The Guild and Neighbours From Hell to be released on Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS

JoWooD Productions has announced that they will increasingly focus on Nintendos DS and Wii systems to broaden the corporate product portfolio. Popular brands like The Guild and Neighbours From Hell will be released for Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii.

“Bringing our most popular and well-known brands to DS and Wii is a great opportunity and illustrates JoWooD’s multi-platform approach. The Guild is set in an incredibly rich post-medieval world. Its compelling and unique gameplay will translate well to the new hardware. The humorous, family-friendly puzzle game Neighbours From Hell will especially benefit hugely from the innovative control schemes offered by Nintendo’s highly successful consoles.

The broad games portfolio enables JoWooD to contribute to almost every segment of the Wii and DS gaming market. With our experience in the industry and reliable development partners we are well positioned to attract console gamers from all over the world.” says David Skreiner, Assistant Producer.

The release for Neighbours From Hell is planned for the 2nd quarter of 2009. With this step, the Austrian publisher will position his popular games on the growing console market.

EA has confirmed that Battlefield: Bad Company 2 and Battlefield 1943 are in development.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 sees the return of Bravo Company and their darkly comic slog through the Second World War. We're promised such locations as snowy mountaintops, dense jungles and dusty villages with destructible scenery once again courtesy of the Frostbite engine.

The game will be released on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Meanwhile the multiplayer-focused Battlefield 1943 will be released for PC, and for consoles via the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live. EA says the game features 24-player multiplayer action over three classic and tropic locations; Wake Island, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. It is powered by the same graphics engine as Bad Company 2.

"Bad Company 2 takes everything that players liked in the original and ups the ante – more vehicles, more destruction and more team play," said Karl Magnus Troedsson, Executive Producer Battlefield Franchise, DICE. "Battlefield 1943 is a new take on a blast from the past classic coming to life with brand new technology that we’re eager to get into players hands."

Source: Boomtown

Rise of the Argonauts video game out in UK tomorrow 6th February

Codemasters announced that Rise of the Argonauts, an epic action RPG developed by Liquid Entertainment and published by Codemasters, will be available to buy from UK retail stores from tomorrow (6th February 2009) for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and the PC. To see the exclusive “Big Finish” UK launch trailer and for more information about the game, visit www.rise-of-the-argonauts.com.

Rise of the Argonauts immerses players in a gladiatorial adventure set in a wondrously imagined vision of ancient Greece. Taking the role of Jason, a hero and weapons master, players will battle alongside Hercules, Achilles, Atalanta and other Argonauts as they engage in brutal combat and enchanting dialogue against formidable beasts and enemies, in a vast world alive with fickle gods, jaw-dropping panoramas, deep exploration and epic quests. The search for the Golden Fleece is not only one of exploration, but of transformation: from warrior king to exalted hero touched by the gods.

3 on 3 NHL arcade skates onto PlayStation Network and Xbox Live

EA SPORTS Downloadable Title Prioritizes Accessible Fun with Low Cost of Entry

Electronic Arts announced today that 3 on 3 NHL Arcade - an all-new downloadable experience from EA SPORTS Freestyle - is now available worldwide on the PlayStation Network for £6.29. The game will be available on XBOX Live Arcade for MS Points, on February 11, 2009. Developed at EA Canada by the team that produced the critically acclaimed NHL 09, winner of 10 Sports Videogame of the Year Awards, 3 on 3 NHL Arcade is a no rules, fast paced, hockey experience that gamers of all types can enjoy.

From the exaggerated player-looks of 40 of the NHL’s top stars to game changing power-ups, 3 on 3 NHL Arcade is a light-hearted hockey game that appeals to everyone. With no rules to hinder the action, you can deliver devastating checks that send your opponent over the boards, or check the goalie if he skates out of the crease to play the puck. Feel like you need to turn the tide? Grab one of eight power-ups to change the momentum of a game and fly down the ice with a super-speed skater to beat a mini-goalie with a trick move for that highlight reel finish.

With two control schemes to choose from, players can pick between button controls that allow gamers of all skill levels to pass, shoot, hit and use the all-new trick moves with ease, or the more advanced Skill Stick controls from NHL 09. In addition to standard ranked matches, 3 on 3 NHL Arcade allows the ability for three players on one console to play three other players on another console anywhere in the world*. With fast paced action, crushing hits and loads of room to experiment, 3 on 3 NHL Arcade will have gamers from all walks of life excited about hockey.

This game has been rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and 12+ by PEGI.

*Internet connection required

Super Robot Taisen OG Saga - Endless Frontier video game on Nintendo DS

Atlus U.S.A., Inc. today announced that it has secured the North American publishing rights for Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier on Nintendo DS, a sci-fi/fantasy-action RPG side story of the Super Robot Taisen Original Generation games. Embark on a journey across the fascinating worlds of the Endless Frontier along with robots, were-people, mermaids, demons, and humans all living with each other in harmony... more or less. From the fantastic new battle system to the captivating story of alternate worlds and characters bursting at the seams with personality, there is plenty to discover and uncover (*ahem*) in this well-rounded adventure.

