Valve opens Steamworks platform for all games developers...

Valve's Steamworks platform could lead to a "revolution" in game development, according to Mike Sanders, lead producer of indie group Team Dystopia, which released its Source Engine mod via the platform last Friday.

Talking about the team's multiplayer, multi-layered cyberpunk shooter - Dystopia - Sanders told GamesIndustry.biz that Valve was opening up development to all-comers - something which contrasts sharply with the ever-increasing average cost of game development.

"I would almost say that it seems like we're entering into somewhat of a gaming revolution, from where we don't really see a large game from publishers," he said. "Valve just really publishes their console variants through EA and it seems evident that they're opening up the crowd to anybody in their garage.

"It could be anyone from a bunch of kids trying to make in indie game, to a large developer who doesn't really want to pay for publishing, testing, and so on. Steamworks allows for all that, so it's really a good choice for anyone to just jump in and be able to put a game on Steam - and do it the right way.

And Sanders also hinted that there was a lot more to come from Team Dystopia, along with an ambition to follow in the footsteps of companies such as Splash Damage.

"As a group we've been working on something else in the past two years that we really hope on making a splash in the industry pretty soon," he revealed. "There's some really good stuff that we've been working on that we hope to show off, and that's moving away from the realm of modification.

"Without giving too many details about what we are working on, I'd say that people like Introversion, Splash Damage - they're some of our idols at the moment. What we're working on mirrors their models.

"We already have plans to move to the same area near here in North Carolina. There's such a great area for gaming here with Epic and Red Storm. Obviously out of the country it's a little harder to do that, with things costing as much as they do, but there are plans. They're a little more than plans at this point..."

Source: GamesIndustry

Q&A session on Dystopia on Games Industry...

Minesweeper Flags video game on Xbox Live Arcade

Have a blast this Valentine's Day with Minesweeper Flags! TikGames announced today the title's release via Xbox LIVE Arcade, so grab a controller and have fun with that special someone, blowing each other into oblivion for just 400 Microsoft points.

Minesweeper Flags brings explosive excitement from your computer to Xbox LIVE Arcade! In this all-new take on the classic PC game, players can choose the Classic mode, where the beloved game is available in all of its glory, or revel in never-before-seen modes like single player Campaign, featuring over 100 non-square levels, or multiplayer Flags.

This weekend, TikGames encourages you to cuddle up on the couch and challenge your significant other to a Flags local multiplayer game, where your goal isn't to avoid the mines, but to find and discharge them before your opponent - err, sweetheart - does. Plus, don't forget to share both of your scores and climb the ranks of minesweepers worldwide via the Xbox LIVE Leaderboards!

Minesweeper Flags has been rated "E" for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Rating Board for this platform.

Suikoden - Tierkreis Local DS Multi-card Play Nintendo DS

Latest Installment In the Critically-Acclaimed Franchise Soon to be Available in North America. 

Players Can Use the Local DS Multi-card Play or Share Their Characters Across the World with Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Konami released new assets and details for Suikoden: Tierkreis, the latest iteration of the celebrated Suikoden series for the Nintendo DS. 

Suikoden: Tierkreis will expand the bounds of the handheld RPG as players journey with a variety of characters while exploring exotic locations and cultures across the game's universe of parallel worlds. Featuring the franchise's established gameplay while maximizing the technological capabilities of the DS to provide all-new online elements, this epic RPG consists of many cinematic experiences that will drive the grand storyline of the 108 Stars of Destiny as they battle to thwart the powerful forces of evil.

Suikoden: Tierkreis features a robust online mode allowing players to send their character to another player's parallel world through the door to the Infinity via WiFi. The character will be hired to complete a quest by another player and when the quest is complete or time is up, the original player will receive the outcome with their character. This is a fun and interesting way for gamers to level up characters, with both players receiving rewards for completing the quests.

Online Features:

· Exchange characters via Wi-Fi
· Receive trade goods by clearing quests
· Receive rare items as rewards by clearing quests
· The exchanged character can get experience
· Receive rare item only available in the Wi-Fi mode
· Unique boss battle that is only available in the Wi-Fi mode

Rated "E-10+" by the ESRB, Suikoden: Tierkreis for Nintendo DS will retail for $34.99 and is scheduled to be released in North America on March 17th, 2009.

