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Saturday, July 12, 2008

Hello Kitty - Big City Dreams on Nintendo DS



Hello Kitty Big City Dreams is a fun, exciting and cute mini game based adventure for the Nintendo DS, featuring the popular Hello Kitty character.

The story finds our heroine, Kitty White leaving her home in Sanrio Town to try to make her mark in The Big City. Kitty moves into a simple apartment downtown adjacent to The Big City. Although she lives on the bottom floor now, she dreams of the day she can move up to the luxurious penthouse. 

Help Hello Kitty explore her new home and finds all sorts of people to make friends with! Perhaps by helping others and working hard, Hello Kitty will finally say Hello to her dream suite in the sky!

Marvelous Entertainment USA and XSEED Games Join Forces to Announce E3 2008 Line Up


Independent Game Publishers to Showcase Stellar Portfolio of Titles on Wii and Popular Handheld Systems

E3 plans include a stellar line up of games for both Nintendo platforms, the Nintendo DS and Wii, as well as the PSP (PlayStationPortable) system. Both companies will display their portfolio of upcoming titles at E3 2008 which will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from July 15th – 17th. E3 attendees are invited to visit the Marvelous Entertainment USA and XSEED Games booth located at Concourse Hall Pavilion No.427.
”We’re very pleased to be able to give the North American audience a sneak peak at our upcoming lineup,” stated Yasuhiro Wada, Managing Director of Marvelous Entertainment. “This is just the beginning of some of the great games that we’ll be releasing in the US under our Marvelous Entertainment USA banner.”
“It’s been an amazing year for us, and we feel that we’re well positioned going into E3,” said Jun Iwasaki, President of XSEED Games. “We’ve got a fantastic partnership with Marvelous Entertainment which we greatly appreciate, and the overall line up of titles we’re showcasing is strong and diverse, which we’re exceptionally excited about.”
Games being shown under the Marvelous and XSEED Games partnership are:

Avalon Code DS
From the creative minds behind Rune Factory and Harvest Moon with the development studio responsible for the Final Fantasy III and Final Fantasy IV DS remakes comes Avalon Code, an action RPG boasting incredible graphics, a deep and engrossing story, and innovative game play mechanics. Using the main character’s ‘Book of Prophecy’, players can modify the rules of engagement during battle as well as weapon and monster attributes. The player even has control over the story as it changes depending on which gender the player chooses to play as, enhancing the ability to immerse themselves into the story. Avalon Code DS is scheduled for release Q1 2009. The game will be published in Europe by Rising Star Games*, a subsidiary of Marvelous Entertainment.

Rune Factory - Frontier Wii

From the creators of Harvest Moon and Rune Factory for the DS comes the first installment of Rune Factory for a home console. Developed exclusively for Wii, Rune Factory: Frontier features stunning graphics and takes full advantage of the Wii’s unique controls to fully immerse players in the Rune Factory universe. Rune Factory: Frontier incorporates an open-ended structure that allows players to choose the type of game they wish to experience. Whether it’s growing crops, expanding the town, fighting (or befriending) monsters or even falling in love, the experience is unique to each player. Rune Factory: Frontier Wii is scheduled for release Q1 2009. The game will be published in Europe by Rising Star Games*, a subsidiary of Marvelous Entertainment.

LITTLE KING’S STORY Wii

Little King’s Story has an art style that is very ‘story-book’ in look and a magical fairy tale quality that will intrigue and delight gamers. The storyline, visual look, and lyrical music of Little King’s Story, work in concert to transport players to an interactive, enchanting, fairy tale world. By combining gameplay elements from life-simulation, real-time strategy, and adventure genres, the many aspects of creating a vast kingdom come to life! As King, players will manage and involve their townspeople in the goals of creating this new territory; enlisting them to dig for treasure, build new buildings and otherwise better their community. Of course, leadership is a two-way street, so as King, players will try to conquer rival nations to create a single unified kingdom, while also granting the requests of townspeople at whim. The game transforms the Wii Remote™ to a royal scepter and offers players the chance to be the best king in the world! Little King’s Story Wii is scheduled for release Winter 2008. The game will be published in Europe by Rising Star Games*, a subsidiary of Marvelous Entertainment.

VALHALLA KNIGHTS 2 PSP system


Sequel to the popular Valhalla Knights, Valhalla Knights 2 promises to give fans of the original game a vast and expansive world to explore, and the customization tools to create the ultimate battle party. This action RPG (Role Playing Game) sequel adds new races, job classes, weapons, magic spells, foes, armor and more to the Valhalla Knights universe, all within an engrossing story arc. Controlling and choosing character aspects such as skills, race and appearance, players engage in real-time 6 on 6 battles, reliant on tactical combat strategies to achieve success. Supporting 2 player ad hoc network play, gamers can engage in Co-op and Versus modes with friends, or simply trade items and weapons. Valhalla Knights 2 PSP system is scheduled for release Fall 2008.

