Farmyard Party video game - featuring the Olympigs on Nintendo Wii

Farmyard Party – featuring the Olympigs.

Farmyard Party - Featuring the Olympigs brings farmyard fun to the Nintendo Wii. The game has eight Olympig events which are divided into four categories: all-round, speed, power, and skill. Game modes include a marathon challenge, party modes themed around event styles, single event fun and some hilarious bonus games.

The game play revolves around using a combination of the Nintendo Wii Remote and Nintendo Nunchuk in various ways to complete each event. The events require a combination of speed, timing and more than a little sweat! Alongside the challenges of beating the game records and those of your friends, there are a number of new characters, bonus games and a development gallery for players to unlock.

Based on the cornerstones of sportsmanship and competitiveness of the fun and crazy games, Farmyard Party is an ideal choice for family friendly fun in the New Year. Farmyard Party: Featuring the Olympigs provides an entertaining multiplayer experience (4 player mode), with colourful graphics and physically demanding gameplay.


Available for North America, Europe, Asia
Genre: Sports / Party
No. of players: Up to 4 players
Platform: Nintendo Wii
Publisher: Data Design Interactive

Combat Mission Shock Force PC video game - new video

With the release of the first Module for Combat Mission Shock Force - Marines - we're happy to release a new set of four hot new in-game action videos today from the latest build (a final candidate build in fact)!

Handgrenades! This short in-game video shows the improved TacAI logic of soldiers engaging enemy troops independently, even during movement.

Ridge - a short in-game video highlighting the new ridge behavior: notice how the US Marines on top of the ridge are lined up against it and not spread out through the entire action spot.

T-90's - in-game footage of Syrian T-90 tanks assaulting, supported by some Mechanized Infantry.

Town Assault - in-game footage of US Marines infantry assaulting an enemy held town and running into some Syrian tanks. Both Action and Command Phases are shown, including the new "action spot highlight" feature.

Combat Mission Shock Force Marines videos page here...

Exodus from the Earth PC video game new screenshots

Exodus from the Earth - upcoming shooter will keep players guessing up until the final step with its intriguing and unpredictable storyline. Exodus from the Earth will be available for PC September 30th, 2008.

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About Exodus from the Earth -
Mankind assumed it would take five billion years until the earth began to die. In reality, it is 2016, and the planet earth is living its last twenty years. The Sun has begun to grow, burning everything around it and turning Earth into a lifeless nightmare. Mankind must adapt to extraterrestrial conditions or find an Earth-like planet where humans can live.

Updated Linux 3.20 Patch For Dominions 3 - The Awakening

Network Bug Slain With +5 Vorpal Coding!

When it comes to computer gaming you test and test the code but even then you can still roll a critical fumble. Near the end of August Illwinter Game Design and Shrapnel Games released a new patch for the multi-award winning fantasy strategy title, Dominions 3: The Awakening, bringing the retail version up to 3.20. Unfortunately in the time since its release a network bug has been identified on systems using 64-bit Linux for the operating system. Once identified the bug was quickly cornered, made to feel really bad through a series of lectures critical of its self image, and ultimately destroyed in a spectacular display of ones and zeroes.

If you play Dominions 3 - The Awakening and you use 64-bit Linux (and ONLY Linux, Windows and Mac users DO NOT have to download a new patch) please download the 3.20b patch at the following location:
www.shrapnelgames.com/Illwinter/DOM3/DOM3_page.html

Now while Windows and Mac users don't need to download an updated patch if you missed the patch the first time around now is the time to grab it. The 3.20 patch is aimed at giving modders even more flexibility, along with adding a couple things for folks who enjoy megagames of Dominions 3 - The Awakening.

Highlights of the patch include:

• Occasional crash during host fixed.
• Move order validation improved.
• Battle enchantments expired when caster retreats from battleground.
• New switch: -nocheatdet.
• Nation mods properly recognized when starting network games.
• Increased maximum number of maps allowed in the map folder.
• New weapon modding commands: #dt_small, #dt_large, #dt_raise, #dt_magic, #dt_constuctonly, #dt_demononly, #mrnegates, #mrnegateseasily, #mind.
• Weapon modding: Range -1 = strength as range, -2 = str/2, etc.
• Increased modding limits for maximum number of monsters and descriptions.
• Monster modding: #cold and #heat takes an area variable.
• New monster modding commands: #watershape, #landshape, #forestshape, #plainshape, #unique, #stormimmune, #startaff, #bloodvengeance, #stonebeing, #leper, #beckon.
• LA Atlantis uw recruitment improved.
• LA Atlantis hero.
• Modding: Fixed problem with disappearing magic abilities when enabling many mods.
• Increased maximum number of messages (for huge games).
• Increased maximum number of commanders and units (for huge games).

