Get the Edge with Gaming Hardware from Specialist Manufacturer Ideazon

Leading gameware specialist, Ideazon Inc. develops, manufactures and markets the next generation of gaming peripheral technologies that enhance the gamers experience. Much of their success has been built around the unique Zboard™. The Zboard™ allows keysets for the latest games to be interchanged in the keyboard and therefore allow programmable keys and a keyboard set-up for each game. This produces a much quicker response and better reactions when playing the game.

With a very strong following in the US, the company has now set up the UK channel with the launch of some exciting new products.

MERC™ Stealth Keyboard - features the best illumination in gaming peripherals.

Ideazon has taken its hugely popular MERC™ gaming keyboard to the next level in a way that is leaving the competition in the dark. The MERC™ Stealth's colour and intensity illumination controls allow gamers to dial in the precise lighting level they prefer in any gaming environment. The keyboard offers three distinct illumination levels when turned on: Subtle, Ambient and Intense. The user can also select from red, blue or purple light, or they can choose no light at all.

To maximize both playing comfort and playing time, the MERC™ Stealth comes with 34 dedicated gaming terrain keys and nine rubberized labelled keys for main commands like jump, crouch and directional movement. All keys are labelled and clustered together for the ultimate gaming experience, with the spacing and positioning of keys designed for ultimate precision and control. The keyboard comes with predefined key mappings for the most popular games, but all keys, including the Windows key, can very easily be remapped individually by using the included Z Engine™ software. The Z Engine™ gaming software enables the "precise" management of Ideazon's gaming tools and brings gaming peripherals to the next level. Several features including: a graphical interface; drag & drop functionality, macro making and message key capabilities give gamers the tools to dominate the gaming world and share their strategies with others in the gaming community.

The gaming terrain is tilted 11 degrees to match natural wrist position. Additionally, traditional PC gamers who enjoy gaming on standard WASD keys can still use these keys on the MERC™ Stealth to continue to dominate. SRP £59.99 Inc Vat

REAPER™ Edge gaming mouse.

The REAPER™ Edge is easy to use and easy to programme and is complete with an array of advanced features for both hardcore and casual gamers; the new mouse includes real time, on-the-fly DPI switching to a maximum of 3200 DPI – and much more.
It is ideal for First Person Shooter, Massive Multiplayer Online, Real Time Strategy, Simulation, and Action Games.

It is compatible with Windows 2000/XP and it is Certified for Windows Vista. It has Full Speed USB Interface with 1ms response time, 20g Acceleration with a Max speed of 45ips. There are 5 distinct levels of DPI sensitivity (800, 1200, 1600, 2000, and 3200) The Reaper Edge mouse also features an independent X- and Y- axis calibration.
SRP £ £49.99 inc Vat

GH-100 Gaming Headset. This Gaming headset provides clear in game sound and voice in a Behind the head/Over the ear format. There is an adjustable microphone, in-line volume adjustment and comfortable foam ear pads. SRP £14.99 inc Vat

Ideazon products are distributed in the UK by Interactive Ideas and available from www.amazon.co.uk and www.play.com.

Masthead Studios Unveils the Post-Apocalyptic World

Masthead Studios, the innovative independent game development studio based in Bulgaria, is proud to announce its debut MMO Earthrise, a post-apocalyptic science fiction title slated to release in 2009.

In the aftermath of a catastrophic third world war, Earth lies in ruin, and mankind is all but extinct. In a small corner of the world a new society has risen in the years following, populated mostly by the clones of those stored in a massive DNA database compiled at the end of the war. A corporate government has created a seemingly Utopian civilization, but its heavy-handed control over society, its resources, and even life itself has forced a substantial opposition. These rival factions accuse the government of crimes against humanity in its rampant willingness to abuse the cloning process to its own gain. It is at this crossroads that players will find themselves: fight as a champion of the new world order, or take up arms with Noir, the shadow government sworn to overthrow the totalitarian rule.

