Bust a Move Onto Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday with "Boogie Bunnies!" and Catch Up on Highlights from CES

This week, players can achieve their dream of stardom with “Boogie Bunnies” when it shimmies its way onto Xbox LIVE® Arcade for Xbox 360™this Wednesday, 16th January at 9:00 a.m.

In “Boogie Bunnies,” an imaginative color matching 3D puzzle game from Sierra Online, players must use their wits to keep a herd of bunnies out of danger. “Boogie Bunnies” transports players to exotic locations where they complete extensive chain puzzles to trigger funky bunny dances. The game features Classic, Arcade or Endless game modes that players can join in for some furry fun either online or offline in two-player cooperative and competitive modes that the entire family will enjoy.

Highlights from CES

Coming hot off the heels of CES is the announcement that several electrifying titles will launch soon on Xbox LIVE Arcade, including “Poker Smash” from indie developer Void Star Creations. “Poker Smash” incorporates gameplay elements found in today’s most engrossing puzzle games and adds a poker twist to the mix. Combined with a stunning presentation, the “Poker Smash” puzzle package is a game not to be missed. Additionally, “Rez HD” from Q Entertainment will also be launching soon, which is the Xbox LIVE Arcade exclusive update to the classic shooter that has achieved almost mythical status among gamers for its truly unique entertainment experience. Also launching soon on Xbox LIVE Arcade is “Brain Challenge,” from Gameloft, which is Xbox LIVE Arcade’s first brain training game. “Brain Challenge” boosts brain activity and helps players develop stress-management skills in fun, innovative ways, thanks to a wide variety of games spanning across math, reasoning, memory, focus and logic. Finally, “Lode Runner” will be launching on Xbox LIVE Arcade later in 2008, and is a complete remake of the famous platform game. With free trial downloads for every game and over 100 games to choose from, Xbox LIVE Arcade offers something for every member of the family.

Where can I get “Boogie Bunnies” from?

Boogie Bunnies: available for 800 MS Points from 9:00 a.m., Wednesday 16th January 2008

It is rated 3+

More information is available at http://www.xbox.com/games/livearcade

S2 Games and iGames Partner for Launch of Savage 2: A Tortured Soul

Independent game developer S2 Games announced today a partnership with iGames, North America’s leading game center organization, for the launch of Savage 2: A Tortured Soul. The partnership will offer gamers a full Savage 2 account while playing at iGames affiliated game centers. Savage 2 will launch on January 16 and sell for $29.99 exclusively online via download from www.s2games.com.

The partnership with iGames allows gamers to create and maintain a full game account while playing at any iGames affiliated game center. This includes unlimited online play, participation in the Savage 2 Clan League, use of persistent items, and more. Additionally, iGames will be hosting preview events at select locations across North America and internationally where gamers can try Savage 2 absolutely free. For locations visit www.igames.org.

In addition to playing at iGames locations, gamers are able to download the Savage 2 game client for free from anywhere in the world and access several features including playing the offline single player tutorial, unlimited LAN play, access to the comprehensive replay database that catalogues each and every game, as well as sign-up for a demo account for up to 5 free hours of online play. Gamers who enjoy the game can simply upgrade through the game client or from the official website.

“Because the gameplay is so unique, building community is a major part of Savage 2,” said Marc DeForest, co-founder and lead designer of S2 Games. “We implemented an assortment of features in the design of the game that embraced the community and our partnership with iGames extends that commitment.”

“Creating a place where gamers can come together and play their favorite games is what iGames is all about,” said Mark Nielsen, iGames Executive Director. “Savage 2 is one of those unique games that comes along and truly embraces the community and gives gamers a reason to team up, create clans and really enjoy a unique gaming experience.”

For more information on Savage 2: A Tortured Soul, please visit http://savage2.s2games.com.

