A nation in F.E.A.R. Project Origin out this Friday the 13th is coming...

As Friday 13th looms this week, new research out today reveals that one in five Brits (21 per cent) are more likely to regularly follow superstitions – from saluting a single magpie to avoiding cracks in the pavement – due to their fear of risking any bad luck in the current economic climate.

According to the research, which marks the launch of video game F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, over a third (34 per cent) of Brits are getting ready to act with caution and look out for signs of good or bad luck this Friday 13th fuelled by fear and paranoia around these testing times.

With so many Brits actually watching out for superstitious signs this Friday, games developer Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is planning a unique superstitious ad campaign, which will see the company advertise on a traditional sign of bad luck – black cats – for the first time ever, to capture maximum attention for the release of its new horror video game F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin on its superstitious release date, Friday 13th.

The black cat-vertising campaign will see a ‘clowder’ of black cats become walking ads for the F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin video game on Friday 13th – hissing in the face of superstition.

Specially commissioned F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin branded cat clothing will be sported by individually trained black cats that will be seen walking around London on Friday 13th February to advertise the game and capture the attention of superstitious passers-by.

Spokesperson for Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Charlene Allen, comments: “Every day people are bombarded with so many advertising messages that it can be easy to miss them. With our research telling us that Brits are actively looking out for signs of bad luck this Friday, it makes perfect sense to try and capture their attention that way.”

The research also reveals the nation’s main superstitions, with breaking a mirror coming out top of people’s most feared for nearly a third of people (30 per cent),

The nation’s top 10 fears, superstitions and signs of bad luck ranked in order of ‘superstitiousness’

1. Breaking a mirror
2. Walking under a ladder
3. Friday 13th
4. Opening an umbrella indoors
5. A black cat crossing your path
6. The sight of a single magpie
7. Spilling salt
8. Placing shoes on the table or on the bed
9. Treading on cracks in the pavement
10. Walking over three drains

F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin launches on Friday 13th February 2009 for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.

New Trailer for Penumbra Collection Revealed - The Horror Collection is Complete

As the release of the Penumbra Collection in February 2009 draws near, Paradox Interactive has released a brand new trailer and screenshots for the concluding expansion in the collection, Requiem.

Released in August 2008 and developed by the talented creators of Penumbra, Frictional Games, Requiem was originally a download only expansion to the series. Requiem ties up the loose ends from the previous two installments as our protagonist, Philip, falls deeper into madness and tries to discover the origins behind his father’s mysterious letter.

Watch the brand new trailer here...

Commenting on the conclusion of the Penumbra series, Lead Programmer and Co-Founder of Frictional Games, Thomas Grip, said, “Requiem is the epilogue for the Penumbra series that follows Philip’s continuing descent into insanity. The puzzle-oriented expansion ties together all the loose ends that the other games left unresolved. What really makes Requiem unique is the effort we put into advancing physics based puzzles and trying to create an intriguing and surreal experience.”

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.

Watch the video on my YouTube channel here... please subscribe

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.