EA granted exclusive video game license by Ludlum Entertainment

EA announce that Ludlum Entertainment has granted the company exclusive worldwide license to create video games based on the works of Robert Ludlum, including the Jason Bourne series.

Under the multi-year agreement, EA will release the first game based on Jason Bourne, which is currently in development with Starbreeze Studios in Uppsala, Sweden.

Mike Quigley, group vice president of marketing, EA Games Label, said that this agreement will bring the action, intrigue and intensity of Robert Ludlum's fiction to life for casual and core gamers.

EA said that Matt Wolf, a video game veteran, will work with EA to oversee the creative development, production and positioning of the Ludlum Entertainment games portfolio.

Financial details of the license agreement were not disclosed.

Smartphones including iPhone and Blackberry massive increase in video game downloads...

The number of people downloading mobile games grew 17% year-on-year to 8.5 million - with smartphones, such as the iPhones and Blackberry, overtaking traditional mobiles for the first time ever.

"The rapid growth in smartphone adoption in the United States has provided a boost for mobile gaming, as 34 per cent of those downloading a game in November did so using a smartphone," said Mark Donovan, senior analyst, comScore.

The study of US consumers showed that the number of smartphone owners downloading a game nearly tripled, while downloads on traditional phones dipped 14 per cent.

iPhone owners now represented 14 per cent of all downloaded mobile game in November, with 32.4 per cent of all iPhone users reporting they downloaded a game in the month, compared with a market average of 3.8 per cent.

"Last year, not one smartphone appeared in the top 10 devices used for mobile downloads," Donovan explained. "This year, six out of 10 are smartphones, excluding devices with smartphone-like functionality, such as the Instinct and Voyager, which also make appearances."

"As the mobile phone has evolved into a better platform for both playing and merchandising games, the games being offered have also been improved, drawing in a broader user base."

"Over the past year, we have seen mobile gaming expand into a broadening demographic, with strongest growth among teens, who previously eschewed their mobile device in favour of handheld gaming devices, and those 35 and older," Donovan concluded.

Source: GamesIndustry

Blood Magic gets Time of Shadows PC video game add-on

Leading Eastern and Central European publisher 1C Company today announced the development of Time of Shadows.

Time of Shadows is an add-on to the popular action RPG Blood Magic which now unveils its world of magic even further. Over hundred new spells, divided into 12 magic schools, bring fresh power to your fight against hordes of enemies as you stop their invasion. Follow your destiny and uncover the truth behind the sinister plot. As with Blood Magic you can again create unique combinations of spells which are especially useful in multiplayer mode. This system of magic is the most innovative ever seen in a modern RPG. Players can also compete in 2-person duels or in large arenas against many others in true melee combat.

Time of Shadows is currently scheduled for a spring 2009 release.

Blood Magic is a third-person action RPG where the weapon of choice is magic. The game is set in a richly detailed medieval fantasy world, allowing the player a wide variety of choices both in individual quests and character development. There are over a dozen different fields of magic, allowing players many choices for specialization. The most unique aspect of the magic system is the ability to combine spells.

Please find more information about Time of Shadows at www.1cpublishing.eu/game/time-of-shadows.

Sims 2 tops US PC video games chart - 8 out of 10 games form EA or Activision

Electronic Arts and Activision dominate the top ten of the US PC games chart for the week ended January 24.

US PC games chart follows:

01 The Sims 2 Double Deluxe
02 World Of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Expansion Pack
03 Spore
04 The Sims 2 Apartment Life Expansion Pack
05 Fallout 3
06 World Of Warcraft: Battle Chest
07 World Of Warcraft
08 Left 4 Dead
09 Civilization IV
10 Call Of Duty: World At War

RPGamer Names Black Sigil - Blade of the Exiled Most Wanted RPG of 2009

Most Wanted RPG of 2009 Editor’s Choice Award from RPGamer for the upcoming title Black Sigil - Blade of the Exiled for Nintendo DS. As part of the voting for their annual Best of 2008 awards, RPGamer looked ahead to the most wanted games of 2009 and included Black Sigil on that list.

“It beat out lots of other RPG’s in a vote from the entire staff. We are ecstatic about it!” says Michael Cunningham, Public Relations Manager for RPGamer.com.

"I found my experience to be very enjoyable, and Black Sigil promises to be fun," stated Maxime Viventi of RPGamer.com.

Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled is a Role Playing Game (RPG) that will excite all gamers. The game includes vivid environments that create a realistic yet imaginative landscape with 40 to 50+ hours of gameplay and tons of side-quests. Dark secrets and powerful plot twists create an original and intriguing story line. You can strategically customize your 3 person party from up to 8 unique characters, and there are 100+ different physical and magical skills/combos, 100+ different weapons, and 200+ different pieces of armor.

Yard Sale Hidden Treasures - Sunnyville video game on iPhone and iPod Touch plus FREE lite version

The Method Moves into Direct-to-Consumer Games Space with Launch of Yard Sale Hidden Treasures: Sunnyville; a Highly Addictive Game for the iPhone and iPod Touch

The Method, in partnership with Slapdash Games, today announced the release of Yard Sale Hidden Treasures - Sunnyville for the Apple iPhone and iPod touch. Priced at $4.99, this title is sure to be an instant App Store classic.

“I am proud that we have teamed up with Slapdash Games to bring this highly addictive PC game title to a whole new audience,” said The Method CEO Marcus Hopkins. “We are confident that fans of the App Store will truly love Yard Sale. Along with the launch of this title, we look forward to expanding further into the direct-to-consumer games space.”

