Worlds most advanced puzzles

Leading logic puzzle supplier Conceptis announces a new website today dedicated to logic puzzle enthusiasts. Promised to be the most advanced puzzle website ever created, conceptispuzzles.com aims to change everything about how we play logic puzzles on the Internet.

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BMW Racing game come to your mobile - cellphone

Hands-On Mobile, the world's leading developer of connected games and applications, today announces that it has entered into a licensing agreement with BMW AG and Nürburgring GmbH, owner of the Nürburgring Nordschleife track, to bring the game BMW Racing to mobile phones this summer. Developed by independent UK studio FinBlade, BMW Racing features the latest high performance BMW cars and allows players to experience the thrills of racing round the world-famous Nürburgring circuit.

BMW Racing will feature six officially licensed cars, including the M3, M5, M6 and the current season Formula One racer BMW Sauber F1.08, with each car featuring realistic car handling that feels different for each vehicle. Players will race in one of two different modes – 'Challenge' and 'Time Trial' – around the Nürburgring Nordschleife, which at 20.8 kilometres long is considered to be the longest, toughest and most demanding purpose-built race track in the world.

"Brand extensions are a great way for companies to reach new markets and the ubiquity of the mobile phone means mobile brand extensions in particular have the potential to reach huge numbers of consumers," said Greg Robinson, General Manager of Hands-On Mobile EMEA. "In the past we have worked with brands such as Marvel and World Poker Tour and have delivered top selling mobile games and content across the globe and we are looking forward to doing the same for BMW Racing."

BMW Racing will be launching on carriers across Europe, APAC and Latin America this summer.

Metal Gear Solid Konami's first N-GAGE mobile game

KONAMI to develop products for NOKIA's mobile game service N-GAGE

METAL GEAR SOLID MOBILE marks first title for release this summer

KONAMI will begin provisioning of METAL GEAR SOLID MOBILE for NOKIA's mobile game service, N-Gage scheduled to start in late June, 2008. METAL GEAR SOLID MOBILE is original content created exclusively for the mobile platform and based on the METAL GEAR series.

3D graphics and camera work were used to reproduce the "Infiltrate without being seen by the enemy" tension that is characteristic of the "METAL GEAR" series. "METAL GEAR SOLID MOBILE" utilizes the handset's camera to incorporate gameplay that can only be experienced on the mobile platform. The camera function is used to change the color of the character's suit as well as provide an optional control for a portion of the game. The N-Gage release of the game supports five languages: English, French, Italian, Spanish and German.

"METAL GEAR SOLID MOBILE" was developed in conjunction with Ideaworks3D utilizing their Airplay 3.5 SDK.

"METAL GEAR SOLID MOBILE" received top honours at the 2007 International Mobile Gaming Awards (IMGA), taking both the Grand Prix and Operator’s Choice Awards.

NOKIA's "N-Gage" is a mobile game service that began in April 2008 and is supported on "N-Gage" compatible handsets that are available worldwide. Users can compete with players from around the world and also participate in the "N-Gage Arena" game community.

In providing content for the "N-Gage" service, KONAMI will offer a new gaming experience to mobile phone users around the world.

PC Game - Art of Murder coming to America

City Interactive, one of Poland’s largest games developers and international multi-format publishers, announced today the appointments of Gabriel Del Castillo to the position of CEO Americas and Lisa Rivera as Vice President Sales North America as part of the company’s plans to expand into North and Latin American markets. The company will launch its first U.S. titles, the critically acclaimed PC adventure game Art of Murder: FBI Confidential and Code of Honor 2, a first-person shooter for the PC, later this summer.

“City Interactive is pleased to have such a great team in place to spearhead our expansion,” said Marek Tyminski, CEO and Founder, City Interactive. “Because Art of Murder is one of the best-selling adventure games in Europe and the best-selling game in the history of our company, it’s a natural product for our North American and Latin American launches.”

City Interactive Americas is headed by Gabriel Del Castillo, who has extensive experience working for IBM, Price Waterhouse, Andersen Consulting and others.

“City Interactive’s culture of adapting to each market segment and capitalizing on the economies of scale that our own globalization allows, gives us the edge to successfully compete in these important markets,” said Del Castillo. “We are starting with PC games, but we will soon establish the company as a multiplatform publisher. With our global know-how and great game content, we’re set to make an impact from the start.”

Lisa Rivera, who has worked for such noted video game companies such as Take Two Interactive, Nintendo of America, Inc. and GT Interactive, brings twenty plus years of video game industry sales and marketing experience to City Interactive’s team of experts.

