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Thursday, July 23, 2009

The Saboteur video game Explodes Onto Retail Shelves December 8

The Saboteur game boxHunt Down the Enemy and Fight, Climb and Race Through the Only Open-World Game Set in 1940s Paris Comic-Con 2009 Booth No5213

Enter the seedy underground world of The Saboteur, where the women are sexy, the action is epic and revenge is sweet. Today Pandemic Studios, a studio of Electronic Arts, announced that its open-world sandbox action game – The Saboteur – will be available worldwide on December 8, 2009. The Saboteur has been recognized by critics everywhere for beautifully integrating a unique artistic style with a dramatic storyline and intense action to deliver a truly engaging gaming experience.

The Saboteur has recently won various art awards, including Best of E3 2009 for Artistic Design for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system by IGN.com.



Inspired by a true story, The Saboteur stars Sean Devlin, a street-tough Irish race car driver trapped behind enemy lines in 1940s Nazi-occupied France. Motivated by personal revenge, Sean fights, climbs, and races through open-world Paris, sneaking into the heart of the Nazi operations and sabotaging their every move. With the help of the French Resistance, the British intelligence, an arsenal of weaponry, street smarts and brawn, players will exact revenge on those who aim to destroy Sean’s life. From derailing trains and blowing up zeppelins to scaling famous Parisian landmarks and more, this action hero uses a broad range of weapons, explosives and vehicles to get the job done.

“The Saboteur is an entirely new take on WWII action gaming. Instead of putting players in the role of a soldier, they’ll experience one man’s quest for vengeance through an incredible story and an epic range of explosive action. Every street of Paris is alive with options, every block is teeming with action,” said Josh Resnick, President of Pandemic Studios. “We’re extremely proud of The Saboteur. The art style, intense story, and grand acts of defiance against the Nazis will deliver the one-of-a-kind experience that Pandemic fans have been waiting for.”

As Sean takes down enemies, the citizens of Paris are empowered to resist the tyrannical Third Reich and their eyes open to the colorful world around them. This innovative mechanic, called the ‘Will to Fight,’ will change the way Paris is seen and felt – from a dark and oppressed policed state to a bright and inspired world where the citizens fight back. As the player executes acts of sabotage against the occupying force, color returns to the stylized black and white world – both figuratively and literally. The ‘Will to Fight’ spawns an underground resistance that takes players not only through Paris, but across various parts of France.

The Saboteur will be available for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, the Xbox360, and the PC and has not yet been rated by the ESRB or PEGI. For more information on The Saboteur, please visit http://www.thesaboteurgame.com or get the latest news from the production team on www.twitter.com/pandemicstudios. Visitors of the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con International, July 23 – 26, will be able to experience The Saboteur for the first time at EA’s show booth, stall #5213 in the San Diego Convention Center.

EA’s Battlefield 1943 Shatters Sales Records for Download-Only Games EA’s Battlefield 1943 Shatters Sales Records for Download-Only Games

battlefield 1943DICE, an Electronic Arts announce that Battlefield 1943 is the fastest selling day one and week one download-only game worldwide on Xbox LIVE Marketplace. It is also the fastest selling day one and week one download-only game on the PlayStation Network in North America. Overall since its launch on July 8th, Battlefield 1943 has sold over 600,000 copies on Xbox LIVE Marketplace and the PlayStation Network.

“We are honoured by the reception that the game has received so far,” says Gordon Van Dyke, Producer on Battlefield 1943. “Watching and participating in this non-stop multiplayer action has been a real treat for us and we can’t believe how fast our fans reached 43 million kills. We can now truly say that we have set a new standard for what can be done in the downloadable games category and gamers recognize the endless value that Battlefield 1943 provides for just $15.”

Battlefield 1943 is an award-winning First-Person Shooter multiplayer game that G4tv.com says is “…a steal. Great sound, great graphics, great fun, and great price.” IGN even says that “Battlefield 1943 is an impressive package that sets a new standard for digital titles.”

Battlefield 1943 is an all-new download-only multiplayer action game that brings DICE’s first-class WWII action to gamers. The game introduces two thrilling modes where 24 players can compete across four classic WWII Battlefield maps: Wake Island, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and Coral Sea. These maps are inspired by the award winning Battlefield 1942™ game, and have been redesigned and reengineered from the ground up using the DICE Frostbite™ engine allowing players to wreak havoc and destruction via land, sea or air.

After the worldwide community challenge officially began on Friday, July 10 at 19:43 CET, the Coral Sea map is now unlocked for both the Xbox LIVE and PlayStation communities. The Xbox LIVE community reached the goal of 43 million kills in just 5 days, with the PlayStation community hitting the mark in 8 days.

Battlefield 1943 is now available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace and the PlayStation Network for 1200 MS Points or $15. Gamers who already played the trial and their time expired can access the free 30-minute trial version again on both Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network as of July 18.

Three all-new X Games stages created and integrated exclusively in Colin McRae - DiRT 2

colin mcrae 3 video gameCodemasters and ESPN’s X Games, today announced an agreement that will see three all-new X Games stages created and integrated exclusively in Colin McRae: DiRT 2, the sequel to the award-winning off-road racing title.

The three new stages – X Games America, X Games Europe and X Games Asia – will carry official X Games branding and infuse added realism by bringing the series’ unique action sports atmosphere to the game. Players will be able to compete in the X Games events by reaching landmark achievements within the game’s World Tour.

“With Colin McRae: DiRT 2 Codemasters has captured the essence of contemporary action sports racing, making the game a great platform to integrate the X Games brand and the look and feel of its global events,” said Rick Alessandri, ESPN Senior Vice President and Managing Director, X Games Franchise. “We’re excited that millions of players will have the opportunity to engage in the X Games environment both in the game and online.”

“We’ve been inspired by the flair, style and big event atmosphere of ESPN’s X Games series, which has switched on a new generation of action sports fans to rally and off-road racing.” said Gavin Raeburn, Senior Executive Producer, Codemasters. “It’s been incredible to work with them to shape a series of exclusive X Games integrations for Colin McRae: DiRT 2. Gamers will experience three major competitions that will make them feel like they’re really arrived on the world’s premiere racing stage, competing in front of thousands of fans in dramatic and spectacular stadium events.”

The X Games events will be headlined by off-road racing’s most famous and respected athletes including the multi medal-winning Subaru Rally Team USA driver Ken Block, Dave Mirra, Tanner Faust and Travis Pastrana. X Games 14 Rally Car Racing gold medallist, Pastrana competed with the late Colin McRae at X Games 12 (2006) before going on to feature in and lend his voice to the original Colin McRae: DiRT game, published in 2007.

Each X Games event will consist of two knockout rounds (quarters and semis) rounded off with a dramatic final held at spectacular locations including London (X Games Europe), Tokyo (X Games Asia) and Los Angeles (X Games America). The X Games America competition is identified from the very start of the game as the pinnacle event in Colin McRae: DiRT 2’s racing world and the ultimate test for any off-road racer.

Colin McRae: DiRT 2 will be shipping on September 8th in North America and release on September 10th across EPAC territories with a UK street date of September 11th. The game will be published for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS and PSP (PlayStation Portable) system with a Games For Windows LIVE edition, supporting DirectX 11, to follow.

Assassin’s Creed II - Video Games and Hollywood Converge at Comic Con

Assassin’s Creed II video gameUbisoft detailed a panel around Assassin’s Creed II to be held on July 23, 2009 from 1:45–2:45 p.m. in Room 6A at Comic-Con in San Diego. The panel entitled “Assassin’s Creed II: Video Games and Hollywood Converge” will touch on the evolution of entertainment creation and distribution while highlighting the bridge between video games and film. Panel hosts will be Yannis Mallat, chief executive officer at Ubisoft Montreal and Pierre Raymond, founder and chief executive officer of Hybride Technologies, the visual effects studio behind 300 and Sin City, along with special guest Corey May, Assassin’s Creed II video game scriptwriter.

Recently, during the E3 Expo in Los Angeles, Ubisoft announced production at Hybride Technologies on a series of short films based on the upcoming Assassin’s Creed II video game. The Comic-Con panel will include a discussion of the production of these short films, a viewing of a teaser video showing new shots from the filming and development of the short film series, as well as the first public demonstration of the Assassin’s Creed II video game.

“Ubisoft has detailed our vision for convergence over the past two years. Now, at Comic-con, we are exclusively revealing one of the first building blocks to this strategy: Assassin’s Creed II: Lineage,” said Yannis Mallat. “We’ll be discussing the links between the game and the short film series with some of the key players of the project. We are thrilled to be able to share the results of our efforts with the Comic-com audience.”


ABOUT ASSASSIN’S CREED II:

Assassin’s Creed II is the product of over two years of intensive development by the original creative team behind the Assassin’s Creed brand. In a vast open world environment, the game invites players to incarnate Ezio, a privileged young noble in Renaissance Italy who’s been betrayed by the rival ruling families of Italy.

Ezio’s subsequent quest for vengeance plunges players into a captivating and epic story that offers more variety in missions, surprising and engaging new game play elements, diverse weapons and a profound character progression that will appeal to fans of the original Assassin’s Creed as well as entice players new to the brand. Assassin’s Creed II is scheduled to launch on November 17, 2009 for the PLAYSTATION® 3 computer entertainment system, the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PC.

The short film series, entitled Assassin’s Creed II: Lineage will be released for Holiday 2009. Three short movies will focus on the story of Ezio’s father, Giovanni Auditore da Firenze, will preclude the Assassin’s Creed II storyline and will offer fans insight into the Assassin’s Creed II storyline and characters.

Alice in Wonderland video game of the upcoming Tim Burton and Walt Disney Pictures digital 3D film

alice in wonderland video gameGames inspired by the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures film to give players their own unique journey through Tim Burton's Underland

As Tim Burton and Lewis Carroll fans become curiouser and curiouser (Carroll, 1865) about Walt Disney Pictures’ upcoming “Alice in Wonderland” film, Disney Interactive Studios today announced development of video game adaptations of the beloved story. The video games, inspired by Tim Burton’s highly anticipated film starring Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter and Mia Wasikowska as Alice, find Alice several years after the original “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass” stories. Alice in Wonderland for Wii™, Nintendo DS™ and Windows-based PC takes players on a topsy-turvy and immersive journey in Underland as Alice finds herself in a world of illusion and magic where nothing is quite like it seems. Alongside her endearing friends –Mad Hatter, March Hare, Cheshire Cat and White Rabbit – players aid Alice to defeat the Red Queen and Jabberwocky. Alice in Wonderland mobile games will begin launching later this year.

"These games fully capture the magnificent and whimsical world of Underland while experiencing key moments from the film,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “More than just a retelling of the movie, Alice in Wonderland introduces fans to an entirely new style of innovative gameplay designed to challenge the puzzle solving skills of older players while making the adventures accessible and enjoyable for the younger crowd. Innovative gameplay and distinct artistic styles on each platform gives players a range of unique and engaging experiences."

Alice in Wonderland allows players to guide, protect and aid Alice as she journeys through the world of Underland while unraveling the game’s many twisted mysteries. Along the way, players call on a diverse and unique cast of characters such as the Mad Hatter and Cheshire Cat who each have unique abilities to help evade traps and solve challenging puzzles. The Mad Hatter can help Alice alter her perception of Underland and take advantage of optical illusions to open up places in the world the player alone would not have noticed. Meanwhile, the Cheshire Cat can use his ability to make himself and objects appear and disappear helping Alice through this strange world. Players must choose wisely when using each of the characters’ powers and combine the abilities to solve more complex puzzles.

The Wii and PC versions follow the film’s epic storyline and introduce new fiction and locations. With an upgradeable combat system, players collect “impossible ideas” to replay levels and unlock Underland’s secrets. Players must carefully select the supporting characters and their abilities to defeat the numerous enemies set forth by the Red Queen and her army of cards, destroy the Jabberwocky and restore Underland back into Wonderland.

The Nintendo DS version will introduce a new twist as players guide Alice alongside her diverse and enduring friends to combat the legions of the Red Queen’s Army. Creating their own path through Underland using an oracle, players lead, protect and help Alice on her quest. The DS version features an innovative art style unique to the platform, a playable character not seen on the home console version, and unique character abilities similar to those of the Wii and PC versions. DSi players will use the system’s camera to detect colours mapped to unlockable content when tasks are completed.

Developed by Etranges Libellules in France, Alice in Wonderland will be available for Wii, Nintendo DS and Windows-based PC with the same week as the film release in early 2010.

Disney Interactive Studios will also release iPhone and iTouch applications for the franchise. A promo application will release in December, 2009 with the full game releasing next year. Alice in Wonderland: The Mobile Game will take you on an upside-down, inside-out adventure on your phone. The whole world is a puzzle and players must twist and turn their iPhone to have Alice make it through Wonderland safely. Also available on Java/Brew, Android and RIM February 2010.

About the Movie
From Walt Disney Pictures and visionary director Tim Burton comes an epic 3D fantasy adventure ALICE IN WONDERLAND, a magical and imaginative twist on some of the most beloved stories of all time. JOHNNY DEPP stars as the Mad Hatter and MIA WASIKOWSKA as 19-year-old Alice, who returns to the whimsical world she first encountered as a young girl, reuniting with her childhood friends: the White Rabbit, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Dormouse, the Caterpillar, the Cheshire Cat, and of course, the Mad Hatter. Alice embarks on a fantastical journey to find her true destiny and end the Red Queen’s reign of terror. The all-star cast also includes ANNE HATHAWAY, HELENA BONHAM CARTER and CRISPIN GLOVER.

Capturing the wonder of Lewis Carroll’s beloved “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” (1865) and “Through the Looking-Glass” (1871) with stunning, avant-garde visuals and the most charismatic characters in literary history, ALICE IN WONDERLAND comes to the big screen in Disney Digital 3D on March 5, 2010.

Dreamland Online video game english version soon

Dreamland OnlineDreamland Online (http://do.igg.com) is beautifully crafted 3D side-scrolling MMORPG being brought to you by IGG, the gaming developer and developer with more than 8,000,000 registered users. This game is the latest addition in a string of IGG produced titles that include Galaxy Online and their debut project, GodsWar Online.

With Dreamland Online enjoying acclaim for quality and playability during the 3rd Alpha Test of its Chinese Version, the English Version is set to be released in the European and American markets by the end of this year and is expected to do very well.

The game storyline centers on the Courage Source. Dreamland was a peaceful place once, but this fairy tale world was turned upside-down when the Evil Fog brought about a deadly plague. Desperate to save themselves, the people of Dreamland were rewarded for their faith by the appearance of a huge branch of the life tree, known as the Courage Source. The branch pierced the cloud of death and gave the people a special gift: Hero Faith that can endow the brave with power. The people summoned heroes to take up arms and use the power of Hero Faith to defend their homeland from monstrous threats. War had come to Dreamland, but with it came hope.

The main feature of Dreamland Online is its pet system. In Dreamland pets play a central role - they can assist players in fighting monsters and completing quests, but they are also loyal companions on lonely adventures. Also, there is the unique Change Apparel system which enables players to customize their character’s style as they like, from clothes and gear to hairstyles and eye color. In addition, a competitive PVP system makes Dreamland a place that is not as friendly and whimsical as it might first seem.

There is a ton of captivating content available.

Guarding Pet System will come to World of Kung Fu with version 1.0.53

world of kung fuReal world, game world, no matter where we are, friends are indispensable! Guarding Pet, who is capable and lively, will surely become player’s close friend in the coming version 1.0.53 of the popular MMORPG – World of Kung Fu. Various Guarding Pets are waiting for you!

Differ from current looting pets like “XII Sheng Xiao”, Guarding pets do not serve players by picking up loots. They have their own and even harder task: Fighting!

Moreover, as a real “pet”, it will be raised up all by players themselves. It appears as an egg at the very beginning. Only under player’s care and feed, it would be able to break out and grow up to a great fighter by side.

Guarding pets will also level up as a very character. They gain experience in battle as players do. In addition to special pet food, all kinds of gears can be used to feed them. The better the equipment is, the more experience the pet can get. Besides food, mood is an important fact too. Mood Value will affect Feed Point and the pet’s performance. A repeatable quest will also be set for players to collect items for improving their pets’ mood value.

A bright spot of Guarding Pet System is: players can unify two different pets into a stronger one. There will be two kinds of unifying: attribute unifying and talent unifying. The first way improves attributes of the guarding pet’s, while the second way improves talent of guarding pet’s in order to provide more additional attributes while leveling up. In this case, players can strengthen their pet into a better and unique one.

If you do not want to miss the Guarding Pets, please remember they will come up in version 1.0.53, which will be released in the end of this month.

Ghost Whisperer - Shadowlands video game will debut on the PC

ghost whisperer video gameCasual games developer and publisher Legacy Interactive today announced a licensing agreement with CBS Consumer Products that will expand their growing roster of TV-licensed games. Legacy will develop a video game based on the popular CBS drama series Ghost Whisperer.

Available in early 2010, Ghost Whisperer: Shadowlands will debut on the PC and include characters and themes from the hit television series. Players will take on the role of Melinda Gordon, a young woman living in Grandview who has inherited the gift of being able to see and communicate with the dead. These earthbound spirits have unfinished business in our world preventing them from "crossing over" into the light. While trying to live as normal a life as possible with her paramedic husband, Jim, and as an owner of the antiques shop, Same As it Never Was, Melinda helps ghosts find resolution and pass over to the other side.

With its stories penned by Emmy award-winning television writer Lance Gentile, Ghost Whisperer: Shadowlands combines light adventure and hidden object-style game play where players need to help the recently departed move on to the afterlife and provide closure to loved ones left behind. Gamers must collect objects for their inventory to solve challenging puzzles while unraveling the mysteries of five enthralling stories with more than 30 hauntingly beautiful environments.

“Legacy Interactive is pleased to work with CBS Consumer Products to bring Ghost Whisperer to the gaming world,” said Ariella Lehrer, President and CEO of Legacy Interactive. “Ghost Whisperer has an incredible and enthusiastic fan base and we will strive mightily to exceed their expectations.”

Groovin’ Blocks is set to offer a unique and addicting musical experience for Nintendo Wii and the iPhone/iPod Touch

Groovin’ BlocksPuzzle games are soon to be redefined as Groovin’ Blocks is set to offer a unique and addicting musical experience for Nintendo Wii and the iPhone/iPod Touch like never before. Today, Zoo Games, Inc. has posted a new trailer and screens showing off the colorful world of Groovin’ Blocks to all.

Feel the music and get a look at the fast-paced gameplay of placing blocks to the beats of your choosing. Including the original track “Bobblehead” by Mercer Friendly, check out this preview of the supersonic puzzle experience set to shake up the puzzle world with this new trailer and accompanying screenshots. Check out www.zoogamesinc.com for more information and to download three original tracks from Groovin’ Blocks.

Releasing on August 11 on Wii and this September for the iPhone/iPod Touch, Groovin’ Blocks will sport an ESRB rating of “E” for “Everyone” and will retail for $19.99 and $1.99 respectively.

Official Game Site for Mastiff's Shimano Xtreme Fishing Goes Live

Gas up the boat, grab your rod, bow and spear gun because we're heading out for a day of fishing on calm, clear waters. The official game site for Mastiff's upcoming tri-sport fishing title for Nintendo Wii, Shimano Xtreme Fishing, is live and waiting for you to toss your line its way.

So go ahead and hook the big one by pointing your browser on over to www.sxf-game.com for the latest information, screens and trailers for Shimano Xtreme Fishing.

About Shimano Xtreme Fishing
Featuring cutting-edge fishing gear like Shimano Voltaeus fishing rods, Hoyt bows, AMS Bowfishing reels and accessories, and Muzzy arrow points, Shimano Xtreme Fishing lets players hunt for a legendary catch from the deck of a free-roaming boat or underwater in full SCUBA gear. More than 50 species of fish - real, exotic and lethal - are included. Once weapons have been chosen, players can compete to unlock new tackle, clothing, and sporting accessories in a series of challenging tournaments, each with beautiful scenery and unique time and weather conditions.

Shimano Xtreme Fishing will be available for Wii in summer 2009.