Overlord II playable demo now available from Xbox LIVE

Prepare to take control of a Yeti-hunting, seal-clubbing, wolf-riding team of Minions and create chaos, as Codemasters today announced that the Overlord II playable demo is now available from Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft [UK demo].

Ensuring that all future megalomaniacs will be able to take the Minion horde for a test drive ahead the full game's launch on June 26th†, playable demos for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and PC versions are scheduled to follow in the next week. Gamers can also preview the game's tyrannical treats in the '10 Reasons Why it's Cool to be Evil' video, now playing at www.OverlordGame.com



In the Overlord II demo, players step into the big spiky boots of a new Overlord whose sights are firmly set on becoming the king of chaos, the bringer of evil and the master of Minions. As the demo opens the Overlord, aided and abetted by a team of brown fighter Minions, emerges from his underground lair into the ice caves only to discover a Yeti frozen in a block of ice. The Minions can, in their inimitably violent way, 'defrost' him and then give chase as he knuckles out into the snowy wastes of the Hunting Grounds, near the town of Nordberg.



Then it's time to put the Minions to work, harvesting valuable life-force from the indigenous fauna. Minions will happily lock onto anything in the vicinity - including fluffy seal pups ('Well,' argue the Minions, 'the smelly furballs are eating all the lovely fishies'). There are also Nordburgian Hunters and hippy, peace-loving elves to contend with but, as ever, the Minions aren't fussy who they attack for their master.

To speed their progress, Minions can befriend a pack of wolves and ride them through the snowy landscape like a Minion Cavalry. The wolf-mounted Minion is an altogether tougher force and more deadly - wolves have their own attack moves and will knock enemies off their feet through sheer force, biting and goring opponents into submission.

Discover why being evil has never been so much fun with the Overlord II playable demo, now available from Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

Peregrine video game glove E3 Fact Sheet

The Peregrine is a new way to control PC games. It is a seamless, customizable input device that you wear on your hand in order to better control increasingly complex real-time strategy and massively multiplayer titles.

Gamers who add the Peregrine to their arsenal will gain access to more than 30 actions in the palms of their hands, allowing them to command armies and cast spells with speed, accuracy and comfort.

Features:

› Over 30 actions available at the touch of a finger
› Maximum comfort during long gaming sessions thanks to durable, flexible fabric construction and military-grade conductive traces
› Three sizes to fit the needs of gamers big and small
› Magnetic break-away USB pod so gamers aren’t leashed to their desks
› Customizable faceplate for a unique look
› Premium quality electronics and connectors to ensure a long lifespan
› Full compatibility with any PC game that uses the keyboard

X-Men Origins Wolverine Uncaged Edition downloadable videogame content

The feral fury rages on as Activision announced today that X-Men Origins: Wolverine Uncaged Edition downloadable videogame content is now available for the Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. Inspired by 20th Century Fox’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine, in theaters everywhere, players can now download the Weapon X Arena, a level composed of four unique combat simulators, from Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 800 Microsoft Points and from the PlayStation Store.

Custom Combat Arena
Gamers can spawn any combination of small and large enemies to face combinations not available in standard gameplay, from hordes of grunts they can cut down in seconds to a complex mix of enemies, including a Sentinel Prototype, Jungle Grappler, Machine Gunners and more.

Ladder Challenge
Once players have encountered all enemies in the game, the Ladder Challenge room unlocks, presenting gamers with a preconfigured challenge. Enemy types and numbers start small and ramp up, flooding the room for fifty waves of increasingly difficult combat challenges.

Environmental Simulator
This room includes all the unique environmental weapons in the game, including broken tree branches that can be used as spears, forklift skids to throw enemies toward and computer consoles into which players can smash enemies—to name a few.

The Weapon X Arena also contains a bonus room with heightened enemy reaction effects.

The X-Men Origins: Wolverine videogame is rated “M” (for Mature) by the ESRB on Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, and PLAYSTATION 3.