Unlike most RPG battle systems, players will be engrossed in the interactive, action-packed, fighter-style combat in Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier. Customizable turn and time-based attacks allow players to administer the ultimate beat down on enemies by juggling them in the air and executing a continuous chain of kicks, punches, slashes, gun attacks, bombs, and more. In addition, players can call on their allies to extend their attack chains to ridiculous lengths.

As a continuation of the Atlus Spoils fan appreciation program, each and every launch copy of Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier will be a premium boxed release, with a soundtrack CD featuring music from the game included in the final retail package. It's our way of saying thanks to our fans for their continued support!

Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier is scheduled for release on April 28th, 2009 with an MSRP of $34.99.

About Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier
Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier is a unique sci-fi/fantasy RPG that takes players across a variety of worlds, ranging from an apocalyptic wasteland covered with the hulks of downed spaceships to a fantastical place of fairy tales and dark magic. Join Haken Browning: gunslinger, professional bounty hunter, and amateur ladies' man, along with his motley crew of robots, were-beasts, secret agents, and busty princesses as they delve deep into the mysteries of how their worlds came to be and face a threat that imperils the multiverse.

Key Features

• Super Robot Taisen is back - Built on the DNA of the beloved Super Robot Taisen series, Endless Frontier expands the scope of the universe into a saga of multiple worlds and the conflict of humans, robots, and countless others living across space and time. The long-awaited return of the series brings with it with a brand new story and characters and a reinvented battle system.
• High-action chain combat system - Enemies go up and stay up with a battle system that lets you juggle foes with a run of kicks, punches, slashes, gun attacks, bombs, and more! Chaining is the name of the game, and timing-based button presses let you create an acrobatic string of assaults. You can even call in allies to keep the chain going longer!
• Customize your attack combos - Pick and choose from a menu of attack skills to create the combo line-up you want to use in battle. Skills vary in strength and resources used, in addition to side benefits of stunning, triggering critical hits, and more.
• Bonus items - Owners of the Super Robot Taisen Original Generation games for Game Boy Advance™ can unlock bonus items in their Endless Frontier game by booting the game with the GBA cartridges in the GBA game slot of their DS unit.

Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier has been rated "T" for Teen with Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, and Suggestive Themes by the ESRB.

Tekken 6 video game Fact Sheet

• Ultimate Entry to the World’s No.1 Fighting Game Brand!
• Largest Character Roster in Tekken History – 40 Playable Characters to Master!
• Ground-Breaking Online Game Modes!
• Endless Possibilities to Customize and Design Your Ultimate Fighter!

Watch HD game trailer here on my YouTube channel... please subscribe

With over 33 MILLION UNITS SOLD WORLDWIDE, the No 1 FIGHTING GAME FRANCHISE of all time soars onto the NEXT GENERATION PLATFORMS with UNBRIDLED VENGEANCE!

Armed with jaw-dropping HD graphics running flawlessly at 60 fps; the largest character roster ever in Tekken gaming history; ground-breaking online game modes and robust character customization system; the greatest fighting game franchise soars onto the PlayStation 3 Computer Entertainment System and Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system!

• Gorgeous Graphics! – The advanced high definition graphics and 3D animation technologies create the most impressive HD visuals in Tekken history.
• The Largest Character Roster Ever! – Master 40 unique fighters representing the world’s top martial arts styles! The character line-up includes 34 beloved characters, such as Jin, Heihachi and Kazuya, as well as 6 brand new characters with unique fighting styles and combo systems!
• Compete and Battle Globally! – Prove your supremacy against players from around the world with online VS mode!
• Endless Possibilities to Customize! – Create new characters and customize them with every imaginable detail. Customize their hairstyles, apparel, fashion accessories, tattoos, etc. Then take your own ultimate fighters online!
• Dynamic, Interactive, Destructible Environments – Punch your enemies through concrete walls or kick them through floors to open a whole new battleground. The stages go through dynamic changes ranging from a sudden attack helicopter crash to vehicle explosions!
• Plus More!

Publisher: NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe SAS
Developer: NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
Release Date: Q4, 2009
Platform: PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
Genre: Fighting Action
Player: 1 – 2 Players
Rating: TBC

Kung Fu Panda voted best animation in a video game by the International Animated Film Society

The video game based on Dreamworks Animation's movie of the same name just scored an Annie, beating out Dead Space and Wall·E.

The 36th Annual Annie Awards threw down this past weekend, honoring the best that animated things have to offer, whether they be animated feature length movies, achievements in storyboarding or outstanding television commercials.

Another Gamezplay.org Kung Fu Panda post here...

Three games were nominated in the "Best Animated Video Game" category, with Activision's Kung Fu Panda snatching the Annie "in recognition of creative excellence in the art of animation."

I'd cry foul, but I've yet to bask in the animation of Kung Fu Panda in any of its forms. Who objects?
Source: Kotaku

Sims 3, Godfather 2 and Dragon Age video games delayed to next year - 2010

EA said it would delay the release of "Sims 3," "Godfather 2" and "Dragon Age" to fiscal 2010 from fiscal 2009, and that it would narrow its product portfolio and cut variable costs.

