Marv Wolfman Joins Creative Team Developing DC Universe Online Video Game

Wolfman To Lend Storytelling Talent To DCUO Saga

In another sign of Sony Online Entertainment LLC’s (SOE) commitment to the upcoming DC Universe Online (DCUO) massively multiplayer online video game, the company today announced that award-winning writer Marv Wolfman has joined the creative team at WildStorm Productions that is working with SOE to bring the DC Universe to life on the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and the PC.

Wolfman will write compelling story arcs, exciting quests and in-game events for DCUO. Wolfman’s seminal run on The New Teen Titans is a favorite among comic book fans, and along with his work on series such as Crisis on Infinite Earths, Batman and Superman, he has become one of the most recognizable names in comics of the last three decades. His illustrious comic credits also include creating and writing Blade, The Vampire Hunter.

Wolfman joins an all-star roster already at work on DCUO, including legendary comic book artist Jim Lee, who serves as the game’s executive creative director, and renowned DC writer Geoff Johns, who is crafting the game’s overarching story. DCUO is currently in development at SOE’s Austin studio in collaboration with DC Comics and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

“Getting Marv on board with DC Universe Online shows just how passionate and determined we are about making sure this franchise delivers for both video game players and comic book fans alike,” said John Smedley, president of SOE. “This is a true collaboration between the top talent at DC and SOE, and I believe the result of this creative alliance will be one of the most exciting, memorable online game experiences to date.”

Wolfman has been a creative force both on and off the pages of comic books. Wolfman recently worked as a writer for the popular Teen Titans animated series. In addition to Blade, which was turned into a TV series and three hit movies starring Wesley Snipes, he created Bullseye, the prime villain in the 2003 movie Daredevil. Wolfman has received numerous awards and recognition for his work, including the SCRIBE award for best speculative fiction novel adaptation for Superman Returns, and a special commendation by the White House for his work on three anti-drug comics for the “Just Say No” program.

“As a gamer, this is a dream project in many ways,” said Wolfman. “I get to create new stories in the DC Universe that will make this video game world a truly unique, unforgettable experience.”

About DCUO

DCUO offers a dramatic online setting where players can enter the DC Universe and battle alongside or against their favorite DC Comics heroes and villains including such icons as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and The Joker, as well as many other fan favorites such as Green Lantern, The Flash, Catwoman and Martian Manhunter. The action and drama will play out in such well-known locations as Gotham City and Metropolis among others.

Scottish band The Fratellis add tracks to Rock Band video game

Harmonix and MTV Games announced today that Scottish alternative rock band The Fratellis will make its Rock Band debut with the addition of three tracks to the Rock Band Music Store catalog of downloadable content.

The 3-pack setlist includes “Creepin Up the Backstairs,” “Flathead,” and “Henrietta,” all featured on the band’s 2006 debut album Costello Music. The Glasgow-based indie rock trio has garnered several awards including the 2007 BRIT Award for Best British Breakthrough Act.

Release Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 (Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360)
Thursday, February 12, 2009 (PlayStation Store)

** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change **

Tracks:

The Fratellis “Creepin Up the Backstairs”
The Fratellis “Flathead”
The Fratellis “Henrietta”

(All tracks are original master recordings)

Locations: Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360
PlayStation Network

Globulos.com reopens free to play!

The multigames multiplayer website Globulos.com, who won the Flash Festival, Flash Film Festival New York and Independent Game Festival finalist, reopens with a "free to play" model.

The 20 games and the 50 playing fields are playable 100% for free. Games are 1 against 1 player, 2 against 2 or melee of 4 players. The gameplay is a mix between arcade fun and simultaneous turn based strategy. The kawaii style was noticed by the Japanese Nintendo official magazine, Nintendo Dream with a full page article.

Some options like character customization or power-ups (teletransportation, invisibility and a lot more) can be purchased using Globbies, the website currency.

The 20 games are: Arena, Football, Croquet, Tic-Tac, Save the King, Darts, Funky Foot, Bomber, Rally, Volley, Sumo, Flipper, Pétanque, BomberKing, 4-Square, Snooker, PacGlob, Basket, DartsKing, Monster.

A Nintendo DS game is being developed and is targeting the upcoming DSiWare channel.

