Release date for Mini Ninjas video game annouced

Eidos Interactive are proud to announce that IO Interactive’s new adventure Mini Ninjas will be released from 8th September across North America, 11th September in the United Kingdom and PAL territories and 9th October in France and Germany and will be available on Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Games for Windows and PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system.

Mini Ninjas takes you on a journey to feudal Japan where you join Hiro, Futo, and the rest of the ninja clan on their biggest ninja adventure ever as they embark on an epic and electrifying quest to restore harmony to a world on the brink of chaos.

“We’re incredibly excited to be launching the unique and beautifully quirky MINI NINJAS,” said Niels Jørgensen General Manager of IO Interactive. “The art direction and humor are endearing and it has won a special place in the hearts of the IO studio. Giving life to these fierce little ninjas has been an adventure in itself and we really hope that people will enjoy the game as much as we do."

The game will be published in Europe and PAL territories by Eidos Interactive and co-published in North America by Eidos, Inc. and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

We Sing - Nintendo Wii video game - Q&A with developer Nordic Games

How important is this release to Nordic Games?

We Sing will be Nordic Games’ biggest release to date, a fruition of our ambitions as a publisher of peripheral-based games. Our first games helped us set-up processes and channels. That stage has been successfully completed and now we are ready to bring AAA-quality titles to the consumer marketplace. Nordic Games does have a long-term strategy for We Sing, but I don’t really want to get caught up in details of our future plans until We Sing has launched. Nordic Games is adopting the Apple approach of telling people when the product is ready… when the product actually is ready.

What are your expectations for We Sing?

Nordic Games wants to keep its feet on the ground about We Sing, but deep down we are extremely excited. We have briefed our distribution partners and they are all looking forward to the release of the product this winter. I wholeheartedly believe We Sing will be a hit. The quality and mix of the music together with the game’s ease of use will be key factors to the success.

How important are the partnerships/deals you have made?

Relationships with all the leading music companies are hugely important. This is the only way that you can get a mixture of good modern artists and quality back catalogue songs. We are at the beginning of a long relationship with major music publishers like EMI, Warner, Universal and many of the hip independent record labels, too. We do not have any particular exclusive partnerships, preferring to just do good business with each of party in the way of solid commercial deals. By having the door open to these leading players you get flexibilty, variety and access to the best artists... Ultimately that delivers songs that are simply great to sing.

Nordic Games has approached the song list featured on We Sing from an aspect of delivering a music set that was varied and had "something for everyone". No stone was unturned in terms of researching music and customer likes. Hopefully this is reflected in the fantastic music selection. It was a tough choice which songs to include, there are so many great ones out there.

But Nordic Games is realistic too... SingStar is the benchmark in Europe for this genre and the level of thought that they have applied to their games is astounding. It would be a compliment to be compared to them, but in reality this is the beginning of the We Sing journey, and the product will continue to develop over time.

What will make We Sing stand out from other titles in the genre?

We Sing has one major USP over any other Karaoke games in the market. Namely, it has the ability to plug in four microphones and four friends sing together. This is the most important aspect of We Sing. The name says it all – it’s about friends having fun and singing together. The game has been designed specifically for the Nintendo Wii and will be developed exclusively for the platform for the long term. Nordic Games has no interest to venture onto SingStar’s territory, or Microsoft’s for that matter. We Sing features original music videos, and quality artists, but the thought, effort and research behind the music choices are another strong point. Having leading artists like Lady GaGa, Coldplay, Lily Allen, Tom Jones and Kylie Minogue also makes the product stand out from the rest of the crowd.

Pelle Lundborg, Publishing Director, Nordic Games

Second WonderKing Online Beta Key Giveaway - win one of 1,000 closed beta keys for WonderKing Online

Second WonderKing Online Beta Key Giveaway for mmolecule members. mmolecule will conduct a random drawing to award a second batch of 1,000 closed beta keys for WonderKing Online, a new MMO from NDOORS to be released in 2009.

Any existing mmolecule member or anyone who becomes a member of mmolecule on or before August 19th will be eligible to win. Only one key will be awarded per person. Winners will be privately notified on August 20th.

