gamezplay

Monday, January 05, 2009

Wind Slayer -Exciting New Game Offers Hundreds of Quests, Multiplayer Battles, Fantasy Characters need beta testers

The closed beta test for new game, Wind Slayer will be between January 7th and 14th, players will have a chance to embark on a hero’s journey through hundreds of quests and intense battles to earn experience, treasure and prestige. Outspark encourages gamers of all ages to sign up for a free account and register for the closed beta now at www.playwindslayer.com.

The testing period offers participants the elite opportunity to be one of the first to experience Wind Slayer in its entirety. Participants will also provide Outspark with valuable feedback that will be used to further refine the game before its wider release later this year.

“Outspark offers rides for every type of thrill seeker coming to play in our virtual playground,” stated Susan Choe, CEO and founder of Outspark. “Wind Slayer’s character customization and multiplayer options combined with its side scrolling style and simple controls make the game a perfect fit for all gamers wanting to enjoy a fun-filled crusade with friends they meet in the Outspark community.”

Set on the beautiful continent of Beuritania, Wind Slayer invites adventurers to travel a diverse land filled with everything from beautiful, grass covered meadows and mountaintops to curious villages, dark caves and even an underwater city. Along the way players gain skills, weapons and experience as their characters grow stronger and choose one of the game’s six exciting classes – Warrior, Archer, Mage, Rogue, Monk and Priest.
Additional Wind Slayer Features Include:

• Hundreds of in-game items to customize your character
• Powerful skills and deadly combos to battle foes
• Hundreds of engaging in-game quests
• Intense multiplayer battles with up to 20 simultaneous players
• Beautiful fantasy worlds and captivating visual effects
• Engaging community features including chat, trade, guilds and more

Wind Slayer is scheduled to be available to a wider North American audience during an open beta launch in February.

iPhone iPod touch game KamiCrazy - a fast-paced action-puzzler cross between Lemmings, Enigmo and Pitfall

Now available to download on iTunes, KamiCrazy is a fast-paced action-puzzler – a cross between Lemmings, Enigmo and Pitfall – where you have to guide a group of Kami soldiers to safety through a series of perilous, trap-laden levels.

The story begins when the fearsome Kami soldiers crash-land in the jungle, and they need the player's help to get them back to their ship – dealing with some dangerous terrain and troublesome traps along the way.

The game is controlled by flicking, pushing, nudging and swinging the soldiers to safety, which the player can accomplish by manoeuvring various objects such as springs, ropes, fans and other objects left in the jungle by the natives.

Each of the 40 levels some ingenuity and quick thinking to overcome puzzles, combined with the timing and accuracy needed to avoid obstacles and perils, such as water and spikes.

Stuart Varrall, founder of Fluid Pixel Studios, expects the game to prove a hit. He says: “It’s a fun game that doesn’t take itself too seriously, the style will appeal to audiences worldwide and it’s easy to pick-up-and-play."

KamiCrazy is the first game released for the iPhone by Fluid Pixel, one of a growing number of successful game developers based in Middlesbrough in North East England.

The game is available to download for free as an, 8-level Lite version, or as a full 40-level game for just $3.99. Both versions are available in the iTunes online store.

Lizard Interactive to launch Neofun free-to-play game portal in Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Lizard Interactive, leading developer of MMO games and operator of the free-to-play game portal NeoFun,com, announced that it will partner with game publisher XtraVision to launch the NeoFun game portal in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao.

XtraVision will introduce three successful free-to-play MMORPGs in sequence to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao in the first quarter of 2009. Lizard Interactive and XtraVision are working to provide new and exciting contents customized to for the rapidly growing and vibrant game communities in that region.

Lizard Interactive’s global game portal, NeoFun, was launched just last October and is already expanding the selection of games available to include various flash and web browser based games in the first quarter of 2009. Always fun and always new, NeoFun.com.

Capcom 2009 games - Resident Evil 5, Street Fighter IV, Dead Rising Chop Till You Drop, Neopets Puzzle Adventure, Flock!, MotoGP for Nintendo

Capcom, today confirmed that seven of its upcoming titles will be released within the first half of 2009. The line up demonstrates Capcom’s commitment to pursuing a multi-format strategy and growing its portfolio of titles and includes the latest installment of some of the industry’s most cherished franchises.

