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Monday, July 14, 2008

Mirror’s Edge - a unique first-person action adventure



Original Fiction in Mirror's Edge Introduces Faith

“Once this city used to pulse with energy; dirty and dangerous, but alive and wonderful. Now it is something else.” – Faith. DICE, an Electronic Arts, today announced that writer and story designer Rhianna Pratchett is responsible for crafting the intricate script for Mirror’s Edge - a unique first-person action adventure. Pratchett introduces players to Faith, a ‘runner’ in a world where communication channels are highly monitored and the movement of human traffic is closely watched. When Faith’s sister gets framed for a murder she did not commit, Faith finds herself on the edge of the city, on the wrong side of the law.



“It was a great experience working with the team at DICE to help breath life into Faith; her world, relationships and backstory,” said Rhianna Pratchett. ”My heroines and heroes have always been the ones who were ordinary, but through the events of a story, became extraordinary. Faith is skilled, but she's certainly not a superhero. She has her flaws, like all of us. In short: she's real. That's her appeal.”

Mirror’s Edge delivers players straight into the shoes of this modern day heroine as she traverses the vertigo-inducing cityscape, engaging in intense combat, fast-paced chases and challenging puzzles. With a never-before-seen sense of movement and perspective, players are drawn into Faith’s world.

“We were excited to work with Rhianna to develop the story, setting and character of Faith,” said Owen O’Brien, Executive Producer, DICE. “We were extremely lucky to be able to work with someone who is not only a writer, but also a core gamer, to create the world of Mirror’s Edge.”

Pratchett has been recognized by the videogame entertainment industry for numerous achievements in her 10 year gaming career including being voted by Next-Gen.Biz as one of the 100 most influential women in the games industry. She’s also worked on a number of high profiles games including Heavenly Sword and Overlord that have been nominated for a BAFTA and Develop Award for creation of story, character and new intellectual property. For more information on her work, please visit www.rhiannapratchett.com.

Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility on Nintendo Wii


Was there really a Harvest Goddess? Did she actually bring prosperity to Waffle Island? Most people around here don't believe the local legends, but after the death of the ancient Mother Tree, nothing is normal. Stormy seas and hardships have citizens talking and even packing up. That's why the mayor asked you-a newcomer-to investigate. Can you grow crops, nurture animals and find a way to restore magic and natural wonders? Sow your seeds of destiny in this first farming adventure for the Nintendo Wii! It is up to you to save the island!

Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility is filled with exciting features that are sure to delight both new players and long-time Harvest Moon fans! There are lot of crops to grow, a variety of animals to care for, tons of festivals to participate in, and an exciting story!


• Cut, water and plant crops with realistic motions using your Nintendo Wii Remote!
• Choose a farming life as a boy or a girl character!
• Build your own farm, and then expand by buying more land!
• Raise cows, goats, ducks, chickens, horse, silkworms… even ostriches!
• Earn extra funds while working part-time at local shops and businesses.
• Explore the biggest Harvest Moon adventure ever created for any video game system!



Available: Summer 2008

Harvest Moon - Island of Happiness on Nintendo DS


Build your own paradise!


You’re shipwrecked on a deserted island! Starting with an abandoned farm, a handful of seeds, and the determination to start a new life, it’s up to you to tame the land and make the island prosper! By farming crops, raising animals, and mining for precious gems, you’ll help the island grow into a vibrant town bustling with people, businesses, and eligible bachelors and bachelorettes. Are you a good enough farmer to turn this island into a paradise?


• Play as a boy or as a girl!
• Attract settlers by building your farm!
• Fall in love and start a family!
• Explore the biggest portable Harvest Moon ever!
• Compete against other ranchers via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection!



Available: Summer 2008

E3 2008 - Every confirmed PlayStation 3 game

E3 2008 begins in LA tomorrow. We waited until the last possible minute to bring you the final list of confirmed games, including all those that are PS3 exclusive.Of course, we are expecting all sorts of additional titles to appear during the Sony conference on Tuesday 15th...

