Alone in the Dark video game new PS3 feature - Fact Sheet

Alone in the Dark new PlayStation 3 Features

• Full 360° camera control - enhanced camera controls allows complete freedom of the camera and better handling of first person view camera movement for even more immersive gamezplay.
  


• Fine-tuned controls - quicker and smoother reactivity of the hero's movements in third person view make for more rapid movements in nail-biting situations.
  


• Inventory system more accessible - more logical jacket inventory system with the ability to combine objects using only the D-pad, and more fluid hero movement makes item selection a breeze.
  


• More tips - players will get all the help they need to get through every situation and get the most out of the gamez.
  


• Spectral Vision tuning - a tutorial explains the need to burn roots in order to gain spectral vision and difficulty tuning means less spectral vision is required to reach the end of the gamez.
  


• Improved car dynamics and handling - car handling has been tuned to make driving a car a walk in the park in every situation, including increased suspension and reduced drift.
  


• 59th Street level tuning - one of the game'z most exciting sequences just got better. 59th Street has been tweaked for a more satisfying race against the fissure with difficulty tuning, an added checkpoint at Columbus Circle and clear voice directions given by Sarah.
  


• Brand new thrilling action sequence - an exclusive new sequence has been added in Episode 6 for even more pace and variety of gamezplay in the episode.
  

Children benefit from playing video games - say parents

Results From Sony Online Entertainment and Yahoo! Survey Available This Week

Parents across America are recognizing the benefits of their children playing videos games, according to a new study from Sony. The results, published exclusively in the new November issue of Family Circle magazine, suggest parents are seeing improvements in hand/eye coordination, problem solving and typing skills.

In addition to basic education elements, the survey suggests video games are teaching children to think strategically. The majority of video games require players to follow rules, think tactically, make fast decisions and fulfill numerous objectives to win. This resonates with the 70% of the parents surveyed who have seen their children’s problem-solving skills improve since they started playing video games.

Yahoo!’s website, Shine (http://shine.yahoo.com), which reaches 10 million women each month, hosted the survey throughout June 2008. The study found that 87% of parents who participated in the survey are spending time playing video games with their children. “Family video game nights are becoming incredibly popular with the variety of games out there,” said Linda Fears, editor-in-chief, Family Circle magazine. “Parents and children of all ages are finding games to play together, no matter what each person’s experience level.”

Other key survey findings from the survey:

• Most (75%) of respondents have attributed educational value and improved hand/eye coordination to video game usage.

• 84% of respondents reported an increase in their child’s typing skills from playing PC/online games.

• 72% of respondents say their kids play games online with other people sometimes or all the time.

• More than 80% of respondents say their children play video games in a common area of the house (i.e., family/living room or computer room).

With the vast majority of games on the market rated E for Everyone (ESRB, 2007), parents have many options when choosing games for their children, an important fact for the almost 80% of parents surveyed who say they purchase all their children’s video games. “The ultimate parental controls are parents themselves,” said John Smedley, president of SOE and father of four.

Many games, including the upcoming free online game Free Realms from SOE, offer opportunities for kids to play online with others. “The good news is that parents are involved with and aware of what their kids are playing,” said Smedley. “The even better news is that parents and kids are playing together.”

How to play - Master of the Monster Lair - build your own dungeons

Tired of Crawling Through Dungeons? Why Not Learn to Make Your Own?

Normally a safe and quiet town, South Arc has come under attack by monsters infesting the nearby forest. As the town’s most ambitious young orphan, and the only person without a real job, you are charged with the responsibility of ridding South Arc of its monster infestation. You’ve just made friends with a magic talking shovel that can help you build a dungeon that will lure monsters inside. Once inside, you can use your strength and magic to exterminate the beasts - hopefully finding some rare items on the way out. But wait… how’s one young boy supposed to defend the whole town from an army of monsters?

The first step in mastering your skills and protecting South Arc from hordes of monsters is to understand the resources at your disposal. The citizens of South Arc are more than willing to help you with your quest. Most of the villagers own shops and, despite your working to save their lives from monsters, are totally willing to charge you a small fee for their services. These shops, along with some friends and local landmarks, will be the key to your success. Come, learn about the special town of South Arc.

OWEN’S HOUSE

At Owen’s House, Owen and his friends can rest between trips to the dungeon - fully restoring the party’s HP and MP. Resting overnight will also give monsters a chance to enter your dungeon, sometimes leading to new events. Owen and Kate gain stat boosts by eating meals at Owen’s House – not by defeating monsters, as I knew you were thinking. The benefits they receive depend on the type of meal they eat, so try to find rare ingredients in your dungeon.