“We're very excited to offer our community members another opportunity to experience WonderKing Online,” said Andrew Muchmore, COO and co-founder of mmolecule. “This is a great opportunity for mmolecule members to get into the game, as well as get to know NDOORS. We look forward to offering more tools, services, and contests involving WonderKing Online in the very near future.”

Complete contest details are available at http://www.mmolecule.com.

DrawRace iPhone and iPod Touch video game - a new way to race Play free flash game here

Totally new and compelling way to race with iPhone - Draw your racing line and speed. Race and drift your way into a world league leader!

Drawrace introduces a completely new type of game-and control mechanics, which will keep you hooked time after time. Try to draw the best possible driving path and the optimal speed for the path – and watch how fast you are able to race through the tracks. Your Improvement is continuous as there are many good ways to pass the tracks, and eventually, it is your skill that decides your success!

In addition to 20 closely designed, fun and challenging tracks, you can also race against all other players around the globe over the network mode – or if you are playing with your friends, you can immediately test, who has the best racing tactics in an exciting hot-seat multiplayer mode.



DrawRace introduces:

* Totally new "Draw and Drive" control system never seen before
* Realistic driving model with skidding, braking and gas control
* 20 unique, closely designed racing tracks for all the game modes
* Single player races against computer, your own best drives and against the next driver in the global and national league
* Networked multiplayer mode for racing against other drivers anywhere around the globe
* Global and national leagues for network mode
* Local hotseat multiplayer mode for 2 or 3 players
* National network league in over 70 countries

Exclusively at iTunes app store, only 0.99$, available now!

Dark Age of Camelot - Darkness Rising and Labyrinth of the Minotaur Expansions now Free to download

New 14-Day Trial Entices New and Returning Players With Access to All Five Dark Age of Camelot Expansion Packs

Mythic Entertainment, an Electronic Arts studio,announce that Dark Age of Camelot - Darkness Rising and Labyrinth of the Minotaur, the fourth and fifth retail expansions to the epic fantasy MMORPG Dark Age of Camelot, are now available at no charge to all subscribers. Originally launched in 2001, Dark Age of Camelot remains one of the more popular MMORPGs in the genre’s history and is heralded for introducing the renowned “Realm vs. Realm” gamezplay experience.

Current subscribers will receive the expansions as part of an automatic update to their existing game client. For players that are new to Dark Age of Camelot, or for those interested in returning to the world, they can download the new 14-day free trial which now features all five retail expansions, including Darkness Rising and Labyrinth of the Minotaur. New players can download the Dark Age of Camelot 14-Day free trial here: http://www.darkageofcamelot.com/trial.

“The Dark Age of Camelot community has thrived for nearly a decade and the game has helped transform the MMO landscape with the introduction of groundbreaking Realm vs. Realm gameplay,” said Jeff Hickman, Executive Producer of Mythic Entertainment. “We could not be more excited to offer all this entertainment to all current players and to those interested in returning to the game, as well as to those looking to experience the game for the first time.”

In addition, seasoned veterans of Dark Age of Camelot can now return to Midgard, Hibernia and Albion and play free for a limited time. The Come Back To Camelot campaign allows former players with closed accounts for 90 days or more receive 10 days of game-time free when they update and reactivate their account.

Darkness Rising, released in 2005, introduced Champions of the Realms to Camelot, which included new weapons, advanced mounts and expanded Champion levels which allow players to gain new skills and learn abilities from other classes. Labyrinth of the Minotaur, released in 2006, introduced the playable Minotaur race and the Mauler class, as well as the largest dungeon in Camelot history.

For more information about the Dark Age of Camelot: Darkness Rising and Labyrinth of the Minotaur, please visit: www.darkageofcamelot.com/.

