Icehole Games is happy to announce the completion of their new game, "World Basketball Manager 2009", which is the latest addition in their successful series of WBM games.
World Basketball Manager (WBM) is a basketball strategy game. It uses the same game-play principles as most soccer management games do and covers all basketball action around the world with 89 national and international tournaments, 852 teams, 10.000 basketball players and 1.000 managers.
WBM has been around since 2003 with a new edition every year and has managed to earn a place in the market as one of the most highly acclaimed games of its genre. The accurate representation of the basketball world forces the players to make the same decisions and face the same problems as their real life counterparts. It deals not only with the sport aspect of the game, but also with financial, managerial, administrative, training, psychological and PR situations that arise in the everyday life of a basketball manager.
Undoubtedly the biggest success of WBM is the real time match engine that produces realistic results and accurate match statistics, using a genetic algorithm for the A. I.
Another huge plus of the game is the big network of researchers that help in data and tournament updates.
All of the above helped WBM establish itself in the minds and hearts of basketball and sports sims enthusiasts over the past few years, with an already impressive and ever growing community supporting the game.
WBM 2009 is here to expand the series with impressive new features and improvements that include:
- Better control in your career and club economics using the ability to make demands to the Administration.
- Improved match algorithm.
- Improved interface.
- Short keys make navigation easier.
- New code makes daily update 27% faster.
- Financial bonus for managers that "build" teams.
- Cohesion bonus for teams with many native players.
- Improved transfers algorithms so that clubs buy more players under contract and less free agents. This will help you sell more players.
- Ability to arrange friendly matches.
- Better fouls balance.
- Ability to cancel timeouts.
- 22 new tournaments raise the total number to 89.
- All major tournament formats have been updated.
- Available in 10 languages: English, French, Italian, German, Greek, Lithuanian, Portuguese, Serbian, Spanish and Turkish.
- The most detailed data research so far.
- Windows Vista 64 support.
- Updated Data Editor.
- Ability to change skins.
- Ability to select news breaks in daily update.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Luna Online PC video game beta test begins on April 17th
Gala Net’s newest MMORPG title, Luna Online, will begin Closed Beta Testing on Friday April 17th.The highly anticipated title finally hits stateside, bringing a whirlwind of innovative social features combined with solid traditional MMO features, to an already eager fan base.
Luna Online, will be a fresh take on the MMORPG genre for MMO players as the game provides for extensive social systems focusing on the community. Players will connect with other players from around the world on Luna Online’s Matchmaking System, Date Instances, Family System and Guilds Alliances System.
Luna Online’s already robust community has been eagerly waiting for Closed Beta Testing to finally open its doors. On April 17th, users will be able to test out Luna Online’s multitude of exciting features.
“We’ve been behind the scenes, in the preparation phase of Luna Online for quite some time now, it is a real pleasure to finally present our hard work and dedication to our users! With our focus squarely on the community, our users will be right at home for quite some time at Luna Online. I’m looking forward to seeing our community’s reaction to the game.” -Elliott Coward, Producer of Luna Online.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
DK to publish Halo the video game encyclopedia
DK announced today that the company will publish the officially licensed encyclopedia to Halo, one of the most successful video game franchises in history. The Halo Encyclopedia will be a comprehensive guide to the characters, weapons, vehicles, equipment, and locations from Halo - Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo Wars, and Halo 3 - ODST.
Created in full collaboration with Microsoft, the book, which is scheduled for publication in November 2009, will give fans unprecedented insights into the Halo universe in 352 full-colour pages and it includes a Foreword by Halo franchise development director, Frank O’Connor.
“Microsoft approached DK to discuss a ‘Halo’ book project after San Diego Comic-Con last year, where they saw our impressive array of Star Wars, DC Comics, Marvel and other licensed reference titles,” says Alex Allan, Director of Licensed Publishing for DK. Halo has always fascinated the creative team at DK, many of whom are avid gamers,” Allan continues, “and we had the full support of Halo’s very experienced team to create this spectacular book.”
“We were struck by DK’s thorough treatment of other licensed properties and we turned to them to create the definitive reference to the ‘Halo’ universe for the legions of devoted fans,” said Microsoft Game Studios' Frank O'Connor.
The Halo Encyclopedia is DK’s first foray into publishing a comprehensive reference book for a video-game property. DK secured a world language deal and expects to publish the book in many territories, and in foreign languages.
Unleash your inner SingStar with new Wireless Microphones
• Feel total freedom as you sing, dance, and perform wire-free with new Wireless SingStar Microphones• Compatible with PlayStation 2 and PLAYSTATION 3
• Coinciding with the launch of brand-new SingStar Pop Edition
Get ready to unleash the SingStar within - with the launch of brand-new Wireless SingStar Microphones from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE). Rated as ‘excellent’ by the SingStar community, Wireless SingStar Microphones will have you and your friends performing from couch to table-top - completely leads-free! Coming to UK stores on 20th March, the launch of Wireless SingStar Microphones coincides with the release of SingStar Pop Edition for PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3).
