Sword of the Stars: A Murder of Crows PC video game

A Murder of Crows, the latest add-on to their highly acclaimed 4X space strategy game Sword of the Stars (PC). This exemplifies Kerberos Productions' continued commitment to the dedicated Sword of the Stars community. Players are required to have either Sword of the Stars: Collector's Edition or Born of Blood in order to play this new addition to the franchise. A Murder of Crows will be available at retail stores across the United Kingdom in September 2008 and is available for purchase online at www.GamersGate.com.

GAME SUMMARY

While the four civilized races battle back the voracious Zuul and seek advantage over each other, a ghost from the past returns to the galaxy in the form of the manipulative Morrigi. Already known for their dark crow-shaped attack drones and deadly traps, this race once thought long extinct, returns looking for vengeance.



Using never-before-seen weapons, ships and tactics, the Morrigi fall upon the other five races of the Sword of the Stars universe, who must now adapt to the ancient masters of space or be destroyed.



Time is of the essence as world after world falls to the black winged ships that surge out of the dark like A Murder of Crows.

FEATURES

• A New Sixth race – The Morrigi, who appeared as a series of mysterious random events in Born of Blood (the first Sword of the Stars expansion pack), continues to evolve the ever-expanding Sword of the Stars universe • New Ship Sections - Over a dozen new ship sections for all races to match against your opponents • Unique 'Grav Flock' Drive System for Morrigi Ships – The more Morrigi ships in a fleet, the faster they can travel, continuing the racial diversity unique to the Sword of the Stars gameplay experience • 15 new weapons • 27 new technologies and the new Xeno-Cultural and Drones tech trees • Sword of the Stars gameplay continues to deepen with Civilian populations, independent worlds, Espionage options, and demands for planetary surrender
• Drone carrying ships in all three size classes • Construction ships, a variety of orbital stations, spy ships, Police Cutters, and more • A whole new set of GUI enhancements and additions

Wizard101 School of Life Magic

There are six main schools of magic and a meta-school that modifies the use of the other six. The three external schools are Fire, Ice, and Storms, and they relate to the ancient Titans that ruled the world in the Days Before (dragons, giants, and tritons). There are three internal schools, Myth, Life, and Death, which encompass the internal powers of the mind, body, and spirit. The school of Balance blends all of these. Each of the six major schools exhibits a feel and philosophy, in rhythm with its own nature. In addition, each of the three inner schools dwells in the midst of two outer schools, drawing some small part of themselves from those framing forces.

Inner Schools
The spells of the inner or internal schools focus their energies on channeling your own power, drawing on your life force to create what you need. Each school has its own particular method of doing such, but each one is fed by an internal force.

School of Life (Spirit)



"As we have been Created, so must we Create."

Life is spirit, the force of awareness and existence. Practitioners of the Life Arts, known as Theurgists, are positive, enthusiastic people who seek to appreciate the simple pleasures. At times, however, they can be too flighty or frivolous when circumstances demand otherwise. Theurgists use Songs to breathe life and spirit into a vessel. Life sits between Fire and Storms, for the spark of life comes from those two forces.

About Wizard101
Wizard101 is an elaborate 3D virtual world in which magic and sorcery come to life as players embark on a quest that involves a massive cast of good, evil and frequently silly characters. Designed to fill the void between online play sites for the very young and Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games with mature ratings, Wizard101 puts players in the fantasy role of a Wizard apprentice at the Ravenwood School of Magical Arts.

X-Blades coming to PlayStation, Xbox and PCs

Fearless Treasure Hunting Beauty To Fight Darkness On PLAYSTATION 3 Computer Entertainment System, Xbox 360 and Windows-Based PC

Anime-inspired X-Blades follows Ayumi, a brave and beautiful thrill seeker, whose obsession with hunting lost treasures lands her in a fight for her life.

"One of the greatest challenges we face with multi-platform games is how to deliver an equally fantastic experience across each platform," said John F. Kaiser, III, Producer at SouthPeak Games. "With X-Blades, we've taken time to ensure the same intense hack-and-slash gameplay is delivered seamlessly on all platforms."



Ayumi, a stunningly seductive yet tenacious heroine, travels the world hunting highly coveted artifacts. After finding an ancient treasure map she sets off on the most dangerous adventure she's ever faced and quickly finds herself outmanned and outgunned. Armed with only her fighting skill, magic spells, guns and blades, Ayumi must fend off rival treasure seekers, hordes of evil creatures and powerful dark forces in order to survive.