About Savage 2: A Tortured Soul
Savage 2: A Tortured Soul is the sequel to the critically acclaimed online multiplayer game Savage: A Battle for Newerth, which introduced gamers to the completely new Real Time Strategy Shooter (RTSS) gaming genre. Savage enabled players to opt for either the fast-paced, run-and-gun action of a first-person shooter (FPS) game – playing as a Warrior – or the more cerebral and tactical planning of a real-time strategy (RTS) game – playing as a Commander – working together as a team to defeat the enemy. Savage 2: A Tortured Soul builds upon the addicting, fast-paced gameplay of the original with additional squad-based features and enhanced role-playing game (RPG) elements which enable players to build their character level and abilities throughout the game.

About S2 Games
The core S2 Games team is an experienced group of developers from diverse backgrounds, including film, fine art, computer science and business. Through this mix of skill and experience, a synergy is born creating a fresh perspective in game design. The mission of the S2 Games team is to create the next level of multiplayer gaming. With the creation of the K2™ Engine, they have the freedom to take online multiplayer games to heights not reached before. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.s2games.com.

About iGames
iGames, Inc. offers a wide range of services to help independent and franchised game centers. iGames’ mission is to promote and develop the growth of the game center industry. Its services unite game centers with the goal of establishing them as the driving force enabling the interactive entertainment industry to become the number one form of entertainment around the world. iGames has established strong relationships with industry leaders to provide a wide variety of products, services and programs to member game centers and gamers including software licensing, hardware discounts, exclusive game premieres, tournaments, and game nights. Today the company counts well over 500 centers and 1.2 million gamers, initiating and co-organizing more than 200 events a year. To learn more about iGames, go to www.igames.org.

cdv Software Entertainment AG Continues Strategic Growth, Entering French Market

Continuing its successful expansion efforts, leading full-service interactive entertainment industry service provider, cdv Software Entertainment AG, today announced the acquisition of a 75% majority share of cdv Madrics Media S.A.S, a newly-founded firm, with options to acquire additional shares. Effective December 31, 2007, French-based cdv Madrics Media S.A.S. has successfully acquired all business operations of the highly successful Madrics Media France As part of the rapidly growing cdv Group; this newly acquired firm will be responsible for the marketing and distribution of games-related software and hardware, as well as accessories for France and the Benelux.

With this acquisition, cdv Software Entertainment AG is able to offer immediate access to another key European market, continuing its execution of strategic plans towards becoming a comprehensive, full-service distribution network for all of Europe and North America. cdv Madrics Media S.A.S. maintains excellent relationships with key retailers and partners in France and the Benelux, and is considered a leading distributor in the French-language interactive entertainment market. After additional recent acquisitions yielded significant expansion in Austria and Eastern Europe, the acquisition of this French firm represents a further step toward cdv’s ability to successfully offer services within the Pan European, US and Canadian markets.

“The synergy and the complimentary product and service portfolios of the two firms will allow the cdv Group to significant expand its presence and market share in the European interactive entertainment segment, as well as bolster the organization’s credibility as the leading, independent full-service provider,” said Christian Gloe, cdv Software Entertainment AG’s CEO. “This is a significant milestone for cdv Software Entertainment AG, and we are making excellent progress towards our stated goal of expanding our existing business segments, as well as entering new and complimentary areas of focus.”

“We are excited to be working with cdv Software Entertainment AG, and likewise the opportunities that this presents for us, our customers and our partners," said cdv Madrics Media S.A.S.’s President, Michaela Steidel. "cdv Madrics Media S.A.S. will now be able to offer its customers an even more comprehensive product portfolio – including a full assortment of already well-established hardware, and a selection of top-notch software titles. We are confident that this will permit us to significantly strengthen our market share and position in France and the Benelux.”


About cdv Software Entertainment AG
cdv Software Entertainment AG is the only publicly traded, independent full service provider for the games sector in Germany. As a leading sales and service partner for the entire games and software industry, cdv is excellently positioned on the global market thanks to branches focused on Germany, Switzerland and Austria (GSA), North America, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia as well as noted international partners. Alongside its strong product placement and international distribution logistics, cdv offers its customers a wide range of sales-promoting methods and an extensive, professional marketing and promotion service from a single source. The company, which was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Bruchsal, Germany, has been on a steady growth course since its 2007 consolidation and is aiming in the medium term for a strong market position as one of the globally leading full service providers in the games sector. More information is available at http://www.cdv.de.

