Reserve The Beatles - Rock Band and receive exclusive game content art and videos in May

Reserve Your Copy and Become Eligible to Join The Beatles: Rock Band Pre-Order Club to Receive Access to Breaking News, Exclusive Game Elements Including Art and Behind-The-Scenes Footage, and More Beginning in May

Harmonix, the leading developer of music-based games, MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks, along with distribution partner Electronic Arts, today revealed the first details surrounding The Beatles: Rock Band Limited Edition Premium Bundle which will include:

• The Beatles: Rock Band software
• Höfner Bass controller: Large scale replica of the Bass famously used by Sir Paul McCartney
• Beatles-inspired and Ludwig-branded Rock Band 2 drums with classic pearl finish and vintage replica Beatles kick drum head
• Microphone
• Microphone Stand
• Additional special content

In addition to the previously announced US MSRP of $249.99, The Beatles: Rock Band Limited Edition Premium Bundle will retail in continental Europe for MSRP €199.00 and for MSRP £179.00 in the UK.

North American and European fans who pre-order any version of the game will be eligible to join the The Beatles: Rock Band Pre-Order Club and receive breaking news and access to exclusive game elements including art and behind-the-scenes footage directly from MTV Games and Harmonix. New material will be released regularly starting in May and leading up to the game’s launch on 9/9/09.

As previously announced, The Beatles: Rock Band will allow fans to pick up the guitar, bass, mic or drums and experience The Beatles’ extraordinary catalogue of music through gameplay that takes players on a journey through the legacy and evolution of the band’s legendary career.

Available simultaneously worldwide in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Nintendo Wii home videogame console from Nintendo on 09/09/2009, the game will be compatible with all Rock Band instrument controllers, as well as most Guitar Hero and other third party music video game peripherals and microphones.

Headspin - Storybook video game take a walk through a magical pop-up storybook

State of Play today announced the launch of their new free casual game, Headspin: Storybook.

Headspin: Storybook lets the player take a walk through a magical pop-up storybook, testing your visual awareness skills against the clock. This beautifully illustrated game will keep you addicted for hours!

Luke Whittaker, Director of State of Play, who has developed the game, says,
“Headspin: Storybook challenges what people expect of casual games. The production values and creativity have been key to the thinking behind this game, and it’s a visual feast for any gamer, of any age, with excellent gameplay to boot!”

After only a week of launching, Headspin: Storybook, has received rave reviews already,
“HeadSpin: Storybook is a truly gorgeous flash game. One of the best I've seen…one of those exceptional productions of art as game. Or rather, great art as great game.” http://www.seejanegame.net/

State of Play are developing more games in the Headspin line, so look out for more beautiful head-scratching games to come.
PC/Mac – Online: simply go to http://www.stateofplaygames.com/headspin_storybook/

Free to play
Established by Luke Whittaker, winner of a number of international gaming awards, State of Play make creative, innovative games. State of Play has created hit games for the likes of MTV, Miniclip and Shockwave and the pioneering RiK www.rikworld.com, as well as the huge multiplayer baseball game Basebods. www.basebods.com. State of Play is growing, and is at the forefront of the casual gaming industry.

Download free video game music from Stalin v Martians

Mezmer Games announces pre-order campaign for Stalin vs. Martians starting today

Mezmer Games today announced that the arcade RTS game Stalin v Martians will be available for pre-order today from all leading digital download portals worldwide. The official release is planned for April 20th.

Stalin vs. Martians is a blazingly fast real-time strategy game developed by an alliance of three independent studios: Black Wing Foundation, Dreamlore and N-Game. During the pre-order, Mezmer Games is offering a 20% discount from the original price of $19.99 / €17.99, available for the whole pre-order period.

While gamers are eagerly awaiting this milestone in game development to be released, we have put together some goodies from the SvM soundtrack:
“A great game has to come with a great soundtrack” says Tom Söderlund, Executive Producer at Mezmer Games. “We are happy to present parts of a soundtrack we believe we have all the components to make this title stand out in the crowd.”

Lenin Sings for Stalin: Stalin vs. Martians Soundtrack Details
We are pleased to announce further details of Stalin vs. Martians soundtrack and introduce 4 new tracks for you to download for free from the official website.