About Dark Age of Camelot

Celebrating its eight year anniversary in October 2009, Dark Age of Camelot is a massively-multiplayer online role-playing game ("MMORPG") featuring Realm vs. Realm combat, EA Mythic's unique take on Player vs. Player action. In addition, the game features multiple class and race combinations, a robust trade skill system, and a comprehensive player Guild system. The world of Dark Age of Camelot features three Realms at war - Midgard, Hibernia and Albion. Based on the mythologies of Viking-era Scandinavia, ancient Ireland, and Arthurian Britain, respectively, the once-peaceful Realms began to battle after the death of King Arthur. Players quest, fight monsters, form guilds and eventually gain enough power to defend their Realm from enemies. Since its release in October 2001, Dark Age of Camelot has received critical acclaim, including Online Game of the Year by Computer Games Magazine and Computer Gaming World, and PC Game of the Year by USA Today and MSNBC. After five years and hundreds of thousands of players, Dark Age of Camelot has proven to be an enduring success.

Smash Cars RC Cars Arcade Racing Game to Feature Real-Time Physics, Next Generation Graphics Online Multiplayer on PSN

TikGames and Creat Studios announce Smash Cars, the next release under the partnership between the two companies to deliver next generation console games, will be available for download on the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system on Thursday, August 20th. A follow-up to the original Smash Cars, Creat’s 2003 ‘no rules’ RC (radio-controlled) racing game, the successful franchise returns to the PlayStation on the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, offered via Sony’s PlayStation Network.



Real-time physics, innovative stunts and next-generation graphics combine into a dynamic, tricked-out single and multiplayer RC car racing experience where players twist and turn, grind and gear up, performing aerial tricks and stunts while racking up trophies and points as they race to the finish, all in an unlikely location. Set on a beautiful and tranquil Mediterranean island, the fast-moving, bumper car gamezplay style transforms this calm and relaxing setting into a dynamically frenzied raceway. A high-speed mini car racing game with a distinct arcade flavor, gameplay is presented from the unique perspective of a small RC vehicle, setting out to conquer the big world. Players will enjoy realistic driving physics and suspension as the tiny vehicles interact with full-size people and other beach dwellers along their path to victory.

“Smash Cars brings an exciting new action racing experience unlike anything else. TikGames is excited to work with Creat Studios to bring another innovative, high-end title to gamers on the PlayStation Network,” said Anatoly Tikhman, Founder and CEO of TikGames, LLC.



To win the race, RC vehicles must achieve nitro-fueled rocket boosts for accelerated speed bursts by grabbing big air and pulling off gnarly tricks and jumps. Points are earned by performing the best jumps and aerial tricks, hitting dynamic obstacles, colliding with other cars, skidding and “drifting” along sharp turns, and finishing first. Players can choose from the default Monster Truck style chassis, Buggy or Sports Car configurations, and a visit to the Workshop offers players the opportunity to personalize their vehicle by selecting paint color, glass styles, and decals. Additional body styles are unlocked as players advance.

“Creat Studios is thrilled to deliver the Smash Cars franchise to the PlayStation® Network and take advantage of capabilities only found on the PLAYSTATION 3,” said Vladimir Starzhevsky, co-founder and CEO of Creat Studios, Inc. “With this release, we are pushing our design and gameplay boundaries on PSN beyond the casual games arena.”

Smash Cars will include PLAYSTATION Trophy support and has been rated “E” for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Rating Board for this platform.

Cooking Mama 3 Shop and Chop on Nintendo DS video game

Majesco Entertainment today released box art and 10 screens from Cooking Mama 3: Shop & Chop for Nintendo DS. In the latest addition to the 4.5 million-selling franchise that started the cooking video game craze, Mama returns to the kitchen after her very successful foray into the garden. While Mama proves she is still untouchable in the kitchen as she showcases more than 80 new recipes, it is the new modes - "Let's Shop" and "Combine and Create" - that separate this from any previous Cooking Mama game to date.

For the first time, future chefs can purchase food at a grocery store and then use their imaginations to concoct new culinary creations from existing ingredients available in other recipes!

Mama is back, and she's traded in the trowel for the truffle in Cooking Mama 3: Shop & Chop! The stylus becomes the ultimate cooking utensil as players chop, grate, slice, stir, spread, sprinkle, roll and more through over 200 mini-games. The new box art and 10 screens included with this email show Mama making candy apples, donuts and more - a mere fraction of the new recipes available throughout the game. Additionally, six gameplay modes keep players on their feet, as they learn from mistakes in "Let's Cook" mode, compete with up to 3 friends using local wi-fi play in "Time Challenge" mode, and keep a scrapbook of favorite dishes in "Picture Diary" mode. While progressing through the game, recipes go from simple to difficult and dishes advance from small to large, but Mama awards players who learn with bronze, silver or gold medals based on the quality of their cooking!

