Google push iGoogle games gadgets at GDC next week

Google are to host an event at GDC they say will focus on gaming's "most iconic characters"

Google said...

“We will be creating an interactive experience that will bring the gaming industry’s most iconic characters to life and allow you to ride through their adventures. You’ll hear some of the game publishers involved in the project.

“As an added bonus, you can see an early preview of a few of the games gadgets that developers are building for iGoogle.”

Or maybe there's another great games announcement from Google...

Legend IV: Tomb of the Qin-Shi Emperor for Silkroad Online Update

New Update Launches for Fantasy MMORPG with Extended Storyline, a Treacherous Dungeon, Challenging Quests, and a Jewel Box Event

Joymax, an independent developer and publisher of interactive entertainment for the global market, today announced the launch of the Legend IV: Tomb of the Qin-Shi Emperor, an update for historical fantasy MMORPG Silkroad Online. The Legend IV update includes a new Turkey Traditional Outfit item available in the store and adds new features, including a high level dungeon, high grade skills, and quest updates for the Qin-Shi Tomb and Roc Mountain. These new features will provide great challenges for players seeking to restore the Qin-Shi Tomb in Silkroad Online.

"We are dedicated to providing our audience with new and entertaining storylines, challenging quests, and epic battles in Silkroad Online,” said Jina Song, General Manager at Joymax. "We're really looking forward to hearing how audiences react to the Legend IV Update: Tomb of the Qin-Shi Emperor."

In the Legend IV update, an ancient white viper named BeakYung has been awakened from her meditation by humans exploring the Tomb of Qin-Shi. Players must fight their way through the dungeon’s powerful guardians and defeat BeakYung in order to restore order to the imperial tomb. The dungeon is playable by characters level 70 or above with six floors containing nearly 50 new monsters that must be defeated before facing BeakYung herself. New quests have been added for the Roc Mountain as well as the Qin-Shi Tomb, and the new Scenario Quest system gives players a true cinematic experience. Players will have access to new weapons and armor, and high-level abilities in order to take on the new monsters and BeakYung.

For a limited time, slain monsters will also randomly drop Jewel Boxes to celebrate the new content. These boxes are valuable artifacts that may be traded in for B-grade Devil’s Spirits and mysterious alchemic stones. Players who are up to the challenge will be able to use these alchemical rewards to craft the most powerful 10th-grade weapons imaginable, tools that should serve them well as they explore dark and dangerous Tomb of Qin-Shi!

To find out more about Legend IV: Tomb of the Qin-Shi Emperor, visit the official website at http://www.joymax.com/silkroad/.

Mass Effect 2 - The Dark Second Chapter to the Epic Science-Fiction Trilogy - Coming Early 2010 for Windows PC and Xbox 360

Leading video game developer BioWare, a division of Electronic Arts, officially announce the development of Mass Effect 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the multi award-winning 2007 hit, Mass Effect. The Mass Effect trilogy is a masterful science-fiction adventure set in a vast universe filled with dangerous alien life forms and mysterious uncharted planets. In this dark second chapter, Saren’s evil army of Geth soldiers has just been defeated, and humans, still struggling to make their mark on the galactic stage, are now faced with an even greater peril…

“We’re going to surpass the extraordinary gaming experience we brought our fans in Mass Effect by delivering intensified combat and expanded weapon options as well as increased depth of planet exploration, all while delivering a powerful, emotionally engaging story,” said Dr. Ray Muzyka, General Manager and CEO, BioWare and General Manager and Vice President, EA. “Mass Effect 2 is shaping up to be an unforgettable RPG-shooter experience, taking players on a non-stop roller-coaster ride filled with stunning plot twists and no-holds-barred action.”

Mass Effect 2 is coming to PC and the Xbox 360 video game system in Early 2010. To see the exclusive new Mass Effect 2 teaser trailer check out the website here: www.masseffect.com

iPhone video game SAGA Tactics Alpha Site launched - FREE to play game

Silverlode Interactive today revealed a persistent Tactics game using the Unity3D engine.

Following the success of the world’s first collectible MMORTS game, SAGA, Silverlode Interactive today revealed their latest product SAGA Tactics and the Alpha website www.sagatactics.com.

SAGA Tactics will allow players using an iPhone to compete against opponents on either a PC or a MAC. A master database will store rankings and user data allowing players to access their armies no matter where they are or what device they choose for play.

Entry into closed beta will be granted first to participants on the Tactics Alpha Forums. Silverlode Interactive invites interested players to visit the forums linked on the Alpha side at www.sagatactics.com and give feedback on troop design. Silverlode Interactive, known for listening to their players, plans to work closely with the community to design cool abilities for SAGA Tactics. This is your chance to help design your next addiction.



