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Saturday, February 21, 2009

Scrap! 360 degree Tetris video game on iPhone and iPod Touch

iphone_scrap_tetris 3d gameSCRAP! for the iPhone and the iPod Touch is the first 360 degree puzzle game that takes a new spin on a classic office time-killer.

It has been 25 years since TETRIS was released. Despite all of its minor graphical enhancements, TETRIS has never really changed. In response to the demands of a more challenging puzzle scenario by today’s gamers, Splitcode released its first title called SCRAP! for the iPhone and the iPod Touch.

“Every puzzle game can become boring after the first couple of plays,” says Jeremy, Lead Designer for Splitcode. “People want something that can challenge their intellect as well as their hand-eye coordination! The goal for SCRAP!’s design, was to create a puzzle game that was as challenging as it is addictive”.

By putting a completely different spin on block-building puzzle games; SCRAP! keeps you on your toes by making you stack up pieces on a 360 degree environment, and then randomly switches the sides each time you complete a side.

In addition to SCRAP!, Splitcode released SCRAP! Lite, a free trial version of the game to allow players a chance to become comfortable with the game’s touch controls. SCRAP! Lite also provides the player with a preview of its original music score and a YouTube video to show players how to play and utilize the features of the game right from their iPhone and iPod Touch.

Massive Mabinogi - Pioneers of Iria expansion pack for PC video game

Mabinogi sexy girl video game
"Mabinogi: Pioneers of Iria" to Offer Gamers Unprecedented Fantasy Life Experience with Ample Gameplay Additions

Get ready for a MMORPG explosion! Nexon America a world leader in free-to-play multiplayer online video games, today announced Mabinogi: Pioneers of Iria, the newest and largest expansion pack for its popular three-dimensional massively multiplayer online role playing game, Mabinogi. The expansion will introduce gamers to a host of new gameplay features including the addition of Elves and Giants, a new continent, free quests, maps, skills and items to deliver a new world of options into this opulent fantasy online game. Players can download this expansion for free beginning Feb. 26 at http://mabinogi.nexon.net.

Pioneers of Iria delivers fresh features and functionalities to North American gamers. Players can experience firsthand the rich fantasy life in new settings while commanding new characters and skills. The mainstream storyline quest, which delivers an overarching narrative to the Mabinogi saga, is now part of the game’s free content. Users will also appreciate a new rebirthing system which offers players more frequent and free rebirths, which allow for further growth into the fantasy life. Players will also be able to transform into Paladin and Dark Knight, as well as use a spirit weapon, for free – delivering a greater fantasy life for all players with less burden.
“Mabinogi sets the tone for a new generation of free-to-play RPG games in North America with its art style and high social gameplay,” said Min Kim, vice president of marketing for Nexon America. “Mabinogi: Pioneers of Iria features a comprehensive suite of free content which will open the doors for both existing and potential users to truly immerse themselves in the world of Mabinogi and Nexon’s roster of high quality free-to-play games.”
In addition to the introduction of two new character races, Elves and Giants, the Pioneers of Iria packs in new skills, monsters and items. It is named for the new continent, Iria, which is three times larger than Ulad, the original continent in Mabinogi. Iria features three regions, Rano, Connus and Physis. Iria is the homeland for both Elves and Giants, which is why players who choose to play as one will begin their fantasy life here, instead of Ulad. Players can connect to these areas through Mana Tunnels, which are teleporters that work during the morning. Mabinogi will also debut a new user interface including an exploration chronicle and enhanced character creation features.
Here’s an in-depth look at the new additions to Mabinogi:

New Features
• New continent Iria with three new maps all connected through the Mana Tunnels:
o Rano – Composed of plains, desert and rain forest climates, Rano features mustangs and ostriches that players can ride to go different places.
o Connus – In this desert, filled with sand storms, players will find Filia, the first Elf town that all players who create an elf character will begin their fantasy life. Another special feature from this area is the underground maze, which lies underneath Longa Desert.
o Physis – This snowy and very windy area is surrounded by valleys and mountains and is where the field bosses, Mammoth and Yeti appear, so players will need to be alert. Physis’s Reus River is always frozen and Giants can stomp the ground near the river, breaking the ice to go fishing for food.

New character races: Elves and Giants
o Elf – While similar in appearance to the existing human characters, elves have pointy ears, are usually pale skinned, more elegant in their dress, and run about 1.3 times faster than humans or giants. Bows are their main weapon of choice and they can shoot monsters while riding horses and shoot two arrows at once. Elves live in Connus and if they spot a giant or a giant’s supporters, they will attack without mercy.

o Giant – Giants are gigantic, muscular and bare creatures. They are used to the cold weather of Physis, their homeland. Their strength allows them to knock down certain types of trees with bare fists, carry logs as weapons or even a human character over their shoulders. If Giants spot an elf or their supporters, they will break their spine.