Cooking Mama 3: Shop & Chop for Nintendo DS is expected to release this November for the SRP of $29.99.

Holland fights bird flu with video game

From the BBC

Like many other nations, the Netherlands is battling swine flu on many fronts.

At the forefront of the fight against the pandemic are the ranks of specialised doctors and millions of anti-viral tablets. But it also has one unusual weapon to call on - a videogame designed by experts at the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam.

Dubbed "The Great Flu", the game is based on the threat that the emergence of a new flu virus and its rapid spread across the globe would pose to humanity.

"The game is based on the need to increase public awareness to the threat posed by a pandemic and the measures in place to contain it," said Albert Osterhaus, head of virology at the Erasmus Medical Centre and one of the experts involved in creating the game.

Full post on the BBC website here...

F.E.A.R. 2 free download content - SloMo Deathmatch - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

From September 3, F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin fans will be able to download four all-new single-player levels in the exclusive F.E.A.R. 2 - Reborn DLC campaign from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Monolith Studios, for a brand new gamezplay experience on the PlayStation Network for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and Windows PC.

F.E.A.R. 2: Reborn lets players experience four new single-player missions that coincide with the events in F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, and a simultaneous automatic title-update provides a free Slow-Mo Deathmatch multiplayer mode for use with F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin multiplayer content. A robust game demo of F.E.A.R. 2 Reborn will be released on August 27.

Four All New Levels: Face the chaos of Alma's aftermath from an entirely new point of view: that of Replica Soldier Foxtrot813. As gamers begin the mission as part of an orbital Powered Armor drop to reinforce their squad, the ruined city of Auburn emanates supernatural events and familiar voices, beckoning Foxtrot813 to go against orders from Replica command. Be careful, not everything is as it seems?



Slow-Mo Deathmatch: Through a free title update, gamers obtain a slow-mo power-up to slow down enemies in multiplayer deathmatch, thus gaining a distinct short-term advantage. The longer players hold onto the slow-mo powerup, the more objective points are accumulated, contributing to the overall score. Watch out though, whoever has slow-mo ability becomes a bigger target to everyone else!

Additionally, launching on August 13 is a brand new F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin premium theme for 240 Microsoft Points and picture pack for 80 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360, as well as a new theme for PlayStation 3. F.E.A.R. 2: Reborn is the third robust DLC pack available for F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, and will become available for Windows PC at a later date. The Toy Soldiers map pack launched April 16, with the Armored Front map pack following soon after on May 21.

In F.E.A.R.2: Project Origin a routine assignment to locate the president of Armacham Technology Corporation in connection with an unfolding hostage crisis turns into a desperate battle for survival after an explosion decimates the city and unleashes Alma Wade, the terrifying supernatural menace at the center of Armacham's highly classified Project Origin. As Alma's power swells out of control, special forces Sgt. Michael Becket and his squad must battle through an apocalyptic landscape of shattered buildings and buckled streets in search of clues for how to destroy her. The more Becket learns about Armacham's secret experiments and reckless agenda, the more he begins to suspect that he's somehow linked to the crisis and may be the only one capable of averting total disaster.

Sixth and final closed beta for Aion this Friday August 14th

After five successful closed beta events, NCsoft is excited to announce that our sixth and final closed beta event for Aion begins this Friday, August 14th at 21:00 CEST (8 PM BST) and will go thru Monday, August 17.

Closed beta testing will conclude with a series of story driven in-game events which will hint at the upcoming content changes.? We will be treated to the story players will find in the 1.5 update called The Shadow of the Balaur. The events in the game will showcase the transition the world of Atreia and the players will experience from 1.0 to 1.5. We are retaining the level cap for both Elyos and Asmodians at 30 in order to allow players to focus on getting to the same level so they can explore the lands of Atreia together.

So remember to log in this Friday and see what Aion has in store! If you do not have a beta key, respond to this email and we will get you set up. This is your last chance to experience the beta events before open beta begins.