Web comic for Dragon Age Origins video game announced by BioWare and Penny Arcade

BioWare has joined forces with Gabe & Tycho, the creative artists of the popular Penny Arcade web comic (www.penny-arcade.com) to create a new 8-part web comic based on BioWare’s upcoming epic, dark fantasy Dragon Age: Origins.

The Dragon Age: Origins web comic features an all-new Penny Arcade treatment of a dangerous encounter between a party of mage-hunting Templar knights, the reviled “Witch of the Wilds” Flemeth and her deadly, magic-wielding daughter Morrigan. Featuring its own original storyline, this new Penny Arcade comic will give readers a dark introduction to the brutal world of Dragon Age: Origins.

Fans can view the first page of the series today at www.dragonage.com with a new page being revealed every week. Fans will also see an exclusive Q&A with Penny Arcade on the site as they share some of their impressions and favorite moments of Dragon Age: Origins.

To see and play the game that inspired the new Penny Arcade comic, players can get a special advance look at Dragon Age: Origins at this year’s Penny Arcade Expo:

Where: Washington State Convention & Trade Center
Seattle, WA 98101-2350
Dragon Age: Origins Booth No 622

When: Friday, September 4th – Sunday, September 6th

Dragon Age: Origins is coming to PC and Xbox 360 in North America on November 3 and later in November for PlayStation 3. For more information and to see the new Penny Arcade Dragon Age: Origins web comic, visit www.dragonage.com (age gate).

Fate Unlimited Codes video game on PSP for all your hand held brawler needs - with video

The PlayStation Portable (PSP) System Gets a Digitally Distributed Dose of Capcom's Newest Fighting Masterpiece.

Highly anticipated fighting game, Fate/unlimited codes, launched for the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system. This exciting title is only available for sale digitally via the PlayStation Store. Fate/unlimited codes is rated T for Teen and will be available on the PlayStation Store for $29.99.



Based on the hit Japanese manga and anime series, Fate/unlimited codes takes place in Japan, where seven pairs of magical combatants compete for the ‘Holy Grail’ that will grant them any wish. This compelling combat experience for the PSP system features a deep roster of characters and unique fighting moves, while employing a fast-paced, weapons-based fighting system that is sure to meet any Capcom fans highest expectations. The original arcade version has been greatly updated for the PSP system, and designed in such a way so that anyone can pull-off a speedy action move with the most basic fighting game controls.

For those feeling confident enough to take on human competition, Fate/unlimited codes supports local network play on the PSP system, allowing two players to duke it out wire less. Additionally, the game has dozens of unlockable secrets, including alternate costumes, missions and other bonus challenges. Fate/unlimited codes has been developed by Cavia in association with Eighting, the development team that brought you Tatsunoko v Capcom and Bloody Roar.

Mini Ninjas video game launch trailer and free demo links - PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and DS

Mini Ninjas will be available to purchase from 11th of September in the UK 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 NinjasTM will take you on a journey to feudal Japan where you’ll 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.




You can try out the demo by visiting www.minininjas.com for the PC deme, visit Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 demo and go to PlayStation Network for the PlayStation 3 demo.

Join the Beatles with Rock Band's first Wireless Wooden Fender Stratocaster for Xbox 360 release

Mad Catz announce the shipping of the Rock Band Wireless Wooden Fender Stratocaster replica guitar for use with the Microsoft Xbox 360 videogame console.

Compatible with Rock Band, Rock Band 2, the up coming The Beatles: Rock Band game, alongside other music and rhythm games, the Rock Band Wireless Wooden Fender Stratocaster guitar controller is a true 1:1 replica of the famous guitar. The body, neck, and headstock are made from genuine Stratocaster wooden blanks, while the Tuning Keys and Bridge are built using genuine metal parts and fittings.

Available in a hand-painted Three-Tone Sunburst design, the highly buffed gloss finish on each model is applied over an eight day period in the same manner as a genuine Stratocaster electric guitar and assembled at a Fender’ manufacturing facility. The guitar neck sports a high-resolution ‘Rosewood’ finish decal, concealing two sets of premium Fret Buttons.

The Rock Band Wireless Wooden Fender Stratocaster guitar controller utilizes the same secure wireless technology featured in the official wireless Microsoft Xbox 360 controller. Connecting directly to the Xbox 360, it does not require an external dongle or adaptor to operate. The premium Fret Buttons and Strum Bar deliver quiet operation and reliable game play, and have been have been extensively play tested to ensure that it is possible to achieve a 100% score in ‘Expert Mode’ should the players ability be up to the challenge.

On the front of the guitar, the Fender Stratocaster Whammy Bar sits alongside the Start and Back Buttons, disguised as Volume and Tune controls. Furthermore, the Stratocaster features the traditional ¼ inch output jack which will connect to the Rock Band Electro-Harmonix™ Overdrive Pedal (sold separately), allowing for authentic activation of ‘Overdrive’ during game play. It includes three AA batteries and official Fender guitar strap. Finally, the rear of the guitar features a headset socket for online play and communicating with friends.

Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz commented, “As our latest premium product and flagship guitar, the Wireless Wooden Fender Stratocaster guitar controller brings the authenticity and realism of a full-size genuine Stratocaster to Rock Band, guitar enthusiasts, and music fans alike. The guitar is another example of our strategy to expand our portfolio of premium products.”

The Rock Band Wireless Wooden Fender Stratocaster guitar controller for Xbox 360 is available at Mad Catz online Rock Band Store (http://rockband.gameshark.com) and shipping now across North America in early September 2009. It will retail for an MSRP of $299.99.

IL-2 Sturmovik Birds of Prey mission revealed PS3 and Xbox 360 demo downloads

More information on the mission mode in IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey. The highly anticipated WWII aerial combat title will hit the shelves on 4th September for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PSP and Nintendo DS.

Mission mode extends the game play experience in IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds Of Prey by offering new missions that are unlocked through progress in the main campaign mode. By successfully navigating the campaign missions in each of the six scenarios, new operations become available such as night time recon, airfield assaults, escorting bombers, supply transports or troops to their destination, neutralising anti-aircraft units, low fling ground attacks, vessel air patrol and interception of enemy supply transports to name a few. These additional operations bring the mission total to 50 across the campaign and mission modes.

Based around large-scale aerial combat over the ground-based military operations of World War II, variety is at the heart of the action in IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey. Players participate in the most famous confrontations of the era piloting fighters, battle planes or heavy bombers across a range of missions. There are six theatres of war in which to engage – The Battle of Britain, Stalingrad, Berlin, Sicily, the Battle of the Bulge and Korsun – representing the main airborne battles of World War II in Europe.

As well as taking environmental and landscape visuals to new heights by incorporating satellite technology, IL-2 also boasts a tangible damage effects engine. Players will see real-time damage to the aircraft such as holes in the wings and trail lines during dogfights. IL-2 will support up to 16 players in multiplayer aerial combat set across 4 scenarios - Dogfight, Team Battle, Strike and Capture the Airfield.

IL2 Sturmovik: Birds Of Prey will be published by 505 Games in collaboration with 1C Company on 4th September 2009 for Xbox 360, PS3, NintendoDS and PSP. Playable demos for Xbox 360 and PS3 are available to download now from Marketplace and PSN.

Princess Debut - The Royal Ball, coming to the Nintendo DS

Midway Games announce a European distribution deal with Natsume for their new rhythm and adventure game for girls, Princess Debut: The Royal Ball, coming to the Nintendo DS.

In the game, players find themselves in a fantasy world where they have 30 days to get ready for the big ball; they’ll have to master their dance moves and pick a partner from one of six charming princes. They’ll meet and woo the princes through the game’s large, branching storyline and exciting event system. Once players convince a prince to be their dancing partner, it’s time to go out on the dance floor! Players will use the touch screen to guide their character gracefully across the dance floor while matching their partner’s rhythm. All of the dances in the game are taken from motion-captured professional dancers, so the game is just as impressive to watch as it is fun to play.

“What young girl doesn't dream of becoming a princess? Princess Debut transports girls into that magical fairytale world while introducing elements of dance and music,” said Hiro Maekawa, President and CEO at Natsume. “It is a true pleasure to be working with Midway to bring this unique and entertaining title to the European community.”


Princess Debut: The Royal Ball by Natsume features four modes of play including Story, Ballroom, Practice, and Movie. With 20 outfits to find, 14 unique endings to experience, and 18 different kinds of music and dance styles to choose from (including Waltz, Latin dance, Tango, Ballroom, and much more), there’s no shortage of things to see and do.


“We are thrilled to partner up with Natsume to bring this exciting new Nintendo DS product to the European marketplace”, said Martin Spiess, Executive Vice President International, Midway Games Ltd. “Princess Debut: The Royal Ball stands out for its sheer production value and direction in gameplay. It is a highly innovative product featuring elements from both music and dance and is aimed at the broad target group of younger girls. Princess Debut: The Royal Ball fits perfectly into our steadily growing 2009 line-up.”

Princess Debut: The Royal Ball is scheduled to be available exclusively for the Nintendo DS in June 2009.

Little Space Duo - a Little girl and a Small Robot on a Big Video Game Mission

Jugilus is pleased to announce the release of Little Space Duo for Windows PC. In this puzzle-based arcade game, the player guides an unusual pair of heroes - a little girl and a small robot - on their way through a huge spaceship.

