Champions Online MMO video game server status

Champions Online MMO video game server status

Cryptic Studios, a leading independent developer of massively-multiplayer online role playing games, has chosen IBM servers to power its highly anticipated massively multiplayer online (MMO) action game, Champions Online, being published by 2K Games and developed for PC and consoles.

Based on the popular Champions pen-and-paper RPG, Champions Online will give players the power of total customization for their hero experience while they explore a vast comic book universe. IBM System x offers a responsive, scalable architecture that Cryptic Studios needs to deliver immersive, and action-packed experiences to all level of gamers. This architecture will accommodate thousands of simultaneous worldwide users and millions of game downloads while delivering a high-performance gaming experience.

“Cryptic Studios is dedicated to building strong player communities, and developing challenging, yet accessible games with deep and enjoyable gameplay,” said Bruce Rogers, chief technical officer for Cryptic. “Our development team aims to deliver the best player experience possible. With the high performance capabilities and scalability of IBM System x, Cryptic will be able to deliver the quality experience our players expect.”

The System x solution is power efficient, helping Cryptic Studios manage energy costs. With an open, flexible design, the System x infrastructure will efficiently scale as Cryptic Studios expands its business worldwide.

“IBM is dedicated to helping Cryptic Studios deliver an electrifying experience to their gamer community by providing an optimized and high performing infrastructure,” said David Laux, IBM Global executive, games and interactive entertainment. “Backed by the power of System x, Champions Online players can fully immerse themselves in their superhero experience without worrying about lagging performance or threats of system failures.”

IBM System x is based on X4, the fourth generation of IBM's X-Architecture design blueprint for Intel processor-based servers. X-Architecture is the "secret sauce" that makes IBM x86 systems so reliable, efficient and powerful.

To experience Champions Online please visit www.champions-online.com.

Rock Band adds Megadeth album Peace sells - but who's buying? to video game

Megadeth’s album Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying? as the fourth album to join the Rock Band Music Store catalog of downloadable content. One of the most influential heavy metal albums of its time, Peace Sells…

But Who’s Buying? will be available starting September 16, 2008, for the Xbox360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and September 18, 2008, for PlayStation 3 computer entertainmentsystem.

Megadeth, a pioneer of the American thrash metal movement, has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide and continues to stand apart with their snarling vocals and distinctive guitar style. The seminal 1986 classic Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying? has sold more than one million copies nationwide, with the title track included on the Rock Band 2 disc with the DLC album including the following tracks:

1. Wake Up Dead
2. The Conjuring
3. Devil’s Island
4. Good Mourning / Black Friday
5. Bad Omen
6. I Ain’t Superstitious
7. My Last Words

Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying? will be available for $10.99 (880 Microsoft Points) for the album, or $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points) per track.

Banjo Kazooie Nuts and Bolts Xbox 360 video game trailer from Rare

Banjo Kazooie Nuts and Bolts Xbox 360 video game

Famed game developer Rare is most beloved and successful game series exclusively on Xbox 360 with the third installment of the “Banjo-Kazooie” series.

“Banjo-Kazooie - Nuts & Bolts” embraces new and old fans alike, as the famous bear and bird duo return in stunning high definition for a unique adventure of epic proportions.


Watch the Banjo Kazooie Nuts and Bolts Xbox 360 video game YouTube video here...

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Amazon remove bad SPORE reviews then put them back...

Gamers unhappy at Spore's DRM - digital rights management attacked SPOREs reputation earlier this week, forcing its user rating on Amazon down by posting damming reviews about the three-installation limit EA impose on the software.

Read the full Amazon SPORE DRM posts here...

Full Amazon statement:

You might have noticed that the customer reviews on the Spore details page were missing today. I wanted to let you know that we experienced a site glitch that resulted in the removal of the reviews. Amazon did not knowingly or consciously choose to remove the reviews. The team is working on resolving this issue now and restoring all the reviews on the site.

Per our policy, Amazon doesn't censor or edit customer reviews and we'd only remove a review if it fell outside our guidelines.

All SPORE posts on gamezplay.org here...

PES 2009 screenshots with Manchester United, Liverpool, Scotland and more

PES 2009 the latest installment of Pro Evolution Soccer, features a wide array of new additions to enhance the games reputation as the best realistic football game ever.

With all new control, player AI to take the game to new levels. PES 2009s new graphical update with players identical to real-life, new moves, online changes to further boost the look and feel of PES 2009.

Manchester United and Liverpool are now the game a great step forward for PES 2009 with full use of the team’s kits and badge.

Some images from PES 2009...

