New SpongeBob SquarePants Game - A Full Menu of Cooking Challenges

SpongeBob Squarepants Frantic Fry Cook is currently in development and scheduled to make its debut exclusively for Nintendo DS in March 2009.

In SpongeBob Squarepants Frantic Fry Cook, Mr. Krabs has signed up to compete in the cooking contest that will determine who will cater Jack Kahuna Laguna’s Big Beach Party.

Players will be tasked with assisting SpongeBob, Patrick and friends in running the Krusty Krab and training Plankton’s cousins in the creation of the best deep-sea dishes.

Utilising the Nintendo DS touch screen and stylus, players will serve more than 100 different zany entrees, such as a perfectly done Krabby Patty, Anemone Meatloaf, Fried Seaweed Sandwiches and other Sponge-I-Fied foods.

With more than 25 different cooking activities, players will also learn how to cook SpongeBob style, which will include new and unique culinary techniques such as “skipping,” “painting,” and “slingshooting”. As players progress through the game, they will earn rewards that will allow them to customise and decorate the Krusty Krab restaurant.

Loaded with authentic voice-overs from Tom Kenny, the official voice talent of SpongeBob, the game also features wireless cooperative gameplay that will unlock additional Sponge-tacular recipes.

Nostale - Global - Free-to-play MMORPG launching in North America

Uforia, Inc., a new online game publisher specializing in massively multiplayer online games, today announced that they will bring popular MMORPG Nostale: Global to the North American market. From January 2009, gamers in North America can play the free MMORPG by going to Uforia's website at http://www.uforia.com.

"We are thrilled to be able to bring Nostale: Global to the North American market," said JK Kim, CEO of Uforia. "Nostale is a unique MMORPG with easy-to-access events which allow players to interact with other players in PvP and survival objectives. We are thrilled and honored that this is our first title as a newly formed publisher."

"Though they are a new publisher, the team at Uforia has a great deal of expertise and experience to bring to our partnership," said Kevin Song at Servex. "We have complete faith that Uforia will build and bring a strong Nostale community to Nostale: Global, which will lead us to great success in the US market."

Nostale is a free-to-play casual MMORPG which takes gamers through seventy exciting levels of the wonderful world of East Mile. Gamers can choose from one of four character classes, each with unique powers and features. The ultimate goal is to fight Dark Horn and his legion of demons in the land of death. On their way to the top, players have the choice of completing a variety of raids and acquiring a large selection of specialty cards which transform your character into one of over twenty specialty classes.

The game has its own unique sense of ownership. Each player has their own Mini-Land with a virtual player housing area where they can build their house, decorate their homes and environments to match their personality, store their pets and items and invite friends over to take a break and visit.

Nostale features a unique character progression system where characters progress to one of three classes and then are allowed to progress to specialized classes through class cards.

The game also includes an attractive set of comic-style characters that range from cute to fearsome. Players can capture monsters to fight alongside them as well as make friends with NPCs that will follow you around and be your ally in battle.

Secret Files 2 Puritas Cordis fans online comic strip

Deep Silver, the games label of Koch Media, a leading producer and distributor of digital entertainment products, has published the first little comic strip featuring the two Secret Files protagonists on the official website http://secretfiles.deepsilver.com. With this and other mini-stories that are to be published at regular intervals, the publisher intends to shorten the wait for adventure fans until the release of Secret Files 2 – Puritas Cordis for PC, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo Wii.

The first comic is a belated New Year's greeting aimed at the Secret Files fan community. More comic strips are to follow until the release of Secret Files 2 – Puritas Cordis.

About Secret Files 2 - Puritas Cordis:

Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis... the world is on the brink of disaster. By the time Nina Kalenkow realizes that the recent catastrophes were caused not by nature, but by an unscrupulous secret society known as Puritas Cordis, it is almost too late.

While her ex-boyfriend Max, a scientist, witnesses the brutal methods of Puritas Cordis at the excavation site of an ancient Indonesian temple complex, Nina joins forces with a priest in France to investigate the connection between the secret society's sinister prophesies and the creepy leader of an ancient order. A dramatic race against time begins.

Will the protagonists be able to avert the impending apocalypse?