"Imperium Romanum": New battle screens published!

Today, Kalypso Media Group is publishing six battle screenshots of the upcoming city building highlight "Imperium Romanum".

Kalypso media UK are today please to publish six exclusive new screenshots of their forthcoming empire building strategy "Imperium Romanum".

While the hostile barbarians enter the combat, the player has to defend his goods and chattels and to show his tactical skills in order to defend against mighty attacks. Therefore, not only infantry, but also archers and horsemen (equites) are available.
However, the barbarians are well equiped with siege machines and will not hesitate to attack you in the middle of the night.

„Imperium Romanum", the sequel to the million seller "Glory of the Roman Empire", will be published by the end of February 2008 at a price of £29,99.

"Imperium Romanum" is already considered to be one of the top PC-strategy games of of 2008.

New Year changes at Eurogamer

Eurogamer Network today announces it has re-vamped its Eurogamer.net website and has promoted Tom Bramwell to the role of Editor.

The new site features a design update as well as several new useful features for readers. Eurogamer.net now includes easily navigable pages that detail the most exciting games that are coming soon and out now, helping make the site an indispensable buyer’s guide for games. The site changes also benefit readers of the other local Eurogamer websites, Eurogamer.de and Eurogamer.fr.

Alongside these changes, Tom Bramwell has been promoted to Editor of the site after working for the company for the past 8 years. His predecessor, Kristan Reed, will take the role of Editorial director of the site, whilst Ellie Gibson will fill Tom’s previous role of Deputy Editor.

Commenting on his appointment, Tom Bramwell says, "I am delighted to be taking over the website I have spent the best part of a decade helping to establish, write and operate. Kristan's unflinching passion for games and conveying what makes them special leaves me with a great deal to build on, and serving the people who play them will be at the absolute heart of the steps I take to maintain and better the incredible, sustained growth achieved under his leadership. I can't wait to get started."

Eurogamer.net’s new editorial director, Kristan Reed, added, "Tom's promotion is a logical evolution for the site, and one that marks the start of a new era for Eurogamer. He's someone that's become arguably the most creative and dedicated games journalist in the world, and his ideas to take the site forward give everyone a lot to look forward to. As for me, my new role allows me an opportunity to develop relationships and work closer with the people that actually make the games that we all get so heated about. That said, I'm not hanging up my keyboard, and will continue to contribute regular reviews and editorial as usual."

Alongside the new website design and staffing changes, the company has also completed its move into new premises in central Brighton. The new space will allow the business to continue its growth over the coming years. The company’s new address is:

Eurogamer Network Ltd
2nd Floor, Wenlock House
41-43 North Street
Brighton
BN1 1RH

The new office phone number is 01273 746 864.

Eurogamer.net is the UK’s most popular independent gaming site and will shortly be announcing its audited traffic figures for November 2007. The company also publishes popular video website Eurogamer TV and a social network for gamers, Eurogamers.

IGN.com Kicks Off 10-Year Anniversary With The Launch Of IGN Retro And Week-Long Editorial Retrospective

IGN.com (http://www.ign.com), the Web’s leading videogame and entertainment information destination, today announced the unveiling of its latest channel, IGN Retro, covering games and systems from the distant and not so distant past as IGN.com kick-offs a year-long celebration for its 10th anniversary. In addition, IGN will present a week-long retrospective of the past 10 years in gaming that will explore IGN.com’s history, from the games and franchises over the past decade to the editors who reviewed them.

The launch of IGN Retro (http://www.retro.ign.com) represents IGN’s first site dedicated to classic videogames. IGN Retro will cover gaming systems from the distant past - including the Atari 2600, Intellivision, Colecovision, and NES - as well as more recent platforms that aren't seeing active release schedules any longer such as the Dreamcast, GameCube and original Xbox systems.

“Having been with IGN.com since its inception, I am very proud of what the site has accomplished so far and very excited for the next 10 years,” said Peer Schneider, Senior Vice President and Publisher, IGN Entertainment. “IGN.com has become the leader in providing users with the latest in videogame news and exclusives, and as the videogame industry continues to evolve, IGN.com will continue to be on the forefront of the industry.”

