Fonix Speech, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fonix, and Ubisoft announced today that the highly anticipated Tom Clancy’s EndWar, now available at leading video game retailers, features Fonix VoiceIn technology for its voice command interface. EndWar, initially available in US and UK English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Russian and Polish is available for both the Microsoft Xbox and the Sony PlayStation 3 computer entertainment systems. A PC version in the same languages will launch in Q1 2009.
“Ubisoft chose Fonix speech software for its convenient user interface, low memory and processing power requirements. We needed to ensure that everything done in the game could be done by voice commands and Fonix VoiceIn offered us the technology to accomplish that,” commented Vincent Greco, worldwide technical coordinator at Ubisoft. “Fonix provided us with a unique set of tools for game development across multiple platforms.”
Early reviews of the game’s control scheme have generated enthusiasm in the press with such comments as Official Playstation Magazine: “What voice control does is make gameplay almost as fast as your ability to conjure an order in your mind. And the tech really is up to the job of recognising multiple orders in rapid succession. The resulting experience is fast, intuitive, exciting and fun – basically everything RTS games don’t tend to be.”
“Fonix VoiceIn provides dramatic and accurate voice commands to increase the user experience in video games,” says Steve Jones, Fonix senior sales executive. “Our software allows publishers to enhance their development teams with multi-platform voice command technology, without incurring additional, expensive development costs. EndWar with Fonix VoiceIn is expected to take the video gaming industry into a new realm of user excitement.”
Rare's studio manager, Mark Betteriedge, has told GamesIndustry.biz that some of the company's future products will "surprise a lot of people, both in terms of what they are and the different styles".
Talking in an interview, the first part of which will be published tomorrow, he explained that one of the studio's roles as a first party developer was to change the perception of the Xbox 360 from just being a "shooter box, or a hardcore box," and "change the conventional thinking of games and entertainment".
Answering a question on the future of Rare as part of Microsoft Game Studios, following the closure of Ensemble earlier this year, he explained his confidence: "In terms of the Xbox 360 or Xbox as a brand it's really now coming into what people would see as our forte in terms of product, in terms of where the price point would be.
"It's been somewhat of a struggle at times - we did Kameo and Viva Pinata, and people often ask me if VP was a success, and I point out that it sold a million units for a game in which you're gardening, hunting and attracting animals on a box that people would see - if you ask the general public, they'll see it as a shooter box, or a hardcore box.
"It's about changing that perception, and Microsoft is very committed to doing that, because that's a great market to have. The core market is finite, and it's probably reaching saturation point with a lot of those customers, so I'd see our future within Microsoft as very much about helping to expand that, as we've been doing in the past, but the advantage we've got now is price point I suppose - the recent cut in Europe has been dramatic in terms of sales.
"It's more about what we will do to change conventional thinking of games and entertainment. I don't see us fighting the same battles as everybody else, I think some of the products we'll do going forward will surprise a lot of people, both in terms of what they are and the different styles. I think that will be good."
And when asked whether the latest Banjo title would be the last of Rare's "conventional" titles, he explained more about the key aspects that the company would be focusing on in future.
"I see [Banjo] as fairly conventional, but it's a twist on an established genre," he said. "When we built that Banjo we didn't just want to build another high-def platform game in the same style as before, we wanted to do something new in terms of what the gameplay would be.
"That theme of doing something new with gameplay runs through everything we're doing going forward - whether that's how you play the game, how you interface with the game."
Upcoming Elite Space Combat MMO Gains Momentum as BETA Approaches.
BETA signups for the highly anticipated elite space combat MMO, Jumpgate Evolution have now exceeded 150,000 with numbers climbing rapidly! Gamers can continue signing up for the chance to participate in the upcoming BETA at HYPERLINK www.jumpgateevolution.com
‘We are pleased to announce this exciting landmark for Jumpgate Evolution,” commented Edward Relf, Director, Marketing, Codemasters Online. “Since the commencement of the BETA signup program three months ago, we have seen overwhelming support for the game and look forward to inviting players into the BETA in the coming months. We encourage everyone looking to get into BETA to sign up as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.”
