Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning Recruit-A-Friend Program with New Incentives to Join the Armies of War

Mythic Entertainment today announced that it is expanding the Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning (WAR) Recruit-A-Friend program in North America and Asia Pacific to now provide exciting in-game rewards for dedicated recruiters on both sides of the ongoing Realm War. The new item rewards bolster the 30 days of free play time already rewarded to players every time they bring a friend and family member into the Realm vs. Realm fray.

Anyone who recruits two new subscribers will receive an exclusive pet – the Imperial Hunting Hound for Order players, or the Warlord’s Fell Hound for Destruction players. Those who recruit four new subscribers will be granted a powerful new in-game item, either the Rod of Service or the Collar of Servitude, which increases experience and renown earned by 5% for all group members. In addition, these pocket items allow a player to temporarily raise a fellow realm-mate’s level to give them a fighting chance against more powerful foes.

• 1st recruit = 30 days free game play
• 2nd recruit = Exclusive in-game pet, plus another 30 days free
• 3rd recruit = Another 30 days free
• 4th recruit = Exclusive in-game item, plus another 30 days free
• All additional recruits = 30 days free for each new recruit

Now is the time to heed the Call to Arms and recruit friends and family to fight at the frontlines of WAR with a free 10-day trial! For more information about the WAR Recruit-A-Friend program and rewards, visit: www.warhammeronline.com/recruit.

Based on the popular tabletop war game from Games Workshop, Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning features revolutionary Realm vs. Realm conflict that will provide players with an engaging battleground for years to come. Available now for PC, WAR is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB.

Find Your Rhythm With FREE Patapon 2 PC, Mac Mini-Game!

Jump Online and Start Banging Beats with the Patapon 2 Mini-Game - It's Free and Ready to Play on Your PC or Mac

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe announced today that SPIL GAMES will host an exclusive Patapon 2 mini-game across many of their online game portals for one week only from March 9th to March 16th 2009. This official flash mini-game is fully playable on both PC and Macs, showcasing the musical fun and inventive gameplay of the newly released Patapon 2 – Out now on PSP (PlayStation Portable).

The Patapon 2 mini-game, developed by Kerb to promote the launch of Patapon 2, allows you to try your hand at banging out beats to command your tiny tribesman with the rhythm of your drum. Patapon 2 is the follow-up to the hugely popular Patapon, a fun-filled adventure that combines unique gameplay with rhythm and music, requiring you to create cool drumming combos and lead your tribe to victory. There’s plenty of musical fun to be had – whether you want to play with your mates or enter a cool music carnival! With its funky rhythms, cool graphics, and a brand-new team mode, it’s a title you’ll want to get your hands on when it arrives this March.

SPIL GAMES is the world’s ultimate online game destination, providing online games through more than 50 game portals localized in 20 languages worldwide. As a primary distribution partner, SPIL GAMES launched the LocoRoco™ 2 mini game across all 50 of their gaming portals.
Test out your drumming skills with the Patapon 2 mini-game – it goes online at www.agame.com from March 9th to March 16th 2009. You can also visit www.gamesgames.com/game/Patapon-2.html.

Fourteen new tracks added to Wii Rock Band - Rock, Punk and Heavy Metal

Harmonix and MTV Games announced today the addition of fourteen tracks, ranging across nearly all genres of rock, to the Rock Band Music Store catalog of downloadable content for Nintendo Wii home videogame console from Nintendo. 

The lineup includes music from metal icons Metallica, songs from alternative bands Radiohead and Sonic Youth, as well as tracks from classic rock artists KISS and David Bowie. 

Rock Band Wii owners will also have access to music from punk band The Clash and rock bands Wolfmother and Garbage.

In addition, the offering features songs from five alternative country acts including Drive By Truckers, Lucinda Williams, Neko Case, Old 97s and Steve Earle.

Metallica’s 1984 title track “Ride the Lightning” and “Blackened” from …And Justice For All (1988) mark the first time Rock Band Wii owners will have access to the iconic rock artists. This week’s lineup also features classic rock from legendary rockers including “Calling Dr. Love” from KISS’ 1976 album Rock and Roll Over, “Moonage Daydream” by David Bowie featured on The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972) and “Train In Vain (Stand By Me)” from punk band The Clash released on the band’s 1979 album London Calling.

More alternative rock comes to the Wii with hit track “My Iron Lung” from Radiohead’s 1994 album The Bends and “Kool Thing” featured on Sonic Youth’s 1990 album Goo. Hard rockers Wolfmother offer up “Joker & the Thief” from their self-titled 2006 album and Garbage brings “Why Do You Love Me” featured on their album Bleed Like Me (2005).

