Velvet Assassin - Xbox 360 and PC - Fact Sheet

Velvet Assassin

TITLE: Velvet Assassin
PLATFORM: Xbox 360 & PC
DEVELOPER: Replay Studios
GENRE: Stealth-Action
RELEASE DATE: Late 2008

Velvet Assassin is the sumptuous new stealth-action game set to deliver a breath of fresh air into the genre and up the stakes for World War II games. Inspired by the fascinating story and unbreakable spirit of British secret agent Violette Szabo, players take control of Violette Summer, a beautiful spy deep behind enemy lines with no support or official backing from the British Government. Intense stealth-action gameplay with a startling real-time lighting system and surreal visuals combine to produce an incredible gaming experience. Velvet Assassin is set to challenge gamers to win the war from the shadows come late 2008.



VIOLETTE SUMMER

Born in Devon, England, Violette Summer grew up in a happy family and had a great and active childhood. Initially, she started her working life in a beauty salon before the outbreak of war inspired her to move to London and join the weapon industry. It didn’t take too long for her to be noticed by the Secret Services; she was after all strikingly beautiful, athletic and had great attention to detail. It was only a formality that she was recruited into MI6 during Britain’s darkest hours.




As if inspiration was needed during those very bleak days, Violette had lost a close aunt during one of the first Luftwaffe bombing attacks and to further compound her terrible heartache she later lost her cherished RAF husband in battle. However, Violette was extremely strong willed and where many would have lost themselves to misery and mourning, she used these painful experiences to inspire her to succeed as a spy for the MI6.

Come late 2008 players will be able to help Violette Summer in her daring quests behind enemy lines.

Spore Pre-Orders Creature Creator bonus for UK

Good news for those of you waiting to get their hands on Spore’s fully working Creature Creator, which is out on the 17th of June. EA’s UK PR manager, Jonathan Goddard, was at hand to inform us that the cost of the Creature Creator will be taken off the full retail price of the Spore game, due in September.

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16 games, one package....classic! SNK Arcade Classics vol. 1 coming soon to Europe.

SNK PLAYMORE and Ignition Entertainment are pleased to announce the upcoming release of SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1 for PlayStation 2, PlayStationPortable and Wii.

Taking 16 of SNKs most beloved titles, this pack includes:

- ART OF FIGHTING – The first fighting game to introduce the then new Spirit Gauge, Super Special Moves, use of the ‘zoom in/zoom out’ function and battle damage to the characters faces.
- BASEBALL STARS 2 – The sequel to the very popular Baseball arcade game.
- BURNING FIGHT – Battle organised crime in the streets of New York in the side-scrolling fighter.
- FATAL FURY – The first of SNK’s fighting franchises to use the NEOGEO MVS System.
- KING OF THE FIGHTERS ’94 – This is where the KOF phenomenon began.
- KING OF THE MONSTERS – Giant monsters, Destruction and mayhem in Japan.
- LAST RESORT – Take on hordes of enemies in the popular futuristic shooter.
- MAGICIAN LORD – SNK’s classic platformer, pits you as the heroic wizard Elta.
- METAL SLUG - this series has long been regarded as the bench mark of side-scrolling purity, now see why!
- NEO TURF MASTERS – Can you get a hole in one?
- SAMURAI SHODOWN – The first title in SNK’s hugely popular weapons based fighter.
- SENGOKU – Fight the undead, in feudal Japan.
- SHOCK TROOPERS – Fast paced action and lots and lots of bullets in this run and gun adventure.
- SUPER SIDEKICKS 3 – We all love football – so does SNK!
- TOP HUNTER – In this futuristic platformer, you play as Roddy or Cathy, as you protect the Colonists from the threat of the Space Pirates.
- WORLD HEROES – Take on the greatest fighters throughout time in this popular fighter.

‘In the Arcade, the addictive quality of these games ensured that the money in your pocket didn’t last long’, says Peter Rollinson, Product Manager, Ignition Entertainment. ‘Now the only difficulty is deciding which game to play first’.

DETECTIVE CONAN on Nintendo Wii

Who is Conan?

The most popular Japan manga comic “CASE CLOSED: ONE TRUTH PREVAILS” was created in 1994. 120 million copies have been sold since!

In 1996 Conan made his television “debut” on famous TV channels like: TF1 in France, Italia 1 in Italy, Cartoon network in Spain …

1997, the first Detective Conan movie is released and is a hit at the box office in Japan!! The latest event: a new Detective Conan movie in April 2008!! What is this new and mysterious investigation about?

