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Friday, August 08, 2008

Film and TV composer, Tyler Bates, has signed on to score Rise of the Argonauts


Film and TV composer, Tyler Bates, has signed on to score Rise of the Argonauts™, an epic action/RPG in development by Liquid Entertainment and set to release Autumn 2008. With more than forty film and television scores under his belt, Bates’ most recent credits include the epic film “300” and Showtime’s dark comedy “Californication”. Rise of the Argonauts will the first video game to release with Bates’ composition. To hear a sample of the score, watch the new gameplay video now available at www.rise-of-the-argonauts.co.uk.

Bates is one of the most sought after composers in Hollywood with a distinctive approach to scoring movies. His list of credits include “300”, “Doomsday”, “The Devil’s Rejects”, “Dawn of the Dead”, “Halloween” and “Californication”. Bates’ future projects include “The Watchmen” and “The Day the Earth Stood Still”.


“The mythical nature of Rise of the Argonauts encouraged me to go beyond TV and movies and compose the score for my first video game,” said Tyler Bates. “Rise of the Argonauts is an epic game with some of the biggest Greek heroes like Jason, Hercules and Achilles, which inspired me to compose dramatic, sweeping music to create the proper setting for this exciting adventure.”

Rise of the Argonauts immerses players in a gladiatorial adventure set in a wondrously imagined vision of ancient Greece. Taking the role of Jason, a hero and expert warrior, players will battle alongside Hercules, Achilles, Atalanta and other Argonauts as they engage in brutal combat against formidable beasts and enemies, in a vast world alive with fickle gods, jaw-dropping panoramas, deep exploration and epic quests.

“In Rise of the Argonauts, every design choice emphasises immersion. We want players to actually feel like they’re heroes in ancient Greece – not just playing a game. Tyler’s experience with composing for film and TV gave him a fresh perspective, and his music for the game set the epic tone we were hoping for.” said Ed Del Castillo, President of Liquid Entertainment.

Rise of the Argonauts is set for release in Autumn of 2008 for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Games For Windows on the PC. For more information and to watch the new gameplay video, please visit www.rise-of-the-argonauts.co.uk.

Games Screenings for Edinburgh Interactive Festival 2008

Looking to get into the video games industry? 

Want to check out the latest games and listen to some of the most influential people behind those titles? This year’s Edinburgh Interactive Festival screenings programme has a stellar line-up of speakers, amazing games screenings and workshops designed to help open the door to arguably the most creative industry in the world.

Sunday 10th August
Game Screenings
Dare ProtoPlay
Public games area and retail site

Monday 11th August
EIF Conference
Game Screenings
Dare ProtoPlay
Public games area and retail site
Conference Networking event

Tuesday 12th August
EIF Conference
Game Screenings
Dare ProtoPlay
Public games area and retail site
Digital Interactive Symposium

Edinburgh Interactive Festival 2008
Edinburgh International Conference Centre
150 Morrison Street, Edinburgh EH3 8EE
UK

The Eight Worst Nintendo Video Game Characters Ever


Some characters work, and some don't. 

When a character that doesn't work keeps hanging around a story, and especially a video game, you have a recipe for frustration. Game characters can go bad in a lot of ways, ranging from poorly balanced enemies to flat-out irritating concepts. 

Here's a rogue's gallery of the eight worst, most annoying game char

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'Driver' Coming to PlayStation Network


Ubisoft has announced that the PlayStation classic Driver will be hitting the PlayStation Network next Thursday, August 14th. The game puts you in the role of an undercover cop infiltrating a crime syndicate using his driving skills, something that happens on a regular basis these days.

read more | digg story

War Between the States - v1.020 Update

Another update is released for the turn-based American Civil War grand strategy hit!

update for their popular American Civil War grand strategy game, Gary Grigsby’s War Between the States. The update includes over a dozen fixes, and three rule changes: one to prevent damaged units being sent to border states, an improvement in scouting rules and levels, and a change to make smaller cavalry raids less destructive. We recommend that all players upgrade to v1.020.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “The legendary 2 by 3 Games team has done it again with War Between the States. This new grand strategy game is already being hailed as a must-have classic. It brings fantastic innovation and addicting gameplay to one of the most important events in American history.”

Taking gamers back to the start of 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.

Combat Mission Shock Force - Marines module


Combat Mission Shock Force - Marines, the first module to the Combat Mission Shock Force modern tactical warfare series, is now open for pre-orders. Battlefront.com, independent internet based publisher and developer, has also for the first time released additional information about the features and content, as well as a couple of new action videos.