What's the worst that can happen when a spaceship's systems go haywire? Lucy knows all too well! She's been abducted accidentally by a strange vessel, whose control systems have been damaged by a cosmic ray. Considered by the ship to be nothing more than a piece of cargo, she has been taken away into space. Luckily, she's not alone - a small, clever data robot is there to help her out. Together they will embark on a mission to fix the computer and save the day. It wont be easy, though; they have a long way to travel and the corridors of the spaceship are patrolled by various cargo robots which will try to catch them and put them in storage. The little duo will need to work together, help each other out, and utilize all their cunning to outsmart the cargo robots.

Little Space Duo provides two gameplay modes.

Most of game consists of a side-scrolling arcade platformer, in which the player controls Lucy and Sunny. Lucy can run and perform some tasks, like operating lifts and manipulating some devices. Sunny, meanwhile, can fly and can access some hard to reach areas, but he lacks hands, and thus cannot do some of the things Lucy can. He can also help Lucy by carrying her safely down from high places. Traveling through the corridors of the ship, the little duo will encounter various patrolling robots, which will try to catch them. The different robots have varying abilities, which the player must pay attention to, in order to help the protagonists avoid capture. Most of the robots are able to catch Lucy, while Sunny has less to worry about, as there are fewer that can catch him. The player must be clever in managing the two heroes' abilities and vulnerabilities in order to help them on their quest.

The second mode is a top-down arcade game in which the player controls a vehicle carrying Lucy and Sunny. The vehicle travels through the larger cargo halls of the ship, which contain many patrolling robotic vehicles. The puzzle elements in this portion of the game involve not only avoiding these robotic vehicles, but manipulating them in order to advance.

Features:
- 2 gameplay modes
- 40 meticulously crafted levels
- smooth, easy-to-learn gameplay
- single player and two player gameplay
- non-violent content

Silent Hill: The Escape iPhone Video Game Now Available For 99 Cents In App Store

Konami announce that Silent Hill: The Escape is now available for 99 cents on the Apple App store exclusively from September 3 to September 5. Konami's popular survival horror franchise makes its way onto the iPhone and iPod touch, bringing a terrifying experience to gamers on-the-go.

A first person, 3D shooter, Silent Hill: The Escape allows players to feel fully immersed in a nail-biting experience. A revolver and a dim flashlight is all gamers have to navigate through eerie mazes while trying to locate keys to escape the monster-infested labyrinth. Players can roam the maps with caution and agility but one touch from the gruesome monsters and the game is over. A steady hand and precise accuracy are also crucial to swiftly reload the revolver, as even the slightest tremble will let the bullets go scattering to the floor.

Silent Hill: The Escape is available for purchase for 99 cents from September 3 to September 5 only on the App Store for Apple iPhone and iPod touch. For more information and assets, please visit http://www.konami.com/downloads/.

F.E.A.R. 2: Reborn All-New Single-Player Video Game Campaign Now Available to download

F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin fans can now 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, available today on Xbox LIVE Marketplace on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for 800 Microsoft Points, for PlayStation Network on the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system for £6.29, and on Windows PC for £5.99 via portals like Steam, IGN and Digital River.

F.E.A.R. 2: Reborn immerses gamers in the chaos of Alma’s aftermath in an entirely new role: that of Replica Soldier Foxtrot 813. Gamers begin the mission as part of an orbital Powered Armour drop to reinforce their squad, and the ruined city of Auburn emanates supernatural events and familiar voices, beckoning Foxtrot 813 to go against orders from Replica command. Be careful, not everything is as it seems…

Also available today for all three game systems is the free Slow-Mo Deathmatch update, offering F.E.A.R. fans an all-new multiplayer mode. Gamers can now use 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 power-up, the more objective points are accumulated, contributing to their overall score. Watch out though, whoever has slow-mo ability becomes a bigger target to everyone else!

iMP: Surf the Music Video Game Launches for iPhone and iPod Touch

Koolhaus Games Inc. is pleased to announce the release of iMP: Surf the Music, a new music based game created specifically for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The game is available starting September 3, 2009 from the Apple iTunes store. More information about the game can be obtained here: www.impmusicgame.com

Players generate their own funky soundtracks by gathering “bits of funk” throughout the game, triggering music loops and audio accents. Upon replay, different versions of the soundtrack can be created providing a unique and fresh audio experience throughout. Intuitive tilt controls and simple to pick up game play will provide hours of fun for casual players, while advanced levels will challenge even the most seasoned gamer.

Check out the posts on Twitter, Facebook and other community web portals.

IMP: Surf the Music Game Features:

- Original funkadelic soundtrack
- Addictive game play: The player builds the song by picking up collectables
- Intuitive tilt controls tailored for the iPhone and iPod Touch
- A variety of colorful, themed levels that showcase the iMP’s crazy world of funk
- Updates to new level packs coming soon – check the iMP website often

For a limited time only, iMP: Surf the Music will be available from the Apple iTunes Store at a special introductory price.