“City Interactive has a great team of people dedicated to making great games,” said Rivera. “I am so excited to be a part of the team launching the company in the U.S. and Canada. Our flagship title Art of Murder is sure to be a hit with adventure gamers, and this is just the start of the great games the company will offer.”

Based in Warsaw, Poland, City Interactive debuted on the Warsaw Stock Exchange in November 2007 with much success. City Interactive aims to offer affordable games for casual and special interest gamers with a wide range of titles for the PC, Handhelds and Next-Gen consoles.

Penny Arcade Adventures - On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One on Xbox LIVE Arcade

Discover the mysteries of New Arcadia with Gabe and Tycho in “Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One,” available on Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday 21st May, 2008 at 09.00.

The first episodic RPG-Adventure game to grace Xbox LIVE Arcade, “Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One” is the result of a collaboration between Hothead Games and Penny Arcade. The first episode sends players to a deranged 1920s comic-book-meets-pulp-horror universe called New Arcadia. Armed with unconventional weaponry, players join forces with Gabe and Tycho of the Startling Developments Detective Agency to make war on bizarre enemies and solve the mysteries hidden deep in the sinister heart of New Arcadia.

“Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One” offers players the ability to design their own customisable character, a dynamic turn-based combat system and the ability to transfer your customised character’s stats and inventories to future episodes, or start fresh with each episode. Fans of Penny Arcade will appreciate the authenticity of the game, which features distinctive artwork and characters designed by Mike “Gabe” Krahulik and a story and dialogue written by Jerry “Tycho” Holkins.

Where can I get this game from?
Developed by Hothead Games, “Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One” will be available for 1600 Microsoft Points.

UK release dates for computer games in May 2008

• FINAL FANTASY XI: 2008 Edition - PC and Xbox 360 - 21 May
  
• Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness - Mac , PC, Xbox 360 (online) - 21 May
  
• Rock Band - Xbox 360 - 22 May
  
• Battle of the Bands - Wii - 23 May
  
• Early Years of Flight - PC - 23 May
  
• Haze - PlayStation 3 - 23 May
  
• Let's Ride: Silver Buckle Stables - PlayStation 2 - 23 May
  
• TrackMania United Forever - PC - 23 May
  
• Hannah Montana: Music Jam - Nintendo DS - 29 May
  
• Commando: Steel Disaster - Nintendo DS - 30 May
  
• Enemy Territory: Quake Wars - PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 - 30 May
  
• LOL - Nintendo DS (online) - 30 May
  
• Monster Jam - Nintendo DS, PC, PlayStation 2, Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360 - 30 May
  
• Race Driver: GRID - PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 - 30 May
  
• Crazy Machines 2 - PC - 31 May
  

DEKARON - The most anticipated F2P MMO opens its item shop

Hear the war drums: the open beta stage of the famous MMO DEKARON is now ending on May 19th and goes commercial.

The merciless gamers are now able to enter the Dekaron item shop to equip their character and face epic adventures in the world of Trieste.

In the shop you’ll be able to buy:

- new costumes to customize your character,
- pets and mounts to assist you during your journeys
- items such as potions to increase your power, heal yourself, regenerate your mana, extra inventory slots to store your valuable loots and many more!

Enter in it and have a look to all the inventory!

Surprises are not finished! GameTribe will reserve a special gift to all players that have created a character during the closed beta phase and also a new one between the 1st of April up to May 25th!

Dekaron is a fusion-fantasy 3D MMORPG set in a Middle Ages based scenery. Its realistic environment and explosive adventure make this extraordinary game much like watching a fast-paced action movie. You must journey into this magical world with hundreds of other adventurers and explore perilous dungeons and fantastical cities in the world of Trieste.

Are you ready to join the war lasting for millennia?

Run to register to GameTribe! The battle is waiting for you!

PopCap Launches Mystery P.I. – The Vegas Heist Game

New Hidden Object Mystery from SpinTop Studio Jets Players to Las Vegas

SpinTop Games, a division of leading casual game developer and publisher PopCap Games, today announced the immediate availability of Mystery P.I. – The Vegas Heist, a new “hidden object” puzzle game with a Las Vegas storyline. A sequel to the popular Mystery P.I. – The Lottery Ticket launched last year, Mystery P.I. – The Vegas Heist challenges players to solve the crime of the century by exploring dozens of “crime scenes” and other locations for hidden “clues.” Mystery P.I. – The Vegas Heist carries a retail price of US$19.95, and a free trial of the deluxe version is available now for download at www.popcap.com and www.spintop-games.com. The game will also be available on other leading game portals, including RealArcade.com, MSN Gaming Zone and Yahoo! Games, later this quarter.