With full focus on the SingStar community, SCEE asked community members to trial the new Wireless SingStar Microphones and offer their feedback. An amazing 99% of participants rated their microphones as ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’, while SingStar community member Stuart from the UK said “Wireless Mics kick ass!” Dave Ranyard of Executive Producer of the SingStar franchise says “We’re excited with the community’s response to Wireless Mics. Now SingStars can enjoy their experience wire-free – and test them out with the exciting launch of SingStar: Pop Edition along with hundreds of new tracks in SingStore. We’re looking forward to seeing your brand-new wireless videos at My SingStar Online or www.singstargame.com.”;
Easy to pass around or keep to yourself; Wireless SingStar Microphones are lots of fun and easy to use. Test them out with brand-new SingStar Pop Edition, with brand-new voice control feature. Unleash some attitude with P!nk’s So What? Then grab your best mate for a pop duet with Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown’s No Air , rock out with Bon Jovi’s Livin’ on a Prayer or perform a sexy solo with Sam Sparro’s Black and Gold. Here’s the international playlist:
Alphabeat 10.000 Nights Of Thunder
Amy Winehouse Rehab
Black Kids I'm Not Going To Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance
Bon Jovi Livin' On A Prayer
Chris Brown With You
Chris De Burgh Lady In Red
Cyndi Lauper True Colors
Gloria Estefan Rhythm Is Gonna Get You
Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown No Air
Kaiser Chiefs Never Miss A Beat
Kate Nash Mouthwash
Kings Of Leon Sex On Fire
Klaxons Gravity's Rainbow
Little Jackie The World Should Revolve Around Me
N*E*R*D Sooner Or Later
P!nk So What!
Queen Bohemian Rhapsody [DSCIMG]
Robbie Williams Angels
Robyn Be Mine
Rockwell Somebody's Watching Me
Sam Sparro Black And Gold
Solange I Decided
Sugababes Girls
The Feeling Rose
The Killers Human
The Police Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
The Script The Man Who Can't Be Moved
Will Young Changes
will.i.am Feat Cheryl Cole Heartbreaker
Yazoo Don't Go
Wireless SingStar Microphones come with improved high-quality sound and are compatible with both PS3 and PlayStation 2. So cue the lights, turn up the volume and get ready to unleash the SingStar inside you when Wireless SingStar Microphones are launched 20th March whilst SingStar Pop Edition hit stores in April.
Add-On Content for Magic Ball, Mahjong Tales - Ancient Wisdom and Cuboid Coming Soon
TikGames and Creat Studios announce the upcoming release of premium downloadable content for their hit PLAYSTATION Network (PSN) games, Magic Ball, Cuboid and Mahjong Tales: Ancient Wisdom. Booster Packs will be available for download on the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, offered via the PLAYSTATION Network, beginning Thursday, April 16th with the release of the Magic Ball Booster Pack, with additional Booster Packs to follow in the coming weeks.Magic Ball, a fresh spin on classic brick-breaking gameplay in which players bust apart 3D environments, offers gamers new action with the release of the Magic Ball Booster Pack, featuring a whole new world to destroy. Players will be able to smash their way through 25 all new magical, witch-themed levels, earning a series of new trophies along the way. Custom music support will also be made available via a free patch download.
Cuboid, a mind-bending 3D puzzle game, will offer gamers three different options for add-on content. The Cuboid Booster Pack contains 33 new levels that will test even the best players’ skills, rewarding gamers with new trophies. The Cuboid Level Editor allows players to become level designers and challenge others with their own custom levels. Players can either create a brand new level from scratch, or improve upon any existing level, created by other players or taken from the original campaigns. User-created levels can be uploaded to the PSN where they will be made available to other players (who have downloaded the free patch). Players can also earn trophies for creating their own levels, and for rating the levels created by others.
“Gamers are going to thoroughly enjoy the Cuboid Level Editor,” said Anatoly Tikhman, founder and CEO of TikGames. “With this new add-on, anyone can take on the role of game designer to create and share levels with the rest of the Cuboid online community. Gamers can choose to create simple yet entertaining levels, or try to build levels that will challenge even the most cunning Cuboid players.”
The Cuboid Bundle Pack includes both the Booster Pack (33 new levels) and the Level Editor. Custom music support for Cuboid is also on its way via a free patch download.