SAGA Tactics will be a completely Free-2-Play game. All items at release will be purchasable for gold; this includes troops, weapons, armor and enchants. Gold will be granted for winning PvP battles against other players. Gold will also be available for purchase in the SAGA store for cash to allow players with less time to build the army they desire quickly. The game will initially sell for $1.99 in the Apple Store. However, account creation on the PC/MAC will be free.

To help players learn more about the game that inspired SAGA Tactics, Silverlode Interactive is giving away free registrations to SAGA the MMORTS at www.playsaga.com/tactics.php. All accounts created on this page will become automatically registered for SAGA, which retails for $19.95 at hobby stores.

Military action franchise Blacklight to become video game...

Independent video games developer Zombie Studios has reached an agreement with Fox Atomic, a unit of Fox Filmed Entertainment, and production company Union Entertainment to develop its military action franchise “Blacklight” as a feature film, comic book series and video game. The announcement was made jointly by Zombie CEO Mark Long, Fox Atomic President Debbie Liebling, and Union President Richard Leibowitz.

An original property created by Zombie Studios, “Blacklight” is a covert military action epic set twenty-five years in the future. The three companies will work together on a movie and comic book series to be produced by Fox Atomic and a multi-platform video game that will be produced by Zombie.

Both the film and the video game will be written by Jason Dean Hall, a veteran writer whose latest film, SPREAD, sold at Sundance to Summit. He is also writing projects for DreamWorks and Universal.

“We are excited by the huge potential “Backlight” has to succeed across multiple platforms - theatrical features, comics books, and video games,” said Liebling, “it offers us a remarkable franchise opportunity for film.”

“From the start, I have envisioned ’Blacklight’ as a story that spans all of the forms of media I enjoy most,” stated Long. “It’s an ambitious project and I’ve been fortunate to find partners at Fox Atomic and Union who share that same vision. We are cooperating on the comic, game and movie at levels that are unprecedented in the industry.”

“'Blacklight' plays to Union’s strengths as a film and game production company, allowing us to help bring a great property to consumers in both media,” added Leibowitz, a producer on the project.

Richard Leibowitz will produce and Dmitri Johnson and Dan Jevons will executive produce for Union. Mark Long, in addition to developing the video game, will serve as an executive producer on the feature. Zak Kadison and R. Eric Lieb will oversee for Atomic.

The “Blacklight” film, video game, and comics will feature the same characters and high caliber military action, but with unique, intersecting storylines that complement each other. No release dates for any of the properties have yet been announced.

New iPhone update to include Download Games Content and Multiplayer Games Options...

Today's Apple conference announced the latest iPhone operating system update will include downloadable game content.

The update will also support peer-to-peer multiplayer gaming.

"With the new APIs, you can bring up a standard system panel which finds other touches or iPhones which are in the same app," said Apple's Scott Forstall. "You form an IP connection, and you can game together. This will automatically discover running apps, wirelessly over Bluetooth."

Introduction of NEO Online PC video game

Summary of Neo online:

- Title : N.E.O Online (New Era Odyssey)
- Genre : MMORPG
- Concept of Game: Great ambition for being Legend Traveling Around ‘Gaia' with various people living in Virtual life in the Game.

Game Spec:

Minimum Spec
OS : Window 2000
CPU : P3- 1Ghz
RAM : 512 MB
VGA : Geforce Ti4200
DIRECTX : Direct 9.0c

Recommended Spec

OS : Window XP
CPU : P4-3.0Ghz
RAM : 1GB
VGA : Higher than Geforce 6600 or Radeon X1000
DIRECTX : Direct 9.0c

Feature of Neo online:

1. World Changes
- According to each of player's behavior in the Game, player can enjoy 2 different of world in the game such as Original world and Chaos world.
In the Chaos world, player can enjoy rare items and unique boss mop in there.

2. Unlimited Selection to Class
- Player don’t need to choose certain Job in the game.
We try to give ultimate freedom for users to play the game. It will bring various fun points to player, tired of existing simple character growing and using same weapon.

3. Create Unlimited Clothes Item
- There is no limitation to choose certain clothes according to their own character.
Using color item, player can make any color of clothes what they want.
The color item is one of powerful business model in the game.

4. Can Grow Their Character Enjoying The Living of Job
- Without constant battle in the game, player can grow their Character's Lv enough.

5. Everybody Can Be Hero
- The player will experience various quests and episode in the game. Any player could be “the legend?in the game based on user’s achievement. The player will be attracted to NEO Online with self-contentment.
- The minstrel NPC in the village praises the player who has the best title.
The user could check the rank and history of the title from the NPC

6. Random Ability Item ?Fair Stone
- Using Fair stone, ability of whole items can be enhanced with certain rate.
- It will bring player to encourage collecting more Fair stone.

