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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

CITIES XL Point, Shoot Win 2! contest submit a photo of a current City Hall...

Monte Cristo is launching an exciting second contest for their upcoming next-generation city-building title, CITIES XL. In the new "Point, Shoot – Win 2!" contest, you need only submit a photo of a current City Hall to the forums at www.citiesxl.com to enter.

From November 17th to November 30th, members of the CITIES XL community are be able to post their images of their favorite City Hall. Starting December 1st, all the pictures that meet the rules will be put into a gallery where every member of the CITIES XL community will be able to vote for their favorite pictures. The winning entries will be included in the final version of CITIES XL when the game goes on sale in 2009.

Only images of City Halls may be submitted, and no trademarked buildings, monuments or other current intellectual properties may be entered into the contest. Before submitting a photo, please read the complete rules and submission guidelines at www.citiesxl.com. Grab your camera and shoot, as a City Hall you choose could be included in CITIES XL!

CITIES XL allows gamers to develop cities on realistic 3D maps using an incredible collection of unique structures and monuments based on American, Asian and European-influenced architectural styles. The maps feature a variety of environments: mountains, hills, canyons, beaches and islands, all set in different climates from tropical to desert, Mediterranean to temperate. Players must create the right combinations of social services, leisure activities, special events and other job opportunities within their cities in order to feed, clothe, employ and entertain their citizens. Be it planning and building a new zoo, public park, residential neighborhood or transit system - there's always a fresh and exciting challenge for would-be city managers and mayors in CITIES XL.

The game’s online features and services will allow players to create interconnected cities on virtual and persistent planets. Mayors can share and trade with one another, specialize their economy and team up with befriended cities to create sprawling metropolises. Life on the planet will be punctuated by events and competitions - a concert held in one town may, for example, be attended by visitors from other areas who can also enjoy a walk around the city to admire the urban creations of multiple players. By combining a fantastic single-player game with the social and multiplayer aspects of an MMO, CITIES XL will shape the future of the genre by offering more variety, bigger cities and multiple gameplay layers.

For more information about CITIES XL, which will ship in 2009, please join the continuously growing community at www.citiesxl.com

Latest free expansion for Lineage II: Gracia Part 2 add several additions for players

Dimensional Rifts, Dragons and the Devil's Isle in Lineage II

With the latest free expansion for Lineage II: Gracia Part 2, there have been several additions for players to experience increasingly rich game content. Specifically, two new areas have been added for a wide range of players including three new Pailaka zones and one new Kamaloka zone. All of these new instances offer a wide range of game play, for both grouped and solo players, which will challenge both their fighting prowess and strategic thinking to overcome obstacles along the way.

Here’s what players have to look forward to in this latest update:

Pailaka

The new Pailaka zones offer players a one-time, solo experience in three separate instances. Areas to explore include ancient Elven temples taken over by powerful elemental spirits, a sunken shipwreck with valuable cargo aboard and investigating the Varka Silenos Barracks and uncovering a mystery surrounding a powerful weapon they are attempting to harness. Players will always have to be on guard in these exciting new regions. Through each one of the Pailaka instances, players will experience fierce battles, both of mind and might. To the victors go great rewards -- XP and SP; to the fallen only a desire to return and conquer the enemies that lie within. Players have to remember, time is against them, so they have to think fast and act even faster!

Level 36-42 Pailaka – Forgotten Temple

The Forgotten Temple was once a magical place where Elves used the volatile magic of both fire and water to suppress the Orcs. However, the delicate balance was shattered due to neglect of the temple and the instability of the Kamaloka dimension. Now the Elves are being threatened by a mysterious creature that has taken control and holds power over both fire and water elements. Players must venture in, solve the mystery behind who is controlling these elements for evil, and defeat them.

Level 61-67 Pailaka – Devil’s Isle

A ship carrying important cargo sank in the area of Devil’s Isle. Players must find the wreck and recover the valuable cargo. Then they must defeat other creatures attempting to recover the cargo, and find their way through the maze- like labyrinth to the goal before their enemies do!

