Grand Ages - Rome - Create your own Character

GRAND AGES: ROME characterization features. GRAND AGES: ROME is the sequel to Kalypso Media’s city building strategy game Imperium Romanum, a top 10 European hit title. Previous players of Imperium Romanum will not be disappointed with GRAND AGES: ROME’S massively updated graphics, more complex combat and a wealth of new features to please new and old fans alike. GRAND AGES: ROME allows the player the opportunity to rule the greatest empire the world had ever known. Is there an Emperor within you?

Create your own Character

GRAND AGES: ROME offers players the ability to pick their own character and gender from one of five prominent Roman families - Aemilii, Valerii, Lucii, Flavii, or Julii. Selecting a family is an important choice - take care to read the family descriptions carefully. Families have differing traits, which in turn affect their strengths and weaknesses. You will be prompted to create or select a new character when starting a new campaign, free build map, or multiplayer game.

Your character will develop over time, gaining personal wealth and talent points, which can be used to improve their military and city building abilities, as well as providing initial resources for missions.

You can use any previously created character for a free build or multiplayer mission, while in the campaign mode only the missions that the selected character has reached or completed will be available.

The developers of GRAND AGES: ROME are Haemimont Games.

GEM Impact team to score Bayonetta's cutscenes alongside other composers

GEM Impact, Inc. announced today that the studio’s four composers will be contributing to the highly anticipated action title from PlatinumGames, Bayonetta. Set to be released in September of this year on the Microsoft Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 consoles, the title will be an important project for the team in 2009.

GEM Impact will be responsible for the game’s cutscene music, and will work alongside PlatinumGames sound directior Masami Ueda (Devil May Cry, Resident Evil) and composer Hiroshi Yamaguchi (Okami). The jazzy nature of the title’s music has been a perfect fit for the GEM Impact team, who have been exploring new territory since their success with Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and Ninja Blade.

“PlatinumGames is a studio that needs no introduction,” states Hibino, “We’re excited to be working with the many renowned game creators at PlatinumGames, and look forward to contributing music to Bayonetta.”

While details regarding Bayonetta are scarce, the music is shaping up to be as unique and energetic as the gameplay trailers and images that have been released. Watch for more details regarding the music of Bayonetta as the release date approaches.

Acquisition of Luminary - Rise of the Goonzu for Europe

Aeria Games is pleased to announce its newest acquisition Luminary: Rise of the Goonzu from developer nDoors Corporation, for release in the European MMORPG market.

Luminary: Rise of the Goonzu is a highly unique political and economic RPG designed to simulate reality. Players will choose their profession and rise through the ranks of society, eventually becoming a leader of the community, a Goonzu. Luminary offers an unparalleled gaming experience where the player can create their own items to be sold for currency, complete fun and engaging quests, purchase stock, become a political figure and even have their own workforce of minions.

Luminary: Rise of the Goonzu promises to offer an enjoyable gaming experience with the high quality service and support of Aeria Games. As one of the best known games in Korea and other Asian countries, Luminary joins a list of successful MMO games being published or will soon be published in Europe by Aeria Games - Shaiya (German, French and Turkish) and Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine (German and French).

The Dark Spire Nintendo DS video game with free music CD plus: free music downloads

Each and every launch copy of the game now a premium boxed release

Atlus today continued its Atlus Spoils fan appreciation program with the news that The Dark Spire, an upcoming RPG of exploration and character development for Nintendo DS, will be a premium boxed release, with each and every copy of the game's initial launch run including a soundtrack CD featuring 24 tracks of music from the game. Brooding yet lively, The Dark Spire's score, laden with synth and sharp chords, complements the game's foreboding style perfectly. Songs from both the contemporary and retro modes are included on the bonus disc.

"Our census data indicates that given the choice between only a game, and a better-packaged game with a free bonus soundtrack, a significant number of our fans seem to prefer getting free extras," analyzed Aram Jabbari, Manager of Public Relations and Sales. "We don't want to rush to any conclusions here, but it seems possible that people enjoy free bonus things along with their games. Hopefully, we're actually reading the data correctly this time, unlike that study on whether or not our fans enjoyed bonus live scorpions with their games. We really blew it on that one, and we apologize to those affected."

Parties will be assembled; stats will be rolled; items, weapons and armor shall be equipped, and monsters will be slain. The powerful Archmage Tyrhung resides in a tower of mist and shadow. He holds in his possession a jewel of great worth and power. A group of adventurers assemble. Will they be able to conquer Tyrhung and his nefarious tower? The party sets out, its fate yet to be determined...

The Dark Spire is scheduled for release on April 14, 2009 with an MSRP of $29.99.

For track samples from the bonus soundtrack CD

Men of War Multiplayer Beta on FilePlanet

505 Games is pleased to announce that fans of real-time strategy games are in for a treat on February 11th, courtesy of an exclusive Men of War multiplayer beta being hosted on FilePlanet.com. Developed by Best Way, Men of War will be released by 505 Games under the 1C label on February 27th 2009.