Masthead has employed its own engine to craft the stunning graphics and atmosphere in the game, as well as to handle its dynamic combat mechanics. Explore the diverse and sprawling capital city of Sal Vitas and surrounding unclaimed territories. Fight with advanced PvP mechanics featuring customizable power armor, huge mechanized exoskeletons, and an arsenal of weapons to control contested lands and their resources. Influence the market-based economy by working for the corporate world or trading on the black market, all based in immense and highly customized crafting and offline play systems. Players will shape the society in the beginning of a new mankind; or they will create their own dystopia.

“This will change the way we play sci-fi MMOs,” said Atanas Atanasov, CEO of Masthead Studios. “Our team is creating a game that will introduce the next innovative approach to the genre, and we feel to MMOs themselves. We based the game in a vision of society’s future, where the technology and economics of today have ensured an unavoidable cataclysm. Earthrise won’t be just an MMO, but an experience in a new, never-before-imagined post-apocalyptic world.”

Further information, initial concept art, game lore and a growing community around Earthrise are now available at www.play-earthrise.com.

About Masthead Studios

Masthead Studios is an independent game development studio focusing on innovative, next-generation MMORPGs. Integrating its own proprietary engine technology, the company is currently developing its first title, Earthrise, the post-apocalyptic, sci-fi MMORPG to be launched in 2009. Masthead is located in the emerging technology hub of Sofia, Bulgaria, enabling the studio to recruit local and international talent. For more information please visit www.mastheadstudios.com.

Paradox Interactive brings City Life 2008 to North America

Publisher Paradox Interactive announced today that it has signed the next-generation city builder, City Life Edition 2008, for the North American market. Scheduled for release in May, 2008, the title will be available in retail stores as well as for digital download via GamersGate.

The original City Life was praised for bringing originality to the city building simulation genre and the title managed to carve out its own niche in the genre. City Life Edition 2008 brings as much originality and detail as its predecessor, and the 3D game engine with its detail and animation promises total freedom of construction. Several new features have been added, including:

- 60 new buildings making it a total of 360 buildings
- 10 new maps
- An updated editor with the possibility to import real life satellite maps

About City Life – Edition 2008
rom superb villas in residential neighborhoods to imposing skyscrapers in the financial district, design, construct and develop the city of your dreams. Provide comfort and satisfaction for your citizens by offering them work, health care, entertainment facilities, and much more and ensure that your city's coffers are brimming. It's up to you to manage this city efficiently, ensuring booming development while at the same time regulating the very delicate issues of pollution and traffic. Let peace reign between the six unique subcultures, or pay the price if the situation deteriorates into conflict, riots, and, in the worst-case scenario, fires.

About Paradox Interactive
Paradox Interactive has been a leading publisher and developer of strategy games for the PC platform since 1999. Well-known worldwide for their strategy titles, the company has a particularly strong presence in Europe and the US. The steadily growing publishing portfolio includes in-house developed titles such as critically acclaimed franchises Europa Universalis and Hearts of Iron; as well as an extensive third party line-up of titles that include Tarr Chronicles, Penumbra: Black Plague, Supreme Ruler 2020 and Lost Empire: Immortals.

The experienced development team recently announced a new Q2, 2008 title, developed under the world-renowned brand Europa Universalis – ROME. Visit http://www.paradoxplaza.com for more information.

Exit Games and Metismo Announce Multi-Year Deal for Cross-Platform, Mobile, and Online Game Development

Exit Games, a world leading service provider of mobile and online multiplayer gaming, today announced a partnership with mobile technology provider, Metismo, to offer a complete development and deployment environment for both mobile and online multiplayer games.

Under terms of the deal, Exit Games’ cross-platform multiplayer gaming technology, Neutron, will be integrated as an optional add-on to Metismo’s Bedrock Engine to improve the development and porting of online game applications across all major mobile and online platforms including J2ME, Flash, BREW, Windows Mobile and native Windows.

The use of Bedrock with the seamless addition of Neutron reduces the overhead for coders and porters by allowing game developers to write once and roll-out globally across a wide variety of handheld mobile devices and online access points. Advanced multiplayer and community gaming features such as matchmaking, chat, real-time multiplayer matches, in-game billing options, friend lists, and other social mechanisms will also be offered.