In addition to the IGN Retro, starting today through Friday, January 18 on IGN.com, the site will feature variety of different editorial topics highlighting the evolution of videogames and IGN.com’s role in covering the industry for the past 10 years. Editorial features include:
Monday, January 14: “Press X: Ten Years in Gaming”
Examining the impact of the last 10 years in videogames
Tuesday, January 15: “The Many Faces of IGN: Where Are They Now?”
An update on many of IGN.com’s past editors
Wednesday, January 16: “Classic IGN Video Moments ”

A collection of cool and funny videos from throughout the years
Thursday, January 17: “IGN.com Turns 10 Podcast”

Editors, past and present, come together to talk about the anniversary
Friday, January 18: “IGN Video Documentary: The First 10 Years”

A three-part look at the decade of IGN.com with past and present editors

“As we hit the 10-year mark, it is important to take a look back at the moments in history that helped define IGN.com as an industry leader,” said Roy Bahat, General Manager of IGN Entertainment. “It is with great pride that we celebrate this company milestone with the millions of IGN.com users who have been with us since the beginning.”

January 12th, 1998 marks the official start of IGN as a branded Web site, and is the day N64.com officially changed its name to IGN64.com. Ten years later, IGN.com is a leading Internet media and services provider focused on the videogame and entertainment enthusiast markets. It is the Web’s number one videogame information destination and attracts one of the largest concentrated audiences of young males on the Internet.


About IGN Entertainment
IGN Entertainment, a unit of Fox Interactive Media, Inc., is a leading Internet media and services provider focused on the videogame and entertainment enthusiast markets. Collectively, IGN’s properties reached more than 30 million unique users worldwide in the month of November 2007, according to Internet audience measurement firm comScore Media Metrix. IGN’s network of videogame-related properties (IGN.com, GameSpy, FilePlanet, TeamXbox, Direct2Drive and others), is the Web’s number one videogame information destination and attracts one of the largest concentrated audiences of young males on the Internet. IGN also owns and operates the popular movie-related website, Rotten Tomatoes and one of the leading male lifestyle Websites, AskMen.com. In addition, IGN provides technology for online game play in videogames. IGN is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, with offices throughout the U.S. and in Montreal.

Spell of Play Studios announces the development of T.W.T.P.B.

Spell of Play Studios announces the production of the shoot 'em up game T.W.T.P.B.

In T.W.T.P.B. you must protect the Empire from the numerously superior heretic alien forces. The word and force of the Emperor still rules the galaxy.

The game features intense boss fights, special abilities and strategic thinking as well as the frantic action of a shooter. Video gamers and shooter fans can grab a copy of game's pre-release demo and experience couple of minutes of gameplay.

The game is developed iteratively and gamers are encouraged to supply their comments and suggestions throughout the development. New releases are published once every fourteen days, and detailed development information is available at the Spell of Play community.

NAMCO BANDAI Games 'NARUTO: Uzumaki Chronicles 2' Brings New Threats, Allies And Adventures To Europe

Atari today announced the forthcoming European release of Namco Bandai Games’ Naruto: Uzumaki Chronicles 2 for PlayStation 2 featuring a new original adventure, new characters and high-octane multiplayer co-op action. Set in the Naruto universe popularised by the anime TV show currently on air across Europe, Naruto: Uzumaki Chronicles 2 is scheduled for release in March 2008.

A new evil has risen and threatens to take over not only the Hidden Leaf Village, but all the other villages and ninja clans as well. An ancient organization which was long thought disbanded is alive and well and in search of several orbs to resurrect a mechanical horror that will ravage the land. It’s now up to Naruto and all the Hidden Leaf Genin to join forces with those of the Hidden Sand Village to stop this menace.