Chinese 12 Sheng Xiao, the guarding demon of everyone, will come to World of Kung Fu

Do you know Sheng Xiao, the Chinese zodiac? Maybe it’s a fresh word in English world. But in China, everyone has Sheng Xiao as the guarding demon of themselves. When a little baby comes to this world, he will get Sheng Xiao depending on his date of birth.

In Chinese traditional culture, each year has an animal to symbolize. There are totally 12 animals as a rotation: rat, bull, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, cock, dog and pig. They are called 12 Sheng Xiao in China.

Now 12 Sheng Xiao will arrive as pets of players in World of Kung Fu, the popular MMORPG from VestGame Entertainment next week. The pets not only can pick up loots for their owner, but also bless people with nice buff.

Do you know which animal is the guarding demon of you? Here are some years related to different Sheng Xiao. Check the year you were born and get your Sheng Xiao.

Rat: 1948 1960 1972 1984 1996 2008

Bull: 1949 1961 1973 1985 1997 2009

Tiger: 1950 1962 1974 1986 1998

Rabbit : 1951 1963 1975 1987 1999

Dragon : 1952 1964 1976 1988 2000

Snake : 1953 1965 1977 1989 2001

Horse : 1954 1966 1978 1990 2002

Goat: 1955 1967 1979 1991 2003

Monkey : 1956 1968 1980 1992 2004

Cock : 1957 1969 1981 1993 2005

Dog: 1958 1970 1982 1994 2006

Pig: 1959 1971 1983 1995 2007

My Friends Friend Maker Nintendo DS video game out in July

Create your own friends from a massive collection of clothes, accessories and colours. Ever wanted a friend with purple hair, green shoes, who is cool and loves heavy metal?

The possibilities are endless! Lots of funky hats, glasses, clothes and unusual items you can give your friends – it all adds to the fun!

Give your best friend a makeover and then go out and play together!

Once you’ve given your friend a makeover, you can give them a funky new name and then chose different animations and characteristics! And if you don’t like them – you can go back and change them! The happier your friends are, the more games, clothes, accessories and hairstyles you can unlock… you can even unlock new locations to go and explore and play games in! You can share gifts and friends with other Nintendo DS™ owners and also chat with up to three of them via DS Wireless Communications.

This summer, let My Friends take you to a whole new world of fun & games!

Make Friends, Play Games, Have Fun with My Friends, available for Nintendo DS on 31st July 2009.

The Sims re-write the ten commandments - video game screenshots

Brits suggest updated Commandments as they fail to remember, understand or see relevance in many of the traditional ten

New research out today reveals that over a quarter (28 per cent) of 11 to 16 year old British children can’t recite a single one of the Ten Commandments and only six per cent of British adults and children can recite all ten from memory.

Despite traditionally being viewed as the ultimate set of moral standards for society to live by, research conducted by computer game The Sims 3 reveals that many of the commandments are now seen as outdated and irrelevant to modern life in the UK, with the average number Brits can quote from memory only being four out of the 10.

To mark the launch of The Sims 3 on Friday 5th June, the British public has been invited to suggest a new modern day set of Ten Commandments to reflect the world we live in today.

The Ten Commandments Rewritten have been hand carved into two stone tablets (as referred to in the Bible when they were given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai) and will be offered to the Houses of Parliament this week as a benchmark of public opinion about the standards that we should all live by today.

The limestone tablets feature updated versions of six of the traditional commandments that Brits still find relevant to life today but replace the remaining four with the most common themes of over 1,000 suggestions of those polled. Each of the new Ten Commandments uses modern language to help make them more easily understood.
The remaining four new commandments act as a real sign of the times focusing around not being motivated by greed following the MPs’ expenses scandal, not committing acts of terrorism, respecting and protecting the planet, and respecting all people regardless of race, religion or sexuality.