Baja: Edge of Control
 Bionic Commando
Bionic Commando Rearmed [PS3 Attitude Big Three title]
 BioShock
Blitz: The League II
 Borderlands
Buzz! Quiz TV PS3 Exclusive [PS3 Attitude Big Three title]
 Damnation
Dark Void
 Darksiders: Wrath of War
Dead Space
 Edge of Twilight
FaceBreaker
 Fallout 3
Free Realms
 Just Cause 2
Killzone 2 PS3 Exclusive
 Legendary
LEGO Batman: The Videogame
 LittleBigPlanet PS3 Exclusive
Madden NFL 09
 Mercenaries 2: World in Flames
Mirror's Edge
 Monster Madness: Grave Danger PS3 Exclusive
Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
 MotorStorm: Pacific Rift PS3 Exclusive
NBA 2K9
 NBA Live 09
NCAA Football 09
 NHL 2K9
Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising
 PixelJunk Eden PS3 Exclusive
Plunder
 Project Origin
Pure
 Red Faction: Guerrilla
Resident Evil 5
 Resistance 2 PS3 Exclusive
Rise of the Argonauts
 Saints Row 2
SIREN: Blood Curse (Episode 1) PS3 Exclusive
 SOCOM: Confrontation PS3 Exclusive
Soulcalibur IV
 Street Fighter IV
Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
 The Agency
The Last Remnant
 The Lord of the Rings: Conquest
This is Vegas
 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09
TNA iMPACT!
 Tomb Raider Underworld
Wheelman
 WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009


read more | digg story

More Rock Band 2 new features - Compete Against Other Bands Online...

For the First Time Ever in a Music Videogame Compete Against Other Bands Online; Export Music Tracks from Original Disc to Rock Band 2

Upgraded World Tour, Battle of the Bands, Set Challenges and Drum Trainer All Deliver an Authentic, Optimized Experience

Soundtrack to Feature Over 100 Songs From Unrivaled Blend of Classic, Developing and New Artists

Rock Band is the first music game to Support Open Platform By Officially Licensing Third Party Rock Band 2 Instruments: Mad Catz Premier Guitar Controllers, Cymbal Expansion Pack and Professional ION Alesis Drum Set

New features for the next evolution of the groundbreaking music platform, Rock Band™ 2. With the original Rock Band title providing millions of players with a new way to interact with the music and artists they love, Rock Band 2 builds upon its core band foundation to offer an unparalleled, deeper, dynamic gameplay experience.

Rock Band 2 raises the bar in music gaming innovation with new features to rock the world:

* Local and global online modes to connect the entire Rock Band community
* World Tour mode, now online, simplifies the best of gameplay from the original Rock Band by fusing Solo Tour and Band World Tour modes and cranks it up a notch with an all new collection of opportunity gigs, challenges, cities, venues and hirable staff
* Tour Challenges that offer rockers a chance to play through mini-campaigns focused on the best songs by instrument, decade, genre, artist, album and more
* Battle of the Bands mode challenges players to go head to head against other bands in constantly refreshed contests* created by Harmonix (*internet connection required)
* Quickplay makes it easier than ever to get in and jam without hassle while allowing for new prefab characters or customized characters that can play on any instrument plus lets you make your own set lists and organize your song lists in a variety of categories (genre, era, etc.)
* Customizable Set Lists keep the music rolling and your band rocking in Quickplay mode
* Drum Trainer mode gives players the fundamentals of different beats and fills, translating gameplay into real drumming skills
* Character Creator completes your look with all new choices in clothing, accessories, tattoos, hairstyles, instruments and more to keep your unique rock avatar playing the full rock part
* Backwards compatibility with all Rock Band downloadable music content released to date
* Disc Export Feature gives owners of the original Rock Band the ability to export most of the Rock Band disc tracks and upgrade them into Rock Band 2 gameplay-the first time ever in videogame history!