Colour Cross unique puzzle game on Nintendo DS

Colour Cross set to be part of a two pronged assault on casual DS owners.

Rising Star Games will be unleashing a double assault on casual Nintendo DS owners this autumn with Colour Cross backing up the previously announced Cradle of Rome. Both titles will be released on the same day in early November 2008 and available in all PAL territories.

Colour Cross is a unique puzzle game where the goal is to uncover the hidden picture by applying the right colour to the appropriate square. Utilising the familiar paint by numbers mechanic, completing a grid will reveal a portion of a larger hidden image as well as unlocking increasingly difficult challenges. With over 150 individual grids to unlock, Colour Cross provides hours of brain-teasing gameplay which is colourful in more ways than one.

Yen Hau, product marketing assistant: “Both these titles represent a different part of the casual gaming spectrum, with Colour Cross a brain teasing game requiring thought and puzzle solving skills. On the other hand, Cradle of Rome is a highly addictive, fast-paced casual game ideal for those pick-up-and-play moments. These titles are also the first non-Japanese developed projects Rising Star Games will publish and represent an opportunity to expand our catalogue to encompass all types of gamers.”

New modes and gameplay additions in PES 2009

Konami unveils new modes and gameplay additions as PES 2009 strives to band together PES players in the quest for football perfection

Revealed - further details of the many gameplay additions in its forthcoming PES 2009 title, and has explained its unique ‘PES Unites’ slogan that has been designed to band together fans of the beautiful game via its new game modes.

Due for release on PLAYSTATION 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PC-DVD, PSP (PlayStationPortable) and mobile phones in Autumn 2008 (followed by a Wii version in spring 2009), PES 2009 has been reworked from the ground up. New player models, AI elements and physics routines all combine to create the most advanced and realistic football game ever, but at the heart of PES 2009 are two new modes designed to make players rethink the way they approach the game.

‘PES Unites’ is the key phrase Konami is using to sum up the ethos of the new game. PES 2009 also improves on its many existing game modes and adds a number of new ways to play the game. Central to this is the new ‘Become a Legend’ solo mode, which casts the user as a midfielder or striker within a match. Using a default vertical camera view, the player starts as a rookie pro at the start of their career, and charts the many highs and lows of becoming a professional player. An extension of the popular ‘Fix’ mode, the ‘Become a Legend’ mode sees the player operate in their favoured attacking position, and work as part of the overall team as opposed to controlling every member as in a normal game.

If successful, the player must first cement their place in the starting line-up with strong performances, before catching the eye of bigger clubs and earning a move to top flight teams. Of course, results are everything in modern day football, and players must force their way into contention or face lengthy stints as a substitute or eventually be forced to take a step down to a smaller club if performances are not good enough. The ‘Become a Legend’ mode has already proved a massive hit in Japanese versions of PES since 2007, and is certain to enjoy similar status across Europe.

PES 2009 also boasts an online variant of the ‘Become a Legend’ mode, entitled simply ‘Legends.’ Players can use their saved player in online matches with like-minded friends, and can show their skills on the larger online stage.

The PES series has always been famed for its deep yet accessible control system, but the new game is aiming even higher. PES 2009 offers an unprecedented level of control, redefining the intricacies of first touch, close control and ball distribution, while also enhancing its shooting and AI mechanisms to create an all-round footballing experience. Konami’s Tokyo-based Pro Evolution Soccer Production Team has introduced new control systems wherein the player can now perform tricks and feints without the use of special moves, but within the context of the player’s run and via rapid turns and movements of the Dpad or analogue stick.

Likewise, the way the player guides the ball has been changed. The PES series has always treated the ball as a separate entity, but new calculations related to the air resistance and friction of the ground make passing and movement in PES 2009 a great deal more realistic. Different weather conditions will now have a more pronounced effect on the weight and movement of passes, with players having to compensate for more heavy conditions in poor weather.

Producer Shingo ‘Seabass’ Takatsuka and his team have also worked to extend the remit of their Teamvision AI routines, with on-screen team mates adapting their tactics according to current situations, and moving into space to assist the player in attacking and defensive situations. Teamvision also recognizes strategies that work for or against it, and will accumulate the data for use in Master League and League mode.

