Limited edition Cities XL video game 16 bonus items in this next generation city-simulation game

Monte Cristo Games and Namco Bandai Games are thrilled to be able to reveal the limited edition and standard editions for Cities XL, their innovative next generation city-simulation game. The Limited Edition includes 16 bonus items in a special pack and will only be available from key UK retailers.

The Cities XL Standard Edition box will include the installation DVD for the game, two instruction manuals, a 7-day trial code for the online Planet Offer and a trial offer on a second DVD so that one of your friends can discover the game.

On top of that, the Limited Edition box will include the following additional content:

• Five additional maps for solo mode,
• Five exclusive landmark buildings, (Berlin’s Victory Column, Kiev’s St. Vladimir’s Cathedral, New York’s 40 Wall Street, Paris’ Opera Garnier, San Francisco’s Grand Hotel),
• One exclusive city hall: Los Angeles’ City Hall,
• Two permanent blueprints: the Mayan pyramid of Chichen Itza and London’s Big Ben. These blueprints will be available from the start and can be built as many times as you wish.
• A bonus in-game t-shirt to make your avatar even more unique,
• an honorific medal to display proudly on your personal profile page on CitiesXL.com,
• Three postcards
• A 41x34cm poster

You will soon be able to pre-order the Limited Edition in the UK; there will be more information in the following days.

About CITIES XL

CITIES XL enables gamers to develop cities on realistic 3D maps, which feature a variety of environments from mountain ranges to beaches and islands. The cities you will build are based on American, Asian and European-influenced architectural styles. You must create the right combinations of job opportunities, social services, leisure activities, and special events within your cities in order to keep your citizens occupied and happy. Whether you’re planning and building a new zoo, public park, residential neighbourhood or transit system, there's always a fresh and exciting challenge for would-be city managers and mayors in CITIES XL.

Batman - Arkham Asylum video game to Support NVIDIA PhysX Technology

An immersive adventure unfolds in stunning detail

Eidos Interactive, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and NVIDIA Corporation announce the Games for Windows LIVE release of forthcoming DC Comics-licensed videogame, Batman: Arkham Asylum, will feature NVIDIA PhysX technology, which allows for the creation of incredibly realistic worlds full of interactive materials and objects.



As a result, PC gamers will get to experience intense realism and fully immerse themselves in Batman’s journey into Gotham City’s asylum for the criminally insane.

Hardware accelerated by supported NVIDIA GeForce GPUs, PhysX technology provides an even deeper level of engagement for players of Batman: Arkham Asylum by utilizing the processing power of the NVIDIA GPU to render stunning in-game physics objects in the environment that not only add to the overall look of the game, but create an immersive and believable world.

With PhysX technology enabled, players can explore darkened corridors packed with volumetric fog which reacts to Batman’s movement and cobwebs which tear with his passing. Combat becomes a maelstrom of motion as office papers are thrown into the air alongside soda cans and litter as Batman lands each punch upon The Joker’s henchmen. Throughout the game, the decaying gothic architecture is realized to an incredible detail with wall tiles chipping and breaking, stone pillars crumbling upon impact, and particles from breaking glass and debris shattering and falling down around Batman’s feet.

“Supporting NVIDIA PhysX technology has allowed us to add that little bit extra to the PC version of the game,” said Sefton Hill, Game Director at Rocksteady Studios. “As Batman interacts with the world, the aging asylum creates a more immersive, believable world which really draws the player in.”

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 who have taken over the asylum. Using a wide range of Batman’s gadgets and abilities, players will become the Invisible Predator and attempt to foil The Joker’s demented scheme.

The NVIDIA PhysX development platform consists of a robust physics engine, API, and middleware designed to give developers and animators unprecedented creative control over the look of their final in-game interactivity by allowing them to author and preview physics in real time. To take advantage of PhysX technology in Batman: Arkham Asylum, players must have a compatible NVIDIA GPU and a copy of the Games for Windows LIVE version of the game, which will be available beginning September 15th, 2009, in North America, and September 18th, 2009, in Europe and Australia.

Batman: Arkham Asylum will also be available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system from August 25th, 2009, in North America and August 28th, 2009, in Europe and Australia.

