80Gb PlayStation 3 goes on sale on Friday

Online retailers have confirmed that the 80GB PlayStation 3 will go on sale in Europe this Friday.

Previously, SCEE president David Reeves had indicated that the new hardware SKU would launch a week later on August 27.

However, Play.com. Amazon, Gamestation and GAME are all listing the console for August 22, with Sony expected to officially announce the date at Leipzig Games Convention this week.

The 80GB console replaces the current 40GB PlayStation 3, and retails for the same price of £299.

Source: Games Industry

Arma II Call to arms follow-up PC video game

---

The follow-up to 2007’s most realistic PC tactical shooter, ArmA: Armed Assault, to Europe in 2009.

Featuring some of the most realistic warfare ever, ArmA II promises to build on the excellent features that have made Bohemia Interactive a respected name among gamers. So, you can expect in-depth team-based combat, a comprehensive playbook of military tactics and an enormous battlefield to push your strategies to the limit.

---

ArmA II benefits from a game engine that has been in constant development for 10 years and no other developer can offer such a great heritage in creating open-world military shooters. In fact, Bohemia Interactive is so skilled at producing realistic warfare simulations that the developer has used its Real Virtuality engine as the basis for training simulators used by armies across the globe, including the United States Marine Corps, UK Ministry of Defence and Australian Defence Force.

---

This experience is also helping Bohemia Interactive to craft an incredibly detailed storyline, full of political intrigue and plot twists, which blurs the boundaries between fact and fiction. Set in the near future in a fictional post-Soviet country called Chernarus, players take on the role of a United States Marine Corps Force Recon squad, who are called to the country as a peacekeeping force to prevent further civilian casualties and ensure ongoing stability.

---

“After the success of ArmA: Armed Assault in Europe, we’re thrilled to bring PC gamers more action-packed warfare with ArmA II,” said Alex Price, Senior Global Brand Manager. “This continues to demonstrate our strong support for the European PC market by publishing top quality titles.”

ArmA II, published by 505 Games and developed by Bohemia Interactive, is scheduled for release on PC in Q1 2009.

KEY FEATURES

• A whole new chapter in the ArmA franchise with new characters and an in-depth story
• Unlike most war simulations, ArmA II focuses on team play – including co-operative play, the ability to switch between team members and dramatic moments when you must give first aid to team mates
• Improved AI for team mates and enemies, now they use cover, hide and work better as a unit
• Dynamic conversations and events that shape the storyline
• Incredibly realistic game engine that’s been used by the military for combat simulations
• Comprehensive online multiplayer modes
• An extremely strong modding community among the ArmA II fans

Tomb Raider - Underworld video game screenshots

As the latest instalment of Eidos Interactive’s leading franchise, Tomb Raider: Underworld looms large on the horizon, we are now privy to a sneak peek of the game - and its world-renowned leading lady - in full swing. The trailer demonstrates the visual prowess of the game as our female protagonist clambers her way across the ruins of beautifully realised temples in Thailand, replete with moving foliage and incredibly detailed environmental effects and lighting.

The first tag-line of this cinematic excerpt warns us: “Some ruins should never be discovered”. Ironically, it would be a crying shame if you were denied the opportunity to explore something this beautiful. You’ll see her battling an assortment of ghastly pursuers whilst running through her repertoire of acrobatic moves as she springs around sheer rock faces and bounces off the heads of enormous arachnids.

A blanket release on 21st of November will see Lara storm all formats in similarly impressive fashion: Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, Wii, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, and PC Games for Windows platforms.

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

More Tomb Raider posts here...

Sacred 2 - Fallen Angel video game screenshots

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is an Action RPG with a rich story that takes place in a giant, open-ended and seamless world. This world contains hundreds of dungeons, treacherous opponents and a variety of challenging quests. Intelligent enemies, steadily adapting in number and difficulty based on player progress, challenge in heroic single- and multiplayer battles.

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel provides numerous unique items that can be gathered in this mystical world. A deep reward system further enables advancements in character, individual attributes and character-specific fighting styles, each designed to keep players returning to the world of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel to discover what is around the next bend. Drop-in styled cooperative multiplayer gameplay ensures players will enjoy the game alone or seamlessly with friends at any time. Five unique multiplayer modes round out the experience and offer a refreshing, first-class gaming experience in Sacred 2: Fallen Angel

---

---

---

---

---

Guiness World Records - The Videogame on Nintendo Wii and DS

TT Games are teaming up with Guinness World Records to bring Guinness World Records: The Videogame to Wii and Nintendo DS in fall 2008.

Guinness World Records: The Videogame, developed by TT Games and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, will offer players of all ages the opportunity not only to observe and marvel at the most remarkable activities in the world, but actually to participate in them.

Guinness World Records: The Videogame is full of amazing world records, giving players the opportunity to become a real world record breaker! The game’s quick-fire action challenges can be played solo, in teams, or in competitive multi-player groups.