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By registering at FilePlanet.com, users can then download the beta when it launches and get unrivaled access to the World War II real-time strategy title, weeks before it launches anywhere else. Once players have downloaded the beta, they can then challenge others online in the game’s varied selection of multi-player matches.

Up to 16 people can go head-to-head in four different modes, including Battle Zones, Capture the Flag, Combat and Combat FFA. The beta also features 9 different maps - and 4 nations – Britain, Soviet Union, America, and Germany – each with their own unique troops and vehicles.

“We’re delighted to be working with FilePlanet on the beta for Men of War,” said Alex Price, Senior Global Brand Manager, 505 Games. “This exclusive first look at the game, will ensure that real-time-strategy fans can get their hands on this incredibly realistic and in-depth title before anyone else.”

Men of War takes place across the globe during the height of World War II and features four different armies – Russia, America, Germany and the Allies - each with their own unique units, vehicles and missions. From the Russian missions starring two student comrades innocent to the horrors of war, players are soon catapulted into massive battles with dozens of units under their command.

The Men of War beta is available to download now. The full game will be released exclusively on PC by 505 Games under the 1C Label in Europe in February.

Cold Kill Monster Hunter 2 video game wallpaper

The expedition aims to locate and collect giant Anaconda specimens with reports coming in of locals seeing the indigenous snakes as big as 40 feet long – twice as large as they’re supposed to be – in nearby swampland.

Link to post with wallpaper here...

The CFZ hope to collect some young specimens and bring them back to their new zoo facility in Devon.

F.E.A.R. 2 Project Origin video game Fact Sheet

Summary: Intense close-quarters action and paranormal suspense combine in the sequel to the 2005 smash hit, F.E.A.R. Incredibly smart enemies and over-the-top FX bombard players as they race to save what’s left of the city of Auburn from Alma’s ghostly rage.

Story: Beginning shortly before the ending of F.E.A.R., a Special Forces squad is on a routine mission when the city of Auburn is rocked by a supernatural explosion. Alma, a girl with immense power and a thirst for revenge, has unleashed her wrath upon the city and thrown it into chaos. The squad must combat enemy forces and the supernatural as they struggle to find a way to stop Alma and uncover the mysterious forces arrayed against them before it’s too late.



Key Features:

• Strategic environmental combat opportunities available to both you and your enemies
• Slow time using your character’s enhanced reflexes
• In your face close-quarter action in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments
• Battle all-new enemies that employ advanced combat tactics
• Test your nerves and face your FEARS as you battle new characters and unravel a terrifying mystery
• Utilize the world interaction enhancements to create instant cover or remove obstacles
• Play with and against friends in multiplayer competition
• Enhanced graphics engine takes action horror to new heights through enhanced visuals and effects
• Enemies behave realistically and use the environment against you through vastly enhanced enemy Artificial Intelligence
• Maintains the authenticity of the Alma storyline and players will know this is the only place to continue the saga

Platforms: Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system and Windows platform from Microsoft, and PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Developer: Monolith Productions
ESRB Rating: M
Genre: First-Person Shooter

Abertay University to become first UK Centre for Computer Games Excellence

The University of Abertay Dundee is to become the UK’s first ever university centre of excellence for computer games education thanks to a £3 million investment from the Scottish Government.

Abertay’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Bernard King said: “The global, interactive, creative media sector has a potential market value to Scotland of up to $68 billion by 2012. If in Scotland we are to be successful in reaping that economic growth potential, then we need to be continually producing new interactive products and upgrading our workforce’s skills.

“This significant capacity-building investment by the Scottish Government establishes Abertay as Scotland's University Centre of Excellence in Computer Games Education. It recognises that Scotland can be a global leader in this sector, and that Abertay can drive that ambition by providing graduates with the necessary world-class skills to succeed.”

The majority of the welcome investment will be spent on the development of two new industry designed postgraduate courses and teaching and learning space to accommodate them. The studio-based masters programmes will be based on Abertay’s BAFTA -endorsed “Dare to be Digital” model with 40 graduates housed in a purpose-designed, professional environment during each 12-month course.

Games technology is an increasingly pervasive technology with broad application to a growing range of non-games issues. Computer games technology research at Abertay is already developing simulation tools for activities such as firearms training for the police, infection control models for the health service, and energy forecasting and town planning for local authorities. Abertay’s new masters programmes will focus on real-world prototyping of innovative, interactive digital products, and graduates will work in teams comprising programmers, artists, developers and production managers. The teams would be mentored by high-quality academic and industry practitioners.

Professor King continued: “At Abertay, we are both confident and ambitious about the part Scotland can play in this fast-changing, global marketplace. We believe that there is a great deal more we can do to build upon Scotland's illustrious heritage in communication technologies and the creative industries, and that we can continue to contribute both knowledge and innovation, in order to support Scotland's creative industries in taking the very centre of this valuable, world stage.

