Beta testers wanted for East India Company PC video game

Here is your chance to control one of the most powerful companies in history. Paradox Interactive and Nitro Games Ltd. are looking for beta testers to play their upcoming strategy game, East India Company, which is due to release in Q3/2009.

In East India Company, the player assumes the role of Governor General, a leader of one of the East India Companies. The goal of the game is to bring wealth and new colonies to your company and make it the dominant force within a given time limit. This is accomplished by organizing profitable trade routes to East Indies and back, as well as using political skills. However, being that there are seven other companies with the same intentions, armed conflicts and outright wars are unavoidable. East India Company features spectacular naval battles fought in RTS-fashion and also the revolutionary Direct-Command mode that puts the player right in the middle of the action on the ship’s deck.

Testing will include playing the single player campaign modes, and fighting naval battles in various multiplayer modes. Please note: Internet connection is required.

To apply as a beta-tester, please go to: http://www.paradoxplaza.com/beta/

Beta-tester applications must be received by 7th of May.

Street Gears free-to-play inline skating game gets its first major update on the 30th of April

Update will include new playable character, new tracks and extended gamepad control.

Free-to-play inline skating game Street Gears, available at the gPotato.eu portal since March 2009, will be updated on the 30th of April with a major content update. Available for free to all European players, this content addition will feature a brand new playable character, a new track, as well as new versions of existing tracks and other system and content updates and fixes.

Street Gears is a free-to-play inline skating game where players can become “riders” fond of freedom and extreme experiences. From the 30th of April, players will be able to discover a brand new playable character: Tippy. Tippy is a young and energetic teenager. Usually very shy, she focuses all her energy in the skating tracks where she can compete with the best riders of Park Town.

Whether they have chosen the Rookie, Luna, Rush or Tippy avatars, players who have reached the pro-license level will be able to discover a very exciting new track: Warehouse. Taking place in the modern environment of an abandoned warehouse, this track leads the riders through a maze of pipes, stairs and corridors in which they will need all their acrobatic skills to reach the final line.

Altogether with this new track, Pro-Licenses will also have the possibility to race the tracks they already know in “Mirror” mode, giving a brand new twist to well known racing environments. A number of new tweaks and fixes will also be available in this update, including a new windowed mode, extended gamepad support which now allows vibrations on supported pads, UI and graphical improvements, and lots more!

Strategic Options Game Add-on Pack Delivers Dynamic New Gameplay to Halo Wars

Halo Wars, the best selling real-time strategy game on any current generation console, mixes up the battlefield like never before with the “Strategic Options” Game Add-on Pack, available in the coming weeks exclusively on Xbox 360.

“Strategic Options” ushers in the next wave of battle for “Halo Wars” fans with three new game modes which dramatically change the multiplayer experience and challenge players to rethink their battle tactics.

The three new modes include:

• Keepaway Mode is the “Halo Wars” adaptation of Capture the Flag. Teams will battle it out to capture a free-roaming Forerunner Sentinel to score points before the other team. Capture three sentinels to claim victory.
• Tug of War Mode is all about having a stronger army than the opponent. Defeating enemies is essential, but success is determined by a combination of the army, buildings and resources left standing in the end.
• In Reinforcement Mode, all active battle units are provided in successive waves. Players must adapt their tactics and use the ever-changing set of units to outwit and outlast the enemy.

“Strategic Options” also adds four new Achievements worth a total of 100 points:

• “One and Done” (30 points): Score the winning point in a game of Keepaway against Legendary A.I.’s
• “Pull Hard, Pull Deep” (20 points): Win and never trail in a Tug of War game
• “Freak on a Streak” (20 points): Gain at least 15 population from a single wave in a Reinforcement game
• “Living Loving Bug” (30 points): Obtain a Scarab during a Reinforcement game

More information on “Strategic Options” including release date and pricing will be available soon. “Halo Wars” is rated T for Teen by the ESRB and 16+ PEGI and is available worldwide. A demo is also available on Xbox LIVE in all LIVE enabled regions worldwide.

DJ Star - DJ music game for Nintendo DS

DJ Star for Nintendo DS for Europe and Australia. The DJ game for Nintendo's handheld console will be released later this year.

In DJ Star, music lovers get to imitate their idols and realize their dreams of becoming heroes and heroines of the turntable. Players begin their careers as local turntable novices, and work their way up step by step as they gain experience.