Jumpgate Evolution is the definitive elite space combat MMO published by Codemasters Online and developed by the US-based NetDevil. This unique new title will allow players to choose from one of three playable Nations and engage in an intense action experience featuring ship-to-ship combat in a persistent online universe. Gamers can embark on an immersive and accessible space adventure where they can trade valuable commodities, take part in dangerous large-scale intergalactic battles, meet and play with friends and live out the dream to become an elite space hero. Jumpgate Evolution features both a rich and varied universe to explore and has been designed for experienced and novice MMO players alike.
Jumpgate is set for release in 2009 with closed BETA due to go live soon. For more information on Jumpgate Evolution or to sign up for BETA visit: www.jumpgateevolution.com
Namco Networks, a leading publisher and developer of mobile games and entertainment for mass-market casual gamers, today announced the availability of Brain Exercise across US national carriers. This game is scientifically proven to stimulate the brain and challenges players with a seemingly endless supply of fun and addictive puzzlers.
“Namco Networks is all about delivering fun, quality games,” said Scott Rubin, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Namco Networks. “Brain Exercise makes training your brain fun. It tracks players’ daily and monthly progress, which makes it hard to put down.”
Namco’s Brain Exercise, which has been a top seller in Europe and Japan, is officially tested by Dr. Kawashima, the man behind the original brain training game on the Nintendo DS. With 10 fun, cranium-crunching categories involving memory, logic, calculations, visual and spatial perception, this is one exercise regime players will want to stick to. Brain Exercise’s categories are:
Memory – Flashes a sequence of lights and asks the player to press the corresponding keys to match the sequence
Arithmetic – Delivers simple arithmetic questions
Rock, Paper, Scissors – The player is instructed to win, lose or draw against an opponent
Inverted Numbers – Asks the player to input the numbers on the screen
Predominant Numbers – Has the player identify which number appears the most in a crowded screen of numbers
Red Minus Blue – Tests the player’s ability to calculate a sum based on blue negative numbers and red positive numbers
Shape Construction – Challenges the user to create the target shape out of combining others shapes
Answer the Question – Displays a target colored shape and ask the player to count the number of shapes matching the displayed target
Rolling Shapes – As a shape rolls, the player determines the final orientation of the shape
Follow the Pencil – Has the player predict which goals the pencils will reach
Brain Exercise keeps players’ minds awake and active with a personal coach who keeps you focused and on track as you compete in one of three modes—Brain Training, Brain Age and Practice. In Brain Training Mode, players participate in a daily training regime with three mini-games to stimulate different regions of the brain: the temporal, parietal and frontal lobes. Brain Age Mode tracks the player’s progress with in-depth stat tracking as they work their way towards a younger and sharper brain. During Practice Mode, players can play as many mini-games as desired without the results counting towards your daily training.
Cranking up your cranium with Brain Exercise has wide appeal and is perfect for the casual mobile audience with simple and intuitive controls. It offers a whole-brain workout packed in a mobile phone for instant training anywhere. Brain Exercise offers both a quick exercise break and hours and hours of fun with randomly generated puzzles.
For more information on Brain Exercise or other mobile games by Namco, please visit www.namcogames.com.
Frictional Games is happy to announce the release of Penumbra: Requiem for Mac & Linux. The puzzle expansion for Penumbra: Black Plague is now available through our online store at USD 9.99.
Driven completely insane from creating the Penumbra games, Frictional Games is offering all three Penumbra games as a collection at a horrific price of USD 35. This offer is available through the online store and is for Mac & Linux only.
Penumbra: Requiem has previously been released for Windows by publisher Paradox Interactive. Paradox Interactive is set to release a Penumbra: Collection for Windows in Q1 2009.
In related news, AIKA - an orchestral soundtrack, narrative and graphics project was released last Friday. This soundtrack was created by, among others, Penumbra musician Mikko Tarmia & writer Tom Jubert. Be sure to take a look at AIKA as much of the greatness in the Penumbra series comes from the music and story. To spice things up even further, Tom Jubert is nominated for "Best Videogame Script" at this years Writers’ Guild Awards 2008 to be held at BAFTA on Sunday 23rd November. We wish him all the best of luck!
Konami has announced that the latest downloadable content for its Metal Gear Online title for PLAYSTATION 3 will be released on November 25th. Entitled MEME EXPANSION, the download adds new characters and gameplay elements to Hideo Kojima’s hugely popular online epic.
