gamezplay

Monday, October 13, 2008

Square Enix 'MindSet' mind controlled video games

NeuroSky manufacturer of “wearable” consumer bio-sensors, announced the unveiling of a brainwave-controlled video game at the Tokyo Game Show 2008 in Makuhari, Japan, on October 9 and 10. This exciting and entertaining demonstration is based on a new game concept being jointly developed with Square Enix.

The technical demonstration developed with Square Enix operates in conjunction with Windows PC machines and features the NeuroSky commercial headset, MindSet. The recently introduced MindSet is capable of interfacing to a variety of gaming platforms, including PC, console and mobile. It resembles a pair of headphones, with a single electrode contacting the user’s forehead while reading the player’s brainwave information, or EEG data. The headset registers the current state of relaxation or concentration of players, allowing them to perform a variety of actions within the game.

“At Square Enix, we are actively involved in developing a variety of gaming interfaces. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to work with NeuroSky, and apply their advanced sensor technology in this brain-wave controlled game demonstration,” commented Ryutaro Ichimura, Producer at Square Enix. “Although the main purpose of the demo is to test the results of our short development period, I hope it also unlocks new potentials in gaming.”

Stanley Yang, the CEO of NeuroSky, considers the joint development with Square Enix as further validation that brainwave-reading (EEG) technology is rapidly emerging onto the video game scene. “We are delighted to have built such an important partnership with a key industry player to have jointly developed a demonstration based on brainwave-reading technology. The market has been anticipating the introduction of this technology for many years, and the reality of controlling features of a video game through mental control is finally taking root.”

Fallout 3 video game leaked 3 weeks before release

The highly-anticipated follow-up to video game Oblivion - Fallout 3 is available now on the internet on various torrent sites.

The official Fallout 3 video game - due for release on October 28 in America and October 31 in Europe.

The Xbox 360 version of the game has been hacked and at the time of writing had well over 2000 people downloading the 6.52GB file on one site alone.

The hacked version of the game would only be playable on an illegally modified Xbox 360.

Although a majority of console and PC games are leaked online before the official release, for a game to be distributed illegally three weeks before it hits the shops highlights the demand for pirated material from users - and the holes in security measures designed to prevent illegal copying of games.

Source: Games Industry

Golden Balls video game for SKY EV interactive

Game development studio Denki today released Golden Balls the company's latest game for digital interactive television.

The game is now available in the UK through Sky’s interactive TV games service. Every Sky customer can access and play Golden Balls using their Sky remote control.

Golden Balls was reinterpreted and built specifically to recreate the popular television gameshow, within the tight constraints of digital interactive television (DiTV). The design and development was completed by Denki's highly experienced External Development Department (EDD), the world's leading developer of games for DiTV.

The release of Golden Balls brings EDD’s total releases for DiTV in 2008 to 17 games, while the department has designed, created and released more than 170 games over the last eight years.

“We're very pleased with the way Golden Balls turned out,” says Richard Ralfe, the head of Denki's EDD. “Capturing the essence of a very popular show and recreating it within the confines of a set-top box was something of a challenge, but which we were more than capable of meeting. Anyone who's watched Golden Balls will be able to pick up and enjoy the game. It's as close to being on the real show as we could possibly make it. The only way we could make it any more realistic is to send the presenter round people's houses to press the buttons for them...”

The market for DiTV games is growing worldwide, with the UK leading the majority of other countries in the penetration of set-top boxes and the advanced nature of Interactive services. Sky has 8,980,000 subscribers in the UK and Ireland and a growing number of interactive services – including games – which every customer can access through their set-top box and Sky remote control.

Denki’s EDD has recently celebrated seven continuous years of DiTV Product development, and an incredible 72% of its total product portfolio is still being broadcast today for audiences to enjoy.

