EA Sports Announces 500 Millionth Online Game Played This Week

EA SPORTS announce that 500 million online games have been played since launching its ‘09 product line last June. On average, more than 2.2 million EA SPORTS games are played online each day, which reflects an increase of more than 175 percent over last year.

“The massive migration to online gaming has transformed the video game landscape, and this week’s 500 millionth online EA SPORTS game highlights the radical shift that we’ve helped pioneer in the industry,” said Peter Moore, president of EA SPORTS. “Online gameplay allows real-time competitions with fans from around the world who speak the global language of sports. EA SPORTS is committed to providing personal access to the emotion of sports by continuing to create immersive online features, compelling new downloadable content and daily real-time stats updates.”

FIFA 09 Ultimate Team, which launched March 19, has sparked the highest online activity for FIFA 09 in the lifecycle of the product. The unique, downloadable game mode delivers a strategic new online experience to the award-winning FIFA 09 product, winner of 25 international game quality awards. FIFA 09 Ultimate Team challenges gamers to collect or create the most talented soccer players in the world, develop them into a dream team and then compete online.

EA SPORTS also recently launched of 3 on 3 NHL Arcade and NCAA Basketball 09: March Madness Edition as digital downloads. From the makers of NHL 09, winner of 12 Sports Game of the Year awards, 3 on 3 NHL Arcade immediately became the most downloaded game on Xbox LIVE Arcade for two straight weeks.

Six EA SPORTS titles have more than 500,000 registered online users – including Madden NFL 09 and FIFA 09 with more than 2.4 million each – to help drive its record online usage numbers. Users have logged more than 4 billion minutes of EA SPORTS games since last summer, and currently play the equivalent of more than 35 years of games each day.

Shin Megami Tensei - Devil Summoner 2 - Raidou Kuzunoha v King Abaddon for PlayStation 2

Popular publisher likely to regret choice of words in header

Atlus unveiled the special deluxe package for the upcoming action RPG Shin Megami Tensei - Devil Summoner 2 - Raidou Kuzunoha v King Abaddon for PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system.

Limited in quantity but not in quality (zing), this premium bundle is the ultimate SMT collectible and the centerpiece of the publisher's Atlus Spoils fan appreciation program. Each and every set includes SMT: Devil Summoner 2, the new chapter in the stunningly original action RPG series, and Raiho, the plushie that will steal your heart (if he doesn't try to eat your soul first).

Improved over its predecessor in every way, Devil Summoner 2 is an action RPG breath of fresh air, with a deep, intuitive combat system, combined with nearly two hundred demons to negotiate with, collect, and fuse. Gamers will discover a variety of strategies to employ and master. Experience a 1920's Tokyo bustling with cases to solve, criminals to bring to justice, and the threat of the mysterious King Abaddon looming on the horizon.

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon is scheduled to negotiate its way into retailers on May 12, 2009.

About Shin Megami Tensei - Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha versus King Abaddon:
A new threat to Japan's Capital calls for the return of its case-solving, tube-slinging Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha the 14th. When a woman walks into the Narumi Detective Agency and asks to find a man, Raidou's boss is reluctant to accept, but soon it's clear there's more to the case than it seems on the surface. It isn't long before Raidou is on the trail of crooked gamblers, masked ninja, and strange insects... a trail leading him inexorably to the mysterious King Abaddon.

Key Features

• Massively upgraded battle system - Advancements to the battle mechanics include a MAG balancing system, dodge and hide abilities, and the ability to command two demons in combat. Use the retooled Weapon Alchemy system to create new swords with unique special attacks.
• Deeper demon integration - Demon negotiation returns with more than twice the number of demons to attempt to recruit to your side. Create more powerful demons through fusion and skill transfer. Control two demons in battle and choose from more tactical options.
• Phenomenal creative team - The rich environment of this Taisho-era Japan comes to life with the character designs of Kazuma Kaneko and the musical score of Shoji Meguro.

Gobliiins 4 - wacky and funny adventure PC video game box art

Kalypso Media have today released the official cover for their upcoming adventure game Gobliiins 4. This weird, wacky and funny adventure is about the Goblins Tchoup, Perlius and Stucco who are charged with finding the orycterope Riri, the favourite animal of King Balderon, because Riri has runaway and the three detectives follow him through a lot of crazy places.

Thrilling, challenging and insane riddles together with nasty monsters are awaiting you! Will you be able to solve all the riddles, avoid the monsters and find Riri?

Gobliiins 4 will be released on 1st May 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.

Damnation video game - making the right moves...

Set to take the shooter off the rails and out of the corridors, Codemasters today released a brand new developer insight video for Damnation, the steam-punk themed action shooter from developer Blue Omega. Now available to view or download from www.damnationthegame.com, the video features in-depth developer commentary from producer Richard Gilbert and technical art director Carl Schell detailing the daredevil stunts players can execute to traverse the vertigo-inducing levels on offer in Damnation.

In Damnation fluid movement is the key to staying alive. Using a plethora of acrobatic moves, players will be able to climb ladders, swing on poles, use zip lines, flip up onto high ledges and dive through windows to reach their goal. Intuitive navigation allows players to plot a course through the environment, either to avoid the smart AI or to get to higher ledges and rain down death from above using any of the steam-punk inspired weapons on offer.