Accessible game mechanics enable anyone to grow the longest fingernails ever seen; to walk a tightrope across the Grand Canyon; or even eat a jumbo jet. But true skill and dedication will be required to compete at the highest level. The ultimate prize: you may see your name appear in the official Guinness World Records book!

“Guinness World Record lends itself wonderfully to an interactive experience for the whole family,” said Tom Stone, Managing Director of TT Games Publishing. “We’re excited at this opportunity to team up with such a well-loved institution to create a really fresh and fun game.”

“We are very pleased with how Guinness World Records: The Videogame looks and plays, this new development reflects the versatility of our content and how it can be tailored for almost any medium and format,” Sam Fay, Senior Vice President of Guinness World Records. “We are sure that the game is going to be a favourite amongst all aspiring record breakers!”

Guinness World Records: The Videogame launches in Fall 2008.

Animal Paradise Pet Sim for Nintendo DS Nears Release

Animal Paradise for Nintendo DS has been completed the family-friendly handheld videogame release of the season will join kids on their journey back to school this fall. Shipping to North American retail stores on September 23, 2008, Animal Paradise has received an ESRB rating of “E” for “everyone.”

After the kids have finished their first week back at school - and their homework - parents can reward them with Animal Paradise’s stable of adorably friendly animals to care for and play with on their DS. Graced with the endearingly comical “big-nose” style of animal photography, from famed Japanese photographer Yoneo Morita, Animal Paradise promises to warm hearts and keep children entertained for hours. Under Empire Interactive’s recent partnership with Atari, Inc., Animal Paradise’s release will mark the first of four announced titles to be distributed exclusively by Atari in North America.

“We know players want pet simulation games with a variety of animals to choose from, and Animal Paradise delivers just that with loads of adorable animals, engaging gameplay and appeal for children and animal lovers of all ages,” said Karim Farghaly, vice president of sales, Empire Interactive. “We think this is a perfect title to kick off our distribution deal with Atari and another step forward in establishing Empire as a major player in the US gaming market.”



Animal Paradise takes players to a virtual farm where they can try their hand at caring for and raising 18 different animals including dogs, cats, hamsters, horses, pigs and more. Pets will need to be fed, cleaned, walked and played with in order to make sure they stay fit, healthy and happy.

As they progress through the game, players will unlock new animals to care for and fun-filled mini-games like Treasure Hunting, Footprint Trail and Shampoo Scrub. Getting to know the animals, learning what kind of care each one prefers, and building a bond with them will be rewarded by unlocking exclusive pet photos for your virtual album. No other game this fall will entertain kids while teaching them how to be responsible caretakers like Animal Paradise.

Pre-order Tank Universal get Shadowgrounds game free of charge

Meridian4 is excited to announce that for all Steam clients who pre-order Tank Universal before its release date on August 21st, receive a copy of our highly-successful, critically-acclaimed Action/Shooter; Shadowgrounds free of charge.

For more information regarding the pre-order visit the Coming Soon section on www.steampowered.com.



Tank Universal will be available on August 21st for $9.99 on most digital online channels including Steam, D2D, Impulse, GamersGate and many more. For more information visit www.meridian4.com or any of the digital sites listed.

About Tank Universal
Tank Universal creates a huge virtual ‘Tron-like’ world where you take part in immense 3D tank battles involving scores of units both friendly and not so friendly in wide open levels!


Players can bombard the enemy from a distance or close the gap and dodge shells point blank - all in an immersive first person perspective.

• 20 levels of highly addictive and intense tank battles
• Some missions require you to leave the safety of your tank and explore the world on foot
• Ability to upgrade weapons and tank equipment
• Fight alongside allies against highly intelligent and numerous enemies • Spectacular looking virtual world and eye-popping particle effects
• Take the battle in any direction with wide open levels allowing freedom of play
• Intriguing storyline switching between the 'real world' and the digital virtual world
• Enhanced resolutions, including widescreen support up to 1680x1050

Videogames Based on the Upcoming Animated Feature Film Igor

Igor Games to Be Released in Europe on PC, Nintendo DS and Wii

Announcing the game Igor for the PC, Wii and Nintendo DS in the European PAL territories, the French overseas territories, the Commonwealth of Independ-ent States, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

The Igor videogames are produced by I2G and Legacy Interactive. They are based on the animated movie of the same title by Exodus Film Group, distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures. “Igor” opens in the United States on September 19, 2008 and features the voice talents of artists such as John Cusack, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Jay Leno and Christian Slater. The movie will benefit from a worldwide distribution for the Holidays of 2008.



“Igor” is a playfully irreverent comedy with a new twist on the classic evil scientist/monster genre and tells the story about an evil scientist’s hunchbacked lab assistant, “Igor”, who has big dreams of becoming an evil scientist in his own right and winning the coveted first place award at the annual Evil Science Fair. But, instead of creating a dangerous monster for the competition, Igor creates the amiable Eva instead. His attempts to convince Eva to behave like a real monster lead to numerous entanglements. With a lot of humour involved, both the movie and the games commemorate the monster movie genre of the classic Hollywood era.

