Hasbro Family Game Night Vol 2 - Sequel to Award-Winning Video Game Expanding Collection of Family Favourite Games and Fun

MR. POTATO HEAD is once again stepping up to the microphone as the M.C. of Fun to rally families and friends together to play a new lineup of Hasbro-inspired games in HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT VOLUME 2. The video game, currently in development for the Wii and Nintendo DS, is slated to launch this year. HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT VOLUME 2 follows the release of the original HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT, which launched in November 2008 and received several accolades including a Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Award as well as an “All-Star” Award from Toy Wishes Magazine.

HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT VOLUME 2 for the Wii will include five popular games: OPERATION, JENGA, BOP-IT, PICTUREKA, and CONNECT 4X4. Each game will offer an Original Mode reflecting traditional board game play and Advanced Modes, including the all-new “Hasbro Family Game Show” which shifts players into party mode with MR. POTATO HEAD as the master of ceremonies. Players will feel as if they’ve been transported to a live television game show studio complete with an audience, a spinning “Challenge Wheel” and the opportunity to win big virtual prizes. In addition to providing new and exciting ways to play, the Wii version will allow fans to completely customize MR. POTATO HEAD, pick new themes, and obtain new trophies to add to their collection.

“HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT VOLUME 2 delivers an exciting new lineup of classic and refreshed Hasbro games designed to bring families and friends together for quality, memorable experiences,” said Chip Lange, General Manager of EA’s Hasbro Division. “We’ve created incredibly innovative ways to play fan favourites like OPERATION and JENGA, and added features such as a competitive but fun “Game Show” mode and the ability to customise MR. POTATO HEAD making this game a ‘must-have’ for all ages this year.”

Arriving for the first time on the Nintendo DS, this version is designed for portable fun on-the-go and features a mix of new and favourite games from the previously released HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT on the console. Games will include CONNECT 4, BATTLESHIP, SORRY! Sliders, OPERATION and BOP-IT. Each will offer both original and new ways to play as well as wireless support for multi-player competition.

“EA continues to do a tremendous job of re-imagining and deepening the gameplay experience of Hasbro games across video game platforms,” said Mark Blecher, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Digital Media and Gaming at Hasbro. “HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT VOLUME 2 will be a great blend of classic, refreshed and new games that will serve as a great reason to invite family and friends over for an evening of fun.”

HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT VOLUME 2 is being developed at EA Bright Light and will be available in 2009.

A stranded tribe needs help Virtual Villagers - A New Home on Nintendo DS

Virtual Villagers - A New Home for Nintendo DS. This colourful, real-time life simulation will be published in Q3 2009. Virtual Villagers: A New Home takes players to a beautiful tropical island where they are tasked with helping a tribe of stranded villagers to survive and discover the island’s many secrets. Surprising events, challenging puzzles, and fun-to-play mini games all await players eager to take up the task.

When a volcano destroys their former home, a band of survivors find themselves washed up on the shores of the beautiful Isola Island. Luckily, their new homeland appears peaceful and fertile. The stranded villagers are able to find berries, fish are plentiful in the nearby ocean, and building materials are available for the villagers to construct their first huts. Until the player assigns tasks, the villagers wander around the island, just playing tag or chatting, and just like real people, the Virtual Villagers will become sad or sick if not given enough attention. However, the player can help by putting the villagers in touch with their friends. They are able to heal and cheer each other up. Good tempered villagers can even fall in love and have babies, helping the tribe to prosper.

Players can customize their Virtual Villagers in many different ways. New names can be assigned and colourful clothes and accessories including exotic flowers and other collectible items, can be changed to suit the player’s current mood. Players also will help guide their villagers in their occupations, determining what role they will play on the island.

Life on the island never stands still. Due to a persistent game world, time continues to move forward even if the Nintendo DS is closed or turned off. When returning to the game, players can always look forward to a surprise such as the villagers celebrating the anniversary of their arrival, finding various messages in the bottles that wash ashore, or discovering a new mini game has been unlocked. Dozens of unexpected events will occur.