Included in the patch are also two manuals for anyone with a desire to tinker with the game: an all new, map making manual and an updated mod maker manual. Both manuals succinctly cover all the important facets you need to craft your own maps and make your own mods. Both of these reference works, written by both the game developers and community leader Esko Halttunen, are invaluable tools that will open up new worlds for your Dominions 3: The Awakening experience.

Windows and Mac users who missed the patch can find it at the same location as given above. Just look for the "Downloads" section on the official game page.

Cut Price Rock Band Instrument Edition on Microsoft Xbox 360

Rock Band Set to Ship for the PLAYSTATION 3, PlayStation 2 and Nintendo Wii in UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria and Luxembourg.

Rock Band continues its European invasion as Harmonix, the leading developer of music-based games, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV, along with distribution partner Electronic Arts, today announced a European price cut for the Rock Band Instrument Edition on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

In addition, Rock Band for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 computer entertainment systems and NintemndoWii will ship to retail and will be available in the UK the week of September 8th, in France the week of September 15th, in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria and Luxembourg the week of September 22nd and in Spain the week commencing September 29th. The Instrument Edition of Rock Band will retail for €139.99 in Europe and £109.99 in the United Kingdom for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system, PlayStation 2 system and Nintendo Wii.

Rock Band is an all-new platform for music fans and gamers to interact with music. The game challenges players to put together a band and tour for fame and fortune, mastering lead/bass guitar, drums and vocals. With more master recordings than any other music game, Rock Band features some of the world’s biggest rock artists and spans every genre of rock ranging from alternative and classic rock to heavy metal and punk.

In addition to the 58 tracks from the North American release, Rock Band will feature nine additional tracks including:

• Blur “Beetlebum” (English)*
• Oasis “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” (English)
• Tokio Hotel “Monsoon” (English)
• Muse “Hysteria” (English)
• Les Wampas “Manu Chao” (French)
• Playmo “New Wave” (French)
• Die Toten Hosen “Hier Kommt Alex” (German)
• Juli “Perfekte Welle” (German)
• H-Block X “Countdown to Insanity” (German)
(*cover song)

In addition, Rock Band’s unprecedented library of more than 200 songs available for purchase and download to date in North America is now available in Europe for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system and PlayStation 3 system. All new Rock Band downloadable content will be available simultaneously in the US and Europe on a weekly basis. For a complete list of Rock Band songs available for purchase to date, please go to http://www.rockband.com/dlc.

The King of Fighters '98 video game Ultimate Match for the PlayStation 2 - PS2

The King of All Fighting Games Coming in January 2009

Ignition a UTV Enterprise, a worldwide publisher and developer of videogames, in conjunction with SNK PLAYMORE CORPORATION, announced today that The King of Fighters ’98 Ultimate Match for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system will be shipping to retailers across North America come January 2009.



The King of Fighters franchise is considered one of the last great arcade 3-on-3 fighters. The series groups together fighters from many of SNK’s other hit games – like Art of Fighting, Fatal Fury and Ikari Warriors – into three-person teams to battle in a high-action martial arts tournament.

By mixing characters from different teams, players can create an unstoppable force of various styles and abilities.

The King of Fighters ’98 Ultimate Match, priced at $19.99 (M.S.R.P.), brings gamers an updated version of “The King of Fighters ‘98,” previously only seen in arcades, to North America for the very first time. The King of Fighters ’98 Ultimate Match contains a grand total of 64 characters, 9 of which are new to the Ultimate Match version, showcasing the most characters ever included in a 2D fighting game!

Enhanced The King of Fighters ’98 Ultimate Match Game Features Include:

• “Ultimate Mode”: Along with the features of Extra and Advanced Modes, gamers will find the newly added Ultimate Mode which allows players to choose any kind of movement, evasion action, and power gauge.

• New Characters: A total of 9 new characters including Eiji Kisaragi from KOF ’95, Kasumi Todoh, Geese Howard, Mr. Big, Wolfgang Krauser and Goenitz from KOF ’96 as well as Orochi Iori, Orochi Leona and Orochi from KOF ’97!
Players will also find newly added characters like the King, Blue Mary, Ryuji Yamazaki, and Geese Howard to expand combat options.