The games will closely follow the storyline of the movie. The PC and Wii versions will become a varied action-adventure game allowing players to control all four main characters: Igor, Eva and their two friends, Brain and Scamper. The Nintendo DS version will allow players to design their monster individually by adding new body parts, and compete against other scientists’ creatures via a thrilling puzzle combat system. Hundreds of possibilities enable players to create truly individual monsters.

The Igor games are scheduled for release on all platforms this October.

Exclusive Preorder Bonus Soundtrack CD for Yggdra Union

Preorder bonus item for Yggdra Union, a card-based strategy RPG for the PSP (PlayStationPortable) system. Exclusively at GameStop stores and www.GameStop.com, customers who preorder a copy of Yggdra Union will receive a limited run soundtrack CD. Previously a Japan-exclusive, 56 tracks of music from the game have been beautifully remade.

Availability will be limited; preorder by September 16 to guarantee a copy! Don’t miss your chance to own this collectible!

Originally released for Game Boy Advance to warm praise, Yggdra Union is stunningly redone and loaded with enhancements, including fully remastered audio and visuals (including the artwork of famed character designer and manga artist Satoko Kiyuzuki), dual language dialogue with both Japanese and English, a widescreen aspect ratio, additional difficulty settings, new unlockable content, and more… all exclusive to the PSP system!

Yggdra Union is currently scheduled for release on September 16.

Pre-order your copy of Yggdra Union at GameStop.com: http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=72177

About Yggdra Union
Ruled by a royal family believed to be descended from the gods, Fantasinia is a prosperous and tranquil land — until the peace is shattered by the invading forces of the Empire of Bronquia. Led by the young Emperor Gulcasa, who seized power in a brutal coup d’etat, Bronquia’s Imperial Army cuts a bloody swath through the people of Fantasinia and the Royal Armies of King Ordene. Princess Yggdra Yuril Artwaltz, the sole survivor of the royal family, escapes with the kingdom’s only hope: the holy sword Gran Centurio. Fleeing to the southern tip of the continent, she encounters an unusual thief named Milanor, a young man destined to help liberate the people of her kingdom...

Key Features

• Break-the-mold strategy system – Turn-based strategy meets real-time action in this innovative battle mechanic! Build your strongest deck of cards to rain down special attacks, monitor the aggression meter to adjust the power of each hit, and create troop unions that will overwhelm the enemy’s numbers.
• Rebuilt for the PSP® system – Yggdra Union is brand new again on the PSP® system, boasting remastered audio and visuals, new playable characters, additional missions, difficulty options, widescreen support, and dual English and Japanese voiceover tracks.
• Unlock even greater rewards – There is more to Yggdra Union than can be revealed in a single game. With 3 different endings plus a hidden ending and secret characters, there’s tons of treasure for a true gamer to uncover.

Hit 'Heroes' Flight Combat Series for 2009

Atari and Red Mile Entertainment to Bring the New Installment of Hit 'Heroes' Flight Combat Series to Playstation 3, Xbox 360 And Windows PC in 2009

Get ready to scramble! Atari and Red Mile Entertainment are bringing Heroes over Europe, an ultra-realistic seat-of-the-pants tactical flight combat game and the latest in the critically acclaimed Heroes series, to the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and Windows PC in 2009.

The sequel to the mighty World War II flight combat game Heroes of the Pacific, Heroes over Europe takes aspiring combat pilots into the bullet-ridden heart of major World War II European air battles in glorious dogfight-friendly high definition. Heroes over Europe follows the Allied campaign from the attacks on London to the destruction of Berlin, with players under orders to strap themselves into the authentically rendered cockpits of the campaign’s iconic aircraft. Their mission: to survive the most ferocious dogfights ever seen in a flight combat game.




“The Heroes series has brought some of the world’s most exciting air battles in history to gamers all over the world, and Heroes over Europe builds on the series’ impressive legacy with highly detailed realistic visual presentation and an even deeper online experience,” said Cyril Voiron, VP Brand Management Worldwide Publishing, Atari.

“Transmission Games did an incredible job on the first game, Heroes of the Pacific, and this second game in the series is definitely benefiting from that experience,“ said Simon Price, President of Red Mile Entertainment. “We are very excited to partner with Atari to bring this stunning title to gamers worldwide.”



Developed by Transmission Games (formerly IR Gurus) in Melbourne, Australia, and powered by an all-new engine, Heroes over Europe is set to raise the bar for flight combat games, with new and unique game modes, and deeper and more comprehensive online gameplay for up to 16 players. Visually, the game takes no prisoners with meticulously rendered environments including faithful recreations of London and Berlin, and ultra-realistic iconic warplanes of the era, all presented in stunning high definition graphics. With additional content available to download from launch, Heroes over Europe is scheduled for release in 2009.