Search This Blog

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Velvet Assassin - Fact Sheet - The weapons

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.



TOPLINE WEAPON OVERVIEW

Colt:
The Colt, or M1911, is a .45 calibre, single action, semi-automatic handgun, which was the standard-issue handgun in the combat arm of the United States Armed Forces from 1911 to 1985. The design is described as one of the most effective and reliable in the history of firearms, having a service life of over 70 years. A lot of the mechanisms used in the original Colt 45 are still used in standard issue handguns worldwide to date.


G-43 Rifle:
The Gewehr 43 is a semi-automatic German rifle used during WW2. It followed many earlier less successful designs but became popular due to its weight, reliability and its ability to be mass produced. It was given to German Army units that were in more advanced positions and was used as a Sniper Rifle due to its accuracy. It could not be fitted with a bayonet, so in close combat it was less successful.


Luger:
The Luger P. 08 is a 9mm recoil action, semi-automatic pistol, which was the standard-issue pistol for the German Armed forces from 1908 to 1938, although was still primarily used by Officers as their standard side-arm throughout WW2. It was a much coveted prize if it was found by the Allied Forces and was often traded between themselves for cigarettes and other rations.



Luger Carbine:
The Luger Carbine or ‘Zie Lange Pistole 08’ is a 9mm recoil action, long barrelled pistol which could be turned in to a rifle with a 32 round drum magazine (like the American Tommy guns made famous by Al Capone). This dual purpose weapon proved popular during ‘Blitz Krieg’ with the fast moving SS troops needing less weight to carry so having two guns in one was a great advantage.

MG-42:
The MG-42 (shortened from German: Maschinengewehr 42, or "Machine Gun 42") is a machine gun that was developed for, and entered service with, Nazi Germany in 1942, during World War II. The machine gun was a huge contributor to Allied casualties and the MG-42 was made infamous to its durability, reliability, simplicity to operate and the ease in which it could be moved and reloaded.


MP-40:
The MP40 (Maschinenpistole 40, literally "Machine Pistol 40") is a submachine gun developed in Germany and used extensively by paratroopers and platoon and squad leaders during World War II. The MP40 had a relatively low rate of fire and low recoil, which made it more manageable than other contemporary submachine guns. As it is a machine pistol the user had the ability to hold it in one hand and fire either while parachuting or in close combat so didn’t have to fully expose them and risk being shot.




Shotgun:
The Shotgun was manufactured by all sides during WW2, but was not frequently used in regular combat. It was used by the army to guard Prisoner of War camps, but proved very popular with the underground Militia forces throughout France and Belgium. It was an easy weapon to use accurately due to the ammunition spread, especially with little combat training like that of most Guerilla forces.

STG-44:
The StG44 (Sturmgewehr 44 or "Assault rifle model 1944") was an assault rifle developed in Nazi Germany during WW2 and was the first of its kind to see major deployment. It was named for propaganda reasons by Adolf Hitler himself and literally means ‘Storm Rifle’, intended to be used to storm Allied positions. It was first deployed on the Eastern Front against Russia and was very effective in long range confrontation with the enemy and more useful in close quarter combat as it had the capability to be fitted with a bayonet or provide cover fire to help the advancing troops.


Flamethrower:
The Flamethrower was a handheld or vehicle mounted weapon that consisted of three tanks, two filled with a flammable liquid and one with a pressurised gas (usually nitrogen) and a small reservoir where it’s then passed over an incendiary device before being pushed through the gun. A primitive form of the flamethrower was used by the Byzantine Empire in Greece around 673 A.D. It was fitted aboard ships and used to set other ships and rigging alight. During WW2 troops carrying Flamethrowers were to a distinct disadvantage as their movement was impaired due to the tank strapped to their back and were a target for enemy snipers. It is rumored that if these troops were captured they would be executed rather than taken prisoner due to the graphic nature of their victims’ death. It was a particularly dangerous job and was known to be given to troops caught breaking rules or disrespecting officers.

Grenade:
The word Grenade is derived from the French word for Pomegranate as it was a similar size and the shrapnel reminded troops of the seeds from the fruit. It was primarily used to attack enemy positions such as bunkers or pillboxes; it was also used as an anti-personnel weapon to move the enemy from their positions making it easier to confront them with regular weapons.

Velvet Assassin will be available across Europe from late 2008.

