20th-anniversary 'Madden NFL' is better than ever

When Electronic Arts announced the retired Brett Favre as its 20th anniversary cover boy, it looked like the notorious "Madden" curse — which had mangled the careers of Michael Vick, Donovan McNabb and Shaun Alexander — was finally broken.

But when Favre decided to play again and was traded from the Packers to the New York Jets, it looked like the Curse simply reversed onto EA itself.

By the time the dust had settled, "Madden" (EA Sports, for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, $59.99; Wii, $49.99; PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, $39.99; Nintendo DS, $29.99), the mega-selling football video-game franchise's latest installment was too far into production to switch Favre's wardrobe. You'll be able to download rosters that feature Favre as Jets quarterback, and Gang Green diehards will be able to download a fresh "Madden" cover that puts the superstar in a New York uniform.

More from the Associated Press...

Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI Demo download

Download the playable demo and find out more about this epic PC strategy game on the official website.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI will be released across Europe on PC this September. RTK XI is the latest instalment in this award-winning strategy series but the first to be released in Europe on PC. Combining political manoeuvring with city building and tactical warfare, RTK XI is a tremendously involving experience that will appeal to PC strategists of all flavours. It will be available in stores and online from September 5.

The Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI website is now live and the playable demo can be downloaded here for free. Head to the link below to learn more about the game’s devious politics, where you get to duel directly with fellow leaders. Discover more about the ways in which you can develop your city into the capital of a thriving empire. And find out about all of the intricate details which combine to make RTK XI a genuinely epic, time devouring experience.

www.rotk.co.uk



About ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS XI
From legendary video game producer Kou Shibusawa comes his next historical simulation masterpiece! Rediscover an ancient civilization with an explosive history in this most stunning edition of Romance of the Three Kingdoms to date. Set during the end of the Han Dynasty and the 2nd and 3rd centuries A.D., RTK XI presents the most visually captivating evolution ever seen in the history of the series. Featuring an artistic style evocative of classical Chinese ink-paintings, and with debates and duels now rendered in real-time 3D animation, RTK XI pushes the boundaries and blurs the line between video games and art in this stunning recreation of the mood and feel of ancient China.

Players will need to dig deep within to prove themselves adept at both the military and political arts in order to bring China under one rule. Domestic affairs, diplomacy and warfare are all conducted on a single vast 3D relief map, dramatically bringing to life the epic scale of the adventure that lies before them.

As the ruler of a kingdom, each player will have complete control over their territories. More than 40 base commands give players the power to govern cities, manage their personnel, practice diplomacy, and much more. Complete freedom to develop markets, shipyards, outposts, forts and military units expand on the already substantial benchmarks established by previous editions of the series. Finally, players will watch the era come to life through the unique individual personalities of more than 780 officers and supporting characters that they will meet and interact with while engaged in one of RTK XI's eight gripping scenarios

For improved control over each military campaign, RTK XI's turn-based game play allows the player to plan their movements without undue time constraints, and then execute their battle tactics when ready. RTK XI also introduces an entirely new system for researching military techniques, as well as an Advanced Tactics System that allows players to drive or lure enemies into devastating ambushes. Skilled players will be able to link together tactics for maximum damage.

Mount & Blade Launches the Final Beta

Take a Final Look at Paradox's Upcoming Title Before the Full Release

Paradox Interactive today announced the opening of the final beta, version 0.960, for their upcoming PC medieval, action-RPG title, Mount & Blade. Mount & Blade will be released in North America on September 16th and in Europe on September 19, 2008. To sign-up for the beta, please visit http://www.gamespot.com/event/codes/mount-and-blade/. The beta period will be open for two weeks, closing on August 25th.

Mount & Blade is a single-player, third or first-person action/role-playing game with a focus on medieval combat. Developed by the Turkish development house TaleWorlds Entertainment, the BETA version of the game has received acclaim worldwide from gamers impressed by the game’s realistic horseback combat, luscious graphics, and open-world sandbox gameplay. The latter enables players to roam the map freely in a medieval world that offers activities ranging from hunting down bandits, to trading for profit in the game's complex economic system, to becoming a commander and taking part in the wars, with the ultimate goal of becoming a great lord of the realm.

