Bafta confirms dates, venue and categories for its british academy video games awards and calls for entries and shortlisters

The British Academy confirmed today that the next British Academy Video Games Awards will be staged at the London Hilton on Park Lane, on March 10 2009. It also confirmed the categories and extended deadlines as well as launching a new initiative to further the profile and understanding of video games as a creative art form.

Commenting on the new time of year for the Awards, Chairman of the Academy’s Games committee, Ray Maguire said: “After extensive industry consultation, it was agreed that March would be the best time for the Awards, enabling the industry to enter all the major releases of the year.”

There are 13 awards categories Action & Adventure, Artistic Achievement, Best Game, Casual, Gameplay, Multiplayer, Original Score, Sports, Strategy, Story & Character, Technical Achievement, Use of Audio and a new Handheld category which includes games for mobiles phones, Sony PSP, Nintendo DS and Nintendo GBA.

Other prizes on the night will include the prestigious Fellowship which is the highest accolade the Academy can bestow on an individual for outstanding achievement and contribution to the industry through a body of work; the BAFTA Ones To Watch Award in association with Dare To Be Digital which recognises new talent; and another Gift of the Academy Prize for games or gaming technology worthy of special recognition.

While the games will be judged by industry experts and not the gaming public, part of the Academy’s charitable remit is to promote and champion games as an art form and that means showcasing the games being considered for BAFTA consideration to as wide an audience as possible. To achieve this, BAFTA is encouraging developers & publishers to support individual entries with short films that contain footage about the making of the game. These will be posted on both the BAFTA website as well as general games websites, to raise awareness of all the titles being considered for this year's Awards, and to promote a wider understanding of games development. Commenting on this new initiative, Maguire said: “We are keen to see the new filmed support material be developed by each nominee, as this is the sort of initiative that helps the wider world understand that the creation and development of video games is an art form, often with teams of hundreds of people and budgets on a par with feature films.”

BAFTA’s role and charitable remit is to support, develop and promote the art forms of the moving image by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefitting the public. It focuses attention on the highest achievements in video games released in the UK each year in order to motivate and inspire those who make them and to educate and develop the tastes of those who play them. Ray Maguire commented on the unique nature of the Awards: “One of the many strengths of the British Academy Video Games Awards is that the focus is on creativity and innovation as opposed to a simple measure of commercial success. This enables niche but highly creative work to be recognised and rewarded.”

Voting in the Awards entails two stages; the first vote involves qualified industry professionals and BAFTA games members. Their top votes comprise the shortlist for the category juries. Potential first stage voters (shortlisters) are invited to register their interest by emailing the Games Awards officer Kelly Smith at kellys@bafta.org

The highest-scoring titles go to individual category juries that are chaired by a member of the BAFTA video games committee. BAFTA juries judge the shortlisted titles and decide on the nominated games and winners. The nominations will be announced on 10 February and the winners unveiled on Tuesday 10 March at the British Academy Video Games Awards.

Entry forms detailing the deadlines - along with information on how to become an industry shortlister - are available now from the BAFTA website www.bafta.org/games. The entry deadline is 10 October 2008.

Ozzy Osbourne to headline virtual Ozzfest lineup in Guitar Hero World Tour

OZZFest Artists Metallica, System of a Down and Black Label Society - Featuring Zakk Wylde's Likeness - Coming to Guitar Hero World Tour

After performing in countless sold-out arenas and amphitheatres throughout the world, rock’s defining frontman Ozzy Osbourne – who has sold over 100 million records worldwide in his four decade career – will be playing to a new audience this fall as he makes his videogame debut in Activision Publishing, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: ATVI) Guitar Hero World Tour.

Budding rockstars around the world will have the opportunity to live out their ultimate fantasy on the virtual OZZFest stage, playing as Ozzy, or alongside him, as he wails to iconic rock track “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley,” both from his quintuple platinum debut solo album Blizzard of Ozz. OZZFest, now it its 13th year, has also been created digitally as an in-game venue exclusively for Guitar Hero World Tour to host the heavy metal rock legend.