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Halo Wars - Ensemble Studios to close say Microsoft

Halo Wars studio to close say Microsoft

Microsoft have told Ensemble Studios that once they finish Halo Wars they can shut up shop...

Why in a booming video games industry can a developer working on one of the most successful games close?

As Tony Goodman says on the Ensemble web site "It was a shock to everyone at Ensemble Studios, still working on Halo Wars"

Microsoft say it isn't a reflection of talent or quality from Ensemble but market forces, and they promise to try and find new position for the staff within the company.

What now for Halo Wars? Halo Wars was the first spinoff of the highly successful Halo video game on the Xbox 360? Halo 3 sales top over 8 million games in less than a year. Ensemble studios have a good track record with PC video game Age of Empires.

Does this mean Microsoft are giving up on these Xbox 360 and PC titles? Not at all say Microsoft - 'We are committed to strategy video games like Age of Empires and Halo Wars.

Let's all hope that Halo Wars and Age of Empires is not the last video games we see from the Microsoft Games for windows label.

DragonBall Z - Infinite World the best of DragonBall Z video games on PlayStation 2

Final Dragon Ball Z Game for PlayStation 2 Combines the Greatest Elements from the World-renowned Dragon Ball Z TV Series and Video Games.

It’s time for one final mighty Kamehameha for the PlayStation 2 as Atari announce the forthcoming European launch of NAMCO BANDAI Games’ Dragon Ball Z - Infinite World for PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system in December 2008. Developed by NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc., Dragon Ball Z - Infinite World combines all the best elements of previous Dragon Ball Z: Budokai games, whilst also boasting new features such as “Dragon Missions”, new battle types and drama scenes for fans to delve deeper than ever before into the Dragon Ball Z universe.

The new “Dragon Missions” in Dragon Ball Z: Infinite World include many famous scenes from the Dragon Ball Z series never before seen in a video game. A range of missions from time attack in the “Snake Road Mission” alongside other action and racing-style missions puts players’ strategy and quick-thinking skills to the test beyond simply showing off their deadly fighting skills.

But no Dragon Ball Z game would be complete without its fair share of spectacular battles. Dragon Ball Z - Infinite World uses a simplified battle system taken from the recently released next-gen Dragon Ball Z - Burst Limit for thrilling hand-to-hand fighting on the ground, or flying leaps and aerial combat in the skies. In addition, new ideas have been added to the battle system. Defeat your opponent by blasting damaging Ki attacks from the sky or by diving into him and launching an explosive smash attack.

The game features over 40 unique characters, not counting the different forms that each character can transform into which multiplies the playing potential. On top of characters, fighting techniques and battle stages, Dragon Ball Z - Infinite World also includes selected drama scenes from the previous games all presented using beautifully refined effects and shading techniques.

Representing the last “Z” title for the PlayStation 2, Dragon Ball Z - Infinite World combines the best elements from the previous Budokai and Shin-Budokai series, as well as the recently released and much-admired next-gen Dragon Ball Z - Burst Limit, to deliver the definitive DBZ experience on PlayStation 2.

The Dragon Ball Z series is the gold standard of anime-based video games, with more than 25 different games and over 10 million units sold since May 2002.

Head for the Big City with New CITIES XL Trailers

Two new preview videos showcase a wide variety of game features

As an introduction to key gameplay elements for their upcoming next-generation city builder, CITIES XL, Monte Cristo is making available two new walkthrough videos today. In the first video, viewers will learn about the game's emphasis on realism, from structure, map design and transport, to the way the citizens impact the game simulation.

Watch video New CITIES XL one on YouTube here...

Watch video New CITIES XL two on YouTube here...

WiiWare add Strong Bad Episode 2 + Potpourrii and Mega Man 2 to Nintendo VC

WiiWare

Strong Bad Episode 2: Strong Badia the Free (Telltale Games, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Crude Humor, Mild Cartoon Violence, Use of Alcohol, 1,000 Wii Points) - Strong Badia the Free is the second of five monthly episodes starring Strong Bad-the self-proclaimed "coolest person ever"-and the rest of the cast from the popular Homestar Runner Web cartoons. When Strong Bad fails to obey the King of Town's totally unfair e-mail tax, he's placed under house arrest. Once freed from his wrongful imprisonment, Strong Bad goes on a mission to unite the local warring factions under the Strong Badian flag. Is Free Country USA ready for such an awesome ruler? Strong Bad Episode 2: Strong Badia the Free also has the Videlectrix arcade classic "Math Kickers Featuring the Algebros," plus all-new achievements, collectibles, costumes and Teen Girl Squad comics. You can even use Strong Bad's Lappy to send e-mails and pictures to your Wii Friends. So what are you waiting for? Fire up Strong Badia the Free and get ready to kick some doughy King of Town butt.