Yard Sale Hidden Treasures: Sunnyville allows players to compete for the coveted “Best in Show” in the Superstar Homes Magazine Parade of Homes. Residents of Sunnyville search for hidden swag in eccentric homes to complete the ultimate in home décor. Players can also renovate antiques for that special touch. A follow-up to the hugely successful PC game, Yard Sale Hidden Treasures: Sunnyville features:

• 12 unique locations to hunt for hidden objects;
• 16 Creative repurposing projects, to help players turn trash into treasure; And
• Decorating functions, to help players become a “Superstar Designer” and turn their dream home into Sunnyville's top abode.

Yard Sale Hidden Treasures: Sunnyville is suitable for all ages, and is a must buy for game players of all skill and experience levels.

For more information about The Method or its products please visit: www.Method-Solutions.com. Purchase Yard Sale Hidden Treasures: Sunnyville on the App Store here.

A free “LITE” version of Yard Sale Hidden Treasures: Sunnyville is also available on the App Store here

Midnight Club: Los Angeles Official World Championship Series Begins

Rockstar Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, announce that eligible gamers across the globe will now have the chance to battle for supremacy in the Midnight Club: Los Angeles Official World Championship Series. Hosted on the Rockstar Games Social Club, tournaments will take place monthly during 2009 and feature prizes such as Rockstar Games gift certificates and rewards from Rockstar Games partners, including a Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle and a year of free pizza from Pizza Hut.

The Rockstar Social Club is the central hub for all tournaments, as well as Rate My Ride, the unlockable Audi R8, and numerous community features for Midnight Club: Los Angeles. Details on all Rockstar Social Club events are available here...

From now until February 6th, players of Midnight Club: Los Angeles on both the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system can sign up for the very first tournament, the Rockstar Games Starter Cup, via the Rockstar Social Club for a chance at a $500 Rockstar Warehouse grand prize shopping spree. Worldwide time trials followed by head-to-head championship races will determine the ultimate grand prize winner. The Rockstar Games Starter Cup winner will be crowned in the finals on February 13th. Time trials will kick off in the scenic Midnight Club: Los Angeles race Sand and Surf, with the final battle taking place across a series of different courses.

For more information, log on here.

Contests are void in certain countries and where prohibited. No purchase necessary. Eligibility limited by age and location of players. See http://socialclub.rockstargames.com/events/ for complete official rules and eligibility details.

Zu Online - New Items Introduction

The Zu Online team http://zu.igg.com from IGG is happy to announce the release of some new items in the Zu Item Mall, including Training Helper-7 Days, Refining Helper-7 Days, Training Helper-30 Days, and Refining Helper-30 Days for all players.

Here's a brief introduction to these items:

Ⅰ. Reward One (30 Days) Introduction

Players can right-click the Helper to claim their rewards after they purchase it from the Item Mall. They can use only one Helper each day and they must claim their rewards each day.

Item Introduction: The Helper will not disappear after being used and it takes 5 second to cool down. It will exist for 29 days in your bag and each slot can only hold one Helper.)

Right click the Training Helper-30 Days each time to obtain following items: Thunder Casket Package*1, Rain Item Package*1, Wind Item Package*1 and 20,000 Bone.

Right click the Refining Helper-30 Days each time to obtain following items: Lightning Casket Package*1, Cloud Item Package*1, Fog Item Package*1 and 20,000 Bone.

Ⅱ. Reward Two (7 Days) Introduction

Players can right-click the Helper to claim their rewards after they purchase it from the Item Mall. They can use only one Helper per day and they must claim their rewards each day.

Item Introduction: The Helper will not disappear after being used and it takes 5 second to cool down. It will exist for 6 days in your bag and each slot can only hold one Helper.)

Right click the Training Helper-7 Days each time to obtain following items: Thunder Casket Package*1, Rain Item Package*1, Wind Item Package*1 and 20,000 Bone.

Right click the Refining Helper-7 Days each time to obtain following items: Lightning Casket Package*1, Cloud Item Package*1, Fog Item Package*1 and 20,000 Bone.

Lonpos Puzzle game on Nintendo Wii

Looking for a puzzle game that anyone can play, but still offers plenty to master? Look no further than LONPOS, with its straightforward premise and large variety of puzzles to solve.

Each puzzle revolves around a rectangular playing field of 55 spaces.

Using a set of 12 pieces, the goal is to place every piece into the playing field, filling it completely. The higher the level, the more pieces you'll need to fit correctly into the playing field.

Challenge yourself with two single-player modes or bring a friend to compete against or cooperate with.

When you think your skills are worthy, use Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to check out how you compare with other LONPOS players or download additional puzzles and backgrounds.

(Router and broadband access required for online play. For more info, go to www.nintendo.com.)

Format: WiiWare
Launch Date: 02/02/09
ESRB: E (Everyone)
Wii Points: 800
Game Type: Puzzle, Board Game
Control Type: Wii Remote
Players: 1-4
Publisher: Nintendo
Unique Features: Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, Add-on Content

Play Colosseum - Win an Xbox 360 Elite!

Shortfuse Games hosts a Colosseum contest, offering a brand new Xbox 360 Elite as first prize.

On February 2, the Colosseum Boss Challenge opens for entry.

Without breaking a sweat you can be the lucky winner of a slick black Xbox 360 Elite, brand new! The challenge is simple.

All you have to do is to capture yourself beating a boss of your choice on video. Shortfuse Games community manager Johan Hermerén explains what the contest is all about:

"Don't bother finishing off the boss as fast as you can; we'll premiere style and finesse. We recommend you to customize yourself a cool character and perform some nice combos and specials to defeat the boss!"

Colosseum is available on Xbox LIVE Community Games for Xbox 360. The contest opens on February 2 and closes for entries on March 15, 2009. Read more about how to win the Xbox 360 Elite at www.shortfuse.se or www.colosseum-game.com.