Other countries around the world are now starting to open up their digital interactive television markets, offering enormous potential for Denki's titles to reach a massive global audience. In February 2007 Denki premiered titles on DIRECTV in North and South America, providing a number of games for the launch of their new DiTV ‘Game Lounge’. DIRECTV reaches over 16 million subscribers in the United States and over 1.5 million in Latin America.

Denki is now actively pursuing opportunities in other countries around the world.

Colin Anderson, the managing director of Denki, said, “The Digital Interactive Television market is one which is often overlooked by the mainstream gaming industry, yet it offers significant benefits to developers, brand owners and gamers alike. While the technology is restrictive, compared to the current generation on consoles – or even handheld games devices, the penetration into households, familiarity with the controller and the on-demand nature of the games lend themselves to a very large mainstream market. This market is growing in leaps and bounds as more and more countries begin offering these services to television viewers.

“Our external development team is quite simply the most experienced and talented DiTV game developer in the world today. They've done an incredible job with Golden Balls and I am delighted to have them available to millions of Sky homes.”

Denki’s External Development team is always happy to offer their experience to brand owners and media companies with properties they wish to bring into the interactive entertainment market

Golden Balls can be found on Sky Games, which is accessed by pressing the Interactive Button on your Sky Remote Control.

My Pet Dolphin 2 video game on Nintendo DS

My Pet Dolphin 2 builds on the success of the original game but offers a new experience because this time you actually get to play as a baby dolphin that has an entire island to explore. As your dolphin gains experience you unlock new areas and meet different sea creatures along the way.

To explore the island you use the touch screen to guide your dolphin through an undersea paradise. While swimming you must also hunt down rare treasures, which unlock different mini-games, like dolphin racing and deep sea diving. You can also view all the treasures that you’ve collected in the special Album mode or create your own garden in the brand new Flower Growing mode.

With intuitive touch screen controls - which make it a breeze to guide your dolphin as he swims or play with one of the many toys available for new aquatic friend - My Pet Dolphin 2 is a fantastic pet game that’s simple to pick up and play.

My Pet Dolphin 2 is available exclusively for Nintendo DS on October 31.

KEY FEATURES

• Developed by Starfish

• Mission mode packed full of sea exploration

• Find rare treasures hidden in the sea depths, which unlock new mini-games

• Album mode to check the collectibles you’ve found

• Flower growing mode

Secret Service Xbox 360 video game puts the president's life in your hands

Activision announced that Secret Service will be released later this year for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Playstation 2 computer entertainment system, and PC. The title will allow players to assume the role of an elite agent, tasked with protecting America’s top leadership.

Secret Service takes place on Inauguration Day in Washington D.C. An extremist assault has been launched against the capitol - security has been compromised and it is unclear who is friend or foe. There is no time for negotiation as you are thrust out of the shadows and into the line of fire in order to protect the nation’s leaders. The action takes place among famous landmarks and everywhere in between, including both Marine One and Air Force One.

A tactical first person action game full of plot twists and revelations, Secret Service features story and level design contributions by Daniel Arey, who previously worked on Uncharted, the Jak series and the Crash Bandicoot series.

“This game is a unique addition to the first person action genre, with a rich storyline set across famous locations and the need to use both lethal and non-lethal force to achieve your objectives,” said Dave Oxford, Activision Publishing. “Secret Service brings a nice refreshing spin to fans of run-and-gun games.”

Secret Service will be available for $39.99 on Xbox 360, $29.99 for Playstation 2 computer entertainment system, and $19.99 for PC.

The Secret Service videogame is not approved, endorsed or authorized by the U.S. Secret Service.

The Lord of the Rings Online - Mines of Moria Legendary Items Screen shots

Game - The Lord of the Rings Online - Mines of Moria
Title - Legendary Items
Description - Screen shots of Legendary items.

All Lord of the Rings posts on gamezplay.org here...

