Welsh developer Arberth Studios has joined with games portal Gamersgate to offer the English-language version of its supernatural adventure 'Rhiannon: Curse of the Four Branches' for download. The non-exclusive deal covers all publishing territories of the world.
Arberth's co-founder Noel Bruton comments "We're very excited about this opportunity. It means that 'Rhiannon' is now available anywhere with a good Internet link, which opens it up even to territories where we don't yet have direct publishing arrangements. It can put 'Rhiannon' in the hands of more players, which is why we wrote it - to get it played. It's a great alternative route to market for the smaller independents like ourselves."
However, it is not just the increased and immediate product distribution that drew Arberth to Gamersgate, but the flexibility and quality of the facility. Bruton continues, "Gamersgate's online inventory monitoring service allows us to track and manage sales almost in real time, which is a far cry from the comparatively primitive, after-the-fact periodic sales reports from some more conventional publishers. We see offerings like Gamersgate as a key part of the future of access to adventure videogames."
Capcom announce that three of its blockbuster hit console games of 2009 will be coming to the PC beginning this summer. Bionic Commando, Street Fighter IV and Resident Evil 5 will all be coming to the PC, beginning in July with Street Fighter IV and Bionic Commando, while Resident Evil 5 comes later in the year. All three games will be optimized for the PC platform and will have new PC-specific features added to the already great games. All three games will be available both at retail and via various digital distribution methods.
Street Fighter IV features a mix of returning favourites such as Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li and Guile along with new characters created for this game, such as Crimson Viper, Abel, El Fuerte, and Rufus. Characters and environments are rendered in stylized 3D, while the game is played in the classic Street Fighter™ 2D perspective with additional 3D camera flourishes. Instantly familiar six-button controls are the hallmark of the game, with a host of new special moves and features. Mixing classic genre-defining game mechanics the franchise is known and loved for with all-new, never-before-seen gameplay systems, Street Fighter IV brings a brand new fighting experience to fans the world over. The PC version of Street Fighter IV will feature online play, higher screen resolutions and three new shaders based on three of the “artistic” trailers released in 2008 that will change the visual appearance of the game: “watercolour,” “poster” and “sumi-e ink” styles. Street Fighter IV PC is scheduled for release throughout PAL territories on July 3.
The first true sequel to the classic 1988 Nintendo Entertainment System original, Bionic Commando sees the return of the bionically-enhanced Nathan "Rad" Spencer. Time has not been kind to Spencer: 10 years after his heroic defeat of the Imperials, he has been betrayed by the government he swore to serve, imprisoned for crimes he didn't commit, and sentenced to death. Bionic Commando transposes the swing-and-shoot gameplay of the 8-bit original onto a stunning 3D environment of towering buildings, suspended roadways and monorails, deep canyons and sheer rock faces, where every environment is scalable using swinging, repelling, climbing and wall-walking techniques. The PC version of Bionic Commando will support higher resolutions than the console version, remappable controls including mouse and keyboard support, support for both DirectX 9 and DirectX 10 and online connectivity for multiplayer sessions.
In Resident Evil 5, returning hero Chris Redfield is sent to Africa to investigate a biological weapon that is transforming the populace into aggressive and disturbing creatures. Joined by another local BSSA agent, Sheva Alomar, the two must work together to solve the truth behind the frightening turn of events. Featuring a revolutionary new co-op mode of gameplay, Resident Evil 5 will let players experience fear together as terror moves out of the shadows and into the light of day. The PC version of Resident Evil 5 will feature online play for co-operative play sessions over the internet and will also take advantage of NVIDIA’s new GeForce 3D Vision technology (wireless 3D Vision glasses sold separately).
1.5.04 - 1.5.08 versions saved games will be compatible with 1.5.09. Patch introduces the following changes...
Improved integrated anti-cheating system to take screenshots from the player’s screen. Improved integrated anti-cheating system that allows the remote admins to track the modifications in network game parameters. Fixed bug with killing the player after respawn. Improved player-checking system upon connection. Fixed bug with RPG-7. Fixed bug in buy menu. Added new effect High Definition Ambient Occlusion. Increased the game stability. Changes of game balance in Multi-player: - Increased damage dealt by "Tunder ะก14", "SA Avalanche ". - Added possibility to attach scope to "SA Avalanche". - "UDP Compact" pistol now has an increased cartridge (12 bullets).