Cricket Revolution - A Breakthrough Indie video game title Unveiled!

The much anticipated cricketing title, Cricket Revolution, launch announced at www.cricketrevolution.com. Available worldwide on September 18th via Steam, Valve’s leading platform for digital content distribution and management, the game is set to bring completely new dynamics of multiplayer gaming to cricket fans around the globe.

Cricket Revolution is an independently developed title focusing on high adrenaline multiplayer gameplay based around the sport of cricket. With a new and innovative cricket gaming engine at its core, the game brings a new level of depth and engagement to cricket video games. Legions of fans from the cricketing world will now have the opportunity to pad-up and walk out on the pitch to test their mettle against friends and foes alike across the globe in a battle of wits, dexterity, and strategy to dominate the playing field.

The game boasts an in-game community and match making system for gamers to find opponents instantly while keeping track of every statistic from each match played. Results of games are posted online on the game’s site, giving each player the opportunity to track their career, mull over every detail of their batting and bowling stats dear to cricket fans, and progress on competitive ladders of varying difficulty on their way to cricketing glory.

Cricket Revolution offers gamers multiple play modes, including online play, LAN play, and single player modes against an advanced and adaptive AI. Coupled with hundreds of fully motion captured actions, complete team customization, online awards, achievements, and tournaments, the game is poised to cause a stir in the world of cricket sports video games this fall.

Cricket Revolution has been developed and produced by Mindstorm Studios, an independent game developer based out of Pakistan. The game is primed to launch around mid-September on Steam and will be the first title to be independently developed, published, and globally released from the country. The title will be available exclusively for the PC at first, with the developer planning on a Wii port in the near future.

Sealed Deck Tournaments are now live in SAGA, the collectible MMORTS free accounts.

The long awaited SAGA Sealed Deck Tournaments launched flawlessly today after many months of Beta testing. The sealed deck format brings together skill, strategy and luck, evening the odds between long time collectors and new arrivals to the SAGA community. This is essential because SAGA is an MMORTS, where players collect and level up their troops through quests and are rewarded with powerful battle gear.

Without the sealed deck format, a new player would have about as much of a chance at winning as any level 1 player trying to PvP in a traditional MMO against level 80 veterans.

The SAGA tournament system was designed by Silverlode Interactive marketing director Slava Zatuchny, who invented many tournament formats for the Wizards of the Coast game Magic: the Gathering back in 1993; Slava ran such events at game conventions and later produced online tournaments with such prestigious companies as THQ, Interplay and Sony Online.“The sealed deck format has always been my favorite style of tournament play … there is no greater excitement to be had than playing with completely unfamiliar troops against opponents whose tactics you can’t possibly predict” says Slava Zatuchny, “I’m ecstatic at the results from applying the format to an RTS game.”

The automated tournament system allows events to start as soon as 8 players join the tournament queue, and also allows multiple tournaments to run simultaneously. Tournament Tokens are awarded as prizes after each battle round and can be redeemed in the SAGA in-game store for many rare and powerful items and units, as well as exclusive out-of-print items such as the faction packs sold in hobby stores.

While tournaments do have a nominal fee to join, the Tournament Tokens won by playing can be used to reenter additional events and even offer the potential for ‘going infinite’ (the ability to continue playing and winning at no cost). SAGA Credits - which can also be used to pay for tournament entry - can be acquired for Free by filling out surveys and offers from Silverlode’s partner Sometrics. Registration for SAGA is completely free and gives more than enough troops to begin adventuring, and there are no monthly subscription fees. Go to www.playsaga.com/tactics.php to sign up for a free account.

Bricks4Ever Xbox Live video game free giveaway Friday

Running Pixel is pleased to announce “Bricks4Ever Giveaway Friday” one day of instant contests every gamer can enter to win dozens of our Indie Games.

On 7th August the contest will start on Running Pixel web site and on Twitter in a 24h marathon of questions, little enigmas and quizzes.

A fresh giveaway rain for Xbox gamers is coming.

Would you like a free game? Of course you would!

Bricks4Ever Giveaway Friday gives all gamers the chance to win dozens of Xbox redeem codes .