Rock Band 2 features the largest music catalogue of any music-based videogame to date including:

* The Rock Band 2 soundtrack will feature over 100 songs - with over 80 songs on disc plus an additional 20 bonus tracks which will be made available for free download this fall .
* Unrivaled Blend of Classic, Developing and Emerging rock acts including Pearl Jam, Metallica, Allman Brothers, Motorhead, Devo, Jane's Addiction, Megadeth, Paramore, Modest Mouse and more.
* Rock Band 2 is the first and only video game to feature the music of AC/DC. It includes their epic rock anthem, "Let There Be Rock”
* After 14 years since Guns N’ Roses last official music release, Axl Rose selects Rock Band 2 to debut official new track, “Shackler’s Revenge” from the highly-anticipated album Chinese Democracy
* For the first time ever, music from American music icon, Bob Dylan, is featured in a video game with “Tangled Up In Blue”
* With ongoing weekly DLC releases including individual tracks, track packs and full albums, the Rock Band music library will feature more than 500 songs by year’s end!

From the solid officially licensed Rock Band 2 instruments to the expanded third party options, Rock Band 2 introduces new and improved choices that promise to deliver unsurpassed realism. In addition, Harmonix and MTV Games have become the first companies to officially support third party instruments and accessories in a music videogame.

Achieve ultimate stardom with the upgraded functionality and smooth new look of the official Rock Band 2 instruments.

* Fender Stratocaster Controller takes on a new authentic look plus adds a reinforced strum bar, quieter buttons, wireless functionality and a built in calibration tool that automatically sets your AV setup to an ideal setting for maximum rock.
* Drum set goes wireless while also featuring quieter, velocity sensitive drum pads and a metal reinforced pedal.
* Microphone showcases authentic styling and weight.
Kick up the intensity with officially licensed third party instruments from Mad Catz:

* Fender Telecaster Controller features soft buttons with lower action to help you shred faster than ever.
* Fender Bass Controller, the first bass guitar controller ever, takes the shape of the Fender P-Bass with extended length, tuning pegs and a split strum bar to replicate finger-bass style picking.
* Full-sized Squire Stratocaster Guitar Controller multiplies the authentic guitar experience by featuring a controller built into an actual Squire Stratocaster body.
* Cymbal Expansion Pack is a straightforward but amazing upgrade to the Rock Band 2 drum set featuring add-on cymbals.

Take Rock Band 2 instrument authenticity to a whole new level with a high-end peripheral from ION:

* ION Drum Rocker, a real electronic drum kit that functions as a game controller, brings the Rock Band fantasy to life featuring a simple substitution that takes the drum kit from a controller to a real instrument.

Song list for Rock Band 2 - from E3

Rock Band Platform to Encompass More Than 500 Songs by End of 2008

The song set list for Rock Band 2, the next evolution of the ground breaking Rock Band music platform. The Rock Band 2 soundtrack will feature over 100 songs with over 80 songs on disc plus an additional 20 bonus tracks which will be made available for free download this fall.

This builds upon the unparalleled depth and diversity of Rock Band’s original set list and its ever-expanding library of downloadable tracks. Comprised entirely of master recordings from some of rock’s most prolific and untouchable artists, including AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, Bob Dylan, Metallica, Pearl Jam and more, Rock Band 2 will deliver the most impressive and largest music catalogue of any music-based video game ever.

• After 14 years since Guns N’ Roses last official music release, Axl Rose selects Rock Band 2 to debut official new track “Shackler's Revenge” from the highly-anticipated album Chinese Democracy.

• Rock Band 2 is the first and only video game to feature the music of AC/DC. It includes their epic rock anthem, "Let There Be Rock.”

• For the first time ever, music from American music icon, Bob Dylan, is featured in a video game with “Tangled Up In Blue.”

• Rock Band 2 will feature backwards compatibility with all Rock Band downloadable music content released to date.

• Owners of the original Rock Band will have the ability to export most of the Rock Band disc tracks and upgrade them into Rock Band 2 gameplay-the first time ever in video game history!