Koei Ltd proudly releases its first major co-op ‘Dynasty Warriors Strikeforce’ title on the Sony PSP. Featuring:
• Quest based gameplay over 100s of uniquely generated maps • Four player co-op set over 15 sprawling cities • Deep Crafting System allowing 100s of weapons, items and upgrades to be created and traded • Devious boss battles with gargantuan, screen-filling enemies • The all new ‘Fury Transformation’ attack to obliterate opponents
With the PSPs recent resurgence, more gamers than ever are choosing to play together and experience the console how it was meant to be experienced – socially. With instantly accessible gameplay to fans and new-comers alike, Dynasty Warriors Strike Force is the perfect title for those new to the PSP and on-the-go gaming.
‘The PSP has always been a solid, fantastic machine and Koei’s games always look their best when they feature on PSP, so to have such an accessible multiplayer game released as the PSP enters its most interesting period yet is great’, said Will Curley, Vice President Sales & Marketing KOEI Ltd, ‘we hope people have fun playing Strikeforce on-the-go. There really is no other multiplayer game on the PSP like it’
Evil may have a new face but he’s brought along some old friends. Hailed as the true stars of the original Overlord, the Minions will return in Overlord II, today confirmed for release on June 26th for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Games For Windows. Ahead of release, gamers can see the maniacal Minions in malevolent motion in the new ‘Minion Maximus’ gameplay video below.
In Overlord II the Minions return stronger, smarter, deadlier (and funnier) and are ready to fight in epic battles that will see them squaring up to the Legions of a new enemy – the Glorious Empire. Their horde mentality is as wild and outrageous as ever and their loyalty to their Overlord has not changed – they’ll do anything and everything that’s commanded of them (and then a bit more) to aid their masters’ quest to destroy or dominate the land.
During the Overlord’s onslaught, the savage pack will gleefully destroy the towns of the Empire and decide the fate of their denizens. Given the right instruction, they’ll even gather voluptuous mistresses for the Overlord and infiltrate the very heart of the Glorious Empire’s army badly (but passably) disguised as diminutive soldiers.
Delivering a whole new level of Minion control, players can equip the Overlord’s devoted brown, green and red Minions with mounts, unique and deadly creatures ready to raise hell. Forming the Minion Cavalry division, brown Minions can ride and control packs of vicious wolves (“Aw, lovelies wolfies”). On wolf-back, the Minions can be swept into attacks and knock enemies off their feet through sheer force and then bite and gore opponents in lupine finishing moves.
Red Minions ride fire salamanders, which become living flamethrowers that shoot fireballs as a primary attack. Green Minions can mount giant spiders, enabling them to climb walls to get to places where no other Minion can get. Meanwhile, the blue Minions, the more ethereal and Zen-like of the tribes, wouldn’t be seen dead on a creature’s back; but they will keep their eyes on their Minion pals and, should they take a tumble or get injured, they’ll dash to the rescue and make use of their unique healing powers.
“The Minions are the stars of the show and we’ve brought them back with bigger personalities and with more abilities than before,” said Lennart Sas, Creative Director, Triumph Studios. “Hilariously supercharged, the Minions can tear down scenery and destroy buildings, ride mounts and operate powerful siege weapons in massive battles with the Empire. They became hugely popular from the first game, so we’re upping their profile, abilities and unique characteristics.”
Prepare to put the Minions into action in Overlord II – the game that puts the laughter into slaughter – coming June 26th for the PLAYSTATION 3 system, Xbox 360 and Games For Windows.
Manny Pacquiao will win his highly anticipated May 2nd bout against Ricky Hatton with a convincing 11th round knockout, according to the official EA SPORTS simulation conducted using Fight Night Round 4.
