East India Company PC video game Developer Diary Launches

Developer Nitro Games Gives Fans a Hands-On Look at the Upcoming PC Titles Features and Game Play

Paradox Interactive today announced the release of the first video developer diary for the upcoming PC title East India Company. This first entry is part of an ongoing series to be released bi-weekly on GameSpot during the time leading up to the games launch.

In the video developer diaries, lead designer Kim Soares of Nitro Games will give viewers a glimpse of East India Companys extensive features and share insights from the development process.

The first episode of the East India Company developer dairy is an overview of the game. In the entry, Soares explains how players will use battles and trade management to rule nations from Europe to the Far East. He also reveals the three primary view points available in the game: strategic level, which provides an overview of the world map, port level, which displays the seaport for a particular destination and tactical level, which shows a sea level view of naval battles.

Explaining Nitro Games motivation behind creating the video developer diary, Soares said,
“The East India Company community is growing rapidly and the thing we hear the most is show us in-game material. These videos were created as a response to that request, giving players a good overview of the different aspects of East India Company by showing them how things work in the game.”

To watch the first video developer diary for East India Company, please visit:
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/eastindiacompany/video/6209550/

East India Company scheduled for release in Q3 2009 and will be published worldwide by Paradox Interactive. The PC title will be available for digital download on leading digital distribution platforms.

About East India Company
East India Company is a naval war strategy game based on the 18th century East India Companies. Players will attempt to build the world’s most powerful trading empire in a breathtaking cinematic environment. Offering both single and multiplayer modes, players will fight, manage and rule nations from Europe to the Far East using a wide array of ship classes. The game will feature fierce naval battles and direct command of individual ships.

Aliens in the Attic coming to a Video Game Console in July 2009

Playlogic and Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising to release the action-adventure game based on the soon-to-be released film. Playlogic Entertainment and Twentieth Century Fox announce that Aliens in the Attic, the family friendly, action–adventure video game based on the Twentieth Century Fox movie, will be available in retail stores across Europe, starting July — in advance of the film’s release across European territories.

The new game will be available for the Wii system, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and Windows PC.

The Aliens in the Attic video game will follow the storyline of the adventure-comedy film about a group of kids on a family vacation who must stave off an attack by knee-high alien invaders with world-conquering ambitions; all while trying to keep their parents from finding out! The video game will offer players two different gameplay perspectives depending upon which video game platform players choose.

“Aliens in the Attic provides endless hours of fun for the whole family,” said Rogier Smit, executive vice president for Playlogic. “Fox has created a movie full of heart-pumping action, thrills, comedy and good old fashion entertainment and we’ve translated those features right into the gameplay.”

Aliens in the Attic for DS puts players in the shoes of the movie’s main characters; Tom, Hannah and their cousin Jake. Players will use the children’s abilities – Hanna’s jump skill, Tom’s engineering skills and Jake’s weapon knowledge – to rid the planet, and the upstairs, from the nasty invaders. This action packed version of the game features multiple levels within each beautifully designed gameplay area and is loaded with boss fights, tons of puzzle elements and a variety of weapons to choose from including grenades and a customizable gun.

Aliens in the Attic for Wii, PS2 and PC gives players a whole new way to experience the storyline by allowing them to assume the identity of one of four different alien explorers whose mission it is to take over the summer home, and possibly the world! This version of the game features 15 exciting levels that are carried out in four different locations. Plus, players can switch between characters on the fly for fast-paced action!

“Aliens in the Attic is a great summer family film and provides a storyline that is perfect for gaming,” said Gary Rosenfeld, Senior Vice President, New Media for Fox Licensing. “Playlogic has created a game that will extend the film experience for gamers of all ages.”

Aliens in the Attic the movie, co-scripted by one of the writers of Madagascar and the Academy Award-winning Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were Rabbits, is an adventure/comedy about kids on a family vacation who must fight off an attack by knee-high alien invaders with world-destroying ambitions—while the youngsters' parents remain clueless about the battle.

1942 - Joint Strike and Wolf of the Battlefield - Commando 3 Soundtracks Now Available on iTunes

Two action-packed soundtracks from the GEM Impact team available on iTunes as of April 14, 2009

GEM Impact, Inc. announced today that the soundtracks for both 1942: Joint Strike and Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 were released today on the iTunes music store by Sumthing Else Music Works.

Developed by Backbone Entertainment and published by Capcom Entertainment, the two retro remakes paid homage to their original franchises not only through their intense action-oriented gameplay, but also through their memorable and in some cases retro soundtracks.