Cities XL is One Today - video gaming and social networking

It’s been a great year for CITIES XL, the next-generation city-builder from Monte Cristo. With today marking the first anniversary of the official Web site and forum community at www.citiesxl.com, Monte Cristo has built what could be the largest online focus group ever. Community members have contributed feedback to the game’s design, along with participating in various contests, such as the “Point, Shoot – Win!” photography contest which offered fans the chance to have their homes featured in the final game.

CITIES XL is going to be independently developed and published by Monte Cristo. The game will feature a mix of social networking, virtual worlds, economics and city building to offer a fantastic experience both on- and offline. To fund additional development, which is currently taking place in the company’s Paris and Kiev studios, Monte Cristo received an supplementary EUR 4.5 million (approx. $7 million U.S.) from Arts Alliance, 360 degrees Capital Partners and Innoven Partenaires earlier this year.

“We are very excited to announce the one-year ‘birthday’ of the CITIES XL community,” said Philippe da Silva, Internet Director at Monte Cristo. “Our community is dedicated to helping us make the most incredible game possible, and with the significant financial investment from our business partners, along with an incredibly positive response from the media, we are sure that CITIES XL will be an outstanding social and entertainment experience.”

In development by Monte Cristo Games, CITIES XL expands upon all the features that make city builders fun and interesting, while also letting players take their game online, as they interact with others in a persistent online environment. Realism will be pushed to the limit with cities that are bigger, more realistic and more sophisticated than ever before.

For more information about CITIES XL, which will ship in the first half of 2009, please visit www.citiesxl.com.

Cities XL gamezplay.org videos on YouTube here...

Second Cities XL gamezplay.org video here...

Computer and video games can help children make friends, forge closer relationships with adults, and have a positive impact on their lives.

This was the conclusion of church and charity leaders taking part in a panel discussion hosted by The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) at BAFTA in Central London yesterday on how computer games can be a force for good in today's society.

Held at BAFTA in London's West End, the discussion, chaired by journalist Mary Riddell, included experts from children's, religious and computer and video games groups, including:

• Martin Houghton-Brown, deputy director of new business, The Children's Society
• Mike Royal, national director, The Lighthouse Group
• Joseph Steinberg, Marketing & Fund Raising Director, The Church Mission Society
• Andy Payne, chairman of ELSPA

Martin Houghton-Brown, deputy director of new business of The Children's Society, explained that children now see gaming as a normal part of everyday life. Television watching is down from 3 hours a day to 2.5 hours a day since 2001.

"We now live in a digital age where the nature of playing games has changed. Now we have online games where interaction with others is possible. Children tell us supportive and loving relationships are key to a good childhood, we need to equip parents and carers to support children to stay safe when they play in the growing online world" he said.

Andy Payne, chairman of ELSPA, addressed the issue of violent computer and video games and the potential negative effect they could have on children: “Computer games can be violent but that is why there is an age rating system, PEGI, which gives parents the information to make their own decisions.”

He went on to say that the games industry's job was “to help people understand what the ratings are there for and enable society to do its best to protect children by relying on parents to make decisions armed with the information and understanding of the ratings system.”

Mike Royal, national director of the Lighthouse Group, which helps to educate children who have been excluded from school, discussed the use of playing computer and video games to talk about 'boundaries' with young people and what behaviour is good and acceptable, not only in gaming but other aspects of life.

He also said that gaming helps to build a dialogue with parents as well as children, especially with regard to the types of games children are playing. “The PEGI system provides a framework to help us support parents and educate them about the suitability of games, as well as providing clear guidelines on whether a game is appropriate for a specific age group” he said.

While the panel agreed that computer and video games can have a positive impact, they also explained that games must be utilised in the right way to yield the best results. Parental engagement and encouragement, as well as safe and social gaming, can help children develop and protect them in an increasingly online environment.