Paul Harris, Professor of Screen Media at Abertay said: “This major new investment by the Scottish Government is recognition of a combination of hard work from staff in establishing a portfolio of courses that are world standard, and the long term support of a number of industrial partners including: Realtime Worlds, BBC Scotland, BBC New Media, BSkyB, Channel 4, Electronic Arts, Blitz, Sony Entertainment Europe, Microsoft, Disney Interactive Media, and many others.”

Abertay is already the UK’s pre-eminent computer games and computer arts university, and has now been officially accredited by Skillset, the sector skills council for the creative media industries, as a Media Academy.

Professor Harris continued: “Not only does this accreditation acknowledge the prowess of our courses but going forward, it will provide recognition of the value and impact that our graduates can have when entering the computer games and interactive media workforces. Past graduates have gone on to work for leading animation companies such as Aardman and Disney while many have set up their own companies, with good success rates.”

The UK is the fourth largest developer of games in the world in terms of revenue generation, generating millions of pounds in exports for the UK and directly employing 10,000 people.

Abertay holds two of only four accreditations for undergraduate degrees awarded so far by Skillset in the UK.

Abertay already enjoys the support of a number of industrial partners including: Realtime Worlds, BBC Scotland, BBC New Media, BSkyB, Channel 4, Electronic Arts, Blitz, Sony Entertainment Europe, Microsoft, Disney Interactive Media, and many others.

Many of these companies have been long-term supporters of Abertay’s “Dare to be Digital” project – the world’s premier computer games design competition for students. The winning teams from Dare to be Digital each year are the sole nominees for the BAFTA “Ones to Watch” Video Games Award.

Dream Arcades Makes an Impact with Special Edition Arcade Fighter Cabinet

The Dreamcade Impact by Dream Arcades is designed for hardcore arcade gamers looking for the ultimate way to play arcade-style fighting games including Street Fighter IV. 

The Dreamcade Impact supports Windows PC as well as Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles.

Dream Arcades
(http://www.DreamArcades.com) continues its goal of bringing the ultimate in arcade gaming to the home market with the launch of the Dreamcade Impact. This special edition arcade cabinet is designed exclusively for fans of fighting games like Capcom's upcoming Street Fighter IV. Impact comes ready to play, just hook up your Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 and get ready to experience your favorite fighting games the way they were intended with real arcade joysticks and real industrial strength buttons. The Dreamcade Impact is available now starting at $1,699 for the 19 inch and $2,499 for the 29 inch version. Please visit http://www.dreamarcades.com/impact.shtml or
call: 916-761-6925 to order.

"With the release of so many great arcade fighting games we wanted to give fighter fans an opportunity to experience these games the way they were intended on a real authentic arcade machine," says Michael Ware, owner of Dream Arcades. Plastic game pads make it difficult to execute complex moves in the heat of battle and handheld arcade control panels can be bulky sitting on your lap, but nothing can beat the experience of rubbing shoulders while you go head-to-head on your own arcade machine.

Dreamcade Impact Arcade Fighting Cabinet Features:

Available with both 19" and 29 Monitors Compatible with Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Windows PC Comes with Hyper Street Fighter II - Anniversary Edition, Street Fighter III - 3rd Strike and Street Fighter IV Real Arcade Quality Controls built-in trackball works with both Windows and X-box 360

Seven Kingdoms, Capitalism Plus and More on DRM-free Classic Games Site

GOG.com, the delicious low-fat meal replacement for fans of DRM-free PC classics, announced an agreement with Enlight Software, famed publisher and developer from Hong Kong. Today's press release announcing said deal is conveniently accompanied by the release of a game mentioned within the much-discussed agreement: Capitalism Plus is now available at GOG.com for $5.99, while Capitalism 2, Seven Kingdoms Ancient Adversaries, Seven Kingdoms 2 The Fryhtan Wars and Warlords: Battlecry 3 are planned to be added to the GOG.com catalogue in the near future. All games are available DRM-free, guaranteed to work on Vista and XP and so cheap that the global economic crisis would have been averted if we’d only paid executives in Good Old Games instead of millions of dollars.

Capitalism was hailed as “the most realistic, detailed business sim on the market” by PC Gamer and is still considered one of the best economic games of all time. The player takes the role of CEO of a corporation and has to decide how to create the most powerful company around and crush the competition. If you think you could be better than your boss at managing the company, try your luck in Capitalism Plus before you go to him and tell him about it. Seven Kingdoms series takes a more big-picture-oriented approach to world domination as you choose one of seven civilizations and create the ultimate empire. In this real-time strategy game, military force just won’t cut it; you have to use your diplomacy and trade skills to conquer the six other civilizations. So whether you're a white-collared workaholic or a much taller and handsomer Napoleon, GOG.com and Enlight have something to scratch that world-conquering itch.

“Trevor Chan is one of the greatest visionaries in the industry, and it's very exciting to add his great classics to our catalogue,” said Adam Oldakowski, Managing Director of GOG.com. “We believe that the outstanding games from Enlight Software will find even more fans thanks to GOG.com.”

Capitalism Plus is now available at GOG.com, with more games from Enlight Software planned for release in the near future. Stay tuned for more news concerning new deals, more new releases and new service features in the upcoming weeks.