Space War Commander Now DRM Free

Space War Commander made a splash earlier this year as a unique RTS experience. It drew critical and popular praise as a ‘casual time investment with a hardcore strategy payoff’. Now, Dreamspike Studios, the developers of Space War Commander, are announcing a DRM free version of the game available at their website www.dreamspike.com. Dreamspike Studios wants maximize the fun for its loyal fans.

Space War Commander is available from the Dreamspike Studios website as well as other popular online venues like Direct2Drive. Players will experience a depth of strategy unavailable in other RTS titles as they run blockades, foil enemy plans, and defeat vastly superior forces through the power of the mind. Space War Commander: your mind against the universe!

Stay tuned for the upcoming announcement of Dreamspike’s new project.

Risen video game Fact Sheet and screenshots video

Deep Silver, the games label of Koch Media, a leading producer and distributor of digital entertainment products, and developer Piranha Bytes announced the launch of the first level of the official experience website http://risen.deepsilver.com for Risen. More content will be made available before the release of the game.

Just like Risen, the new RPG from Piranha Bytes, the website offers different approaches for mastering the challenges that players encounter. From the beach, a path leads into a dense tropical forest – what dangers may lurk there, and where is the best direction to turn?



By keeping a close eye on their surroundings, players can discover all kinds of secrets here. Wild beasts and odd creatures haunt the twisted paths that lead deep into the interior of the island. Watch out, or you may be in for a nasty surprise!

The already familiar Risen blog, which provides topical news about the development of the game, is also continued and keeps offering fans all kinds of information from the world of Risen.

About Risen:

This epic role playing game is set in a medieval world on a volcanic Mediterranean island, The “Risen” story unfolds over four chapters and will offer multiple ways to develop the story by his own actions and decisions. An innovative and intuitive user control interface will support both casual and hardcore gamers. With full world streaming support, the player will have a seamless experience while playing in a fully simulated game world with authentic characters.

Risen will be released for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC.

Project Natal will NOT be released as an add-on for Xbox 360

The report emerges from discussions on the site's podcast and concludes, "Microsoft will not only release Natal as an add-on for the Xbox 360, it will come standard with the next Xbox console.

"Yes, there will be a new Xbox console next fall."



To be so assured either means that either there is some serious inside information being fed via the kind of leak so hated by SCEA head, Jack Tretton, or rumour and speculation following E3 has reached fever pitch in one part of the world.

Adding flesh to the bone of the new Xbox Natal story, we're informed, "...we wouldn't be talking about the sort of hardware leap we've seen with Xbox (or most other) platforms in the past, and we're not talking about Microsoft ending one console cycle and starting another.

"The new Xbox console is said to be aimed directly at a mainstream audience -- and will launch before Nintendo is able to release its Wii HD. "

Read the full post at 1UP here...

Gamezplay comment - From the stills at the end of the video I doubt this information!

Beta testers wanted for Shattered Horizon video game

Futuremark Games Studio today announced that they are seeking PC gamers to test their zero gravity first-person shooter, Shattered Horizon. Gamers can sign up for the private beta test at the official website.

http://www.shatteredhorizon.com

Shattered Horizon, first announced at the Leipzig Games Convention last year, sees players fight to survive in the aftermath of a catastrophic Moon mining accident that throws billions of tons of rocky debris into near-Earth space. Futuremark has released two new screenshots showcasing the game's unique zero gravity environments.

"Playing a multiplayer FPS in zero gravity offers gameplay possibilities that simply cannot be found in conventional shooters," said Antti Summala, Lead Game Designer at Futuremark Game Studios. "I invite every gamer looking for an FPS that offers something new and different to sign up for our beta test."

The beta is open to PC gamers from North America and Europe aged 18 and above. The minimum hardware requirements are Windows Vista, DirectX 10 graphics card, dual core processor, Steam account and a broadband Internet connection. No previous beta testing experience is necessary, just enthusiasm and time to play.

Beta testers wanted, sign up now: www.shatteredhorizon.com

VidZone the new Playstation 3 Spotify?

Sony have launched its new VidZone service for PlayStation 3 users in the UK – and whilst the release has been met with little fanfare, those who have downloaded and tried it are already chalking VidZone up as a potential system seller.

For those unfamiliar with VidZone, think Spotify with videos and you’re more or less there. For those of you unfamiliar with Spotify, here's how it all works.

Both services allow users to select any songs from their sizable database – VidZone, for instance, already has 10,000 songs available to view. Once a selection of songs has been made to form a playlist, users then sit back and listen/watch their chosen music.

Both technologies rely on media streaming, so no content is downloaded or stored, alleviating any possible DRM concerns.

It’s all completely free, too, with the makers monetizing everything via banner ads, or in Spotify’s case, two minute adverts at regular intervals.

There have been some sporadic complaints of streaming issues with the VidZone servers, but it’s always hard to be sure where the problem lies – with Sony or with people’s home internet connections. The widespread problems with SingStar’s online elements are leading to many pointing the finger at Sony, however, but at least that means the problem could well be addressed.

And in the interest of fairness, there are plenty of users reporting a faultless service.

With SingStar already proving to be one of the nation’s favourite party games, VidZone is an absolutely ideal choice for any party thrower. So much so, in fact, that Sony really should be throwing more marketing weight behind it.

Source: Casual gaming

Criterion developed Need for Speed is in the works

John Pleasants, CEO of EA, has confirmed, during the William Blair Stock Conference, that Need for Speed is being created by Criterion Games (Burnout fame).