If they are successful, they will soon be appearing in big cities such as Paris, Berlin, Miami and London, until they can finally spin the discs live in a stadium filled with 100,000 fans.

Scratch in real time in DJ Star, using the Nintendo DS Touch Screen! This innovative title includes several real DJ features, 40 famous tracks (Electro, R&B, etc.), as well as a number of mini games. DJ Star offers an excellent quality of sound and is easy to learn, even for players who have never seen a turntable before. A step-by-step introduction and the easy-to-use user interface ensure that fans will quickly learn how to mix and create songs. So players can even make their own tunes in the "creation studio” and save them on the biggest Nintendo Game Card available at the moment. Moreover, players can swap their favorite creations with their friends through DS Wireless Communications.

Free to play World of Kung Fu Martial Arts Online Game Gets New Server and New Version

The Free-to-Play Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) from VestGame Entertainment will open a new server in Seattle of the United States. World of Kung Fu players will benefit from enhanced performance and increased access speed. The new server is planned to begin operation on April 28th.

[Shanghai, April, 21st, 2009] –VestGame Entertainment will open a new server to keep pace with the large number of new accounts. The new server will increase speed and access times for all players. The new server will be endowed with a special name “Emerald Tiger”.

At the same time, a new version1.0.46 expected by players is about to release on April 28th. This coming version will give players absolutely fresh experience in the new adventure.

The most amazing section is that there will be two brand new maps and two Instances. The two new maps are separately named Mangrove and Piao Miao Zhou.

Mangrove used to be an import part of our beloved Middle Kingdom. A river goes around it used to be the only way to get into and out of Mangrove, the most beautiful forest in the world. As soon as Mangrove was occupied by monsters, danger stealthily comes to this river. And the Ship names "Piao Miao Zhou" is the last merchantman in this river.

The two Instances are coded Ancient Hill of Mixiang and Stone Fort.

Ancient hill is in the deep of mangrove. A famous couple, Sui Feng and Ting Yu tried their best to beat monsters and protect the villagers on the hill. Before they left, they took some rosemary to villagers. In order to thank them, villagers get the name from the special flavor of rosemary and called the hill "Ancient Hill of Mixiang".

About Stone Fort, there is another heroical story. The Wans was once the landowner of the Liuli Pool. The suzerain of Wans built a stone fort and trained many soldiers. So they can climb and protect villagers around the fort when they were attacked.

Puppy Playtime and Kitten Corner on Nintendo DS video game trailer

Discovery Communications and global videogame publisher 505 Games announce their line of Discovery Kids-branded pet simulation games have shipped to retail outlets nationwide. Exclusive for the Nintendo DS, the new titles include Dolphin Discovery, Puppy Playtime, Pony Paradise and Kitten Corner.



All four titles have an MSRP of $29.99 and rated E for Everyone.

It is a privilege for 505 Games to work with such a prestigious brand as Discovery Kids, said Adam Kline, president of 505 Games U.S. Our new line of pet simulation games serves up the perfect combination of entertaining game play and pet-care problem solving skills that make this new series a great extension of the Discovery Kids experience.



Dolphin Discovery invites kids to plunge into training and caring for one of the most awe-inspiring animals in the ocean. Players need to earn the trust of their pet dolphin in order to teach them amazing tricks by using the DS Stylus. Mastering a wide selection of tricks will fully prepare their dolphin for performing in front of huge crowds of appreciative spectators. Players can gauge their success by the reaction of the audiences watching the shows at the aquatic park, and are rewarded with even more dolphins to train. The game features realistic scenery that changes with the time of day, offering clear blue skies, spectacular sunsets and dreamy night views.

The life of a rescue dog is much more than fun and games! In Puppy Playtime, players raise and train their very own rescue dogs to eventually take on more than 30 missions alongside the police force, fire department and lifeguards. Three of the most popular rescue dog breeds are featured in the game, including the Dalmatian, German Shepherd and beloved Labrador Retriever. Players train their puppies from two months to one-year-old through a series of 20 mini-games, helping them become the best rescue dogs they can be!

Pony Paradise gives kids the unique chance to care for and train a pony from birth to adulthood. Players can choose from four realistic horse breads to groom, feed and take on rides in five different 3D environments, including the meadow, forest, circus, pony school and stables. More than 60 special items can be collected and used to customize the ponies, making them the most stylish in the stables.

