Exclusive EverQuest and EverQuest II In-game Items

Beckett Massive Online Gamer and SOE celebrate EQ's 10th Anniversary in style!

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Sony Online Entertainment’s longest running MMO, EverQuest (EQ). In celebration of EQ’s milestone, Beckett Massive Online Gamer (MOG) will be including two exclusive in-game items in Issue 18 (on sale this week). The items include an EverQuest Aqua Goblin Familiar and an EverQuest II Nagafen at Rest golden dragon statue.

• The EQ Aqua Goblin is a totem to one of the unnamed gods that will grant you complete obedience from one of their ilk in the form of an aqua goblin familiar.

• With the EQII Nagafen at Rest, you’ll be able to grace your guild hall or home with a detailed golden statue of the ancient dragon Nagafen perched atop a stone pedestal.

In addition to the two free in-game items in MOG 18, gamers can read about a special tribute to EverQuest that includes interviews with three top EQ designers, plus helpful Class and Dungeon Guides for EQII.

“EverQuest is an MMO game that has withstood the test of time and continues to entertain gamers of all ages. We’re very proud to celebrate this historical event with SOE by including great feature stories and exclusive in-game items in our newest issue,” says Doug Kale, Editorial Director of MOG. “This issue is also a cool collector’s item for anyone who has ever played EQ or EQII.”

Copies of Beckett Massive Online Gamer Issue 18 can be purchased at Wal-mart, Barnes & Noble, Borders, or wherever magazines are sold.

As a special offer for all new subscribers, the first 1,000 people to subscribe online will be emailed both in-game item codes. To claim this unique offer, subscribe at: https://ssl.drgnetwork.com/ecom/bck/app/live/promosub?org=bck&publ=MO&key=ETCMOEQ

Further information about Beckett Massive Online Gamer can be found on the web at:
http://www.MassiveOnlineGamer.com

Grand Ages - Rome – Patch 1.10 released! Download link...

Kalypso Media have today released a patch for their classic city building game GRAND AGES: ROME. Patch 1.10 provides the following improvements:

• Difficulty adjustment

- Houses are now deserted every 60 seconds during unemployment (previously 30 seconds)
- Deserted buildings degeneration is now 3x slower than previously (roughly 9 minutes before fire)
- Fire extinguished by Prefectures twice as quickly
- Fixed Well and Large Fountain hygiene contribution radii
- Increased aqueduct HP.

• UI improvements

- Important notifications now blink
- New notification sound for important notifications
- It's harder to accidentally switch to realm overview mode
- Explanatory text added to trade dialog.

• Multiplayer

- Fixed problems occurring while entering a room
- Fixed problem with account creation
- Fixed several desync bugs.
- Increased starting resources on some multiplayer maps.

• Miscellaneous

- Fixed Thespian, Wine Export and Flax Exports character talents.
- Reduced bad weather duration and intensity
- Fixed resource check for house repopulation.

• Fixes

- Fixed autosave mechanism.
- Fixed two crashes on saving the game.
- Stability and compatibility improvements
- Added auto-update-function

All future updates & patches will be available via the auto-update-function.
An established internet connection is assumed.

Patch: http://www.grandages.com/en/gr_updates.php

Crystal Defenders video game on iPhone and iPod Touch

Square Enix the publisher of Square Enix interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, today announces that the tower defence simulation game CRYSTAL DEFENDERS previously released for the iPod and iPhone 3G/iPod touch, is now available worldwide for download via Xbox LIVE Arcade for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. In addition, a major version update for the iPhone 3G/iPod touch versions is currently in development and is scheduled for release in the following weeks.

Featuring jobs and locations from the popular FINAL FANTASY TACTICS series, CRYSTAL DEFENDERS requires players to strategically deploy units to fend off encroaching enemy hordes and prevent them from stealing their party's crystals.

The Xbox LIVE Arcade version includes several improvements to the interface and a new design optimized for consoles. A worldwide ranking system allows players to upload their scores to leaderboards and see how they stack up against other players around the globe. These and other new features are sure to increase excitement and enhance replayability.

John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. comments, “CRYSTAL DEFENDERS is a great new addition to Xbox LIVE Arcade. It’s simple to understand and easy to pick-up and play, but there is a great depth to the game and an addictive quality that make it ideal for the platform. I hope that many people experience and enjoy it.”

About CRYSTAL DEFENDERS

Story
In a land ruled by might and magick, peace is ensured by the benevolent power of the crystals. When a young moogle charged with guarding these crystals learns of an evil presence gathering on the horizon, he calls upon heroes from the far corners of the realm to join forces and stand against this new threat.