Songs available:
Loaded for love
Chastushki
My Pocket Stalinizer
My Little Airport

Click here to download free tracks from Stalin vs. Martians:
http://www.stalinvsmartians.com/en/av.html

My Little Airport
Hong Kong-based indie pop band, founded by songwriter Ah P and vocalist Nicole. Since 2004, they have released 3 albums. Voted as the twee-est band on the allmusic.com website in 2007.

Ilya Orange
Well, we think we already know the man. Moscow-based electronic musician, the author of the original score of Stalin vs. Martians, including now-famous tunes from Dancing Stalin trailer and All Hail Stalinator.

Jerry Lenin and Lady's Man
Lady's Man was a legendary Russian glam-rock band formed in 1993 by Jerry Lenin. You wouldn't believe, but Lenin is not a pseudonym, it's a real surname. Currently Jerry is recording his first solo album.

Mezmer Games
Mezmer Games is a new independent games label, focusing on great games from small game studios. As box retail is becoming increasingly expensive, sluggish, and non-eco-friendly, we help indie developers reach a large audience through download distribution. We work exclusively with digital distribution and alternative channels. With the Mezmer Marketing Machine, we give the indie titles the attention they warrant through clever marketing and PR. Mezmer Games is a wholly owned business unit of Paradox Interactive.

Custom PlayStation 3 - Final Fantasy VII Advent Children pictures

Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Complete Cloud Black PlayStation 3, a limited bundle that went on sale today in Japan for 49,980 yen ($505).

Cloud Black features an all-new finish not based on the existing Piano Black. It's matte and metallic - fingerprint resistant - with an emblazoned silver "Cloudy Wolf" emblem from Advent Children.

Hellion - Mystery of the inquisition video game Website out now!

As the gate to hell is open by today, Flying Fish Works announces the official website for their upcoming product “Hellion: Mystery of the Inquisition”. The authentic platform represents the vision and the fear behind the project and prepares the brave one to face the evil.

Starting with new images and insider information about the game's development, the website will continuously provide valuable content to the community.

“Hellion: Mystery of the inquisition” is an extraordinary First-Person-Shooter set in the 13th century. As an armed man of the newborn Inquisition, the player will battle heretics, execute exorcisms, face demons and unintentionally become part of a political and religious intrigue. It is an epic journey through different medieval cultures full of real-life characters, wild animals, rough warriors, powerful Templar knights, deadly assassins and, ultimately, horrifying demons.

Find out more about “Hellion: Mystery of the inquisition” on the official website: www.hellion-game.com

World of Warcraft extents into China

New license agreement lays groundwork for continued operation of world's most popular online game in mainland China following expiration of the current license agreement

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. and NetEase.com, today announced that Blizzard Entertainment's World of Warcraft will be licensed to an affiliated company of NetEase.com, Inc. in mainland China for a term of 3 years following the expiration of the current license agreement.

Both companies announced a partnership on Blizzard Entertainment's Warcraft III,StarCraft II, and Battle.net gaming platform last summer. Today's announcement further enhances the partnership between Blizzard Entertainment and NetEase and promotes a consistent level of quality and service in mainland China for all Blizzard Entertainment games involved in the partnership.

"We appreciate the enthusiasm that Chinese gamers have shown us over the years, and we've always worked hard, in collaboration with our partners, to ensure that these players receive the same high-quality service and gameplay experiences that we deliver in other regions," said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. "This new agreement with NetEase will support that goal for years to come, and we look forward to collaborating with them on a smooth transition for World of Warcraft moving forward."

"We are excited to be working with Blizzard Entertainment now on World of Warcraft in addition to Warcraft III, StarCraft II, and Battle.net," stated William Ding, CEO of NetEase. "By combining Blizzard Entertainment's expertise in developing world-class games with NetEase's strength in online-game operation in China, I am confident that we will be able to deliver the best gaming experiences in the world to our players."

PRECURSORS - Photo tour from Sunaks

The mystery tour is continuing in Precursors Galaxy and our satellite has just sent us new pictures from flamy Sunaks.

