Top Five - Best selling games of 2008

In 2008 the top five best selling video games are as follows...

1. Grand Theft Auto IV sold 6,293,000 (since April still not available in Japan) 
   
2. Super Smash Bros. Brawl sold 5,433,000
   
3. Mario Kart Wii sold 4,697,000
   
4. Wii Fit sold 3,604,000
   
5. Guitar Hero III sold 3,475,000
   

Totals 23,502,000 top five video games sold.

TORCS free multiplayer video racing game for PC Mac + Linux

TORCS, The Open Racing Car Simulator is a highly portable multi platform car racing simulation.

It is used as ordinary car racing game, as AI racing game and as research platform.

It runs on Linux (x86, AMD64 and PPC), FreeBSD, MacOSX and Windows.

The source code of TORCS is licensed under the GPL ("Open Source").

You find more information about the project in the menu bar on the left.

If you need help have a look at the FAQ first.

You can contact us on the torcs-users mailing list (you need to subscribe to use it).

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Visit the game website here...

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Download the free game here...

BZFlag - Free Mac PC multiplayer Tank video game

BZFlag is a free online multiplayer cross-platform open source 3D tank battle game.

The name originates from "Battle Zone capture the Flag". It runs on Irix, Linux, BSD, Windows, Mac OS X, and many other platforms.

It's one of the most popular games ever on Silicon Graphics machines and continues to be developed and improved to this day. It's one of the most popular open source games ever.

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Vist the game website here...

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Download the free Tank game here

Petz Rescue video game - save, nurture and heal endangered animals

Petz Rescue video game - save, nurture and heal endangered animals.

Today at Games Convention, Ubisoft unveiled Petz Rescue, a new brand of video games for Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS. Fulfilling every child’s dream of protecting the planet and preserving diverse animal life, the first games in the Petz Rescue series allow young players to save, nurture and heal endangered animals.

“We are thrilled about the expansion of the popular Petz franchise, which is our sixth best-selling brand, with over 13 million units sold to date,” said Tony Key, senior vice president of sales and marketing, North America, Ubisoft. “In the Petz games, children had the chance to take care of a variety of cute animals; with Petz Rescue, they will be empowered to actually save and heal the wildlife they encounter. This new line is designed to provide young players with positive messages about animal conservation through fun and exciting adventures.”

In Petz Rescue Wildlife Vet, available for Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii, players live an amazing adventure as a young vet who cares for domestic and exotic animals, and investigates the cause behind the local animals’ illnesses.

Petz Rescue Endangered Paradise for Nintendo DS allows players to become members of an environmental rescue team whose mission is to save the wildlife on a beautiful island that has been threatened by pollution.

Petz Rescue Ocean Patrol for Nintendo DS puts players in the role of Greg or Mila, who must help their uncle save endangered marine life on a secluded island.

The Petz Rescue titles are rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and will be available in North America in October 2008.

Tank Universal video game is now available for download

Tank Universal is now available for download on most digital channels.

"After much hard work, a little digital elbow grease and in conjunction with our publishing partner, Meridian4 - Dialogue Design is thrilled to announce that today is the day for the release of our much-awaited indie tank blasting title Tank Universal.” said Phil Jones of Dialogue Design, “Interest has been strong in the lead-up to the game's release and we would like to thank all those who pre-ordered and to wish everyone good luck (and good aiming) in the virtual tank battles ahead!"

“As I have stated before, we instantly took a liking to Tank Universal when it was shown to us. Its unique look, its gameplay features and the fun factor were all present. Now that gamers and the press have a chance to play it, I know it’ll become an instant Indie classic.” said Andy Sher, CEO at Meridian4.