In Kitten Corner, kids can own and raise their very own kitten. Players can select from a variety of favorite feline breeds and through 35 unlockable features, customize their adorable new friend with distinctive coloring and markings. Playtime begins as soon as the game begins, with 20 different mini-games, and 15 unique and challenging levels. Players care for their kitten with trips to the veterinarian center for check-ups, making sure it is in good health for entering contests and competitions.

SBK 09 Superbike World Championship video game packshot

New edition of the official videogame of the World Superbike Championship: SBK 09 Superbike World Championship. Developed by Milestone, one of the best developers in motorbike racing games, it will be available for Microsoft Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PSP (PlayStation Portable) and PC at the end of May.

Based on the official licence owned by Infront Motor Sports, SBK 09 Superbike World Championship offers the ultimate experience of the championship. Tracks, teams, riders, it’s all there unaltered to make the player feel the adrenaline rush of real motorbike competition.

Every feature of the game has been dramatically improved from the previous year. New 3D environments, new teams, complete track overhaul, new gameplay structure, new game modes, revamped user interface. The pits have been redesigned to be as close to reality as a picture could be. The performance of the motorbikes is based on exact data from their real counterparts and the player can fine-tune every single setting a real race engineer can. Not to mention the podium, which is there, waiting for the winner.



Five gameplay modes designed for single player: Quick race, Training, Race Weekend, Championship and Challenges; and for those who love the adrenaline of multiplayer sessions SBK 09 Superbike World Championship offers 3 online gameplay modes, starting from Quick Race moving on to the Championship and Team Championship.
Last but not least, the competition can become even more thrilling with the downloadable Online Time Attack game mode.

For the first time ever in a motorbike racing game, SBK 09 Superbike World Championship will feature visible damage on fairings and rider leathers!

SBK 09 Superbike World Championship has a huge number of customisable realism settings making it perfect for beginners as much as for simulation enthusiasts. It’s not just a game. It’s a complete riding experience.

“SBK 09 Superbike World Championship is the result of a painstaking attention to detail during the game design phases. – commented Antonio Farina, Founder of Milestone – More than last year, our main focus has been to recreate a realistic environment as much as possible. We introduced some crucial elements that help feel the exhilaration of the race and we deeply analysed the 3D environment on the track. Every turn has been designed from real CAD data and we also had the chance to have a real SBK™ rider playtesting them all, helping us to reproduce them perfectly.”

“As a fan of motorbikes and races, I do not think this year there is a better championship than WSBK. Despite this unusual and unpredictable moment for motorsports championships, Superbike is facing a new era with the introduction of BMW and Aprilia, nothing can be taken for granted and more and more people are becoming interested and passionate. With SBK 09 Superbike World Championship, we try to reach both new motorbike enthusiasts as well as hardcore riders offering them a real championship whenever they fancy jumping on a virtual bike, improving their performance and competing against turns and time.” Said Fabrizio Vagliasindi, Black Bean Games Head of Marketing.

RailSimulator announce the Rail Simulator 2 - RailWorks Platform A Bright Future for Rail and Train Enthusiasts

RailSimulator.com, today announced the launch of Rail Simulator 2 - RailWorks, the highly anticipated sequel to Rail Simulator published by Electronic Arts.

RailWorks will provide the best looking and most realistic train and rail simulation platform for rail enthusiasts and modelers. Players will be able to take control of historic and contemporary trains across a range routes and scenarios, design their own tracks and download new content

Key features of the game include:

• A variety of exciting routes including: 3 fictional routes covering the UK, Europe and US.A plus Oxford Paddington, Bath Templecombe, Cajun Pass, York Newcastle and Hagen Siegen
• 13 locomotives including all new US class F7, UK Class 37 and German class V200
• Over 50 scenarios
• Incredibly high levels of realism, both visually and technically
• Powerful new tools for defining and modifying train performance and controls
• An array of new 3D assets for building your own routes
• The ability to share content and creations
• The ability to add new locomotives, scenarios and routes
• Platform based software that will be continuously updated as time goes on
• Backward compatibility with the original Rail Simulator
• Technically more advanced than anything before

Listen out for further RailWorks announcements throughout the coming weeks.