“Combining efforts with Metismo’s Bedrock Engine solution offers mobile game developers around the world a chance to create innovative, social, multiplayer games in a global environment with minimal investment,” said Tom Sperry, CEO of Exit Games. “As the industry grows, we think this will have a remarkable impact on how games are produced and distributed.”

“Neutron’s multiplayer functionalities combined with our Bedrock Engine provides coders with an exciting new way to extend market reach with their games and strengthen customer loyalty,” said John Chasey, CEO of Metismo. “This is just one of the many steps we are taking to align ourselves with industry leading partners in an effort to enable the most advanced consumer products to be brought to market.”

www.exitgames.com
www.metismo.com

A New Close Combat – Modern Tactics Update Is Now Available!

Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) and Strategy 3 Tactics are thrilled to announce the first update for the modern incarnation of the immensely popular Close Combat series, Close Combat – Modern Tactics, is now available for download. This hefty new update includes plenty of new units both on the ground and in the air in addition a number of other tweaks and AI improvements.

Most significantly, infantry and vehicles for both the US Marine Corps and the UK Army have been added to the force pool! Also, plenty of new air assets both for the US and Opfor have been added, including: Mi-24, Ka-50 Hokum, British Tornado, Eurofighter Typhoon and Eurocopter Tiger. There are lots of shiny new pieces of equipment to command and destroy!

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said of the release, “Close Combat fans are receiving a beautiful new New Year’s gift with this latest update, thanks to the continuing hard work of the development team. With plenty of new squads and vehicles to command, your tactical options have just increased dramatically!”

Andrew Williams of Strategy 3 Tactics also added, “The Close Combat – Modern Tactics staff worked extra hard to make sure this update could be all that it could be. We’re very pleased to be presenting such a substantial increase in new gameplay elements in addition to the regular improvements that come with an update.”

Close Combat: Modern Tactics combines classic top down real time tactical warfare with the excitement of multiplayer head to head gaming. Developed from the US Marines training simulation, Close Combat Marines, you get to take command of all types of modern battlefield weaponry including Abrams tanks and Soviet-made RPGs as well as air, helicopter and artillery support. This is serious gaming at its best.

You take command of modern US forces or various opposition forces in one of 25 scenarios included with the release. Engage in combat with up to 5 players per side and participate in intense head to head battles using Modern Era weaponry and equipment on gorgeous hand-drawn maps measuring from 1km square to giant 4km x 1km maps. Fight on hypothetical battlefields ranging in style from backwoods America to the streets of Iraq and the former Soviet republics. You face all the enemy can throw at you in a series of immersive, action-packed engagements that will test your tactical abilities! Air and artillery support are on-call but the final objective can only be secured by Close Combat. You are in command!

Get more information on Close Combat – Modern Tactics from its official Matrix Games webpage.


ABOUT MATRIX GAMES
Matrix Games produces, markets and publishes historical wargames as well as other computer gaming products. Since 2000, Matrix Games has published over three dozen titles and several award-winning games, including War in the Pacific, Conquest of the Aegean, Gary Grigsby's World At War: A World Divided, Crown of Glory, Battles In Normandy, Harpoon 3 Advanced Naval Warfare, Starshatter: The Gathering Storm and The Operational Art of War III. Matrix Games is based in Staten Island, New York. For more information, visit the Matrix Games website at www.matrixgames.com.

CMP's Game Developer Magazine Names Perforce Best Programming Tool for Game-Making

The editors of CMP's Game Developer magazine has named the Perforce Software Configuration Management (SCM) system the winner of the 2007 Front Line Award for best programming tool. The 2007 award marks the fifth consecutive Front Line honour for Perforce in the magazine's annual evaluation of the year's best game-making tools.

Nigel Chanter, chief operating officer of Perforce Software says, "We are proud to count 17 of the top 20 game publishers, such as Ubisoft, Vivendi Games, and Activision, among the 4,500 companies using Perforce. Their developers and designers recognise that in addition to source code, Perforce is ideally suited to manage the wide variety of game assets from large binary files and 3D models to sound effects, music and dialogue."