Joining Ozzy in Guitar Hero World Tour as a playable character is his lead axe-shredder and founder of Black Label Society, Zakk Wylde, performing their hit track “Stillborn.”

In addition to Metallica releasing their highly anticipated Death Magnetic album in its entirety as downloadable content in both Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock and Guitar Hero World Tour, the 2008 OZZFest performers and GRAMMY winning recording artists will be appearing for their on-disc encore with “Trapped Under Ice.” Finally, taking the Guitar Hero stage for the first time is fellow OZZFest artist, System of a Down with their 2006 GRAMMY for Best Hard Rock Performance winning single “B.Y.O.B.”

When the house lights go down this fall, a new generation of guitarists, drummers and fearless frontmen will come together and rock with Guitar Hero World Tour. The latest installment in the No1 best-selling video game franchise of 2007, Guitar Hero World Tour transforms music gaming by expanding Guitar Hero’s signature guitar gameplay into a cooperative band experience that combines the most advanced wireless instruments with new revolutionary online* and offline gameplay modes including Band Career and 8-player “Battle of the Bands,” which allows two full bands to compete head-to-head online for the first time ever. The game features a slick newly redesigned guitar controller, drum kit controller and a microphone, as well as an innovative Music Studio music creator that lets players compose, record, edit and share their own rock ‘n’ roll anthems. Music creators will also be able to share their recordings with their friends online through GHTunes where other gamers can download and play an endless supply of unique creations.

Guitar Hero World Tour is being developed by Neversoft Entertainment for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. The Wii version is being developed by Vicarious Visions. The PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system version is being developed by Budcat. The game is rated 12+ by PEGI and 12 by the BBFC.

Puzzle Adventure - The Lost Case of Sherlock Holmes on Mac and PC

Puzzle Adventure/Hidden Object Casual Game Includes 16 Original Cases to Solve

London, 12. August 1900: The mysterious disappearance of the Zouch Emerald shocks London: The precious emerald of Lady Ashby de la Zouch has been stolen by an unknown thief. The good people of London should not be worried about the capture of this thief for Sherlock Holmes alongside his trusty comrade Dr. Watson will start their investigations in “The Lost Case of Sherlock Holmes“….

The most famous legends of criminalist history, Sherlock Holmes and his loyal companion Dr. Watson, to bring you 16 mysterious cases with the right amount of intuition and ice-cold logic. Players will find in this whodunit casual computer game of theft, espionage and murder –that no case is left unsolved, and no criminal is getting away with his or her deeds.

The Lost Cases of Sherlock Holmes is the first computer game officially licensed by the Conan Doyle Estate. It features familiar personalities including Sherlock Holmes, Watson, Mycroft, Inspector Lestrade and more than 100 historical characters that will launch players into the world of the eccentric and famous detective. For each of the 16 individual cases, an overall storyline is revealed and a list of potential suspects is whittled down until the perpetrator is ultimately exposed.



In each case, set in Victorian London, players encounter the following puzzles: a hidden object puzzle, Sudoku, find the difference puzzle, and a picture memory game. There are also additional puzzles and mini-games such as anagrams, cryptograms and jigsaw memory games, which are available at various levels. Legacy has gone to great lengths to insure that the puzzles and mini-games are relevant to the period and storyline of the game as the player journeys from locales such as the British Museum, Big Ben, Kew Gardens, the Royal Theater and others in search of clues that are then evaluated back at 221b Baker Street.

Game Features

• Play as part of the venerable team of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson.

• There are 16 different mystery cases for players to solve.

• Over 100 visual puzzles and mini-games tailored to the subject and period of the game reveal a cohesive storyline as you play.

• A wide variety of mind-bending puzzles including hidden object, find the difference, picture Sudoku and picture memory games.

• Realistic and relevant clues for each case.

• Gamers can easily begin their adventure where they just left off; there is no disruption in game play.

• Players can explore 40 historically accurate locations around Victorian London.