Separately, XSEED Games will unveil the company’s first official support of the Nintendo DS with three titles:

Populous DS
Based on the original Populous PC classic from Electronic Arts, Populous DS brings a re-imagination of the classic game, which pioneered the God simulation genre. Featuring touch-screen controls that utilize the dual-screens, players manipulate 5 elementally-imbued gods, each with their own unique miracles, within an extensive single-player campaign. Within the multiplayer wireless mode, up to 4 players can unleash earthquakes, tidal waves and raging volcanoes onto rival players’ lands. Populous DS is scheduled for release Fall 2008. The game will be published in Europe by Rising Star Games*, a subsidiary of Marvelous Entertainment.

KORG DS-10
Designed after the famous KORG MS-10 music synthesizer, KORG DS-10 is a music-creation program for professional and aspiring musicians alike. The sound sources in the KORG DS-10 come from KORG, one of the world’s top musical instrument producers, and no effort was spared in the replication of creating high-quality sounds. The Nintendo DS’s touch-screen controls are utilized to the fullest to provide an authentic feel and operability across a dual-screen layout that is unsurpassed in portable music creation. A 6-track/16-step sequencer enables precise control and provides a wide range of musical possibilities, and up to eight DS units can be linked via wireless connection to play together or to exchange sounds and songs. KORG DS-10 is scheduled for release Fall 2008.

Retro Game Challenge
An original game based on the popular Japanese GAME CENTER CX TV series, Retro Game Challenge reinvents how classic games are played. Featuring a story-driven progression, players complete short challenges in a wide-variety of fictional retro-games. Specific challenges in shooting, racing, action and even an epic role-playing game are integrated into the story, while the in-game magazines offer cheat codes as well as fake 80’s news stories paying tribute to the rich history of the gaming industry. Released to raving reviews as Game Center CX: Arino’s Challenge in Japan , the game received a Gold Award from Famitsu with a 33/40 review score. Retro Game Challenge is scheduled for release Winter 2008.

Yahoo and Sony to offer 400 ad-funded free games end of 2008


Yahoo and Sony have unveiled initiatives to expand their provision of ad-supported computer games, with Yahoo planning to offer more than 400 such games by the end of the year.

Yahoo announced that in-game ads would help it and game publisher partners to benefit financially from the vast appeal of online games. It also hopes the move will allow advertisers' improved access to sought-after demographics, such as females aged between 35 and 54.

In-game technology providers, Double Fusion and NeoEdge, will sell and integrate pre-roll, mid-roll and post-roll video ads into the Yahoo Games catalogue. Paid downloads without advertising will also be available to users on Yahoo Games.

The worldwide in-game advertising industry is expected to grow by 1,150 percent to $971.3m (£487.4m) by 2011, according to US research outfit Yankee Group.

"In-game advertising is a win-win for Yahoo Games, our partners and our users," said Kyle Laughlin, head of games at Yahoo. "Yahoo Games will safely and simply monetise our games experience, while providing the best and most popular games free to game enthusiasts."

Jonathan Epstein, President and chief executive of Double Fusion, said the in-game ad offerings would allow it to reach Yahoo's audience of "18 to 49- year-old game-loving consumers".

Separately, Sony Computer Entertainment America and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe today announced a partnership with Double Fusion to deliver dynamic in-game advertising on Playstation 3 games.

Source: Brand Republic

Too Human - E3 Trailer launched


Watch the trailer here...

You are now one step closer to becoming a god amongst men. As the powerful cybernetic god Baldur, players will battle their way through ancient machine armies in a quest to save all mankind. Begin fulfilling your destiny with the demo of “Too Human,” the third-person epic action game from renowned Canadian developer Silicon Knights and Microsoft Game Studios. Gamers can also whet their appetites by watching an all-new trailer, available now on Xbox LIVE Marketplace.
“Too Human” breaks the genre barrier by combining elements of both the action and RPG genres. Play as Baldur, the cybernetic Norse god, who refuses to turn over humanity to the machines, and experience this new style of gameplay in the demo exclusively available on Xbox LIVE* before the game hits retailers. The demo features part of the first level of the game and will be available beginning Monday, July 14, at 2 a.m. PDT (6 pm GMT)



“Too Human” releases in the UK on Aug. 29th for the estimated retail price of £44.99 and is rated “PEGI 16+”.

Velvet Assassin - E3 Fact Sheet


In the shadows of the Third Reich stalks the

Velvet Assassin

For: Xbox 360, PC
Available: Q4 2008

While in a coma, British Intelligence agent Violette Summer relives both the hushed and heavy horrors that she experienced while sabotaging the Nazi regime. Inspired by real-life WWII heroine Violette Szabo, Velvet Assassin reveals the revulsions of war that are never spoken aloud. With ground-breaking stealth action gameplay, slink through the shadows with Violette as she eliminates her targets one by one.