Lego agents web game online

Three Melons has announced the launch of the LEGO Agents Flash Game featuring its Daiquiri technology. The game features five levels with engaging gameplay, using a simulated 3D perspective to showcase the products.


’The link between the game and the LEGO Agents product line is very strong, which indicates a good understanding of our products and communication guidelines making it a very good advergame not only for us but more importantly for the kids”, commented Sten Lysdahl, Internet Content Manager at LEGO.

Each level represents a mission that requires the players to chase a villain, interacting with high tech vehicles, all of which convey the excitement of being part of the LEGO Agents universe.

“We wanted the kids to be immersed in the Agents world using a deep 3Dish experience”, explained Pablo Mayer, Game Producer. “This is our fourth game with LEGO and we are looking forward to continue the relationship given that we are learning a lot about what the kids want.”

“Daiquiri is the baseline technology that allows us to create these types of games. We want to push the bar on what can be achieved inside Flash and Silverlight”, said Nicolas Cuneo, Development Manager at Three Melons.

The game can be played online at: http://agents.lego.com/en-US/games/default.aspx

Previous games Three Melons has developed with LEGO Include: LEGO Indiana Jones, LEGO ExoForce and LEGO City Coast Guards.

New Fashion and Beauty games on Nintendo DS

A new range of games aimed at aspiring girl gamers, who have a passion for fashion or are budding beauticians. An extension of the successful Fashion Designer: Style Icon, The Academy is a selection of titles that will initially see players taking over their own beauty salon and entering the world of haute couture.

Alongside the previously announced Diva Girls brand, The Academy is an example of our continued commitment to providing female console owners with interesting titles that feature characters that are realistic and provide inspirational role models.

The range is also based around real world vocations, which are brought to life in imaginative and enjoyable ways.

The series struts down the catwalk first with Fashion Designer: High Fashion on Nintendo DS. A sequel to the hit game Fashion Designer: Style Icon, players once again take on the role of an amateur stylist trying to cut it in the tough world of haute couture.

Up next is Beauty Salon, which sees you opening up your own studio and dealing with a range of people that come in asking for different treatments. From learning how to properly apply lipstick to creating wonderful hairstyles, can you keep all your customers happy?

"At 505 games, we're dedicated to creating a broad portfolio of products that offer consumers a range of diverse and enjoyable experiences" said Victoria Martin, Global Brand Manager. "The Academy is the latest brand in our diverse line up, which offers female gamers a real-life and fun experience that they can relate to."

The first Academy titles will be available mid-2009, with more exciting games expected to follow; adding to the breadth of activities available in the range. With the Diva Girls and Academy brands working alongside each other, 505 Games is ensuring it is offering a wealth of fun and challenging experiences for young female gamers.

FASHION DESIGNER: HIGH FASHION

Zoe returns with more fashion tips in the sequel to the best-selling Fashion Designer: Style Icon. Fashion is even more fun, with Fashion Designer: High Fashion. Significant feature improvements to the well-loved original deliver a deeper experience for every wannabe fashionista. The player once again takes on the role of the young designer who creates clothing for a host of customers and to ensure she’s famous and successful in the glamorous world of haute couture.

BEAUTY SALON

Become a star beautician by running your very own beauty salon. Master the art of hair-styling, cosmetics and massage... and above all, keeping your customers happy. Beauty Salon is the ideal game for girls of all ages who are interested in the world of makeup and fashion. It gives girls the opportunity to experiment with makeup and hair styles – something all girls love to do – while also learning techniques in style and application.

WiiWare games added Jungle Speed - Planet Pachinko - Castlevania III Dracula's Curse

What's your weapon of choice? Is it a laser gun? Or maybe just a simple deck of cards? No matter what type of game gets you fired up, the latest additions to the Wii™ Shop Channel are sure to add something new and exciting to your arsenal. With fast-flying cards, tumbling pachinko balls and sinister vampires in your midst, you'll need every tool at your disposal.

Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed 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

Jungle Speed (Playful Entertainment Inc., 1-8 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): Jungle Speed is a lightning-fast card game for the entire family, where quick reflexes and a keen eye will put you on top. Flip your cards, watch your opponents and grab the totem at the right moment to win the game. Just when you think you've got it down, a new card can temporarily change the rules and keep you on the edge. Play starts when the first person flips a card. Moving around the table, symbols are revealed until two of the exposed cards match. Players with matching cards must then scramble to grasp the totem in the middle of the table; the loser gets the winner's cards and anything in the pot. With paws flying, be the first person to get rid of all your cards and win the game.

Planet Pachinko (Allied Kingdoms Inc., 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone—Fantasy Violence, 500 Wii Points): Can you survive the Pachinkeet Temples of Planet Pachinko? In the future of the future, an ancient civilization has sealed away its riches in elaborate temples dedicated to the game of pachinko. Now the Robot family must fight through these dangerous temples in search of their lost puppy. Using their rockets, lasers, grenades and slime launchers, will they be able to survive the challenges? They aren't the only ones adventuring through the temples. The pirate Vile Vill and his minions are looking to loot the temples and take on the Robot family. Play in single-player mode or with a friend in exciting two-player co-op.

Virtual Console

Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (NES, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone—Fantasy Violence, 500 Wii Points): This is the third game in the popular Castlevania series and the last of the franchise released on the original NES console. Take on the role of Trevor Belmont, forefather of Simon, and battle Dracula in a time long before the events of the first two Castlevania games. In addition to his trusty whip, Trevor has a previously unseen power—the ability to transform into one of three different companion spirits that he meets during his quest: Syfa, a young vampire hunter capable of powerful magic; Grant, a ferocious pirate who can climb on walls; and Alucard, forgotten son of Dracula, able to shoot fireballs and transform into a bat. Use an assortment of weapons (some specific to each character) as you choose which path to follow in your fight against Dracula and his army. Loaded with replay value and featuring some of the best platform action ever, this title is not to be missed.

Wii Balance Board title - Marbles! Balance Challenge

First Wii Balance Board-compatible title. Marbles! Balance Challenge has been devised by Hudson Soft and will be released for Wii in April, 2009.

Marbles! Balance Challenge is a skill-based action title where the player helps an Ant called Anthony save his colony via a series of physical tests.

Wii Balance Board users can access Marbles! Balance Challenge’s 100 specially-created stages where the players steer a ball using the shifting weight of their physical movements. This unique way to control the game offers a new experience and combines fun and physical exercise. Players can also use gentle movements of the Wii Remote, with steering the ball through 200 different stages in a quest to locate the mythical ‘Golden Sunflower Seed.’







As the player progresses the level designs grow ever more complex as they introduce houses, snow-capped mountains, deserts, watery settings and even a space station. In addition to rolling through the colourful stages, the player must also collate parts needed to extend and repair the roads they traverse, which – when assembled – give access to the game’s final stage. Similarly, other items of ephemera can be collected and used to add new elements within the extensive edit mode.

Marbles! Balance Challenge includes tough multi-player modes where up to four players battle it out in a race to the finish, and an edit mode that allows users to create their own stages and share them among friends via the Nintendo Wii Connect24 service. The competitive element of the game can also be explored globally, with online leaderboards detailing the best scores for all to see.

Marbles! Balance Challenge for Wii will be released on April 30th, priced £24.99.

Guitar Hero III first game to pass $1 billion in sales

Roughly one year ago, Activision proudly announced that the Guitar Hero franchise had surpassed $1 billion in North American revenues (a feat accomplished in just 26 months). Now Guitar Hero has reached another important milestone, as Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock has become the first ever game to generate $1 billion in sales.

The news came from Activision Publishing CEO Mike Griffith during his keynote address at CES. Griffith also noted how the video game industry has had a profound effect on other entertainment sectors, and that Guitar Hero in particular has been hugely important to the music industry. For example, in its first week, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith sold over three times as many units as Aerosmith's last studio album. Furthermore, he cited Nielsen SoundScan data, which showed that artists whose music was playable in Guitar Hero had seen download sales increase 15-843%.

"Music has a history of evolving through technology and we are at the beginning of the latest chapter in that story," he said, as quoted by the BBC.

As for the newest Guitar Hero, Griffith said he's quite pleased with World Tour's user-generated aspect. 25,000 songs were created in the first 10 days and 141,000 songs have been posted so far. The Guitar Hero community site now has more than 600,000 members. To date, there have been 21 million user-song downloads.