• Officially licensed by the Conan Doyle Estate.

Pricing and Availability
Sherlock Holmes – available for PC and MAC
Release date: August 2008
Price: € 14,99

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Puzzle & Game Physics Fans Unite - The Magic Toy Chest released

The Magic Toy Chest – a fun and family oriented physics puzzle game by Graduate Games is officially released!

The Magic Toy Chest is the latest and greatest game released by Graduate Games www.graduategames.com. A physics-based puzzler featuring addictive and open gameplay, The Magic Toy Chest brings the whole family together to solve mind bending puzzles with simple point and click gameplay. The game is inspired by classic 2D games such as "The Incredible Machine" but has been updated with modern graphics, sound, and dynamic physics sprinkled in for good measure. It's available to download now for Windows.



Who said picking up around the house couldn't be fun? In the Magic Toy Chest, you must pick up all your toys strewn about the house before dinner. Luckily for you, you have a magic toy chest that can magically store an unlimited amount of toys all in one convenient location. You will stack blocks, build bridges, launch rockets, drive trucks, fly helicopters, go bowling and much more in over 100 levels across 8 unique rooms of the house. The game's physics engine allows for a dynamic sandbox, so each level has a mulitude of possible solutions. Race to complete each chore in the shortest amount of time and with the most efficient solution to unlock more features and areas. Best of all, your progress and personal stats are all autosaved!

The Magic Toy Chest features include:

• 100+ puzzles to solve
• 16 unique toys
• 8 different rooms of the house to explore
• Realistic 2 Dimensional Physics
• Fully Featured Level Editor to Make your own Levels!
• Easy to learn Point & Click Gameplay/Controls
• Levels Unlock based on your Skill Level
• Unconditional Money Back Guarantee

Armageddon Empires 1.08b Tip of the Spear Available for PC and Mac

“Alright you miserable maggots, so you’re sick of getting radioactive sand kicked in your face by those mecha and armor jocks. Well we’re going to do something about that. Some of you will be given advanced training at our Imperial Academy. Most of you will survive and you’ll be the better for it… more capable to serve the Empire and drive these abominations from the face of Terra. So which one of you is first?”

- Sergeant Major Vassily Crookshank, 10th Imperial Infantry Legion

• Tip of the Spear is a free mini expansion pack available now for Armageddon Empires. You must own the Armageddon Empires game in order to have access to this new content. Features include:
  
• 2 New Infantry-type Rules for ground combat: Fire and Maneuver and Combined Arms.
  
• 12 New special Advanced Training enhancement cards
  
• Improved Assassination and Sabotage rules
  
• Optional Fuel Cost rule to increase the game's challenge
  
• Download the update at www.crypticcomet.com
  
• Cryptic Comet Inc. is an independent game company dedicated to creating turn based strategy games for the real time impaired.
  

Smugglers 4: A New Space-Trading Game for Windows

Niels Bauer Games has released Smugglers 4, a turn-based science fiction space trading game for Windows. Before starting the Smugglers 4 adventure, you choose to be a greedy trader, an ambitious bounty hunter, a ruthless pirate, or other denizen of space. You have complete control over your life, from managing the actions of your crew, to boarding enemy ships and taking over their fleets, and using these captured ships to conquer entire star systems.

The flaw with most space trading games is the painfully long time that players must wait while they fly to a distant star system or planet, with much of the game's fun being sucked into the vacuum of space during the seemingly endless flight. Smugglers 4, by contrast, is a turn-based game, and it takes only seconds to arrive at a destination on the other side of the galaxy.

Smugglers 4 is fun to play, and fun to replay. Players' decisions directly affect life on your ship, in your star system, and across the galaxy. Each time you start a new game, you'll enjoy a completely different experience, with new challenges, and different results. Smugglers 4 simply cannot get old because it is completely different each time you play.

