Freaky Creatures- the best of online multiplayer PC gaming, collectible action figures, virtual worlds and social networking

Abandon Interactive Entertainment today released new screenshots revealing player-created lairs as well as a turn-based battle system in the upcoming online creature building and battling game, Freaky Creatures. Hitting shelves in early 2009, Freaky Creatures combines the best of online multiplayer PC gaming, collectible action figures, virtual worlds and social networking.

In Freaky Creatures, players start with an empty lair they can fill and customize to house their Creature using an assortment of items including pillars, a radio, furniture and plants. Players can then invite their friends’ Creatures to socialize and explore in their own personalized lair. The screenshots reveal the multitude of decor a player can use to enhance and personalize their lair.



In preparing for battle, players can choose from a variety of parts and powers that work in unison with each other to increase their chances of winning battles. The screenshots show how the creatures use their various parts and powers to battle each other for points, experience and Creature Credits. Creature Credits can then be used to buy more parts, powers and objects for the creature’s lair.

The Freaky Creatures experience begins with a starter pack that includes 2 action figures and a 1GB reuseable flash drive. Once players have created their unique creature they can jump straight into battle or build a lair where they can care for their creature and invite friends over to hang out. They can also participate in the Freaky Creatures community, personalize their homepage, play mini-games, join tournaments, check leaderboards, trade items, read animated comics, enter contests, form teams and much more in the ever expanding Freaky Creatures Universe.  

Starter packs will be available in early 2009 for $19.99.

Chop Sushi puzzle game on iPhone and iPod Touch

Get caught up in sushi-matching mayhem with this innovative puzzler which is destined to become an iPhone classic!

Sink your teeth into hours and hours of match 3 puzzle action as you conquer over 40 unique and challenging levels. Use the device’s touch screen to literally pick up your chopsticks and swap sushi pieces over the vibrant game board, no need to be an expert - these utensils are easy to pick up and play!

Bring your appetite for adventure as you journey across the game’s 15 unique islands meeting new challengers and gathering secret recipes to use in puzzle battles. Create unique combinations, triggering insane combos including the awesome WASABI BOMB! and unleash their devastating effects on your opponents!

Features

• Exciting match 3 puzzle action with fresh anime style graphics and responsive touch screen controls
• Hours of fun and game-play
• Collect new recipes in Adventure mode to aid you through the game
• Create combo’s and trigger your collected recipes to devastate your opponent including the mighty WASABI BOMB!
• 3 unique modes of game-play:
• Adventure – Travel through the game’s massive world and encounter opponents in battle
• Quick Play - Re-play puzzle battles that you have unlocked in adventure
Mode
• Challenge - Match up all pieces on the game-board in a limited number of turns

Aurora Blade - Express System

The first and only Express Company has already been created in Aurora Blade (http://ab.igg.com) - players can find the company in the Daks of cities and towns. It has been very popular with many players because of its perfect service and, today, the Aurora Blade team from IGG is giving a brief introduction to the Express system for all players.

Except for bound equipment, players can mail items, equipment, food and others to their friends via the Express Company. The Express Company service in Aurora Blade covers 34 in-game maps and areas. No matter where you are, you can receive a letter from the company and then you can claim your package from any nearby Daks.

It's really convenient to mail items in Aurora Blade. You just need to talk to the appointed NPC and choose “Send a package”. Then fill out the package list including the consignee, the content, items and money you would like to mail. No matter what you would like to mail, it only costs you 10 Copper Coins. After finishing the package list, press “OK” to send the letter. After 10 minutes, your friends can pick-up the package.

Aurora Blade is the first browser-based 2D RPG brought to you by IGG and distinguishes itself as a simple yet exciting game with immersive storylines for players of all ages and skill levels.

Combat Arms Europe - Official launch set for NEXON Europe's anticipated Online First-Person-Shooter

Nexon Europe announce the official launch for its Online First-Person-Shooter, Combat Arms Europe.
The official launch, going live on Thursday, January 15th, seals the recent successful series of beta testing and delivers extensive updates of contents including new maps, game modes, weaponry and gears, and in-game Clan System.