Potpourrii (Abstraction Games, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points) - In the puzzle game Potpourrii, everything revolves around the seasons. For centuries, the seasons have followed a set pattern. But then things start to go awry in the forest. Suddenly it's snowing while the sun shines and flowers bloom while leaves are falling. Then a strange purple goo appears. The leprechauns are stunned. Even worse, the magic oak of life loses its power. It all turns out to be the fault of an evil wizard. You must help the leprechauns defeat him and restore natural order. To do this, you need to collect seasonal spirits. Pick them up with the spirit cannon, shoot them at the center of the screen, group them and make them disappear. But watch out-they get faster and faster. In short: Potpourrii is a puzzle game that keeps you hooked with its colorful visuals, beautiful effects and easy-to-use controls using the Wii Remote controller. Play alone or with a second player, and even use your Mii character.

Virtual Console

Mega Man 2 (NES, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Cartoon Violence, 500 Wii Points) - Widely regarded by fans as one of the greatest action games of all time, Mega Man 2 is the second title in the seminal NES series. With even more stages and robot masters than the previous installment, its sheer size and scope are enough to get any action gamer's heart palpitating. The year is 200X. Dr. Light's super-robot, Mega Man, has succeeded in smashing the evil ambition of the nefarious Dr. Wily, and peace reigns over the planet. However, Dr. Wily proves to be a hard man to keep down and has returned with a new army of robot masters in tow to challenge our hero. Can Mega Man save the world again?

More WiiWare posts on gamezplay.org here...

WWII Tank Simulator Steel Fury - Kharkov 1942 video game out Nov 7th

Steel Fury - Kharkov 1942, their historical detailed tank simulation game, has a solid release date. This PC DVD-ROM game will be available online in the U.S. and Canada early November and will begin hitting stores shelves across European territories on November 7, 2008. Accompanying this press release is the official box shot featuring the famous T-34/76 mod. 1941 tank during a ferocious confrontation.

The events of Steel Fury: Kharkov 1942 are based on a little-known Russian offensive that occurred during May 1942, in which a German counterattack had three Soviet armies surrounded, forcing them to fight their way out of the Barvenkovskiy Kotel 'meat grinder'.

GAME SUMMARY

Steel Fury: Kharkov 1942 is based on real-life events that took place from May 12 to 28, 1942, which engaged the Red Army in the fight of their lives. During a vicious German counterattack that began on May 17, 1942, three Soviet Armies were surrounded and were forced to fighting in what has become known as the "meat grinder." Through the monstrous roar of tanks and military vehicles, and the blaring sounds of war, players will experience bitterness at the loss of their comrades during battle and elation when they are victorious.

FEATURES

• Historical Authenticity: Missions are based on true historical events recreated from archives and photo references, including the interiors and exteriors of vehicles and tactical markings. The player has access to vast battlefields without obstructions from impenetrable forests or other obstacles, allowing them to choose any path available to achieve victory!
  


• Fear and Fury Filled Missions: Throughout 30 playable missions in three unique single-player campaigns, experience large scale battles with numerous active vehicles.
  


• Vehicles: Interact with and command all units involved in the advance against the enemy, including: more than 40 different realistically modelled vehicles, with three playable tanks: T-34/76 mod. 1941, Mk.II 'Matilda' III, and the Pz. IV Ausf. F2.


• Take Full Control: In first and third person views, assume crew positions for Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver and Hull Gunner.
  


• Realistic Game Physics: The advanced game engine allows for precise calculation of ballistics and collisions models. Objects can be destroyed and the terrain is deformable. Both player and AI controlled vehicles are subject to realistic physics.
  


• Realistic Environments: The game engine supports dynamic lighting, featuring night-time missions and different weather conditions. The engine's particle system allows for realistic smoke and water effects, as well as debris from explosions.
  


• Damage Model: Everything in the path of a tank-round can be destroyed. Vehicles can damage buildings and knock down trees. Due to the advanced game engine, impacting shells create craters and trenches take damaged when tanks run over them, deforming the terrain.
  


• Difficulty Levels: Players can adjust the level of complexity the game offers. Missions gradually raise the difficulty level by introducing more vehicles, troops and harder to achieve mission goals. Thanks to training missions, the player can easily learn how to control their tank and supporting AI troops from all crew positions.
  


• Editors and Utilities: Players have the ability to create custom missions and make modifications. Easy-to-use editors make it possible to add new vehicles and weapons to the game.