You can earn money through trading, pirating, or by fulfilling missions. And as you grow in your career, you earn awards and medals. With financial and personal growth come the additional resources and skills to buy new ships and upgrade your equipment. Smugglers 4's open-ended gameplay offers virtually limitless opportunities, and your actions will ultimately have an impact on a galactic scale.

There are 24 star systems with 75 planets. The professionally crafted planet art adds to the enjoyment of the game. There are four different factions, with different ship designs and different uniforms. There is a wide range of ships, each with unique weaponry and defense systems.

Smugglers 4's enhanced non-linear war and campaign system provides new ways to influence your battles. The program's unique text engine provides an enormous variety of story lines and mission descriptions, and more than 10,000 different descriptions of your battles and outcomes. Smugglers 4 is family friendly, and is fun for children, adults, and seniors. Smugglers 4 may also be enjoyed by the visually impaired. Using the program's special mode and a standard third-party screen reader, Smugglers 4 can be enjoyed by people who cannot see the screens well enough to use the standard mouse or keyboard controls.

Smugglers 4 runs under Windows XP and Vista, costs $29.95(US)

Halo 3 picks up prestigious Edge Award

Bungie beats Nintendo and Rockstar to scoop gong

Edge – the respected videogames magazine and website, has awarded Halo 3 the prestigious Edge Award for Innovation at this year’s Edinburgh Interactive Festival.

Now in its fourth year, Edge hands out the accolade to the title released in the last 12 months that does most to further the creative culture of gaming – marking out new directions for the form.

This year’s award was a closely fought affair, with Bungie proving victorious in a shortlist that also included Grand Theft Auto IV, Portal, Rock Band, Super Mario Galaxy and Wii Fit.

Edge steeped particular praise on the integration and coherence of Halo 3’s online content, demonstrating an unparalleled understanding of the potential for online console play. Judges believed the Halo 3 stats and communities found on Bungie.net provided life for the game – even when the console was switched off.

Alex Wiltshire is Deputy Editor of Edge:

“Halo 3, just as Halo 2 did before it, presents a roadmap for the way online will be integrated into videogames in the coming years. The game has been incredibly successful and attracted millions of fans, but we shouldn’t overlook all of the ideas that are present in the game, and the remarkably robust manner in which they are presented, Bungie deserved to be credited for their achievements, as they will help shape the future of online games.”

For more information on the Edge Award – please visit www.edge-online.com

Multiwinia: Survival of the Flattest present Multiwinia Mondays!

As the release of Multiwinia: Survival of the Flattest inches ever closer, we bring you the launch of Multiwinia Mondays!

For the next 6 weeks, we dedicate Mondays to showcasing all that's new in Multiwinia. Each Monday, we will be bringing you a whole host of new content, including video tutorials of each of the 6 game modes, the latest screens, wallpapers, artwork, and interviews with the developers themselves.

This Monday 11th August, we dedicate to the first of Multiwinia’s game modes: Domination - an epic tale of stickman slaughter where you must fell your enemies’ armies by controlling as many spawn points on the map as possible! Click here to view the first of our fantastic animated walk-through.

About Multiwinia

Multiwinia: Survival of the Flattest is Introversion’s fourth stand-alone title due to be released on the 19th September 2008. With a choice of six action-packed multiplayer game modes, and 40 unique maps set in one of the most beautiful, retro-arcade inspired game environs ever created, Multiwinia promises to be the ultimate homage to the halcyon days of gaming. Challenge your opponent to a game of stick-man slaughter, and watch digital-war unfold, as your Multiwinian army struggles to complete a chosen task faster and better than your rival’s. It’s fast, it’s furious, and only the flattest will survive!

Multiwinia will be available to demo and buy from the Introversion Store, Steam and all major retailers.

Wii Survival Horror game Cursed Mountain

Sproing Interactive, Vienna, today announced that is currently developing the Wii Survival Horror game Cursed Mountain for, and together with, Deep Silver. The player takes on the role of a fearless mountaineer as he climbs into the Himalayas on a quest to find his lost brother. As he ascends the mountain, he encounters an ancient curse: the souls of the people who died in that region are stuck in limbo, caught in the Shadow World. Deep Silver announced the first details of the upcoming Wii hit title Cursed Mountain on July 31st.

