Lady Gaga, Kanye West, Mariah Carey and More Join the Line-up for Lips Number One Hits video game

Latest game in the "Lips" franchise features 40 chart-topping hits, plus a five-song pack of your choice for free download from Xbox LIVE
One of the most incredible collections of the world’s hottest number one songs is about to launch this fall. Get the crowd singing and the party started with “Lips: Number One Hits,” the newest game in the “Lips” singing franchise exclusively for Xbox 360.

Show off your singing chops with friends, harmonize in a duet or belt out those high notes to a diverse collection of 40 global smash hits, spanning genres, generations and countries so that even the pickiest of singers can find their unique pitch.

Available worldwide this fall, “Lips: Number One Hits” features popular songs that have graced the # 1 position on major global charts. Joining previously announced hits from Coldplay, Rihanna, Tokio Hotel, Timbaland feat. OneRepublic, Extreme, Culture Club, MC Hammer, Roy Orbison and Marvin Gaye the full catalog also includes:
• California Love by 2Pac feat. Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman (U.S.): this song earned the late rapper a posthumous Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance, Duo or Group in 1997
• Barbie Girl by Aqua (Denmark): a breakthrough international hit, this song featured the band’s lead singers as the toy couple Barbie and Ken in the music video
• Just Dance by Lady Gaga feat. Colby O’Donis (U.S.): the debut song of this theatrical pop singer became an international smash hit
• Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears (U.K.): this successful single was written and recorded in two weeks, becoming the band’s first Billboard Hot 100 #1 and peaking at #2 on the U.K. Top 40 chart
• The Fear by Lily Allen (U.K.): from her second album, this song is the artist’s social commentary about the dark side of celebrity and consumer culture
• Don’t Phunk With My Heart by Black Eyed Peas (U.S.): influenced by Indian music, this song sampled the Bollywood cult hit film “Don,” a movie about a man posing as the leader of a gang of international smugglers
• I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’ by Scissor Sisters (U.S.): this song was written with the legendary artist Elton John and features his piano playing in the melody
• Heartless by Kanye West (U.S.): this is the first single in “pop art” music, a new genre which West describes as making pop music in an "artistic" way
• Touch My Body by Mariah Carey (U.S.): this song was Carey's 18th #1 on the U.S. singles charts, which pushed her into second place behind the Beatles as the artist with the most chart-topping singles
• Hey There Delilah by Plain White T’s (U.S.): this song was written as an ode to a girl named Delilah that the band’s singer met only once by chance in NYC
• Always On My Mind by Pet Shop Boys (U.K.): the Daily Telegraph’s music critics ranked the band's cover of this Brenda Lee song as #2 of the all-time best cover songs
• I’m Yours by Jason Mraz (U.S.): while this artist’s music has appeared on the charts since 2003, this single is his first chart-topping hit
• Push the Button by Sugababes (U.K.): this song was the girl group’s fourth #1 single in the U.K. and topped the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles

The complete song listing of artists and songs available on “Lips: Number One Hits” can be found at xbox.com/lips.
In addition to the huge variety of songs available on disc, “Lips” fans will be able customize their “Number One Hits” set list with a theme pack of their choice containing five additional songs, available to download for free on Xbox LIVE. This summer, singers can help decide what themes will be available for “Lips: Number One Hits” by voting for their favorite themes at xbox.com/lips.

“Lips: Number One Hits” and the original “Lips” game combine to create the ultimate singing party, with more songs to keep the fun rocking all night long. But for singers with an insatiable appetite for variety, Xbox LIVE Marketplace has a vast library of tunes that can be downloaded for both titles. New tracks of all genres and artist-specific songs packs are added regularly each week, so personal catalogs can keep growing and growing. “Lips,” combined with the power of Xbox LIVE, makes Xbox 360 the best destination for music game fans.

“Lips,” Xbox 360’s first exclusive singing party game from iNiS, launched November 2008. The second title, “Lips: Number One Hits,” launches this October 2009. More information on “Lips” is available at xbox.com/lips.

EBlast Overloard 2 Battle Rock Nemesis Download content now on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live with new combat arena, enemies and in-game items

Overlord II - Battle Rock Nemesis DLC extends the evil with new combat arena, enemies and in-game items

Extend the evil as Codemasters announce the new ‘Overlord II - Battle Rock Nemesis’ downloadable content for Overlord II, the twisted fantasy action adventure, for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

The ‘Battle Rock Nemesis’ downloadable content is available now from PLAYSTATION Store (£3.19 / €3.99 / $5.00) and today on Xbox LIVE Marketplace (400 Microsoft Points). Details of downloadable content for the PC edition of Overlord II will be announced shortly.