ChartTrack Weekly Games Charts

All formats

Week ending 14 June 2008

1 METAL GEAR SOLID 4: GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS KONAMI
2 LEGO INDIANA JONES: ORIGINAL ADVENTURES LUCASARTS
3 GRAND THEFT AUTO IV ROCKSTAR
4 MARIO & SONIC AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES SEGA
5 DR KAWASHIMA'S BRAIN TRAINING NINTENDO
6 RACE DRIVER: GRID CODEMASTERS
7 WII PLAY NINTENDO
8 SPORTS ISLAND HUDSON
9 SID MEIER'S CIVILIZATION REVOLUTION 2K GAMES
10 WII FIT NINTENDO
11 PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2008 KONAMI
12 FIFA 08 EA SPORTS
13 GUITAR HERO III: LEGENDS OF ROCK REDOCTANE
14 CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE ACTIVISION
15 NINJA GAIDEN II MICROSOFT
16 MARIO KART WII NINTENDO
17 CARNIVAL: FUNFAIR GAMES 2KPLAY
18 UEFA EURO 2008 AUSTRIA-SWITZERLAND EA SPORTS
19 GAME PARTY MIDWAY
20 DRAGON BALL Z: BURST LIMIT NAMCO BANDAI GAMES

TheSimsCarnival.com - Create-your-own-games portal enters open beta.


TheSimsCarnival.com is now in Open Beta and available online at http://www.TheSimsCarnival.com with added content, features and new game creation options. This games destination website has hundreds of games of all kinds and creators are adding more everyday. There is bound to be a game that you love -- and if not, you can make it! Since its inception in February, 2008, TheSimsCarnival.com has built an active online community where nearly 1 in 4 visitors during Closed Beta have created and published their own games. The tools provided at the site empower players to become game creators at any programming skill level, from novice to Flash developers.


Play
With hundreds of unique and cool games to play, there is a game for everybody -- you won’t find this selection of games anywhere else. Making games is so easy at TheSimsCarnival.com, so you will see new and unique games and experiences to enjoy everyday. Come and check them out!

Create

Three tools -- The Wizard, The Swapper and The Game Creator -- are your assistants in game design. The Wizard leads you through the process of creating a game step-by-step with intuitive and fun options designed to help you make the coolest game. The Swapper let’s you customize existing games – or newly made games from The Wizard - with your own selection of images, so personalizing a game is at your fingertips. With The Game Creator, and it’s easy to use library of images, animations and sounds, everyone can create cool games.

You can also upload games created in Adobe® Flash® that can be viewed, played and shared with TheSimsCarnival.com community. Flash developers interested in uploading their games to the site should go to http://wwww.TheSimsCarnival.com/portal/upload/flashgame and follow the instructions to get your game up. Flash developers will be able to retain branding and links back to their developer site, providing another way to get exposure and traffic for their games. Those interested in learning more about our programs specifically targeted for Flash developers should send an email to SimLeaderAlpha@ea.com.



Share
At TheSimsCarnival.com, create playlists of your favorite games so you can stitch together all your favorite games into one experience, send a game by email or embed a game on social networking sites or on your personal blog. Games are now truly a social experience and one that can be shared and enjoyed by others.

Visit TheSimsCarnival.com today to play, create and share games of all kinds!

Microsoft brings the Rock Band experience to Facebook


myRockBand launch adds weight to campaign highlighting the exclusivity of the videogame Rock Band this summer on Xbox 360

Microsoft launches a new Facebook application – myRockBand - to support the ‘Xbox 360 presents Rock Band Live’ campaign. The summer long series of promotional events in the U.K., France and Germany celebrates the exclusive availability of the videogame Rock Band on the Xbox 360 console.

The myRockBand application, developed by digitaloutlook, mirrors those aspects of the videogame that make Rock Band such fun. Rock Band on Xbox 360 brings friends and family together and challenges players to tour for fame and fortune by mastering lead guitar, bass, drums and vocals. On downloading the application, Facebook members create their ultimate band choosing the name, their position and, from the friends list, band mates. Their friends can interact with the application and, just like a bonafide band, fans can action ‘scream “you rock”’, ‘fling your knickers’, ‘show them rock horns’ and ‘crowd surf.‘ The critics amongst them can ‘boo the band’ or ‘put your fingers in your ears.’
Wannabe band members can also audition to join the band, challenging any band member for their position. This action launches a flash game that sets off a sequence of notes that have to be memorised and replicated by the player. If their score is higher than the original band member they will assume pride of place in the band. Every action is reported in the newsfeed of the community’s home page.