Throughout 2008, Capcom was at the forefront of digital download titles and this is set to continue into 2009 and beyond. Its first downloadable game of the year Flock! is scheduled for release this February and will be available for the Xbox LIVE Arcade, PlayStation Network and PC platforms. Flock! sees players take control of a UFO that is tasked with herding animals to its mother ship through a variety of interactive levels. With over 50 levels in single player and online co-op mode and a simple yet powerful level editor to extend the experience, Flock!’s unique theme, clever humour and easy pick up and play controls will ensure a new twist on the puzzle genre.

On February 20th the revolutionary Street Fighter series makes a very welcome return with Street Fighter IV releases on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 systems. The release date of the PC version will be confirmed shortly. The series which has amassed combined global sales of over 25 million units aims to put the fun back into the fighting genre and reignite the passion of the Street Fighter II era. Everything that made the legendary Street Fighter II a global hit is back in Street Fighter IV with the addition of new characters, including fighters added just for the console version of the game, special moves, locations and gamezplay elements, providing challenges for even the most seasoned Street Fighter pro.

Infecting gamers and completing Capcom’s list of releases for February is Dead Rising Chop Till You Drop, scheduled for release for the Nintendo Wii on the 27th of the month. Based on the Xbox 360 title, which to date has sold over one million copies, the humour and challenge that made the original such a hit with gamers still remain, while many core elements have been totally redesigned for the Wii platform and audience, taking zombie bashing to a whole new level. With the added functionality of the Wii remote, players will be able to shake off zombie attacks and swing and throw dozens of makeshift weapons, from chainsaws to baseball bats in order to survive.

Based on the Nickelodeon property Neopets and also scheduled for release on February 27th Neopets Puzzle Adventure will extend Neopets’ virtual experience for fans when it is released for the Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS and PC. Neopets is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 stickiest sites and is currently the largest and fastest growing online youth community. With an exciting storyline featuring over 150 quests and three mythical lands to explore, Neopets Puzzle Adventure is the ultimate virtual-pet puzzle adventure game appealing to puzzle enthusiasts, casual gamers and fans of the Nickelodeon property.

Gamers around the globe have already written Friday 13th March 2009 on their calendars in blood red ink in order to mark the release of Resident Evil 5. This new title sees one of the industry’s most successful franchises brings the next generation of fear to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 systems. With the debut of co-op play and the introduction of other innovations to the series, Resident Evil 5 promises to set a new standard in action gaming.

Also scheduled for release in March is MotoGP for the Nintendo Wii. Due to hit retail to coincide with the pre-season activity for the 2009 MotoGP season, the title turns the Wii remote into a set of virtual handlebars as players compete across the three race classes in single races, a full championship or a series of challenge stages. Different handling models and AI rider characteristics allow ease of entry for riders of all skills whether a seasoned bike racing fan or new to the genre.

Completing this impressive line up is Bionic Commando, the first true sequel to the retro classic with an injection of next gen power. The title will be initially available for gamers on Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment’s PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) with the PC version following shortly afterward. Bionic Commando harnesses the power of the latest generation of hardware to fully exploit the swing mechanic that made the original title so unique. Using the powers of the Bionic Arm to swing between towering skyscrapers, punch cars, pummel opponents and grab distant enemies, players can gain a tactical advantage to progress through the compelling single player campaign and take on all comers in its multi-player modes.

Tales of Pirates: Prison Island Now Open

A new map called Prison Island, a special place where you can enjoy extreme PK, is now available in Tales of Pirates (http://top.igg.com/). There is no beautiful scenery, only ferocious monsters everywhere. You are supposed to survive on this dark, desolate island, and fight against any potential enemies.

How to get in the “Prison”

A Buy a Arrest Warrant in the Item Mall
B Choose a target and use the Arrest Warrant.
C After verification, the target character will be sent to the prison.
D Your spawn place will be arranged on Prison Island

Requirements

A Your character should not have any effects that forbid you from being sent to the prison.
B Your backpack should contain a Good Guy Card or a The Running of Time.