Level 73-77 – Pailaka Varka Silenos Barracks

After discovering that the Varka Silenos are attempting to use a dragon as a weapon, players must battle their way into the Varka Silenos Barracks. Once in, they must get to the bottom of the conspiracy, fight through waves of troops, and ultimately defeat the Varka Silenos leader and decide the fate of the dragon.

Each of the instances in Pailaka represents distinct challenges for players that will truly test both their visceral and cerebral skills. Players will not be able to rely solely on their weapon or ingenuity to guide them through these instances! Grit and determination are keys to unlocking the riches that await players at the end of each Pailaka.

Kamaloka

A new Kamaloka has also been discovered in the world of Lineage 2 that players from level 24 to 85 enter at their own risk. Kamaloka – Labyrinth of the Abyss is a dimensional rift that, once a day, players can venture into with a party and battle with increasingly hostile enemies for the promise of riches and glory. Players must fend off waves of creatures and fight their way upward through platforms of monsters as they progress to battle the boss that has taken over the dimensional rift. But adventurers must be quick! Access to this Kamaloka only lasts for a short time, so the battles must be fast and fierce if they want to ascend to the top platform to fight the final boss.

For more information about the Gracia Part 2 update for Lineage II, visit the preview site at http://www.lineage2.com/gracia/index2.html

Star Wars - The Clone Wars game download for mobile phones

Players Take the Animated Series to the Next Level With New Mobile Game.

THQ today announced Star Wars - The Clone Wars is now available for download globally on java-enabled mobile phone handsets.

In the game, players assume the role of a clone trooper who is charged with leading his squad through 15 action-packed missions on three different planets to find those responsible for a vicious ambush and to discover the Separatist Army’s secret weapon. Travelling through unique terrain features such as climbable walls, bunkers, tunnels, and caverns, the player will battle four types of droids controlled by the Separatist Army. Throughout the mission, players interact with familiar favorites from the Star Wars movies like Obi-Wan Kenobi and General Grievous and new characters from the hit television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, such as Ahsoka Tano, Clone Trooper Denal, and Clone Captain Rex.

The release of Star Wars: The Clone Wars mobile game coincides with the worldwide debut of the LucasArts videogame, which is now available on Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS systems as well as the DVD debut of the full-length, theatrical feature film Star Wars: The Clone Wars. New episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, from Lucasfilm animation, debut Fridays at 9 p.m. on Cartoon Network.

THQ's growing line of successful Star Wars titles span several genres including Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, the Lightsaber Unleashed, the side-scrolling Revenge of the Sith, space shooter Battle Above Coruscant and action titles like LEGO Star Wars Mobile and LEGO Star Wars II Mobile.

Warhammer Online - Age of Reckoning Heavy Metal live event on the battlefield.

Prepare for the coming tank rush! Starting tomorrow, the forces of Order and Destruction in Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning will face a brand new challenge as the Heavy Metal live event blasts onto the battlefield.

During this special in-game event, which runs from November 18th until December 1st, the armies of WAR will be given orders in preparation for the arrival of two new tank classes - the Empire Knight of the Blazing Sun and the Dark Elf Black Guard. Players that successfully complete the quests associated with the Heavy Metal event will be rewarded with early access to the new careers a full week before they are available to the general public.

As part of the Heavy Metal live event, players will also have special access to Reikland Factory, a new, instanced Scenario taking place on the grounds of an Empire steam tank factory. This Scenario is available to all players and all ranks, but will only be open for battle during the live event. Soldiers are encouraged to secure the Reikland Factory for their Realm, and continue the fight across the many other battlefields of WAR during Heavy Metal.

Based on the popular tabletop war game from Games Workshop, Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning features revolutionary Realm vs. Realm conflict that will provide players with an engaging battleground for years to come. Available now for PC, WAR is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB.

For more information on Warhammer Online and the Heavy Metal live event, visit www.warhammeronline.com.

Spore Patch 3 to download with 24 FREE Creature Limbs!

As a big thank you to Spore fans and to celebrate the release of Spore Creepy & Cute Parts Pack, which ships to retailers today, gamers who download and install Patch 3 will be rewarded with 24 brand spanking-new and exclusive exoskeleton limbs for the Creature Creator!