Wielders of blade and bow, keepers of arts arcane, unite! As darkness draws nigh, only you can protect the light that binds us. The fate of Ivalice lies in the hands of...the Crystal Defenders!

Features
CRYSTAL DEFENDERS is a tower defense simulation game in which players deploy characters from the FINAL FANTASY TACTICS series onto a variety of different maps to battle wave after wave of encroaching monsters. The first game in the series, Crystal Guardians, was released in Japan for mobile phones in January 2008. In December of the same year, iPhone 3G, iPod touch and iPod versions were released under the new name, CRYSTAL DEFENDERS. To date, the total number of downloads for the series have reached over 600,000.

CRYSTAL DEFENDERS is simple and easy to learn – monsters will enter an area and march through it until they are defeated or reach an exit, at which time they will steal one or more crystals. It is up to the player to decide – by pausing the action at crucial moments – when and where to deploy various jobs such as Black Mages or Soldiers that will attempt to defend the party’s crystals. Factors such as map terrain, monster strengths and weaknesses, job attributes, and more will play a crucial role in determining what steps a player should take.

Price
The Xbox Live Arcade version will be available for 800 MS Points and the iPhone 3G/iPod touch version for £4.99/€5.99 from the App Store.

Spectromancer fantasy card video game

Co-Designed By Magic's Richard Garfield, Expansion Pack Coming Soon!

Three Donkeys, an independent game developer and publisher, announced today that Spectromancer, a new turn-based online fantasy card game co-designed by Magic: The Gathering’s Richard Garfield and Alexey Stankevich, is now available at Steam for $9.95. Three Donkeys also announced that it is working on an expansion pack for Spectromancer, with an anticipated release date of April 2009. Spectromancer allows players to participate in a magical duel against other mages by strategically summoning creatures and casting spells in either single-player or online multi-player modes.

In Spectromancer, gamers can play as one of six powerful types of wizards and take on the corrupt council of magic and its innumerable minions. Each mage uses five magical elements during a duel - Fire, Water, Air, Earth and a fifth related to the specific mage type. Using one of six mage types in the game, Clerics, Mechanicians, Necromancers, Chaosmasters, Dominators and Illusionists, players duel against the computer or against other online players live. By adding new spells and new allies, players will open new strategic options to master.

The turn-based online fantasy card game provides a varied palette of foes and environments that force players to watch every turn of a card. Each player takes on a journey of discovery reflected in the tricks they master. The challenges increase in multi-player, as Spectromancer pits players against hundreds of challenges of amazing tactical depth.

WWE Legends of WrestleMania - mobile video game

Relive, rewrite and redefine classic moments from the first 15 years of WrestleMania, as the multi-platform release WWE Legends of WrestleMania comes to mobile!

Each year WWE Superstars enter the ring in the most successful, longest-running sports-entertainment event in the world, WrestleMania.

Step onto the grandest stage of them all as one of 10 legendary WWE Superstars, utilize the unique finishing moves of your WWE Legend and antagonize your opponent with classic taunts in exhibition mode, or customize your own character and take on the greats in career mode.

Do you have what it takes to become a legend?

Grand Theft Auto - Chinatown on Nintendo DS - soundtrack details

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is an en entirely new entry into the series, built from the ground up for the Nintendo DS.

Rockstar have published details of the Grand Theft Auto - Chinatown on Nintendo DS - soundtrack.

Set in a fictional Liberty City closely modeled after New York, the story centers on Huang Lee and his trials and tribulations as he tries to prove himself to his family, get vengeance for his father’s death and reclaim the prized ‘Yu Jian’, a sword that has been a symbol of honor in the Lee family for generations. A DS game created in Rockstar’s signature style, you can expect over-the-top characters, a massive storyline, insane action and plenty of vehicular mayhem around every corner.

Due to the limits of the Nintendo DS game cartridge Rockstar can't get the full music versions you'd normally expect in Grand Theft Auto games.

Rockstar are trying to make up for it as the game will feature in-car radio stations...

• Electro-Choc
• IF99
• Tuff gong
• The Beat
• Radio Broker

The music will be a mix of original and paid for instrumental tracks from...

• Deadmau5
• Truth & Soul
• Ticklah
• Prairie Cartel
• Alchemist

Each were 'hands-on' in their approach to ensure that their stations overall pace and vibe was on par with the games overall, pick up and play handheld style while remaining true to the integrity of a Grand Theft Auto soundtrack experience.

Nintendo increase UK price of Wii Console.

Due to the global recession plus weakening Sterling, Nintendo UK have increased the price it sells its Nintendo Wii consoles to UK retailers.

Nintendo, who have notably made a profit on every console sold from day one, has hiked the trade price of Wii by £18 to £20.