The Clan System will start off with a month-long special event, challenging and revealing the most honorary clans at Combat Arms Europe with luring items to be won.

Add-ons of new battle zones will transport users to a deadly biochemical lab, crashed cargo plane on enemy territory and a remote desert town where they can further hone their fragging skills, and new game modes including Capture-The-Flag and Spy Hunt will provide players distinctive modes to show off their expertise and comradeship. Checking out all of these new features will reward users with a bonus supply of GP (Gear Points) on four consecutive weekends, as part of another special event starting from January 17th.


The foundation of Combat Arms, like all Nexon Games, is providing a distinct, social gaming experience in a free-to-play environment, and players can join the arms race for free by signing up at http://combatarms.nexoneu.com .

About Combat Arms:

Combat Arms is a fast-paced, multiplayer shooter, designed for non-stop action on the grounds of various battlefields where players are recruited to get engaged with their enemies in multiple game modes. While integrating the traditional attributes of the FPS genre, Combat Arms advances further by evolving striking features such as character customization as well as weapon modification system, enabling the players to adjust their weapons with attachments such as scopes, silencers and extended magazines. Additional eye-catching feature is the unique backpack system, which allows players to combine a set of multiple weapons from the extensive armory for a more sophisticated combat experience on the battlefield.

Combat Arms is easy to adapt for newcomers with handy control while providing deep gameplay mechanics to veteran gamers. In-game currencies and experience points are rewarded based on the number of victories and kills made, and when accumulated, it will help the players to rank up and to mount with new weapons and equipments, while having access to their actual performance stat anytime during the gameplay. Moreover, the extensive community features within the game actively support the clan system, where players can easily recruit, manage, and communicate with their clan members.

Cryostasis, NecroVisioN and Men of War PC video games

505 Games has announced that it is releasing icy survival horror Cryostasis, fast-paced monster FPS NecroVisioN and World War II strategy title Men of War under the 1C Company label on 20th February 2009 exclusively on PC.

CRYOSTASIS

Taking place in the Arctic Circle in 1981, players take on the role of Alexander Nesterov, a Russian meteorologist sent to investigate the final hours of the North Wind, an old nuclear ice-breaker shipwrecked in an icy grave.

The freezing cold has turned the inhabitants of the ship into freakish frozen monsters that will hunt down anything warm and destroy it. Thankfully, Alex possesses a unique ‘Mental Echo’ ability, which allows him to relive the final memories of the dead and change their actions in the past.

But, can Alex discover what happened on the North Wind or will he also become the latest victim of the terrible cold?

NECROVISION

NecroVisioN is a first-person horror shooter, which sees players taking on the role of American soldier Simon Bukner, who must fight his way through the bleak trenches of World War One and into the very jaws of Hell.

Dead soldiers are coming back to life with a lust for human flesh, a mad German scientist has created a giant robotic scorpion and an ancient war between vampires and demons is threatening to wipe out humanity.

Armed with his powerful Shadow Hand and demonic weapons, Bukner must battle to save himself... and the world.

MEN OF WAR

See World War Two from three different sides - Russian, Allied and German – as you command entire armies and plot your battle strategies across epic maps based on real-life locations.

Men of War takes place across the globe during the height of World War II and features three different campaigns, each with their own unique units, vehicles and missions. From the Russian missions starring two student comrades fresh to the horrors of war, players are soon catapulted into massive battles with dozens of units under their command.

In addition to the in-depth single player experience, Men of War also unleashes a range of multiplayer maps based on the main missions along with action-packed ‘capture the flag’ and ‘high-value cargo’ modes.

Bit Trip Beat Arcade style WiiWare video game

BIT.TRIP BEAT exclusively for WiiWare! Developed by Gaijin Games, BIT.TRIP BEAT marks the first adventure of Commander Video. Using the Wii Remote, players will test their twitch skills as they battle through a retro-esque universe, familiar to the old generation and yet reinvented for the new.

Everything comes from something. We were before we became. From life comes rhythm, and from rhythm comes life. We are beings of information. Everything is a conduit for learning. We communicate in bits and bytes. And we will return to something once we become nothing; after our BIT.TRIP is complete.