The tracks listed above come from the Rock Band Music Store catalog of downloadable content already released to owners of Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system. Wii fans can expect a rollout of previously released downloadable Rock Band content until the entire back catalogue of more than 590 songs is available.

Rock Band Wii owners will also have access to the alternative country tracks just released two weeks ago to the Rock Band music catalog including “People Got A Lotta Nerve” from Neko Case’s new album Middle Cyclone (2009), “Can’t Let Go” by Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Lucinda Williams from Car Wheels On A Gravel Road (1998), Steve Earl’s “Satellite Radio” from Washington Square Serenade (2007),“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 & Wired (2005) album.

Release Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2009

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

Tracks:

Metallica “Blackened”
Metallica “Ride the Lighting”
Radiohead “My Iron Lung”
Wolfmother “Joker & the Thief”
KISS “Calling Dr. Love”
David Bowie “Moonage Daydream”
The Clash “Train in Vain”
Sonic Youth “Kool Thing”
Garbage “Why Do You Love Me”
Drive By Truckers “3 Dimes Down”
Lucinda Williams “Can’t Let Go”
Neko Case “People Got a Lotta Nerve”
Old 97s “Time Bomb”
Steve Earle “Satellite Radio”

(All tracks are original master recordings)

Price: $2.00 (200 Wii Points) per track

Location: In-game Rock Band 2 Music Store (Wii Points must be purchased
through the Wii Shop Channel)

Tomb Raider: Underworld - Lara's Shadow Available Exclusively On Xbox Live Marketplace

Explore Tomb Raider: Underworld as an entirely new character: The Doppelganger

Eidos Interactive today announced the release of the second downloadable content pack for Tomb Raider: Underworld for Xbox 360. Exclusive to Xbox Live, Tomb Raider: Underworld – Lara’s Shadow allows gamers to experience Lara’s universe from an entirely new perspective: that of the Doppelganger.

Follow link for video...

With faster movement, shadow powers and a melee attack that decimates enemies with devastating accuracy and speed, the Doppelganger will open up all new gameplay mechanics, areas and puzzles which wouldn’t be possible while playing as Lara Croft. Tomb Raider: Underworld – Lara’s Shadow is available now for 800 Microsoft Points on Xbox Live Marketplace.

Why Watchmen were allowed to break Microsoft's rules with 1.3 gb Xbox LIve download

Microsoft have explained why the Watchmen video game was allowed to break their own 50gb Xbox Live game download limit with a whopping 1.2GB download.

The game was allowed this exception for 'superior gameplay' which is judged game by game.

This is not the first time Microsoft have bent the download limit rules - Bionic Commander, Street Fighter and Castlevania all were larger than 50mb.


"We have set Xbox Live Arcade game file limits as a general guideline. An important part of Xbox Live Arcade is easy access, and keeping file size down is a vital part of that," Microsoft.

Sony don't impose size limited and indeed some have scoffed at the so called 'superior' game play reasoning.

Empire - Total War tops UK video game chart this week

ChartTrack

Week ending 7 March 2009

1 EMPIRE: TOTAL WAR SEGA
2 KILLZONE 2 SONY COMPUTER ENT.
3 WII FIT NINTENDO
4 TOM CLANCY'S H.A.W.X. UBISOFT
5 HALO WARS MICROSOFT

Ultra Soft 'Safe Sports Pack' on Nintendo Wii

Designed for Wii Sports Fans Hoping to Improve Comfort and Scores for Only $29.99

Penguin United is doing its part to contribute to the world of video game sports by offering the ultra soft Safe Sports Pack for Nintendo Wii. Designed for comfort and versatility, the Safe Sports Pack provides consumers with a three-in-one kit for tennis, golf and baseball games for Nintendo Wii. The Safe Sports Pack is a must-have for any serious fan of Wii sports.

The Safe Sports Pack adds realism and improves game play to any tennis, golf or baseball video game for Nintendo Wii. The Safe Sports Pack’s ultra soft design is child-safe, extremely durable and has a suggested retail price of only $29.99.

“In terms of comfort and game play, the Soft Sports Pack is perfect for Wii sports fans,” stated Richard Huang, Penguin’s President. “Each attachment - for tennis, golf and baseball - is molded in ultra soft, durable material which makes the Soft Sports Pack exceptionally reliable and safe. “

Product Highlights:

• Soft, Safe and Durable Spongy Material Design
• Includes Tennis, Golf and Baseball Attachments
• Easy Fit Design with Interlocking Handle
• Port Access for Nunchucks
• SRP: $29.99

New download content for The Maw video game on Xbox Live Wednesday

For those wanting longer levels and more use of the various powers from The Maw, Twisted Pixel Games has announced that a new level called “River Redirect” will be launching this Wednesday, March 11 on Xbox LIVE Arcade for 100 Microsoft Points ($1.25 USD). This level features the Brute Bounty Hunter, introduced in the first DLC level “Brute Force”, and showcases more advanced gameplay and combined use of Maw’s powers.

