Inspired by the Dickens tale re-imagined by Robert Zemeckis, Disney’s A Christmas Carol is an innovative puzzle-adventure game celebrating the spirit of the holidays with a Scrooge twist. The game invites a new generation to connect with the illustrious story & characters like never before and is sure to become a tradition embraced by the whole family. This keepsake from the movie will provide hours of festive entertainment and is destined to be an instant classic.
Key Features
* Manipulate Scrooge’s environments to guide him on his supernatural adventure * Blow and shout into the microphone and use the DS stylus to pull, shake, drag, rattle and tap Scrooge’s world and influence game play * Experience immersive animated cutscenes that unfold like an interactive story book with amazing beauty and detail * Interact with your favorite characters from the film, including Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, Mr Fezziwig, Marley and the three spirits of Christmas * Use the real-time advent calendar to unlock surprises for everyday that you play leading up to Christmas * Sing carols, decorate with holiday ornaments, and cook recipes from the Victorian era * Master over 10 single-player mini-games, plus join a friend for a “pass the DS” multiplayer game
Award-winning film director Spike Lee partners with 2K Sports for NBA 2K10 reveal commercial
2K Sports, the sports publishing label of Take-Two, announced today that 11-time NBA All-Star Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, will be featured as the cover athlete and spokesman for the highly anticipated basketball video game, NBA 2K10.
After leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a remarkable 65-17 regular season record, Bryant’s star power was a natural fit for the 10th anniversary of the hugely popular NBA 2K franchise, the #1 selling basketball video game* and No1 rated NBA simulation **.
“I’ve been playing sports video games for as long as I can remember and honestly, I’ve never seen one come so close to replicating real basketball. What 2K Sports has done is truly incredible and I’m proud to be a partner with them and on the cover of NBA 2K10,” said Bryant, currently seeking his fourth career NBA championship. “2K Sports is constantly improving and adding something new to their game every year that makes them better and better, and that’s exactly what I try to do each season with my game. It’s as if 2K Sports has been on a sports video game championship run for several years now, and I’m not even sure there’s a word for that kind of dominance.”
To support this announcement, 2K Sports brought on legendary, award-winning film director and die-hard New York Knicks fan, Spike Lee, to produce an exclusive TV spot that aired last night to reveal Kobe Bryant as the cover athlete for NBA 2K10. Lee, who recently directed the highly publicized documentary on Kobe Bryant, Kobe Doin’ Work (ESPN Films), is famously known for his intense love and passion for the game of basketball.
“It's quite obvious why 2K Sports put Kobe Bryant on the cover of NBA 2K10, which is the best NBA video game,” said Lee, whose recent documentary on Bryant has earned high praise. “One day Kobe and I will go 1 on 1 playing NBA 2K10.”
In conjunction with the reveal of Bryant as the cover athlete for NBA 2K10, 2K Sports will invite fans to vote on their choice for the official box cover. A dedicated voting site will offer fans a selection of NBA 2K10 box covers to choose from, and the voting period is open now through June 15. The box cover that receives the most votes at the end of the voting period will be unveiled as the cover of NBA 2K10 on June 16th. More information on voting can be found at the official NBA 2K10 voting site, www.2ksports.com/vote.
Bryant’s star power was evident at an early age when he was drafted out of high school in 1996 from Lower Merion HS (PA). He is widely regarded as one of the best players in NBA history. Given the nickname “Black Mamba,” Bryant has won three NBA Championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, was named the Most Valuable Player in the 2007-08 NBA season, and most recently, won a gold medal as a member of the 2008 Summer Olympics U.S. Men’s Basketball Team. During his career, Bryant has also led the league in scoring twice, and has been elected to every All-NBA team since 1999, along with being named to nine All-Defensive teams. Since his second year in the league, Bryant has started in every NBA All-Star Game that has been hosted, including winning the All-Star MVP award in 2002, 2007, and 2009.
Developed by Visual Concepts, NBA 2K10 is not yet rated by the ESRB and will be available this fall for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, Nintendo Wii system from Nintendo, and Windows PC.
For the first time players can experience Tiana’s exciting world set in the jazz-infused era of 1920’s New Orleans with the official video game inspired by the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures release of The Princess and the Frog. Celebrate favorite moments from the movie and take on new challenges with Tiana, as she pursues her dreams in a fun adventure. Meet favorite characters from the film and new friends, triumph over enemies, play frog games in the bayou, create music, cook New Orleans style and so much more. Along the way, discover what it takes to make Tiana’s dreams come true!