MONSTER LAIR

Just east of town is where you’ll start building your monster lair. By digging tunnels and placing rooms, you can create the ultimate dungeon, which will attract monsters of all sorts. Then, you can vanquish the beasts and claim their treasure! In the course of your adventure, you will befriend a Mimic Slime, who can copy the attributes of different monsters. It can duplicate different body parts to change its stats and learn magic from enemies as well. Fight lots of different monsters to find the best combination of attributes to mimic!

THE RUINS

The “Ruins” are located in the northeast corner of town. Go there to connect over DS Wireless Communication and share dungeons with a friend. Each player must load their saved game, enter the Ruins, and select “Exchange Dungeon.” When the communication screen is displayed, one player selects “Send a Dungeon,” and the other player selects “Receive a Dungeon.” Dungeons received from friends will be saves as Ruins.

HOW TO DIG

At first, the dungeon is just a cave with one open floor space. You must use the magic shovel to dig holes and enlarge the dungeon. Face the area where you would like to dig a hole and press the A button. The magic shovel will dig an open space in the direction you are facing. Every time you dig a hole or place a room, it will reduce the shovel’s MP by 1. If the shovel runs out of MP, you cannot dig any more holes or place any more furniture for the rest of the day. If you would like to fill in a hole that you have dug, face the empty hallway and press the A Button. This will also reduce the shovel’s MP by 1.

HOW TO USE FURNITURE

At the Furniture Shop you can buy rooms to place in your dungeon. These rooms will attract monsters, which will enter your dungeon overnight. To place a room in your dungeon, face a spot where you have made a hole and press the B Button. A list of the furniture you currently have will appear. Highlight the room you would like to place using the Control Pad, and press the A Button to set it down. This will reduce the magic shovel’s MP by 1. You cannot place any more rooms if the shovel runs out of MP. To remove a room, press the A Button and the room will be returned to your inventory - doing so requires 1 shovel MP.

EQUIPMENT SHOP

At the Equipment Shop, you can buy and sell weapons and armor. The Trader doesn’t have much in stock at first, but as you find equipment in your dungeon, you can sell it to her to increase the shop’s inventory. Occasionally, she’ll ask you to retrieve unusual items from your dungeon for her, and she’ll reward you with unique equipment. You can also sell unwanted goods to her to make some cash!

MAGIC SHOP

At the Magic Shop, you can buy spells for use in combat and dungeon exploration. Both offensive and healing magic are sold here. In addition, Owen can learn spells used to travel magically through the dungeon. Once you purchase a spell, it can be used by any party member capable of casting it. You can acquire items by buying them in the Magic Shop or finding them in your dungeon. Some items are only used in battle, while others can be used while exploring.

Master of the Monster Lair is scheduled to release for Nintendo DS on October 21.

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RooGoo video game on Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii

Save Planet Roo and all its citizens from the evil Meemos by guiding differently shaped meteors that sustain and feed life to the planet. Rotate floating land masses to allow meteors to pass through safely. Use quick reflexes to navigate obstacles and complete the levels.

Roogoo Twisted Towers will bring the most content ever to a Roogoo title with new elements like puzzle boss fights, living environments, and full-game co-op play. Roogoo Twisted tower offers several new advanced gameplay mechanics and modifications. One example is levels in Roogoo Twisted Towers are played not only on a vertical axis but the horizontal axis as well. With the unique features of the Nintendo Wii, Roogoo Twisted Towers will be more out of control than ever!

Roogoo Twisted Towers brings intense and fast-paced action in over 100 unique levels such as the belly of a whale, under the ocean, and sky shape diving. Easy to pick up and play and challenging to master with an appealing artistic style, Roogoo has something for both casual and hardcore gamers. Roogoo Twisted Towers is ideal for both single player adventure modes with co-op play and additional four player party play modes.


Features:

• Based on the critically-acclaimed XBLA game Roogoo

• Charming art style and fresh, innovative gameplay

• Use your Wii-mote and Nunchuk skills to complete levels

• Co-op campaign mode available throughout the entire game with alternating puzzle playing/fighting using tools such as hammers, nets and upgrades

• Up to 4 players, "Party Play" has multiple group minigames

• Introduces 8 + level bosses such as "The Giant Squid" who will throw and block your falling shapes in epic puzzle boss fights

• Entertaining short story segments

• Connect the Wii version to Roogoo for DS to unlock additional levels in all 10 environments on both Wii and DS versions.

• 10 distinctive environments with 100+ levels to keep you going

Wii Music for Nintendo Wii family video game strike right cord

The sheer pleasure and creativity of making music - either on your own or as part of a band - is only a few hand gestures away this Christmas with the launch of a unique new game only for Wii - Wii Music.