“Want to immortalise your rocker moment? Then join myRockBand on Facebook to share in our real-world Xbox 360 Presents Rock Band Live events and loads of music stuff! It’s your Rock Band destination to share, explore and invite your girlfriend or mates – it’s just like the videogame but even better,” explains Stephen McGill, Head of Gaming & Entertainment, Entertainment & Devices Division, UK.
Xbox 360 Presents Rock Band events will be held in a number of different locations in the UK, France and Germany. Fans will have the opportunity to perform songs from a variety of artists including David Bowie, The Clash, Jet, Garbage and Radiohead. Performances will be filmed with the best being loaded onto Xbox.com/rockband. Winners will be chosen by MTV and celebrity judges Maximo Park and will be treated to a week-long VIP trip to Ibiza.


Direct link to application: http://apps.facebook.com/rockbanduk/

Video games raise student math scores

Based on research conducted by the University of Central Florida (UCF), immersive educational video games can improve students' math skills and comprehension and raise scores on district-wide benchmark exams.

read more | digg story

Premiere of the worldwide reveal trailer for Call of Duty - World at War


Watch the premiere of the worldwide reveal trailer for Call of Duty - World at War only on Xbox LIVE Marketplace June 21 - June 22.
“The next Call of Duty revealed! Watch the premiere of the worldwide reveal trailer for Call of Duty - World at War only on Xbox LIVE Marketplace June 21-June 22.
Call of Duty - World at War redefines WWII, challenging players to survive the most harrowing and climactic battles of the Pacific and European theatres.”

All Girl Arcade to Reinvent Gaming for Girls


New gaming network and upcoming MMOG hopes to be a much-needed haven for female gamers

At last, young females have a dedicated gaming site to call their own. With the goal of changing the face of online entertainment for girls, Fuel Industries has developed a revolutionary gaming portal which will empower young girls to create a stronger presence for themselves in videogame culture. Dubbed AllGirlArcade.com, the site includes a host of features, including a collection of casual games, user memberships, a point and rewards system, console and handheld reviews, an online mall, and the ability to play cooperatively with other girls. An MMOG is to be released in the fall of this year. The site will also feature articles and interviews with females in the game development industry, to help create awareness and inspire young girls who may have an interest in pursuing a career in the gaming business.



Based around the intergalactic antics of three outgoing videogame champions, The All Girl Star Squad, the site invites visitors into a world filled with hilarious and unique characters. The story revolves around Mika, Jessie, and Yuki, Earth gaming celebrities, caught up in an intergalactic struggle between a group of wacky aliens and a Fire queen best on universal rule. Playing out over a series of animated webisodes, the story is the inspiration for the first series of web games available on the portal. The MMOG will be built around the universe and will feature characters and locations from the story. Third party games will also be hosted on the site in order to create a truly exceptional gaming experience for young females.



With its trophy and gem systems, AllGirlArcade.com promotes healthy competition in a safe environment online where parents are able to monitor their children’s activities and interactions. Aiming to expand the All Girl Start Squad into a 360 degree entertainment property, including television, movie and toy branches, Fuel Industries has placed some of the most impressive talent in the industry on creating a unique portal that will excite young visitors, and prove that it’s time for the boys to move over, because this Arcade is Girls Only.

Key Facts

• All Girl Arcade is a created specifically with females between 8 and 10 in mind.

• The portal features empowered female heroines who will be the focal points in the intergalactic adventures in cross-media environments, including an online MMOG in the fall.


• Site includes online games, cross-platform game reviews, user accounts, and gems which users can spend on additional content and merchandise.

• All Girl Arcade brings a powerful new female presence to the online gaming world. Female characters are strong, independent and positive role models for young girls.

• Fuel Industries intends to expand the characters from All Girl Arcade into a cross-media venture, involving movies, merchandise and television, beginning with webisodes featured on the site—a true 360 degree entertainment property.

Spore Creature Creator now available worldwide


Spore Creature Creator Kicks off the Countdown to the Release of Spore this September

Prepare to test the limits of your imagination. Maxis, an Electronic Arts studio, today released the Spore Creature Creator, an introduction to the highly-anticipated and groundbreaking video game, Spore which will be on sale in the UK on September 5.