Conan is inaugurating the new “Mirapolis” theme park but a series of crimes crashes the party …

In September 2008, Detective Conan fans and young detectives all over the world will enjoy “CASE CLOSED – The Mirapolis investigation” on the Nintendo Wii! This adventure game will thrill kids: visit crime scenes, solve enigmas, find clues, collect evidence, play super fun mini-games (football, Super hero arcade battles, smash the groundhog and more!), and of course catch the bad guy. You will also enjoy game Extra: listen to music with the jukebox, view your ingame picture collection!

Thanks to your Wiimote you are going to be able to solve this investigation using all of Conan’s gadgets (Bow Tie Voice transmitter, solar-powered Skateboard, super sneakers …).

Game features

• Loaded with extras: 6 different mini games, Extra content.
  
• A great storyline!
  
• A title specifically developed for the WII: Visit crime scenes, collect evidence, touch and manipulate objects with you Wii-mote…
  
• The manga universe: Characters, gadgets, The original Japanese manga voices are available.
  

About the game
Genre: Adventure / Investigation
Platform: Nintendo Wii
Publisher: Nobilis
Developer: Marvelous Entertainment Inc.
Release date: September 2008

War Between the States PC Civil War Game Now Available

Fix the bayonets and prepare to charge, this turn-based American Civil War strategy tour-de-force is coming your way!

Gary Grigsby’s War Between the States is now available for purchase! Now gamers can experience the award winning design talent of Gary Grigsby and his team as they take us to the American Civil War in a brand new grand strategy game that is sure to be viewed as a masterpiece of the genre.

The release of this highly anticipated title comes after an in depth promotional video in addition to the release of some strategy sections of the manual and a forum after action report. Altogether, the newly available media will give gamers a clear picture of the engaging and addictive gameplay to come.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “The 2 by 3 Games design team has triumphed once again with this remarkably deep and realistic but also accessible American Civil War title. With so many wargaming classics to their names, it’s no wonder why so many gamers have hotly awaited this release!”

Taking gamers back to the American Civil War, Gary Grigsby’s War Between the States allows players to experience the trials and tribulations of the role of commander-in-chief for either side. Historically accurate, detailed and finely balanced for realistic gameplay, War Between the States is also easy to play and does not take months to finish.

Promote and cultivate talented young colonels or brigadiers to build Corps and Army commanders that will help you fight and manage the war effort from battles to training of recruits with the utmost efficiency and success. An innovative multi-faceted rank promotion system allows leaders to gain in abilities and power based on their successes, while also simulating the historical progression of leaders during the war. Each decision you make must be weighed carefully, as promoting and demoting leaders, entering neutral states, raising troops and many other actions cost you the political capital that will determine your ability to achieve victory.


Explore the historical tactics of the day to find the best way to win. Use cavalry to raid the enemy supply depots and conduct reconnaissance to determine the best place to strike and then engage the enemy head on and watch the epic push and pull of battle unfold in front of you. In between battles, the mighty Union navy or brave Confederate raiders can strangle and disrupt supply flow at critical times in your campaign. Build river gunboats and transports to exploit the strategic value of the Mississippi and entrench and fortify key locations to deny passage to the enemy.

Test your mettle and strategic vision in one of the most bitterly fought contests in history – the War Between the States.

MidEast Crisis 2 - Help Wanted and Beta Testing Open

MidEast Crisis 2 has released two more screenshots, showing the IDF and GOI bases in action. The mod team have also released a new map called Mount Temple that is a four player map. Further information can be found at the MidEast Crisis 2 news forums.

MidEast Crisis 2 needs Beta Testers. To help test the mod (and get a sneak peak) head to the official application page.



Lastly, MidEast Crisis 2 is also looking for voice actors. More information can be found at the official ME2 forums.

Fireteam Reloaded PC game Free download available

Multiplayer Online Game from Pixel Mine is a “Quick Fix” featuring Intense Battlefield Action.

Fireteam Reloaded, a team-based, multiplayer action game for the PC, is now available as a free download at www.pixelminegames.com. Developed by Pixel Mine, Fireteam Reloaded combines fast-paced sports action with intense battlefield combat while using integrated voice communication. Fireteam Reloaded is the third game to utilize the Pixel Mine Store for its micro-payment technology.

“The original Fireteam was a groundbreaking and inspirational game – and as its spiritual successor, Fireteam Reloaded aims to deliver even more fun, great characters and non-stop action to the gaming community that everyone can enjoy for free,” said David Reese, President of Pixel Mine.