Nintendo Wii™ Key Features
* 30 replayable Wii-exclusive mini-games for 1-4 players * Play & move to music, cook New Orleans cuisine, and try on multiple outfits with Tiana & her friends * Collect Mardi Gras beads to trade for new dresses, fabrics, ingredients and recipes * Explore quest hubs with drop-in/drop-out Multiplayer * Discover five beautiful New Orleans hub locations including the French Quarter and the Bayou * Have fun with eight playable characters and multiple NPCs
Nintendo DS™ Key Features
* Play as Tiana and Ray and master the art of platforming as you swing, jump and soar to new heights * Explore 27 beautiful levels set in New Orleans and the Bayou * Go on special quests to find and collect items & ingredients and outsmart enemies along the way * Cook New Orleans cuisine in multiple activities and discover real recipes * Perform music with 1-4 players and save tunes in the game’s jukebox * Use Ray’s special abilities to fly through the Bayou * Includes DGamer™ - the online community exclusively for Disney gamers. Customize unique 3-D avatar, create a persistent profile, chat with friends, share “Princess and the Frog" themed accessories, earn in-game honors and unlock exclusive Disney content
A debut gameplay trailer has been released for Inferno Pool during E3 2009 showcasing the revolutionary new gameplay concept of this brand new PSN / XBLA title. This isn’t Pool as you know it; this is multiplayer mayhem for 1-4 players simultaneously fighting for victory. Alliances will be formed, friends will be betrayed, and the battle isn’t over until the stat screen appears.
With a simple control scheme and silky smooth arcade gameplay, Inferno Poolis easy to pick up and play, while offering tonnes of depth to have serious gamerspulling off outrageous skill shots and unleashing the power of Inferno Mode.
“Just like all the great ‘one more go’ games, it comes straight from the ‘why didn’t I think of that’ drawer.” - PS3Attitude.com
The game includes classic 8 ball and 9 ball Pool modes for 1-2 players, but the real star of the show is the original Inferno Pool mode, where 1-4 local or online players pot as quickly as they can to clear their tables, while firing their potted balls to opponents tables, or stockpiling them for a later onslaught.
“Whether or not you like and indeed play pool, this game will still provide you with an unrivalled amount of multiplayer mayhem and competitive fun” – TheSixthAxis.com
Crazy skill shots such as Multiball, Combo, Kick, Bank and Jump Shots rack up skill points which fill players Inferno Meters. When full this unleashes the devastation of Inferno Mode, where flames fly out of pockets and potting power is doubled.
“The physics are spot on, the controls are super simple yet extremely satisfying and the framerate is consistently 60FPS.” - PushSquare.com
The game also includes a punishing Endurance Mode where players battle to pot against the clock, scalable AI opponents, stunning 60fps HD graphics, online leaderboards and challenging trophies / achievements.
“We have a feeling that, no matter what the social occasion in the future, Inferno Pool will be making an appearance. And we can’t think of a better recommendation than that.” - PS3Attitude.com
“It is an essential purchase from the Playstation Network Store and a demonstration of the quality we should now come to expect from Dark Energy Digital.” - TheSixthAxis.com: 9/10
Inferno Pool is available now on PSN in PAL territories, and will launch shortly on PSN in NTSC regions and on XBLA.
Activision is recruiting gamers to join the battle for world domination in the Battle for the AllSpark V2 web game, launching today at www.TransformersGame.com, the official web site of the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game, developed under license from Hasbro, Inc. Fans that answer the call can join the AUTOBOTS or DECEPTICONS and compete in real time challenges online against other players worldwide, for control of the AllSpark and the fate of the world.
Players create their very own Transformers character, customising the character to suit their playing style. Players then battle online in this game of strategy, choosing from a number of attacks and defences in real time, round-by-round combat. In addition, secret codes that allow players to upgrade their characters will be hidden online.
“The Battle for the AllSpark V2 delivers even more challenges and fun than before for our ever-growing and fervent Transformers gaming community that spawned in 2007 – we are thrilled to invite fans to join the battle again and immerse themselves in the universe prior to the official Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen game launch on June 26th,” said Rob Kostich, head of marketing for licensed properties, Activision Publishing, Inc. “In Battle for the AllSpark V2, players can play as an AUTOBOT or a DECEPTICON, picking their favourite character and customising their abilities on their way to global domination online.”