Mount & Blade will be available for purchase in stores and for digital download at GamersGate, the leading digital distribution platform creating easily accessible gaming experiences for gamers worldwide.

Discarded Online, Free MMO Beat-em-up Launches!

Discarded Online is now in open beta at http://discarded.gamedozer.com . Discarded is a mix of beat-em-up, RPG, and card game where the action is king rather than the grind. Both during beta and after launch Discarded Online will be free to play. After beta, players will be able to purchase in game equipment, clothing, and items to aid them, but such purchases will not be required.

Leveling in the game has taken a unique approach, with players able to change their stats at the start of each game. Items in the game temporarily use stats you assign, so while one mission may be best suited for hard power slugging, the next may have you focusing on defense and abilities. Form a team of up to 4 players from all over the world and go on a huge number of missions with variable level of difficulty, equip dozens of items, dozens of different clothing accessories, and of course slay a multitude of beasts.



Discarded is a child-safe game with only animated violence and no blood, gore, or questionable content. While we do our best to limit chat based threats, we do note that parental supervision of children is advised. The game is completely free and does not even require a download, so get playing today at http://discarded.gamedozer.com or www.discardedonline.com.

Playboy Games: Pool Party - non nude phone game

First Release, "Playboy Games: Pool Party," Scheduled to Launch Worldwide In Summer 2008

The multi-year Playboy agreement covers the development and publishing rights to multiple Playboy-branded, lifestyle themed, non-nude mobile games featuring bikini-clad Playmates to be released worldwide. The first title, Playboy Games: Pool Party, is scheduled to launch in summer 2008.

“Given the extensive appeal and popularity of the Playboy brand, mobile games based on this license are sure to provide a fun and entertaining experience,” said Adam Comiskey, vice president, international, THQ Wireless. “THQ Wireless is ideally positioned to provide engaging games with the hallmark of the Playboy lifestyle.”

“The number of Playboy fans around the world has never been greater and that popularity is reflected in the growing sales of Playboy-branded products and services,” said Ed Lang, senior vice president of mobile, Playboy Media Group. ”Given the growth of the mobile industry, we’re excited to join THQ Wireless in offering this next-generation form of entertainment to consumers."

Playboy Games: Pool Party will include a set of mini-games depicting animated, bikini-clad Playmates at the famous Playboy Mansion engaged in “pool party sports” including poolside water balloon fights, waterslide slaloms and aquatic mechanical bull riding. 

Developed by THQ Wireless internal studio Universomo, Playboy Games: Pool Party is based on actual events held at the Playboy Mansion and immortalized in the Playboy Home Entertainment DVD release, Playmate Playoffs, hosted by Chuck Woolery.

Sony's maze game a tribute to Escher on PlayStationPortable PSP

For more than half a century, the works of Dutch artist MC Escher have at once perplexed and entertained people, using a two-dimensional medium to create impossible three-dimensional scenarios.

The quirky works, finely detailed thanks to Escher's background in architecture, bridged the gap between art and puzzle.
Escher's works were ground-breaking in their nature because they turned perspective on its head.

It seems only fitting that one of the latest releases by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation Portable should be equally innovative.

Echochrome owes its legacy to Escher's work, taking his style from the printed page to the interactive environment of the portable games system.

As with its predecessors, Echochrome is disarmingly simple: the player guides a mannequin through a series of mazes based on line drawings.

Where the latest games feature ever more complicated and lush graphics, Echochrome is little more than black-and-white line drawings in which the complexity is limited to the design of the maze. The challenge is the mazes' three-dimensional drawings of stairs, passages, gaps, holes and launching pads.

As the game begins, the mannequins start walking and the player must rotate the picture, so a path is created.

For instance, the player may be walking along a plank towards a gap. By rotating the image and obscuring the gap with a nearby column, you can guide the mannequin to walk straight through. Holes must be aligned, so the player falls through to another level below. As you move through the game, more levels are achieved and more mannequins are added to the confusion.

