World Cyber Games (WCG) Grand Final kicks-off in Chengdu, China in 100 days

With just under 100 days remaining until the World Cyber Games (WCG) Grand Final kicks-off in Chengdu, China, the WCG has announced key dates leading up to the showcase event for the world's largest and most inclusive international computer and videogame festival. This year, over 700 of the world's top eSports players from more than 70 countries are expected to represent their countries and battle it out for honor and glory at the Grand Final, known as the Olympics of gaming.

The road to the exciting and intensely competitive five-day journey that will determine the best eSports players in the world kicks into high gear as all participating Grand Final countries conduct their National Final. Included amongst them will be TEAM USA, who won the overall tournament in 2007 and finished third last year. The U.S. will determine its team for the 12 official WCG titles at the National Finals held in conjunction with the New York Anime Festival on September 25-27. Anyone who wants to participate in the USA WCG National Final this year still has time to qualify by visiting www.WCG.com/USA to register for the WCG Online Tournaments to qualify for your shot at TEAM USA.

Fans can follow all of the action for the U.S. National Final, and all other National Finals, by logging onto www.WCG.com. Additionally, if they log on in September, they can watch live as the WCG unveils the group drawings. During the live event, fans can find out the match-ups for the Grand Final.

In October, online press registration will be open during October for all media interested in attending the event. Media members can save time by obtaining their press pass on-site directly during the event, guaranteeing admission to all WCG 2009 Grand Final events.

Here comes the HERO!

Come and meet the heroes!

See you in Chengdu!

WipEout HD Fury PlayStation 3 update Increases the content of your current game with 4 new tracks, 13 new ship models and 3 new game modes

WipEout HD Fury is an expansion pack for WipEout HD, Sony Liverpool's blisteringly fast-paced anti-gravift craft racer in which you use a mixture of speed and weaponry to compete against other racers across some funky, futuristic-looking tracks. Available exclusively as a downloadable title from the PlayStation Store, HD Fury offers a wealth of new content, which is reflected in its lofty £7.99 price tag and 700MB file size.

‘Fury’ is an appropriate word to use in the expansion’s title. The menu interface has had a makeover that reflects the game's title, with the clean white and blue menu of WipEout HD making way for a fierce looking red design that gives the expansion a unique look. New audio tracks have also been added which incorporate the ‘Fury’ theme well by throwing into to the mix some bouncing techno beats that replace the likes of Kratwerk’s hypnotic ambient sounds from Wipeout HD.

HD Fury boasts four new tracks, all of which are playable in reverse, and 13 new ship models, alongside online play and 13 new trophies to unlock. The biggest entry however is the three new game modes, including Eliminator, Zone Battle, and Detonator, plus an 80 event Fury campaign mode.

The Fury campaign offers the bulk of the new content, incorporating all of the new game modes. In the weapon-enabled Eliminator mode, the focus is heavily placed on destruction as you zip around the tracks until a player reaches a set score. Zone Battle makes use of boosting pads and as you attempt to be the first player to reach set zones. And finally, Detonator plays like an on-rails shooter where you need to score points by destroying the mines that have been strewn along the track, while attempting to take out the bomb on each stage to earn additional points.

Just like the original WipEout HD, the new content in HD Fury is displayed in 1080p resolution and runs at a silky smooth 60fps.

Call of Duty - World at War free iphone offers the latest news and stats

Marking a first for the Call of Duty franchise and its millions of dedicated fans, Activision Publishing, Inc. and Call of Duty - World at War developer Treyarch, will launch the first iPhone application as a companion for the blockbuster game today via iTunes- for free. The Call of Duty: World at War Companion allows fans who own iPhones to remotely access important news and updates from the palm of their hand.Additionally, players with linked accounts on www.CoDWaW.com (for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system from Sony) will be able to see key stats from the game. The application will support unique registered player accounts for Call of Duty: World at War fans by providing:

* Stat-Tracking: Check your rank on key stats like K/D ratio, win/lose record and more.
* Performance Tracking: Gain quick access to all of your weapon usage.
* Link with Friends: Monitor online activity, and the stats of friends with linked accounts on www.CoDWaW.com to compare progress.
* News: Access the latest news/blogs, Treyarch’s community Twitter feed (Twitter: JD_2020), as well as the latest on new maps, double XP weekends and contests.