New Free Content
o The new rebirth system allows characters to rebirth from the age of 20 without purchasing a basic or premium card. This rebirth will not allow any appearance changes. Those who opt to pay will be able to rebirth once a week and will still appear at a younger age.
o The Mainstream Storyline Quest is now free for all players to enjoy and learn more about the game’s epic mythology.
o Players who complete the Generation 2 or Generation 3 mainstream quests will now be able to transform into a Paladin or Dark Knight for free.

New Skill/Monster/Item
o There are more than 600 new Exploration Quests.
o Players can choose from three new armor sets and other clothes for Human characters.
o Players can gain new titles related with exploration and Iria such as “Friend of Horse and Ostrich.”
o There are new weapons, clothes and titles exclusively for Elf and Giant characters.
o There are three new discoverable dungeons with expanded diversity to enhance the challenge.

New Action
o Throwing Stone – Players can throw stones to aggravate monsters or objects.
o Play Dead– Players can fake death and not get attacked by monsters. However, players will be unable to move.
o Hide – Players who are Elves can appear transparent and will not be noticed by monsters.
o Land Maker – Players can change the shape of land in a certain area in order to find something buried under the ground.
o L-Rod – This device is used to detect hidden relics and artifacts. It’ll make a beeping sound as players get near hidden items. The closer players get, more it will beep.
o Sketch – Players can sketch monsters or artifacts to complete quests or tell players a location.

New Skills
o Ice Spear – This will freeze monsters.
o Final Hit – Only human warriors can use this slill, which will hit a monster without the normal delay for a limited amount of time. Users can also instantly teleport within a certain distance of the enemy, which really increases effectiveness in battles against archers.
o Stump – Only giants can use this skill on the Reus River at Physis to break the ice to fish or move snow to reshape land to discover something.
o Mirrage Missile – Only elves can use this skill, which poisons the enemy and the poison spreads to nearby monsters once attacked.
o Full Swing/Elven Magic Missile – These special attack skills are used when an Elf or Giant is transformed.

New User Interface
o Exploration Chronicle - This window tells players what relics have been found so far and the record of who found it first.
o Character Creation – This now includes Giants and Elves.

Mabinogi, which commercially launched in North America in March 2008, offers a sophisticated MMORPG experience with its gameplay variety, unique combat system and orderly time element and age component. In addition to traditional MMO features including challenging adventures, exciting group quests and a plethora of fearsome monsters, Mabinogi offers a much fuller "life" for its players. Players can enhance the experience by cooking, shearing sheep or other making clothes. The game also allows players to compose music and share with others to play together in the game.
For more information on the game and updates, please visit http://mabinogi.nexon.net.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Beginner's guide to Street Fighter IV - have a go if you don't think you're hard enough

Street Fighter IV
Street Fighter IV is out. It's out and it's getting amazing reviews. There is something elemental about this series, the way it pares everything down to time frames of action and interaction involving just one other onscreen object - your opponent. This honed gameplay is married with a brilliant audio and visual aesthetic; gaudy scenery, hyperbolic speech samples, fizzing J-pop. Street Fighter II worked back in 1991, and number four works in the same way now, by mixing the self-consciously tacky with real depth and complexity.

If you've bought a copy you could spend the weekend button-bashing like a chimp on a caffeine drip, or you could decide to do this properly. Street Fighter is an art. There are systems and rules. Thankfully, it's not difficult to learn the basics.

Read full post on the Guardian website...

Nintendo DS announce 3D Picross with download puzzles

3D PicrossIn typical fashion, Nintendo Japan has waited until pretty much the last minute to share details on what will probably be one of next month's biggest DS games over in Japan. 3D Picross (or, as it's known in proper Japanese, Rittai Picross) hits Japan on March 12, and at long last received an official website today.

3D Picross
3D Picross3D Picross is, as the name would suggest, a 3D version of the classic Picross DS puzzle game, itself a DS version of Nonogram or Paint by Numbers. The basic 2D Picross game has players mark off squares, eventually revealing a hidden picture. The new 3D version adds another dimension, replacing squares with blocks. Using hints, you break blocks and eventually reveal a hidden shape.

Official website here...

Read full post here on ign here...

Grand Ages Rome enhanced demo and patch released

grand ages romeKalypso Media today published an enhanced demo for GRAND AGES: ROME their eagerly awaited city building title. GRAND AGES: ROME, which has been developed by Haemimont Games, is the sequel to their bestseller, Imperium Romanum. Also released is a patch for the Grand Ages: Rome demo released on the 6th February.

Patch-notes / improvements to the demo version:

Difficulty adjustment
• Houses are now deserted every 60 seconds during unemployment (was 30 seconds)
• Deserted buildings health degeneration 3x slower than previously (roughly 9 minutes before fire)
• Fire extinguished by Prefectures twice as quickly.
UI improvements
• Important notifications now blink
• New notification sound for important notifications
• It's harder to accidentally go to realm overview mode

Miscellaneous
• Reduced bad weather duration and intensity
• Stability and compatibility improvements
Improved Demo:
http://www.kalypsomedia.com/downloads/demos/grandagesromedemo-neu-eu.exe

Patch:
http://www.kalypsomedia.com/downloads/demos/grandagesromedemopatch.exe

GRAND AGES: ROME will be released in the UK on 6th March for a recommended retail price of £29.99.

