Freesky Online - Four Factions video game preview

Freesky Online is the soon to be released online game based on the theme of air battles. In the game there are 4 factions: the Divine Hall, the Deity Church, the Cursed Temple, and the Shadow Church. Both the Divine Hall and the Deity Church represent the Empire, and both the Cursed Temple and the Shadow Church represent the opposing side. The Divine Hall controls the Holy Crystal, and the Deity Church controls the crystal.

Whilst it is true that for a long time they have coveted each other’s resources, it is also true that this never comes to a head. One main reason for this is that they frequently unite their forces to fight against their enemies; the Cursed Temple and the Shadow Church.

Today the folks at Freesky Online are going to give you a brief introduction of the 4 factions.

Divine Hall
The Divine Hall is the heart of the empire, and the protector of world peace. It is also the guardian of the empire and only accepts orders from the King's. The 4 Lords who were entitled after the war now control the Divine Hall. Each of the 4 Lords has been granted by the empire with his own Holy Crystal City with abundant resources.

Cursed Temple
Those who live in the Cursed Temple are great warriors who fight for the freedom to protect the rights of the poor. For this reason, the Cursed Temple is also known as the rebel alliance. Its members often carry out of important communications with many different nations.

Deity Church
The Deity Church was named so because its people believe that the Gods would bring brightness and happiness to everyone on Earth. However, the church was betrayed by its alliance, and so now the people there are too busy amassing their own wealth and plotting revenge.

Shadow Church
The existence of the Shadow Church has always been controversial as it is rumored to not be of this world. The Deity Church especially believes that it shouldn’t be. It has been said that the Shadow Church has the power to control people’s minds but this has never been proven. In fact they are often highly the poor because it provides them with food and shelter. It even built a library for them. However, the people from the Deity Church are adamant that the Shadow Church has cheated them somehow and are planning for an all out battle to prove it.

British Forces module for Combat Mission Shock Force

Finally, some new screenshots from the upcoming British Forces module for CMSF!

Today we're focussing on the newly added 51mm L9A1 infantry mortars, but we've thrown in a few vehicle screenshots for good measure as well, showing off the randomly assigned external equipment in various variations!

Link to videos and screenshots here...

Oh, and there's a short video, also.

Star Defence iPhone video game

The Universe is in Your Hands – Created exclusively for the iPhone & iPod Touch.

Beautiful, dynamic 3D environments provide the backdrop to incredible action in Star Defense, ngmoco’s innovative strategy title coming this May to the iPhone and iPod touch.
Use multitouch to spin and zoom entire worlds, examining the terrain to determine optimal locations to position your forces. Select from a broad range of turrets that unleash everything from burning hot plasma to high voltage decimation and defend against an unrelenting onslaught of invader waves. Maximize your recon and plan carefully – each planet has unique pathways to protect, weapons to deploy, and enemies to overcome.

As commander of the Star Defense forces, you must be decisive, brave, and – above all – cunning. The S’rath invaders are shrewd adversaries, regularly fortifying their troops with new unit types, new formations, and new armor. Survival depends on your ability to respond to their maneuvers in real time, strategically optimize your defenses to each world’s distinct layout, and build a mixture of weapon-types that counteract all known alien units and resistances.

Developed by Rough Cookie, Star Defense is being created exclusively for the iPhone and iPod touch by ngmoco :)

PRODUCT FEATURES:
• Build your defenses by selecting from 15 weapon-types each with their own specific attributes, firing ranges and reload frequencies.
• Secure and defend an entire galaxy comprising 7 breathtaking worlds. Distinct path layout, enemy types and immunities, and weapon choices combine to create a truly unique gameplay experience on each planet.
• Earn Medals and unlock Commendations by achieving glory in battle and accomplishing specific feats.
• Go for the ultimate survival record by pitting your skills against an infinite number of S’rath invaders, providing endless hours of tower defense action.
• Stunning graphics and 3D environments showcase an amazing galaxy of beautiful planets and backgrounds, incredibly detailed alien invaders, and meticulously crafted towers – this is tower defense like you’ve never seen it before!

RELEASE DATE: May 2009
PUBLISHER: ngmoco:)
GENRE: Action & Strategy
DEVICES: iPhone & iPod touch

New Content for Knight Online - Server addition, anti-cheat, PVP update and Knight online forever Chapter 4

One of today's most popular free2play online game destinations, announces big additions to the Knight Online World.

New Server – Ionia. Players will have the chance to start over from scratch in the long awaited release of Knight Online’s 16th world Ionia. The world takes its name from the goddess Akara.

Having watched her children suffer for too long, she has decided to recreate a new world for them to live on where she can watch over and protect them. The new update will also include Knight Online’s planned anti-cheating measures. This update is geared toward preventing hack tools from working while the game is running.
Border Defense War Update. Players will now be able to engage in “Border Defense War” on a new map according to a tiered level schedule. There will be more Border Defense Wars more often, with more chances to win, and players will be more evenly matched up as players from similar levels battle each other.

“It doesn’t get much better than this. Says Joseph Willmon, Associate producer, Knight online “With a new server, new content, advancement in the ongoing storyline, and tough new measures aimed at preventing cheating, today is a great day to be a Knight Online player.”