The Mahjong Tales: Ancient Wisdom Booster Pack features 25 all new layouts to beat in Infinity mode, as well as a level editor that allows players to create their own layouts from scratch and share their creations with other gamers by hosting an online multiplayer game on their custom-created level. Players can then save any new customized level that they have created or played via online multiplayer invitation to their HDD. Also included is a series of new trophies, obtainable by only the most dedicated Mahjong players. Highly-requested mouse support will also be made available via a free patch download.
“We are thrilled with the response that our first three PlayStation Network titles have received from both the PlayStation community and the media, and we are excited about releasing these Booster Packs to add to the great gaming experiences that so many PSN players are already enjoying,” said Vladimir Starzhevsky, CEO of Creat Studios, Inc. “We have listened to our gamers who have repeatedly asked for more levels, level editors and new trophies, and we’re thrilled to be able to deliver on so many of their requests.”
Magic Ball, Mahjong Tales: Ancient Wisdom and Cuboid additional downloadable content will include PLAYSTATION Trophy support and have been rated “E” for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Rating Board for this platform.
Hello Kitty present Angel Cat Sugar Nintendo DS video game
The first Character from Hello Kitty Creator in 28 Years. Already a Massive Brand in Asia & Europe.From Yuko Shimizu, the Japanese creator of the internationally successful Hello Kitty, comes Angel Cat Sugar, a worldwide merchandising phenomenon which has seen the introduction of over 200 products in Asia and Europe across most categories.
Angel Cat Sugar’s first foray into videogames will arrive in Europe* just in time for the summer school break, publisher Rising Star Games confirmed today. Released on the Nintendo DS™ and PC-CD, Angel Cat Sugar sees the ambitious publisher releasing both formats in July 2009, further strengthening its award-nominated Home of Japanese Games campaign throughout the summer months.
“We are thrilled to be working with Yuko Shimizu on this important new franchise. Angel Cat Sugar demonstrates that our position as the Home of Japanese Games extends across all markets and reaches into the mass market pioneered by Nintendo,” commented Martin Defries, managing director of Rising Star Games. “As a young and ambitious company, we feel perfectly placed to help in building this new brand and realising its enormous potential in the games market.”
About Angel Cat Sugar
As a princess of Angel Land, Sugar has the power to heal hurt feelings. With the help of three young mice, Thyme, Parsley and Basil, Sugar spends her time spreading her love throughout the kingdom, studying, listening to music and reading books. A big lover of nature, naturally she adores the forest, the stars in the sky, the beautiful moon, the birds, the river and the fish that swim in it.
Why did Riri run away? - Gobliiins 4 video game
Riri is an orycterope and has a thirst for action. As a youngster he always had enough toys and even the king himself played baball with Riri. But the orycterope never liked baball and he only played along unwillingly…The tiny orycterope had always dreamt of going out into the world and experiencing exciting adventures. One day, Grand Steward Galantz came to Riri and told him about a life of freedom without King Balderon. Riri decided to take his chance. He left a note to the king hoping the three Gobliiins wouldn’t be right behind him trying to bring him back again.
But soon Riri found out that Galantz had his own agenda, because he arranged the kidnapping of his beloved fiancée and Riri has now found himself on another planet!
Riri can only hope that the three Gobliiins solve his riddles and save him and his fiancée. Will the Gobliiins find Riri and his fiancée? Find out on 24th April 2009!
Gobliiins 4 will be released on 24th April 2009 for a recommended retail price of £19.99.
Gobliiins 4 was developed by Société Pollene and is published by Kalypso Media and Snowberry Connection.
Dutch Radio 6 to broadcast hour long special - The audio from The Chronicles of Spellborn video game
As Midnight passes on the night of Tuesday the 14th of April, Dutch Radio 6 will broadcast an hour long special about the audio in The Chronicles of Spellborn.Listen on the internet here...
The program will feature sound, music and voice-overs from the MMORPG that has only just been released in Europe and the United States.
Audio in games is often taken for granted, but the achievements made in The Chronicles of Spellborn are recognized in many reviews, previews and player feedback, and now also in this unique broadcast.
Unlike film, sound in video games is not linear, as it is not the passing of time that decides the sequence of events; instead player's actions directly influence the sound that us heard. A player's location is the primary storytelling device and The Chronicles of Spellborn certainly takes this to heart.
Says Audio Director Matthew Florianz; "It certainly was a goal to create sound in such a way that players could close their eyes while traveling, and still get a sense of movement.
To achieve this, Spellborn features well over 15 hours of specifically composed ambiences. Forest, roads, and fields can all exist in the same zone, yet all will have their own specific sound as player move between them. To create these ambiences, over 500 hours of layered sounds, effects and synthesizer recordings where used".
