Play Buku Sudoku on Xbox LIVE Arcade (US only) - Win a 40 Samsung LCD TV

Merscom Announces Contest with Prizes including 40 30,000:1 LCD TV

Merscom announce that it is sponsoring a contest with Xbox360Achievements.org for the upcoming Xbox LIVE Arcade title, Buku Sudoku, which is scheduled to launch Wednesday, 28 May. A drawing will be held two weeks after launch among players who earn all 200 achievement points, with the winner receiving a Samsung LN40A550 40” television. An additional five players who complete all the achievements win a copy of Scene-It? Lights, Camera, Action for the Xbox 360 that also leverages the Big Button Wireless Controller.

Merscom chose an HDTV as way of informing gamers about the incredible high res graphics of Buku Sudoku. Just as the Samsung LN40A550 represents the next step in digital televisions, Buku Sudoku represents the evolution of Sudoku into core gaming. The HDTV features include full HD 1080p resolution, 5 ms response rate and a dynamic contrast ratio of 30,000:1. Superb connectivity and networking with a USB port and 3 HDMI 1.3 ports with Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) also makes it perfect for the gamer’s 360. Also, Samsung’s DNIe Digital Natural Image Engine improves the picture by enhancing the contrast, detail, and white balance.

In addition to the Samsung TV, the other five players chosen from those that earn 200 out of 200 Achievement Points will receive Scene It? for the Xbox 360. Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action includes four wireless Big Button Controllers, giving each player their own buzzer. Both Scene It? and Buku Sudoku utilize the simple and intuitive Big Button Controllers for a casual and fun experience.

“We feel this contest really draws attention to the beautiful graphics in our game, as well as shows the complexity and challenges in Buku Sudoku,” said Kirk Owen, CEO of Merscom. “The Samsung TV represents the cutting edge of LCD TVs. Most importantly, though, it rewards the gamers who put a lot of time into our product.”

Dan Webb, Admin at x360a.org, commented “Everyone loves getting achievements and everyone loves Sudoku, so this is the perfect competition.”

Players can register for the contest at Xbox360Achievements, Bukusudoku360.com or Merscom’s website. Be sure to read all contest rules before entering. No purchase is necessary. The contest is only open to players in the United States You may also enter by mailing your name, address, email, and phone number to:

Buku Sudoku Free 1080 HDTV
Merscom LLC
Boyd Hall, Suite 330
55 VilCom Circle
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

SplashFighters - free-to-play casual multiplayer 3D action fighting game

Popular free-to-play online game announced - SplashFighters as the newest addition to GamersFirst.

SplashFighters is a casual multiplayer, 3D, action fighting game, and has been extremely popular in Asia. In the game, players from around the world can battle one another in challenge, deathmatch, capture-the-flag, soccer and other modes. A unique skin edit tool allows users to customize their character’s looks, and the combat system allows for over 1.8M combinations thanks to the large number of available fighting styles, accessories and weapons.

“We are excited to add SplashFighters to the GamersFirst lineup.” stated Patrick Ford, Vice President of Marketing and Community Development, K2 Network Inc. “This is the beginning of many new offerings we will have in the coming year.”

SplashFighters has over 24 million users globally and will soon be made available to GamersFirst’s 16 million registered users. GamersFirst provides a universal currency for players to purchase in game items and power ups and is the central location to find all of the K2 network titles, access customer service and view current game promotions.

“K2 Network and GamersFirst is an exact fit for SplashFighters,” says Yoshiyuki Chiba, President, CyberStep Communications Inc. “We are thrilled to partner with GamersFirst in offering SplashFighters to the North American gaming community.”

Venetica unveils new Deck 13 role-play game RPG – for the PC and Xbox 360

Venetica, a visually stunning role-play game with a cryptic storyline. Venetica mixes emotions and action in a unique free roaming and living sixteenth century world full of surprise.

In the era of Venetica, Death walks among the living as a flesh & blood being, carrying out the deeds of an ancient council known by a few as Corpus. Each generation of the Corpus is set with the task of selecting the next predecessor of the bringer of death. Unfortunately, the most recent council had unwittingly selected a crafty necromancer who is determined on bringing death and destruction to the world.

This conniving imposter has managed to transform into an undead fiend, which no mortal man can kill. This power-crazed necromancer is hell-bent on destroying the reinstated Death and the council of Corpus. Only one person stands in his way, Scarlett, the daughter of Death.

Up to now she has known nothing of her origins, her powers and the capabilities that she possesses – now she is challenged to learn how to develop and use her powers to save her father and curse the necromancer and his henchmen to the eternal hereafter. dtp entertainment is going to release Venetica in 2009 for PC and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. www.venetica-game.com

New Multiplayer Demo Released for Sword of the Stars - Collector's Edition

A new demo is released in honour of the recent launch of the critically acclaimed 4X space strategy game Sword of the Stars - Collector’s Edition. This demo was taken from the gold master code, which is the very latest version of the game, and represents the Sword of the Stars universe as it is now.