Scratch: The Ultimate DJ video game with Kanye West, Beastie Boys, The Black Eyed Peas, Tech N9ne, and Eric B. and Rakim

Licensed Songs from Kanye West, Beastie Boys, The Black Eyed Peas, Tech N9ne, and Eric B. and Rakim to be Featured on Playlist Mix Master Mike to Provide Music Along with Creative and Technical Support

Genius Products, Inc. and Genco Interactive announced today new songs for Scratch: The Ultimate DJ, a music rhythm game for fans of hip-hop. Developed by 7 Studios, Scratch: The Ultimate DJ features 60 original and licensed tracks from the most popular hip-hop and R&B artists.

The setlist will include:

Flashing Lights- Kanye West
Intergalactic- Beastie Boys
Let’s Get it Started- The Black Eyed Peas
Slacker- Tech N9ne
Don’t Sweat the Technique- Eric B. and Rakim
Additional music from artists:
Run DMC
The Gorillaz
Nelly
Deltron 3030

The Scratch development team has collaborated with Mix Master Mike of the Beastie Boys, who is providing creative and technical input for the game. Scratch: The Ultimate DJ will also feature music from Mix Master Mike’s upcoming album, set to launch later this year.

“I’m honored to be featured on the Scratch: The Ultimate DJ setlist, alongside some of the most talented artists in hip-hop,” said Mix Master Mike of the Beastie Boys. “It’s exciting to work on a project that gives fans the opportunity to create their own music using the turntable and sampler.”

“As a music producer for some of the biggest artists in hip-hop music, I can’t stress enough the importance of having a credible playlist in a music game such as Scratch,” said Quincy Jones III, CEO and Chief Creative Officer of QD3 Entertainment. “The artists and songs that were announced today definitely sets the stage for Scratch and lets gamers and hip hop fans know that we are serious about making a game just for them. We look forward to enticing fans even more, with other names we’ll be announcing in the months to come.”

In addition to a heavy-hitting setlist, Scratch: The Ultimate DJ features distinctive urban environments, an array of customizable DJ personalities and a turntable style controller created by Numark, one of the leading manufacturers of DJ equipment.

Scratch: The Ultimate DJ will be available on next generation consoles in Summer 2009.

Disgaea video game on Nintendo DS in Europe on 3rd April

Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of Square Enix interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, today announces that Nippon Ichi Software’s Disgaea DS will be released by Square Enix across PAL territories on 3rd April 2009 on the Nintendo DS system

Simple yet highly addictive, Disgaea DS is an updated portable version of the classic Strategy RPG Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, previously available on the PlayStation® 2 computer entertainment system. Since its release Disgaea has won over a loyal following of fans that have grown to love the quirky humour and deep, long-lasting challenge.

Disgaea DS doesn’t just let you take the Disgaea madness on the road, but introduces exciting innovations such as the new duel system multiplayer, complete with masses of customisable rules and game options. You’ll also be able to connect to your friend’s Nintendo DS to swap and share items, take your battles to a new strategic level with Geo Cubes and there’s an added exclusive new story mode dedicated to Etna and her quest to become Beauty Queen Ultimate Overlord.

John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. comments, “Nippon Ichi’s Disgaea DS delivers a unique portable gaming experience which can be enjoyed by everyone. Thanks to the series’ trademark cheerful and fun style, Disgaea DS is set to appeal to all players across Europe and other PAL territories”
About DISGAEA DS

Story

The Netherworld – a place darker than a pitch-black cave, located deeper than the depths of the seas. It is a cursed land where evil reigns and foul beings dwell. Nobody knows its whereabouts, but everybody fears its existence…
The story takes place two years after the death of King Krichevskoy, the ruler of the Netherworld. His son Laharl slept for two full years, unaware of his father’s death, while demons fought for supremacy over the Netherworld. With the help of his vassal Etna and her underlings, the egocentric, megalomaniac Prince Laharl fights his way to become the next king.

Features

• Discover who is the best strategist with the all-new duel system for multiplayer battles
• Multi Customisation lets you customise the multiplayer mode, with changes to game rules, field and win/loss conditions and much more
• Geo Cubes. These cubes have very special effects and are dealt equally to each player, use them carefully as they can both delight and infuriate
• Shop and Share with Wireless Communication Mode, trade with friends and share your item data
• Exclusive New Story. A dedicated story for Etna and an all-new ending if you defeat this mode
• Guest Appearances – you never know who you’ll run into next with hidden characters waiting to be unlocked

free-to-play in-line skating MMORPG Street Gears announced a major event - the Asian Love Festival.