While staying faithful to the hugely popular anime, Naruto: Uzumaki Chronicles2 boasts a completely new original adventure, plus co-op gameplay, character customization options, and multiple playable characters switch-able on the fly including Naruto, Shikamaru, Rock Lee, Kakashi, Guy, Neji, Choji, and more. In addition to 2-player Vs Battle gameplay, during normal solo play a second player is able to join in the action for a simultaneous two-player adventure in Co-op mode. Dazzling lethal attacks and an armoury of specialised ninja weapons are taken straight from the anime with over 30 attack items for kicking ninja ass. The thrilling gameplay modes include Story, Head-to-Head, Mission, and Survival modes giving aspiring ninjas plenty of kicks and punches to throw.

Naruto: Uzumaki Chronicles for PlayStation 2 is published by NAMCO BANDAI Games, distributed in Europe by Atari, and scheduled for European release in March 2008.

Sidelines: The Game Writers Agency

Sidelines is a new agency representing specialist game writers and experienced scriptwriters, all with a good knowledge of video games and the requirements of interactive gameplay.

We provide a high quality service to publishers and developers at all stages of script development, including concept evolution, environment filling, storylining, characterization and dialogue tuning.

Andy Emery, Side MD, said “We have created this agency in response to the clear demand for higher quality game scripts and our awareness of a number of talented and experienced writers without game industry representation.”

Sidelines is headed up by Sini Downing who hails from the world of television and event production. Our writers have worked on many of today’s most popular titles, including: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Rogue Trooper, Primal, Fable, Killzone.

Lost The Plot?

With the growing sophistication of many new titles, a player now expects more from a game than a big weapons cache and a fast car. They want intellectual and emotional involvement, not just the gut pleasure of putting down an assailant. A good script should provide the thrills and dilemmas of being part of a developing narrative or an unfolding mystery. Choice and change are at the heart of all good stories, elements that a specialized games writer can bring to a project.

A game world is a place where the player is going to spend many hours. So, the creation of a fictional environment is an area of script development that needs as much attention as the player’s avatar. Detailing and colouring this world imaginatively is vital – a world that is over-familiar, cheesy or populated by clichéd NPCs will turn off even the most dedicated gamer. Quality writing can enhance a developer’s vision, or, if required, provide bold new concepts.

PathEngine Announces SDK Release, New Licensees, Front Line Award Win

PathEngine announces release 5.14.00 of the PathEngine pathfinding and agent movement SDK, with some very significant performances improvements pretty much across the board. We're also pleased to announce licensing to Aeonsoft Inc. and to Deck13 Interactive and to have been chosen as winner in the middleware category in the Game Developer Magazine annual Front Line awards.

SDK performance improvements include:

Around 20% speedup in pathfinding preprocess generation.
Around 15% speedup in collision preprocess generation and run-time pathfinding queries.
Even bigger speedups in pathfinding around dynamic obstacles.
Speedups and improved scaling when loading meshes without a mapping to 2D, with up to 50% speedups being seen in certain cases involving significant amounts of internal detail.
Very significant speedups in the 3D processing, with improved scaling of content processing times with respect scene complexity.

Updated SDK benchmarks have been posted on this page:
http://www.pathengine.com/benchmarks.php

The Game Developer Front Line awards are intended to recognise the most innovative, user-friendly, and useful products from behind the scenes of the world's best video games.

We're very proud to have been chosen from amongst the many excellent middleware providers working in this industry to receive this prestigious award.

About PathEngine

PathEngine was founded in 2000 to provide a solution to some fundamental issues in intelligent agent movement based on hard industry experience.

Our SDK is built around an advanced implementation of points-of-visibility pathfinding on three-dimensional ground meshes. The approach taken enables us to provide both pathfinding and collision in tight integration against a single, sophisticated, agent movement model, with agent shape taken into account, with seamless support for overlapping geometry, and with dynamic obstacles directly integrated into the core movement model.

The PathEngine SDK features in the genre-breaking MMORPG 'Granado Espada' (by IMC Games) (released in the west as 'Sword of the New World'), 'Mobile Suit Gundam: Operation Troy' (by Dimps Corporation), 'Titan Quest' (by Ironlore Entertainment), 'Pirates of the Burning Sea' (by Flying Lab Games) and many other triple-A titles.
For a more complete list of our clients please see:
http://www.pathengine.com/clients.php

For more information, including documentation and demos, or to arrange an evaluation, please visit our website:
www.pathengine.com