The rules are simple:

Download the free trial of the Xbox Live Indie Game
'Bricks4Ever'

Karos Online - NHN launches official European website, closed beta signup now

More details revealed about dynamic dungeons.
NHN announce the launch of the official European website for Karos Online, its first free-to-play MMORPG to be published in Europe. At www.karosgame.com, players can now register and sign up for the closed beta test, which will be starting later this month. Discussion forums have also been opened to allow the community to chat about Karos Online, and additional information about the game will be posted there to help fans prepare for the closed beta. An English release is scheduled for early autumn 2009, with German and Turkish versions to follow.

NHN has also revealed details about the game's dynamic dungeon system, which will be playable in closed beta. In addition to traditional MMORPG dungeons full of monsters and epic loot, two types of original dungeons will be available in Karos Online:

* Event dungeons, instanced for parties of up to five players, will offer adventures marked by spectacular happenings: as a party progresses into the dungeon, the environment will evolve in response to their actions, with bridges collapsing, ceilings crashing to the ground and passages appearing to reveal the path ahead.
* Maze dungeons, integrated in the open world with no party size limit, will surprise and bewilder players with walls that move and shift constantly to affect the party's path, offering a dynamic, action-packed game experience.


Dungeons are arranged in progressively difficult stages, with the later levels - including battles against fearsome boss monsters - accessible only to those who have proven themselves worthy. Each victory in the dungeons will grant the player a ticket, which can be used to advance to harder challenges.

Karos Online - Stunning 3D Action Fantasy MMORPG

Karos Online (http://www.karosgame.com) is a brand new free-to-play fantasy MMORPG developed by Galaxy Gate (lead developers of Laghaim and Last Chaos), to be published in Europe by NHN. An English release is scheduled for early autumn 2009, with German and Turkish versions to follow.

In Karos Online, players take the role of a hero determined to defeat the curse of darkness falling over the world of Asmara and ascend to ultimate glory by becoming the mythical Karos warrior. Through questing, guild clashes and mass PvP, they enter the fight for domination over the world's vital energy source, Fletta. Fletta gems provide the basis for the game's unique and complex alternate progression system; alongside traditional leveling within the game, Fletta energy can be used to increase stats, give buffs, buy resources and enchant items.

With a strong RPG component, wide range of class skills and fantastic visual combat effects, Karos Online offers a rich player experience and an exciting end-game for guilds, including castle sieges and resource control points. There are a variety of dynamic dungeons to explore, with shifting paths and surprises to challenge players as they progress in level. The economy is well-developed, with mining, fishing and crafting elements, and a consignment system for storage and an auction house.

Karos Online offers rare graphical quality for its small client size, and will be accessible to a vast range of computers with minimal requirements. Videos demonstrating graphics and gameplay are now available on the official website at www.karosgame.com, and more features will be revealed as the closed beta test, scheduled to start in mid-August, gets underway.

Karos Online features

* Breathtaking 3D graphics and combat action effects
* 5 different races and 9 original classes, evolving into 36 different specialized classes
* Dynamic, evolving dungeons with shifting paths and surprises
* Guild wars, territory control and 500 vs 500 castle siege battles
* Alternate Fletta level progression system
* Elaborate mining, fishing and crafting system
* Small client size (700MB) and low minimum PC requirements
* Keyboard and mouse control both available

Buckshot Pump-action shotgun controller for Nintendo Wii shooting games

Lock, Load and Let the Machismo Fly; This Ain't for Sissies, Folks!
Looking like something out of a Quentin Tarantino movie, the Buckshot Pump-Action Shotgun for Nintendo Wii is one of the coolest accessories to hit the video game market since, well, forever. This sucker packs a nasty punch and is sure to inspire the macho fantasies of gamers around the globe.

The Buckshot encases a controller that is similar in function to a Nintendo Wii Nunchuck and uses the pump reload feature to access the B button while the trigger accesses the A button. The rubber grips ensure an easy hold and a fast reload time, making it ideal for such games as Call of Duty 3, Call of Duty: World at War, Links Crossbow Training, House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return, House of the Dead: Overkill, Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles, James Bond: Quantum of Solace, Medal of Honor: Heroes 2, and much more!