Product Info
Release date: June 12th 2009
Format: PC
RRP UK: £39.99
Pegi rating (tbc) 3+
Website (product specific): www.railsimulator.com

Technical requirements OS: XP/Vista, Processor: 1.7GHz or greater, Disk space: 6 GBytes, DVD-ROM: 8 Speed, Video card: 64 MByte with pixel shader 2, Sound card: DirectX 9.0c compatible, DirectX 9.0c (included), Input: Keyboard & Mouse

Brütal Legend Xbox 360 PlayStation 3 video game update

Electronic Arts  and Double Fine Productions announce that Brütal Legend will be available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system and the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system on October 16 in the UK. 

From the mind of Tim Schafer and Double Fine Productions, Brütal Legend is a third-person action game rich in combat, imagery and storytelling, and delivering lighter-flicking fun sure to melt your face off.

Those ready to rock can start today by visiting the newly re-launched Brütal Legend website (www.brutallegend.com), the best online source for all things Brütal Legend, from trailers, screenshots and concept art to exclusive blogs from the Double Fine studio team, epic polls and more. Over time, the site and its content will evolve and grow, so remember to check in whenever you feel the Metal Gods calling you. Sign up for exclusive updates through the Brütal Legend newsletter, or follow Brütal Legend on Twitter for intimate access and new information nearly every day.



"Wooo! Having an official release date is awesome,” said Tim Schafer, President of Double Fine Productions. “And how cool is it that EA threw down the dough to have the name of an entire month changed to Rocktober?"

Brütal Legend tells the tale of Eddie Riggs, played by Jack Black. The ultimate roadie, Eddie is the first person anyone calls when they need guitars tuned or stages rigged, and has a love for hot rods and a photographic memory for every heavy metal album cover, and the lyrics those albums contained. One night, a stage accident knocks Eddie unconscious, and he awakens in a world that looks very strange yet oddly familiar, a world where every heavy metal album cover and lyric Eddie knows has come to life, and where the evil emperor Doviculus and his demon army, The Tainted Coil, have enslaved the last remaining humans. When an oppressed people request Eddie’s knowledge of modern warfare, he pulls from his own experience in the only occupation he’s ever had, a roadie for a heavy metal band, and under his command, this barbaric force of hot-rods, Marshall stacks, leather, and chrome will bring this ancient world into the age of metal.

Chalk Up Your Cue and Master Your Bank Shot With Pool Hall Pro Coming to Nintendo Wii and PC May 26, 2009

Pool Hall Pro, the action-packed sports game developed by Icon Games Entertainment, is coming to Nintendo Wii home videogame console from Nintendo, and PC May 26, 2009. Pool Hall Pro calls on players of all levels from amateurs to pool sharks to take on the world’s toughest opponents as they travel the globe mastering an array of pool and snooker games in order to earn fame and fortune.

“Pool Hall Pro brings action-packed entertainment back into casual sports games with customizable characters, exotic pool hall locations, numerous modes and countless hours of gameplay,” said Adam McGowan, Marketing Director for Playlogic. “The simple control scheme and easy-to-access modes make Pool Hall Pro a great game to pick up and play.”
Pool Hall Pro features six modes with a vast array of pool and snooker games, such as basic pocket billiards to U.S. 8 ball and 6 ball snooker. Create your own avatar before setting out to challenge the pool hall’s toughest opponents and take your character from rags to riches! Compete against the pros in single player mode or make a name for yourself as you travel the globe earning cash and unlocking collectables in world tour mode. Win games and unlock collectables to pimp out your crib and give your billiards room your own personal touch. Increase the difficulty by adjusting AI opponents for more challenging games!
Pool Hall Pro for Wii comes with an added taste of realism as players are able to use their Wii remote to simulate the feel of a real pool game by matching the cue movement with a simple on-screen interface and movement from the player.



Additional game features include:

• Six game modes: Arcade, Tournament, Multiplayer, Exhibition, World Tour and Practice
• 11 game varieties: UK 8 Ball, US 8 Ball, 9 Ball, 6 Ball Pool, 10 Ball Pool, 15 ball Pool, Pub Pool, 6 Ball Snooker, 10 Ball Snooker, Snooker and Basic Pocket Billiards
• Fully customizable characters
• Earn collectibles to pimp out your crib
• Simple control scheme
• Four AI difficulty levels: Rookie, Amateur, Pro, Champion

Pool Hall Pro has been rated “E” for everyone by the ESRB.