The initial download of Fireteam Reloaded includes two maps, three character classes, four gameplay modes and state of the art voice chat technology, that lets players easily communicate with one another to formulate strategy and taunt their opponents. Fireteam Reloaded also features a spectator mode that lets enthusiastic fans cheer or jeer from above and even drop items into the game from their spectator viewing platform.

Fireteam Reloaded enjoyed huge success during its open beta with thousands of players establishing accounts, and comments claiming “Lots of fun to play” and “Addictive.”

Each match of Fireteam Reloaded provides ten minutes of non-stop action. According to Bill Money, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Pixel Mine, “The gameplay appeals to a massive audience of casual gamers who are looking for a quick adrenaline fix. Hardcore gamers will also find the intense action to be exhilarating and perfect for a much-needed midday shooting break.”

New content for Fireteam Reloaded, such as maps, character classes and items, will be made available through the Pixel Mine store using their secure micro-payment transaction system. Located at www.pixelminegames.com, this one-stop-shop lets gamers browse and purchase Pixel Mine games, check out stats, chat with friends, manage their account and billing, read the latest news, and more.

A Military Discount of 20% off of all Fireteam Reloaded items in the store will be applied toward accounts that use a “.mil” email address. Also, players accessing the game from an iGames Partner LAN Center will receive the basic game unlock for free. A list of participating LAN centers can be found at http://www.igames.org/Events.asp?Event=8158.

Crazy Legs Conti Claims Nintendo World Watermelon - Eating Championship

Tim "Eater X" Janus Strikes Back With a Win Against Conti in Major League Eating: The Game.

After consuming 15.1 slices of watermelon in just six minutes, "Crazy Legs" Conti was named the World Watermelon-Eating Champion on May 20.

In a watermelon-eating contest held at the Nintendo World Store, Conti faced off against his arch-nemesis (and roommate) Tim "Eater X" Janus. Conti, ranked 11th in the world by the International Federation of Competitive Eating, was the underdog going into the competition against Janus, who is ranked 4th in the world, but when the juice had settled and the rinds had been counted, he emerged victorious, having defeated Janus by just one bite.

Janus had his revenge, however, a few minutes later when the two professional eaters competed in a virtual watermelon-eating contest in Major League Eating: The Game, Mastiff's upcoming WiiWare™ title. Although Conti initially took the lead, with 23 watermelon slices to Janus' 21, he overestimated his virtual stomach capacity and experienced a "reversal of fortune," defaulting the win to Janus.

When Mastiff's Major League Eating: The Game launches, Wii™ owners will have their own chance to test their virtual-eating capabilities. The game features the world's greatest gurgitory athletes competing across a variety of foods and venues. Built much like a classic fighting game and deeper than a Chicago style deep-dish pizza, MLE: The Game requires players to master a smorgasbord of offensive and defensive weapons including bites, burps, belches, mustard gas and jalapeño flames while cramming and chewing food at a world-class pace. It's not for the faint of heart, the slow of reflex, or those with an overly strong aversion to a Technicolor reversal of fortune.

Major League Eating: The Game uses the Wii Remote to simulate a variety of eating techniques including the cram, toss, and 'typewriter.' Burp-offs and Hot Potato challenges during the contests keep the competition intense and eaters on their toes.

Major League Eating: The Game is for one or two players, offers online play and a leader board.

Familiar In-Game Enviroments from Oblivion

GamePlasma was recently tasked with the job of reviewing a game titled "Limbo of the Lost." However once one of their writers, Erik Franck, started playing it, he noticed some very familiar settings. It appears that Limbo of the Lost has blatantly taken in-game environments and textures from Oblivion.

REACTION from SYNERGY

Tri Synergy, would like to publish an official comment regarding recent comparisons of level design and artwork between Majestic Studios’ Limbo of the Lost and Bethesda’s The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion/Eidos Interactive’s Thief: Deadly Shadows.

Tri Synergy is just as shocked as everyone else is by the recent screenshot comparisons. At no point during our dealings with Majestic Studios up until the point that the comparison was first publicly made by a third party did we have any knowledge of these similarities. Additionally, Tri Synergy will discontinue distribution of Limbo of the Lost in both retail and online outlets.

We have contacted the developer, Majestic, and are anxiously awaiting their response. As soon as we know more on this matter we will issue another statement.

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Don't Underestimate the Power of PlayStation - the 10 best ads

Perhaps our previous feature on the ten worst PlayStation ads has left you with sleepless nights? We apologize for any bodily harm or psychological damage we may have caused you.

You just need to remember that the history of PlayStation ads and campaigns is rich and rife with content.

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