Product Features:

· Access B Button using Pump Action

· Access A Button via the Trigger

· Integrated Controller with Similar Functions to a Nintendo Wii Nunchuck

· Rubber Grips Ensure a Firm Hold

· Available in Red and Black

· Compatible with your favorite Nintendo Wii shooting games!

· Suggested Retail Price: $34.99

“Shooting games just became a whole lot more intense with the release of the Buckshot,” stated Titi Ngoy, President of Innex, Inc. which holds the exclusive distribution rights to the product. “The Buckshot will deliver a new level of adrenaline to any shooting game.”

Freaky Fishing join Freaky Creatures video game try it free

Players of All Ages Can Now Cast Lines and Catch Fish, Parts, Powers and Other Items at www.FreakyCreatures.com

Abandon Interactive Entertainment introduce Freaky Fishing as a new addition to the massively multiplayer online game (MMOG), Freaky Creatures. Players can now bring their Creatures to lakes all over the Freaky Creatures universe to catch fish, parts, powers, lair objects and other unknown treasures.

With the recently announced free to play option, players can now experience the Freaky Creatures universe and try out Freaky Fishing for free by signing up at the game's Web site, http://www.FreakyCreatures.com.

The previously unexplored lakes in Freaky Creatures are full of fish, treasure chests and other objects from all over the universe. Players begin in a lobby by clicking on a dock and selecting "Go Fishing." After choosing a bobber, players cast their line by clicking on one of three casting zones. Once players get a bite, they can click on the bobber to start reeling in their catch! If a fish is caught, a Creature Trainer can choose to save it, sell it or eat it for a boost during battle. As a player's Creature makes successful catches and improves in fishing skill, it can access better bobbers to get a wider range of fish and objects, including treasure chests that might include a part, power or lair object to add to the Creature's inventory.

Freaky Creatures starter packs are now available for purchase at comic, hobby and local toy retailers and FYE stores nationwide for $19.99. The game is also available at FAO Schwarz in New York City. For more information, to try out the game for free, or to purchase your very own Freaky Creatures starter pack, please visit http://www.FreakyCreatures.com.

About Freaky Creatures
Freaky Creatures combines the best of online multiplayer gaming, collectible action figures, virtual worlds and social networking. The Freaky Creatures experience begins with a starter pack that includes two action figures and a one gigabyte reusable flash drive that unlocks the Freaky Creatures universe. The initial creatures come with 50 different parts, 20 powers and four objects that can be placed into the creature's lair. Players can take their creatures online and customize them using rare parts and powers to create one of over 3.2 billion possible combinations. Once players have created their custom creature, they can jump straight into battle or build a lair where they can care for their creature and hang out and socialize with friends. Gamers are encouraged to visit the community to personalize their homepage, play mini-games, join tournaments, check leaderboards, trade items, read animated comics, enter contests, form teams and much more in the ever expanding Freaky Creatures universe.

Shin Megami Tensei Persona for PSP and PlayStation Network share launch

Although you'll have to (PSP) go and buy the UMD version to get the game's full 2-disc soundtrack
Atlus announce the upcoming Shin Megami Tensei Persona for PSP (PlayStationPortable) system, the highly-anticipated remake of the first chapter in the critically-acclaimed Persona series, will launch simultaneously at retail and via PlayStation Network on September 22nd.

Retail customers have an added incentive to pre-order; the UMD release of SMT: Persona is a Collector's Edition boxed set, with each and every launch copy including the game's full 2-disc musical score, courtesy of master composer Shoji Meguro, at no additional cost.

Lauded for its mature and philosophical narrative, SMT: Persona stands apart from other RPGs of its era, blending sophisticated storytelling with addictive combat, demon negotiation, and demon fusion components. Boasting a fully redone localization (including content never before seen in North America), all-new music, beautiful new animated sequences overseen by famed artist Kazuma Kaneko, enhanced graphics and sound, adjustments to game balance, and a number of technical and design improvements, this is the definitive version of one of the most sought after RPGs of all time.