Konami has announced that the latest downloadable content for its Metal Gear Online title for PLAYSTATION 3 will be released on November 25th. Entitled MEME EXPANSION, the download adds new characters and gameplay elements to Hideo Kojima’s hugely popular online epic.
The MEME EXPANSION unveils two new special characters, which are playable for the first time. Liquid Ocelot enters the fray with the ability to manipulate the Sons of the Patriots’ lock system using his Guns of the Patriots skills, and can also deactivate the weaponry of a targeted for within Metal Gear Online’s multi-player modes. Similarly, Mei Ling comes into play with three unique attributes, including the Trench Mortar weapon, Soliton Sonar capabilities, and the means to transfix enemies.
Three new maps have also been created, with the rough, uneven industrial elements of Silo Sunset, the dense foliage of Forest Firefight and a snow-blown deserted factory called Winter Warehouse available for the first time. The download also implements a number of new rules, which are also now available without the MEME EXPANSION update. A new ‘No Headshot’ setting allows players to attribute the same level of damage when shot in the head to that of a regular body shot. ‘Stealth Death Match’ allows users to compete with the stealth elements switched on automatically; while the ‘Interval’ setting allows used to practice and chat with each other within the battlefield, without their ranking or records being adversely affected.
An official Tournament lobby has also been created to pit players in battle situations where points are up for grabs and can be spent on the customisation of a character or on new gear. Likewise, a series of familiar humorous elements can also be used within the customise field, including the Crocodile Cap made famous in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, the Ghillie Suite camo from the same game, and an afro hair style.
Metal Gear Online fans will be able to pre-purchase the MEME EXPANSION elements for 7,99 Euro from November 18th, with a bundle containing both the new elements and the previous GENE EXPANSION update also available at the same date for 12,99 Euro. Users can access the new additions of the MEME EXPANSION after the official start on November 25th.
Mad Catz, a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider, today announced that it has begun shipping its range of premium licensed accessories designed for use with Rock Band and Rock Band 2 videogames for the Xbox 360 console across selected European territories.
Published by MTV Games and developed by Harmonix Music Systems, Rock Band 2 has quickly emerged as the preferred platform for music fans and gamers to interact with music, challenging users to master the lead and bass guitar, drums and vocals as solo artists or cooperatively as part of their own band.
Timed to coincide with the launch of Rock Band 2 which begins shipping across Europe for the Xbox 360 videogame system on November 14th 2008, each product in the officially licensed range has been designed and engineered with Mad Catz’ renowned attention to detail, and promises to elevate the Rock Band and Rock Band 2 experience to ever greater heights.
Products expected to ship across key European territories are as follows:
• The first and only official bass guitar available for Rock Band and Rock Band 2, the Fender Precision Bass Guitar delivers a staggeringly authentic bass experience. Incorporating all the features of the standard guitar, including Solo Keys, Whammy, and Overdrive Mode, the Fender Precision Bass is at home when used to play lead guitar as it is when playing bass guitar portions of a selected track. The unique Mad Catz Split Strum Bar allows gamers to strum and pluck notes faster and with more precision, vital for fast tempo tracks. To respect the accuracy of the bass, Mad Catz has engineered whammy compatibility by discreetly incorporating it into the volume knob of the bass, providing gamers with essential functionality when playing either lead or bass guitar portions of the track while preserving the timeless authenticity of the original design.
• Designed exclusively for the Rock Band 2 Wireless Drum Kit, the Cymbal Expansion Pack from Mad Catz provides gamers with a stunningly authentic percussion experience, adding up to three realistic cymbals to their existing Drum Kit. Sold either in a Single, Twin or Triple configuration, the Cymbal Expansion Pack allows gamers to grow their game play at the same level as their skills. Attaching quickly and simply, each Cymbal Expansion Pack contains all necessary brackets and leads needed to add a choice of crash, ride or hi-hat Cymbals to their Drum Kit. Velocity sensitive, each Cymbal reacts realistically in game, outputting a louder noise the harder you hit.
• Freeing percussionists from the confines of the living room, the Portable Drum Kit is small on size but big on quality. The compact form factor combined with highly durable build quality provides a discrete and highly flexible solution allowing bands to tour without the need of a roadie! Each color-coded Drum Pad comes equipped with a tactile backing, reducing slippage when used on a variety of surfaces and the Foam-Tipped Drum Sticks (included in the kit) dampen external noise when in use. The Portable Drum Kit comes complete with a durable Foot Pedal and Control Unit providing access to the full complement of controls needed to navigate in-game menus.