The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game is based on the upcoming live-action feature film from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures in association with Hasbro, which opens nationwide on 19th June 2009.* The game lets players take on the role of their favourite AUTOBOTS or DECEPTICONS, picking from the largest, most diverse range of playable Transformers – each with their own distinct abilities and weaponry. Set in unique environments across the globe such as Cairo and Shanghai, the game allows players to instantly switch between vehicle and robot modes as they drive, fly, fight and blast their way through intense, pressure-packed levels. After engaging in single player action players, for the first time ever, will be able to go online and battle friends in all-new multiplayer modes.
The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game is currently in development by Luxoflux for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, the Windows PC version is being developed by Beenox Studios, the distinct Wii™ and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system versions are being developed by Krome Studios and the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system version is being developed by Savage Entertainment. All platforms are rated BBFC PG. Two unique AUTOBOT® and DECEPTICON®-specific Nintendo DS™ versions are being developed by Vicarious Visions and are rated PEGI 7+.
Free Lunch Design, the company behind the Internet cult hit Icy Tower today released Icy Tower 1.4. What might seem like an indie release is actually an eagerly anticipated title. The game’s fan base has steadily grown from a handful of enthusiasts to a large international following.
“Currently, the game Icy Tower 1.3.1 is downloaded at least 10 000 times every 24 hours. With the release of Icy Tower 1.4 we are certain the numbers will double” says original creator, Johan Peitz.
Icy Tower 1.4 includes new gorgeous graphics, customizable game play, user profiles and the possibility for users to create their own characters. Currently, the game has over 200 000 Facebook fans, hundreds of user generated videos on Youtube and even several European national teams. The game can be downloaded from the site www.icytower.com which opened today.
Experience grisly monsters, spectacular powers and mysterious battles 'on the go' this fall!
Playlogic, an independent worldwide publisher of entertainment software, announced today that the grisly survival teen horror title Obscure: The Aftermath is coming to the PSP go Portable Game System and will be available for download when the system launches this fall.
“We are thrilled that this critically acclaimed title will be available for the PSPgo when the system makes it debut,” said Rogier Smit, Executive Vice President of Playlogic. “Our talented team has crafted the game to fit the unique co-op capabilities and controls of the PSPgo while also maintaining the exciting gameplay and stunning graphics featured in the original console versions.”
Obscure: The Aftermath, the sequel to 2005’s acclaimed survival horror game Obscure, picks up two years after the terrible events at Leafmore High, following the few teens who survived being trapped inside their school, hunted by monsters and their maniac headmaster. Hoping to put the past behind them, the kids start college at Fallcreek University, but soon discover all is not well as strange black flowers appear all over campus. While experimenting with these flowers, a dangerous substance is discovered that induces hauntingly vivid dreams. Soon the survivors find themselves fighting for their lives—and their sanity—as their nightmares become a horrible reality.
Game features include: Six individually developed characters, all with their own unique skills; Unique co-op mode; second player can join in or drop out at any time; Highly detailed and rich 3D environment; Huge variety of weapons and horrifying monsters; Stunning soundtrack performed by the Boston String Quartet and the Paris Opera’s Children’s choir; User accessible playlist of the musical tracks and FMV cutscenes; Stunning storyboard, artwork and concept art galleries.
Obscure: The Aftermath is rated “M” for mature by the ESRB.
Only recently announced at E3 a few days ago, Left 4 Dead 2 is already causing a stir amongst fans who feel let down by Valve, the development team behind the original and the upcoming sequel. A group of boycotters claim that this sequel is nothing more than a money grabbing opportunity through the success of the original Left 4 Dead game released only 6 months ago.
The group known as ‘L4D2 Boycott (NO-L4D2)’ have set up a protest on the Valve Steam-Software social network system to bring awareness to Valve’s False Promises which the group have also highlighted their issues:
* Significant content for L4D1 was promised, and never delivered. * Valve put little faith in L4D1 since they almost certainly started working on L4D2 right after release. * The fact that L4D2 is nearly identical to L4D1 will decimate the community for both games. * The announced date is not nearly enough time to polish content or make significant gameplay changes. * The new character designs seem bland and unappealing so far. * L4D2 is too bright to fit in with L4D1’s visual aesthetic. * The fiddle-based horde music is extremely disliked, though the differently orchestrated music is otherwise welcome. * L4D2’s release will result in a drop in quality and frequency for L4D1 content, even compared to before. * The community has lost faith in Valve’s former reputation for commitment to their games post-release.