Like Sudoku, Echochrome is not for everyone. But for those who get it, it may be impossible to put down. It is a delightful tribute to Escher's legacy.

Source: Australian IT

Award-Winning E3 2008 Sensation N+ Goes Gold

Atari announces that development for the award-winning N+ for the Nintendo DSTM and the PSP (PlayStationPortable) system is complete! The successor to the beloved flash ninja game N, N+ is soon becoming the gold standard of ninja action-platform gaming. Created by Metanet and developed by SilverBirch Studios, N+, named "Best in Show" for PSP system from Gaming Excellence and "Best Handheld" from Blast Magazine at 2008's E3, is rated E for Everyone and will be available on August 26 in North America for the suggested retail price of $19.99.

"N+ has taken its amazing acrobatics and simple-but-fast gameplay and has clearly become a standout hit, winning top award recognition at this year's E3," said David Geudelekian, Producer, Atari, Inc. "With an impressive set of new features including wireless multiplayer, downloadable content and over 200 levels exclusive to each version, gamers will be able to settle, once and for all, who is the greatest ninja."

N+ offers equal parts platformer and action gameplay with incredibly fluid animation, fast action, amazing acrobatics and instant playability. N+ embodies the same brisk pick-up-and-play style that has endeared gamers worldwide and improves on the adored flash game with downloadable content, multiplayer components and a built-in level editor.

New impressive features like cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes and level sharing over the ad-hoc PSP system and wireless Nintendo DS connections will expand upon the gameplay possibilities that have made the original flash game a sensation. Complimenting the game's 'old-school' feel, the control layout uses directional buttons and one of the face buttons to jump and move. With the built-in level editor, players can use the stylus to design maps and share them with friends or the world and downloadable content will continue to add exciting elements long after the game's initial release.

First Arcade-Style Racing Game for iPhone, Leveraging Apple's Unique Accelerometer Feature

GTS World Racing for iPhone and iPod touch users. It is immediately available through the Apple App Store.

GTS World Racing offers a unique mobile gaming experience utilizing the iPhone built-in accelerometer feature. Players can accelerate, brake and steer the car by moving and turning the device itself. The game includes 64 track layouts and offers a choice of multiple car types and difficulty levels, as well as 4 exciting play modes - Single Race, Challenge Cup, Grand Tour, and Championship.

"We are excited to continue releasing the finest in mobile content, taking advantage of the unique capabilities of our partners like Apple," said Paul Reddick, Handmark CEO. "We bring the highest quality mobile applications to the market for our partners and end-users, making the mobile experience both fun and productive."

In addition to the unique interface and use of the accelerometer feature, GTS World Racing offers players a choice of music options. Users can select the exhilarating music soundtrack or use the music from their iPod to create their own customized racing soundtrack.

GTS World Racing was jointly developed by Astraware, the Handmark Game Studio, and Pazzazz Games.

"We have a long-standing relationship with Pazzazz Games and are delighted to bring GTS World Racing to the App Store," said Howard Tomlinson, Director of Game Development, Astraware. "I love that I can control the game holding and turning my iPhone just like a steering wheel, which really shows off how well the device's accelerometer works. This is classic arcade racing fun!"



GTS World Racing is available exclusively from Handmark through the App Store for a one-time purchase of $7.99.

Amazon.com Exclusive Bundle for 'Gears of War' Lancer Replica and 'Headshot' Locust Drone Action Figure

Amazon.com to carry "Gears of War" bundle for life-size, electronic Lancer replica and "Headshot" Locust Drone action figure with real metal COG tags

Amazon.com will be the exclusive retailer for its Gears of War Lancer replica and “Headshot” Locust Drone action figure in the U.S. and Canada. Customers who pre-order the Lancer replica, which is available for $139.99, will receive a free copy of the standard edition of the Gears of War 2 game for Xbox 360™ and be eligible to upgrade to the Limited Collector’s Edition of the game for an additional $10.00. NECA’s Lancer replica and Gears of War 2, developed by Epic Games and published by Microsoft Game Studios, are scheduled for simultaneous release on November 7, 2008. Also scheduled for release on November 7 is NECA’s “Headshot” Locust Drone action figure with metal COG tag replicas, which retails for $19.99.