Prince of Persia, Shaun White Snowboarding video game downloads for Mac

prince of persia mac video gamePrince of Persia and Shaun White Snowboarding Available Soon via Digital Download and at Retail

Ubisoft will release the award-winning Prince of Persia and Shaun White Snowboarding to the Mac community in March 2009 via Ubisoft’s online digital store, GameTree Online and at traditional retail locations. Mac versions of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation : Hard Evidence, Rayman Raving Rabbids and Petz Sports will also be released at select retail establishments for the first time in March 2009.

“The Mac community has responded very positively to our previous game offerings and we’re excited to provide Mac users with a new selection of games through our relationship with TransGaming,” said Andy Swanson, senior director of strategic sales and partnerships at Ubisoft.

“Ubisoft has an exceptional portfolio of titles that spans an assortment of genres. The availability of their titles on the Mac is a great catalyst for Mac gaming,” commented Vikas Gupta, CEO and president of TransGaming.

Current Mac titles from Ubisoft available via download include CSI: Hard Evidence, Petz Catz 2, Petz Dogz 2, Petz Sports, Prince of Persia The Two Thrones, and Rayman Raving Rabbids.

To learn more about Ubisoft’s games for the Mac, including details on how to pre-order Prince of Persia and Shaun White Snowboarding, please visit: http://digitalstore.ubi.com or http://www.gametreeonline.com.

iPhone Airports database now available on iTunes for iPhone and iPod Touch

I’m pleased to announce that my free iPhone Airports Database - Airports - is now available from iTunes.

It’s been available by direct link for a week or two, but it’s only just started to appear in the App Store search results.

Just seach for Airports and look for the free one from Mark Avey.

Airports will run on the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Scottish comedian, Frankie Boyle, performs stand-up in GTA IV The Lost And The Damned DLC...

Scottish comedian Frankie Boyle can be found hidden in the DLC for The Lost And The Damned.

Boyle can be found performing a stand-up routine at the Split Sides comedy club. Rockstar even motion captured him for authenticity - you can check the credits at the end of The Lost And The Damned if you don't believe us.
"It's highlights from his live act plus at least one GTA IV in-joke," says GTA IV madman and OXM editor Jon Hicks (in that order). "See him at the Split Sides comedy club on Frankfort Ave, one block over and down a bit from Star Junction."
So there you have it. Frankie Boyle in GTAIV! A pretty awesome idea, truth be told. Let's hope this doesn't mean we'll also get Jim Davidson in Resident Evil 5...

Killzone 2 Webgame Command Centre online

killzone 2 webgame command centre
Killzone 2 Webgame Command Centre watch the trailer (18+) and register to play here...Search on the right for Killzone for most posts on this game.

Rock Band goes Country with Neko Case, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Drive-By Truckers and Old 97’s Plus Jimmy Eat World rock...

Harmonix and MTV Games today announced the debut of five alternative country acts to the Rock Band Music Store catalog of downloadable content including artists Neko Case, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Drive-By Truckers and Old 97’s.

Rock Band fans will also get a 3-pack from alternative rock band Jimmy Eat World.
“Alt Country 01” 5-pack features a signature mix of alternative country sounds from bluegrass and rockabilly to honky-tonk rock. The 5-pack includes “People Got A Lotta Nerve” from Neko Case’s soon-to-be released album Middle Cyclone (March 3, 2009), “Can’t Let Go” by Grammy winning singer/songwriter Lucinda Williams from her album Car Wheels On A Gravel Road (1998) and Steve Earl’s “Satellite Radio” from his album Washington Square Serenade (2007). The 5-pack also features “Three Dimes Down” from southern rock band Drive-By Truckers featured on the Brighter Than Creation’s Dark (2008) album and the Old 97’s live recording “Timebomb” from the band’s Alive & Wi red (2005) album.
Jimmy Eat World makes its second Rock Band appearance with a 3-pack that includes “Lucky Denver Mint” from the band’s 1999 album Clarity. In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the album’s release Jimmy Eat World will set out on a short 10 stop tour starting February 23rd where they’ll play Clarity in its entirety for the crowd. The Jimmy Eat World 3-Pack will also feature tracks “Futures” (Futures, 2004) and “Sweetness” from the band’s 2001 album Bleed American. The band’s hit “The Middle” was featured on the Rock Band 2 soundtrack.

Release Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 (Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360)
Thursday, February 26, 2009 (PlayStation Store)

** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change **

Tracks:
Neko Case ”People Got A Lotta Nerve” Steve Earle “Satellite Radio” Lucinda Williams “Can’t Let Go” Drive-By Truckers “Three Dimes Down” Old 97’s “Timebomb (live)” Jimmy Eat World “Futures” Jimmy Eat World “Lucky Denver Mint” Jimmy Eat World “Sweetness“
(All tracks are original master recordings)

Price: $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track
$8.49 (680 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for Alt Country Pack 01
$5.49 (440 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for Jimmy Eat World Pack 01

Locations: Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360
PlayStation Network