Tomb Raider: Legend Free To Play For One Month plus Double Speed Gains

GDI today unveils the second game to feature in the Public Beta test of new, super-fast digital distribution platform AWOMO – Tomb Raider: Legend from Eidos – and demonstrates a download 11x the speed of conventional games download services, an improvement of double the speed of initial tests.

GDI Game Domain International Plc (GDI) today announced a second milestone in the Public Beta of its revolutionary games download platform AWOMO with the launch of Tomb Raider: Legend from Eidos, originally released in 2006. The game will be free of charge to play via http://www.awomo.com for a period of one month from today, for consumers to continue stress testing GDI’s new platform that allows PC games to be downloaded in minutes rather than hours.

The much anticipated Public Beta of the AWOMO digital delivery platform features new technology that delivers even the largest ‘AAA’ PC games in minutes rather than hours compared with ‘conventional’ download services, directly from a web browser. It enables consumers to start playing a game while it is downloading without interruption to the game play.

“Tomb Raider: Legend™ is the perfect title both to showcase our unique super-fast download technology, and continue our stress trials,” explained Roger Walkden, Chief Executive of GDI. “We have already proved in our first test that via AWOMO, players can be playing a game 5x faster than conventional download services. With Tomb Raider: Legend, a 7.2GB game, we can demonstrate that players on an 8 Megabit line can be playing the game within 11 minutes, a staggering 11x the speed of competing services and twice as fast as our previous Beta test game.”

“We’re pleased to support the AWOMO Public Beta with Tomb Raider: Legend,” added Simon Protheroe, Online Publishing Director of Eidos™. “We’re extremely impressed with the speed advantages of the platform and the overall quality of the consumer experience.”

City of Sinners & Saints Social Networking video game

A Virtual City to Offer an Experience Far Beyond Social Networking

City of Sinners & Saints, a massively multiplayer online social networking game is scheduled to open the gates to its virtual city (Manatee Bay) in Summer 2009.

“City of Sinners & Saints is being specifically built for the next generation of virtual world travelers,” says Sean Yeomans, president, Telos International. “Our vision is to offer a new kind of experience beyond the normal boundaries of social networking. The city is a place where visitors can enjoy rich content of cartoon-style graphics, comedic story lines, casual games, and social related quests that offer endless hours of challenging yet light-hearted fun.”

Built with the ground-breaking Multiverse Platform, City of Sinners & Saints is being designed for the next generation of social networkers looking for an expanded experience on a website. The city will offer virtual travelers from around the globe the opportunity to socialize with friends, create unique characters, play casual games, purchase virtual goods and real estate, and shop online for their favorite products - all within an original world where a laugh is around every corner.

City of Sinners & Saints offers:

• All the same key features found in other social networking products, while introducing a 3D comedic, cartoon-based style metaphor of the real world.

• A virtual friendship manager – track who is online, who is in your top ten, who you’ve interacted with and block those pesky players you don’t want to talk with.

• Animotes that break free of the simple happy faces that players have seen for years and come alive in pre-rendered animated comedic video sequences.

• An open world experience where players can complete comedic quests to earn in-game currency to purchase gifts for friends, acquire living space, new clothing, furniture and a variety of accessories.

Hysteria Hospital - Emergency Ward video game on Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii and PC

A new, fun and frantic, multi-platform gaming experience with Hysteria Hospital: Emergency Ward.

At Hysteria Hospital, life will prove to be a manic challenge. Players will have several levels of the hospital to navigate, and they will have to reach desperate patients and demanding doctors within a set period of time. The frenzy inside the hospital will increase as the game progresses with more and more demanding patients desperate to be cured!

It’s just a usual day in Hysteria Hospital – another torrent of patients threatens to turn the emergency ward into chaos. Only one person can control the frantic situation - can you keep your patients happy when your ward is overrun?

You play as a female or male nurse and organise the ward and direct the patients to treat their conditions as quickly as possible

You can design and improve your ward for life-saving efficiency to be the best head nurse in America and save the Hospital from being overrun!

Each of the patients have many humorous conditions, all with cures using the latest, bleeding-edge treatment machines ranging from basic X-Ray’s to steam therapy to the hilarious De-Stress machine

There are 7 different wards to run, from a local Maryville clinic through to New York Central Hospital; over 60 levels including the ‘Endless’ mode that steadily increases in challenge as you progress.

“We’ve spent a lot of time researching what audiences want in a good casual game and we’ve incorporated these into Hysteria Hospital: Emergency Ward,” said Oxygen Games CEO Jim Scott. “Hysteria Hospital is very funny, very frantic and is sure to entertain gamers of all ages.”