This is the second of three DLC levels that Twisted Pixel Games has been working on ever since The Maw development wrapped last year. “With River Redirect we tried to make a more puzzle-focused level that requires a bit more skill than some of the game’s other levels,” explains Lead Designer Sean Riley. “Frank finds a raging fire blocking his path, but with Maw’s powers you can find a way to redirect a river to extinguish the flames.”

Each DLC level will expand The Maw storyline by fitting in between the original levels as “deleted scenes”. “As with any production, there are always pieces left on the cutting room floor that you wished could have made it into the final cut,” says CCO and Director Josh Bear. “We had a lot of half-finished story elements and gameplay mechanics, so we are picking the best ones, polishing them up and making new levels that are bigger in size and scope than the ones in the main game.”

About The Maw

The Maw is a 3D action-adventure game available on Xbox LIVE Arcade for 800 Microsoft Points ($10 USD). It was honored with the PAX-10 Audience Choice Award and is a finalist for Technical Excellence in the upcoming 2009 Independent Games Festival. More information about The Maw can be found at www.WhatIsTheMaw.com


About Twisted Pixel Games, LLC

Founded in 2006 by industry veterans, Twisted Pixel is an independent game development studio that operates in two capacities: 1) Inventing innovative original IP concepts then developing them into premiere console titles; and 2) Providing top-flight contract games development work to leading publishers on their highly-anticipated titles. The company’s mission is to become a leading developer of digitally distributed console games with ambitious and inspiring games that exceed consumer expectations. Learn more about Twisted Pixel at www.TwistedPixelGames.com.

Banjo-Kazooie Nuts and Bolts new Download content from Rare...

Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts – it's not over yet. We can't offer any specifics, but it wouldn't do to let your N&B disc gather dust. To whet your appetite for what's coming, a few words from L.O.G. himself...

"Am I addressing the fine minority of gamesplayers with taste, those who are still neck-deep in the customisable wonders of my latest title to feature that drooling bear and the shrieking hag I wish I'd never invented? And Gruntilda too, of course. Ah, the humorous bait-and-switch.

"As I put so much effort into hammering and sticky-taping together all those new worlds for Nuts & Bolts, I thought I'd reward the loyalty of its cadre of ardent players with a brief hint. So prick up your ears, soldiers: consider this an early warning that news on potential lifespan-lengthening activities will be incoming very soon. The game's lifespan, I mean, not your own. I may be a deity, but that's just unrealistic.

"If all goes well, you'll soon be able to experience a little something that I devised during a spare moment in exile from the Palace lounge as the Lady of Games watched some kind of dreadful house renovation show marathon. I have to say I'm quite pleased with the end result, apart from the section that Klungo insisted on contributing due to what he claimed was 'popular demand'. Well, that remains to be seen. I've even topped it off with a promotional logo to keep you interested, as I'm told it's all about the logos and PR and vertical marketing these days.

"That's all for now. Until the next time I randomly and irresponsibly decide to break the fourth wall, enjoy."

So there you go. Expect more info to be out there as soon as next week, but in the meantime rest assured that the Lord of Games is keeping the Nuts & Bolts dream alive.

Earlier fact sheet on gamezplay.org here...

WiiWare Gradius ReBirth plus Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars

Remember when Grandma used to mark your height on the wall every so often, just to see how fast you were growing? Well, if the Wii Shop Channel had its own growth chart, she'd be impressed at how the selection of great games keeps getting bigger and bigger each week. Take a look at the latest additions and you'll discover a pair of different yet equally engaging titles: a thrilled-packed WiiWare shooter and a classic SEGA adventure for the Virtual Console™. Thanks to this steady stream of new games, your own library ought to be growing up fast, too.

Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

WiiWare

Gradius ReBirth (Konami, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Fantasy Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): Blast your way through levels filled with alien spaceships and otherworldly creatures in this retro side-scrolling shooter. Pick your weapons carefully and upgrade them to create a devastating arsenal of space-aged weapons that will aid you in your challenging mission. Players can post their high scores to worldwide leader boards via Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection and see where they rank against all the other Gradius ReBirth players. Test your skills with Gradius ReBirth and see if you have what it takes to beat this action-packed arcade shooter.

Virtual Console

Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars™ (SEGA MASTER SYSTEM, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Comic Mischief, Crude Humor, 500 Wii Points): In this platformer from the 1980s, help Alex Kidd in a race against time to find the 12 missing zodiac signs hidden in six challenging levels-including toyland, the robot factory and an outer-space level-all complete with crazy enemies.