Virtual Villagers provides easy-to-play fun through discovering the island and taking care for its inhabitants – complicated micro-management isn’t needed. Virtual Villagers: A New Home is dedicated to younger simulation fans and casual gamers alike. This Nintendo DS title is also for gamers on the go who only have short periods of time to play.

“keen games and dtp entertainment have done an exceptional job bringing this Virtual Villagers title to Nintendo DS”, says Arthur Humphrey, Founder of Last Day of Work, the team that created the successful Virtual Villagers series for PC. “This game is a natural fit for the system and we are confident and excited to debut our Virtual Villagers franchise on this platform.” Virtual Villagers – A New Home is developed by keen games in Frankfurt/Germany, based on a license from Big Fish Games.

Wolfenstein video game music by Bill Brown

Activision and id Software announced that Wolfenstein is set to feature an original score by award-winning composer, Bill Brown. Brown’s work has been featured in numerous feature films and television shows with credits, including: “Ali,” “Any Given Sunday,” “CSI: NY” and “Finding Forrester.” He previously also scored id’s hit Return to Castle Wolfenstein.

“Bill was the natural choice to create a soundtrack that emphasises the fast-paced action of Wolfenstein while enhancing the overall mood during key moments and getting players fully immersed in the adventure,” says Kevin Cloud, executive producer at id Software. “Bill crafted the perfect soundtrack when we previously worked together on Return to Castle Wolfenstein and his experience and passion for the franchise will once again allow him to deliver an incredible score that draws the player deeper into the Wolfenstein universe.”

Wolfenstein is scheduled for release later this year on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC and is not yet rated.

Bomb Disposal Expert video game now available on Xbox Live

Evolution Dreams Studio is proud to release their new game Bomb Disposal Expert on Xbox Live Community Games at an incredible price, only 200 Microsoft Points.

You are a Bomb Disposal Expert in training. Hold your nerve while you exercise your memory and rhythm, following the light sequences. Hurry up or the bomb will explode! Play with up to eight friends (only one pad needed) in a crazy multiplayer mode. And if you start to think it's easy to defuse a bomb, try the special modes: mirror, clockwise and counterclockwise... and think again!!

Feel like a member of a federal agency and play through the Career mode with 20 bombs to defuse, the Arcade mode with Time Attack and Unlimited options, and score rankings, a multiplayer mode up to 8 players (only one controller is necessary), with 15 Awards to unlock and a practice mode with all the settings to play with. And all this for only 200 Microsoft Points.

The prestigious website IGN.com, in a feature published on May 1, picked Bomb Disposal Expert as one of the best games on Xbox Live Community Games.

Visit the official website and enjoy the flash minigame: www.bombdisposalexpert.com
Get more info and download the demo from the Xbox 360 Marketplace: www.bombdisposalexpert.com/xbox/

World of Tunes video game now on Apple App Store

Com2uS announce that World of Tunes is now available on the Apple App Store. World of Tunes is an easy-to-learn iPhone and iPod touch game for all ages, where players must help the Tuneys, passive creatures who value peace, love and harmony, defend themselves from the evil Robotica, who are bent on destroying music.

The only way to beat the Silence Overlord, of course, is through music-and it's up to players to keep the rhythm and save the Tuneys.

World of Tunes features addictive gameplay that fully utilizes the innovative Multi-Touch user interface of the devices and includes great music and stunning graphics. Each of the 10 colorful stages, playable at three difficulty levels and in four different modes, features a puzzle background that is revealed as players successfully keep the beat.

World of Tunes is available for $4.99 from Apple's App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/

EA Opens Applications for Ultima Online - Stygian Abyss Beta Test

Mythic Entertainment, an Electronic Arts studio, announce that it is now accepting applications for the Ultima Online - Stygian Abyss closed beta test at http://www.uoherald.com/beta. Beta testers for Stygian Abyss, the upcoming expansion to one of the longest-running MMORPGs in history, will have the chance to experience the playable Gargoyle race before anyone else.

The closed beta, set to begin later this month, has a limited number of available spots for eligible applicants. Closed beta testers must be current Ultima Online subscribers and will be selected based on computer system specs, previous testing experience, community involvement and other criteria.

To apply for the closed beta, please visit http://www.uoherald.com/beta.

Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss expansion requires the original Ultima Online game to play and will be available in the Summer of 2009 via digital distribution only. To find out more information about the Gargoyle race, skills and lands, please visit the Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss website: http://www.uoherald.com/stygianabyss

Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Rogers, Shania Twain and More Join the Rock Band Platform July 21, 2009

Harmonix and MTV Games along with distribution partner Electronic Arts announce plans for a July 21, 2009 North American release of Rock Band Country Track Pack for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2 computer entertainment systems, and Wii system from Nintendo.

“Rock Band loves country music too, and these tracks are among the most fun to play of any we've released to date,” said Paul DeGooyer, Senior Vice President of Electronic Games & Music for MTV Networks Music Group. “We’ve received a ton of requests from fans to bring more country to the game, and our artist partners responded. We're very excited to be able to offer this set, featuring some of the greatest songs ever recorded.”

Rock Band Country Track Pack is a standalone software product that allows owners of Rock Band andRock Band 2 to keep the party going with 21 songs from an outstanding mix of country artists, including Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Shania Twain, Rascal Flatts and the legendary Kenny Rogers. Many of the tracks will be exclusive to the Rock Band Country Track Pack disc for a limited time before joining the Rock Band Music Store as downloadable content. Additional artists and songs from the track list will be announced in the coming months.

In addition, Rock Band Country Track Pack, like all Rock Band software, is compatible with all Rock Band instrument controllers, as well as most Guitar Hero and other current third party video game instrument controllers. Fans who buy the Rock Band Country Track Pack for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system can play directly from the disc or download the songs onto their consoles’ hard drives through a free offer with Xbox LIVE online entertainment network or the PlayStation Network. Once downloaded, the songs will automatically appear in the player’s custom Rock Band library and can be integrated into setlists and played in all game modes. With more than 660 tracks available in the Rock Band music catalogue and regular releases of downloadable content every week, Rock Band Country Track Pack is yet another way music-lovers can continue to expand and customize their music libraries.

First Confirmed Songs for ROCK BAND COUNTRY TRACK PACK:

Artist Song Title
1. Alan Jackson Good Time
2. Brooks & Dunn Hillbilly Deluxe
3. Dierks Bentley Free & Easy (Down the Road I Go)
4. Dixie Chicks Sin Wagon
5. Drive-By Truckers 3 Dimes Down
6. Jason Aldean She’s Country
7. Kenny Chesney She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy
8. Kenny Rogers The Gambler
9. Lucinda Williams Can’t Let Go
10. Martina McBride This One’s For the Girls
11. Rascal Flatts Me and My Gang
12. Shania Twain Any Man of Mine
13. Steve Earle Satellite Radio

Price: $29.99 MSRP

The Rock Band franchise is the ultimate platform for music fans and gamers to interact with music like never before. The game challenges players to put together a band and tour for fame and fortune – all while learning to master lead/bass guitar, drums and vocals. Featuring the most master recordings of any music game ever by the world’s biggest rock artists, the Rock Band music catalogue includes tracks that span every genre of rock, ranging from alternative and classic rock, to heavy metal and punk.

Rock Band™ Country Track Pack™ is rated “E10+” for Everyone 10+ with a descriptor of Lyrics by the ESRB.

Rock Band and Rock Band 2 are currently available for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2 systems and Wii.

The Chronicles of Spellborn - All about Demon Chests, and how they'll put hairs on yours

Demon Chests

What is is and how it works! A mysterious treasure of unknown origins has been uncovered!
Located in the basement of the Enclave Palace on the shard of Quarterstone, the Chamber of Cowardice awakens from its slumber. Champions entering the Chamber recognize fallen Maulites and a statue representing one of the Eight Demons.

The statue is lurched over a chest: a treasure chest — a Demon Chest! What kind of wealth and fortune is contained within a chest displayed in such a manner? Who placed it there and why? Should it be approached with caution, with greed or maybe a bit of both?

Its origin unknown, there should be details about the Chest somewhere. A book or scroll on a dusty forgotten shelf perhaps? Maybe in some of the ancient and warped stories passed down within the older bloodlines; deemed to be mere bedtime fairytales, they may be closer to the truth than anyone might expect.