Looking at the video game business overall, Griffith sees gaming dominating. "Movies, recorded music and TV - these are all stagnating or contracting entertainment sectors. Video games are poised to eclipse all other forms of entertainment in the decade ahead."

Full post here on Game Daily....

YS Online – Call of Solum!

* The YS Series is one of the top 3 most venerable Japanese RPGs.
* A combination of manga and free MMORPG.
* The Closed Beta will start on January 2009.

Based on the famous YS series originally developed by Falcom, CJ Internet Game Studio and Nihon Falcom have teamed up to convert the famous YS series to an online game which is brought to you by Key To Play.

Who will you be? A powerful Afrocan fighter? A wise Kimo or a skillful Eresian? Join a story that started 22 years ago and defeat the hordes of evil creatures invading the mystical Romune Empire, from seaport Lutino to Peruzard. You won’t be alone to follow the steps of Grey the Brave Hero and many battles await you.

Set in the era of the greatest adventures, the time of Adol, this unique version of YS will allow you and your friends to experience one of the top 3 most venerable Japanese RPGs. It is the perfect mix of manga and online gaming!

Featuring a fast-paced combat system, dungeons, crafting professions, guild battles and many more possibilities, YS Online – Call of Solum is one of the most anticipated MMORPGs of the year.

The adventure starts early 2009!

STORYLINE

The YS adventure is set in a mystical world with dark secrets: Romune, the center of the YS world. Dark spells are ravaging the entire continent and people are talking about the 6 lords and the 6 ancient books sealed with magic spells.

The Man of Wings was not only the Absolute Being but also a God in the Eresia Continent. With the Man of Wings' ascension to heaven, the ancient civilization that had blossomed in the vicinity of Vartekal and Romune came to an end. The Europa Region, situated in the center of the continent was on the brink of disaster due to the evil stone's incredibly reckless acts and the copious amount of legacies left by the Man of Wings.

After nearly a hundred years, numerous kingdoms across the continent collapsed, one after the other with a multitude of evil monsters emerging. Worse yet, the remaining kingdoms fell into the hands of those monsters for almost 20 years. After years of slavery, Grey the brave hero and his 12 valiant soldiers appeared. They eliminated the evil gods who were masterminding those monsters, paving the ground for an Empire under the name of Romune. The Romune Empire continued to expand its domain to a degree where it held sway over most of the regions on the continent including Europa.

And now, you are here to re-connect the historical dots of YS. YS Online inherits the worldview of YS series.

KEY TO PLAY

We are a new publisher specialized in different types of online videogames which has entered the European market with a bang thanks to PristonTale 2, and now, YS Online. Soon we will also distribute other equally attractive games. We have many surprises in store.

Key To Play’s strategy is clear and solid:

1. Provide an excellent online service to players.
2. Offer a variety of well-thought and well-selected games.


Key To Play is a company created by gamers for gamers.
In the upcoming months we will continue to grow and become one of the Europe reference portals for online videogames.

Watercolour Political Platform Puzzler Clover - on Xbox 360

The return of the classic platform-puzzle adventure with début title Clover, to be released in Q1 '09 via Xbox LIVE Community Games for 400 Microsoft Points. Rendering a much-missed genre in watercolour, accompanied by melancholy piano pieces and laced with political themes, Clover embodies Binary Tweed's frank motto of "New games that are a bit like old games, but better."

Set in a medieval world ruled by a monarchy with a welfare state, Clover tells the story of Sam, an adolescent teenager. Recently orphaned after his lone parent mother died in a shock attack on the proud nation of Sanha, Clover follows Sam's journey of discovery as he explores the land and events surrounding his loss.

Clover is a plot-driven platformer in the style of classic titles such as Fantastic Dizzy that sees the player solve logical puzzles by collecting items, talking to a diverse cast of characters and exploring artistically realised environments. Featuring many hours of gameplay and plot development, Clover promises value-for-money beyond other Xbox LIVE Community Games. The game innovates on its predecessors with modern gameplay mechanics, such as unique and forgiving alternatives to player 'health' and 'death'.

"Clover is a game about artwork and plot; so much so that we're struggling to fit everything within the size limit," said Daniel 'Deejay' Jones, Managing Director of Binary Tweed. "We wanted to make a game that has the artistic charm to appeal to a broad audience, whilst exploring issues that communicate to adult gamers."