“You can really intuitively navigate through the levels of Damnation as the game offers a degree of flexibility not available in other shooters”, says Richard Gilbert, Producer. “If you’re blocked by a gate and there’s a window right next to it, you don’t have to run around looking for a key-card, just dive through the window! It’s all about seeing a path and choosing to take it.”

In addition to the extensive single-player campaign, Damnation will also deliver 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, alongside 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.

RACE Pro update fixes multipaly and more vis Xbox LIVE

Available Now via Xbox Live, Title Update Delivers Numerous Enhancements to Multiplayer and Single Player Experience in Atari's Acclaimed Race Sim

Atari today confirmed that a title update for ultra-realistic racing simulation game RACE Pro is available now for automatic download via Xbox Live.

Taking on board feedback from the player community, SimBin and Atari have responded with this first title update which addresses numerous issues and greatly enhances primarily the multiplayer experience and also the single player game.

RACE Pro is developed by renowned award-winning game developer SimBin, a leading creator of PC racing simulators, available now exclusively to the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. For more information about RACE Pro visit www.atari.com/racepro and for more details about Atari’s entire product line up visit www.atari.com.

To make your voice heard on the official RACE Pro forum, click here

The main enhancements and issues addressed in the Title Update are as follows:

MULTIPLAYER UPDATE

- Fixed bug causing the game to crash when 12 players have joined and left a multiplayer game
- Disallow connections to host if they are not waiting for players.
- Fixed the ”fast forward” / speed bug currently generating some unrealistic race times in leaderboards.
- Fixed problem with lap times being reported to the wrong leaderboard when moving on to the next track in multiplayer.
- Fixed problem of a player joining during session activation causing the client to get stuck in the loading screen.
- Fixed issue when creating a session with downloaded car and inviting a player that doesn’t have the car
- Fixed name of tracks on servers list when players do several sessions in a row
- Fixed incorrect race length value seen in game list screen
- Fixed transparent car that appears after un-pausing in multiplayer qualification
- Fixed the incorrect message that appears when attempting to access multiplayer without a gamer profile signed–in and if selecting Multiplayer with an offline gamer profile
- Set default host option of qualification to NO in multiplayer for players that have never hosted a game in Race Pro before
- New messages: Display some session info in-game so players can recognize where in the game they are
- New messages: Add a specific multiplayer loading tip showing 50% of loading time in player match only.

GENERAL UPDATE

- Fixed performance drop while driving over curb
- Improved deformation of cars
- Fixed hot seat start position problems
- Removed dangerous driving dialogues when entering loading screen
- Fixed crash when the player tries to enter the end pit driving backwards and wants to restart the race after the losing message
- Fixed some localization bugs
- Locked F3000 car #12 and unlocked the Corvette C5R since there is no contract for it in Career mode
- Fixed validation for replay files to allow replay files saved between year 2000 and 2099
- Fixed sound bug making Doppler effect of other cars sound corrupt in swing cam
- Fixed force feedback detection for wheels and slightly improved strength of force
- Adjusted the Seat Leon Extreme Tryout time
- Fixed sound bug making the rev sounds on some cars not transition smoothly (including Mini Cooper and BMW M3 GTR)
- Fixed sound bug with the force calculation of picking the correct collision sound

Create a green city in Plan It Green PC video game

Merscom and National Geographic Games announce the release of Plan It Green, a building sim that integrates green technology in a fast paced casual game.

As the Mayor of Greenville, players have the opportunity to create a green city in Plan It Green. As mayor of your hometown, you have vowed to bring about a new green future by changing the ways of the past.

You are working with close supporters to restore Greenville to its former glory and beauty. Watch as Greenville transforms before your eyes as you build eco-homes, apply green upgrades and bring new clean jobs and industry to your hometown! Plan It Green is the first game that leverages the resources of National Geographic, an organization that was green when green wasn't cool

The first green casual game, Plan It Green features:
Transform Greenville from an eyesore, into a beautiful green city!
First casual game that leverages the knowledge and resources of National Geographic, an organization that was green when green wasn't cool.
Hours of gameplay in both campaign and free play mode!
Improve 8 neighborhoods across 45 levels!
Upgrade your hometown with parks, eco-homes and environmental upgrades
Build eco-friendly houses, stores and businesses
Pick the latest eco-upgrades

"This is the right product for the times. Not only is it a fantastic game, but it integrates a theme we all hear hundreds of times a week," said Kirk Owen, Merscom's CEO. "By working with National Geographic, we were able to go beyond pop green ideas and make a game that truly conveys the possibilities of the future."

Cue Online, its free, item-based realistic online pool simulation game closed beta

GamesCampus' New 3D Pool Simulation Game Enters Closed Beta Tomorrow, April 23rd Through April 30th

GamesCampus.com, announce that Cue Online, its free, item-based realistic online pool simulation game, will launch its second closed beta tomorrow at noon PDT and it will be available for players for the next 7 days (through April 30th) at http://cueonline.gamescampus.com/.