The 1942: Joint Strike Original Soundtrack and Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 Original Game Soundtrack each feature over thirty minutes of original music that spans a variety of styles, from hybrid electronic/orchestral tracks to upbeat orchestral takes on classic themes from the NES. The scores also stand out as successful collaborations between composers in Japan and Western developers.

“Just when I was thought that fans of these games would never get the opportunity to hear the music outside of the gameplay experience, an official release finally became possible,” comments Hibino, CEO and composer at GEM Impact. “It was an honor to have had the opportunity to collaborate with such a talented team of developers in the United States on these classic Japanese franchises, and we feel we were successful in bridging the gap between Japan in the United States to create two excellent games with fitting soundtracks and a worldwide appeal.”

The 1942: Joint Strike Original Soundtrack is currently available on the iTunes music store for $7.92 USD while the World of the Battlefield: Commando 3 Original Game Soundtrack is available for $6.93 USD.

Free trial download Crystal Defenders Vanguard Storm on iPod Touch and iPhone

The latest iPhone/iPod touch game, CRYSTAL DEFENDERS VANGUARD STORM, is now available for download in 77 countries worldwide via App Store. The second original title in the CRYSTAL DEFENDERS series, VANGUARD STORM marks the return of exciting handheld “defensive simulation” to the iPhone/iPod touch.

To protect their armies’ crystals from the ever-advancing monster hordes, players must master the simple, yet innovative new control system made possible by the iPhone/iPod touch’s hands-on interface.

About CRYSTAL DEFENDERS VANGUARD STORM
Platform iPhone/iPod touch
Genre Defensive Simulation
Release Date May 13, 2009
Price iPhone/iPod touch €3.99/£2.99 available worldwide via App Store
*The free trial version, CRYSTAL DEFENDERS VANGUARD STORM Lite, is also available for download

In VANGUARD STORM, players must scramble to strategically position units into various formations in order to prevent encroaching monster hordes from breaking through the front lines and stealing the army's crystals. This high-paced defensive simulation (tower defence) game employs a real-time turn system in which reading the battlefield and determining optimal locations for each allied unit before the turn counter is spent are crucial for victory.

As with CRYSTAL DEFENDERS, VANGUARD STORM also features jobs from the popular FINAL FANTASY TACTICS A2 - Grimoire of the Rift. Whether engaging in a concentrated attack or a gradual, widespread assault, players must constantly adjust battle formations in order to best take advantage of their units' individual abilities. In addition to jobs geared towards offensive manoeuvres, there are also jobs which support or enhance other units. White Mages can restore an injured ally's HP, while Bishops can increase a nearby unit's attack power.

Finally, the monsters of VANGUARD STORM come in all different shapes and sizes. Some tread upon the ground, while others attack from the skies. Some even have resistances to certain types of attacks. To ensure victory, players must recognize these traits and then adjust battle formations accordingly; pitting melee-oriented jobs such as Soldiers against monsters that resist magick, or Archers against aerial enemies.

The Agency video game on PS3 and PC Fact Sheet

The Agency is a fast-paced, action shooter set in an online persistent worldóa modern setting of bullets, bomb blasts, and betrayal. Live the life of an elite agent in a world of superspies and rugged mercenaries, who use both high technology and low tactics to accomplish their missions and goals. Featuring cooperative and competitive play, The Agency is designed to provide instant action and long-term strategy for all fans of espionage, intrigue, and explosive gameplay on the PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) and PC.

Live the Life of an Elite Agent: The Agency requires spy world skills in combat, stealth, and style. Players jet around the globe to exotic locales picking up intel, forming networks and taking out criminal masterminds for a multitude of unique missions with numerous goals. With gameplay ranging from sneaky infiltration to all out firefight assaults, there's something for every aspiring agent.

Fun Now, No Waiting: The Agency blends the action of shooter gameplay with the persistence of an online virtual world. At any point, PS3 or PC players can jump right in and frag opponents in head-to-head combat or advance the ranks in a rich story packed with exciting missions.

Mercenary or Spy - the Choice is Yours: Operate as a slick super spy or a gritty mercenary, administering arms deals, executing assassinations, managing espionage, counter intelligence, and more. Collect the right weaponry, gadgets, gear, attire and aliases to gain access to numerous locales and influence over the people within them.

Put Operatives to work: Operatives are collectible non-player characters who provide the goods and services players desire, and the in-mission support to keep them alive. Operatives work 24/7 to help players concentrate on the mission at hand. Trade them with friends or sell them to the highest bidder.

Build Your Own Agency: As players advance through the ranks of their faction, they'll also begin building their own Agencies. Players increase their power even further by creating Joint Agencies with others.