The ‘Battle Rock Nemesis’ downloadable content installs the imposing ‘Battle Rock’ arena in the Netherworld which plays host to a series of new combat challenges as the player progresses through the game. Gamers harvest life force as they wreak havoc upon Nordburg Hunters and Gnomes in practice rounds and then take on fearsome foes, including the Satyr, the Empire’s Champion, and the fabled Phoenix in a series of boss battles which unlock new rewards including more powerful spells and in-game items for the Overlord and his Minions. On Xbox 360, players can earn Achievements worth 100 points through winning the boss battles.



Overlord II is the sequel to the original twisted fantasy action adventure and is available for the PLAYSTATION3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PC, with full online & offline multiplayer and split screen functions. Overlord Dark Legend was developed and designed exclusively for Wii and features Minion control through intuitive Wii Remote movement. Overlord Minions is a dedicated puzzle action title, developed exclusively for Nintendo DS and uses 100% touch screen controls, perfect for Overlords on the go.

Natacha Gachnang celebrates the upcoming launch of Forza Motorsport 3 for the Xbox 360

Xbox announce Swiss born, female racing sensation Natacha Gachnang as the European ‘Face of Forza’ to celebrate the upcoming launch of Forza Motorsport 3 for the Xbox 360 from Microsoft.

Launching on 23 October 2009, Forza Motorsport 3, is the definitive racing game for everyone from hardcore tuners to anyone who’s ever dreamed of driving at full-throttle. Who better than Gachnang to speak to its incredible realism and thrilling driving action.

In December 2008, Gachnang was announced as the first ever female driver to race in the FIA Formula Two Championships. The 21 year old, who is the cousin of Formula One driver Sébastien Buemi, is currently shining in her debut season racing under MotorSport Vision.

Natacha also spent some time in Seattle as a consultant on the game, giving advice on the realism of some of the tracks she has raced in her career, as well as critiquing the sounds and set ups of the cars she has driven. Gachnang also explored the customisation and tuning elements of the game and created her own car.

The ultimate thrill seeker, Gachnang lists heliskiing as one of her favourite hobbies and she jumped at the chance to test her experience of the road on the breathtaking virtual tracks of Forza 3.

“What a buzz – the tracks, the cars, the handling – the attention to detail is incredible. Forza 3 is a car fans dream! It really feels like I’m right there, in the car, racing round the tracks, all in the comfort of my own living room!” said Natacha Gachnang

Launching this October exclusively on Xbox 360, "Forza Motorsport 3" unites the racing game genre making it possible for everyone to experience the thrill of the world's most exotic and exquisite cars.

You can take the wheel of over 400 of the most loved cars on the planet on over 100 different tracks, including the sublime Audi R8 and the infamous German Nürburgring.

Developed by Turn 10 and Microsoft Studios, Game Director Dan Greenawalt stated, “A love of all things cars lives in everyone at Turn 10. It’s fantastic to see this mirrored in Natacha. Her passion and expertise for racing is clear to see and the realism of the game really lets her skills as a driver shine through. From a pro driver like Natacha to anyone who has a passion for cars, Forza Motorsport 3 has something for everyone.”

Defenders of Law Online Courtroom drama video game on your PC and Mac

The release of Defenders of Law launches the beginning of a three-game deal in which Big Fish Games has acquired the Defenders of Law IP and will publish the first edition online and in retail stores as well as two upcoming sequels through 2010. The first edition of Defenders of Law for PC download is now available at www.bigfishgames.com.

“Defenders of Law is a truly immersive game that lets players take the role of an investigative lawyer,” said Melissa DiGioia, Senior Producer at Big Fish Games. “The game’s unique method of storytelling coupled with its innovative detective gameplay allows players to experience a truly interactive murder mystery.”

“Big Fish Games has built a site full of strong titles, and to have Defenders of Law included in their lineup ensures that the game will reach a wide audience,” said Mariana Cardoso, General Manager of GAMEINVEST.

In Defenders of Law, players step into the shoes of one of five possible lawyers in order to investigate a murder mystery in the town of Willburg. The lawyers are assigned to defend a suspect in the murder of Miss Rosendale; and they have 15 days to gather enough evidence to strengthen their clients’ defense. Players must test their strategy skills by exploring the town to collect evidence. Clues can come from several helpful witnesses, as well as from fingerprints, footprints, and blood samples. Physical evidence can be extracted from the crime scene with the hidden object game mechanic, and analyzed in the lab. After the evidence is processed in the lab, the player will go to the courtroom for a decisive showdown against the district attorney. In the end, it will be revealed whether the defendant is guilty or innocent.

Using a mouse, players navigate their way through 28 detail-rich scenarios with multiple crime scenes, numerous murder weapons and several different murder suspects that guarantee a different outcome and experience each time the game is played. With five characters to choose from and many hours of ingenious gameplay, players of all ages will be drawn to the mystery of Defenders of Law.

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.