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.

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.