Available today for both PC and Mac, the Spore Creature Creator is a stand-alone product and creativity toy box where players create their own unique creatures, bring them to life with entertaining animations, and share them online with friends around the world. A free trial version of the Spore Creature Creator is available today at www.spore.com, while the full version of the Spore Creature Creator will soon be available in the UK as a pre-order incentive from EA Store and select retailers. The trial version features 25% of the creature-making parts from Spore and lets players shape, paint and play with their custom-created creatures. Creatures made in the Spore Creature Creator can also be imported into the full Spore game, allowing players to populate their own galaxies when the game ships worldwide later this year.

The Spore Creature Creator lets players create their own creatures, take them on a test drive, snap pictures, and make movies of them. Sharing pictures or videos with friends is as easy as the click of a button. Players can also share their creations with others by uploading to the Sporepedia™ at www.spore.com. The Sporepedia is an extraordinarily vast online destination where people worldwide can search for and share Spore creations, comment on other player’s designs, check out celebrity creature creations and much more.


“Today is the day we begin to see Spore come to life,” said executive producer and general manager of Maxis, Lucy Bradshaw. “We’re excited to see what players will do with the powerful and intuitive creativity tools we’ve put into the Spore Creature Creator. Our team will be excitedly keeping an eye on the Sporepedia to check out creations made by players from around the world.”

The ability to upload players’ creations to YouTube has also been integrated into the Spore Creature Creator. Players can import and upload video of their creatures' moves directly to YouTube with only two clicks within the game. Spore will have its own YouTube Channel where all videos of users' creations uploaded from the game will be showcased for the YouTube community to watch, share, rate and comment on. Check it out at http://youtube.com/spore.



Spore, the highly-anticipated game from the creators of The Sims, gives players their own personal universe in a box. Create and evolve life, establish tribes, build civilizations, sculpt entire worlds and explore a universe filled with creations made by other gamers. Spore gives players a wealth of creative tools to customize nearly every aspect of their universe: creatures, vehicles, buildings, and even UFOs.

Spore will be on sale for the PC, Mac, Nintendo DS and mobile phones on September 5, 2008 in Europe and September 7, 2008 in North America and Asia. Visit www.spore.com to download a free version of the Spore Creature Creator, sign up for the Spore newsletter or check out all-new screenshots and videos from the game.

Elements of Destruction and Sea Life Safari on Xbox LIVE


Command the forces of nature in “Elements of Destruction” and dive into a family-friendly underwater adventure with “Sea Life Safari,” both launching on Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. GMT (1:00 a.m. PDT).

Assume the role of the master of disaster! Use tornadoes, lightning, earthquakes and many other forces of nature to do your bidding in “Elements of Destruction.” Fired from your job as a top research scientist, you have built a machine that allows you to control nature and exact revenge on the corporation that fired you. Your quest for revenge takes you to locations across the globe where you must use the forces of nature in challenging ways. Shake down buildings with earthquakes, suck-up and throw objects with tornadoes, and strike down aircraft with lightning to cause mayhem in cities and towns across the earth.

Developed by Frozen Codebase, “Elements of Destruction” will be available worldwide (with the exception of Japan) for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated T for Teen by the ESRB.

Assume the role of an underwater photographer that is tasked with capturing the incredible beauty of wild sea creatures in “Sea Life Safari.” This family-friendly game features 60 animated marine life, five uniquely beautiful destinations and an easy-to-understand tutorial. Explore the tropical Coral Reef or swim towards the Ship Graveyard, capturing stunning pictures to fill up your personal scrapbooks. The underwater setting of “Sea Life Safari” also features secret routes, hidden items and special appearances by rare nighttime creatures to keep gamers coming back for more.

Angels Online - Angel Baby System Details Introduction


With IGG and the Angels Online team having released the Eden Expansion, more and more players have joined this game. However some newbie players have been wondering if they can catch up with the experienced veteran players after joining this game.

To help the newbie players level up quickly and easily, the Angels Online team has released “Angel Baby” (software) which will help players level up with ease.
For more information please visit: http://ao.igg.com/news/news.php?aid=1071

Meanwhile, to celebrate IGG Inc’s 2nd Anniversary in June, AO Item Mall will be releasing a series of New Paper Moppets. Those players who like dressing up shouldn’t miss this opportunity.
For more info visit: http://ao.igg.com/news/news.php?aid=1068