Intel Threading Building Blocks Integration Now Available to Unreal Engine 3 Licensees

Epic Games announce that Intel Threading Building Blocks (Intel TBB) 2.2 has been incorporated into Unreal Engine 3. The newly released version of the popular parallel programming abstraction has been integrated with the 64-bit Unreal Editor, and as part of this collaboration, Intel has joined Epic’s premier Integrated Partners Program (IPP).

Intel TBB 2.2 is now available to publishers and developers licensing Unreal Engine 3, making it easier than ever for studios to leverage Intel’s scalable memory allocator for multithreaded computing. As with all new engine features and enhancements, Epic’s distribution of Intel TBB is available to Unreal Engine 3 licensees at no extra cost.

Intel TBB is an award-winning runtime library that simplifies the writing of multithreaded applications. Just as the C++ Standard Template Library (STL) extends the core language, Intel TBB offers C++ users a higher level abstraction for parallelism. To implement Intel TBB, developers use familiar C++ templates and coding style, leaving low-level threading details to the library. It is also portable between architectures and operating systems. With Intel TBB, developers get the benefits of faster programming, scalable performance, and easier to maintain code.

“Bringing Intel into the Integrated Partners Program and integrating Intel TBB into Unreal Engine 3 ensures our licensees are within reach of the best development tools available,” said Dr. Michael Capps, president of Epic Games. “This partnership will help minimize the work required to author multithreaded applications for Unreal-powered games and, in the long term, provide developers with greater access to Intel Tools.”

“Intel is committed to providing the very best tools for parallel programming like Intel TBB and our new Parallel Studio suite,” said James Reinders, marketing director and chief evangelist, Developer Products Division, Intel Corporation. “By integrating Intel TBB in the Unreal Engine and sharing it with their licensees at no additional cost, Epic is facilitating parallelism to spur greater multi-core innovation among game developers.”

Free download Zelda poster

Download your free poster here...

L’esprit du Loup le 20 Novembre 2009 sur Nintendo Wii et PC

Midway Games France SAS, développeur et éditeur de loisirs interactifs, est fier de vous annoncer la sortie du jeu L’esprit du Loup le 20 novembre 2009 sur Nintendo Wii et PC.

Tel un loup, apprenez à vivre en harmonie avec la nature, et développez vos connaissances sur l’écologie avec Nicolas Vanier, voyageur du Grand Nord, qui vous guidera tout au long de cette aventure d’initiation à la protection de l’environnement.

L’esprit du Loup est le deuxième titre développé par le studio Strass Games s’inspirant des aventures de Nicolas Vanier. Les 2500 questions posées dans le jeu sont réparties en 4 thèmes inspirés des voyages de ce dernier : Cap sur le Grand Nord, Survis dans le Grand Nord, Défends ta planète, Ecolo fun.

Ce jeu séduit un grand public avec sa large palette de différentes activités. Créez votre profil, choisissez votre personnage, répondez aux questions, construisez un igloo, pêchez du poisson, descendez un torrent en kayak... Testez-vous à travers 6 modes tels que le Quiz Flash qui a pour but de répondre aux questions le plus rapidement possible, le Quiz éliminateur où les joueurs ne devront pas se tromper dans les réponses pour rester le dernier en course ou jouez encore aux 8 mini-jeux proposés.
Faites des parties seul ou jusqu’à 4, entre amis ou en famille, en alliant compétition et convivialité. Inspiré du film « Loup » de Nicolas Vannier, ce quiz vous enseigne la philosophie du développement durable : comprendre et aimer sa planète afin de mieux la protéger.

Bomb Commander video game out for iPhone and iPod Touch

Fast-paced Space Combat Title Released for Download Today

Prepare yourself for an intense battle to save the Earth from total annihilation with the release of Bomb Commander today in the App Store.

Developed by ANIMA Entertainment, Bomb Commander rests the fate of the world on your fingers as you seek to end a massive alien invasion from completely eliminating the human race.

Armed with the fiercest arsenal of bombs ever to hit mobile gaming, battle treacherous foes in outer space using both smart tactics and quick, precise maneuvers on your iPhone/iPod Touch.

Features:
• Ultimate Bombing Power — Use blast-bombs, lightning bombs and black-hole bombs to create chain reactions and conquer your foes.
• Unique Gaming Mechanics — Providing a whole-new spin on the “space invasion” genre, take advantage of precision touch controls that one can only experience on the iPhone!
• Beautiful Space Environments — Marvel at the chaos and destruction as you bomb your way through the scenic depths of space.
• Track Scores via Online Leaderboards — Show off your bombing skills to the world through online leaderboards and the tracking of your scores.