The Chest’s build quality is clearly impeccable and its contents are sealed behind three unbreakable locks. They may look similar from a distance, but studying them up close might help in determining the origin or whereabouts of the appropriate keys.

The Demon Chest of Cowardice

This the first of the Demon Chests uncovered by the Enclave. It can be found in the basement of the Enclave Palace in the Oracle District of Quarterstone.

Every day, the Chamber to this chest will be accessible for a limited time only. The Chamber opens up in the evening (based on local Universe time) and remains available until the Universe restarts on the following day. The Chamber will also close after the chest has been looted; remaining players will be placed outside of it.

The hallways to the Chamber are not enabled for PvP and allow access to the Chamber from multiple sides. Inside the Chamber, however, High House PvP is activated after a 5 second timer.

Keys

The Demon Chest contains three locks, each with their own associated keys:
The Key of Cowardice
This one key is unique to the Demon Chest and can only drop from a limited selection of opponents in the game world. It will unlock one specific lock on the Demon Chest.
Faction Keys
The other two locks are bound to factions. For Demon Chest of Cowardice, Urvhail and Brotherhood of the Glaive have a chance of carrying these keys around. These faction-keys are not exclusive for use with the Demon Chest, but will be used to access faction related content in the near future.

Player looting

All keys can be looted from player inventories! This means that in a PvP situation, the player who deals the killing blow will receive all the keys currently in possession of the victim. Keys can be looted by other players for an infinite amount of times and can also be traded between players in a more civilized fashion.

Please note that there are no visual indicators to show whether a player carries a key or how many! Happy looting!

Spellborn Chests

PDC world championship darts game - friends and family tournament

PDC World Championship Darts 2009 on Nintendo Wii gives you the opportunity to play darts with your family & friends without leaving any holes in the lounge wall. In the game’s Tournament Mode you can play with up to eight friends challenging each other for the top spot in the PDC Order of Merit, playing as one of 18 Pro Players or as your own custom character.

If you fancy yourself as a bit of an expert, try out the Practice Board with reduced bed sizes and see how close you are to hitting the doubles and becoming a professional.

But if the pressure of the worldwide tournament venues and crowds is too much, then retire to the cosy environment of the well trodden local and play one of the thirteen classic Party Games with the family.

PDC Darts 2009 is now accessible for all the family, whatever ability and whatever age. Both young & old can individually select a dart weight suitable to their throwing power or for a level playing field, change the assist level to influence throwing sensitivity and match their abilities.

PDC World Championship Darts 2009 on Nintendo DS and Wii is available in all stores on 29th May 2009.

Playing features:
• 3 assist modes ranging from Off to Maximum
• Various dart weights, flights & barrels to counter balance the sensitivity of your throw providing settings suitable for all the family.
• 13 x fun, fast party games for the family including all the classics - Killer, Around the Clock, Knockout, Shanghai, Fives and more.
• Play practice darts in the pub with 2 – 4 mates before becoming a Pro.

Dawn of Magic 2 PC video game

Kalypso Media have today announced that they will be publishing the sequel to the highly successful action role-playing game Dawn of Magic. In Dawn of Magic 2 players will again have to save the world from the dreaded Legions of the Shadows.

The sequel is set 10 years after Dawn of Magic. The fragile balance between the forces on Earth has disintegrated. The evil forces won’t leave Earth without a desperate struggle even after the death of the monstrous immortal Modo.

Time is pressing and you have little time to carry out your mission. Use your magical skills and the power of hard steel to defend yourself and save Earth. Are you ready to prevent an invasion by the Legions of Shadows? If so you must start another hazardous journey to the labyrinths of The Other World in Dawn of Magic 2?

Key features

- Comprehensive Action-Role-Playing
- Balanced wizardry system based on 12 schools of magic
- More than 100 spells that can be combined
- Dynamic combat mode using combos, skills and magic
- Dozens of different elaborated characters and monsters
- Advanced NPC system
- Multiple hazardous adventures and fascinating quests
- Atmospheric sounds, speech and music themes

Dawn of Magic 2 will be released this summer for a RRP of £29.99.