Easy to play and with no experience necessary – you and your friends and family will soon be jamming for fun and making sweet music across a range of over 60 different instruments on more than 50 tracks made famous by artists from John Lennon and The Police to Madonna and Kylie Minogue and including compositions by Tchaikovsky, Strauss and Beethoven. You can’t make a mistake – if your movement is not entirely accurate, Wii will make the right kind of sound for you.

You can choose to record all instruments yourself or choose your part in a band of up to six members – the others created and controlled by the Wii.
Before you know it, you will be turning out superb sounds on everything from piano, guitar and saxophone to the bagpipes, sitar, beatboxer and even a barking dog! Instruments are played by simulating real-life movements using the Wii Remote and the Nunchuk.

Not only can you create beautiful music, you can save your track, personalise it with its own record sleeve and even make your own music video starring your Mii characters. For your very own video gig you can choose your own stage setting from a live club scene to classic concert hall or a beachside driving gig on the back of a truck.

Using WiiConnect24 you can share all your recordings with friends and family who can savour it, rate it and remix it if they wish. Following on from the success of Wii Sports, Wii Fit and Wii Play at connecting families in a fun and social way, Wii Music’s easy-to-follow tutorials help you practice, rehearse, arrange tracks and eventually begin improvising as you get more accustomed to the playing styles.

If the drums are what get your heart beating and your toes tapping, then Wii Music has a realistic Drum Kit where the Wii Remote and Nunchuk act as drumsticks and the Wii Balance Board serves as foot pedals. You can also take to the front of stage in a mini-game where you conduct by swinging the Wii Remote. There’s even a Pitch Perfect Music Quiz to compare people’s musical ears.

The man who created the game, Shigeru Miyamoto, General Producer said:
“Why shouldn’t people who like music, but find playing instruments difficult, be able to perform music just by letting their feelings take control and simply waving the controller and pushing a few buttons to the rhythm? With this goal in mind we created Wii Music, which is not quite a game and not quite an instrument, I hope that as people play, they will truly understand the joy of performing and develop a greater passion for music”

Wii Music launches across Europe on 14th November.

PES 2009 adds new club and national side to football video game

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has confirmed a number of additional licenced elements for its forthcoming PES 2009 title. Due for release on October 16th for PLAYSTATION 3, Xbox 360 and PC-DVD, the new game will benefit from the inclusion of some of the world’s biggest club and national sides.











Following the recent announcement of Konami’s four-year agreement to feature UEFA’s Champions League competition in the game, the publisher has also added a strong selection of other licensed teams for use in the game. The Dutch Eredivisie and French Ligue 1 will both be represented in their entirety, with full kits, player rosters and affiliated elements. Likewise, key clubs such as FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, FC Porto, Liverpool and Manchester United, will also be resplendent in their official livery. Other additions include the likes of Zenit St. Petersbourg and Brondby IF, amongst others. Konami has also added a number of new national sides to PES 2009, with Northern Ireland amongst those added to the International rosters of respected teams like Netherlands, England and Italy.

The publisher has also included several new stadia in the new game, with faithfully recreated versions of the Stade de France, Stadio Olimpico di Torino and the new Wembley Stadium included for the first time. These new agreements confirm Konami’s commitment to constantly adding new licences to the PES series.

PES 2009 will be released for PLAYSTATION 3, Xbox 360, PC-DVD and mobile phones on 17th October, followed by versions for PlayStation 2 on 30th October, and for PSP (PlayStation Portable) on 6th November and for Wii in 2009.

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Saints Row 2 video game released

Saints Row 2 brings true freedom to open-world gaming. Players can play as who they want, how they want, and with whomever they want in this sequel to the much acclaimed and tremendously successful Saints Row. Set years after the original, the player finds himself in a Stilwater both familiar and strange and challenged with bringing the Saints back as the rightful kings of Stilwater and bringing vengeance to those who wronged him.

Features

• Limitless Customization – Play as fully customizable characters that are male, female or something in between.
  
• Vehicles can be visually customized as well as performance tuned. - Cribs and even gangs all have an amazing degree of detailed customization options.
  
• Multiplayer – Co-op full story campaign has seamless integration (for example one player drives while the other shoots).
  
• Competitive MP pushes the boundaries of immersion in a living Stillwater environment fully populated with police, innocent bystanders and rival gangs.
  
• Killer Combat and Awesome Vehicles – Planes, helicopters, motorcycles, boats and cars can be piloted and used as weapons. On the ground new combat options include melee, fine aim, and human shield.
  