Bomb Commander is available for purchase today in the App Store for $1.99.

Xbox 360 - The Unreal Engine Has Been Used for Project Natal E3 Demos

Almost every gamer in the world knows about Microsoft's Project Natal and how it might just transform the way we play our games and make controllers an obsolete notion. We saw at E3 a few tech demos that showed just how responsive and fun the new technology can be.



But, speaking with Eurogamer, Epic Games' Mark Rein revealed that a few of those demos were powered by the company's Unreal Engine 3, meaning that his team already knows the ins and outs of the new system from Microsoft. Rein went on to say that the whole concept was quite amazing and that a change was coming, sooner than we might expect.

“The two games they showed on stage used our engine, so we're really excited about that,” Rein said. “I'm very pro-Natal. There are a lot of interesting things you could do with it and I'm really excited to be involved with it.”

“We're working closely with Microsoft to spread the enhancements they made with Unreal Engine 3 to other developers,” the executive continued. “If people out there are interested in doing really cool games for Natal, they should contact me and I can put them in touch with Microsoft.”

Rein emphasized his point of view and revealed: “The whole concept of playing a game without a controller is very intriguing. That's going to open up a lot of stuff.” He then took EA Sports Active as an example, as the fitness game requires a special strap for the Nintendo Wii Remote, in order for the console to track your movements. “If you made a game like that for Natal - and I'm sure EA is doing it - Natal could just look at you and tell if you're doing the exercises properly.”

So it seems that even hardcore developers like Epic Games are taking things like Natal quite seriously and, at least for their Unreal Engine tool, it will certainly offer another avenue for profit in the long run. Hopefully though, we won't get to play future installments of Gears of War or Unreal Tournament only by waving our arms at the TV screen.

Gran Turismo 5 top Christmas video games line-up for PlayStation 3

From GTPlanet; one of the more dignified Gran Turismo sources on the ‘Net and certainly worthy of our attention. That doesn’t mean you should treat this as fact, just know that here at PushSquare we trust GTPlanet as a source.

While hesitant about giving concrete details (for credibility’s sake), GTPlanet are reporting that they’ve been tipped off regarding the tentative release date for Gran Turismo 5 and it hits this year. According to the site the date will be announced as a part of Sony’s three hour GamesCom conference in Cologne this August 18th.

The smartest move for Sony would be a Christmas bundle of the rumoured PlayStation 3 Slim and Gran Turismo 5.

Don’t get that hype meter flowing until Sony make an official announcement though.

Source: PushSquare

Batman Arkham Asylum video game demo download - August 7 on Xbox 360 and Playstation 3

The consumer demo for Batman: Arkham Asylum, published in the United Kingdom by Eidos Interactive, will be available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 entertainment system and Games For Windows LIVE worldwide on August 7. The full game will be available at retail stores nationwide in the United Kingdom beginning August 28th.

The demo will be offered on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 and PlayStation Network for the PLAYSTATION 3. Fans can visit www.batmanarkhamasylum.com for details on how to download the Games For Windows LIVE version.

The Batman: Arkham Asylum demo opens as the DARK KNIGHT and COMMISSIONER GORDON return The Joker back into confinement at ARKHAM ASYLUM. But things soon fall apart as THE JOKER gains the upper hand and springs a trap, setting Arkham Asylum’s occupants upon Batman. The demo offers gamers a taste of the fierce FreeFlow combat system, the cunning stealth of the Invisible Predator mechanic, and the feeling of becoming the WORLD’S GREATEST DETECTIVE as they navigate Arkham Asylum’s imposing Intensive Treatment facility. Players can unlock character bios, as well as get a sneak peak at some of the infamous foes that BATMAN will encounter within the cavernous and macabre confines of Arkham Asylum.

Featuring amazing graphics within an intense, immersive setting, Batman: Arkham Asylum exposes players to a unique, dark and atmospheric adventure that takes them to the depths of Arkham Asylum – Gotham City's psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane. Gamers will move in the shadows, instigate fear amongst their enemies, and confront The Joker and Gotham City's most notorious villains, including Harley Quinn, Bane, Killer Croc and Poison Ivy, and the newly revealed Scarecrow, who have taken over the asylum.

Batman: Arkham Asylum has been rated BBFC 15 in the United Kingdom.

Monster Hunter Tri Multi-million selling series to make its debut on Nintendo Wii

Following its recent and highly successful launch in Japan with day one shipment numbers exceeding one million, Capcom, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, is pleased to confirm that Monster Hunter Tri will be released in both Europe and North America for the Nintendo Wii in early 2010. Monster Hunter Tri will set the bar in the action/adventure genre with the introduction of new features and gameplay elements as the multi-million selling franchise makes its debut on the Nintendo system.