Title: The Agency
Genre: Online Action Shooter
Platform: PLAYSTATION 3 and PC
Rating: RP

Blending and Layering - the Art of Sound Design in zOMG video game

dSonic gives a behind-the-scenes look at the sound design methods they applied to Gaia's Interactive's hybrid monsters in zOMG!.

dSonic gave a behind-the-scenes look at the sound design for Gaia Interactive's MMORPG, zOMG!. After finishing work on 2K's award winning Bioshock, dSonic's sound design team turned its attention to zOMG!. The game's creatures are hybrids of living and non-living objects and dSonic co-founder, Kemal Amarasingham, revealed some of the methods behind blending the two.

Amarasingham explained, "The most difficult aspect of sound design is finding the right base sounds for each creature, so that when they're all processed and layered, they blend well and sound natural. Blending was particularly important for us while working on zOMG! because of the hybrid nature of the monsters." To get the effect of a creature sounding mechanical-real, as opposed to just mechanical, dSonic's sound designers adopted leading edge techniques like morphing and convolution.

Kemal Amarasingham used the sound design for the Mosquito Clock as an example of his team's work in the game and said that when players hear this monster in attack mode, they will hear five different sounds combined to make up the movement sequence: 1) a clank sound for the mechanical body, 2) a buzzing sound reminiscent of mosquito wings flapping, 3) a clock mechanism winding up and down as the antennas go around, 4) the ding of an alarm clock when the antenna arms strike twelve o?clock, and 5) a sonic wave (the attack itself).

The Mosquito Clock is but one of 36 monsters and characters in the zOMG! world. Amarasingham added "We strived for originality and to bring out the story in the sound of every creature in the game. We hope that by doing so we have added to the richness and the depth of zOMG!"

The Dracula Files, a new hidden object adventure game

Casual games developer and publisher eGames announce the ongoing development of The Dracula Files, a new hidden object adventure game franchise pitting a new generation of vampire hunters against the resurrected lord of the undead. With an anticipated launch in late summer 2009, versions of the first installment of The Dracula Files are currently planned for PC, Nintendo DS, and Wii.

“We are extremely pleased with the level of enthusiasm our publishing and portal partners have expressed for The Dracula Files since introducing early versions of the game at the Game Developers Conference,” said eGames VP Sales and Marketing Rich Siporin. “We look forward to sharing the game’s progress with casual game fans everywhere through our social media campaign.”

As part of The Dracula Files launch campaign, popular casual game review site Gamezebo.com will host a bi-weekly developer blog beginning this week. Additional updates on the game will be provided on The Dracula Files Twitter page at www.twitter.com/draculafiles and Facebook page.

With the reemergence of the bloodthirsty count after 100 years, The Dracula Files finds the descendants of the Harker and Van Helsing families banding together once more to contest the lord of the vampires. Spanning the globe in search of cursed objects and holy relics, the reluctant heroes will face werewolves, vampires, poltergeists, and more in their quest to return Dracula to the grave forever.

“We are excited to introduce a unique spin on the Dracula legend to casual game and vampire enthusiasts everywhere,” said eGames Product Manager and designer Greg Zesinger. “Through the ongoing developer diary on Gamezebo, Twitter, and Facebook pages, we look forward to interacting with our fans and introducing them to the diabolical Vladimir Draco. We recommend gamers start sharpening their stakes and gathering garlic now, because Draco and his minions will soon be on the prowl.”

Star Trek D-A-C video game on Xbox LIVE for download

Paramount, Bad Robot, CBS and Naked Sky announce that Star Trek - D-A-C is now available for download on Xbox LIVE Arcade for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Inspired by the new “Star Trek” film now playing in theatres worldwide, Star Trek: D-A-C is a fast-paced, top-down space shooter where players take the captain’s chair and engage in intense online multi-player or co-op battles. Players will choose between Romulan and Federation Starships including the all-new U.S.S. Enterprise.

“Fans of the new ‘Star Trek’ film can now experience the excitement that made the movie a worldwide sensation in their own living rooms through fierce Star Trek: D-A-C multiplayer battles,” said Tom Lesinski, President of Paramount Digital Entertainment. “Rather than retelling the story of the blockbuster film, Star Trek: D-A-C lets gamers boldly go into deep space on Xbox LIVE Arcade and seize their own intergalactic triumphs.“

Star Trek: D-A-C allows fans to directly control a variety of ships and pitch battles between Starfleet and the Romulan Empire. Up to 12 players can compete in thrilling multiplayer team combat. Star Trek: D-A-C features three game play modes: Single player, online multiplayer and online co-op. For each mode, there are three different game types: Team Deathmatch, Assault and Conquest. Players can choose from three ship types for each faction, including the new U.S.S. Enterprise featured in the “Star Trek” film. Each ship – the powerful Flagship, the nimble Fighter and the devastating Bomber – offers its own unique capabilities for players to master and manipulate as they fight for victory. Star Trek: D-A-C also incorporates music and signature sounds taken directly from the new “Star Trek” film.

