Fitba Slide Tackles Its Way Onto Xbox Live (it's armless)

Live the beautiful game for less than a burger meal

Relive the passion and competition of the greatest sport on earth in true retro style with Fitba the superb debut release from Dundee-based independent video game developer Triple B games.

Available for the low price of 400 Microsoft points (approx. £3.40) via the Xbox Live community games store, the game is easy to get into, incredibly addictive and boasts a superb multiplayer mode for you and your mates to duke it out for glory on the pitch.

Using an old-school, top down viewpoint similar to the classic Sensible Soccer series of games, Fitba lets you pull off some nifty moves thanks to the easy to use dual stick control system. Players can also create their own team, with fully customisable strips and players. You can then take your dream team online to compete against other gamers via Xbox Live and make your name known to the masses.

Independent developer Jonathan “Fritz” Ackerley said: “Fitba rips up the last ten years of football games to get back to the simple joys of kicking a ball about, using innovative, intuitive controls to deliver classic gameplay”.

The game has already received rave reviews for its ease of play and superb control system, meaning anyone can get in on the action.

Ping Time Xbox 360 clock

Bridging the gap between retro games and apps, Ping Time turns classic black and white retro gameplay into a non-interactive clock format.

Created on a whim while half asleep one night, Ping Time transforms your Xbox 360 and TV into an expensive retro wall clock.

Watch in awe as the two AI opponents bounce a ball back and forth endlessly (or until you quit, whichever comes first), carefully maintaining their score to represent the current time. Ping time boasts HD Black and White graphics, and the intriguing sound of silence, efficiently packed into less than 200 KB, making it currently the smallest product on Xbox Live Community Games.

Ping Time is available for just 200 Microsoft Points on the Xbox 360. To download the trial or to purchase, login to Xbox Live and look for it on Xbox Live Community Games, or go to http://xblcg.info/link/ping-time to queue up the trial or full product.

Soldier Ants iPhone game demo download

If you haven’t tried SoldierAnts yet then here’s your chance to take command of those cheeky Ants in this Worms like strategy game from Inline Productions. The Lite version features one of the maps in battle mode with a subset of weapons that you can play against the device.

The game has many graphical effects including explosions, smoke and particle that react to the environment. Each map is also randomly generated so you may never play the same level twice.

The full version of the game features five fully destructible themed landscapes from Winter, Western, Ruins, Jungle, Fruit, Countryside and Beach. It supports up to 4 players, has customisable teams and a full in game save functionality.

Full Version: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=309442810&mt=8

Lite Version: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=309446292&mt=8

Muramasa - The Demon Blade video game for Nintendo Wii

Vanillaware's Long-Awaited Masterwork Arrives in North America September 2009!

Ignition announce the September 2009 U.S. release of the much-anticipated video game, Muramasa: The Demon Blade, exclusively for the Nintendo Wii.

Developed by Vanillaware, the creative team behind the critically acclaimed game Odin Sphere, Muramasa: The Demon Blade is a unique, highly stylized action adventure that showcases a striking visual look and a colorful cast of more than 100 characters. Hailed by Kotaku as “this year’s prettiest, most enticing Wii game,” and by IGN as “the most visually stunning game I’ve ever seen on the Wii,” Muramasa: The Demon Blade features eye-popping hand-drawn 2D art that reflects the heritage and tone of its ancient Japanese storyline. Set in the little-known feudal Genroku era, players are invited to take on the role of a male ninja or female kunoichi, utilizing their prowess to traverse the perilous yet picturesque levels.

“Ignition Entertainment is immensely proud for the opportunity to bring Muramasa: The Demon Blade to the legions of North American gamers yearning for top-quality, original action games on Wii.” said Shane Bettenhausen, New Business Development Director of Ignition Entertainment. “The talented developers at Vanillaware have crafted an absolutely stunning adventure through feudal Japan that balances subtle, sophisticated artistry with razor-sharp, addictive gameplay.”

“We continue to maintain our strong commitment to bring quality games to the marketplace,” said Ajay Chadha, President of Ignition Entertainment. “We feel deeply honored for the opportunity to bring Vanillaware’s magnificent masterpiece Muramasa: The Demon Blade to gamers stateside.”

“We developed Muramasa: The Demon Blade in the same way as we did Odin Sphere, so there are bound to be a lot of similarities. I want it to be a very fun game for everyone who picks it up,” said George Kamitani, game director and Vanillaware President.

Key Game Features:
• Beautiful 2D graphics
• Large variety of environments
• Two playable characters
• Replayability (multiple playable paths throughout the game)
• Supports Wii Remote and Nunchuk, Classic controller, and GameCube controller
• 16:9 widescreen support
• Excellent music and sound
• Timeless side-scrolling game play.
• Optional challenge stages and mini-games throughout
• Satisfying action elements leading to nice depth of combat (Combat is fast yet intuitive)
• Story elements and cut scenes are well integrated and not obtrusive.

Sacred 2 - Fallen Angel developer goes bust - files for backruptcy

Ascaron Entertainment, the European publisher and developer behind Sacred 2 Fallen Angel, has entered administration.

The company, with a development studio in Birmingham, filed for bankruptcy in the regional court at Bielefeld, Germany.

"Due to the protection offered by German administration rights, Ascaron intends to use this as an opportunity to secure the future of the company," read a statement on Ascaron's website.

"We, the executives of Ascaron Entertainment GmbH, thank all our fans for their superb support and assistance in making Sacred 2 - Fallen Angel the success it is today.