• The Rock Band Premium M.I.C. (Microphone with Integrated Controller) offers budding vocalists a device of superior quality and functionality. The Premium Microphone features a full complement of Action Buttons with the D-Pad and Xbox LIVE button allowing for quick and easy navigation of in-game menus without the need for a separate controller. A convenient Locking Switch prevents accidental access to Action Buttons, and the premium Soft-Touch Finish and high-profile Wind Shield combine to deliver a microphone ideal for sustained jamming sessions.
Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz commented, “The Rock Band franchise has proven to be an international phenomenon that is set to continue to grow with the imminent debut of Rock Band 2 into the European market. We have worked tirelessly to continue to introduce accessories that make both Rock Band and Rock Band 2 even more entertaining while upholding the interactivity and authenticity that Rock Band players have come to expect. We’re confident that gamers and music fans alike will be delighted with our range of officially licensed accessories and look forward to expanding the range throughout 2009 and beyond.”
The Mad Catz Xbox 360 licensed Rock Band accessories are expected to be available across key European territories beginning mid November 2008.
Further products in this range and products for additional videogame platforms are expected to be launched early 2009.
Friday, November 28th - the worldwide release date for the Mac version of LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures, a captivating take on the cinematic adventures of Hollywood’s iconic archaeologist.
Developed by TT Games and LucasArts - the same people behind LEGO Star Wars II - LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures takes the fun and creative construction of LEGO bricks and combines it with the wit, daring and non-stop action of the original movies.
With a unique tongue-in-cheek take on the original adventures, LEGO Indiana Jones follows Indy’s escapades through the jungles of South America to the mountaintops of India. Players can build and battle their way through their favourite cinematic moments, from Indy’s entanglements with snakes to his dashing boulder run.
"With the extra benefit of Lego Indiana Jones running on all Intel Macs including MacBooks, we are proud to be bringing another great title from TTGames and LucasArts to the Mac platform” said Feral Interactive’s David Stephen.
“We’re delighted to be bringing LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures to the Mac,” said Garry Edwards, Business Development Director of TT Games. “The winning combination of charming humour, intuitive puzzles and continent hopping adventure has been a great success and now everyone can enjoy it.”
The game will retail in North America for US $39.95, £29.95 (inc VAT) in the UK and €39.95 (inc VAT) throughout Europe. It is currently available to pre-order from Feral's online store (http://www.feralinteractive.com/?section=buy&language=english).
Minimum system requirements call for a 1.8GHz Intel Mac only, 512MB RAM, 128MB graphics card, DVD drive and Mac OS X v10.4.10 or later.
Award-winning racing game Raging Thunder for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The primary addition to the 1.0.3 version is the inclusion of online, real-time competitive multiplayer – for the first time in any AppStore game.
Says Mitri Bautista-Wiberg, co-founder of Polarbit:
“We’ve received a lot of positive feedback from gamers about Raging Thunder. The reception has been really tremendous. The one thing that people seemed to miss was the ability to play against each other over the Internet. This was something we’d been talking about amongst ourselves, so when we had a few hours to spare we decided to give it a try and threw together a beta.”
Raging Thunder v1.0.3 is available globally on the AppStore. Anyone who has previously purchased the title will get the benefit of the online multiplayer mode through a simple update, at no extra cost.
Though fully functional, players are urged to consider that the Internet functionality is still in a beta stage and that some issues may remain to finalize.
Experience a true card battle game with the official Neverland Card Battles demo for the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, now available on the PlayStation Store on PSP system.
Tabletop card battling game mechanics are combined with strategy RPG elements for a unique game that integrates over 200 collectible cards. Unlock new cards and playable Dominators (card wielders) as you adventure through Neverland to save the world from the evil deity Hellgaia. Available in the full retail version, ad-hoc battle mode lets you prove the power of your custom card deck against a friend.
The all new demo includes opening cut scenes, a tutorial mode, and a full level where you will go up against the Dominator Egma. Do you have the skills to beat him? Will you play your cards right? Find out what the first battle is all about, and what awaits you in Neverland Card Battles.
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