• New Additions and Alterations to Graphics: Openings and Character Select screens have been redesigned.

• Includes the original NEOGEO version of The King of Fighters ’98

Sting and Tool join Guitar Hero - World Tour video game

Police Frontman/Bassist Sting to Lend Voice and Likeness; Rockers Tool Bring Three Popular Tracks and Band-Designed Venue to the Game

Rock and roll legend Sting and progressive metal pioneers Tool are making their video game debuts, contributing more than just music, in Activision, Guitar Hero World Tour.

In what will be the largest collection of artists ever to appear in a Guitar Hero game, singer-songwriter, actor, author, activist and lead singer/bassist of The Police, Sting will add his voice and likeness as an in-game character. Aspiring frontmen can take the stage as Sting throughout their vocal career or play alongside him as he performs one of The Police classics, “Demolition Man.”



Hugely popular alternative metal band Tool, known for their epic, intense musical arrangements and killer visual arts, will also soon be known for their contribution to the upcoming Guitar Hero World Tour. Guitar Hero fans from all over the world will be able to rock out to “Parabola” and Grammy-award winning “Schism” from Tool’s critically-acclaimed 2001 album Lateralus in addition to “Vicarious” from their 2006 Grammy-award winning album 10,000 Days. The game will also feature an all-new venue designed in collaboration with the band and highlighting the art style that has become a staple in their music videos, live shows and album artwork.

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 controllers 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 GHTunesSM where other gamers can download and play an endless supply of unique creations.

Tug-of-War Among Japanese Video Game Makers

With a deadline looming, Tecmo rejected takeover from rival Square Enix. 

Now, it's exploring a merger with a different game outfit, Koei

When Japanese video game developer Square Enix unveiled its "friendly" offer to buy rival Tecmo last week, analysts and investors applauded. The two companies seemed a natural fit: Square Enix's Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest series had a huge following among diehards in Japan, while Tecmo's Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive fighting games were popular in the U.S. and Europe. 

To sweeten the deal, Square Enix President Yoichi Wada pledged to preserve the Tecmo brand. He gave Tecmo's management a week to think it over.

On Sept. 4, with a midnight deadline looming, Tecmo said no to Square Enix's takeover bid. A couple of hours later, Tecmo revealed why: The $110 million Tokyo company was exploring a possible merger with a different Japanese game maker, Koei. The two said they would form a joint committee to discuss a plan. Koei President Kenji Matsubara told reporters they would spend the next two months drawing up a detailed plan.

Read the full "Tug-of-War Among Japanese Video Game Makers" Business Week article here...

Nintendo DS Guitar Hero video games rock at the bus stop

Guitar Hero - On Tour - Review

Pick your way to rock stardom or slip into a strange, cartoon world with Guitar Hero on Nintendo DS video games.

Guitar Hero - On Tour is about as faithful as a pint-size version of the series could be.

Guitar Hero - On Tour is packed with the Guitar Grip - attachment that plugs into the Nintendo DS providing the fret buttons - so crucial to Guitar Hero - On Tour game play. There are only four buttons instead of five on the Nintendo DS version.

The grip also has a guitar pick shape stylus.

Grip is a bit tough to master it is tricky to find a comfortable way to hold it, and gamers with larger fingers may find that it's easy to hit the wrong buttons. The player slides the stylus across the touch screen instead of a strum bar.

Guitar Hero - On Tour plays like the console version. The song list is about half that of a standard Guitar Hero video game because the capacity of a Nintedno DS card is much less than a DVD, but the variety of songs is good.

System: Nintendo DS
Price: $49.99
Age rating: Everyone 10+

Also available for Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii

PS3, Wii, 2 x Xbox 360s, 40' HDTV, dance mat, Rock Band kit all in 8 x 12 ft living room

Brooklyn - 450 square foot apartment living room is about 8 x 12 feet. 

In that space there's a 40-inch HDTV, 2 Xbox 360s — one retail, one debug — a PlayStation 3, a Nintendo Wii,  a collection of video games loads of gaming peripherals, plus other great things like records, toys, books and more ...

Plenty of room for “Rock Band” was important so loads of Rock band kit. Now add Active Life - Outdoor Challenge with the Active Life mat. 

Relocate the Wii Fit balance board - right next to three plastic guitars - move the couch back to make room for it. 

That made me realise… how many gaming peripherals I have.

Read the complete story on MTV web site here...