• Freedom to Explore – More missions, activities, diversions, races, weapons, vehicles, cribs, city districts, and interiors than ever before. Over 40 story missions with additional bonus missions take place in a transformed Stilwater that is over 50% larger than before.
  

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Tony Hawk video game with Skateboard say Activision

Activision is expected to ship a skateboard peripheral alongside the next Tony Hawk titles, due for release in 2009.

That's according to analyst Doug Creutz of Cowan and Company, who believes the addition of new products will help the series improve sales after a year away from the market.

"We believe that the extra year of development time and the opportunity for consumers to shake off franchise fatigue could contribute to better unit sales than the franchise has enjoyed in recent years," wrote Creutz in his latest note to investors.

"We also view it as highly likely that the game will include some sort of skateboard peripheral with all SKUs when it ships, given the massive success (and higher price points and profitability) of Activision Blizzard's Guitar Hero franchise."

Peripherals have enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, with the high price of games such as Guitar Hero, Rock Band and Wii Fit seemingly no problem for consumers looking for pick-up-and-play gaming experiences.

Source: GamesIndustry

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Are Warhammer video game players returning to World of Warcraft?

While a number of World of Warcraft users dropped the widely popular MMO to play EA's recently released Warhammer Online, more than half of those gamers have already returned to Blizzard's market-leader.

That's according to COO Paul Sams, who said the pattern of players leaving and then returning to Warcraft follows that of any major MMO release.

"We've certainly had some of that happen, which is the same thing we experienced with Age of Conan and each time an MMO has come out we've seen some amount of reduction of use," he said in an exclusive interview published today.

Read the full post here on Games Industry site...

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Rock Band 2 video game price on PS3 PS2 and Nintendo Wii

Rock Band 2 for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system will be available on October 19, 2008. In addition, Rock Band 2 for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the Nintendo Wii home videogame console from Nintendo will ship in December 2008.

In addition, the Rock Band 2 Special Edition Bundle for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft will also be available on retail shelves October 19, 2008.

Rock Band 2 Shipping and Pricing Information:

October 19, 2008

Rock Band 2 Special Edition Bundle (Xbox 360 and PS3) $189.99
Rock Band 2 Standalone Software (S3 system) $59.99 
Rock Band 2 Standalone Drums (PS3 and PlayStation 2) $89.99
Rock Band 2 Standalone Guitar (PS3 and PlayStation 2) $69.99

December 2008

Rock Band 2 Standalone Software (PlayStation 2) $49.99
Rock Band 2 Standalone Software (Nintendo Wii) $49.99
Rock Band 2 Standalone Drums (Nintendo Wii) $89.99
Rock Band 2 Standalone Guitar (Nintendo Wii) $69.99
Rock Band 2 Special Edition Bundle (Nintendo Wii) $189.99

Rock Band 2 for Wii, developed by Pi Studios under the direction of Harmonix, will be fully featured with online modes including World Tour and Battle of the Bands, an innovative character creator, weekly downloadable content and more! With more than 100 songs [1] on the Rock Band 2 Wii soundtrack and an additional 30 downloadable tracks [2] available for purchase at launch, Rock Band 2 Wii owners will have access to the most impressive music catalogue for a music-based videogame on the console. In addition, fans can expect a roll-out of the current downloadable content offering every week until the entire back catalogue is available.

In addition, Rock Band 2 owners (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system and Wii) will have the ability to export their in-game band avatars to RockBand.com to use as profile images as well as order custom Rock Band merchandise including apparel and figurines.

Rock Band 2 for Xbox 360 was released on September 14, 2008, and has received numerous editor’s choice awards and a combined metacritic score of 93. Rock Band 2 has revolutionized music gaming with the ability to export most of the songs from the original Rock Band disc [3], Online World Tour, daily Battle-Of-The-Bands Tournaments, Auto-Calibration to eliminate TV lag, wireless drums, quieter, velocity sensitive drum heads, support for up to three cymbals (sold separately), No Fail Mode, and a real Drum Trainer.

Rock Band 2 features the largest music catalogue of any music-based videogame to date including over 100 songs [4] on the Rock Band 2 soundtrack with an unrivaled blend of classic and new artists including AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, Bob Dylan, Pearl Jam, Motörhead and more! With the addition of complete and immediate backwards compatibility for songs purchased from Rock Band’s ever-expanding online music store and the ability to export most songs from the original Rock Band disc, the Rock Band music library will feature more than 500 songs [5] by year’s end.

All Rock Band posts on gamezplay.org here...

The Rock Band online music store recently surpassed 21 million paid downloads since the game’s launch in late November 2007.