A podcast of the roundtable event is available at the ELSPA website: http://www.elspa.com/?i=7715&s=1111&archive=&f=50

Sunday, October 12, 2008

XBox 360 £125 advert - video games system

Against the backdrop of one of the world’s largest video games event, Tokyo Game Show 2008, Microsoft Corp. today unveiled a blockbuster portfolio of games for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from many of the world’s most renowned developers. The line-up, which features a variety of high profile titles coming this holiday season, as well as in 2009 and beyond, was headlined by “Halo 3: Recon,” an exciting new chapter in the legendary “Halo” franchise from acclaimed developer Bungie.

During his keynote address, John Schappert, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of LIVE, Software and Studios showcased the best blockbusters Japan has to offer from the most popular genres. Cementing the reputation of Xbox 360 as the premier home for great storytelling and the industry’s best role playing games (RPGs), Schappert provided an exclusive look at the widely anticipated “Star Ocean: The Last Hope” and “THE LAST REMNANT” from developer Square Enix. Action-adventure fans were also given a new look at the latest trailer for “RESIDENT EVIL 5,” slated to launch on Xbox 360 in March 2009.

“Xbox 360 continues to be the destination of choice for the best and broadest games from the world’s biggest and best developers,” said Schappert. “With the latest incarnations of the ‘Halo’ universe, as well as global hits like “Star Ocean: THE LAST HOPE” we continue to deliver on our commitment to provide the calibre of entertainment and games that capture the imagination of people across the globe.”

A New Look at the “Halo” Universe

To the delight of devoted fans across the world, Microsoft debuted “Halo 3: Recon,” developed exclusively for Xbox 360 by acclaimed developer Bungie. “Halo 3: Recon” is a new chapter in the “Halo” saga that lets gamers experience events leading up to the epic story told in “Halo 3” through the eyes of a new hero in the “Halo” universe. The standalone expansion, set to release in autumn of 2009, extends the award-winning “Halo 3” experience with hours of new campaign excursions and multiplayer gameplay. In addition, attendees were given an all-new glimpse of the Xbox 360 exclusive strategy game “Halo Wars” from Ensemble Studios. By showing campaign mode for the first time, the live demo provided viewers with a thrilling taste of the revolutionary gameplay and new perspective of the “Halo” universe. Players will be able to enjoy the full experience when “Halo Wars” hits retailers in early 2009.

Japanese Developers Gain Worldwide Momentum

By partnering with the best and brightest Japanese developers and publishers, Microsoft is committed not only to providing an unparalleled gaming experience on Xbox 360 not only to Japan, but also to helping Japanese games reach new audiences worldwide. During his keynote address, Schappert announced that Xbox 360 has the most top-selling, third-party Japanese titles among all other current games platforms. He also noted that Japanese publishers have sold more than $800 million worth of games thus far on Xbox 360 and are on track to see lifetime revenue of more than $1 billion by the end of this holiday.

To underscore that point, Schappert unveiled dramatic new titles from Japan, including “NINETY-NINE NIGHTS 2[1]” produced by Q Entertainment and developed by Feelplus. The title will join the “Ninja Gaiden” franchise and the just-announced “Ninja Blade” in making Xbox 360 the best place for Japanese action games. Schappert also declared that the release of “Star Ocean: THE LAST HOPE” and “THE LAST REMNANT” are further proof that Xbox 360 is the best console for RPGs, citing a rich portfolio of global blockbusters including “Infinite Undiscovery, “Fable II,” and “Fallout 3.”Additional Japanese-developed blockbusters debuting this holiday and 2009 include the following:

• “THE LAST REMNANT” (Square Enix) “THE LAST REMNANT” is a new role-playing game crafted using the finest artistry and technology Square Enix has to offer. Set in a fantasy world, war-torn and scarred by years of conflict, gameplay revolves around mysterious artefacts — Remnants — that possess magic powers. Groundbreaking graphics possible only on Xbox 360 bring the intensity to a whole new level. “THE LAST REMNANT” is launching worldwide on 20th November and will be available only on Xbox 360.