Sector of Neo online -Various Battle System:
PVP : Player VS Player
PK : Can be joining PK mode reaching certain LV
Group battle : Once Chaos world is coming, Group battle can be breaking
Guild battle : Guild VS Guild
Castle war : The battle among guilds dominating certain supremacy
Technology of Neo online - Seamless World and 3D AI
Applying Seamless World and 3D AI technology, make user concentration and convenience for game maximize!
Enhance the concentration of playing the game? user can transfer another area without time consuming for loading.
Enhanced AI, Finding way with Navigation Mesh : possible to find out mop easily using Navigation Mesh

Official Website: http://neo.nolto.com/main/main.asp

Step up to the plate, with Restaurant Empire 2 business simulator

Paradox Interactive hopes you are ready to feast on its latest mouth-watering treat, Restaurant Empire 2. 

Scheduled to ship in April, Restaurant Empire 2 offers the most exciting restaurant business simulator to date.

For the first course, some competitive cooking is suggested with the chance to carve out your name amongst other legendary master-chefs. 

Sharpen those cooking skills and select the best recipe in your repertoire. Select the finest ingredients and step out and taste the exhilarating atmosphere of the cheering crowds, as they look on. Enhance your chef's chance of winning by testing your own skills against a myriad of mini-games and challenges.

Restaurant Empire 2 is scheduled to ship in April 2009 with an MSRP of $19.99 and will be published in North America by Paradox Interactive and for digital download worldwide through GamersGate.

2029 Online - Alpha Client Available

http://2029.igg.com/) Team is pleased to announce that its Alpha Test version game client is ready now. The test will officially begin at 11：00pm EDT (GMT-4) March 17th and it will last until 11:00pm March 22nd EDT (GMT-4). All Alpha Test participants will be able to begin playing the game for the first time. You are highly recommended to download the game client at http://us-ca-d2.iggcn.com/2029/20090317/2029_setup_1.26.0050.exe to connect to 2029 Online servers.

AT Information:

1. Make sure you have downloaded the Alpha test client and installed it to your computer. To download the Alpha test client, click on: http://2029.igg.com/download/download_client.php.
2. You must activate your test account to get access to the game. Check out the following link to activate your test account: http://www.igg.com/member/active_game.php?gid=13
3. Although the Alpha test will last for only a short time, we will be holding plenty of events for testers to participate in in-game or in our forum.
4. All the accounts we have issued will still be available in the upcoming Closed-Beta Test.
5. All testers’ character data will be removed after Alpha test is finished. However, Alpha testers can take part in the coming Closed Beta test with their Alpha accounts. We will also be giving prizes to these testers during Closed Beta phase. (Prizes will be distributed after the end of the Alpha test.)
6. There is no need to remove the Alpha test client from your computer before the Closed Beta test. The client will be either automatically updated or manually updated to the Closed Beta version at the start of the test.

AT Note:

1. The Alpha test priorities are fixing bugs, problems and any other general improvements that need to be made before the game goes into general release. Testers can contact us via the service center (http://livechat.igg.com/livesupport.php?gid=13) or in emails (2029gm@igg.com) with bug information or any other feedback about game quality or problems.

2. Bugs will be fixed and preparations will be made for the upcoming Closed Beta Test. And we will continue to offer players more download websites and patch download links.

For more information on 2029 Alpha Test, please visit http://2029.igg.com/news/view.php?aid=198 .

Introduction of Trinity Online PC video game

Synopsis:
In the near future, they built perfect virtual reality world by means of evolutionary brain wave interface. The name of the virtual world is [E-MERS].

People go crazy about the new world and fall into it rapidly. But, the server which controls everything in that cyber world is suddenly shut down without any reason. The world is getting wasted. Finally, the system controls the users' brains whoever access the E-MERS, and leads them to coma. This massively sensational event will be called 'The Destruction of E-MERS' in the future.

One guy who is main character tried to access E-MERS by hacking and he succeeded it. After he broke the High-Tech securities, he faces mysterious white Knights. They call themselves 'Security Guard' and after him. In this chaotic world, he keeps tracing and running to find his lovely sister, 'Awen'.

Strength:

▪ Brilliant 3D environment
▪ Enabled three directional attack (Left, Right, Diagonal; giving more strategic action)
▪ Various arena with PVP and PVE
▪ Provide community essentials like Raid dungeon to strengthen the solidarity between users
▪ Provide special arenas and raids for the full level users

Homepage: http://trinity.goorm.com
Genre: 3D Side Scroll Action MORPG
Target Age: 12 ~ 35
Schedule: March 2009 - Open Beta Test
Minimum Requirement: P4 1.6, 512MB, Geforce4 Ti, DirectX 9.0C
Recommended Requirement: P4 Core2Duo, 2GB, Geforce 7600GT, DirectX 9.0C