"Over a decade after the game was originally released for PlayStation®, we're proud to be able to deliver a remade, remastered SMT: Persona through the ever-growing PlayStation®Store in addition to traditional retail channels," said Tim Pivnicny, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Atlus. "When the PSP®go System launches in October, customers will immediately be able to load up a digital copy of what promises to be one of the platform's strongest RPG releases of the year. To show our devotion to our fans and retail partners, the UMD release of SMT: Persona will include the game's complete 2-disc soundtrack. This tremendous value is exclusive to the retail version of the game, and only available for a limited time at launch."

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona is currently scheduled to release in stores and via PlayStation Network on September 22, 2009. Both versions have an MSRP of $39.99, but only the physical launch copies will include the game's soundtrack on 2 discs, all packaged in a premium oversized outer box.

About SMT: Persona
The rumor going around St. Hermelin High School holds that if you play the "Persona" game, you can see what the future holds for you. When a group of students-some eager, some skeptical-tries the game out, they experience something quite different. Before long, the city is turned upside-down and demons are roaming the streets, and only the students' newfound power of Persona can set things right again.

Whether you pursue Takahisa Kandori and his abuses of the power he wields as SEBEC's president, or whether you delve into the curse of the Snow Queen that has plagued St. Hermelin for decades, a deep, modern, psychological tale awaits. Remember your true self, and free the tortured psyches of others...

Key Features

* More than the same old JRPG - Dark, philosophical, and complex, Persona sets you up in a modern day Japan that has gone into chaos. Demons run free, and you and your team must navigate corruption, mental frailty, and an alternate version of your world to bring your reality back into order.
* A second chance on PSP - Offering a second opportunity to experience the beginnings of the acclaimed Persona series, this remake boasts a fully relocalized script, revamped user interface, faster battles, expanded soundtrack, and new in-game movies with voice work added just for the North American release.
* Unique tactical opportunities - The inner selves known Personas are your key to progressing through the adventure, adding skills and incredible depth to your battle tactics. Expand and improve your collection through the Demon Negotiation system that offers spell cards that you can later fuse into new Personas.


Shin Megami Tensei: Persona has been rated "T" for Teen with Fantasy Violence, Language, Partial Nudity, Simulated Gambling, and Suggestive Themes by the ESRB.

LLC announces new development team for Scratch - The Ultimate DJ on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360

Scratch DJ Game, LLC, a joint venture between Numark Industries, LLC and Genius Products, LLC announced today that it has recently hired Commotion Interactive, the music and party game division of Bedlam Games Inc., to complete development of its much anticipated music rhythm game, Scratch: The Ultimate DJ. In choosing the industry veterans at Commotion Interactive, Scratch DJ Game, LLC underscores its commitment to successfully launching Scratch and establishing a strong footprint in the progressively growing and competitive music gaming industry.

"With Scratch: The Ultimate DJ we will deliver an innovative, ground breaking video game for fans of hip-hop," said Jack O'Donnell, CEO of Scratch DJ Game, LLC. "We have selected Commotion and are confident that they are the best choice to help us achieve our mission. The team's rich and varied development experience includes talent from Rockstar Games, Ubisoft, and Electronic Arts."

"Scratch: The Ultimate DJ offers a revolutionary take on the existing music/rhythm genre. The combination of the game and the proprietary Scratch Deck controller will bring the art of DJing to the masses," said Trevor Fencott, CEO of Bedlam Games Inc. "The Scratch Deck combines a touch sensitive turntable from Numark with the drumpads from the iconic Akai Professional MPC. This combination delivers an authentic music gaming experience unlike any other. We are thrilled to embark on this venture with Scratch, and can't wait for this exciting title to hit store shelves."

Commotion's mission is to deliver music and party game titles borne of exceptional design, fostered by meticulous planning, and realized by a world-class team. The studio was formed in 2006 by a seasoned group of industry professionals who are united in their belief that games can be developed on a creative level. The Commotion team is dedicated to providing quality titles that resonate with consumers looking for an entertaining and original gaming experience.

Scratch: The Ultimate DJ will be available in early 2010 on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system. For more information on Scratch: The Ultimate DJ, please visit: http://www.scratchvideogame.com/