“It is an honour to know that our game is enjoyed by so many people from different backgrounds,” said Takatsuka of the new additions. “From top professional players, to football enthusiasts and kids who just want a kickabout in the streets, its appeal is widening all the time. The new Become a Legend and Legends Modes are designed to convey the pressure and pace a real pro experiences, with players working as part of a strong side and working to prove their merit as a player. I feel great and motivated when people enjoy our games, and feel the new modes will open up new ways to enjoy PES.”

The ever-present Master League has also been reworked, with negotiations now a lot simpler and conducted on a two-tier club and personal basis, while loyalty now plays a part with disaffected players’ moods having an adverse affect on their performances.

Adding an all-new layer of gloss to PES 2009’s much-enhanced realism, the game has also undergone a radical aesthetic upgrade. Stadiums now have more realistic environment and atmospheric elements, while the PLAYSTATION®3 and Xbox 360 versions will also showcase LED hoardings. Likewise, the way distance is shown has been changed, with the use of contrast adding a depth field to the action, while there is also a new vertical camera angle that automatically switches to a closer proximity during key one-on-one situations.

Every player in the game has also been totally redefined, with all new face and body detail, with further facial animations and kit detailing adding to the realism. The game’s Edit mode has also been boosted with the ability to create bespoke matches via the importing of faces, kits, and even sound files for specific music and crowd chants for any team. A new Pixel Paint system has also been integrated, allowing players to create their own club crests and badges to add to their home-grown kits.

“We have pulled out all the stops to make PES 2009 a landmark in footballing games,” commented Jon Murphy, PES Project Leader for Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH. “From the most basic controls, through to the wide-ranging additions to game modes such as ‘Become a Legend’, all-new visuals, sound, and the Edit mode, Seabass and his team have strived to cram as much as they can into the new game. And with more online announcements to follow, there is every reason to believe that PES 2009 is the football game everyone has been waiting for.”

Deal or no Deal mobile cellphone game

UK's top television series to gain new direction on the mobile platform

Deal or No Deal. The agreement gives EA Mobile, a division of EA’s Casual Entertainment Label, the rights to develop, market and publish brand new mobile games based on the Deal or No Deal TV series for the UK mobile market. The first game is scheduled to be released in November 2008.

Deal or No Deal first launched in the UK in October 2005 and has pervaded UK popular culture since then. The hugely popular show attracts average daily audiences of over 2.3 million on Channel 4 and the format has aired in over 80 countries worldwide. EA Mobile will build on the brand values that have created this success to develop games that deliver an experience that faithfully reflects the elements the fans love from the TV show – the contestants, the camaraderie and the nail-biting drama.

“We are excited to have the chance to work on one of the most successful TV properties of recent years,” said Javier Ferreira, VP of European Publishing, EA Mobile. “Deal or No Deal is a phenomenally successful programme, particularly in the UK, and we look forward to creating games that will bring the true spirit of the series to a new audience on mobile platforms.”

“At Endemol, we have been looking for a partner in the mobile space to help bring this phenomenal property to an even broader audience,” said Jurian van der Meer, Head of Products & Brand Exploitation, Endemol Digital Media. “We want to focus on our core strength, that of creating incredibly popular IP for a mass broadcast audience and work with global partners, such as EA Mobile, to take our TV proposition to new pervasive platforms.”

Jackass video game on Nintendo DS

Empire Interactive announces Nintendo DS version of Jackass the Game for European Gamers will launch on 19th Septmber 2008

Jackass The Game for the Nintendo DS and will be available across EU territories and Switzerland on 19th September 2008.

Jackass the Game is inspired by the popular MTV television series and hugely successful MTV Films Jackass and Jackass number two. Jackass the Game DS will give players the ability to take on the roles of Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O and many others from the Jackass gang as they maneuver through the types of off-the-wall madness and stunts that fans have previously only been accustomed to watching on their televisions and movie screens.

You take on the role of Dickhouse Productions new intern. Your job is to do whatever the jackass crew wants you to do and like it. Throughout the game, the members of the Jackass gang will send you out to complete a huge range of stunts, pranks, and tricks. The game takes place in Mianus. You and the crew will explore 5 unique parts of Mianus (City, Suburbs, Mountains, Beach, and Industrial Park), each with unique obstacles and challenges.

Empire Interactive will bring all the outlandish hijinks and sheer stupidity made famous by the Jackass crew to the Nintendo DS on 19th September 2008.

Harvest Moon - Island of Happiness video game for the Nintendo DS goes gold

Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness for the Nintendo DS has gone to gold master.