Official game page:www.battlefront.com/marines

CMSF Marines will be available in September 2008, only from http://www.battlefront.com via Download as well as Mail Delivery, and will not be sold in stores. The price is $25. Ownership of the base game, Combat Mission Shock Force (in any version, i.e. retail via Paradox, Gamer's Gate or Battlefront), is required to play.

Pre-order customers can secure their copy right now! If you pre-order now, you are going to receive BOTH the download version as well as a hardcopy by mail at a $10 discount off the regular price. Pre-order customers will also be notified first when the game is released in September.

If you don't have Combat Mission Shock Force - don't worry. You can also pre-order the special Combat Mission Shock Force + Marines Bundle with both games included for $45, and save even more! (a whopping $25 off the regular price).

Free-to-play online snowboarding game - open beta and contest


Outspark Announces Next Phase of New Multiplayer Snowboarding Game

The newest addition to Outspark’s Virtual Playground, Project Powder is an immersive snowboarding adventure for gamers of all experience levels. Featuring intense multiplayer action, gnarly tricks and hundreds of ways to customize your experience, Project Powder promises plenty of fun for gamers interested in racing their friends for five minutes or several hours. To learn more and download the game, register now for free at www.project-powder.com.

“Project Powder utilizes all of the benefits of online gaming to make an extreme sport a community experience,” said Susan Choe, Outspark CEO and founder. “Our overarching goal is to expand our free-to-play Virtual Playground into a diverse entertainment destination, and Project Powder is a great addition to our game portfolio.”

The open beta of Project Powder is available now with an official launch for worldwide audiences set for the end of summer. Features of the game include:
- 33 monster courses(10 available exclusively for open beta)
- 3 challenging game modes
- Intense multiplayer action with up to 7 opponents
- Premium gear including new snowboards, clothing and accessories for your character
- Dozens of unlockable tricks


Outspark will also be hosting a number of exciting community events during the Project Powder open beta including a user-generated video contest.

Disciples III New Assets - Angel


When people are vehemently dedicated to the faith of the Highfather, and magically endowed with abilities from the moment of their birth, but choose the path of a warrior, not a priest or a magician, they become Angels.


This hidden strength helps them to move quickly on their path, and they will soon receive the rank of knight. And then, win the honor of becoming an Imperial Knight. But by that time, they are usually no longer occupied by terrestrial life, so that very soon they leave this world and rise to the throne of God.

However, in turbulent times, when the Empire needs every sword that is available, it happens sometimes that some of the angels time on the ground is delayed in order to help defend the right.


To support (and keep) them in the imperial service, a special chapel needs to be built in the capital, where a continuous prayer takes place as long as at least one of the angels is battling in Nevendaar for the Empire.

For those that were once knights in the smithy, in the territory of the chapel, the monk-smiths are manufacturing helmets and armour from the celestial (meteorite) iron that has received a special blessing.

Messengers of God are not required to carry any other earthly weapons, such as swords, spears, etc. All that remains for them in the past, is their human life.

Henceforth, they were granted new and terrible weapons, such as the divine wrath of lightning. And there is no enemy who could resist this power.


Comrades who had to fight shoulder to shoulder with the angels, tell that there is not a more beautiful or terrible spectacle than the dazzling white wings hovering over a battlefield. The opponents however, are usually unable to detect a thing.

Albatross18 Players win a monitor plus items


Albatross18, a fantasy role-playing golf game, a chance to win great prizes just by playing.

Starting Aug. 7, OGPlanet will keep track of all the Albatross18 holes played through Thursday, Sept. 4. Players will receive special in-game items based on the amount of holes they play, and players who reach or surpass 2,000 holes by Sept. 4 will be entered to win a 20-inch computer monitor.
The prizes will be awarded as follows:
200 Holes - 10 Power Milk Boxes
600 Holes - 6 Stat Rings
1,000 Holes - 10 Duostar Nerve Stabilizers and 10 Duostar Lucky Pangyas
1,400 Holes - 1 stack of Mr. eCards
2,000 Holes - Chance to win a 20-inch computer monitor
About Albatross18
Albatross18 incorporates fantasy role-playing game elements to bring an entirely new spin to the timeless game of golf. This massively multiplayer online game is set in the magical kingdom of Pangya, and features colorful costumes, unique clubs, memorable characters and a multitude of special shots and courses.

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Monster Madness - Grave Danger Challenge modes on PlayStation 3

Monster_Madness_gamezplay.orgINTRODUCING: CHALLENGE MODES

White Water Swanning - Unlockable Costume: French Maid Jennifer
Swans are big, stupid birds. A blonde riding a rental swan is an equally strange combination. Take your blonde and her novelty rental boat out for a ride on the white water rapids. Make fastest time while riding through the gold markers to make top score. Be careful though since these rental boats are susceptible to hitting rocks and other obstacles.