  • Bring your enemies to a violent end that they’ll never see coming with brutal assassinations and sabotage missions like never before.
  • Explore hyper-realistic, dreamlike settings that are modeled after actual WWII locations and experience the unimaginable horrors of stealthy, off-battlefield warfare.

  • Over 12 breath-taking levels you will go on assassination missions, try to survive Volette’s nightmares, and complete a rescue missions that are anything but life saving.

  • Complete missions to change Violette’s attributes to suit your playing style whether it be more stealth or strength.

Mushroom Men - E3 Fact Sheet


Welcome to the three inch high world of the

Mushroom Men

Mushroom Men - Rise of the Fungi [DS] & Mushroom Men - The Spore Wars [Wii]

For: Nintendo DS, Wii
Available: DS - Oct 2008; Wii - Nov 2008

Mushroom Men inhabit the world that goes on while we humans are looking the other way, in the twilight hours when we sleep. After the comet had passed, the scientists concluded that the strange, green dust had no effect on the world. No one noticed as mushrooms, cacti, flowers and vines began to awaken into full consciousness. Tribes quickly formed, building plant and fungi nations and with nation building… came war!
  • As a character the size of a mushroom, players will explore and battle their way through lush and spooky levels in a hostile and oversized world.


  • Choose from three different characters on DS or take on the role of heroic misfit Pax on Wii.


  • Fight hideous spiders, deadly praying mantises, lightning-fast scorpions, enemy Mushroom Men and more!
  • Wipe out your enemies with unique, spore-based powers, and construct clever new weapons and tools from everyday materials with the “SCAV” system.

Legendary - E3 Fact Sheet



As the world crumbles around you, do you have the strength to become

Legendary

For: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Available: September 2008

Sealed away inside Pandora’s Box are the greatest creatures of myth and lore, locked away by ancient forces to preserve humanity. There they have spent eons waiting to be freed in order to rule the world once more. When a thief named Deckard is hired to steal the artifact he unwittingly triggers a war between man and myth. Now he is the only one capable of preventing the destruction of civilization.


  • Modern military firepower meets the tooth and claw of legend. From creatures the size of a child, to Titans over ten stories tall.
  • A massive, block-buster experience. Encounter three-way firefights: take on the beasts of the box and those who would seek to control them for their own, evil ends.
  • Dynamic environments crumble, skyscrapers fall; the collapse of modern society in the face of the beasts of myth is realized in breath-taking detail.


  • Incredible and unnerving AI: watch as werewolves scale vertical walls to find a path to the player and use objects in the environment to their advantage.


Operation Flashpoint 2 - Dragon Rising video game new video


Invading the web the brand new CGI trailer video for Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising, the game that marks the return of the genre-defining military combat series. Live the intense and thrilling conflict on the vast 220km2 Russian controlled island of Skira as the trailer showcases the massive scale involved in OFP2.



The video opens with US Special Ops carrying out a stealth mission to destroy a Chinese forward observation post. Suddenly, their mission is compromised and the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) attacks. US reinforcements are called in and a full-scale battle develops between the PLA and the marines.

Previewing the total conflict experience using footage created from rendered game models, the trailer is now available to view and download here (age restrictions apply).



Then, regroup with your unit on the forum to discuss the trailer, the gameplay elements and the improvements since the first episode of the Operation Flashpoint series.



You'll find our forums here

Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Sacrifice on Nintendo DS - Screenshots







Space Chimps video game coming to Xbox Wii and PlayStation 3


Hollywood talent from the upcoming animated movie, Space Chimps, will be featured in their videogame of the same name. Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm, RV) and Patrick Warburton (Bee Movie, Seinfeld) reprise their roles from the movie, Luna and Titan respectively, for the videogame. Based on the highly anticipated film produced by Vanguard Animation and presented by Starz Animation, the videogame is slated for release on 1st August 2008.

In the Space Chimps game, players follow the adventures of pioneering primates on a mission into outer space. Cheryl Hines as Luna, is a by the books, go-getting chimp, who graduated top of her astronaut training class. As the interactive plot of the game unfolds, Luna’s level head becomes an asset, and players take control of the character to explore alien territories and complete quests that explore lands and characters beyond the plot of the movie. Patrick Warburton as Titan, is the commanding officer of their space craft, and uses his deep stern voice to keep his crew in line. However, his quick temper and tendency to go bananas makes leading a squad difficult at times for this commanding chimp.
“I think it is really fun to have a videogame that goes along with the movie,” explained Cheryl Hines, who voices Luna in Space Chimps the game and the film. “It gives fans a chance to be part of the movie by playing as their favourite characters, while exploring new adventures.”
Space Chimps the game will be available for the XBOX 360, PLAYSTATION 2 computer entertainment system, and the Wii and Nintendo DS videogame systems from Nintendo. The game is rated ‘E’ by the ESRA and will be available at retailers nationwide on 1st August 2008.