For additional information on the news that is the subject of this release (or for screenshots), contact Alex Houdent or visit http://www.globulos.com/press/

GlobZ started in january 2000. A Flash web specialist, the company develops games for clients around the globe as well as its own games. Globulos.com is one of them.

Nintendo DS 101 games 101 games in 1 cartridge

Atlus U.S.A., Inc. today announced that it has secured the North American publishing rights from European developer and publisher Nordcurrent for 101-in-1 Explosive Megamix for Nintendo DS, a collection of 101 addictive mini-game types including: puzzles, sports, racing, cooking, shooting, balancing, juggling, and much more. There is practically no end to the fast-paced arcade action!

Players of all ages will have hours of fun earning gold coins by successfully completing challenges and spending their tokens to reveal dozens of exciting new games, striving to unlock more and more each time. Simple to play, these addictive and unique games will keep players engrossed in activities such as shooting hoops, completing puzzles, sticking sushi, shooting paintballs, dodging fish, and more.

101-in-1 Explosive Megamix is the perfect game to take on the road because players can enjoy a game whenever they have a spare moment. In addition, 101-in-1 Explosive Megamix takes full advantage of the unique capabilities of Nintendo DS, meaning players can easily manage the dual-screen fun using the intuitive touch controls. On top of all this, players can challenge a friend to multiplayer competition through local wireless play, making 101-in-1 Explosive Megamix for Nintendo DS a never-ending supply of fun and excitement!

101-in-1 Explosive Megamix is scheduled for release on April 21, 2009 with an MSRP of $19.99. (With one hundred and one titles, the price averages out to less than twenty cents per game!)

Key Features

• One hundred and one games on a single cartridge - No other game for Nintendo DS offers players this much bang for buck. It averages out to less than twenty cents a game, and that's not including the fun of unlocking new challenges and the ability to play with a friend!
• Unlock dozens of exciting new games! - Collect gold coins by setting high scores, and then spend them to unlock dozens upon dozens of exciting new games. The more you play, the more gaming enjoyment you'll uncover!
• Compete with friends in local wireless - Challenge friends to head-to-head action through multi-card local wireless play.

Poker for Dummies PC video game

Poker For Dummies for the PC is sure to entertain and educate poker novices and enthusiasta alike! Learn to master three of the most popular Poker games; Texas Hold'Em, Omaha and Seven-Card Stud. Review the basics including rules and vocabulary. Then, participate in a practice mode where a coach offers tips and advice. Finally, engage in game play on your own and put your new skills to use!


Key features

• Play and master three popular Poker games: Texas Hold'Em, Omaha and Seven-Card Stud 
  
• Easy-to-follow lessons allow you to learn at your own pace.
  
• Practice with a Poker coach who can advise whether to fold, call, or raise.
  
• Use the odds calculator to tip the scales in your favour.
  
• Test your skills against up to five virtual opponents.
  

Peter Chung creates graphic novel of The Velvet Assassin video game

Official Graphic Novel Available with Game Purchase at GameStop – Limited Time Only

SouthPeak Games announced today that it has partnered with world-famous animation artist Peter Chung to create all-new, original work based on the upcoming stealth-action game Velvet Assassin. Chung is best known as the creator and director of Aeon Flux, and has worked on a number of animation projects, including The Animatrix and The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury. The 15+ page digital graphic novel will be available as an exclusive, limited-quantity bonus item to those who purchase the game at GameStop.

Chung will be working with the Velvet Assassin team to contribute to the remarkable story of Violette Summer. His work can be seen in a graphic novel that focuses on Violette’s early years and tells the story of how she became an undercover part of the war effort.

Velvet Assassin provides an intense stealth action experience set deep in Nazi territory during World War 2. With its strong basis on real historical events, Velvet Assassin’s rich universe easily lends itself to additional back stories like Chung’s. Players will be able to get their hands on both the digital graphic novel and the game later this year.

Travel Games for Dummies Nintendo DS video game

EA Casual Entertainment provides a fresh way to master and play fun games on the go with Travel Games For Dummies for the Nintendo DS. Travel Games For Dummies is the first DS title in a series of For Dummies video games from EA developed in collaboration with Beanbag Studios and inspired by the world famous For Dummies brand. Travel Games For Dummies will be available in North America October 28, 2008 and in select countries across Europe in 2009.


Travel Games For Dummies allows you to get hands on with three popular games: Solitaire, Sudoku and Crosswords, all in one game. An easy to navigate interface allows you to comfortably and easily learn how to play, improve, or find better ways to play these popular travel games.