How to get out of the “Prison”

A You should ask the warden to give you a prison record card, and put it in the third slot of your backpack. After you’ve stayed in the prison for 1 hour, you use the card to have the warden send you out.
B You will have a chance to obtain a Release Warrant after defeating small and big bosses.
C You can buy a Release Warrant in the Item Mall.
D After you get out of the Prison, your spawn place will be arranged at one of the 3 main cities
E After you get out of the prison, you will not be allowed to go back to the prison for 1 hour.

For more information, please visit: http://top.igg.com/

Angels Online - Guild System Introduction

The guild system in Angels Online (http://ao.igg.com/main.php) is closely linked with in-game PVP battles. Only players in a guild are qualified to occupy a totem. Powerful guilds have more chances to grab the best territory, so guild improvement should always be a top priority for successful PVP. Today, the Angels Online team from IGG (http://www.igg.com) is happy to briefly introduce their guild system for all players.

There are four ranks for guilds in Angels Online. The higher the rank of the guild, the more guild members it can hold. The guild system plays a very important role in Totem Battles, which is basically a competition among guilds. Players can donate certain materials to enhance their guild’s reputation. When their guilds rank is enhanced, the guild can then recruit more guild members. What’s more, the Guild Coffer will be available to all guild members to assist with guild members needs. Only with more guild members and reasonable cooperation among different classes can a guild win the Totem Battle.

Players whose guild possesses a territory can claim an Angel’s Gift Box from the appointed NPC every day. Meanwhile, they can enhance their totem so that they have an even better chance to win battles. Players can enhance their guild’s reputation while they are building defense towers for their totem.

Pay attention! Production players become very important in the process of increasing the guild’s reputation because they can collect the materials which are necessary to level the guild up. The guild’s reputation can be enhanced quickly if there are many players who possess high-level collection skills in the guild. Apart from production players, fighting players and magic players are the main forces in the PVP battles because of their high damage output.

When players’ Angel Credit reaches level 3, players can go find the appointed NPC in the main cities and create a guild by paying a certain amount of in-game money.

The available Outpost Battlefield in Angels Online has proved how important guilds can be in game.

For more information about Angels Online visit:
http://ao.igg.com/guide/encyclopedia.php?aid=475

Roy Orbison tracks added to Rock Band music store

One of the most influential pioneers of rock and roll, Roy Orbison, has been added to the Rock Band Music Store catalog of downloadable content. Grammy Award-winning Roy Orbison was a singer, songwriter and performer whose distinctive sound scored him an astounding nine Top 10 hits in four years in the early 1960s. Orbison’s historic career began in the 1950s and saw a huge resurgence in the late 1980s, when he became a prominent influence on artists like Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Bono, k. d. lang and Traveling Wilburys.

The “Roy Orbison Pack 01” will include “Oh, Pretty Woman,” “Ooby Dooby,” “In Dreams,” Claudette,” “Mean Woman Blues” and “You Got It.” All six songs will be available for download as individual tracks as well. These six songs featured are hits from Orbison’s incredible legacy of albums including the recently released definitive box set Roy Orbison: The Soul of Rock And Roll (2008) which contains 107 recordings spanning Orbison’s entire career.

“When I was a kid, my world evolved around a black vinyl record," said Barbara Orbison. "How times have changed! Rock Band and Harmonix have given us a new way to experience music and now everyone can belong to a band. How much more fun could you have, than to play the opening riff of Oh Pretty Woman and try to sing like Roy Orbison?"

These tracks will be available starting January 6, 2009, for the Xbox_360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and January 15, 2009 for PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. Each individual track will be available for $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points) and $9.99 (800 Microsoft Points) for the 6-pack.