NECA’s Gears of War collectibles are intricately designed and appeal to fans of the game and devoted action figure collectors alike. The Lancer Assault Rifle is one of the iconic weapons of choice in the Gears of War universe with its signature chainsaw bayonet. NECA sourced 3D data from the Gears of War 2 game to fashion the electronic Lancer replica, which is 36 inches in length and runs on three “C” batteries. Highly detailed and hand painted, the reproduction features a trigger that sets off a motorized chainsaw sound accompanied by physical vibration. NECA’s Lancer replica is also equipped with a removable clip and an adjustable side handle that folds in and out and slides back and forth.

The Locust Drone is a nasty enemy in Gears of War, and NECA has iterated on its original Locust Drone action figure to introduce the “Headshot” Locust Drone, a collectible depicting the merciless foot soldier taking an unfortunate Longshot Sniper Rifle blast to the head. The “Headshot” Locust Drone comes complete with real metal COG tags, a nod to Gears of War’s intrepid Delta Squad.



“We can’t wait to get our hands on the electronic Lancer and the “Headshot” Locust Drone,” said Michael Capps, president of Epic. “We love NECA’s work because they have the same kind of passion for making great action figures as we do for making great games.”

“The character designs and visuals in Gears of War are so rich that it continues to inspire us to create something unique and original with our collectibles. You can’t help but feel a sense of power when you hold the full size Lancer in your hands and squeeze the trigger,” said Randy Falk, director of product development, NECA.

Since its debut in November 2006, Gears of War has won over 30 game of the year awards as one of the most popular and best-selling games on Xbox 360. The game thrusts players into the deep and harrowing story of humankind’s epic battle for survival against the Locust Horde, a nightmarish race of creatures that surface from the bowels of the planet. In Gears of War 2, players continue the story of Marcus Fenix, a reluctant war hero, as he leads Delta Squad on a series of perilous and adrenaline-pumping missions. Gears of War 2 blends a best-in-class third-person shooter with unsurpassed high-definition visuals, all layered on top of an engaging story of survival, loss and retribution.

UK Xbox get three times the storage 60GB replaces 20GB hard drive

Xbox 360 now offers three times the storage for all of your digital entertainment needs

Today, 60 officially becomes the new 20 as Xbox 360 announces a 300% increase in storage capacity of the original console from 20GB to 60GB for the same price - £199.99 ERP.

Available in stores across the UK from 15th August at no extra cost, the new 60GB Xbox 360 enhances your capacity for fun by giving you three times more room to download the things you love. Whether it’s blockbuster movies, music or games, Xbox 360 offers it all through its online entertainment network – Xbox LIVE. Pioneering the digital revolution in your living room, Xbox LIVE is the World’s largest entertainment provider of High Definition experiences with over 12 million members, and a new member joining every five seconds.

“No one device offers the depth and breadth of entertainment that Xbox 360 can deliver and we know consumers need increasingly more and more space to store the amazing digital entertainment content we provide” said Neil Thompson, Senior Regional Director, Entertainment and Devices Division, Microsoft Ltd. “Now the Xbox 360 has triple the space to house all your entertainment needs at no extra cost.”

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 great value for the whole family to enjoy at £159.99 (ERP), while the Xbox 360 Elite, with a huge 120GB hard drive, delivers the ultimate entertainment experience for £259.99 (ERP).

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

• Xbox 360 console. The console comes in a stylish cool white finish and is powered by three processors capable of producing the best in high definition (HD) entertainment (up to 1080p for gaming), 16:9 wide-screen cinema aspect ratio, full surround sound, anti-aliasing for smooth on-screen textures and “high-definition multimedia interface” (HDMI) output.

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

• Upscaling DVD Player. With an HDMI cable (sold separately), watch your favourite normal 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.

• 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 HD movies, 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.