Sword of the Stars: Collector’s Edition began hitting store shelves across the UK earlier this month. It brings the entire Sword of the Stars universe together by including the official add-on Born of Blood and further upgrades. The Collector’s Edition is also packed with exclusive bonus material and a 150+ page Sword of the Stars paperback novel entitled, The Deacon’s Tale, penned by renowned science fiction author Arinn Dembo.

Chris Stewart, Producer at Kerberos Productions said, "This new demo covers gameplay leading up to the Cruiser/Fusion era and is based on version 1.5.2 – the most awesomest version – of the game! We also created a comprehensive tutorial video pack to help ease new players into the Sword of the Stars universe. With multiplayer action for up to three players and two wicked maps, new players will get a taste of what Sword of the Stars: Collector’s Edition has to offer. Our goal is to leave players drooling for more!”

Demo Features:

• Created from the gold master version of Sword of the Stars: Collector’s Edition, version 1.5.2
• Play as Human, Liir or Tarkas races
• Two maps (2D and 3D sphere)
• Limited to 150 turns
• Features just a few of the fun and devastating weapons in the full version of the game
• Single player and multiplayer campaigns (against other 1.5.2 demo players) Leads up to the Cruiser/Fusion era
• Tutorial video pack can be downloaded separately and installed into this new demo

Sword of the Stars: Collector’s Edition Includes:

• The popular base game Sword of the Stars*
• The highly acclaimed add-on Born of Blood*
• The first ever Sword of the Stars paperback novel, The Deacon's Tale written by renowned science fiction author Arinn Dembo (150+ pages)
• A Bonus CD with stunning concept art, video interviews, trailers, music tracks, and extensive backgrounds on each of the five races

Updated to version 1.5.2 featuring standalone server capabilities and the ability to create custom maps.

To download the version 1.5.2 demo and the tutorial video pack, visit: www.lighthouse-interactive.com

Major League Eating - The Game - Meet the Eaters Week 2

Erik ‘The Red’ Denmark
Seattle, WA
Age: 29
Weight: 208

Erik "the Red" Denmark, a golfer living in Seattle, embodies his namesake's passionate hunger and also enjoys a similar respect - not just from Greenlanders, but from all who have witnessed his tireless determination at the competitive eating table. He boasts a tolerance for hot and spicy fare, having performed in jalapeños, huevos rancheros, and buffalo wings. In Major League Eating: The Game, Erik dominates the competition when shrimp is involved, and is especially strong when it comes to Spicy, a flaming belch of flames. He’s most vulnerable to Rotten Food.

Records:
Native American Fry Bread: 9.75 in 8 minutes
Shrimp: 4 lbs, 15 oz. Spot shrimp in 12 minutes
45 Krystal Burgers in 8 minutes
61 Hard-Boiled Eggs in 8 minutes


Richard LeFevre
The Locust
Henderson, NV
Age: 63
Weight: 132

The Locust is known for a strong jaw, and stomach capacity that seems to increase, not decrease, as a contest progresses. Previously considered an outsider in the competitive eating community, LeFevre embraced the formal eating circuit for the first time in 2002, participating in hot dogs, all-you-can-eat buffet and chili. Since then his prowess and reputation have grown. In Major League Eating: The Game, LeFevre shines when confronted with Jalapeños or Spicy, but has difficulties with Antacid.

Records:
Jalapenos: 247 in 8 minutes
Huevos Rancheros: 7.75 lbs in 10 minutes
SPAM: 6 lbs in 12 minutes
Chili: 1.5 Gallons in 10 minutes


Patrick Bertoletti
Deep Dish
Chicago, IL
Age: 22
Weight:190

Patrick Bertoletti is a gurgitating force of nature. He has beaten every major eater, taking out two superstars at one chomp on October 9, 2007 with his victory over Takeru Kobayashi and Joey Chestnut in the Spike TV televised Las Vegas chicken wing "Chowdown.”

Bertoletti considers himself a sweet specialist but proven himself capable of claiming victory regardless of food type. Some say the intimate knowledge of food he carries as a recent culinary school graduate gives him an unfair advantage. Others credit his habit of using the music of Irish punk band Dropkick Murphys, channeled in via earphones, to maintain pace during competitions. However, no one disputes his stature as true force of nature in competitive eating and one of the greatest eaters of all time. In Major League Eating: The Game, Bertoletti is strong in Pizza-eating events and Mustard Gas, a dangerous gaseous cloud, but weak against Invincible.

Records:
Grits: 21 lbs in 10 minutes
Waffles: 14.5 lbs in 10 minutes
Strawberry Shortcake: 15.25 lbs in 8 minutes
Ice Cream: 1.75 Gallons in 8 minutes


El Toro Jimenez
El Toro
Las Vegas, NV
Age: 30
Weight: 187

El Toro has a big mouth, although it doesn't seem to serve him well in competition. Fond of extravagant claims, personal attacks on other eaters and all sorts of theatrics, he is usually at the bottom of the pack at the end of any given contest. Other eaters see him as abrasive, offensive, and void of talent. He does, however, contribute to the sport by setting an example of what not do.