So will it be a Burnout clone or a totally new Need for Speed experience. we'll have to wait and see...

Hello Kitty gets a Brazilian...

Sanrio Digital based in Hong Kong and Boston, and online games publisher GameMaxx based in São Paulo, today announced they have partnered to launch Hello Kitty Online in Brazil. Hello Kitty Online is the official massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that features the beloved global icon along with Sanrio’s other lovable characters.

Under the terms of the agreement, GameMaxx will manage online publishing, i-café distribution, and game service operations of Hello Kitty Online in Brazil. GameMaxx will also operate a Brazilian edition of SanrioTown, the community and social networking site integrated with Hello Kitty Online.

“Sanrio Digital is very excited to partner with GameMaxx to bring Hello Kitty Online to our fan base in Brazil. The rapid growth of free-to-play games and social media in Brazil suggests an ideal market for the social networking integration between Hello Kitty Online and SanrioTown,” said Robert Ferrari, Vice President of Publishing & Business Development of Sanrio Digital.

“GameMaxx is proud to partner with Sanrio Digital to introduce Hello Kitty Online and SanrioTown to online gamers in Brazil. We are confident that the game’s brand appeal, unique design, and social networking features will result in high demand across the region among female online gamers,” said Gilberto Akisino, Chief Executive Officer of Gamemaxx.

Hello Kitty Online is launching in various territories throughout 2009, using a free-to-play model with optional premium upgrades. Players will undertake exhilarating adventures and interact with other players and over a hundred Sanrio characters including Hello Kitty, Badtz-Maru™, My Melody, and many others. Backed by Sanrio’s highly successful intellectual property, Hello Kitty Online is one of the few MMORPG titles that targets a primarily female gaming audience. As she celebrates her 35th Anniversary in 2009, Hello Kitty continues her expansion with a presence in all multi-media platforms and new markets.

PlayStation 3 sells slower than ORIGINAL Xbox and just faster than Gamecube!

Nintendo Wii is the fastest selling home console in the US, with PlayStation 3 selling slower than the original Xbox and only slightly faster than Nintendo's old GameCube.

You might have noticed in the May NPD report that the Nintendo Wii had surpassed 20 million units in the US, officially becoming the fastest selling home video games console in the region.

At the same 31 month mark in April 2003, the PlayStation 2 had achieved 17,360,000, whereas the Nintendo Wii has achieved 20,203,581, according to numbers provided by the NPD Group

After 31 months on the market the Xbox 360 had achieved 10,267,000 units, with the console now reaching 15,240,286 after 43 months. This compares favourably to Microsoft's first Xbox effort, which reached 8,901,402 units at 31 months and 12,200,000 after 43.

As for the PlayStation 3, Sony's latest console is now at 7,749,396 after 31 months on the US market. This is less than the original Xbox and only slightly larger than the GameCube in May 2004 (7,473,241). When compared to the PlayStation 2's 17,360,000 it's an especially sorry sight, emphasising the need for a PS3 price-cut, which is expected in August.

Alan Wake video game Fact Sheet and trailer

Bringing a new style of storytelling to Xbox 360, "Alan Wake" is a psychological action thriller from Remedy, the renowned developers of the successful "Max Payne" series. In this dynamic new title exclusively for Xbox 360, players assume the role of Alan Wake, a best-selling suspense author suffering from writer's block, who escapes to a small town only to experience the mysterious disappearance of his fiancée.



Set in the deceptively idyllic town of Bright Falls, Wash., "Alan Wake" immerses players in an intense and expansive cinematic world that enables players to explore the hyper-realistic and interactive environments. "Alan Wake" is mission-based with a deeply engaging and suspenseful storyline unveiling new twists and profound character revelations at every turn.

Players will unravel the riveting plot through multilayered character interactions, unique problem-solving and intense combat against terrifying enemies. In this nightmarish world, where fantasy and reality collide, Alan Wake must use a variety of weapons to survive, including his most powerful ally against the darkness — light itself.

Features:

* Intense psychological thriller. "Alan Wake" delivers a deeply psychological and finely crafted plot that raises the bar for storytelling in video games. The riveting story of "Alan Wake" is propelled by a movie-like atmosphere, compelling situations, memorable characters and real-time pacing. Remedy has a record of creating and developing games with unique cinematic presentation and exceptionally high production values.
* Light as a combat element. As Wake journeys deeper into the mystery of Bright Falls, the shadows close in around him. When darkness descends, light becomes his only ally as he fights his way to daybreak. . This poses a severe problem for Alan Wake since his enemies seemingly gain strength from the shadows, and before long, light itself becomes his greatest ally. Players must skillfully combine their use of light with more conventional weapons to stand a chance.
* Realistic, interactive environment. Set in the town of Bright Falls, the hyper-detailed environments of the Pacific Northwest play an important role; even the change in daylight and weather will profoundly affect the characters and enemies in "Alan Wake." The game's advanced rendering engine provides amazingly realistic environments that bring this world to detailed life — from the lush forest of evergreen trees to the quaint small-town buildings and streets. The world of "Alan Wake" is alive and real.
* Episodic narrative. The mission-based structure of "Alan Wake" creates an episodic narrative similar to a deeply structured dramatic television series, such as Twin Peak and X-Files. As the episodes progress, gameplay will evolve to introduce new elements and characters, escalating the level of threat and action in the game.

War Rock video game Free Client Install - download link

Updated 1/5/08. War Rock is a free massively multiplayer online, modern tactical first person shooter (FPS) where players have the option to purchase a wide variety of gameplay enhancing items and services.



Download link: Big Download