"Game Developer heartily congratulates the winners of the 2007 Front Line Awards," says Jeffrey Fleming, production editor of Game Developer. "These tools represent the most innovative, user-friendly and useful products from behind the scenes of the world's best video games and we are proud to give them a bit of the glory they deserve."

The complete list of winners of the 2007 Game Developer Front Line Awards can be found at http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=16874. All winners are profiled in the January 2008 issue of Game Developer.

About the Perforce SCM System
Perforce, the Fast Software Configuration Management System is an award-winning tool that versions and manages source code and digital assets for enterprises large and small. Perforce is easy to install, learn and administer; seamlessly handles distributed development, and supports developers across a large number of platforms. Perforce ensures development integrity by grouping multi-file updates into atomic changes, enables concurrent development, and intelligently manages multiple software releases using its Inter-File Branching system.

About Perforce Software
Founded in 1995, Perforce Software Inc. develops, markets, and supports Perforce, the Fast Software Configuration Management System. Perforce Software is headquartered in Alameda, California, and sells worldwide. The company has international operations in Europe, Japan and Australia. In addition to application software companies, Perforce customers represent a broad range of industries including game development, electronics, pharmaceutical and financial services markets. www.perforce.com.

Funcom introduces tiered subscription system in Anarchy Online

Funcom announces the introduction of a tiered subscription system in Anarchy Online, and players can now choose between three subscriptions plans going from free-to-play to 5 to 14,95 USD / EUR a month. The newest subscription level means that gamers can access the areas and content in the Shadowlands expansion pack for only 5 USD / EUR a month, thereby offering one of the most profound, engaging and deep online experiences around for a low monthly cost.

The new areas which open up for the 5 USD a month subscribers are all located in the Shadowlands. This expansion pack got an incredible review score average, several awards and great critical acclaim when it launched, and is one of the most heralded MMO expansions of all time. The expansion not only gives players massive new areas to explore, it also introduces lots of new features as well as a chance to reach the maximum level in Anarchy Online.

“A lot of our free players have really wanted to explore more of Anarchy Online, without committing to a premium subscription. We therefore hope that many will take advantage of the option we are now giving them,” said Craig Morrison, Producer and Game Director on Anarchy Online. “With a great range of subscription choices, a brand new graphics engine and a constant update of fresh content we aim to deliver a great MMO experience for many years to come.”

The new subscription tier comes on top of the existing business models in Anarchy Online, and avid MMO gamers can still play the classic version of Anarchy Online entirely for free. In addition, Funcom continue to focus on premium subscribers, who get access to absolutely all which Anarchy Online has to offer for 14.95 a month.

Anarchy Online was the first of the major western MMO’s to go for a free-to-play business model in 2004, and through the years Funcom has introduced numerous progressive models. Ranging from being the first game with dynamic in-game advertisement to being a pioneer in introducing digital downloads, free-to-play models, free trials, paid virtual items and more, Funcom keeps on exploring new approaches to running a MMO. The introduction of a tiered subscription system is meant to further extend the success of Anarchy Online, while giving Funcom customers even more choices in how they want to access the game.

Anarchy Online have to date entertained more than 1.3 million gamers, and continues to attract new players in the hundreds of thousands. As Anarchy Online goes into its seventh year of operation Funcom also looks ahead, and a great new graphics engine will be launched later this year. Funcom is therefore proud to reveal the first video from the new engine, showing what the Anarchy Online players can expect in the years to come. The impressive new video can be found at www.anarchy-online.com.

SWORD OF THE NEW WORLDTM GRANADO ESPADA LAUNCHES NEW EXPANSION—MANIFEST DESTINY

K2 Network (www.GamersFirst.net) a leading online game publisher, announced today that it has launched an expansion for its epic Age of Exploration MMORPG Sword of the New World: Granado Espada. The new expansion is entitled Manifest Destiny; a name that was proposed by the game’s own community. The expansion offers five new characters, two new maps and five new zones as well as new events and additions to the game’s item store.

In 2007, Sword of the New World: Granado Espada players were included in the process of naming the expansion and the Halian Family from the game’s Orpesia World proposed the eventual winner: Manifest Destiny.