Release Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2009 (Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360)

Thursday, January 15, 2009 (PlayStation Store)

Tracks:

1. “Claudette”
2. “In Dreams”
3. “Mean Woman Blues”
4. “Oh, Pretty Woman”
5. “Ooby Dooby”
6. “You Got It”
(All tracks are original master recordings)

Price: $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track
$9.99 (800 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for the 6-pack

Locations: Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 and PlayStation Network

Sunday, January 04, 2009

PlayStation 2 is still the most played console at the start of 2009

According to year-end figures provided by Nielsen, it appears that the Sony PlayStation 2 remains the most played video game console, by far. In fact, in terms of "overall usage minutes", the PS2 accounted for just under 32 percent of the total.
Following in the list was the Microsoft Xbox 360 at 17.2 percent and the Nintendo Wii at 13.4 percent. The PlayStation 3 improved to 7.3 percent but somewhat surprisingly, lost to the original Xbox, which managed 9.7 percent of the total.

The PS2's lead diminished significantly from 2007's 42 percent of the total, but understandably so considering Sony has moved all their efforts to the next-gen PS3.

Year-on-year, the PS3 jumped from 2.5 percent to 7.3 percent of the total, the Wii jumped from 5.5 percent to 13.4 percent of the total, and the 360 jumped from 12 percent to 17 percent, all at the expense of the aging set of the PS2, Xbox and Gamecube.

Source: AfterDawn

Vending Machines sell video games, consoles, cameras and headphones...

According to Ars Technia, Best Buy Express (vending machines) are popping up in airports all over the US, and there is a very welcome surprise inside them!

For gamers who travel, handheld systems like the Nintendo DS and the PlayStation Portable are lifesavers. A boring, lengthy flight is the perfect excuse for a focused gaming session. But what if you forgot to bring your handheld of choice? Well, that's what vending machines are for.

Spotted at Atlanta International Airport, these Best Buy Express vending machines offer a wide variety of electronics for travelers, including digital cameras and headphones. The most interesting thing to us over here at OT? The inclusion of a DS system, as well as a number of games. This particular machine featured the likes of Guitar Hero: On Tour, Mario Kart DS, Brain Age 2, and LEGO Batman.

In addition to being very convenient, it also sounds like the games are priced at traditional retail prices, with a copy of MKDS running gamers $34.99. Given the inflated prices often found at airports, this is a welcome surprise. With the waits that often accompany flights, a new DS game seems like the perfect impulse purchase to pass the time. It also goes to show Nintendo's continued widespread appeal, as DS and Wii games and systems continue to sprout up for sale in the most unlikely of places.

See Me, Hear Me - A Video Game for the Blind

The Singapore-M.I.T. Gambit Game Lab (“gambit” for gamers, aesthetics, mechanics, business, innovation and technology) brings together computer geeks of Cambridge and computer geeks of the Asian city-state. The point: to develop video games for the global market from the outset, not translate them from one continent to another.

Eitan Glinert, there as a master’s candidate in computer science, got to thinking about one market lost in translation. “People with disabilities were being left out of progress in the gaming market,” says Mr. Glinert, 26. For his master’s thesis, Mr. Glinert wanted to make a game that would work equally for the visually impaired and for the seeing, so they could play together.

A team of seven other students at the lab and a professor from the National University of Singapore pitched in. The result, Audi Odyssey, can be played with a keyboard or Nintendo Wii remote (to download, go to gambit.mit.edu/loadgame/audiodyssey.php).

The game stars a D.J. named Vinyl Scorcher whose objective is to get the people in his nightclub on the dance floor, by playing great music. “Choosing music as our central game theme works perfectly since both sighted and nonsighted users are equally familiar with music,” Mr. Glinert says. But it wasn’t enough to make the game playable by both groups; both groups had to have the same experience.

“You listen for clapping beats while the song is playing,” he says. “Your task is to match these clapping beats.”

If you hear a clap to your right, swing the remote to the right in time with the music, or hit the right arrow key. With a “beat” matched, the player adds more tracks, and more clubbers dance. “The more complex the song gets, the more crowded the floor gets,” he says. One obstacle: overexcited clubbers might bump into his table. And onward to advanced levels of play.

Since the game came out last summer, Mr. Glinert has founded Fire Hose Games, in Cambridge, to develop video games with a positive social impact.

He wrote his thesis on his AudiOdyssey research. He got an A.

Source: New York Times

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