• With ongoing weekly DLC releases including individual tracks, track packs and full albums, the Rock Band music library will feature more than 500 songs by year’s end!

“With Rock Band, Harmonix and MTV Games set out to create a powerful music platform for music fans, their friends and families to discover music in a way unlike ever before,” said Paul DeGooyer, SVP Electronic Games and Music, MTV. “We are honored that such legendary artists as AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, Bob Dylan and more have chosen Rock Band 2 as a new platform for fans to experience their music. As our catalog of disc and downloadable songs continues to grow, we are determined to continue to provide the Rock Band community an unmatched ability to customize their musical experience with the artists and songs they love.”

Rock Band 2 On-Disc Track List:
Artist Song Title Decade
1. AC/DC “Let There Be Rock” 1970s
2. AFI “Girl’s Gone Grey” 2000’s
3. Alanis Morissette “You Oughta Know” 1990’s
4. Alice in Chains “Man in the Box” 1990’s
5. Allman Brothers “Ramblin’ Man” 1970’s
6. Avenged Sevenfold “Almost Easy” 2000’s
7. Bad Company “Shooting Star” 1970’s
8. Beastie Boys “So Whatcha Want” 1990’s
9. Beck “E-Pro” 2000’s
10. Bikini Kill “Rebel Girl” 1990’s
11. Billy Idol “White Wedding Pt. I” 1980’s
12. Blondie “One Way or Another” 1970’s
13. Bob Dylan “Tangled Up in Blue” 1970’s
14. Bon Jovi “Livin’ on a Prayer” 1980’s
15. Cheap Trick “Hello There” 1970’s
16. Devo “Uncontrollable Urge” 1980’s
17. Dinosaur Jr. “Feel the Pain” 1990’s
18. Disturbed “Down with the Sickness” 2000’s
19. Dream Theater “Panic Attack” 2000’s
20. Duran Duran “Hungry Like the Wolf” 1980’s
21. Elvis Costello “Pump It Up” 1970’s
22. Fleetwood Mac “Go Your Own Way” 1970’s
23. Foo Fighters “Everlong” 1990’s
24. Guns N’ Roses “Shackler’s Revenge” 2000’s
25. Interpol “PDA” 2000’s
26. Jane’s Addiction “Mountain Song” 1980’s
27. Jethro Tull “Aqualung” 1970’s
28. Jimmy Eat World “The Middle” 2000’s
29. Joan Jett “Bad Reputation” 1980’s
30. Journey “Anyway You Want It” 1970’s
31. Judas Priest “Painkiller” 1990’s
32. Kansas “Carry On Wayward Son” 1970’s
33. L7 “Pretend We’re Dead” 1990’s
34. Lacuna Coil “Our Truth” 2000’s
35. Linkin Park “One Step Closer” 2000’s
36. Lit “My Own Worst Enemy” 1990’s
37. Lush “De-Luxe” 1990’s
38. Mastodon “Colony of Birchmen” 2000’s
39. Megadeth “Peace Sells” 1980’s
40. Metallica “Battery” 1980’s
41. Mighty Mighty Bosstones “Where’d You Go” 1990’s
42. Modest Mouse “Float On” 2000’s
43. Motorhead “Ace of Spades” 1980’s
44. Nirvana “Drain You” 1990’s
45. Norman Greenbaum “Spirit in the Sky” 1960’s
46. Panic at the Disco “Nine in the Afternoon” 2000’s
47. Paramore “That’s What You Get” 2000’s
48. Pearl Jam “Alive” 1990’s
49. Presidents of the USA “Lump” 1990’s
50. Rage Against the Machine “Testify” 1990’s
51. Ratt “Round & Round” 1980’s
52. Red Hot Chili Peppers “Give it Away” 1990’s
53. Rise Against “Give it All” 2000’s
54. Rush “The Trees” 1970’s
55. Silversun Pickups “Lazy Eye” 2000’s
56. Smashing Pumpkins “Today” 1990’s
57. Social Distortion “I Was Wrong” 1990’s
58. Sonic Youth “Teenage Riot” 1980’s
59. Soundgarden “Spoonman” 1990’s
60. Squeeze “Cool for Cats” 1970’s
61. Steely Dan “Bodhitsattva” 1970’s
62. Steve Miller Band “Rock’n Me” 1970’s
63. Survivor “Eye of the Tiger” 1980’s
64. System of a Down “Chop Suey” 2000’s
65. Talking Heads “Psycho Killer” 1970’s
66. Tenacious D “Master Exploder” 2000’s
67. Testament “Souls of Black” 1990’s
68. The Donnas “New Kid in School” 2000’s
69. The Go-Go’s “We Got the Beat” 1980’s
70. The Grateful Dead “Alabama Getaway” 1980’s
71. The Guess Who “American Woman” 1970’s
72. The Muffs “Kids in America” 1990’s
73. The Offspring “Come Out & Play (Keep ‘em Separated)” 1990’s
74. The Replacements “Alex Chilton” 1980’s
75. The Who “Pinball Wizard” 1960’s
Bonus Artist Bonus Song Title Decade
76. Abnormality “Visions” 2000’s
77. Anarchy Club “Get Clean” 2000’s
78. Bang Camaro “Night Lies” 2000’s
79. Breaking Wheel “Shoulder to the Plow” 2000’s
80. The Libyans “Neighborhood” 2000’s
81. The Main Drag “A Jagged Gorgeous Winter” 2000’s
82. Speck “Conventional Lover” 2000’s
83. The Sterns “Supreme Girl” 2000’s
84. That Handsome Devil “Rob the Prez-O-Dent” 2000’s