The Call of Duty: World at War iPhone application also will be supported via a robust website (www.CoDWaW.com) providing a wide range of statistics and information for the site’s 1.75 million registered members. Members can easily link their web accounts to their in-game statistics and view live multiplayer-based leaderboards and compete against other players for prizes in private community tournaments. In addition, the site offers daily tips and exclusive information via the Community Blog and provides global statistics allowing players to see how they rank against others worldwide.

According to The NPD Group, Charttrack and Gfk, Call of Duty: World at War has sold more than 11 million units to date worldwide across all platforms. Additionally, Treyarch’s first two downloadable map packs have surpassed more than four million paid downloads on both Xbox LIVE and the PlayStation Network (combined), with a third map pack on the way this August.

Call of Duty: World at War is rated “M” (Mature) by the ESRB for Intense Violence, Strong Language, Blood and Gore.

Reel Fishing - Angler's Dream - Most Realistic Fishing Experience on the Nintendo Wii Yet!

Natsume announce that Reel Fishing: Angler's Dream has gone to gold master and will launch for the Nintendo Wii this month. The Reel Fishing franchise is known for setting itself apart from the competition by delivering the most true-to-life fishing experience.

"We can't wait for people to get their hands on Reel Fishing: Angler's Dream this month," said Hiro Maekawa, President and CEO at Natsume. "It offers a fun and challenging fishing experience for novice fishermen and master anglers alike!"

Reel Fishing: Angler's Dream features picturesque environments, soothing environmental sounds, and a realistic fishing engine where fish flee, dive, and jump just like they would in real life! Players will travel to pristine lakes, raging rivers, and tropical oceans filled with the biggest fish around. With a variety of realistic stages, tons of fresh and salt water fish, and over 100 pieces of tackle to unlock, Reel Fishing: Angler's Dream has something to offer every angler! Players can raise their catches in aquariums, then release them back into the wild for an even bigger challenge! Players can also test their fishing skills against family and friends in the 2-4 player Versus Mode!

No matter whether players are casual anglers or seasoned veterans, Reel Fishing: Angler's Dream offers tons of fishing fun! It's the closest you can get to the real thing without putting on your waders!

GearGrinder action arcade racing video game packshot and new screenshots

Headup Games, a recently founded and independently financed publishing company for core PC titles located near Cologne in Germany reveals the final pack shot and new screen shots for GearGrinder, a bone crashing action/arcade racing-game, to be released September 17th 2009.

Buckle up and enjoy fully motorized mayhem with GearGrinder, the new incarnation of an underrepresented genre of arcade racing action. Take full control of your powerful truck, mounted with the most devastating weapons available, malicious mines and more nifty gadgets, and complete over 45 versatile and thrilling missions, leaving a trail of devastation wherever you go. Need something extra? Just transform your vehicle from combat to racing mode, deploy your jet engine and smile at your opponents while they watch your rear light disappear in the distance.
With destructible race environments ranging from shabby industrial circuits and cramped city tracks to the most gorgeous countryside, multiplayer modes for up to 8 players (LAN) and a thrilling story about a lot of money, hunger for power, corruption and friendship, GearGrinder will trigger the surge of adrenalin every man needs at regular intervals…

GearGrinder is scheduled for release September 17th 2009.

Hollywood Veteran Screenwriter Chris Morgan Joins Red Eagle Games as Story Director for Games Based on The Wheel of Time Series

Red Eagle Games announced today that film industry veteran Chris Morgan has been engaged by Red Eagle Games as Story Director for the company's forthcoming video games derived from the rich assortment of characters and storylines from Robert Jordan's beloved fantasy book series, The Wheel of Time.

Based in Los Angeles, Morgan has worked in the film industry for nearly a decade. His films have grossed nearly one billion dollars in worldwide box-office receipts. Morgan's screenwriting credits include Cellular, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Wanted and Fast and Furious. In addition to his involvement with Red Eagle Games, Morgan is currently working on the big-screen adaptation of video game Gears of War, the next installment in the Fast and Furious franchise, and samurai action movie 47 Ronin.

In addition, Morgan will be joining veteran Electronic Arts Executive Tom Frisina; Barry Hirsch, a leader in the field of entertainment law; entertainment consumer products marketing and branding expert Peter Dang; Keith Boesky, founder and principal of video game consultancy Boesky & Company; and IBM Serious Games Program Manager Phaedra Boinodiris on the Red Eagle Games Advisory Council. Red Eagle Games has carefully assembled the Council to complement and support the Red Eagle Games management team's skills and backgrounds, and the council members represent decades of experience in new media, entertainment and technology.