UFO Shooter - Unlockable Costume: Cowboy Zack
Fly the unfriendly skies in your very own UFO! Stolen directly from the alien invaders of Planet X, your trusty flying saucer is a state of the art kick-butt machine. Maneuver through enemy fire and set your plasma guns to destroy as you plow through the ranks of Planet X, and even take on the Prince of Darkness himself.

Monster_Madness_gamezplay.orgSlice N’ Dice - Unlockable Costume: Secret Service Zack
How to make a Super Zack; 1) Give him mushrooms 2) Throw him down a drain pipe 3) make him run through this training course. Teach Zack to jump and duck like his favorite video game plumber as he attempts to prove that he is a video game hero. Avoid the amputation of your legs, or head by learning to time your jumps just right. Master this training course and you too will be rescuing princesses and jump punch floating blocks of bricks in no time.

Witch Hunt - Unlockable Costume: Nurse Jennifer
Life is a witch in Witch Hunt. Stop these sexy dark magicians from turning our sexy blonde into something inhuman, like a food service worker. Punch these broomstick flying ladies by slapping them frozen until they disappear. Be hasty however since their fellow witches are quick to break the ice. Use this to your advantage to ambush as many witches as possible.

Monster_Madness_gamezplay.orgLava Battle - Unlockable Costume: Pirate Andy
Battle your way out of hells entrance. Since hells entrance is known as the toilet bowl of existence, be sure packing a plunger. Actually, the plunger is your only weapon in Lava Battle. Defeat all 93 guardians of hell within the time limit to rank high score. Where is the Toilet Duck from heaven when you need it?

Monster Race - Unlockable Costume: Forest Gal Carrie
Improvising of weapon making is vital when busting up the walking dead, but a souped up lawn mower with nitrous-oxide is just plain fun. Learn to steer and stunt jump your monster killing machine. There are markers scattered throughout the course. Collect as many markers as possible before time runs out. There is no traffic or pedestrians. Just you, the open road, speed and lots of jumps!

Match ‘Em - Unlockable Costume: Valley Girl Carrie
Monster slaying takes a lot of training in awareness and focus. Monster slayers must be able to recognize his foes with quickness and accuracy. Teach Carrie to recognize your enemies accurately and fast with this Monster Madness rendition of the classic game Concentration.

Monster_Madness_gamezplay.orgJack Attack - Unlockable Costume: Surfer Dude Andy
Like a Tim Burton nightmare, your town is infested by untalented, pumpkin headed zombies with no resell value what so ever! Control Andy as he attempts to show these pumpkin-heads how to make pumpkin pie the easy way, with a heavy stationary turret and lots of bullets. Keep these festive vegetables away from Andy though as they will try to tear his gun apart.

Monster Onslaught - Unlockable Costume: Amazon Jennifer
The monsters are on to you and your support in the form of Larry, the local handy man and supplier of upgrades. Fight off the hordes of monsters to defend your only means of escape, Larry’s truck. Remember, you are only second prize so be sure to keep the monsters away from the truck while gaining weapon upgrades after each wave of enemies, you will need them.

Castle Brawl - Unlockable Costume: Wizard Zack
Hail to the king, baby! So your stuck in a medieval castle, there are broods of walking dead things all around and you have your trusty shotgun. Now what? It is time to turn these deadies into zombie Swiss cheese. Eliminate all 54 monsters using only your 12 gauge before time or ammo runs out. Shop smart…..

Hill Defense - Unlockable Costume: Astronaut Andy
So there you are, on top of a green hill on a beautiful afternoon. All of a sudden the screeches of rusty Radio Flyers are all around. A mob of legless zombies begin their mass assault on your position. Its time to jump into your fully loaded turret and take these crippled and lifeless creeps out for good.

Monster_Madness_gamezplay.org
Zack-Man - Unlockable Costume: Deathgame Zack
As if Zack hasn’t played or fantasized about enough video games to begin with, he now finds himself in one. This Monster Madness take on the classic Pac-Man has our protagonist, Zack, in a maze trying to collect pellets. However, there are no ghosts to be found here, just your average machete wielding zombies. Being the hardcore gamer Zack is, he refuses to bend the rules why attacking, so he only has to avoid the monsters hes stuck with.