City Racer Nintendo DS racing video game Fact File

Candella Systems Ltd and Rega Interactive are pleased to announce City Racer DS, a pure arcade racing game for the Nintendo DS.

The game is set in real-world cities and locations in North America, Europe and Africa such as...

• London
• San Francisco
• Washington D.C
• Berlin
• Paris
• Rome
• Cairo

Armed with an array of stylish and powerful cars, players can whiz past famous real-world monuments such as the Tower Bridge, London Eye, Palace of Westminster, Buckingham Palace, the Gherkin, the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe.
While competing in single player Quick Race, Time Trial or City Racer DS Championship modes, players can marvel at the awe inspiring beauty of the White House, Capitol Hill, the Giza pyramids, the Sphinx, the Brandenburg Gate, the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the St. Peter's Basilica. The game also features local and internet multiplayer.

The salient features of City Racer DS include:

• 10 different cars with varying speed and handling
• 7 different real-world cities and locations in North America, Europe and Africa
• Quick Race, Time Trial and Championship single player modes
• Local and internet multiplayer
• Single cartridge dual player multiplayer
• Contemporary music sound track

Magician's Quest Mysterious Times RPG for Nintendo DS

Become the greatest magician of all time by solving mysteries and travelling through an epic adventure in the most immersive simulation game on Nintendo DS Konami reveale a trailer and details from the upcoming real-time adventure title Magician's Quest Mysterious Times for Nintendo DS. Magician's Quest Mysterious Times is a unique combination of adventure and simulation RPG. Players are tasked with attending classes at Magic Academy while learning the mysteries of magic and the art of casting spells while building relationships with other students.

As players attend classes, they'll be immersed in a living, breathing world where time progresses as it does in the real world, and each week, player's skills are put to the test in a new magical adventure. Using their spell casting abilities and unique interactions with other characters and their surroundings, players are confronted with puzzles and adventures that will challenge their skill.

Magician's Quest Mysterious Times contains over 50 mysterious events and introduces a variety of unique characters. These events and characters will challenge you as a magician both in your spell casting abilities and by figuring out the challenge through a series of correct responses and actions. Below are a few event examples and a few advanced tips on how players can solve them:

Sphinx: Journey to Magic Academy where you'll be met by the Sphinx. There he will ask you a question which you must answer correctly. Upon answering the question correctly or not, the Sphinx will move to a different location where you'll have to find him. Once you find him, you can cast a spell to make it rain which requires you have aquamarine in your possession. The Sphinx moves again. Find him and cast the rainbow spell which requires you have turquoise in your possession. The Sphinx moves again. Find him and cast the spell to make it rain flowers, which requires you to have the marguerite flower in your possession. This will complete the challenge.

Death: Head down to the Post Office where you'll need to speak with Thom, the post office worker to trigger the event. Once you do, Death will appear. Death is there to take Thom's soul and your job is to save it. Death will play a song called "That's Soul". You then need to go into town and buy the CD that has that song on it, return and give it to Death in exchange for Thom's soul. This will complete the challenge.

Martian: Mysterious Time begins and you'll be thrust into an environment where you'll be greeted by a Martian. He'll speak in his mystery language which you'll need to figure out to answer his questions. When he asks you his second question, answer "no". Once you do so you'll need to hand him the Flower of Skull which you must have in your possession. This will complete the challenge.

Dragon: Walk all the way to the back of the cave where you meet the dragon. He's stuck in the cave because he can't fly. After he speaks, go to the spell casting screen and select the "greeting" icon. Then he'll ask you to give him 3 kinds of medicine which require 3 different items: Freaky Frog Fat, Ancient Dragon Scale and Mandragona Root. You'll need to watch him for some time to make sure he's okay. After the last of the medicine the dragon will thank you which will complete the challenge.

Nessie: Nessie lives deep in the cave, after he speaks go to the spell casting screen and select the "greeting" icon. Nessie will retreat back into the lake and you'll have to leave the cave. Enter again and Nessie reappears, asking you if you've brought him an item. You'll need to give Nessie a fish 4 times, after which, Nessie will thank you. Next, Nessie will demand a song and you'll have to whistle until Nessie thanks you and says goodbye. This will complete the challenge.