“There’s no better place than Las Vegas to solve a multibillion-dollar theft via hidden object puzzles – from deep inside a casino’s vault, to the Vegas Strip, hotels, limousines and exclusive country clubs, the locations were all created to transport players to this amazing city,” stated Duncan Magee, co-director and co-founder of SpinTop. “Our entire team rallied behind bringing the visual excitement of Vegas to a casual game. In addition to creating more than two dozen intriguing locations, we focused our efforts on making Mystery PI Vegas a game for all those arm chair detectives out there – players must spot clues and solve riddles to find the money!”

In Mystery P.I. – The Vegas Heist, the theft of the century has just happened! Over $4 billion in cash has been stolen from the state’s newest casino the day before its grand opening, and the casino has hired you to find the money – fast. Your fee will be $50 million if you succeed. Investigate 25 intriguing Vegas locations to find over 2,300 cleverly hidden objects. As your investigation skills improve, your P.I. rank increases. Strive for a Perfect Investigation every time to earn bonus points. The game offers two addictive ways to play: in Vegas Heist mode, you must find clues and piece the clues together to discover the location of the money and return it before the casino’s grand opening. In the unlockable Unlimited Seek & Find mode, you can search for every hidden object in every scene with no time limits.

Key features of Mystery P.I. – The Vegas Heist include:

• Find over 2,300 cleverly hidden objects.
• Investigate 25 lushly rendered Vegas locations to locate and return the stolen money.
• Play 5 unique mini-games: Word Search, Tile Rotation, Tile Swap, Jigsaw and a unique crime-solving puzzle.
• Locate the secret keys and poker chips to unlock Unlimited Seek & Find game mode.
• Go for a Perfect Investigation and speed bonuses to become a Master P.I.

Mabinogi Treks Into Next Generation and Emain Macha

Nexon America extends the fantasy life with latest update

Nexon America Inc. delivers the latest episode to the epic storyline of Mabinogi with Generation 2: Paladin. The evolution of Mabinogi continues with this massive update, which features the new town of Emain Macha, as well as the opportunity to further discover the game’s mysterious world and history through new quests, dungeons and monsters. These fresh additions only augment Mabinogi’s current immense offering of game play choices.

Players will learn new skills, such as the fire ball spell, and acquire new weapons, including the mace and leather long bow, to use in the new dungeons. The update also extends the game’s overarching storyline, enabling players to obtain new Paladin abilities. This Paladin skill gives players enhanced power and come to fruition in the mainstream storyline, which requires players to emerge as Paladin, the Knight of Light, to battle an invading evil force.

With an engrossing narrative, myriad of game play options and unique art style, it’s no wonder players are charmed by Nexon’s latest game. Mabinogi’s distinct combination of learning magic, cooking, shearing sheep and composing music has struck a chord with players. And it’s strategic, real-time combat system continues to provide a breath of fresh air for those who wish to leave the daily grind behind.

As with all of Nexon’s offerings, Mabinogi is free to play. To sign up or learn more, go to http://mabinogi.nexon.net.

Star Soldiers R on WiiWare for Nintendo Wii

Next-Gen Version Of Classic Hudson Shoot 'Em Up Hits Nintendo's Hot New Digital Download Platform Today

Hudson Entertainment, the North American publishing arm of Hudson Soft, today announced that outer space shooter, Star Soldier R for WiiWare on Wii has launched on the digital download platform and is available for 800 Wii Points. Published by Hudson Entertainment, Star Soldier R is rated E for everyone.

This latest version of the classic shooter features next-gen graphics and a top-down perspective like other traditional vertical-scrolling games.

Players fly from the bottom of the screen towards the top, shooting at any ship or environmental elements obstructing their path. Power-ups can be collected as players progress to increase weapon or shield strength. An all-new Force System allows gamers to collect up to five orbiting satellites that can be kept close to the ship for defensive cover or can be sent out for additional firepower.

Star Soldier R is a 2-level game that features a tournament-style approach in its gameplay which challenges players to achieve a high score with either a 2-Minute or 5-Minute Mode. Each mode offers quick and exciting gameplay and gives players just enough time to play through each mode. The 2-Minute Mode features one stage where gamers have 2 minutes to battle through one action-packed level while fighting against one giant boss. In the 5-Minute Mode, players have five minutes to work their way through to fight and defeat another boss through a second level. Though both modes are time-limited, the added competitive and replay value for players comes after they earn their scores, which they can post to the in-game leaderboards and then check out how they compare with other players in the region, nation, or even the world. The goal is for players to replay the game over and over again to beat their high score, improve their ranking, and discover different strategies in order to earn bonus points in the 2-Minute and 5-Minute Modes. If they can collect them all, they might have the honor of boasting the top score in the world!

The Entertainment Software Rating Board has rated Star Soldier R E for Everybody, Fantasy Violence.