EA in December warned its fiscal 2009 profit and revenue will fall short of already-low forecasts due to disappointing holiday sales of its video games in North America and Europe.

"The quarter was definitely worse than I thought, definitely below the most pessimistic of expectations," said analyst Todd Greenwald of Signal Hill Group. "The sort of silver lining on the cloud: they gave fiscal 2010 guidance that is slightly above where I was and slightly below consensus, but I think people were fearing worse."

EA to dedicate half it's games output to Nintendo Wii console

Speaking during a conference call, the CEO of EA detailed a renewed focus on the popular machine, as the publisher dedicates half of its home console output to the Nintendo Wii.

"The Nintendo Wii is even more important than one year ago. It is a clear leader in this cycle," said Riccitiello. "They are getting half our emphasis in terms of title count."

EA Sports games are key to breaking the Wii market, said Riccitiello, with the new Wii MotionPlus accessory enabling EA to increase quality and deliver the type of gameplay experiences associated with Nintendo's own first-party output.

"You will see we are taking great advantage of their new hardware addition with the motion sensor," he said. "What that is going to give us is the kind of gameplay we think will rival Nintendo on their own platform, and we are bringing marketing together in such a way that we think we can get noticed in ways that no other third party will."

Two titles central to this are EA Sports Active, the fitness game due later this year, and a new tennis franchise, which also makes use of the Wimbledon license.

"We're going strong, right out of the box, with EA Sports," declared Riccitiello.

"EA Sports Active is taking advantage of the world's fascination with fitness - the strength of the Wii Fit platform - with a spectacular title in my judgement that's coming out in our first quarter."

"The second thing that is coming out in the quarter is we are launching our tennis SKU, and initially Wii only, and following it up with other franchises."

Along with more MySims releases, EA plans to market its Wii range collectively, rather than as individual titles.

"We are bringing three titles together, and we are aggressively marketing them," said Riccitiello.

Yesterday, EA reported a loss of USD 641 million, the decision to close 12 facilities and increase redundancies to 1100 across the group.

Source: GamesIndustry

Free PC video game America's Army picks up five Guinness World Records

The U.S. Army today announced that its America's Army PC game, which lets players explore Soldiering in the U.S. Army, has been recognized with five records in the upcoming Guinness World Records 2009: Gamer's Edition. Guinness World Records 2009: Gamer's Edition, the second installment of the must-have "Gamer's Bible," will hit shelves February 4th with a list price of $21.95. The Gamer's Edition features the definitive collection of video game records, facts and trivia.

The America's Army PC game received awards in the following categories:

• Largest Virtual Army
In January 2007, America's Army recruited its 8 millionth registered user; at the same time, the actual U.S. Army comprised just 519,472 Soldiers. This makes the virtual America's Army 15 times larger than the real thing! Today the game has over 9.7 million registered users.

• Most Downloaded War Video Game
According to official estimates, America's Army, in all its various iterations, has been downloaded 42,611,601 times. It is also the most downloaded game from Fileplanet.com, itself one of the most popular gaming download sites on the internet. The most recent version of the game was downloaded almost 2.4 million times between January and July 2008.

• Most Hours Spent Playing a Free Online Shooter
According to the U.S. Army, as of August 2008, gamers have spent 230,918,365 hours playing the PC version of America's Army. Gamers from over 60 countries have played America's Army since it was launched in 2002.

• Earliest Military Website to Support a Video Game
The website americasarmy.com is the first military website to support a video game series. America's Army is also the first multiplatform game to receive a government-licensed trademark.

• Largest Travelling Game Simulator
The Virtual Army Experience (VAE) is a highly modified version of America's Army that includes six life-size Humvees surrounded by multiple flat screens, with room for up to 50 participants. Mounted in the vehicles are modified light-gun weapons. The teams inside each vehicle, which shakes in reaction to nearby explosions, are tasked to drive supplies to a beleaguered group of aid workers in dangerous territory. The VAE takes up 1,811 m2 (19,500 square feet).

The U.S Army recently announced the upcoming America's Army 3 game where every detail counts. America's Army 3 is the only free action game that delivers an authentic and entertaining Army experience by reflecting the training, technology, actions and career advancement of a Soldier within a unique exciting game experience. AA3, which will be rated T for Teen by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), will be released in 2009. As with previous versions of America's Army, AA3 will be frequently updated to include new features and missions and to highlight new technologies being incorporated in today's Army. Using the state-of-the-art Unreal Engine 3, America's Army game developers brought the most popular trademark gameplay features from the previous versions to an all new level in AA3. Highlights include authentic weapons and technologies, realistic training and exciting gameplay missions. AA3 provides p layers new insights into the Army and Soldiering while making the game easier to play, easier to install and easier to download.

The first edition of Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition was published in February 2008, and received critical accolade from gaming industry reviewers. PC World said: "if you truly want to prove your mettle in the gaming arena... your name in the Guinness World Records Gamer's edition is the only way to go about it," while critics from Popular Science praised: "If you care about gaming, something here is going to fascinate you." The latest book is currently available everywhere books are sold.