Modernised Traditional Commandments (ranked in order of importance to the British public)
1. Do not kill
2. Do not steal
3. Do not cheat on your partner with another person
4. Do not envy others
5. Respect your parents
6. Do not accuse a person of something they did not do

New Commandments
7. Respect all people regardless of race, religion or sexuality
8. Do not commit acts of terrorism
9. Respect and protect the planet
10. Do not be motivated by greed

Play God
The Sims 3 effectively allows users to ‘play God’. Players become the creators of their own world and the characters that live (or die) within it. They control the lives, personalities and moral conduct of the characters they create. They can then decide whether they choose to ‘play nice’ and give their characters (Sims) happy, prosperous life or to ‘play nasty’ and make things difficult or dangerous.

With this in mind over 1,000 adults and 11 to 16 year olds were quizzed on their knowledge of the Ten Commandments and their opinions on their relevance to modern society, exploring which moral standards actually matter most to modern day Britain.

While the majority of Brits believe that six of the Ten Commandments are still relevant today (ranging from 61 per cent to 91 per cent), around two thirds of the population question the relevance of the remaining four (ranging from 62 per cent to 70 per cent).

Using both traditional and modern wording these four include:
• Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy / You shall remember and keep the Sabbath day holy (only 30 per cent of Brits believe this to still be relevant as people increasingly use Sunday as a day to work and shop)
• Thou shalt have no other gods before me / You shall have no other Gods but me (only 34 per cent of Brits believe this to still be relevant as Brits increasingly adopt other religions and beliefs)
• Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image / You shall not make for yourself any idol, nor bow down to it or worship it (only 34 per cent of Brits believe this to still be relevant as Brits increasingly idolise and ‘worship’ celebrities)
• Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain / You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God (only 38 per cent of Brits believe this to still be relevant as the name ‘God’ is so often used to express irritation or unfairness)

Many school children aged 11 to 16 also fail to understand the traditional wording of several of the Ten Commandments according to the research. These include:
• Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image (only 16 per cent claim to fully understand the meaning)
• Thou shalt have no gods before me (only 24 per cent claim to fully understand the meaning)
• Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s goods (only 25 per cent claim to fully understand the meaning)
• Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain (only 26 per cent claim to fully understand the meaning)
• Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour (only 27 per cent claim to fully understand the meaning)
• Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy (only 29 per cent claim to fully understand the meaning)

Claire Ridley, UK Marketing Manager for The Sims 3 comments:
“The Sims 3 is all about messing with life and making decisions that will affect the lives of each of the characters in the game. Whilst it is ultimately a game, a person’s moral standards will quickly start to show through revealing what sort ‘God’ they will play over their creations.”

In line with The Sims 3, the research also asked what people would be most likely to do if they could ‘play God’ for a day. While eight per cent said that they would help themselves first by making themselves more attractive or wealthy and four per cent said they were use their power to wreak revenge on someone who had done wrong by them in the past, 17 per cent would help improve the lives of friends and family.

However, the overwhelming majority of 65 per cent of Brits would choose to help the world as a whole, such as putting an end to poverty, bringing about world peace and stopping global warming.

While very few people admitted that they would be likely to break any of the Ten Commandments, the ones that people are most likely to break are keeping the Sabbath day holy (38 per cent) misusing God’s name (23 per cent), envying neighbours (19 per cent) and committing adultery (five per cent).

The Sims 3 launches on both PC and Mac formats on Friday 5th June. Photography is available on request.
ENDS
For further information please contact Laura Bonney & Daisy Swan at Mischief PR on ea@mischiefpr.com or on 0207 100 9999.

To find out more about The Sims 3 visit www.gb.thesims3.com.

More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at www.electronicarts.co.uk/press

Notes to editors
The Sims 3 used the independent online research company Fly Research who surveyed over 1,000 adults and children in the UK, from across the country aged 11 and over, in May 2009.

