Guitar Hero Nintendo DS may surprise you

GUITAR HERO-  ON TOUR Imagine someone came to you and said "Hey, I just invented a cheetah that dispenses napkins!" You'd be pretty impressed at first, I'm sure. But then you'd just be confused, because you wouldn't be able to figure out exactly why anyone would want to do that.

That's Guitar Hero - On Tour

If someone had to put a version of the music game (which is typically played with an undersized plastic guitar controller) onto Nintendo's portable DS system, this is probably the best way of doing it. A DS add-on (included with the game) applies four buttons to the side of the console, and players must hold in the right combination of them and strum along with the music.

The songs (all full pop/rock songs) sound really great, it's shocking that they all fit on one DS cart. But as my wife and I (both music game fans) played around with it, the question we kept coming back to was "Why?" Why would one want to play this party game without a big TV and the faux-guitar controller?

Speaking as two people who've spent endless hours with plastic guitars, we both agreed it was infinitely less fun watching someone strum a pick-shaped stylus across the DS's tiny screen.

If you're at home, I imagine you want to actually play "Guitar Hero." If you're on the go, I imagine you don't want to look like a doofus. If you don't fit into either of these categories though, "Guitar Hero: On Tour" is probably the best you're going to do.

Guitar Hero - Metallica Lars Ulrich on MTV news

We know that Activision is contemplating more band-themed Guitar Hero games, but they are mum as to which bands they are working with. With the recent deal to make the next Metallica album available on Guitar Hero III the same day it is released to the public for purchase, one has to wonder if they are working with the band for their own Guitar Hero title. Lets see what Las Ulrich has to say about the matter.

I think at some point a band can actually get big enough to just not care what they say. Take for instance this recent interview with Metallica rocker Lars Ulirich where he all but says “they’re making Guitar Hero Metallica”.


There’s an Aerosmith game out there that’s super successful, and if somebody’s gonna follow that up…we’re talking, and its exciting, and the people at ‘Guitar Hero’ and Activision are rapidly becoming our best new friends in the world. You can put the rest of it together yourself.

My puzzle-solving skills aren’t what they once were, so I’ve contacted my crack team of specialists, and we’ve translated the text to mean that either Lars just confirmed a Gutiar Hero: Metallica title, or that the band is planning on buying the Guitar Hero franchise and will rule the gaming world with an iron fist. I’m not sure, but I think I’m leaning toward the latter.

Watch the MTV interview here...

Source: SlashGear

Video games make $18 billion last year

The one-day record holder for a movie premiere is Spiderman 3, which brought in $59 million in ticket sales on its opening day.

Spring's opening blockbuster brought in $500 million in sales. It was the biggest entertainment opening ever. But it wasn't a movie…

Grand Theft Auto IV, a video game, recorded sales of $310 million… on its first day.

It's not the first time video games have made a one-day killing like that. Game sales have outpaced movies for some time now. For the first time last year, the video game industry surpassed the movie industry in gross sales.

Last year's game industry grew to $18.8 billion. That's a 40% increase from the prior year. Software sales represented $9.5 billion of that figure, and it's not hard to see why.

The video game industry of today looks nothing like it did 10 years ago. Gone are low-tech games and disconnected users. Today's video game players are all ages, demographic and geographic backgrounds. And there's a lot of money at stake…

Sixty-eight percent of households in the United States play computer or video games. Game software sales were $2.6 billion in 1996, and by 2006 they had reached $7.4 billion.

In 2007, the industry sold 267.8 million games. That's 540 games sold every minute.

Profiting from the video game industry isn't as simple as investing in the company making a blockbuster game. You also have to know about the machines these games are played on…

The Video Game Industry Profits from Multiple Platforms

The video game industry is broken down into games and consoles. Games can come in many different formats. Most are console games, meaning they only play on a specific company's game system - called a console, while the PC versions can play on any computer.
PC games represent only a small sales segment in the game market, but they have an incredible reach with users. Last year, 40% of all U.S. residents two years of age or older played an online game.
The console market is concentrated among a few game systems like Nintendo's Wii and DS, Sony's Playstation 3 and Microsoft's X-Box 360. Consoles represent $9.35 billion in sales for the industry.
Aside from the tremendous time that goes into the coding and construction, labor is the largest cost in producing a game. Programmers can make $90k annually, or more. With the ability to locate offices in economical locations, and the ability to sublet work wherever it's cost efficient, the game industry can produce games for less.
The cost to make an average game can run from $10 to $50 million. When you compare that to the average 2007 movie cost of $106 million, you can see why the profit margins are so attractive.
Diverse platforms have given rise to a multitude of games as companies have rushed to meet the demands of numerous demographic segments.
New Players Have Opened up Huge New Markets
The stereotypes of video games being the domain of teenage boys, as well as being ultra-violent, are changing. Gamers are more likely to be older, young professionals who can afford to purchase games and consoles. The average gamer has been playing for roughly 12 years.
And men aren't the only ones playing these days…
Forty percent of all game players are women, and there are more women playing games (30% of all gamers) than there are boys under 17 years old (23%). Women represent a larger and larger population of game players every year.
Companies are tailoring their games to this growing audience, making games less violent and more family friendly. While the news likes to report that video games are getting more violent every year, the small number of violent-rated games is proof that the industry gets more bad press than it deserves.
Only 15.5% of last year's games were rated "M" for mature. The majority of games - 56.5% - were rated "E" for "Everyone 10+." The fastest growing segment in the games industry is the family segment that grew 110% from 9.1% to 17.6%.
As younger generations grow and have children of their own, more parents are playing video games than ever before - 36% of parents play video games. "Families that play together stay together" can now mean playing video games.
Eighty percent of gamer parents play video games with their kids.
Forty-seven percent of video game players are between the ages of 18 and 49. The fastest growing demographic is the 50-plus crowd. This doesn't mean that kids aren't playing video games anymore; far from it… they still represent 28% of all gamers out there.
More and more older Americans are playing video games than ever before. Video games are perfect activities for seniors by providing activity without physical stress. They offer health benefits with coordination, balance and endurance. 24% of Americans over age 50 played video games last year, and that number should only increase.
The average game buyer is 38 years old, five years older than the average player. This gap in age represents the scores of parents buying games for their children, and the tremendous influence parents have on sales.
Regardless of age brackets, entertainment traditionally declines during economic downturns and recessions. But the video game industry has defied conventional wisdom.
Why the Video Game Industry Does Better During Recessions
Economists haven't called our current downturn a recession yet, but there's no shortage of bad economic news to help support that argument.
The last recession the United States had was after Sept. 11, when technology demand crashed. Despite that, sales of video games during that period increased 43%. 2002 became a record year in video games, posting $7 billion in sales.
And it's happening again…
Retail sales in February fell by 0.06, but video games and equipment increased sales 34% over January to $1.33 billion. But this sales boom hasn't stopped.
Game sales hit $1.7 billion in March 2008. That's a 57% increase from the same time last year.
In the same way people 'cocoon' themselves during winter storms, consumers stay home more when the economy is down.
It may sound counterintuitive, but the increasing costs for entertainment have encouraged people to spend less, and as a result they are purchasing games that cost much more than the average movie ticket.
Time is the reason gamers are willing to spend the money for these products. While an average movie may run two to three hours, a new game may take an expert player 100 hours to finish.
A $50 to $60 cost for that game starts to look very reasonable. Especially when you consider the time spent playing these games means less time for spending money on more expensive entertainment options.
Even when hard times end, the game industry will continue to profit. Today's gamer is a devoted player logging an average of 7.5 hours a week playing games.
That's a dedicated player who will continue to buy and play games for years to come.

Source: Seeking Alpha

Rockstar Games Announces Grand Theft Auto IV for the PC

Grand Theft Auto IV will be arriving on the PC on November 18th and 21st in North America and Europe, respectively.

"We are very excited to be releasing the PC version of Grand Theft Auto IV," said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. "The whole team is dedicated to bringing an amazing gaming experience to the PC. The game looks and plays beautifully on PC and we can't wait for people to play it."


Developed by series creator Rockstar North and set in Liberty City, the latest installment in the enormously successful Grand Theft Auto series features a painstakingly detailed and life-like city for players to explore; a rich, immersive narrative experience; an original soundtrack highlighting the cultural eclecticism of Liberty City; and newly expanded multiplayer just for the PC.

International Athletics Out now on the Sony PSP soon on Nintendo DS

International Athletics on PSP just in time for the Olympic Games in Beijing, with the Nintendo DS version coming soon.

International Athletics is the most realistic athletics title on any handheld console and the only athletics title available on the PSP. The title boasts a wide range of events from the 4 key disciplines; running, jumping, throwing and shooting. Thumbs will be wagging and DS stylus’ wiggling as players compete in the single player or four-player multiplayer modes in their quest for multi-disciplined glory.

With full character customisation, gamers will be able to recreate their heroes with startling accuracy and then progress through a compelling career mode, competing for medals and unlocking world famous venues and events.



Speaking on the International Athletics trade stand at the recent London Grand Prix, British Olympic medal hope, Greg Rutherford said “The accuracy and realism of International Athletics is fantastic, certainly better than anything I’ve played on the DS or PSP before. The game is also a great way for children and adults to learn about the different track and field disciplines – I’ll certainly be testing my skills on the long jump before I head to Beijing”

Greg went on to win the long jump at the Crystal Palace event on the 25th & 26th July which was sponsored by Ghostlight and International Athletics. The event attracted 32,000 spectators over the 2 days and reached a television audience over 20 million viewers worldwide. Marketing Account Manager, Adrian Clews commented “The event was a huge success with record numbers attending and watching the action live on TV. The Ghostlight stand was a hive of activity with families taking the opportunity to play International Athletics on both DS and PSP demo pods. The multiplayer functionality and unique realism, which only International Athletics can offer on handhelds, was a massive hit with the largely family based audience.”

Puzzloop puzzle game for Apple iPhone and iPod Touch

Image by via CrunchBaseSimultaneous global release of the popular game 'PuzzLoop' as a new title at the App Store, which sells software for Apple's iPhone and iPod touch.

Available today, PuzzLoop ($7.99,) has enjoyed world-wide popularity on several different platforms. With user friendly direct controls, this game makes use of the iPhone and iPod touch's unique touch screen interface, just as did Hudson's 'BOMBERMAN TOUCH - The Legend of Mystic Bomb' ($7.99,), a game released at the opening of the App Store on Friday, July 11, 2008.

Audiences from all backgrounds can jump right into the new PuzzLoop and its many features, including an uncomplicated interface, fun onscreen action, and addictive playability.

Hudson will continue to explore the possibilities in new devices like the iPhone and iPod touch, while releasing games that support them.
Along with quickly establishing its brand, Hudson will provide customers of these devices with new and compelling gaming experiences.

'PuzzLoop'
Release Date: Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Price (including taxes): $7.99
Copyright: HUDSON SOFT 2008

"Fire, Connect & Clear!" Introducing the ultimate 'looping puzzle'
game.

After PuzzLoop began as an arcade game in 1998, the immensely popular puzzle action game has been ported to numerous game platforms. The uncomplicated controls require only touching the screen and aiming at the colorful balls rolling on a rail. Clear the balls by connecting three or more of the same color. String combos together to raise the maximum points awarded. Master the numerous items too, and clear them all!

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Puzzloop puzzle game for Apple iPhone and iPod Touch

Simultaneous global release of the popular game 'PuzzLoop' as a new title at the App Store, which sells software for Apple's iPhone and iPod touch.

Available today, PuzzLoop ($7.99,) has enjoyed world-wide popularity on several different platforms. With user friendly direct controls, this game makes use of the iPhone and iPod touch's unique touch screen interface, just as did Hudson's 'BOMBERMAN TOUCH - The Legend of Mystic Bomb' ($7.99,), a game released at the opening of the App Store on Friday, July 11, 2008.

Audiences from all backgrounds can jump right into the new PuzzLoop and its many features, including an uncomplicated interface, fun onscreen action, and addictive playability.

Hudson will continue to explore the possibilities in new devices like the iPhone and iPod touch, while releasing games that support them.

Along with quickly establishing its brand, Hudson will provide customers of these devices with new and compelling gaming experiences.

'PuzzLoop'
Release Date: Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Price (including taxes): $7.99

"Fire, Connect & Clear!" Introducing the ultimate 'looping puzzle' game.

After PuzzLoop began as an arcade game in 1998, the immensely popular puzzle action game has been ported to numerous game platforms. The uncomplicated controls require only touching the screen and aiming at the colorful balls rolling on a rail. Clear the balls by connecting three or more of the same color. String combos together to raise the maximum points awarded. Master the numerous items too, and clear them all!

Insaniquarium Deluxe for Palm OS and Windows Mobile smartphones

Insaniquarium Deluxe offers hours of frantic aquarium fun as you feed your fish, watch them grow and protect them from alien invaders!

Insaniquarium Deluxe is the craziest aquarium game ever - tend to your fish and keep them happy and they'll reward you with precious coins and jewels. Use the money you earn to buy upgrades for your tank or egg parts which hatch lots of different in-tank pets with special powers. These pets can help you feed your fish, collect coins, or even protect against the aliens that will invade your tank and wreak havoc. You can also use the money you earn to buy better weapons to see the aliens off quicker!



Insaniquarium Deluxe includes 3 fun ways to play:
Adventure - keep your fish healthy and protect them from aliens through 4 fun aquarium stages each with multiple levels of mayhem; Time Trial - feed your fish and fight off the alien invaders to make as much money as possible against the clock. A new time trial is unlocked as you complete each stage in Adventure Challenge - once you've mastered Adventure, face the ultimate challenge as you feed your fish and try to protect them from ever increasing alien attacks. The challenge ends when the last fish is zapped!



Insaniquarium Deluxe is available for Palm OS 5 smartphones and PDAs with at least a 320x320 screen, and for smartphones and PDAs running Windows Mobile 2003 and later. For more information, to try and to buy, visit http://www.astraware.com/insaniquariumdlx.

Warhammer Online - Age of Reckoning out 18th September

The release date of 18th September 2008 for the eagerly awaited MMORPG, Warhammer Online - Age of Reckoning (WAR), is confirmed for retail launch offerings and subscription fees.

Based on Games Workshop’s epic and longstanding tabletop fantasy war game which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning features a unique Realm vs. Realm (RvR) gameplay that immerses players in a world of perpetual conflict.

“GOA is thrilled at the prospect of opening the doors to the world of Warhammer Online very soon", said Ghislaine Le Rhun, Managing Director of GOA. "As the development of Warhammer Online continued to accelerate, we have been gearing up to support the launch, building a massive server infrastructure, localizing millions of words and recruiting a top notch team of experts in their fields. We look forward to sharing the fun we're having on the battlefields of WAR".

“The countdown has officially begun. Mark your calendars! September 18th is the Day of Reckoning”, said Mark Jacobs, founder and general manager of Mythic Entertainment. “For the last three years, the entire team at Mythic has poured their hearts into making Warhammer Online the next great MMORPG. We are so excited to open up this world and share it with the fans that will live in it, quest in it, go to war in it and make it come alive.”

From launch, subscriptions can be purchased online and within the game:

- 1 month for 12.99€ (£10.31)
- 3 months for 35.97€ (£28.55)
- 6 months for 65.94€ (£52.34)

Alternatively, pre-paid Game Card packs for a 60-day subscription will be available through participating retailers for 29.99€ (£23.81).

From the 28th August, the regular edition of the game can be pre-ordered at 5€ (£3.97), and this special pre-order pack will entitle players to a key for ‘Live Game Head Start’ access ahead of the full commercial release on the 18th September, as well as bonus in-game items.

The regular edition of the game will be priced at 49.99 € (£39.69) RRP with a 30-day subscription included.

Very few copies of the Collector’s Editions are still available for pre-order. Gamers pre-ordering the Collector’s Edition will have access to the Open Beta, as well as the ‘Live Game Head Start’ and bonus in-game items. For more information on these, please visit www.war-europe.com/collectorsedition

The Chronicles of Spellborn - Fourth chapter published

Spellborn NV has just published the fourth chapter of their weekly lore series for The Chronicles of Spellborn. Since the beginning of July, the Dutch developer explains the deep rooted background story of its upcoming fantasy MMORPG. Today’s part has gone online with a competition for 15 one-day tickets for the Games Convention and 15 Spellborn t-shirts. Publisher and Developer are showcasing The Chronicles of Spellborn at the international games exhibition from 21st to 24th August in Leipzig, Germany at their stand A10 in hall 5. To win an access to a first tour through the previously unrevealed zone Cairnkegg on the Ringfell shard and cross swords against other players in the Quarterstone Arena, fans need to answer a question about previous chapters of the lore series. It can be found easily together with details of the competition within the recent news on the official website www.tcos.com.

What lies hidden, must be found

With The Chronicles of Spellborn players enter into an impressive online scenario with scenic landscapes, majestic cities and the remnants of an ancient civilization. Alone or with a party of allies, PC adventurers step into a huge fantasy realm consisting of varied shard worlds floating in the magic Deadspell Storm. Those who want to prevail in the grippingly staged combats of The Chronicles of Spellborn need to apply their mighty arsenal of spells, melee and ranged attacks skillfully. Battles with bloodthirsty creatures, hostile peoples and human opponents in PvP battles are waiting. An innovative and tactically challenging combat system with shooter-like controls and rotating skill deck provides a fresh breath of air for the dusty MMORPG genre. Thanks to the largely extended Unreal Engine 2.5, The Chronicles of Spellborn boasts stunning 3D graphics, spectacular effects and countless elaborate details. More information, images and videos can be found on www.tcos.com.



About Spellborn NV

Spellborn NV is a computer games company residing in the Netherlands. It has grown from a midrange internet company to the top of the Dutch games industry. With a team of 50 game-designers and programmers Spellborn NV has developed ‘The Chronicles of Spellborn’ over a period of more than 3 years now.