The group currently has almost 4500 members and is expecting to increase these numbers as a protest against not only the lack of content promised for the original, but the quick release of the sequel. Do you think this group are justified in their angry claims at Valve, or should they move on and look forward to the sequel due out Nov 17th, which happens to be a year on from the original ‘Left 4 Dead’ release anyway?
Kalypso Media are happy to unveil the first third of an interview with the developers of Tropico 3. In the first 15 questions Haemimont Games discuss amongst other things - the online part of the strategy game and give insights into diplomacy, weather, natural disasters, production chains and game editors.
Tropico 3 goes back to the roots of the hit strategy series closely following the original Tropico story-line. Tropico 3 is being developed by Haemimont Games who previously developed the popular Imperium Romanum and Grand Ages: Rome for Kalypso Media.
Kalypso Media would like to invite you to their tropical paradise, Tropico 3 – El Presidente is awaiting you this September!
Tropico 3 will be released in September 2009.
TROPICO 3 - Interview with the developers (Part 1)
Kalypso: Is Tropico 3 going to be more complex than its predecessors? Will it still be accessible to casual gamers? Haemimont Games: One of our goals during the development of Tropico 3 was to make the game even more accessible than its predecessors without sacrificing the gameplay elements we all love. While Tropico 3 has cool new features and expanded mechanics in addition to the classic Tropico gameplay, we are confident that the game is still accessible to regular gamers.
Kalypso: Will there be an overview of your people's status (happy/neutral/angry)? Haemimont Games: It is possible to monitor the individual happiness satisfaction of every citizen in several categories. Various overviews summarize this information.
Kalypso: What new edicts will there be? Haemimont Games: Just recently El Presidente firmly denied the rumors of nuclear testing on Tropican land and the establishment of a Secret Police in Tropico - http://twitter.com/el_prez. And, as you know, when the government denies something, it is probably there. Don't tell anyone, but these are two of the new edicts we are working on.
Kalypso: In the multiplayer component, will you be able to visit islands of other presidents and help them with their administration or start trade alliances? Haemimont Games: After the successful completion of any game scenario or player issued challenge, you will have the opportunity to share your country and island online and invite other players to visit it. Visitors have the opportunity to take over and reign in your place after your mandate is over - this is just for fun and doesn't grant score, campaign progress, or any other in-game benefit. This should be the island you are most proud of and you can identify yourself with - the one with the biggest population, the most beautifully decorated, or just the most challenging scenario that you've ever completed. Of course, you are always able to change your mind and invite visitors to another island of yours. There are no trade alliances between players possible.
Kalypso: Since music was such a big and impressive part of the game (more than graphics, which is rare), how will this aspect be handled in Tropico 3? Do you have any plans concerning the soundtrack? Haemimont Games: The music was one of the most important parts of the game's unique identity and we are staying true to the style established by it. Certainly, to feel like Tropico, the game has to sound like Tropico.
Kalypso: Will diplomacy and the education system in this game be expanded upon? Haemimont Games: Veterans from the original Tropico will quickly recognize the base mechanics behind diplomacy and education. Players have to balance the external affairs of their countries between the cold war superpowers USA and USSR, possibly even allying with one of them. A ruler who disregards the foreign politics will receive less foreign aid and may even have to face the threat of an invasion. Diplomatic negotiations will be themes for several missions in the campaign. High-school and college education are still required for prestigious jobs such as doctors, engineers, soldiers, and generals. Qualified foreign experts may be attracted, but it is often better (and cheaper) to educate your own people.
Kalypso: Will there be "political" events such as a world finance crisis? Haemimont Games: Yes, there will be many such events in the game. Furthermore, players will be able to use them to create their own scenarios with the Timeline Editor. Kalypso: Will the weather and/or natural disasters have an effect on the game and what will these effects and disaster be like? Haemimont Games: Various plants require different humidity and soil conditions. The Caribbean winds spread the effects of industrial pollution. There will be various disasters such as earthquakes and tropical storms, but they will function differently than the disasters in the original Tropico. Players will be able to play and create both – scenarios without any disasters and disaster-themed scenarios.