When conducting the following wording of the traditional Ten Commandments was used:
• Thou shalt have no other god before me
• Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain
• Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image
• Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy
• Honour thy father and thy mother
• Thou shalt not kill
• Thou shalt not commit adultery
• Thou shalt not steal
• Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour
• Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s goods

Fireteam Mode launched for Combat Arms video game in Europe

Nexon Europe unveils today the anticipated new Fireteam mode for its popular free-to-play online first-person-shooter, Combat Arms Europe.

Unlike previous missions, Fireteam is a cooperative based mission and pits four to eight players against the ‘Sand Hog’, a computer-controlled enemy terrorist army, in an intense multi-staged hostage rescue mission. Players can choose from three different difficulty degrees (Normal, Hard and Extreme) and are further challenged with a limited amount of HP and ammunition.

Both can be replenished by picking up ammos and medical kits dropped by fallen enemies, or by reaching certain checkpoints which will also revive fallen teammates.

The goal of the mission is to clear all of the stages before the mission timer runs out, and each game is individually scored based on the player’s performance.

The ‘Sand Hog’ is a terrorist military organization suspected of illegally supplying weapons to nearby countries. An infiltration team sent in earlier had signaled that it had obtained some vital Intel, but failed to make it to the extraction point and is now believed to be captured or killed. The mission is now for players to infiltrate the area and gather the necessary Intel, and if possible, find and rescue the infiltration team.

"Are You Smarter Than A 10 Year Old?" Comes to the mobile phone!

Are You Smarter Than A 10 Year Old? The hit Sky one quiz show is now available for your mobile phone.
Reminisce about your old school days and test your skills in 15 different subjects ranging from History and Maths to Geography and English. Will you be brave enough to answer the questions alone or will you rely on your 10 year old classmates to help you out?

Choose carefully as each classmate has different strengths and weaknesses. Answer 11 questions to avoid the humiliation of having to admit “I am not smarter than a 10 year old!

Biggest Loser video game Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS Exclusive

THQ announce The Biggest Loser interactive health and fitness video game is currently in development exclusively for Wii and Nintendo DS and is scheduled for release this fall. The Biggest Loser video game is based on the highly rated NBC television show and will feature the expertise of trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels who will provide comprehensive workouts and nutrition goals to help players transform their lives through diet and exercise. The video game will also include Alison Sweeney, host of The Biggest Loser TV show. The Biggest Loser video game is being developed and released through a license agreement with NBC Universal Television, DVD, Music and Consumer Products Group and Reveille LLC.

“NBC’s The Biggest Loser show has transformed so many lives across the globe,” said Randy Shoemaker, vice president, global brand management, THQ. “The Biggest Loser video game will help Nintendo players everywhere achieve that same success at home. The video game offers fun, innovative work-out routines and functions as a complete, personalized health and fitness experience, giving players the tools they need to change their bodies and change their lives.”

“The hardest part of getting in shape and staying fit is knowing what to do, as well as maintaining the desire to stick with it,” said Bob Harper, The Biggest Loser trainer. “The Biggest Loser video game incorporates years of research and proven results taken from The Biggest Loser television show. This program offers personalized fitness and nutrition goals to give players the tools they need to lose weight and keep it off. ”

“We are really proud to be able to introduce this video game as part of the great line of product affiliated with ‘The Biggest Loser,’” said Kim Niemi, Senior Vice President, NBC Universal Television, DVD, Music and Consumer Products Group. “This video game presents an opportunity for the whole family to exercise and get fit, while having fun together.”

"The Wii is the perfect video game platform for The Biggest Loser, as it encourages activity and motivation,” said Mark Koops, Managing Director at Reveille, the production company behind The Biggest Loser. “The video game not only offers a really fun way to work out, but it also provides users with an effective weight loss tool to help them meet their personal goals. It is a perfect complement to our existing Biggest Loser lifestyle products."