One of the most strikingly beautiful titles ever developed for the Nintendo Wii, Monster Hunter Tri depicts a living, breathing ecosystem where man co-exists with the fantastic beasts that roam both the dry land and the brand new sub-aqua environment - a first for the series.

Living the life of a hunter need never be a solitary experience with the option of split-screen mode where two players can hunt co-operatively or form a team of up to four hunters via the game’s custom online Wi-Fi mode. Even solo players do not have to face Monster Hunter Tri’s challenging quests alone as they will be ably accompanied by Cha-Cha, an AI hunting partner whose skills will prove invaluable. New items, weapons and armour sets will be also available to assist the hunters as they embark on the most epic Monster Hunter adventure to date.

Laurent Fischer, Managing Director, Marketing & PR, Nintendo of Europe, commented “The popularity of the Monster Hunter franchise in Japan is undeniable and the Day 1 shipment number indicates that the release of Monster Hunter Tri on Wii will be another major hit for the series. We are therefore really excited that Capcom is bringing this title to Europe so the Wii audience here can also experience the thrill of the hunt. “

Visitors to this month’s GamesCom - taking place in Cologne, Germany from the 19th-23rd August - will be the first to sample a localised version of the title on Capcom’s stand as it makes its debut to a western audience. GamesCom attendees will have the opportunity to play the same game that took last year’s Tokyo Game Show by storm, with queues that stretched around Capcom’s stand so long they nearly shut down the show; eager gamers waited in excess of two hours to play.

This desire to be one of the first to experience Monster Hunter Tri is indicative of the impact the Monster Hunter franchise has made on videogame culture in Japan. With series sales totalling well over 10 million units and 3.5 million sales of Monster Hunter Portable 2G alone, it’s no surprise to find that Monster Hunter has given rise to dedicated “Monster Hunter Summer Training Camps”, ”Monster Hunter Festivals” and numerous licensed products. The franchise doesn’t just top the charts, it’s become a social phenomenon.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare mobile video game version coming to Nintendo DS

On the 10th November get ready for more high-speed action, as Activision Publishing, Inc. revealed plans today to deploy Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Mobilised for Nintendo DS. Developed exclusively for the Nintendo DS by n-Space, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Mobilised will deliver an arsenal of cutting-edge weaponry, vehicles and tactics, arming players with precision controls for battle across the world’s most dangerous hotspots.

Gamers will fight on the ground in intense building-to-building tactical combat, hack into enemy computer terminals, take the controls of military vehicles like Battle Tanks and UAV spy drones, or man the guns of an AC-130 gunship.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Mobilised will bring the epic Call of Duty intensity of Modern Warfare to Nintendo DS fans through a unique storyline and companion narrative. The title will also serve up a array of features, including a six-player online multiplayer mode that allows friends to host their own server, as well as the brand new Survival Mode, giving players a variety of weapons to hold off waves of oncoming enemy forces and an expanded six-player online multiplayer mode. Also, Arcade Mode will allow gamers to replay the game’s single-player with a time limit and running score, with extra points awarded for specific achievements.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Mobilised will release worldwide on 10th November, in conjunction with Infinity Ward’s highly-anticipated Modern Warfare 2, the next instalment to the record-breaking Call of Duty series and is rated 12+ by PEGI.

Nintendo DSi systems update add Facebook share your experiences with friends and family.

Nintendo DSi owners have even more ways to share their experiences with friends and family. Using an Internet-connected Nintendo DSi system and the Nintendo DSi Camera application, Facebook members can take pictures with either of the system's two cameras and upload their photos directly to their Facebook profile. This function will be available after 5 p.m. Pacific with a free downloadable system update.

While reviewing pictures they've stored in the Nintendo DSi Camera album, which includes photos taken by users and manipulated using the built-in interactive lenses, users can simply tap the Facebook icon on the system's touch screen to instantly transmit photos to the user's Facebook profile. The user's system must be configured to a wireless broadband Internet connection for the transmission of photos.

"Facebook and Nintendo DSi build on the trend of personalization that is so important to consumers," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "We're giving people the tools to express themselves in creative new ways and show off the results to their friends and family on Facebook."

Nintendo DSi has sold more than 1.7 million units in the United States alone, according to the NPD Group. The third iteration of the world's best-selling portable video game system includes photo- and voice-manipulation features that allow users to customize their experiences like never before.

Remember that Nintendo DSi features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access.