To get the patch, launch the EA Download Manager to download and install it. If you didn't install the EADM when you installed Spore, you can get it from: http://files.ea.com/downloads/eacore/eadm-installer.exe

Additional Patch Features:

• Fix for esc key not bringing up Options in Galaxy Game Entry
• Fix for creator backgrounds appearing on small sporepedia cards
• Update to help keep achievements on the server in sync with achievements in the game

This patch is available for both PC and Mac.

To check out what Spore is all about, log on to: www.spore.com

*Greenguy (seen above) was made using limbs available in this patch! Other parts seen here are available in the Spore Creepy & Cute Parts Pack!

WiiWare ad -Strong bad Episode 4, target Toss Pro plus Space Invaders and Forgotten Worlds

The ever-growing library of games on the Wii Shop Channel truly offers something for every gaming occasion, as seen in this week's new additions. Want to settle in for a few single-player laughs? Check out the latest hilarious Strong Bad adventure. Socializing with friends? Target Toss Pro: Bags lets you play with as many as 15 of your pals.

Gathering with family? Even your grandparents can enjoy the arcade classic SPACE INVADERS. And the side-scrolling action of FORGOTTEN WORLDS provides a wickedly fun diversion for solo gamers and fantasy-loving groups alike.

Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a broadband Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

WiiWare

Strong Bad Episode 4: Dangeresque 3 (Telltale Games, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older – Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Crude Humor, Mild Cartoon Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): Move over, generically buff action heroes. Strong Bad is here to show you how it's done in his hand-crafted cinematic masterpiece, Dangeresque 3: The Criminal Projective. You play Dangeresque, a dirty cop in pursuit of a little action and several big sacks of cash. Can our hero stay alive long enough to defeat his arch-nemesis, save the world and get the girl? Looks like he's gonna have to jump.

Target Toss Pro: Bags (Incredible Technologies, 1-16 players, Rated E for Everyone, 700 Wii Points): Target Toss Pro: Bags is a new video game based on beanbag toss, the nation's hottest backyard and tailgate sensation. Bags – or Cornhole, as it's called in some parts of the country – originated in the Midwest in the 1960s and has since become a staple at outdoor social events from coast to coast. Similar to horseshoes, Bags is a deceptively simple yet extremely competitive game where players try to toss beanbags into a hole in a slightly raised platform or "box" for points. Whether at a tailgate party or a summer barbecue, the game has become a social focal point, and the unmistakable thud of bags hitting the box is now a universal party soundtrack.

Virtual Console

SPACE INVADERS: The Original Game (Super NES, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): Experience one of gaming's iconic franchises in this perfect rendition of the arcade classic. Take aim at the field of invaders relentlessly marching toward you. Move quickly but carefully, using the barriers for protection as you avoid missiles fired by the aliens and try to destroy all of them before they reach the bottom of the screen. Further enhance the nostalgia by choosing from several modes that simulate different versions of the arcade game (such as upright cabinet or black-and-white). Or if you want to prove your superior skills to a friend, try the new VS mode and see who can stop the alien menace the quickest. All in all, it's pure gaming at its best, now with no quarters required.

FORGOTTEN WORLDS (SEGA GENESIS, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone – Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): FORGOTTEN WORLDS is a one- or two-player side-scrolling shooter made by CAPCOM. It was one of the first games to incorporate 360-degree aiming and shooting. This SEGA GENESIS version provides the same impact and intensity of the classic arcade game. In the 29th century, without warning, warships broke through the sky, loaded with fiendish aliens. They rained down fire, bombs, missiles and napalm, leaving the land barren and inhospitable. Humanity was enslaved and Earth became known as the Forgotten World. In a hidden place, a group of brave humans raised two male children in secret. They brought up the young men as warriors, training them for battle. The two warriors emerged as armed machines of might, strength and super power – the Nameless Ones. Fight the hateful invaders as the powerful Nameless Ones. Collect Zenny to upgrade your weapons and satellite, and free the planet.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Fonix Speech VoiceIn Software Powers Tom Clancy's EndWar Video Game

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 promise new products will 'surprise people'

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."

Source: GamesIndustry

Jumpgate Evolution Blasts Beyond 150,000 beta players

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

Brain Exercise game for your mobile...

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.

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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

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