• “NINETY-NINE NIGHTS II” (Q Entertainment) Set amid a dramatic, epic backdrop of a warring world, “NINETY-NINE NIGHTS II” blends strategy and action, allowing players to take control of massive armies to defeat thousands of enemies in massive-scaled battles never before seen on the Xbox 360.

• “RESIDENT EVIL 5” (Capcom Entertainment Inc.) Destined to bring new fans to the series, “RESIDENT EVIL 5” is the sequel to one of the highest-rated video games in history (according to Metacritic.com and GameRankings.com). Promising to revolutionize the series by delivering an unbelievable level of detail, realism and control, “RESIDENT EVIL 5” unleashes an unprecedented level of fear for the next generation. New technology developed specifically for the game, as well as incredible changes to both the gameplay and the “RESIDENT EVIL” world, will make this a must-have game for gamers across the globe.

• “Star Ocean: THE LAST HOPE” (Square Enix) “Star Ocean: THELAST HOPE” is the long-awaited continuation of the celebrated science fiction and fantasy role-playing game series. Slated for release on Xbox 360 in spring 2009 and published by Square Enix, this prequel set during the aftermath of World War III combines science fiction and fantasy elements spanning multiple planets and the vastness of space itself to recount the origins of the Star Ocean universe. Exhilarating combat expands upon the franchise’s famous real-time battle system, introducing the amazing graphics and visual effects possible only on Xbox 360.

Xbox LIVE Arcade Debuts New line-up

Xbox LIVE Arcade continued momentum built during the summer of arcade as Microsoft announced seven new titles to the already robust lineup of classics and original titles. With the power of Xbox LIVE Arcade, a new generation of gamers can now experience some of the most beloved games of all-time from Japan’s most legendary developers. Classic titles showcased at Tokyo Game Show include the following:

• “ARKANOIDTM Live!” (TAITO) First appearing in the 1980s as a block-breaking game, the next evolution will now be available on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Gamers can enjoy “Arkanoid” in high -definition with beautifully choreographed background movies and background music. “Arkanoid” is loaded with 120 stages and colourful cooperative and versus modes.

• “The King of Fighters ’98 Ultimate Match” (SNK PLAYMORE) The original “dream match” comes to Xbox LIVE Arcade with new features, characters and game modes. Gamers can face their favourite “The King of Fighters” characters to determine the ultimate champion.

• “Metal Slug 7” (SNK PLAYMORE) Gamers can join Marco, Tarma, Eri, Fiolina, Clark and Ralph as they prepare to take on Modern’s Forces across seven new missions. “Metal Slug 7” will also feature new weapons, colossal new bosses, new gameplay modes, and new Slugs to pilot.

• “Meteos Wars” (Q ENTERTAINMENT) Take a ride through this intergalactic journey where you slide, stack and ignite your blocks to blast away the world‐ending meteors! Only you can stop them from falling and crushing your planet. Master the combo links and power-ups to challenge your friends in intense multiplayer sessions

• “R-Type Dimensions” (Microsoft) “R-Type Dimensions” combines the genre-defining coin-op classics “R-Type” and “R-Type II,” with a twist. For the first time ever, “R-Type Dimensions” allows multiplayer co-op play locally or over Xbox LIVE for up to two players. Gamers fight through all 14 Bydo-infested stages in the original 2-D or all-new 3-D graphics, and can swap between the two seamlessly.

• “SPACE INVADERS EXTREME” (TAITO) Gamers can experience “Space Invaders” in fully immersive sound and vivid high definition on the next-generation system, with visuals that will excite their senses.

• “Tenchu: Shadow Assault” (FROMSOFTWARE) Tenchu, the world-famous ninja action game, is now on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Gamers can control their favourite characters as they use a variety of ninja weapons to defeat their enemies and complete their missions. They can use traps in multiplayer mode[2] to kill their friends for massive points.