“Aside from the challenge to develop an innovative title with spectacular levels and new controls, the focus in Cursed Mountain is the overwhelming environment of the Himalayas,” said Harald Riegler, CEO of Sproing. “It is really important to us that the player experiences nature’s powers as realistically as possible, and that the game’s viewing distance allows the player to see the monumental landscapes at all times. We are also going to great lengths to make the dead souls look as convincing as possible in order to deliver the level of immersion necessary for really effective and believable survival horror.”

To deliver on these goals, the Sproing team relies on its proprietary “Athena” game engine, which is rendering the Himalayas on Wii at a quality never seen before. The engine highlights of “Athena” include amongst others, HDR-Rendering, shader simulations developed especially for Wii in order to display ice, heat and water (realistic reflections and refractions), an ultra-fast particle system for amazing snow storms, soft particles for realistic fog and smoke, depth of field, motion blur, dynamic soft shadows, spherical harmonics lighting, as well as a high performance level-of-detail and streaming system in order to provide long viewing distance of the entire surrounding. In order to create an exciting atmosphere when battling the ghosts, the game employs a number of custom-created special effects such as the shader simulations as well as a newly developed post-processing framework. “Our engine technology really takes the Wii hardware to its limits and Wii gamers can really look forward to a heart-stopping, and breath-taking world that comes alive with this title,” said Gerhard Seiler, Technical Director of Sproing.

Cursed Mountain will be released worldwide for Wii in 2009.

Stores extend hours for Madden video game

A wave of "Madden" mania came over local fans today as they went shopping in the wee hours of the morning to get their hands on the latest edition of their favourite video game.

The mega-selling Electronic Arts football video game is celebrating its 20th anniversary edition, the longest-running franchise of any sports video games, and the biggest buzz.

Circuit City's Newark, Del., store was open at 6 a.m. as Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders welcomed shoppers.

Up until 8 a.m., the cheerleaders judged customers' "end zone dances." And from noon to 3 p.m., gamers participated in a "Madden NFL 09" gaming tournament.

Seven GameStop stores in Chester County reopened at 10 p.m. Monday, one hour after closing. GameStop sold the "Madden NFL 09" video game Monday but only gave customers a receipt. Between 12:01 and 1 this morning, those customers came back and were handed their games.

Jon Trivuno, who works at the Brandywine Square GameStop in East Caln, said the store had sold about 200 games by the early afternoon Monday.

"It's people who have followed it since it came out," Trivuno said.

The store had planned to play a "Madden" demo from 10 to midnight Monday to make the event more fun for the crowd, Trivuno said.

Likewise, GameStop in Whiteland Towne Center in West Whiteland reopened at 10 p.m.

"'Madden' is always big," said Alex, a store employee who did not want to disclose his last name.

If customers had to wait until midnight to purchase the game, "we probably wouldn't get out of here until 3," Alex said.

With popular games like "Madden" and "Halo," there is usually a big turnout, Alex said

The employee said the store was planning to have pizza and drinks from 10 to midnight to keep customers happy.

The West Whiteland and East Caln stores were among 3,000 GameStop locations to host "Madden Mania."

Wal-Mart Super Center in the West Sadsbury Commons was ready with extra floor staff and cashiers at 12:01 a.m.

Department manager Brenda Moran made sure of it.

"I e-mailed my overnight manger and told her to be prepared with an extra cashier and extra person to hand out the games," Moran said.

"Madden" is generally the biggest video game launch of the year, Moran said.

Headquartered in Grapevine, Texas, GameStop launched "Madden NFL 09" with tournaments, tailgate events and a variety of contests. The company operates 5,453 retail stores in 16 countries worldwide.

Target, which has been open at midnight for past "Madde"n launches, did not do so today, said Joshua Thomas, corporate spokesman at the chain's Minneapolis headquarters.

Source: Daily Local News