The gPotato team organizes an exceptional event on the free in-line skating MMORPG Street Gears: the Love Asian Festival. From the 12th February to 12th March, the players will have the chance to participate in numerous events and competitions, proposed on Thursday on the official site and in-game, in a festive atmosphere punctuated with exotic multicolored lanterns. Many gifts are to be expected at all levels!

From the 12th February, Park Town city will be decorated with the colors of Asia for the Asian Love Festival, celebrating the tragic love story of a samurai and his dear companion, turned into a Dragon by the monkey-god U-ugwa. Many lanterns will brighten the streets of Park Town, and a fabulous pagoda will be erected for the occasion.

For four weeks, no fewer than four different events will take place on Street Gears. The 13th and 27th February, a special theme quiz will put players knowledge to the test. For gamers who thirst for competition, a big tournament will be held from the 5th to the 11th March, and all players will participate in the large choo-choo train taking place around the pagoda, the 20th February. Some players who take part in the Asian Love Festival will have the chance to be chosen at random on the 11th March, and will receive a wonderful gift. And for a total immersion in the atmosphere of the Asian Love Festival, a special costume will be offered to all players connected on Street Gears during the event. The riders will be able to wear a Ninja or Kunoichi outfit for seven days, depending on the character chosen.

Players of all levels will be greatly rewarded with rare and unique items to use in the game, but also with gPotatos to buy new clothes and accessories for their character and vary their wardrobe. The winning team of the big Street Gears tournament will be rewarded to the extent of his achievement, and will, among other things, the chance to see his interview published in the “Park Town Newspaper”, available on the official Street Gears forum.

Please find attached screenshots of the Asian Love Festival, and for additional information, please visit the official Street Gears website!

- About Street Gears -

Street Gears is a free in-line skating MMORPG with an urban and manga universe, published in its French and German versions by Gala Networks Europe Ltd. In the Park Town city, Street Gears players embody riders, inline skaters and thrill seekers fans who live only for freedom. Races, challenges and mini-games are the day-to-day of these riders, in this atypical free MMORPG!

Rhapsody - A musical Adventure on Nintendo DS in March

A Musical Adventure - will be released by Square Enix across PAL territories on 20th March 2009, exclusively on the Nintendo DS handheld system.

If music be the food of love, then prepare to fall all over again for Rhapsody - A Musical Adventure -. Available for the first time on Nintendo DS, this musical RPG classic has been redeveloped to utilise the interactive capabilities of the handheld console.

Fast-paced and easy to understand, even for those new to the RPG genre, the game features a simplified yet intuitive dual screen battle system, and an all-new easy to follow navigation map. The game’s simple and fun gameplay style, loveable characters that will sing and dance during key moments, and the quality of the anime art style, will make Rhapsody - A Musical Adventure - appeal to many types of gamer.

John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. comments, “Once again Square Enix is delighted to be bringing another one of Nippon Ichi’s quality titles to Europe and other PAL territories. Rhapsody - A Musical Adventure - is another fun addition for anyone’s Nintendo DS collection”

Namco Bandai Games Brings the Ultimate Arcade Game Collection to Europe for Xbox 360 this April

Namco Museum - Virtual Arcade is heading to European retailers for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft this coming April 2009. Jam-packed with nostalgic favorites and future classics, Namco Museum: Virtual Arcade will keep seasoned and new gamers playing for years to come.

Players can show off their skills and high scores on the leaderboards in a number of titles which originally appeared on Xbox Live Arcade, including the award-winning Pac-Man Championship Edition. The compilation also offers the chance to re-live the old school days of classic arcade games with Galaxian, Super Pac-Man and many more rubbing shoulders in a vast compilation spanning over 25 years of arcade hits.

Features of Namco Museum: Virtual Arcade include:

• Over 30 titles: The largest and most comprehensive Namco Museum collection to date will keep you and your friends entertained for hours.

• Xbox Live Arcade Games: No downloading necessary! Now you can get your XBLA fix and play the critically acclaimed and visually spectacular Pac-Man Championship Edition and the underground drilling classic Dig Dug.

• Leaderboards: Show off your high score worldwide and compete for the No 1 spot.

• New Arrangement Games: In their first console debut, 3 beloved games arrive with a new twist, a fresh new look and fun gameplay - Dig Dug Arrangement, Galaga™ Arrangement and Pac-Man Arrangement.

• Legendary Classics: Get nostalgic and play more than 20 retro fan favorites such as Dig Dug II, Pole Position, and Pac-Mania.

• Multiplayer: Each game supports between one and four players depending on the title.

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.