** The Rock Band 2 on-disc track list is comprised entirely of master recordings.

More news about music on the Rock Band platform will be announced during the coming months.

Rune Factory 2 - A Fantasy Harvest Moon on Nintendo DS



From The World of Harvest Moon!

The evil Sechs Empire has been defeated, and the Kingdom of Norad is once again at peace. Things may not stay that way for long, however, as dark premonitions foretell of dangers to come. It’s up to you to uncover the source of these premonitions and bring peace to the kingdom once more.



Over the course of the story, you will build and develop a farm, befriend townspeople, raise monsters, take on quests, and find a wife. Rune Factory 2 offers innovative Touch Screen controls, easy-to-use menus, and an all-new compelling storyline.

• Multigenerational storyline lets you play as your child!
• Befriend monsters to help on your farm!
• Exciting new gameplay modes via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection!
• Upgrade your skills and forge your own powerful weapons and tools!




Available: Fall 2008

Hi! Hamtaro Ham-Ham Challenge - brain-training games designed for school children



LEARNING MADE FUN!

Join Hamtaro and all his friends in a variety of fun and educational brain-training games designed for elementary school children. Children will develop their memory, word comprehension, math skills, and many other abilities as they play through 12 engaging, interactive games. Parents can monitor their child’s growing abilities, adjust the difficulty level to match their child’s skills, and reward them with special items. Hamtato and his friends make learning fun!



• 12 Entertaining games that develop and improve skills!
• Parents can monitor their child’s progress!
• Easy to learn Touch Screen controls!

Available: Summer 2008

Xbox 360 Console Now Offers Triple the Storage for Same Price


60GB storage now included with Xbox 360; 20GB console will drop to $299.99 in U.S. and Canada..

Microsoft is giving consumers more gigabytes for their buck. The company today announced an Xbox 360 console with triple the storage space of the original console, but for the same price of $349 (U.S.) estimated retail price (ERP).