"Our special thanks go to all our employees. Without the dedication and motivation of all the staff Sacred 2 would not exist."

The company said it has completed work on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of Sacred 2 and would start shipping units at the beginning of May.

Source: GamesIndustry

Adventure game - Dante’s Inferno video game coming to PSP, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3

Dante's Inferno Coming to Sony's PlayStation Portable Alongside PLAYSTATION 3 and Xbox 360

Electronic Arts announce that its highly anticipated action adventure game Dante’s Inferno will be coming to the PSP (Sony PlayStation Portable).

Based on part one of Dante Alighieri’s classic, “The Divine Comedy,” EA’s Dante’s Inferno will also take players on an epic adventure through Dante’s famously mapped nine circles of hell. Dante’s Inferno will be available simultaneously for the PSP, the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system next year.

Dante’s Inferno for the PSP is being developed by EA’s award-winning EA Redwood Shores studio and Artificial Mind and Movement (A2M), based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

“Our team and the team at A2M are taking the vision for Dante’s Inferno and translating it directly to the PSP,” said Jonathan Knight, executive producer and creative director on Dante’s Inferno. “PSP owners can expect to get the same level of fast, responsive gameplay through all nine detailed and unique circles of hell we are aiming to achieve on the consoles.”

Alighieri’s “Dante’s Inferno” is widely credited for being the work that has defined the western world’s contemporary conception of hell and purgatory. Just like the poem, players of EA’s 3rd person action adventure game will descend through all nine circles of hell: limbo, lust, gluttony, greed, anger, heresy, violence, fraud and treachery, playing as Dante as they battle through a gauntlet of unimaginable evils, fighting to recapture the soul of his beloved Beatrice.

8 Bit Weapon's Sony Chiptune Loop Library and Limited Edition Floppy Disk CD

We have some news for you and your patrons, both our Sony Loop Library and our EP Limited Edition CD are now available!!! :)

Sony Creative Software has released our loop and sample library called, "8 Bit Weapon: A Chiptune Odyssey" today!
The library contains real sounds from each of the following computers/consoles: Apple II, Commodore 64, NES, Gameboy, and the Atari 2600. Each system library has everything from drums, bass and synth to special effects.
Both Michelle (aka ComputeHer) and I have featured song demos built into the collection to boot!

The sound library works with ACID, Ableton Live, Cubase, Garage Band, Logic, Soundtrack, and more!

Users who purchase the "Green" Downloadable version of the Sony loop library will get the full MP3 release of our
"Electric High EP" plus an exclusive track "Break Beat Bonanza" as an added bonus!

Click the link to see Sony's official page: http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/8bitweapon

ALSO

Limited Edition CD in a 5.25" Floppy Disk

The "Electric High EP" is a full throttle electronic thrill-ride! Six new songs that utilize sounds and FX
of classic computers and consoles like the Apple II, Commodore 64, Atari 2600, Nintendo Gameboy,
Nintendo Entertainment system(a.k.a. NES), and more!

Preview tracks 1, 2, 3, & 5 here: www.myspace.com/8bitweapon

1. Closer (Bitpop Mix)
2. Kiss My Bits (ComputeHer Mashup Mix)
3. Chip on your Shoulder
4. FUNDAnalogue
5. Chiptune Attack 2600 AD
6. Macro Disko (Minimal Mix)

The "Electric High EP" CD comes in a real 5.25" floppy disk and sleeve. Each album is hand numbered.
$9.95 with FREE Worldwide Shipping HERE:
www.8bitweapon.com/store.htm

Microsoft announce Xbox 360 Elite plus Halo 3 and Fable II for the console price in US

Microsoft has announced the upcoming US release of the Xbox 360 Elite game of the year bundle deal - with Fable II and Halo 3 packaged alongside the console at no extra cost.

Beginning in May, the bundle will be available for a limited time at select US retailers for the same price as a standalone Xbox 360 Elite console at USD 399 - no European release details were offered.

Earlier this year, Microsoft reported that Halo 3 had seen over 1 billion online games played, while the series had sold 25 million units worldwide.

Lionhead's Fable II was also a success for Microsoft Game Studios, having shifted 1.5 million units within its first two weeks on sale.

Source: GamesIndustry

Hellgate London Tower Bridge release

HanbitSoft announce that the company released Tower Bridge map for HELLGATE - LONDON, an online action RPG developed by Redbana US Studio, at Hellgate’s Korean official website on April 17th.

Tower Bridge is not the first new map HanbitSoft released. The company already revealed screen shots of Training Ground and Maritime Museum on April 10th. All revealed maps will be included in Hellgate: London’s 1.5Patch later this year.

The released screen shots show the disrupted Tower Bridge which also has a distinct vive from the other maps. HanbitSoft announced that as of 1.5Patch, Hellgate will have each act very unique environment. Training Ground, Maritime Museum, and Tower Bridge give out different atmosphere, which will allow players to enjoy freshness each time they enter to a different map.

HanbitSoft also released a screen shot of new monster as a preview. Details will be introduced this Friday.

Strategic Command WW2 Pacific Theater v.102 patch!

Strategic Command WW2 Pacific Theater keeps getting better and better! We're thrilled to be able to release the v1.02 patch for the game, boasting dozens of improvements, enhancements and fixes to the game and editor.

v1.02 takes precedence over any previous versions and hotfixes, and is available immediately for free download at the Strategic Command Pacific Theater Patches page www.battlefront.com/patches