When the title ships on August 26th, its launch will kick off the ten-year anniversary for the franchise. The anniversary celebration will include various retail promotions with special collectible pre-order items, a 10th anniversary DS Lite Kit, strategy guides and more.

“To have such a remarkable following and support for the Harvest Moon series is wonderful, and we think fans will be very pleased with this new handheld addition,” said Hiro Maekawa, President and CEO of Natsume.
“Island of Happiness stays true to the elements of the series that fans love, and will provide players an exciting Harvest Moon universe that will continue to elevate the series to new heights.”

Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness (DS)
Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness brings the largest portable Harvest Moon experience ever to the Nintendo DS.

Starting off with an abandoned farm, a handful of seeds, and the determination to start a new life, it's up to the player to develop a mysterious, abandoned island into a bustling tropical paradise. By harvesting crops, raising animals, and mining for precious gems, gamers will help the island grow into a vibrant town filled with people, businesses, and eligible bachelors and bachelorettes. Players can take on the role of a male or a female, and choose who they want to fall in love and start a family with. Gamers can also test their farming skills against each other and compete for prizes via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness will ship on August 26th, 2008 and will retail for $29.99. Players who pre-order the game through select retailers will receive a free chicken plush.

Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness is rated E for everyone by the entertainment software rating board (ESRB).

Deep Silver announces Mytran Wars on PSP

Exclusive Title for PlayStationPortable is being developed by Stormregion.

Publisher Deep Silver continues to expand its portfolio of handheld games. An exclusive title for PlayStation Portable from Sony, which is being developed by Stormregion in Budapest, is in development amongst other projects. The well-known developer has made a name for itself with its prize-winning strategy games such as Rush for Berlin, S.W.I.N.E. and the Codename: Panzers series and would now like to capitalize on these successes with the round-based strategy game Mytran Wars.

It’s the 23rd century: The earth’s natural resources are virtually exhausted and the ruling multinational conglomerates are searching for new raw material deposits in space in order to avert the impending catastrophe. One planet turns out to be a real El Dorado, full of natural resources. But as the human conquerors in their armed mecha encounter the extraterrestrial inhabitants a dreadful war breaks out.

The player researches into new technologies and continues to rearm his mecha in Mytran Wars. Battles are thereby fought in wonderful 3D landscapes – against the merciless AI or other human opponents in various multiplayer modes.

About Deep Silver
Deep Silver develops and distributes interactive games for all platforms. The Deep Silver label means to captivate all computer and video gamers who enjoy and share a passion for thrilling gameplay in modern game worlds. Deep Silver works with its partners to achieve a maximum of success while maintaining the highest possible quality, always focusing on what the customer desires. Deep Silver products are designed to equally appeal to professionals and beginners, children and adults.

Deep Silver has published around 40 games since 2003, including the most successful adventure of 2006, Secret Files: Tun-guska, the bestseller ANNO 1701 (co-published with Sunflowers), the challenging CrossworDS knowledge puzzle game, the horse simulation Horse Life DS, and the soccer MMO World of Soccer Online. Current developments include Warhammer - Battle March (in cooperation with Namco Bandai), the action role-playing game Sacred 2: Fallen Angel (in cooperation with Ascaron), S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky, the sinister Chernobyl shooter for PC, and the new game from the Piranha Bytes team. Deep Silver's own developing studio Deep Silver Vienna opened in 2007.

Overlord II - Sequel for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS and PC

Codemasters announces blockbuster Overlord sequel for the PLAYSTATION 3 system, Xbox 360, Games For Windows, plus exclusive extensions for Wii and Nintendo DS
Marking the return of the bad ass game brand that champions a despotic tyrant and sets loose the most vicious, yet lovably insane critters in gaming, Codemasters today announced that the Overlord and the Minions will headline a series of three new Overlord titles for multiple platforms in 2009.

Overlord II is the sequel to the original twisted fantasy action adventure and is now in development at Triumph Studios for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Games For Windows. True to form, the Overlord and the Minion horde have their sights set on supremacy and 2009 will also see the series debuting on new formats. Exclusive extensions include the action title Overlord Dark Legend for Wii, featuring minion control through Wii Remote movement, and Overlord Minions, a dedicated puzzle action title, for Nintendo DS.

“As a million-plus seller Overlord is now a significant brand in the ever-growing Codemasters portfolio,” says Barry Jafrato, Senior Vice President of Brand, Codemasters. “With specific titles published across major formats and download content available, Overlord has established a huge cult following and won widespread critical acclaim. We’re delighted to have the despot back for this three-game, five-format product line. With Triumph’s hugely impressive vision for Overlord II and bespoke titles for Wii and Nintendo DS, Overlord is set to dominate in 2009.”