Available 26th June 2009, for the Xbox 360 video game system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, Fight Night Round 4 is the latest entry in the critically acclaimed boxing series from Electronic Arts. According to the simulation, an aggressive attempt by Hatton to limit Pacquiao’s movement early on was unsuccessful. Pacquiao’s used his speed and control of the ring to take advantage of Hatton’s aggression, picking his punches and keeping out of range. The tide turned in Hatton’s favor in Round 4 when he found some success trapping Pacquiao in the corner. With little room to work with, Pacquiao was forced to trade blows on Hatton’s terms. This relentless exchange proved to be too much for Pacquiao who went down to a powerful left hook at the end of Round 6. The later rounds saw the revival of the quick moving Pacquiao, who outpaced and out boxed Hatton yet again. Lightning fast left jabs wreaked havoc on Hatton through Rounds 7, 8 and 9 before a commanding right hand brought him to the mat in Round 10. Badly hurt and looking sluggish, Hatton was unable to beat the count after falling to another deadly right hook from Pacquiao in Round 11.
The simulation was conducted using Fight Night Round 4’s all-new AI (Artificial Intelligence) system. Dubbed R.E.A.L (Record, Evaluate, Adapt, Learn) AI by the development team, the system re-creates each fighter’s ring strategies in the game based on their real life counterparts. Built with adaptive logic, the system triggers fighters to change their tactics based on their success, or failure, throughout the course of a bout.
One of the most anticipated video games of 2009, Fight Night Round 4 features unique boxer styles and an all new physics based engine that creates one-of-a-kind bouts between over 45 licensed boxers, including Hatton and Pacquiao. Fans will have the chance to recreate this May 2nd bout with the Fight Night Round 4 Demo, which is scheduled for release in late-May.
Pokรฉmon World's new Pokรฉmon battling website proves to be a phenomenal success
Pokรฉmonfaceoff.com was launched in December 2008 by Imagine Publishing as part of its online expansion and as a companion to its established Pokรฉmon World magazine.
The online battle engine allows users to choose the winner of a faceoff between two pocket monsters and then records the results of the battle which also count towards a list of the top100 Pokรฉmon of all time. After just four months www.Pokemonfaceoff.com has now hosted over three million battles!
“We could never have imagined the colossal number of players Pokรฉmon FaceOff.com would attract!” exclaimed Nick Roberts, Imagine’s Business Development Manager and the driving force behind Pokรฉmon World and the new website.
“We caused major disruption to Imagine’s websites over Christmas with the number of Pokรฉmon battles taking place, and since then we have gone on to see every one of the 493 Pokรฉmon take part in over 12,000 battles each. That makes over three million Pokรฉmon battles in four months!”
“I would just like to thank all the Pokรฉmon fans that have played the FaceOff game so far and made it the success that it is, and a big thank-you to Electronic Arts, D3 Publisher and Square-Enix for using the site to advertise their latest games too.”
With the launch of Pokรฉmon Platinum for Nintendo DS on 22 May, Imagine is standing by for the next surge of Pokรฉmon FaceOff players to battle it out online. And the number one Pokรฉmon so far? It’s Platinum cover star Giratina, winning 83% of its battles.
Imagine Publishing is one of the UK’s fastest-growing consumer specialist publishers. Formed in May 2005, Imagine now publishes 20 magazines and 27 websites in the videogames, computing, entertainment and photography markets. An Imagine magazine is purchased every ten seconds.
Name: Pokรฉmon World Face Off URL: www.pokemonfaceoff.com No. of Pokรฉmon available for battle: 493
New update to the ARMA II homepage. This update provides a unique opportunity to explore the world of the post-Soviet Republic of Chernarus, which is the setting of this highly anticipated military simulator. This latest piece of Intel which allows an in-depth look at the ARMA II environment, has been declassified for immediate analysis at http://www.arma2.com
North-Eastern Chernarus is a hilly area with rocky coastlines; the tallest hilltops reach more than 700 m above sea level, covered with temperate forests and is still relatively untouched from logging and mining. The biggest cities and industry are concentrated on the southern coast. There are mostly smaller villages inland, situated in deep valleys, hidden in forested ridges or on elevated plateaus with lush meadows.