“BIT.TRIP BEAT is a crazy mix of 80s aesthetics and modern game design,” states Michael Manzanares, Producer of Aksys Games. “It's challenging, yet fair, and completely addicting."

“The Gaijin Games team wanted to make a game that used the tools of today to inspire the fun of yesterday. Our goal was to make a game that was as simple in gameplay as the games of the early 80s and equally as fun-even though gamers' tastes have changed over the years,” continues Alex Neuse, Designer of Gaijin Games. “And let's face it, sometimes a really good videogame is just awesome. We hope you enjoy BIT.TRIP BEAT.”

Key Features:

• Bring Back That Loving Feeling
BIT.TRIP BEAT brings back the classic arcade-style gameplay where getting the high score matters!

• Pixel Blocks For The Win
Keeping the arcade-style gameplay isn’t enough, BIT.TRIP BEAT sports a unique retro-inspired art style that will stimulate your senses.

• Old School Tunes
Who said old-school 8-bit music was out? BIT.TRIP BEAT bumps the latest chiptune music to keep the action fresh!

• Friends Can Play Too!
Can’t beat a level? No problem, BIT.TRIP BEAT allows 2 to 4 player co-op mode! But don’t think that makes it any easier…

Crazy Machines 2 - puzzle game add-ons

Viva Media has announced the launch of an all-new add-on for their wildly popular puzzle game, Crazy Machines 2. Now players can ratchet up the fun and tinker around with over 60 all-new levels! Featuring a dozen new elements, including a monster truck, electrostatic fields, fiber optic cables, a hot air balloon and so much more. Satisfy your brain’s puzzle craving with even more Crazy Machines 2! Don’t waste a minute – get back into the game!


Features:

• 60 new levels
• Two new background themes
• 9 new decorative elements such as lawn gnome and wheelbarrow
• 12 new elements including monster truck, lit, fiber optic cable, electrostatic fields, and hot air balloon

Requirements:

Must already own Crazy Machines 2
2 GHz Intel Pentium 4 or better MHz CPU, 512 MB RAM, DirectX 9.0 compliant card, DirectX compatible sound card, CD-ROM drive

KooKeys - Virtual World Enhanced with Several New Features - KooBank, KooKoliseum and Mt. Kooliminjaro

Several exciting updates to the KooKeys virtual world announced. 

In addition to the hundreds of mini-games, shop items and educational content already included in KooKeys, players will now have access to the following new features:
KooBank - Players will get a chance to learn about the world of finance with the KooBank. Players will be allowed to deposit their virtual currency into an interest bearing account increasing their responsibility meter and cash flow.

KooKoliseum - For the first time in all of KooLand, players will have the ability to challenge each other to multiplayer games in the KooKoliseum. These interactive games will allow children to compete in exciting new games to win KooKoins or other in-game prizes.
Kooliminjaro Neighborhood - Players have a new place to house their KooKeys in KooLand. Kooliminjaro, unlockable through a series of game play achievements, features snow-capped mountains, luxurious mountain chalets, and a snowy resort where the slopes are always open.

"The beauty of KooKeys is that the product keeps growing with exciting new content and innovative activities for children," said Alex Reece, 10VOX Entertainment partner. "After the initial plush toy purchase, the fun and game play value of KooKeys never ends. The team at 10VOX is committed to creating entertainment and educational content that can't be found with any other product in this category. We are planning additional updates throughout the year and look forward to the response from kids and parents."

KooKeys combines real-world plush toys with a fun and safe massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) for kids, tweens and teens. KooKeys is a secure online world filled with nonstop interactivity, gameplay and rewards - both entertaining and educational. The toys are available at specialty retailers for approximately $15.00 each, with no additional costs or monthly subscription fees, for endless online gaming fun.

Castle Crashers 'King Pack' download - New Characters, weapons, and magic

New Characters, weapons, and magic for 2008's most popular Xbox LIVE Arcade title

The Behemoth announced today that the “King Pack” downloadable content is now available for their hit game Castle Crashers, the most played Xbox LIVE Arcade title of 2008. The fearless leader of the four Knights has stepped into the fray, bringing with him another playable character, an adorable new animal orb, and shiny new weapons! The King’s magic is totally different from any other in the game, allowing players to heal themselves and others!