About The Biggest Loser Video Game

The Biggest Loser video game is a fun and engaging way for players to get in shape and maintain their ideal fitness. Set at The Biggest Loser ranch, players can take The Biggest Loser challenge and compete in 4, 8 or 12 week programs against former contestants from the television show, or workout with a friend to form a support system to see who really is The Biggest Loser. Players will work-out to a series of structured routines with special weekly challenges, weigh-ins and eliminations, or they can even create their own workouts. Workouts include upper, lower and core body exercises, as well as cardio and yoga exercises. Progress is documented on a calendar that keeps track of in-game achievements, upcoming training and weigh-in dates. Players can also receive credit for any progress made while not playing the video game, such as going for a walk or a bike ride.

The video game also features 50 healthy recipes from the BiggestLoserClub.com and The New York Times best-selling book series The Biggest Loser to help users learn how to eat right for optimal weight loss. Throughout the Wii workout program, suggestions and tips from contestants and trainers will also help guide players as they transform their lives via diet and exercise. The video game also features an interactive calorie counter that tracks what players are eating and recommends their daily intake based on individual goals.

When paired together, the Wii and Nintendo DS games become powerful training partners with the Nintendo DS serving as a portable tool that can be used to count calories, as well as serve up healthy recipe suggestions on the go. Players can take their ‘trainer’ with them for food, exercise and diet tips that encourage them to stick to their fitness goals no matter where they are. To find out more information on The Biggest Loser video game, go to www.biggestloserthegame.com.

About The Biggest Loser
The first reality series where everybody "loses," The Biggest Loser challenges and encourages overweight contestants to shed pounds in a safe and recommended manner through comprehensive diet and exercise as they compete for a grand prize of $250,000. Hosted by Alison Sweeney (Days of our Lives), the series provides the contestants with challenges, temptations, weigh-ins and eliminations until the final contestant remains to claim the title of "the biggest loser." Each team works out under the supervision of professional trainers Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper. The Biggest Loser is a production of Reveille LLC, 25/7 Productions and 3 Ball Productions.

Beyond the U.S. where more than 100 episodes of the show have aired, The Biggest Loser has become a worldwide hit appearing in over 90 countries and produced in 25 countries. Since its debut in 2004, The Biggest Loser has grown to become a standalone health and lifestyle brand by developing tools and products inspired by the show and approved by its doctors and experts. Anchored by the online, subscription-based extension of the show, Biggestloserclub.com, The Biggest Loser Meal Plan, The New York Times best-selling books series, best-selling fitness DVD series, a line of appliances, fitness equipment, protein supplements and countless other health and lifestyle based products, The Biggest Loser consumer products program has generated over $50 million in spending with presence at more than 25,000 major retailers to date. The Biggest Loser was recognized as a top brand of the year in Advertising Age’s 2008 Marketing 50.

Metal Gear Solid - PeaceWalker PSP video game breaks cover

Hideo Kojima?s classic series returns with new story and gameplay mechanics in exclusive new title for PSP
Konami announce an all-new Metal Gear Solid title for PSP (PLAYSTATION PORTABLE), entitled Metal Gear Solid: PeaceWalker. Designed as a full sequel to Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, the PSP title offers an unique, new game system and an original story from series creator Hideo Kojima.
Developed by the legendary Hideo Kojima - the mastermind behind the most successful video game tactical-espionage series of all time - this latest PSP® installment picks up where Metal Gear Solid 3 left off. Players take control of the famed Snake, in a thrilling story set in 1974.

Metal Gear Solid: PeaceWalker features original game design, story and scenario by Hideo Kojima. Scheduled to launch in 2010, the game takes the series in an exciting new direction with its incredible visuals and its unique new game system designed specifically with the PSP in mind. Additionally, both download and boxed copy will be available.

"With Metal Gear Solid: PeaceWalker, Kojima Productions has once again pushed the limits of the PSP system, creating a beautiful sequel to Metal Gear Solid 3," said Martin Schneider, European Marketing Director for Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH. "Metal Gear Solid: PeaceWalker lets players take the action and excitement of a console game to the PSP, and is a stunning addition to MGS Lore."