Begin by reviewing the basics through a simple tutorial mode. Then, participate in practice modes where you can get hints while you play. Finally, engage in full game play on your own, putting your new skills to use!

PC versions of additional For Dummies games from EA will be available for download on EA’s online destination Pogo.com in the coming months including Poker For Dummies, Solitaire For Dummies, Brain Training For Dummies, and Sudoku For Dummies. Poker For Dummies and Brain Training For Dummies are also available for the PC at retail stores beginning in October 2008.

Key features

• Three Games in One! – Enjoy three of your favorite travel pastimes on the go: Solitaire, Sudoku and Crossword Puzzles!

• Hundreds of Puzzles – Engage in hundreds of challenging games and puzzles with multiple difficulty levels from basic to brain-twisting!

• Tons of Solitaire Fun - Play 10 different Solitaire games including Klondike and Pyramid.

• Become a Sudoku Master - Full-featured Sudoku practice mode with highlighting option, candidate hints, and more.

• Take Crosswords to the Next Level - Advance from beginner to pro with Crosswords, with multiple hint options including additional clues and letter inputs.

Konami to bring Saw movies to video games

Konami has reportedly entered into a deal with Lionsgate to bring the Saw movie franchise to videogames in time for the sixth movie instalment.



The publisher picked up the title from the movie studio after Brash Entertainment, originally at work on the adaptation, closed its doors and abandoned the project, reports Variety.

Set for release in the fall, the Saw videogame was supposedly a candidate for self-publication by the movie production company and will feature voice acting from the series antagonist Jigsaw, played by Tobin Bell.

We Cheer - Cheerleading game on Nintendo Wii

505 Games has called in the pros to run an expert eye over the upcoming Namco Bandai cheerleading title, We Cheer available exclusively for Nintendo Wii. Three of the Sheffield Storm All-star Team’s finest launched promotional activity for the game last week by wowing press at Nintendo’s Wii Flat in anticipation of the 6th February release date. The Storm girls took a break from their recent recruitment drive to take some time getting familiar with the game as well as showing off the title, and their skills, to members of the press and retail.

“We’re more than happy to be involved with a game which will hopefully give more publicity to our sport, which is always growing in popularity in this country,” commented Coral Head, Storm All-stars founder. “I’m a bit of a gamer myself but this was the first time I’d played a Wii. Now I have no excuses!”

We Cheer allows all future all-star recruits to brush up on their techniques using two Wii remotes as virtual pom-poms to reach the top of their game. Following on-screen commands, players spin, shimmy and shake their way through a choice of 30 high-energy songs spanning over four decades of music. Taking cheering to the next level, the special Workout Mode helps to burn calories as you cheer and dance. Fitness buffs can choose the exercise program they want to take part in before hitting the gym with a specially chosen trainer who encourages them throughout the workout.



“I personally like the fact that the developers have taken the time to choreograph real cheerleader moves,” added Coral. “It’s a cool way for kids to get a bit of a work out too. We certainly had to throw ourselves about a bit on the harder songs, the lads here didn’t seem to mind too much though.”

We Cheer is out today, exclusively for Nintendo Wii.

KEY FEATURES

· Use two Wii Remotes as virtual pom-poms in a championship cheerleading contest –no need for any extra peripherals.
· Licensed songs from a variety of artists, including Hilary Duff and Paramore.
· Create your own cheerleader and customise them with a variety of tops, bottoms, shoes and more.
· Form your own super squad of cheerleaders by unlocking new team-mates and outfits.
· Unique Workout mode, with extended and quick workouts.
· Compete to be the best cheerleader with two-players, or cheer with up to four friends in the Cheer Off Mode.

Free PES 2009 update download for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC

Konami has confirmed the content of its latest free download for PES 2009 for PLAYSTATION 3, Xbox 360 and PC-DVD.

Due for download at the end of February, the update will bring all club sides' rosters in line with all the moves and transfers made before the end of the January 2009 transfer window. Hundreds of players have been updated and corrected in line with their moves, with approximately 200 new players added to the game for the first time. The stats of thousands of players have also been refined, in line with their performances so far this season.

The download demonstrates Konami’s commitment to continually updating PES 2009, with further exciting downloadable content set for release in the coming months.