G.I. Joe The Rise of the Cobra movie - now G.I. Joe video game

G.I. JOE Set to Invade All Major Video Game Platforms in Summer 2009

Electronic Arts today announced that development is underway to bring Hasbro’s legendary G.I. JOE brand to all major console and handheld gaming platforms in summer 2009 to coincide with the theatrical release of the G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA live-action movie from Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment, in association with Hasbro, which opens in theaters 7th August 2009. EA will unveil a “first look” of the G.I. JOE video game at Hasbro’s Showroom at Toy Fair on 15th -17th February, 2009 in New York City.

“As Hasbro and Paramount Pictures reignite the G.I. JOE property this year with an all-new toy line and film, EA is excited to play a major role in bringing this icon of pop culture history to a new generation of enthusiasts through interactive gaming,” said Chip Lange, General Manager and Vice President of EA Hasbro. “G.I. JOE offers exceptionally rich storylines and a cast of characters that lends itself incredibly well to creating an over-the-top action adventure video game that will thrill gamers as well as G.I. JOE fans.”

For fans of all ages, 2009 is gearing up to become another watershed milestone in the timeless franchise by introducing even more new ways to engage, immerse and play within the G.I. JOE universe. The G.I. JOE video game will feature an exclusive storyline that picks up where the live-action movie leaves off, allowing players to re-create and re-live the greatest moments from the film, cartoon series and action figure toy line. The game will feature 12 G.I. JOE characters, each with unique abilities and weapons. Adding to the adrenaline rush will be an intense single-screen co-op mode allowing two players to easily unite as a team in a classic struggle between good and evil as they work together to defeat the powers of the COBRA organization. The G.I. JOE video game is under development for Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, Wii, PlayStation 2, PSP (PlayStation Portable), Nintendo DS, and mobile devices.

“G.I. JOE has been an icon of action for 45 years,” said Mark Blecher, General Manager of Digital Gaming and Media at Hasbro. “EA has tapped the legacy of the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA saga to create an amazing interactive experience inspired by the movie, comic books, animated series and iconography that we hope will resonate with millions of fans.”

For more than four decades, G.I. JOE has been one of the premiere brands in the history of boys' toys. Originating the term "action figure” in 1964, Hasbro’s G.I. JOE brand ushered in a new play pattern that forever changed the scope of the toy industry. The G.I. JOE brand made another revolutionary introduction in 1984 with the release of the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA toy line, which introduced a generation of boys to the heroic G.I. JOE forces, led by Duke, and their epic struggle to defeat the evil COBRA organization. The G.I. JOE v COBRA saga featured a diverse cast of characters – both good and evil – that became a part of pop culture through Hasbro’s toy line, an animated television series and best-selling comic book franchise.

Tales of Pirates - Exploring Demonic World

The folks at Tales of Pirates want to share the file of a classic maze for TOP players - the Demonic World. In the northern snowfields of Azure, there lies a huge underground maze. It was said that the maze contained a level 50 Chest of Evanescence, level 60 and 65 Chest of Enigma, Level 65 Beautiful Chest and all kinds of level 65 gems which can be used to clear the gear seal. Players who get hold of these treasures will truly obtain the strength to be TOP of the game!

These treasures open every 3 hours. When the time arrives, a teleporting channel will appear and lasts for only 40 minutes. Even if players arrive at the demonic map safely, there are many Elite Monster Guards ready to kill pirates. However, brave pirate heroes can challenge the mysterious maze again and again. The maze has 2 layers with 1 powerful BOSS on every layer. The BOSS on layer 1 is a level 55 Wandering Soul, while on the second layer there is a level 65 Snowman Warlord. Players who kill two BOSSes will have chance to get a Necklace of Snowman Warlord, Kal Runestone, Chest of Enigma, and a Chest of Demonic World 1. Many chests in the Demonic world contain weapons and equipment in their pristine sealed condition. Players can PK freely in Demonic world.

Players with different career can PK on the voyage. Maybe you are a famous pirate hero waiting for a broad battle field or maybe you enjoy your life far from the common world. Or maybe you are a new pirate full of emotion. Either way, fight in the Demonic world for honor, status, money and glory!

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.