Along with the new server and border defense war update Knight Online Forever – Chapter 4 has been released. The neutral trade city of Moradon is under siege! Karus and El Morad alike must band together to stem the tide of evil before it destroys all they hold dear. Fight back wave after wave of rampaging monstrosities, and eventually confront the death god Krowaz himself!

Magnificent Gizmos and Gadgets video game on iPod Touch and iPhone

Publisher X, a videogame publisher committed to providing entertaining and innovative titles through the growing digital distribution channel, announced today that the physics-based puzzle game Magnificent Gizmos & Gadgets is available now for Apple iPhone and iPod touch.

“This is the most diverse and unique puzzle game on the iPhone! Players have an unlimited number of options when constructing their own gizmos and gadgets,” said Mel Kirk, director of marketing for Publisher X. “Tie that together with a realistic physics engine, outstanding graphics, and the ability to easily save and share levels, and Magnificent Gizmos & Gadgets delivers a deep game play experience with tremendous replay value.”

Magnificent Gizmos & Gadgets is an addictive physics-based puzzle game that takes players into a world where anything is possible! Build catapults, automated vehicles, and even create ball busting battering rams as you traverse the tricky terrain and navigate through wild obstacles all in an attempt to move the Goalon into the endzone. Each level has an infinite amount of solutions, so get ready to use your brain to create your own strategic approach to each challenge!

Complete 44 levels by taking control of a variety of tools and parts to construct the most magnificent Gizmos to ever hit the iPhone. With realistic physics and gravity, stunning graphics, an intuitive drag-and-drop control system and brain-bending challenges, Magnificent Gizmos & Gadgets inspires creativity and will have you struggling to put the game down!

Magnificent Gizmos & Gadgets features:

• 44 challenging levels, each with an infinite number of possible solutions
• A variety of environmental objects, including explosive cannons, powerful fans, rumbling conveyors, and more
• A helpful tutorial and hint system that teaches you how to be a physics whiz
• A Share feature that allows you to save and email your favorite Gizmos to your friends
• Beautifully stylized visuals
• Groovy, foot-tappin' soundtrack

Developed by The Method, Magnificent Gizmos & Gadgets is available through the App Store for $4.99.

Major event in the Call to Arms live expansion for Warhammer Online - Age of Reckoning

Mythic Entertainment announce the start of ‘Beyond the Sands’ - the next major event in the Call to Arms live expansion for Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning (WAR). From April 20 to April 27, the armies of WAR will clash over the wreckage of mysterious airships that fell from the sky and puzzle over the appearance of strange artifacts from far-off lands.

Those looking for answers will need to cast their gaze south to the Land of the Dead, where the Tomb Kings reign supreme.

This week, adventurers from the forces of Order and Destruction will be tasked with recovering the artifacts of the Nehekharan Kings and subduing their vengeful Liche Priests. Those who successfully complete the epic tasks at hand will be rewarded with exotic treasure and glory, including the unique event titles of ‘Grave Robber’ and ‘The Eternal,’ Tomb Kings trophies, and – for the truly dedicated – Aviator Goggles, a helm item with special properties.

“The next big event in the Call to Arms live expansion has arrived, and we couldn’t be more excited,” said Mark Jacobs, vice president and general manager of Mythic Entertainment. “‘Beyond the Sands’ introduces the ancient and eternal Tomb Kings to WAR, a game already packed with amazing content. This live event is just a small taste of the Tomb Kings-themed, undead mayhem still to come!”

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. For more information about the game and to download the free 10-day trial, visit www.warhammeronline.com.

UK Discount PC games - Rise & Fall - Civilizations at War, Stranglehold and Unreal Anthology out may 9th

Mastertronic has announced today the release of their latest batch of four PC titles to add to their existing range. Each title will retail at the VAT- reduced price of £9.77 and will be released ion 8th May on the PC Gamer Presents label, which is reserved for games that have received a review score of 80% or more in PC Gamer Magazine.

With a score of 91%, Rise & Fall: Civilizations at War is sure to satisfy even the most demanding of players. This epic game combines real-time strategy with third-person action and naval combat as you’ve never seen it before. Rise & Fall features four of the ancient world’s most powerful empires – the Greeks, the Persians, the Egyptians and the Romans. It brings back to life well-known characters from history and mythology, including Mark Antony, Achilles, Cleopatra, Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great. Rise and Fall’s true battle formations will let you unleash the military might of more than 80 unique units in large scale assaults and sieges. Board and ram naval vessels with naval warfare units and annihilate city defences with a variety of siege weapons and troops. Recruit craftsmen, scientists, artisans and advisors who will help improve your civilization as you build it from the ground up. PC Gamer magazine commented: “Without question this game boasts the best briny battles ever seen on a PC screen. Stainless Steel have taken possibly the dullest aspect of the traditional RTS and turned it into something beautiful and important.”