"As a massive fan of The Wheel of Time series, and a lifelong gamer, I jumped at the chance to be part of the Red Eagle Games team," Morgan said. "The world that Robert Jordan created is so rich, the characters and storylines so varied and inventive, that I feel like a kid in a candy store. It's really a dream opportunity for me."

Along with the Universal Pictures feature film, to be produced by Red Eagle Entertainment executives Rick Selvage and Larry Mondragon, a line of stand-alone Wheel of Time games is in the works for all major videogame platforms, including consoles, personal computers, handheld systems and wireless devices, to be distributed by Electronic Arts. In addition, Red Eagle Games intends to launch and operate a massively multiplayer online role-playing game encompassing the themes, characters and world of The Wheel of Time novels.

The details of Jordan's meticulously crafted series have captivated readers since 1990, when The Eye of the World, the first book in the series, was published. Eleven additional books, including one prequel, have since been added to the series and have consistently appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List with the last four of his novels in the series debuting at No. 1. Jordan passed away in 2007 at the age of 58, but his publisher, Tor Books, recently announced that a final trilogy of novels will bring his epic series to its long-awaited climax. The next installment in the series, entitled The Gathering Storm, is expected to be published in November of 2009 by Tor Books. This novel is being finished by fantasy writer Brandon Sanderson using notes, audio recordings and draft materials left with Jordan's wife and editor, Harriet Rigney.

Jordan's wildly popular books have been translated into 24 languages, and have sold about 44 million copies worldwide. According to Tor Books, the publisher of The Wheel of Time novels, there are about 65,000 The Wheel of Time fan Web sites as a part of a vast global on-line fan community.

About Red Eagle Games
Based in Southern California, Red Eagle Games is a new video game studio initially undertaking the transformation of Jordan's literary masterpiece "The Wheel of Time" into high-quality interactive gaming products for the personal computer, game consoles, mobile and wireless devices, and online play. Red Eagle Games was founded by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rick Selvage and Chief Operating Officer Larry Mondragon, who are also producing a live-action motion picture for Universal Pictures based upon The Wheel of Time.

Section 8 PC Beta Blasting into Europe from August 10 sign up now

SouthPeak Games is pleased to announce the European PC beta for its upcoming sci-fi shooter Section 8 will launch on August 10. Wannabe recruits for the 8th Armoured Infantry can register their interest at www.joinsection8.com before preparing themselves to burn into multi player matches from 15,000 ft above the battlefield.

The draft process for the beta has limited spaces, so those who want to take part in huge multiplayer matches – thanks to the game’s dedicated servers – should sign up as soon as possible. The recently re-launched JoinSection8.com also contains vital intel about the game and is the place to stay active within the Section 8 community.

Developed by TimeGate Studios and heading to PC and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft this September, Section 8 evolves many of the tried-and-tested elements of multi player shooters. Players can burn into the map anywhere they want, change their character’s stats with in-depth customisation options, alter the flow of multi player matches by completing dynamic missions and even call in their own vehicles or weapons turrets.

NewU Fitness First Personal Trainer video game on Nintendo Wii

NewU Fitness First Personal Trainer isn’t just about fitness; it also contains a comprehensive, user friendly healthy eating program designed by the nutritional experts of well known TV show and book range You Are What You Eat.

Interest in wellness and nutrition is ever growing and today more than ever as people lead busier lives; it’s even more important to eat well. NewU Fitness First Personal Trainer considers well-being as a perfect balance between physical exercise and a healthy eating, the latter having been designed by the experts at You Are What You Eat.

NewU Fitness First Personal Trainer has 138 recipes, which equates to 20 weeks of different meals. These customised nutrition plans, combined with the right amount of exercise, can lead you to a better and happier lifestyle. NewU Fitness First Personal Trainer even caters for those with special nutritional requirements. For example if you are a vegetarian then in the profile set up, simply unselect the meat groups.

For each of the five meals (breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner & desert) you can choose from two different options and upon selecting one of them you will then have displayed all the ingredients and preparation steps. You can even set the meal selections for the entire week.
Moreover, setting again your profile in the NewU website, you can have access to the recipes and to other useful functions connected with your nutritional plan.