Records:
6.66 lbs Cranberry Sauce in 8 minutes
10 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs in 12 minutes
11 Bratwurst in 10 minutes
34 Hard-Boiled Eggs in 8 minutes

New German units in the free addon for Sudden Strike 3 Arms for Victory

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Leading video game developer and publisher, Fireglow Games, presents a pack of screenshots showing new German Jagdpanther, Jagdtiger, StuG IIIg in the free addon for Sudden Strike 3 Arms for Victory.

Design a Poster for GRID - win a scolarship

In anticipation of Codemasters new racing game GRID, Codemasters has teamed up with Brickfish to launch the “Design a Poster for GRID” campaign located here.

The campaign invites entrants to design a poster that captures the thrill of the race and the intensity of the competition.

The grand prize winner, selected from the top 100 highest scoring entries, will win a $1,000 scholarship or cash equivalent, a version of GRID on the platform of their choice and have their entry featured on the GRID website as downloadable wallpaper.

Codemasters will also give away prizes for two runners-up, most viral and sign-up sweepstakes.

Cal Ripken's real baseball announces second tournament for 2008 season - home-run derby contest

Free MMO Sports Game Tournament to Involve Teams From Around The World Competing Head to Head

Cal Ripken's Real Baseball, the world's only massively multiplayer online sports game (MMOSG) for baseball, announced today they will host a Home-Run Derby Tournament scheduled to begin on June 2nd at 12:00 PM PST.
The Home-Run Derby Tournament is a revolving two-week competition, meaning a new winner will arise from the competition every two weeks.

In order to foster competition, each player will compete against players of his or her own skill level. Unlike most Free Agent Tournaments, formal registration for this event is not required. The only requirements to participate in this event are an active account and the ability to provide an accurate character profile with current contact and personal information.

Players may participate in the Home-Run Derby Tournament at any time of the day during the set time parameters established by Cal Ripken's Real Baseball. Home-Runs are not accumulated during the two week term. The player with the most home-runs at the end of ten outs, at the end of two weeks, will be declared the winner. Winners of the Home-Run Derby will earn a spot in Cal Ripken's Real Baseball Hall of Fame! The winners will have the option to place a photograph of him or her in the list of honorees.

"Cal Ripken's Real Baseball brings video gaming and baseball to a whole new level. Players can continue to enjoy the head to head competition with tournaments and other events we have to offer," said Andy Wang, founder and CEO of Netamin Communication Corporation.

Regarding the nature of a new tournament like this, Andy went on to mention that "it is a single player tournament, and players will not just experience winning or losing but learn about playing the game of baseball as well. It will help players to have better experience when they start to play with real people!"

Like baseball in real life, Real Baseball hosts different types of events throughout the year. These include tournaments, Homerun Derbies, and Rookie Challenges. Tournaments for Real Baseball are Level based tournaments and grouped into the following categories:

Minor, Major, All Star and MVP, are either single elimination or double elimination. Rookie Challenges are fun and educational, intended for new players, and are designed to get them ready for the big leagues and the tournaments.

About Real Baseball

In Real Baseball, baseball enthusiasts and gamers compete in 3D virtual stadiums. With stunning graphics and surround-sound audio reactions from the crowd, participants control customized characters for each position and compete together against other Real Baseball gamers.

Players use an avatar to bat, pitch, field, run, steal and perform any baseball action. Participants can practice, play pick-up games, join or found their own teams, compete against rival teams, play in specialized tournaments, and win league championships in post-season play. Gamers create their own characters and build their skill level (player stats) through successful play on the field against other real human players. Unlike current video games that aim to simulate professional sports, Real Baseball delivers a first-person perspective of a character, created and developed by the player, interacting online in real-time with teammates and opponents.

Enkord releases Gunrox beta

When was the last time you played a turn-based squad-oriented tactical combat game? Okay, but when was the last time you played a GOOD turn-based squad-oriented tactical combat game? We'd like to point you to the beta of an up-and-coming title from developer Enkord called Gunrox.

In it, you create a squad of soldiers and battle players around the world in head-to-head or cooperative skirmishes. Highlights include simple character customization, the acquisition of powerful weapons and useful skills, and a highly accessible battle system. Give it a play while it's free and have a hand in shaping the final product:

http://www.enkord.com/games/gunrox/

Finish the fight with the upcoming free veteran map pack for EA's army of two

Free Downloadable Content Features Two New Campaign Maps and Enhanced Versus Map

This year’s breakout 3rd person co-op shooter just got more intense! Players now have the chance to extend their ARMY OF TWO experience with two brand new co-op campaign maps and an enhanced multiplayer map that offers more opportunities to show that a two-man team can be unstoppable. The free Veteran Map Pack, sponsored by Pontiac, will be available on May 29 in North America and Europe on Xbox LIVE Marketplace and PLAYSTATION Store.



Players will experience an all-new map as they find themselves underground in a subway station in Kiev where they must find and destroy the central hub of a dangerous militia. The second map takes players back to SSC headquarters in Miami where they finally get the chance to take out Dalton, Rios and Salem’s ex-boss and the man responsible for framing them, in an intense boss fight where the glory of revenge is finally felt. The Veteran Map Pack features dynamic and interactive environments including destructible objects that were not available in the retail version. The action also continues online with two-on-two teams battling it out in the China Canal Lock map.