Tank Universal is available now 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

Guinness World Records - The Videogame on Nintedno DS and Wii

Key facts about Guinness World Records - The Videogame

Bringing record-breaking fun to players everywhere, Guinness World Records: The Videogame will launch on the Nintendo Wii and DS in Winter 2008. Go head to head against your friends and family to be the ultimate world record holder! Compete in 36 different challenges based on real life world records in your quest to become the record breaker. Then post your scores online and see how you rate against other competitors around the world. The game’s quick-fire action challenges can be played solo, in teams, or in competitive multi-player groups. Players are able to compete for the ultimate prize – the chance to be listed in the official Guinness World Records book!


FEATURES:

• With 36 different challenges based on real Guinness World Records, the whole family or a group of friends have a shot at becoming a record breaker


• Upload your scores and compare your record breaking skills with other challengers from around the world. Can you become a real world record holder, and if so how long can you keep it..?


• Get listed in the actual Guinness World Records archives by earning the highest worldwide score on any challenge.


• Travel the world to compete in record-breaking feats such as - Fastest Time to Crush Watermelons With Your Head, Fastest Time to Eat a Plane, Fastest Time to Shear Five Sheep, and many more.


• Collect fact cards and record breaking certificates on the campaign to become a world record breaker


• Earn GWR Coins by breaking records and use them to unlock to more events and personalize your character.

PLATFORMS: Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii
RELEASE DATE: Winter 2008
PUBLISHER: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
DEVELOPER: TT Games
PEGI: 3+
USK: EVERYONE
GENRE: Party Game

Design your own home with Grand designs 3D

Grand Designs brand which will enable amateur design enthusiasts to create and visualise their own Grand Designs projects. The Grand Designs 3D product range, including Self Build & Development, Kitchen and Bathroom and Renovation and Interior packages, will be launched at Grand Designs Live on 10 October 2008.

Grand Designs 3D is based on "ARCON", Eleco's leading 3D design software. With input from FME's UK licensing team and the talkbackTHAMES production team, Grand Designs 3D contains the quality and maintains the credentials of the two brands to create a unique product offering.

Grand Designs 3D will allow the user to quickly, easily and accurately design the exterior, interior and garden of their dream home. Initially, there will be three software packages in the product range catering for projects of a variety of sizes and budgets; from simple remodelling of existing properties to complete self-build projects. The product output can also be used by homeowners to apply for outline planning permission.

2D drawing tools will initially allow the user to bring to life ideas before visualising them in a 3D environment. A database of fixtures and fittings allows each project to be furnished and decorated with rendered images demonstrating the effects of texturing, lighting and even shadows. Finally, the 3D walk through feature allows each project to be examined in close-up detail and provides a genuine impression of moving around the finished home or room. Adaptations can be easily implemented; altering both small and large details at will until the users own Grand Design is completed

Dan Naylor, CEO of Eleco Visualisation Software, commented: "Eleco has a strong reputation as a provider of home design software across the UK and Europe; it is a perfect match to work alongside Grand Designs to attract a wider consumer audience to engage with the design process of their living space.

We feel our product is launching at an ideal time in a market where homeowners are increasingly looking to improve their existing property rather than move on. We hope that our software allows increasing numbers of consumers to visualise their ideas and perhaps even start their own Grand Design."

Dominic Burns, FME SVP Licensing UK, added: "We are delighted to be partnering with Eleco on this cutting edge software that will give users a keener understanding of the skills required to take on a Grand Design. The TV series actively encourages Grand Designers to work with the correct experts on their projects, be it architects or designers and this type of product will enable them to speak the same language."

To find out more about Eleco and its range of 3D Architectural products, go to: http://www.store.eleco.com/

Ninja Town video game on Nintendo DS

Introducing Feroshi the Dino Slug....

"Give me candy or else..."

This Dino Slug has been around Shawnimaland for some time, but the significant role he plays within Ninjatown wasn't known until recently.

It seems our otherwise harmless Feroshi is greatly feared by the ninjas, since they feel he controls the active volcano Mt. Feroshi that towers above Ninjatown.

Feroshi swears he has no special powers beyond breathing fire, but he'll play along since he likes the attention.
Motto

"Give me candy or else..."