“Creating NewU Fitness First Personal Trainer we have thought about an easy and fair approach, instead of a demeaning or an un-motivating one. You won’t be asked for your weight or size and you will never find references to calories but you will have the guidelines to take control of your eating and enjoy the rewards of a healthier and happier life” says Carina Norris, journalist, MSc (Dist) Public Health Nutrition and contributor for the best seller You Are What You Eat.

Carina has provided her experience on nutrition and healthy lifestyle to create customized nutritional plans which added to a suitable exercise plan may lead to a real benefit and stimulate a newer and more positive way of life.

Ultimate video game for friends and family – Squeeballs Party out October 2009

Revolutionary game for all the family - Squeeballs Party – will launch in October 2009 for the Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS and Apple App Store.

The Squeeballs are 12 small, cuddly toy characters that are manufactured on a remote and secret island somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. As part of the requirements, before they can be sold to children around the world, Squeeballs must be fully put to the test…to the point of destruction! You can blow up, cook, slice, bat, bowl, shoot and skim the Squeeballs through over 170 mini-game challenges.

“Squeeballs Party is unlike any other game out there,” said Harry Holmwood, VP, Software Development and Publishing of PDP Ltd. “The graphics and visual elements are incredibly realistic, and controlling the game through motion control really puts users at the heart of the action. Squeeballs Party will keep friends and family entertained throughout Christmas!”

On the Wii, Squeeballs Party can be played in head-to-head challenges with two players or in party mode for up to four competitors. On the Nintendo DS, players can choose to play on their own, or compete head-to-head against others with another Nintendo DS. The Nintendo DS game will also come bundled with an exclusive stylus, making the gameplay more interactive and engaging.

As an added bonus for Christmas, the Nintendo Wii games will come bundled with a soft plush Squeeballs toy featuring the most popular characters in the game.

Pricing

Nintendo Wii: RRP of £29.99
Nintendo DS: RRP of £24.99 (bundled with character stylus)
Apple App Store: TBC

The games will be available nationwide in October 2009 from all major retailers.

WHEELSPIN Futuristic Racing Game Developed by UK-Based Awesome Play Boosts Onto Nintendo Wii

ZeniMax to publish WHEELSPIN a futuristic racing game developed by Archer Maclean’s studio, Awesome Play, for Nintendo Wii. Due out in autumn 2009, WHEELSPIN is a high-energy racing, high-impact game spread across a wide range of inter-planetary tracks and features three engaging modes as well as robust multiplayer options.

Whether you play in Solo, Race, or Battle Mode, you will find yourself racing around unpredictable race tracks at exhilarating speeds of up to 650kph! While Solo mode challenges you to beat times to unlock stages, discover short cuts, and find secret spanners dotted throughout the levels, Race mode throws you into a frenzied race against seven other cars across tracks that twist, turn, and launch cars through the stratosphere. Battle mode is an all out test of aggression versus mobility as you use an arsenal of weapons at your disposal in an all-against-all battle.

WHEELSPIN also features impressive split-screen multiplayer Race and Battle modes that allows for up to eight players to compete concurrently. The game supports a combination of Nintendo Wii Remote, Classic Controllers, Nunchuk, Nintendo GameCube controllers, and force feedback racing wheels.

“WHEELSPIN is a frantically fast-paced game which pushes the Nintendo Wii to its maximum capabilities. With nothing but your own reactions and the tilt of the Nintendo Nintendo Wii Remote between you and victory, this game is a truly thrilling experience”, said Sean Brennan, Managing Director, ZeniMax Europe Ltd. “Archer Maclean and Awesome Play have delivered a great game which we believe gamers will relish the chance to get to grips with. WHEELSPIN makes great use of the controllers supported by the Nintendo Wii and players will find that there’s the perfect control set up for their individual gaming styles”.

"WHEELSPIN was designed exclusively for the Nintendo Wii - with the intention of pushing the hardware further than any other Nintendo Wii racing game to date. You have to see the graphics moving to believe its coming out of a Nintendo Wii - the visuals rush past smoothly at 60 FPS all in widescreen 480P mode", said Archer Maclean, Managing Director of Awesome Play. "We are very pleased to be working with Sean and his team at Bethesda, many of whom have been involved with my previous titles going back 20 years".

WHEELSPIN will be released for Nintendo Wii across Europe in autumn 2009.