hesitate when Audio Surf got in touch regarding the availability of our catalogue. It was a no-brainer. The appeal of the platform was that self-evident.” di Savoia laughed when asked if he tried the game himself. “Audiosurf has to be one of the most addictive games I’ve come across in a long time. I keep telling myself it’s all to better aid the research process; figuring out which tracks work and which don’t. I’ve played the game using everything I could throw at it: Bjork, Tiesto, Frank Sinatra, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Earth Wind and Fire and our own Zetan Spore and Yahel.”

X-Blades - Corridor of Power now revealed

First information about the interface of the action spectacular now available

You all know that Ayumi, that charismatic heroine in the Anime spectacular "X-Blades", has lots of real cool moves and combat techniques - but you can only reap the full benefit of all these skills if you can call them up fast and accurately with your mouse or controller. That's why the developers invested a lot of time and effort in developing an interface that's straightforward and good to look at too - the attached screenshot will give you an idea of what to expect and here’s a summary of the elements for you:

Upper left - life energy and magical skills default values. Lower left - current spells, in an amulet. Right - combat displays. Screen top - currently collected experience points. Lower right - another Life bar that tells you at a glance how your opponent's health is. Screen center - graphic portrayal of especially successful attack combos. Here you can see your score, including multiplicators and commentary, plus optical extra - small bolts of lightning in the glass tube accompany the special combinations.

First Gameplay Footage from - Gears of War 2 available on Xbox LIVE Video Store

Epic Games and Microsoft Game Studios Reveal the First Gameplay Footage from "Gears of War 2" Available on Xbox LIVE Video Store

Players eager for a look at the highly anticipated Xbox 360 exclusive “Gears of War 2” can soon experience the heart-pounding action when the video becomes available for download on Xbox LIVE Video Store on Saturday 10th May at 7am.

With a personal introduction by Epic Games Design Director Cliff Bleszinski, the trailer captures the essence of the bigger, better and more badass gameplay in “Gears of War 2.” Featuring the first in-game look at chainsaw duels, large scale fire fights with Locust Horde and stunning new visuals, the action-packed video is sure to please fans around the world.

“Gears of War 2” is the highly anticipated follow up to the best-selling Xbox 360 exclusive “Gears of War,” and will be available this November from acclaimed developer Epic Games.

The “Gears of War 2” Assault trailer can be downloaded from the following locations shortly after 7am on Saturday 10th May

SIERRA ENTERTAINMENT REVEALS INNOVATIVE MULTIPLAYER MAP PACK FOR TIMESHIFT

TIRED OF THE SAME OLD TEAM DEATHMATCH?

SIERRA ENTERTAINMENT REVEALS INNOVATIVE MULTIPLAYER MAP PACK FOR TIMESHIFTTM

Sierra Entertainment today revealed plans to launch the Futures-Past Multiplayer Map Pack, a new downloadable content (DLC) package for TimeShift for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, available for free download on 9th May 2008. The map pack features five new multiplayer maps for players to unravel while annihilating online enemies with time-bending chrono grenades. Each map presented in the DLC package supports classic multiplayer modes: One-on-One, Deathmatch, and Team Deathmatch, but TimeShift’s exclusive multiplayer modes, King of Time and Meltdown Madness modes reveal the future of multiplayer fragging.

For more information on downloadable content package, Futures-Past Multiplayer Map Pack, be sure to visit the official website at www.timeshiftgame.com.

Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360 Xbox LIVE and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

First Gears of War 2 Gameplay Video!

It's here, the first ever video footage of Gears of War 2 for Xbox 360! It's two full minutes of freaking awesome gameplay video.

read more | digg story

GAME Customers Receive Exclusive Advance Play Of Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Conspiracy

Sierra Entertainment UK and GAME Stores today announced that British customers pre ordering the Xbox 360 version of the upcoming action game, The Bourne Conspiracy will receive an exclusive three level demo disc.

The promotion taking place in stores across the UK precedes the release of the full game on the 27th June for Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. GAME customers will be able to go ‘hands on’ with the thrilling and fast-paced action game in advance of the demos general release on Xbox Live on 19th May

Speaking about the great opportunity this presents for action and movie fans alike, Ian Hollamby, Senior Product Manager for 360 at GAME said “We are delighted to be able to offer a world exclusive playable demo to our customers for what is a fantastic title and would like to thank Vivendi for this great opportunity.”

The Bourne Conspiracy gives players the opportunity to be Jason Bourne. Bringing Bourne's signature combat style to life by sharply blending a seamless mix of hand-to-hand fighting, gunplay and dramatic escapes.

The demo itself is a tantalising taster of the gripping gaming experience with extracts from three heart-stopping, action-packed levels. First, the infamous escape from the Paris Embassy - focussing on Bourne’s hand-to-hand fighting skills and ability to escape the inescapable whilst evading the clutches of the Gendarmerie. Second, a blockbuster style shoot out with Divandelen - one of the many big bosses featured in the full game, and finally, the now legendary high speed pursuit with Jason’s unwitting accomplice Marie, across Paris in the Mini Cooper.

Through close partnership with Ludlum Entertainment, and collaboration on story and character development with Bourne screenwriter Tony Gilroy, The Bourne Conspiracy is an intense interactive addition to the blockbuster films and best-selling novels. The game delivers an original story uncovering Jason Bourne's past and the conspiracy shrouding his origins, plunging players into the role of Bourne as both trained assassin and marked government agent. Core to the experience is Bourne's definition as a perfect weapon with heightened combat instinct, where players use Bourne's characteristic capabilities to recognise threats, perform devastating takedown moves and use Bourne's surrounding environment to overcome deadly situations.

Win £3000 Giveaway (game currency) in Two Clan-based Competitions

Waygate Publishing Limited today announced the launch of two major competitions for its MMORPG title, Legend: Legacy of the Dragons, with prizes adding up to over £3000 worth of in-game currency. ‘New Clan on the Block’ is for players from Waygate Publishing’s servers only, whilst ‘The Next Generation’ is designed to develop partnership and teamwork between players from other servers and players from Waygate’s own servers.

Waygate Publishing is currently working on the next game content update, which will include three new reputations, a host of new quests, characters and items related to the new reputations and a new ‘instance’ (where players can find rare game items) for higher level players. It has also been conducting a complete review of translations from the early stages of localisation to increase the overall coherence and style of the game.

New Clan on the Block
The first competition is for clans whose members are native to Waygate Publishing’s servers and have not come to the game having originally played the Russian version. If any such clan can master the world of Faeo, in which Legend: Legacy of the Dragons is set, and get three members into the top 10 leader board, featured on the game’s home page, it will be generously rewarded with 1500 game diamonds, each worth $1.25. The diamonds can be converted into in-game currency. On top of that, the novices who make the top 10 will receive mystery prizes!

The Next Generation
To encourage the training of a new generation of Legend players, the second competition is designed to harness the knowledge and experience of those who have migrated to Waygate Publishing’s servers from the Russian version’s servers. These veteran players have the chance to win themselves 500 diamonds if they set up a new clan of novice players and lead two of them into the top of their race, be it the intelligent Humans or the fiery Magmars. The novices-turned-mighty warriors will also receive 250 diamonds each, whilst the remaining members of the clan, who just miss the cut, will be rewarded with 100 diamonds for their efforts.