“Epic battles, all new Minion play mechanics, a stunningly detailed new visuals and a fresh theme – Overlord II’s really packing a punch,” says Lennart Sas, director and Overlord lead at Triumph Studios. “We’re really excited about shifting the world to a new era where a Roman-inspired Empire rises as the arch-enemy of the Overlord, which leads to an epic clash between the regimented forces of a sprawling state and the faster, harder, more manic minion horde. It’s also great to see the series reaching new formats. The creativity being packed into the design for Overlord Dark Legend on Wii and Overlord Minions on Nintendo DS make great use of the platforms’ unique features and are perfect extensions to the Overlord series.”

OVERLORD TITLES FOR 2009:

OVERLORD II
• PLAYSTATION 3 system, Xbox 360, Games For Windows.

Overlord II is the sequel to the hit warped fantasy action adventure that had players being delightfully despotic. In Overlord II, a new Overlord and a more powerful army of Minions take on an entire empire in a truly epic adventure, inspired by the rise of the Roman Empire. As the Glorious Empire conquers kingdoms and destroys any sign of magic it finds, it’s time to go Minion Maximus and send in the horde.

The Minions return smarter, deadlier (and funnier) and are ready to fight in large scale battles that will see their wild pack mentality squaring up to the organised legions of the Glorious Empire. As ever, they’ll do anything and everything the Overlord commands of them, especially now that they can run ravage and wreck buildings and scenery. They’ve also learn to ride: In Overlord II Minions will be able to mount up and ride wolves and other magical creatures around the landscape and take them into battle, making our band of merry fighters faster and fiercer than ever before. Coming in 2009, Overlord II is now in development at Triumph Studios in Delft, the Netherlands, for the PLAYSTATION 3 system, Xbox 360 and Games For Windows.

OVERLORD DARK LEGEND.
• Wii

Designed and developed exclusively for Wii, Overlord Dark Legend is a brand new action adventure steeped in fairy tale lore with sinister, satirical twists. Set in a time before the original game, players take the role of a new young Overlord. As he revels in command of the Minions, our trainee tyrant will be able to take his growing pains out on the local fairy tale inhabitants as he protects his castle and lands.

Connecting players to the game world in three dimensions, the use of the Wii Remote gives unprecedented control over the minions. For example, individual Minions can be plucked from the horde, held by the neck and then, by vigorously shaking the Wii Remote, throttled to imbue him with some Overlordly power and turn him into a manic minion missile. With a now-explosive body, the insane little critter can be guided into enemies with hilarious, if rather fatal, consequences.


Backed by a rich, tongue-in-cheek story from award-winning games author Rhianna Pratchett, the game features Overlord favourites including Halflings, trolls, elves, and dwarves and introduces wicked witches, gingerbread men and Lil’ Red Riding Hood, the seeming sweet girl with a very personal lupine secret. Coming in 2009, Overlord Dark Legend is now in development at Climax Studios, exclusively for Wii.

OVERLORD MINIONS
• Nintendo DS

Meet Giblet, Blaze, Stench, and Zap – an elite Minion crew who, assisted by minion master Gnarl, get star billing in Overlord Minions, an irresistible and accessible puzzle action game, designed exclusively for Nintendo DS. In Overlord Minions, the Overlord commands the Minion team remotely. The Nintendo DS stylus becomes an extension of his evil will and every precise Touch Screen command is the player-as-Overlord directing, commanding and combining minions in battle, pointing and sweeping them to attack enemies and solving puzzles to execute his dastardly plans.

Controlling the Special Farces team of four, players negotiate fiendish levels and take on a huge range of warped enemies to hunt down the Kindred, a cult dedicated to resurrecting the mighty Dragon Kin, a race of humanoid dragon hybrids, determined to replace the Overlord’s despotism with their own. Extending the Overlord series’ trademark humour, gameplay focuses on the mischievous physical comedy of the minion’s antics and is delivered in a stylised cartoon visual style. Scheduled for release in 2009, Overlord Minions is now in development at Climax Studios exclusively for Nintendo DS.

With a rousing cry of “Veni, Vidi, Vici per Minions”, prepare to face the Glorious Empire in Overlord II and the rather grim fairy tales of Overlord Dark Legend and Overlord Minions when the terrific tyrant returns in 2009.