Enjoy tropical jungles and everlasting brilliant coral-red sunset but beware of the danger inhabitaing this "paradise"!

A revamped Trainee Island and cursed Ghost Ship await players in the "Navislamia" update for the free-to-play MMORPG Rappelz this May

“Navislamia” is the upcoming major update for the free-to-play MMORPG Rappelz. It is being introduced to add numerous modifications for players of all levels to enjoy. With a few weeks to go before it is available, gPotato Europe is proud to unveil more details on the revamp of the Trainee Island and its new donjon : the ghost ship Navislamia.

The Navislamia update will introduce a complete overhaul of the Trainee Island that welcomes new players and introduces players into Rappelz until they reach level 15. Overhaul means overhaul; a complete upgrade of the towns and starting zones, brand new graphics, lots more and new quests, a whole range of new monsters and a terrifying new dungeon packed with brand new monsters waiting to be plundered by young adventurers.

The Ghost Ship Navislamia is the first dungeon the players will encounter during their story. While it once served by transporting missionaries and explorers from one continent to another, the ship was cursed by the Sorcerer and its unfortunate passengers are trapped as bloodthirsty undeads.

The Navislamia update will be introduced this May on French and German Rappelz . For more information about the free-to-play MMORPG Rappelz and to sign up for your free gPotato.eu account, visit the official website at http://rappelz.gpotato.eu

South Central Vehicle Pack for Midnight Club - Los Angeles now on Xbox LIVE and PSN

MCLA South Central Vehicle Pack 1

We are pleased to announce that the first South Central Vehicle Pack for Midnight Club: Los Angeles is now available on Xbox LIVE and PSN for 240 MS points/$2.99. The pack includes three brand new high-performance vehicles for players to cruise the streets of Los Angeles in, including the luxurious 2008 Audi S5 and 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL 65 AMG, along with the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT.



To access the new vehicles players will need to download the free South Central Map Expansion that increases the total map size by one-third and adds four neighborhoods to make up the iconic district of South Central.

To commemorate this first vehicle pack we've included an exclusive gameplay clip showcasing the new vehicles in their splendor.



Thanks, and be sure to stay tuned for Vehicle Pack 2 hitting Xbox LIVE and PSN next Thursday, April 23.

Sign up for Cities XL PC video game beta

Monte Cristo, developer and publisher of CITIES XLTM, is pleased to announce that registration for the game’s closed beta will begin at 11 a.m. UTC/GMT on 16 April 2009. Gamers interested in testing the game and offering input into the development of Monte Cristo’s next-generation city builder/MMO should sign up at http://jointhebeta.citiesxl.com.

Be sure to visit http://www.citiesxl.com for more information about the game, and to learn more about the upcoming beta.

CITIES XL allows gamers to develop cities on realistic 3D maps using an incredible collection of unique structures and monuments based on American, Asian and European-influenced architectural styles. The maps feature a variety of environments: mountains, hills, canyons, beaches and islands, all set in different climates from tropical to desert, Mediterranean to temperate. Players must create the right combinations of social services, leisure activities, special events and other job opportunities within their cities in order to feed, clothe, employ and entertain their citizens. Be it planning and building a new zoo, public park, residential neighborhood or transit system - there's always a fresh and exciting challenge for would-be city managers and mayors in CITIES XL.

“We’re excited to be at the point where we feel we’ve laid very solid foundations for this unique game,” said Jerome Gastaldi, CEO of Monte Cristo, “Now we need to test the architecture to see how players respond to it, and to improve the integration of the online-gameplay and social networking features. In the next weeks, we’ll let more residents into our closed betas and keep stress-testing the edifice correctly.”

The game’s online features and services will allow players to create interconnected cities on virtual and persistent planets. Mayors can share and trade with one another, specialize their economy and team up with befriended cities to create sprawling metropolises. Life on the planet will be punctuated by events and competitions - a concert held in one town may, for example, be attended by visitors from other areas who can also enjoy a walk around the city to admire the urban creations of multiple players. By combining a fantastic single-player game with the social and multiplayer aspects of an MMO, CITIES XL will shape the future of the genre by offering more variety, bigger cities and multiple gameplay layers.