The House of the Dead video game - Overkill - Fact Sheet

The House of the Dead - Overkill - Fact Sheet

Thet've come for brains, you'll give them bullets!

The House of the Dead: OVERKILL charges you with mowing down waves of infected, blood-thirsty zombies in a last-ditch effort to survive Bayou City and uncover the horrific truth behind the origins of the House of the Dead.



Survival horror as it’s never been seen before! A pulp-style take on the classic SEGA light-gun shooter series. Back when the famous Agent G was still fresh out of the academy, he teamed up with hard-boiled bad-ass Agent Washington to investigate stories of mysterious disappearances in small-town Louisiana. Little did they know what blood-soaked mutant horror would await them in the streets and swamps of Bayou City.

Features –

• Pulp Funk Horror.
Zombie cool, one of the most popular shooter classics injected with a whole new retro b-movie look.

• An utterly in-your-face zombie-dismembering blast.
Non-stop light-gun style action on Wii, blow apart zombies for high-score thrills.

• Superb co-op action on Wii.
Bring a friend and play the game as intended in your own buddy action movie as two of the meanest characters in video gaming.

• Relentless, gore-drenched, over-the-top action.
Only the coolest, most cold-hearted agent’s going to keep his head against the zombie flood. Use “Slow-Mofo Time” to make the perfect head-popping shot and “Evil Eye” to spot moments of opportunity that’ll send the whole environment up in flames.

• Wiimote reactions.
Get knee-deep in the dead with motion-sensitive Wii-controls. Shuck a shotgun and when the zombies get too close, pistol whip jaws off or cave some heads in with the stock of your pump-action – all in stomach-churning close-up.

Age Rating: 18+ TBC
Format: Nintendo Wii

Overlord - Minions Nintendo DS video game - Fact Sheet

Overlord - Minions - Fact Sheet

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 gloriously realised cartoon visual style.

• Exclusive Overlord Adventure for Nintendo DS: Use the DS Stylus to command and combine your minions in battle and direct them to solve puzzles. Overlord Minions 100% touchscreen control system makes for intuitive, rewarding and accessible gameplay as you direct the mischievously malevolent minions through an unforgettable fantasy world.

• Control An Elite Minion Fighting Force: Command a crack squad of minions who’ll take on every order with a devilish smile on their face. Whether they’re going into battle, combining to perform increasingly powerful attacks or solving puzzles, their on-going banter and playful-yet-ferociously-violent nature perfectly compliments the unfolding carnage.

• Meet the Elite: Direct four of the most mischievous, malevolent and manic minions hand-picked for this new adventure. Control each minion individually or team them up to solve puzzles and perform more powerful attacks.

- Giblet is a brown minion and the main fighter, brave, willing, and a little dumb.
- Blaze is a pyromaniac red minion who throws fireballs as a powerful range attack.
- Stench is a smelly green minion who overpowers enemies with his fart dart amongst other obnoxious attacks.
- Zap is a blue minion and the mystic shaman of the unit. He channels magic through this body and can heal the other minions, should they be injured.
- Plus: Gnarl, Minion master and devoted servant of the Overlord, is on hand with information, tactical advice and a healthy hatred of elves.

• A new adventure in the twisted fantasy world of the Overlord: In this new story from award-winning games writer Rhianna Pratchett, the Minions must prevent Silas, head of a new Cult, resurrecting an almighty Dragon and threatening the Overlord’s totalitarianism. Prepare to battle a huge range of new enemies from infected sheep, goats, spiders, paladins, infected dwarves, mutated trolls, scorpions, winged elves and many more to take on.

• Playing for laughs: Overlord Minions extends the Overlord series’ trademark humour and plays on the mischievous physical comedy of the minion’s antics.

Title: Overlord Minions
Format: Nintendo DS
Publisher: Codemasters
Developer: Climax/ Codemasters
Genre: Puzzle Action
Releasing: 2009