Available in retail stores in the U.S. and Canada starting in early August, the upgraded Xbox 360 will include a 60GB hard drive for storing the growing wealth of digital entertainment available for the console, including music, movies, television shows and game content. In addition, Microsoft today dropped the price of its 20GB Xbox 360 console in the U.S. and Canada to just $299 (U.S.) (ERP) while supplies last, a savings of $50.
“We know consumers need more and more space to store the amazing digital content Xbox 360 offers, and we’re giving it to them at no extra charge,” said Albert Penello, Xbox director of product management at Microsoft. “No one device offers the depth and breadth of entertainment that Xbox 360 can deliver, and now you’ll have three times the storage to manage all that great content.”

Xbox 360 is just one of three Xbox 360 gaming and entertainment systems Microsoft offers. Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Arcade, which comes with a 256MB memory unit and five Xbox LIVE Arcade games, is a value for the whole family for $279 (U.S.) (ERP), and the premium Xbox 360 Elite console is available with a 120GB hard drive for $449 (U.S.) (ERP).

Out of the box, the Xbox 360 console is ready to provide an incredible gaming and entertainment experience:

Xbox 360 console. The console is equipped with a cool white finish and three powerful core processors capable of producing the best in high definition (HD) entertainment (up to 1080p for gaming), 16:9 cinematic aspect ratio, anti-aliasing for smooth textures, full surround sound, and high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) output.

60 GB Hard Drive. The 60GB detachable hard drive allows gamers to save their games and store television shows, movies, music, pictures, trailers, levels, demos and other content available from Xbox LIVE Marketplace, the premier one-stop digital download center for entertainment.

Upscaling DVD Player. With an HDMI cable (sold separately), watch your favorite DVDs in near high-definition using the upscaling capabilities of Xbox 360.

Xbox 360 Wireless Controller. This award-winning, high-performance wireless controller features the Xbox Guide Button for quick, in-game access to friends and music. It has a range of up to 30 feet and a battery life of up to 30 hours on two AA batteries.

Xbox 360 Headset. The headset lets friends and family around the world chat while playing games, watching movies, or sending voice messages on Xbox LIVE.

Xbox LIVE Silver Membership. For no additional cost, Xbox 360 owners can chat with friends online, collect Achievements to improve their Gamerscores, send and receive voice and text messages, and access Xbox LIVE Marketplace content such as game demos, and purchase or rent HD movies and TV shows, as well as the best in downloadable games from Xbox LIVE Arcade. (Broadband Internet access required.)

One-month subscription to Xbox LIVE Gold. An Xbox LIVE Gold Membership provides a complete online entertainment experience. Those who subscribe to this premium service can engage in competitive online multiplayer matches, tailor their matchmaking via feedback and accomplishments, and chat with an entire group of friends at a time.

Zubo from EA - children's video game - Nintendo DS


Original Nintendo DS game features collectable characters in a music-based rhythm-action adventure.

A new wholly-owned, original intellectual property, created for 7-11 year old boys and girls. ZuboTM is a music-based rhythm-action game featuring a unique set of characters that is scheduled to ship worldwide later this year, exclusively on the Nintendo DSTM handheld system.
“Zubo represents the culmination of a dedicated incubation project, which specifically sought to develop a new videogame property for boys and girls under 12,” said Harvey Elliott, Head of the EA Bright Light studio in Guildford, UK. “The team here has designed a rich, immersive and, above all, enjoyable experience – one that will live in the schoolyard, at home or on the move.”
Players enter the world of Zubalon to help the colourful and zany inhabitants, the Zubos, defeat an evil force which is bent on world domination. Players can befriend the Zubos they meet along the way, feed and nurture them, help them gain skills and strength, and assist them in their battles with the enemy, the dastardly Zombos.



A key element to Zubo is music, which is intrinsic to Zubalon from its tuneful plant life through to its currency of musical notes. The player will use the music to drive the battles forward, synchronising their stylus action and tapping in time with the musical beats to win!

With 55 Zubos available to find and recruit to a player’s squad, plus a wealth of interactions and mini-games, and the world of Zubalon to explore, Zubo offers a deeply rewarding Nintendo DS experience.

Zubo is developed by EA Bright Light studio in Guildford, UK and it will be available on the Nintendo DS this autumn.