The “King Pack” includes:

Two New Characters! Open Faced Gray Knight and the King.
New Weapons! NG Lollipop, NG Gold Sword and the King’s Mace (equipped with the King).
New Animal Orb- Pelter, the Seal.
New Magic! King’s Healing (Gold Knife, Healing Magic and the Kingly Jump).

About Castle Crashers

As Xbox LIVE Arcade’s top hit of 2008, Castle Crashers has attracted a wide-ranging audience with its engaging art style, easy control system, and simple yet addictive game play. From seven-year-olds playing their first video game to hardcore older gamers looking to recapture the 2D arcade games of their youth, this game has something for everyone. Hack, slash, and smash your way to victory in this red-hot arcade adventure! Featuring hand-drawn characters, Castle Crashers delivers unique hi-res illustrated visuals like nothing you've ever seen before. Play with up to three friends locally or over Xbox LIVE to save your princess, defend your kingdom, and crash some castles with an arsenal of combos and magical attacks to choose from! Priced at 1200 Microsoft points, Castle Crashers boasts 20 levels, over 40 weapons, and 20 unlockable characters, making this one of the largest games available on Xbox LIVE Arcade.

Cartoon Network Universe Fusion Fall online game site launched

Majesco, an innovative provider of video games for the mass market, and Cartoon Network Enterprises today announced that Cartoon Network Universe: FusionFall for PC and Mac has shipped to retail outlets nationwide. The first massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) for kids, and a major initiative for the network, FusionFall is set within a re-imagined Cartoon Network universe where players must rally together to defend the world from an epic alien invasion.


The Victory Pack Exclusive retail version of FusionFall is loaded with extras including: a four month subscription to the online game, an in-depth game guide with details of all "Nanos," monsters and adventure paths, and codes for two exclusive outfit and weapon sets only available in the Victory Pack.

"FusionFall is an innovative and groundbreaking MMOG that will appeal to the legions of Cartoon Network fans," said Gui Karyo, Executive Vice President of Operations, Majesco. "Partnering with Cartoon Network on the retail version of the game was a major initiative for us and we believe the extensive added value in the Victory Pack will enhance the playing experience."

"A massive undertaking for the network, FusionFall stands to be a truly unique and rich gaming experience for kids that blends some of our most popular characters in a way that has never been seen before," said Christina Miller, vice president, CNE. "Building off of this excitement, we're pleased to partner with Majesco to offer fans an extension of the game at retail day and date with its online launch." The intergalactic conqueror Planet Fusion is invading the Cartoon Network world - warping terrain, corrupting the environment, and creating evil Cartoon Network character clones! Players must team up with the online community and more than 50 characters from some of Cartoon Network's most popular shows - including Ben 10 Alien Force, Dexter's Laboratory, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Ed, Edd' n Eddy, The Powerpuff Girls, Kids Next Door, Samurai Jack, and many more, to restore order to the Cartoon Network universe. After creating their own unique avatar, players will explore a massive 17-plus square kilometer area with 60 playable zones including familiar areas from Cartoon Network shows and fusion "infected" areas.

Created through a partnership with leading Korean MMOG developer Grigon Entertainment, FusionFall is a mix of 3-D console platform game action and all the customization, character development and open-ended world exploration of a MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game). New, expanded content will be added to the game regularly. Players can collect a variety of items throughout the game, including more than 30 customizable "Nanos" - tiny stylized versions of Cartoon Network's most famous characters - that provide special powers and abilities across more than 600 unique missions. In addition, FusionFall's distinctive visual approach combines an all-new cel-shaded anime style fit within the familiar look and feel of Cartoon Network.

Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and up, the Cartoon Network Universe: FusionFall Victory Pack Exclusive for PC and Mac is now available for the suggested retail price of $19.99. The game will also officially launch online January 14. For additional information about the game please visit the official site at www.FusionFall.com.