Hysteria Hospital: Emergency Ward is scheduled for release on Wii, Nintendo DS and PC in April 2009

Awards for "Hello Kitty Online" MMORPG and "The Adventures of Hello Kitty & Friends" TV Series

Sanrio Digital today announced that it collected 5 prizes in the Best Digital Entertainment Award at the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2008. Sanrio Digital won in the Best Graphics category for the eagerly anticipated “Hello Kitty Online” MMORPG, while the second season of “The Adventures of Hello Kitty & Friends” won prizes for Best 3D Animation, Best TV Series, Best Modeling & Texturing, and Best Lighting & Rendering.

The Hong Kong ICT Awards is a yearly collaborative effort among digital entertainment organizations, ICT professional bodies, academia and the government to select and honor Hong Kong’s finest accomplishments in IT and digital entertainment. The Best Digital Entertainment Award recognizes the best works produced in the Hong Kong digital entertainment industry. The presentation ceremony was held on February 9, 2009 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“Hello Kitty Online”, developed by Sanrio Digital, is the official Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) of Hello Kitty and other famous Sanrio characters. It integrates social networking services, such as blogs and video sharing, with a sophisticated online multiplayer game with customizable avatars, guilds, player economy, farming, player housing, crafting, and various other MMORPG features.

“Hello Kitty Online” is currently in beta but will open to the public for a special Valentine’s Day event from February 14 to 17, 2009. The game is free-to-play; interested players may visit Hello Kitty Online for more information and to download the game client.

“The Adventures of Hello Kitty & Friends”, produced by Sanrio Digital in collaboration with Dream Cortex, is the first Sanrio television production made in Hong Kong, and the first Sanrio series made entirely in CGI (Computer Generated Imaging). “The Adventures of Hello Kitty & Friends” offers an entertaining and often humorous way for children to learn about social interaction and behaviour while following the adventures of some of the world’s best-loved and most recognizable Sanrio characters including Hello Kitty, Dear Daniel, My Melody, Keroppi, Badtz Maru and Pochacco.

Music for Everyone video game on Nintendo DS out April 9th

Get some more about the 1st real music teacher on DS through this 1st and exclusive batch of screenshots. Discover how you’ll succeed in learning how to play music on your Nintendo DS.

FEATURES REMINDER

Music remains a major frustration for most of us. Only the bravest and those who could stand those boring and tough music lessons are now able to play music and live that unique experience. For the rest, you can still try to touch that feeling by playing a rhythm based video game and shaking a plastic guitar … but it will never be (sound) the same.

BUT now with “MUSIC”, a new edutainment game for the Nintendo DS coming out in April 09, you could learn and play music in a FUN and EASY WAY!

“MUSIC” brings a serious music learning method on DS developed by Shiro Tsuji a famous Japanese music teacher.

Learning music at all ages is now possible on DS!!!

Game features

• Smoothly learn the basics of the music theory with 21 lessons.

• Monitor your progresses and learning curve with 18 quick tests.

• Work out your musicality and skills across a series of fun mini games designed to practice your sense of rhythm, your memory, your musical ear…

• Practice what you’ve learnt on virtual instruments (the piano, the drum…).

• Plan your learning and practicing through your coach calendar.

More to come on www.music-thegame.com

GENERAL INFOS

Genre: Edutainment/ music
Platform: Nintendo DS
Publisher: Nobilis
Pegi : 3+

ASDA story video game Valentine's surprise

Celebrate This Day of Love With Asda Story's Love, Candy and Pet Events-- Now Through February 16

SSan Jose-based online game publisher, GamesCampus, announced today several love-themed events for its popular MMORPG, Asda Story. Asda Story can be found at www.asdastory.gamescampus.com. See below for more on each of the exciting in-game events going on now through February 16th.

Share Your Love Event
Share Your Love with lower level players this Valentine’s Day. GamesCampus will give a gift to users who are over level 24 (Gifts will be automatically granted to all users with level 24 or above and who are online at the time gifts are presented). Since this is a day of love and giving, these higher level players are encouraged to share these gifts with under level 24 players. GamesCampus will give these prizes three times a day and will include items like Vehicles, Health Potions, Experience potions and more. See the website for more details and the times the prizes will be offered.

My Valentine Pet Event
With the recent launch of the game’s new pet system. Asda Story players can now enjoy the fun of hatching their own pet eggs in the game. Pet eggs will now drop off of monsters on Regular Field Maps throughout the game up to and including Flammio. Pets provide an advantage to the player because while they are out they can gain experience and provide a stat bonus. Players can name their pets, take care of their nutrition and much more.

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, monsters will drop the following 4 kinds of characters “L” “O” “V” “E”. When the player double clicks these characters, it will be transformed into an egg which can hatch into a special pet. But watch out, if the pet has failed to level up before the event is over, the player’s new pet will disappear following the festivities!

Secret Candy Formula Event
Can candy really boost a player’s HP? This week it can! Players will be able to craft a Valentine’s Day candy following the special formula which will be available during this special Valentine’s event. This very unique Valentine’s Day gift can be crafted by using common items dropped from monsters.

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!