Nintendo have stressed that the reccomended retail price of the console will remain at £179.99, but admitted that it was up to retailers whether they would pass the rise onto consumers. A Nintendo spokesperson had this to say:

“Due to the severe and continuing depreciation of the pound, we are, unfortunately, having to raise our trade price to UK retailers of Wii hardware. The price that they then offer to consumers is, of course, up to the retailers. We are only – reluctantly – raising our trade price now to retailers due to unprecedented and sustained depreciation of the pound. This is a problem brought about by extreme currency fluctuations that are a symptom of the global economic situation.”

Source: N-Europe

New Apple iPod shuffle smaller but bigger (4gb) and it talks...

Apple have released their smallest iPod shuffle yet.

It smaller with a more compact design yet it packs a load of features. At about half the size of its replacement (smaller than an AA bettery) it can hold up to 1000 songs and it can talk to you!

The controls have been moved to the headphone cord (so no third party headphones). song titles playlists etc can be spoken to the wearer making the new shuffle easier to navigate.

It can also talk in French, German, Japanese and English!

Pirate Galaxy PC video game goes Open Beta!

Leading European MMOG Publisher gamigo is happy to announce the official open beta phase start of the science-fiction 3D browser MMOG Pirate Galaxy. Every player who registers now on www.pirategalaxy.com can start playing for free immediately.

Intense Spaceaction in the Browser

In Pirate Galaxy the player becomes a courageous space-pirate, who has the mission to defend the weakened human colonies against the vicious MANTIS. To do so, there is no need for a client installation; Pirate Galaxy is easily playable in the browser, without having to take any cutbacks regarding the High Res 3D graphics.

During the closed beta phase Pirate Galaxy already gained thousands of amazed players, who are ever since successfully defending the VEGA-system against the MANTIS. Developer Splitscreen Studios reacted to the players’ suggestions and already added some demanded features like direct keyboard controls for space-ships.

Furthermore the first stargate was opened recently, allowing players to travel to ANTARES, another solar system full of unique planets, exciting missions as well as new threats. In addition the “Clan Wars” system, which was introduced during the closed beta, allows clans to battle against each other over planets and gain attractive advantages for defending them.

Close Cooperation with the Fans

Now it’s time to open the tantalizing Galaxy for all players: with immediate effect, every player who registers in the main menu of the game will be unlocked to participate in exciting outer space adventures. Gamigo and Splitscreen Studios will spend their time during the open beta phase on improving and adding new contents to Pirate Galaxy. Players will have the chance to get a first glimpse at the item shop, while spending provided in-game money on some of the special offers.

“We are very happy to make Pirate Galaxy available for all players” says Elmar Kofler, Product Manager at gamigo. “Already during the closed beta we were able to realize a lot of the players’ suggestions. Now we hope this synergetic working style will continue in the open beta phase.”

Further information, screenshots and of course the access to the game can be found on www.pirategalaxy.com

In Pirate Galaxy the player immerges into a Science-Fiction-World, where the galaxy is controlled by maleficent aliens, called MANTIS. The player takes control of a spaceship and takes his fate into his own hands. Along with thousands of other online-pirates, players will fight with aliens, hunt for worthwhile treasures and reconquer the despoiled colonies.

Pirate Galaxy introduces a new era of browser-games and offers a fantastic Science-Fiction-Online-World to the gamers. The game can be played via a client-program, or directly in a web-browser from almost any PC. In both cases players are able to navigate their spaceships through a high-resolution 3D-ambience.

Features:

• detailed 3D-Graphic within the browser
• exciting real-time-fights in PVE and PVP-Modes
• spaceships can be adjusted individually
• motivating role-playing-elements
• a huge game universe with hundreds of planets and innumerable quests
• easy and simple navigation
• comprehensible user interface
• free to play – no payments, no monthly fees

FEAR 2 download content pulled from Xbox Live... back in April

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has announced plans to release new content for FEAR 2 in April.

The new content will include the Toy Soliders map pack - this had temporarily been available from Xbox LIVE Marketplace yesterday before being removed. With the new map pack players are only inches tall and find themselves battling inside a pinball machine, a hospital lab and a playground sandbox.

FullTilt: Battle inside a retro 1970's era pinball machine, "Snake Fist" style! Flippers, targets, spinners and pop-bumpers provide cover for the fast paced action. Multi-level playfield and authentic sounds set the mood for destruction!

Cockroach: A blood drenched hospital room filled with heart pounding action. Climb up electrical cords, laboratory equipment and pill bottles in a tightly connected environment.

Recess: Wage mayhem from the top of a giant sandcastle to the cockpit of a toy bulldozer! Go commando and blend in with plastic army men!

Source: VideoGamer