ARMA II consists of 225 square kilometers of highly detailed sandbox landscape, modeled with stunning precision and detail, using real-world geographical data of the Ceske Stredohori mountains; a picturesque, volcanic area situated in the northern part of the Czech Republic (GPS location for reference: 50°42'6.477"N, 14°7'55.217"E). Covered by 235 megapixels of open, accurate, aerial mapping (15.3602 pixels), 350 km of roads, more than 50 cities and villages and over 1 million world objects, ARMA II is a true masterpiece of environment creation, never before seen in a tactical military simulator or first person military shooter.
ARMA II benefits from an internal realism based vegetation system called LINDA, capable of generating realistic vegetation both for massive real-time as well as offline rendering. LINDA generates vegetation based on real biological processes including its development over a period of time.
The website update provides a detailed glimpse into the world of Chernarus, including in-depth descriptions of the historical and political situations, as well as a description of specific regions modeled to real world geographic data, supported with in game images. The Intel is being declassified in thematic groups every 12 hours starting this morning at 10:00 CET.
ARMA II will be available on June 26th 2009 on PC.
Ultimate military simulator, for the ultimate combat experience.
All Star Cheer Squad 2, is currently in development exclusively for Nintendo Wii and is scheduled for release this fall. Tony G, world renowned cheer choreographer best known for his work on the Bring it On movies, will once again serve as chief consultant for the title.
In All Star Cheer Squad 2, 14 exotic locations from around the world will serve as the backdrop for global cheer competitions. No longer a newbie, players will start out as the captain of the Tiger Squad, leading the team to victory by utilizing an all-new diverse move set that includes real-world aerial stunts, tumbling, formation changes and advanced moves on the Wii Balance Board™ accessory. Moves can be executed by using two Wii Remotes™, allowing for greater mobility. Players will select their squad members and then choose from more customization options including new makeup, hairstyle and uniforms. Because every routine needs a good beat first, All Star Cheer Squad 2 will feature even more original cheer music. Combined with an upgraded routine editor featuring a music mixer, a choreography editor and the ability to challenge friends via WiiConnect24™, All Star Cheer Squad 2 will allow players to live the ultimate cheer experience.
*Source: The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service; Title – All Star Cheer Squad
Combat Arms Europe storms into May with a guerilla-event for a lavish weekend. On this Saturday and Sunday (May 2nd and 3rd), players who enter the battlefields during the peak hours from 4 pm through 10 pm CET will receive additional 30% on GP and EXP on top of their usual portion, and all that just for playing their usual rounds.
This time’s Bonus GP & EXP event is not the first of its kind, but part of the diverse, non-stop in-game event series at Combat Arms Europe which includes “GM Live” where players can measure their skills in battles with or against GMs, clan events, and the recent festive weeks with Xfire.
“We had several bonus GP and EXP events already, and the responses were always very positive,” says Sung Jin Kim, Directing Manager at Nexon Europe. “We always plan and execute our events to deliver an extra portion of fun and unexpected challenge, but the bonus GP & EXP events are especially a form to express our gratitude for the enthusiasm and support of our players. We really appreciate their dedication for Combat Arms Europe, and hope that they can benefit from the additional GP and EXP and further enhance their game-play experience a bit faster. But this is only one of our “smaller” events, and we have an extensive list of new events lined up. Our players can definitely look forward to receiving more very soon.”
Combat Arms Europe drives on to gain enthusiasm and popularity among European gamers with its exciting mix of various combat styles, battlefields and multiple game modes, presented in eye-catching graphics and customized characters. Combat Arms Europe also features a high level of socialization with in-game Buddy List, Clan System, Community Support and many more. This essential composition of traditional as well as advanced FPS elements and striking socialization features is free-to-play, representing a truly unique offering in the ever evolving world First-Person-Shooters.
To download the game for free and to secure some bonus GP and EXP, please visit and sign up at http://combatarms.nexoneu.com.
Welsh developer Arberth Studios has joined with games portal Gamersgate to offer the English-language version of its supernatural adventure 'Rhiannon: Curse of the Four Branches' for download. The non-exclusive deal covers all publishing territories of the world.