Dodgeball - Unlockable Costume: Samurai Andy
These zombies have got some balls, literally. Learn to master dodging and throwing like millions of unfortunate school children all across America; through Phys. Ed dodge ball. Don’t expect the zombies to follow dodge-ball regulation; they just want to take you out. Aim and fire at these agile zombies while dodging their corroded and deadly balls.

Leprechaun Round-up - Unlockable Costume: Devil Carrie
Nothing is worse than a broke Leprechaun with a bad attitude. Its time you showed these green wearing midgets what happens when you don’t pay up. Seek out and flash freeze these stingy creeps with back slaps as cold as ice. Hit each Leprechaun to freeze them in place just long enough to score. Be sure not to stray to far away from the cold-cocked Leprechauns, their buddies are quick to thaw them out to annoy you in stereo.

Suburban Warfare - Unlockable Costume: Scuba Zack
Take an isolated teenager, give him a chain-gun, throw him into a zombie infestation and you have suburban warfare. Survive the zombie assault by spraying bullets wherever direction you want. Destroy all 119 undead creatures within the time limit to make high score. Suburban Warfare is carnage in 360 degrees.

The Gauntlet - Unlockable Costume: Lumber Jack Andy
Take your character through a killer obstacle course to win this challenge. Sound too easy? Then how about some trash compactors for a little change of pace? Let’s also add some circular saw blades to work out that dexterity. Easy still you say? Then we will also throw in some fire, just for kicks. Not as easy as it sounds, is it?

Carnage – Unlockable Costume: Black Leather Carrie
Zombies can really make your late night drive suck! In said situation there is only really one fun solution to the zombie problem, run these bastards over. Drive around your suburban neighborhood taking out zombies, witches and a whole mess of dead things. Put as many monsters under your four wheels before the time limit expires, and be sure to hit that boost before the ramps to score big time air.

Sort or Explode - Unlockable Costume: Boy Scout Andy
Andy is stuck at his new job sorting out explosive barrels from dynamite. Dispose of the explosive items by picking them up and tossing them into their corresponding disposal pit. However, placing an explosive into the wrong pit will cause the volatile pit to explode and damage Andy’s ego, as well as his body. Be hasty as each item thrown to you for disposal will count down to its explosion.

Zombie Cats - Unlockable Costume: Dinosaur Zack
Sent back to earth by the Prince of Darkness (even he could not stand to be around stray cats), these evil felines are conjured up by the old cat lady from hell! Time grab your flame thrower and turn up the heat. Like amateur back alley chefs you have to fry the strays from hell and send them screeching back to hell. Authentic dying cat noise included.

Death School - Unlockable Costume: Cheerleader Jennifer
There is no way for you to enter your school. Dozens of zombies are blocking your entrance and you only have one weapon, your nail-gun. Run around the front steps of your high school while turning all 59 zombies into failing grade Shop Class projects.

Home Run Derby - Unlockable Costume: The One Zack
It’s just you and a zombie, an empty baseball field and too much time on your hands. Swing away as the zombie pitcher attempts to relive his baseball glory while trying to take you out, literally. Swing at the good pitches or jump away from the bad pitches. Zombie pitcher throws the fastball from hell, complete with a hellfire trail. Score big time with long distance drives.

Pizza Delivery - Unlockable Costume: Ballerina Jennifer
It is business as usual for the local pizza spot. Through rain, sleet, snow, inter-dimensional invasion, the local pizza joint still delivers. Take Jennifer around the neighborhood delivering pizzas and make as much tip money as you can since monster busting equipment is pricy. This isn’t one of those chain pizza joints with their 30 minute of less motto, this is Pizza Delivery evolved.

Zombie Dance-Off - Unlockable Constume: Belly Dancer Jennifer
So you’re a lonely zombie, fresh out of brains and looking for a good time. The local night club is pumping as usual. Teach the other zombies on the dance floor new moves in this timed rhythm minigame. Press the corresponding buttons displayed on screen and on point. DISCO ISNT DEAD! It’s just undead.

Monster Survival - Unlockable Costume: Prisoner Carrie
Some chainsaw wielding maniac has challenged you to a competition, a zombie slaying competition that is. Varied waves of diverse monsters will keep you occupied as you try to out do your demented counterpart. Feel free to grab something to drink if you get thirsty, soda vending machines are scattered throughout this stage. Be alert, the monsters are relentless and your counterparts attacks are deadly to the zombies, and you.

Contraction Destruction - Unlockable Costume: Construction Worker Carrie
Stay on the construction platform and away from the toxic sludge down below. Take Carrie and her disc shooter and take out whatever hellish minion happens to materialize. Be sure to look out for the ‘Creature from the Black Latrine’. Get as many kills in as little time possible to pass this event.