Another great April release is John Woo Presents Stranglehold. Take on the role of Inspector Tequila from John Woo’s influential action film, Hard Boiled, starring Chow Yun-Fat. Engage the enemy in Tequila Time by targeting and firing in real-time, while the world dramatically slows. Enjoy the exhilaration of running up railings, swinging from chandeliers and leaping onto moving objects. Bring the world down on your enemies and carve your own realistic path of destruction! The innovative physics engine provides gamers with an unprecedented level of interactivity. With two huge areas to explore (Chicago and Hong Kong), the interactions are infinite, with each level offering massive amounts of destructibility. The game combines exciting, challenging action, beautiful graphics and great sound effects! PC Gamer’s review wrote: “Stranglehold brings back some classics of action gaming that deserve a fresh showing.”

Unreal Anthology brings gaming into the 21st century! It’s a compilation of the defining first chapters in the Unreal saga, including the original Unreal (as well as the Return to Na Pali expansion pack), Unreal II: The Awakening, Unreal Tournament (Game of the Year Edition), and Unreal Tournament 2004 (Editors Choice Edition). You are John Dalton, an ex-Marin and Marshal for the Terran Colonial Authority, assigned to patrol the edge of human exploration. Only you can prevent the Awakening. PC Gamer’s review commented: “Unreal nailed the sweet spot, loosely draping enough story over its frame to at least provide motive, while emphasising the balls-out gunplay in the incredibly pretty environments.” Unreal is the bloodiest multiplayer mayhem ever seen. In this game, the reality was altered – forever.

James Cato, Mastertronic’s Sales Director commented “April’s releases are for no fool! With four great titles, each with a review score of over 80%, this month’s offering will provide quality and value for consumers and retailers”.

All titles will be released on 8th May, 2009.

New Star Grand Prix has been updated to version 1.07

New Star Grand Prix has received a major update. Along with a host of new features it has been translated into 12 different languages. It is available now on PC and Mac from www.newstargames.com.

New Star Grand Prix has been updated to version 1.07. New features include the KERS boost system, slipstreaming and a speedometer HUD. It is also now playable in 12 languages. (English, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, Danish, Polish, Finnish, Turkish, Slovenian.)

New Star Grand Prix is a top-down racing game inspired by classics such as Super Sprint and Micro Machines, but brought bang up to date to feature all the teams, drivers and tracks of the 2009 Grand Prix season. It features a full career mode that spans up to 10 seasons where you must compete against the world’s best drivers on 17 real-world tracks. During your career you will need to manage your finances and relationships with the team boss, pit crew, friends and fans. You can gamble at the casino and even purchase sports cars, but it is on the track where you must really prove yourself. Races feature changeable weather conditions, tyre wear, car damage and fuel loads, all of which affect your car’s handling and will require careful monitoring if you want to make tactical pitstops. The camera can be zoomed in or out to suit your driving style and after the race you can upload your best laptime to the online leaderboard. The game also features a comprehensive track editor that will allow you to design and race on your own tracks.

Trial versions for PC and Mac are available from www.newstargames.com/nsgp.html and the full version for can be purchased for $9.99. Please contact Simon Read for a review copy.

Based in Oxford, UK, New Star Games is a small independent company with a passion for sports games.

Arabic Rappelz Hamaleel Newspaper promotion

The first Arabic 3D MMO Game and virtual world, Arabic Rappelz, has started a cooperation agreement with the famous newspaper Hamaleel in a bid to promote Arabic literature and culture among the Internet generation in the Middle East

The first action is this agreement comes as Arabic Rappelz is celebrating the World Book and Copyright Day on April 23rd 2009.

Hamaleel is sponsoring a 3-days competition where players are asked to answer questions related to World and Arabic literature and culture with virtual and real world gifts.

Arabic Rappelz is the first Arabic MMO game to be published in the region, it was commercially launched on March 16th, 2009.

Hamaleel Newspaper is an independent weekly newspaper that focuses on local and Arab literature

About Game Power 7
A publisher and developer of online MMO games and related digital media, Game Power 7 emerged as the first gaming company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Game Power 7 is a subsidiary of Weiss Investment, a leader in media business in MENA and Southeast Asia regions, and the owner of the Spacetoon and Space Power TV stations and media hubs.
Game Power 7 published the first online MMO game in the region, Arabic Rappelz, thus, taking the risk of this untapped market in MENA
The company has built a state-of-the-art game localization and culturalization facility that provides global game developers with value-added game publishing services
Game Power 7 is based in Dubai, UAE.

Go on a PSP(PlayStation Portable) shopping spree with new v5.50 update

System software update v5.50 for PSP now allows unregistered users to check out PlayStation Store and view the Information Board

The doors to PlayStation Store have just opened wide thanks to the latest system software update for PSP (PlayStation Portable). The v5.50 upgrade means you no longer need a PlayStation Network account to do a quick bit of window shopping – you can check out all the latest games, trailers and demos available for download from your PSP.

But that’s not all the upgrade offers. PSP users will now be able to view PlayStation Network’s Information Board on the PSP system’s XMB (XrossMediaBar) interface– the live news feed detailing the latest exciting PlayStation Store offers – on their screen (as long as they are WiFi connected).

This upgrade is available from April 21. For more information about the upgrade and these features please go to www.eu.playstation.com