New features in the second closed beta test of Cue Online include a more competitive and exciting rebalancing of skills as well as the addition of a basic game fee with a new default allowance provided for first-time players. A new Wager Channel has also been introduced allowing players to bet in the game. In addition, players will be able to purchase Cues and Chokes through the Item Mall.

Cue Online offers competitive billiards games including straight pool, nine-ball, and eight-ball. Developed by Happy Nation, Cue Online delivers realistic billiards gameplay with a custom physics engine and was recently nominated as "Best Game of the Month" by the Korean Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Happy Nation's exclusive engine was designed to create as realistic of an environment as possible. Each ball's movement will depend on each player's style, including stroke power, table contact, spin and strike quality with other balls, the cloth friction of the table and more.

For more information about Cue Online visit http://cueonline.gamescampus.com/.

MySims Agents mysteries, twisting plots and sinister villains video game on Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS

Love mysteries, twisting plots and sinister villains? Love puzzles, adventure and high tech gadgets? Now players can enjoy the thrill of solving the mystery, while re-joining their MySims friends.

EA Play Label of Electronic Arts announce MySims Agents, an original IP, mystery-solving adventure game for the Wii and Nintendo DS where players are the heroic agents who must stop a sinister plot that threatens the fate of an entire city.

“We’re thrilled to bring you MySims Agents, the next game from MySims, something completely different than any MySims game before,” said Tim LeTourneau, General Manager of the MySims franchise. “Its mystery-meets-adventure theme allows players to hone their problem-solving skills while still enjoying all of the beloved MySims charm; characters, customisation and humour.”

MySims Agents for the Wii
In MySims Agents players take on the role of a special agent hired to foil the sinister plans of Morcubus, lord of the criminal underworld. By recruiting different MySims, each with their own special characteristics, players can build up their very own crime-busting dream team. From tracking footprints and using forensics to picking locks, hacking into computers, following leads and collecting clues, players must rely on their wits, skills and trusty gadgets to piece together the clues to solve the mystery. Jump aboard the jet to reach an ancient temple, a spooky mansion or an icy mountaintop chalet in search of clues that lead players closer to the sinister Morcubus. Return from the adventure with cool treasures that players can use to construct and customize their headquarters and make it their own.

MySims Agents for the Nintendo DS
In MySims Agents on the Nintendo DS players are agents assigned by their agency to help the mayor stop a notorious thief from stealing an ancient treasure. By searching for clues, solving intricate puzzles and matching wits with the thief, gamers can protect the treasure and the town! Along the way they can talk to their favourite MySims, sharpen their agent skills with 10 different mini-games, and search through underground caverns for clues to the thief’s undoing!

Battlestations - Pacific Demo release date set for April 30th

Singleplayer and Skirmish modes available

Eidos Interactive today announces that 30th April will see the release of the Battlestations: Pacific demo. Available on Xbox LIVE and Games for Windows - LIVE Marketplace, the demo will introduce players to the intense naval warfare of Battlestations - Pacific.



Players will experience one war through two epic sagas, enabling gamers to be a part of history or to dramatically alter it. The full game features an historically accurate US campaign alongside an historically possible Japanese campaign, spanning a total of 28 missions, five new multiplayer modes that can be played with up to eight players and over 100 air, sea and undersea units.

The demo includes one action-packed mission from the US campaign, Divine Winds of Leyte, throwing the player into the thick of the action with a Kamikaze attack on a US carrier fleet. Also included are two multiplayer modes, Island Capture and Siege, each available to play offline in ‘Skirmish’, a new game mode which allows players to tackle any of the multiplayer maps in single-player against an AI-controlled enemy.

Rated ESRB Teen and PEGI 12+, Battlestations: Pacific is set to release on May 12th in North America and May 15th in Europe and Australia on Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Games for Windows.

More information on the demo can be found at the exclusive Gamespot.com demo premiere page: www.gamespot.com/event/download/battlestations-pacific-demo/

Hearts of Iron 3 - The Arsenal of Democracy in game footage

New in game footage for Hearts of Iron III, the long awaited third instalment of the World War II Strategy series set for release towards the end of 2009.

The video footage is showcasing The United States, from sea to shinning sea. The epic scale of Heart of Iron 3 is revealed in these shots of the United Stated.

Should the war ever reach the coasts of the United States the Hearts of Iron 3 map is ready to provide an environment for the war to progress on. We also demonstrate some of the new production features available in Hearts of Iron 3, build up your National Guard ready for mobilisation on war and also the ability to build cheaper, but less effective downgraded ships. Allowing you to tailor your navy better.



Hearts of Iron III is now the Beta stage of development. These last months the team has been stabilizing the foundations of the AI, tightening up the rules and mechanics of the game, along with implementing brand new artwork and interface features.
The third instalment in the critically acclaimed World War II strategy series, Hearts of Iron III will feature a plethora of brand new features to satisfy veteran and novice players alike, including a huge game map with more than 14,000 land and sea provinces.

Hearts of Iron III is scheduled for release in Q3.

A game presentation from earlier this year is available here:




In game footage showcasing France and Diplomacy available here: