online dance rhythm game, Audition adds new clothes, songs, modes and more

Redbana has just released several new and exciting additions to the online dance rhythm game, Audition. New clothes, songs, modes and more have been added to the virtual dance world, making it the freshest online dance scene on the web. The new updates bring a fresh wave of style to the game, introducing players to the hottest music to hit the scene.

“Keeping the game as current as possible through routine updates is a priority for us,” explains Eric Liu, Global Manager of Redbana. “Audition is all about providing a fun, bright, exciting environment, and in order to maintain this experience with each visit, the game’s features need to reflect its players present interests.”

Redbana’s modern inspirations are appreciated in the game’s upbeat music, bright animations and attitudes, which all work together to make a fantastically fun virtual dance community. Audition’s routine updates are not limited to game accessories; the most recent update includes:

- 8 New Songs
- 50+ New Avatar Items
- Extended Story Mode
- Big Game Renewal!
- Crazy Dynamic Mode (individual, team)
- Beatup & Union Battle Party Reset Items

Redbana’s unique enthusiasm to create frequent game updates and upgrades in sync with Audition’s outstandingly energetic attitude ensures an online game that is fun for everyone.

No Audition account? No problem. New users can sign up for a FREE account at http://audition.redbana.com

Fantasy author J.S. Lewis turn Free Realms video game into comic book with in game rewards

Sony and WildStorm have teamed up with best-selling fantasy author J.S. Lewis to adapt the smash hit MMO, Free Realms (www.FreeRealms.com), to the comic page! This 12-issue comic book series mirrors the nonstop action of the game, offering exciting adventures, battles with vicious monsters and, of course, the allure of gorgeous fairies!

The story begins when a young boy is abducted and dragged into a darkened forest teeming with twisted monsters. It's up to a relic hunter and a pixie to save him, but their mission is cut short when a horde of troll-like creatures captures them!

On sale starting July 29th, 2009, look for Free Realms comic book issue No1 wherever comics are sold!

FEATURES:
• 32pg.
• Color
• $3.99 US
• Story by J.S. Lewis
• Art by Jon Buran and Allen Martinez
• Colors by Bill Crabtree
• Letters by Johnny Lowe
• Cover by Jon Buran and Allen Martinez
• Release Date Wed, July 29th, 2009

Land of Magic video game announce Treasure Chest event

Land of Magic is introducing a new Treasure Chest event on July 30, 2009. A nice break away from traditional EXP Boost events, the Treasure Chest event will give players items according to the amount of time played.

New players can receive the first gift item after only 5 minutes of play time. After another ten minutes, players will receive another next gift item. As playing time doubles, players will receive another special item.

Players do not have to be logged on to the game continuously for the time to be accumulated. All players need to do is log in often to receive the special gifts. The time is reset every day during daily server maintenance. For existing players, the times needed to get these special items are longer.

The special gifts will be mostly cash shop items, some rare items and gems. In Land of Magic, gems are needed to upgrade weapons. Some lucky few will win rare weapons considered to be the most valuable items in the game.

Land of Magic is a constantly evolving MMO game that was once the top ranked online game in Korea for three straight years. Land of Magic is also one of the first games to introduce the rebirth system which allows players to reborn over and over again into the same or different professions with different results. Famous for its fast play, number of levels, numerous combinations of skills and distinct differentiation among classes, player characters are all unique in the Land of Magic.

For details, please visit NeoFun.com.

Koichi Sugiyama - Dragon Quest Music Composer: Stop All The Downloading

Koichi Sugiyama is renowned across the world for the expansive orchestral work he's contributed to the Dragon Quest series. Lesser known is the fact that he's a boardmember on JASRAC, a copyright collection agency that's the equivalent of the RIAA in Japan, and he frequently comments to the media about copyright and piracy issues. (These often don't get reported on as much as his more conservative, nationalistic comments, such as that time in 2007 when he spearheaded a full-page ad in the Washington Post disputing Japan's involvement with "comfort women" during World War II.)

Dragon Quest IX may have sold 3 million copies in Japan within two days of launching, but that hasn't kept Sugiyama from getting steaming mad over gamers using flash-RAM carts to play the RPG for free. "The way I see it, it's like selling a set of thieves' tools," he commented to Famitsu magazine this week. "If you make off with a physical item, everybody knows that's a crime. If you stole an apple from a fruit stand, then you're plainly committing the crime of shoplifting; going into someone's house and taking their jewelry is robbery. Everyone is conscious of the fact that stealing what's in front of you is a crime, but with something that's not in plain sight, like intellectual property, a lot of people fail to understand what the issue is."

Going into people's houses unannounced and rifling through all their possessions in search of herbs and gold is one of Dragon Quest's more amusing hallmarks, but Sugiyama doesn't have much respect for people who have no problem emulating that in real life. "I'd like them to see this property the same way they'd see physical property," he said. "Looking at how aware the world's nations are of copyright, I'm sad to say that I have the impression Japan is lagging behind. The more advanced a nation, generally the more respectful of copyright they are, but I would not call Japan at all advanced in this regard."

Sugiyama's reputation for being outspoken has made him an easy target for criticism among Japanese gamers, similar to litigious anti-violence activist Jack Thompson over here. "[Internet] opinions don't make me angry -- they inspire me to try harder," the composer responded in the Famitsu interview. "It's hard to say if the anti-copyright crowd is a small group or actually the majority, but let's say they compose about 20 percent of users, and another 20 percent completely and fully support copyright. That leaves 60 percent of users without a clear view on the law, and there's the chance that the 20 percent with outrageous opinions will drag that 60 percent to their side. I've seen that phenomenon in several cases, so you can't ignore it just because you think it's a tiny minority at work. These are all hypothetical figures, but the real battle here will be how to appeal to this large group of people without a solid opinion on copyright."

A revision to Japan's copyright legislation passed in May means that as of January 1, 2010, it will be expressly against the law to download pirated software in the nation, in addition to uploading it. Downloading will not be an arrestable offense and holds no criminal penalties, but if a game publisher felt like it, they could track illegal downloaders and take them to civil court for damages, much as the RIAA has tried to do with music downloaders in the US.

Sugiyama isn't all that satisfied with this new law, however. "Selling pirated games or offering them for download on the Internet puts you afoul of the law, but selling the RAM cartridges themselves is tough to restrict by law," he said. "With the revisions to copyright law taking effect next year, using a RAM cartridge to commit intellectual property theft will be a crime, but actually arresting someone for it will be extremely difficult. It may be time to consider some other sort of legal restriction."

Source: 1up

Dragon Quest IX sales top 3 million

Sales of Dragon Quest IX have now topped three million, according to figures from Famitsu publisher Enterbrain.

The DS RPG has sold 3.2 million copies in Japan since its launch on July 11; a number which Agence France-Presse is reporting makes it the fastest-selling game on Nintendo's handheld to date.

Just two days after its release, the title had sold over 2.3 million units with sales of the DSi console increasing twofold as a result.

Bionic Commando video game for Windows PC

The wait is over as old-school hero Nathan Spencer gets a 3D makeover with today’s release of Bionic Commando for Windows PCs.

Bionic Commando is rated by the ESRB as Mature and is available now on store shelves in North America for $39.99 for Windows PCs or through various online distribution platforms, including the Capcom e-Store and Steam.

Features:

* Use the bionic arm to swing between towering skyscrapers at breathtaking speed, hook onto distant objects, zip up on hanging girders and choose your own route through the game
* Gameplay that moves through horizontal and vertical environments - a 3D game that truly uses all three dimensions Full multiplayer mode with rich stat-tracking to check whether you’re a true commando or a lowly private
* Use the power of the bionic arm - and of next-gen physics - to realistically throw massive objects, pummel opponents, whip enemies into the air, or pull the landscape apart
* Arm yourself with a variety of weapons worthy of a Bionic Commando
* Starring Mike Patton, the former lead singer of Faith No More, as the voice of Nathan Spencer
* Developed by Swedish studio GRIN, developers of the highly acclaimed Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter series for PC

Meanwhile, Bionic Commando Rearmed became available today via Steam. Regularly $10, Bionic Commando Rearmed can be purchased in a bundle through Steam with Bionic Commando for $44.99.

New Risen video game trailer with music by Nightwish

Deep Silver have just released a new trailer with scenes from the game, presenting many different aspects of the RPG. The new trailer is accompanied by the song "The Poet and the Pendulum" from Nightwish, the most successful symphonic/gothic metal band world-wide.

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 operating system.

Capcom reveals launch date for Resident Evil 5 for the PC 3D demo download

A Whole New Dimension of Horror Comes to PC Fans
Capcom is pleased to announce that Resident Evil 5 for the PC will release on September 18th, 2009 across European territories. PC gamers will get the ultimate Resident Evil package in the new PC version as new features will include NVIDIA’s new GeForce 3D Vision technology (wireless 3D Vision glasses sold separately), new costumes and a new and improved mercenaries mode with three times as many enemies.

Fans that pick up the PC version will be the first to experience stereoscopic 3D out of screen effects as their living rooms are transformed into the world of Kijuju. Infected Majini coming at players from every angle, dust flying in and out of screen and the scariest bosses to date are taken up a notch. Resident Evil 5 PC is a whole new level of fear players will never forget. The game also supports Stereoscopic 3D in all of its cut scenes – an industry first.

These groundbreaking stereoscopic 3D effects were developed in close cooperation with NVIDIA, which resulted in the game being part of NVIDIA’s “The Way It’s Meant To Be Played” partnership program. Resident Evil fans can check out the 3D action for themselves today as a new stereo 3D tech demo with benchmark is available to download today on NVIDIA’s official site at - http://www.nzone.com/object/nzone_re5_downloads.html.

To find out more info on NVIDIA’s GeForce 3D Vision technology, click on the link here, http://www.nvidia.com/3dvision/.

Free full version of Boulder Dash video game - new arcade web edition now live!

As part of First Star Software’s celebration of 2009 as the 25th Anniversary of Boulder Dash, DotEmu and First Star Software, Inc. are proud to announce the launch of the first free, Ad-supported, Boulder Dash game now available at : http://www.easyretro.com/play/334/boulder_dash_arcade-first_star_software.html

Since its initial release, in 1984, there have been four versions of Boulder Dash released into the coin-operated arcades. Ported by DotEmu and Co-published by First Star Software, Inc. this Arcade version is the best known, most popular of them all!

In each of the 24 levels, as you play in all 6 worlds, you must clear a path and collect the number of diamonds required in order to open the exit. Along the way, you'll encounter boulders, brick walls, magic walls, the growing amoeba, numerous enemies and much more. Boulder Dash-Arcade Web Edition is playable with the keyboard; but also, with the mouse, improving original gameplay and broaden the appeal to more casual players who are used to a ‘mouse-only’ interface.

- Several millions of units have been sold in the Boulder Dash series, and we are very happy to have the opportunity to make this classic available again, and for the first time, on the Internet. In addition, the casual game play will be enjoyed by both retro-gamers as well as news players.», Xavier Liard, DotEmu CEO.

- We’re very excited to be working with DotEmu as we prepare to launch several Ad supported, ‘free-to-play’ titles, including Boulder Dash-Arcade Web Edition and others in the Boulder Dash series. We see these free, browser versions of Boulder Dash as yet another way to feature the brand and to support the recent release of new games in the series, on SmartPhones; for Windows and Mac, etc.» added Richard M. Spitalny, First Star Software’ President.

Rumble Fighter's European mixed martial arts Fighting game launched

Rumble Fighter, a compelling and fast-paced online mixed martial arts Fighting game is launching today in Europe. PC gamers from all over the continent can sign up NOW, create a character and start fighting TODAY, absolutely FREE of charge. Just visit this website http://rf.ogplanet.eu to register.
Casual MMO publisher OGPlanet today announced the official launch of its first European game, Rumble Fighter. Following a successful Beta period, all European PC gamers are now invited to join forces with friends in the rumble zone, in battles of up to 8 players.

Unlike other Multiplayer Online Games that charge subscription fees, Rumble Fighter allows gamers unlimited access to the battle zone free of charge. Players can upgrade and purchase a large variety of items and skills to enhance and personalise their game play experience. This is done by either earning carats, Rumble Fighters’ in-game currency, through participating and winning battles or by buying Astro’s, OGPlanet’s virtual currency.

To celebrate the full launch of Rumble Fighter, OGPlanet will be giving all players a random in-game Astro item. All players who will have logged in before Sunday, August 2nd at 23;59 will receive their very own surprise!

“Since we opened our Beta trial to all European gamers, Rumble Fighter has received great feedback and our top priority now is to continue offering a high-quality, user friendly game,” stated Stephan Ansari, VP of European Operations. “With our dedicated European client, we can offer a more personalised gaming experience making Rumble Fighter an exciting Multiplayer Online Game (MOG) that blends social online community experiences with casual, easy to pick-up gameplay.”

Gamers are invited to create an online character with a unique fighting style and virtual personality, then scrap it out, online to the bitter end against fighters from all over the Europe.

Pit your fighting wits against fighters throughout Europe across numerous feature-rich 3D environments using a wide variety of fighting techniques and in-game weapons and items.

Rumble Fighter’s Features:
o Free to download and play
o Fully customisable – change your character’s appearance and choose its fighting style and techniques
o Solo and Team modes- choose to battle alone or join forces with friends
o Up to 8 players in the same room
o Easy to learn – casual and fun gameplay makes Rumble Fighter easy to understand and quick to get to grips with
o Hardcore Gamer or Casual Fighter – Rumble Fighter is exciting for players of all abilities, from the “Casual” to the “Hardcore”
o Transform – Rumble Fighter’s unique “ExoCore” systems enables players to evolve during battle and further enhance their character’s attributes
o Upgrade with Astros – use in-game points known as Carats or buy OGPlanet’s universal cyber currency Astros to further customise your characters and buy new techniques, weapons and other items
o Rich graphics – Rumble Fighter’s custom-built graphics engine utilises cell shading techniques and pre-rendered global illumination map textures, creating vibrant rich imagery inspired by Japanese animé
o Available to PC users in Europe from today.