Kalypso: Will your people be able to express their complaints directly to their leader (for example by petition or open letter)? Haemimont Games: Factions will express their major concerns by petitions. Individual people are able to protest, and if their demands are not met they may even become rebels and take arms against the government. El Presidente is finally able to meet the protesters and calm them down personally.
Kalypso: What will the production chains in this game look like? Can you give an example? Haemimont Games: A classic example - Logs are produced from nearby forests by a Logging Camp. While the player is able to export them directly, it is more profitable to convert them to Lumber in a Lumber Mill. Furniture, constructed from Lumber in a Furniture Factory, is an even more lucrative export. Another example would be Oil that is found in two types of deposits – under the sea and on land and may be refined into advanced oil based products.
Kalypso: Will Tropico 3 be presented tongue in cheek like the last one? Haemimont Games: We are currently replacing the hamsters powering our own patented tongue-in-cheek humor generators. We are assured by our finest experts that the new hamsters are of the highest quality, so we hope they will do their job well.
Kalypso: What kinds of new industries (aside from the ones we know from Tropico 1) will we be seeing in the game? Will there be new things to mine? Different kinds of gems for instance? Maybe "advanced" metals such as titanium, or maybe radioactive metals such as uranium/plutonium/radium or even oil that the Superpowers might take a lot of interest in? Haemimont Games: Oil is a new natural resource found both in water and on land. Players will be able to export it or process it into advanced oil based products in their refinery. Prices of oil generally go up over the years, so it is wise to save your oil reserves for later in the game, instead of exploiting them instantly.
Kalypso: Will there be political parties/factions and elections? If so, how will elections be handled? Will there be campaigns, debates or interviews? If there are political parties, will these replace generalized citizen factions, or be in addition to factions? Haemimont Games: There are political factions - the six from the original Tropico and a new one. Factions have leaders and their own agenda, so they may be perceived as a generalization for political parties. Election Speeches are a new feature for Tropico 3 that allows the player to sway voters in his favor before the elections. He is able to make election promises (and bear the consequences from them at the next elections), praise a faction or foreign power, or address a hot issue by blaming it on someone else. Of course, the player will be able to listen to his own election speech just before the elections.
Kalypso: Will there be a trade system with import/export goods? Haemimont Games: Goods export prices change over time. For instance a lucrative trade agreement will adjust the prices of processed goods in the player's favor, but the rumors of a mad cow disease will lower the price of beef. As said before, Oil prices generally go up over the years. Like in the original Tropico, there is no general mechanic for imports.
Kalypso: Are there any plans for building a community through modding and scripting support? How "open" and customizable will Tropico 3 be in this regard? Will you provide an easy to use map editor? Haemimont Games: The timeline editor is a powerful tool allowing users to create their own custom scenarios called challenges. Events in these challenges will be very customizable, right up to the flavor text. So if you want to create a challenge about aliens abducting Tropican citizens, or to recreate a historical event like the Cuban missile crisis, you can now do so. The game will fully support sharing and rating user created scenarios online. The players will be able to customize some aspects of the maps. The Map Generator allows you to quickly create a wide variety of random islands by setting various parameters such as map size, elevation, vegetation and natural resources.
Puzzle master Professor Layton and his apprentice, Luke, have stumbled upon another mystery. It’s up to them to navigate their way through numerous puzzles to determine who – or what – caused the death of Professor Layton’s mentor, Dr. Schrader. Was it the mysterious Elysian Box, rumored to kill all who open it? Professor Layton and Luke find a clue that begins their adventure: a train ticket for the Molentary Express.
New game - with video hereProfessor Layton and the Unwound Future
FEATURES: • Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box features a riveting new mystery and more than 150 new brain teasers, riddles and logic puzzles to challenge and delight players.
• Beyond the puzzles found in the game, players with a broadband Internet connection who connect their Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi™ systems to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection will get access to downloadable bonus puzzles. A new puzzle will be available each week for 33 weeks after the game launches.
• The new game includes a significantly greater amount of voice work and animated movie scenes compared to the original.
Platform: Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi Genre: Puzzle Adventure Players: 1 Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Alcohol Reference and Mild Violence Release: Aug. 24, 2009 Developer: LEVEL-5 Inc. URL: www.Nintendo.com Suggested Retail Price: TBD