However, sound generated by the environment is only one part of the equation and the radio broadcast will also feature music by award-winning composer Jesper Kyd, who wrote the musical score for Spellborn.
Says Jesper Kyd; "My approach to this score is to not make it sound like predictable fantasy music, but to write a more hybrid score, to complement the mystical world of Spellborn".
His music is carefully restrained and, like the universe in which Spellborn is set, it conveys its message slowly. The opening title representing the games first hero, Graidlon Marrow, is a minimal piece, tragic even. The music chooses not to score the epic conflict and struggle, but the tragic destiny of a hero whom in the end sacrificed himself for the greater good of the peoples living in the game world. Solo instruments and a human voice often represent an individual’s place in this post-apocalyptic world.
The human voice is also used for the games introduction, voiced by Dutch actress Anna Drijver, her capricious voice is as unpredictable as the universe she inhabits.
Equally to how Spellborn unfolds its game play, the initial simplicity may be deceptive. In today’s world, artistic endeavors often strive for instant gratification but Spellborn is a rare exception. Like a good book or masterfully composed symphony it takes its time, revealing its depth, sophistication and story only for those that patiently engulf themselves in the experience. The execution of sound in the game represents this approach.
Download Chronicles of Spellborn wallpaper here...
New Wii MotionPlus and Wii Sports Resort arrive June 8th
Advanced Motion Controls Arrive June 8 - Wii Sports Sequel to FollowNintendo is setting the stage for a blockbuster summer with the announcement of two hotly anticipated product releases. The new Wii MotionPlus accessory will hit U.S. retailers on June 8, taking the motion-sensing controls of the popular Nintendo Wii system to new levels of precision and performance.
What's more, these control enhancements will be on vibrant display when the Wii Sports Resort game launches on July 26, offering a beach-themed follow-up to the groundbreaking Wii Sports game. Wii Sports comes packed with the Wii console. It grew into a worldwide phenomenon and continues to attract millions of new players to the world of video games. Each Wii Sports Resort game comes packed with a single Wii MotionPlus accessory.
When used with specially designed games, Wii MotionPlus tracks players' movements in finer detail and with greater accuracy than ever before, building upon the innovative wireless function of the motion-sensing Wii Remote™ controller. Even the slightest twist of the wrist or turn of the body is replicated exactly on the TV screen, allowing users to become even more immersed in Wii game play. Designed for easy attachment to the Wii Remote controller, the Wii MotionPlus accessory will be offered at an MSRP of $19.99.
Wii Sports Resort takes the inclusive, fun and intuitive controls of the original Wii Sports to the next level, introducing a whole new set of entertaining and physically immersive activities. With the deep control enhancements of Wii MotionPlus, veteran Wii users and newcomers alike can enjoy unprecedented gaming precision as they cruise on a water scooter, duel with swords, throw a Frisbee® and much more. Wii Sports Resort and Wii MotionPlus will be offered together at an MSRP of $49.99.
"Wii MotionPlus represents a new evolution in video game control. The variety of fun games in Wii Sports Resort show off its incredible precision," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "Developers around the world are busy working on new ways to incorporate Wii MotionPlus controls into inventive experiences for consumers."
Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other Wii features.
Levels and Environments for Damnation video game relealed
Unveiling the variety of the incredible open-world expanses in Damnation’s levels, Codemasters release an all-new video with developer commentary for the steam-punk themed shooter. The “Levels & Environments” video features developer commentary from Blue Omega’s Jacob Minkoff and offers an insight into how Blue Omega created such awe-inspiring game environments and the vertical nature of the expansive levels on offer in Damnation.With a new release date set for 22nd May 2009 on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and the PC, Damnation distances itself from the linear nature of most modern day shooters and offers players true choice in how to traverse the massive streaming environments. Players will duck, dive, leap, shoot and fight through vast, streaming levels teaming with hostile troops - from industrial towns, through lush, sun kissed, leafy mountainside ruins and into the frozen tundra’s of the north.
“All the environments have multiple paths through them, giving players real freedom in deciding how to go about tackling the enemy,” says Jacob Minkoff, Lead Game Designer. “Some will prefer to run straight at them with their trusty Railroad Spike Gun. Others would prefer to climb and leap right to the top, avoiding direct fire fights by sniping and raining down death from above.”
In addition to the extensive single-player campaign, Damnation also delivers drop-in-drop-out co-operative online play and innovative multiplayer modes. Taking advantage of the scale and height of Damnation’s levels, new game types and traditional deathmatch and capture the flag modes are given a vertical twist, where players have to balance firepower and agility and can kill or be killed from any direction.
Currently in development at Blue Omega's facilities in Annapolis, USA, Damnation will be available for Xbox 360, the PLAYSTATION 3 system and PC on the 22nd May 2009.
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