“We feel that this name perfectly encompasses all of the aspect of the expansion,” said Philip Maurer, Associate Producer at K2 Network. “As Pioneers will be exploring further West in this expansion, claiming the new lands “Manifest Destiny” puts a real spin on the continuing storyline as the Crown and the Republic begin to lay claim to lands that seem to be occupied by other inhabitants. As the story moves westward it will become clear, that this land was put here by providence and it is up to the Pioneers, to take it.”

New Characters
The expansion brings with it five new UPC (unique playable characters), with three of these characters immediately available on launch day: Soso, Angie and Viki.

Soso is a girl who has traveled to Granado Espada from the far away lands east of Ciam. She is highly skilled in the martial arts and is eager to join the ranks of any family adventuring through the New World. Angie is the niece of Jack, the Overseerer of the Reboldoeux Quarry. Like her uncle she is skilled in the use of the Construction stance. She has just arrived in the New World and already has a problem that can only be solved with the help of brave pioneers. Viki is a little boy from El Tejado Verde who is sick, but with your help he becomes a powerful ally who can summon some of the strongest monsters in Granado Espada to fight for him. With his help Pioneers will be ready to tackle the wilds of the New World.

New Maps and Zones
The expansion also comes with two new Maps with and fifteen new zones including: Gigante Island, this recently discovered island paradise off the coast of Coimbra. The perfect holiday destination for any tired Pioneer, Gigante Island offers games, fun and battle all in one tropical spot! Also, Andre, the famous fashion designer, has just released his new beachwear line: Andre’s Dolce & Granado!

New Events, Elections and Item Store Items
The expansion brings new events including Faction Wars, Elections and Andre’s Ultimately Fabulous Competition!

Faction Wars pits player against player and Clan against Clan in this mad frenzy to claim the lands of Granado Espada. The Faction that gains the most ‘Colonies’ will be awarded the power to rule and levy taxes on other players. Also once a month players can make their voices heard by appointing the Leader of each Faction and the Ruler of the New World.

Andre’s Ultimately Fabulous Competition is also all the rage. Gamers can experience what happens when End Game Raiding meets End Game PvP! This out of control 2 hour battle royale happens three times a day and no one will want to be left out!

Finally, the expansion will bring a whole host of new items to the item store including new UPC costumes, new back costumes with buffs and a new item that assists players who are upgrading their items by guaranteeing they won’t be destroyed in the process.

Sword of the New World: Granado Espada is available under K2 Network’s Free2Play model where players can explore and enjoy most of the game areas at no cost. Gamers who upgrade to one of the premium editions with the Pay2Play model also have the option to access enhanced game play, including extensive in-game events, new items and unlimited customer support.

For more information or to download and play the game visit www.swordofthenewworld.com.

SAMURAI WARRIORS Katana unsheathed online

KOEI today launched the Samurai Warriors KATANA website ahead of its February 22 release. The site details all areas of the multi-million selling series’ debut on the Wii. From explanations about how to wield and master the eight different weapons, to the variety of game modes and characters within the game. Find out about the challenges that await; from fighting alongside Nobunaga in some of Japanese history’s most renowned battles to mastering the techniques of the ninja, and see the game in action on the downloads page. Samurai Warriors Katana is scheduled for release on February 22, 2008.

To view the site head to www.samuraiwarriorskatana.co.uk

“Samurai Warriors Katana is a radical departure for the series on the Wii. The controllers enable the player to experience the Samurai Warriors world from a totally new perspective. And the implementation of eight different weapons within the game lends this title a level of arcade style action and variety that is unparalleled on the Wii.” said Will Curley, Sales Manager for KOEI Ltd.

Epic Games Invites You to Join Us at Game Developers Conference 2008

Epic Games, Inc., one of the world’s leading game developers and creator of the industry’s most popular game engine, today announced plans to demonstrate the latest Unreal Engine 3 features at this year’s Game Developers Conference, which will be held next month at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, Calif. Epic will hold closed door presentations for its prospective customers, evaluators, licensees, members of its Integrated Partners Program and the media.

Meet with Epic and See Unreal Engine 3

Come and see why so many top developers and publishers have chosen Unreal Engine 3 to power their best-selling PC and console games. Epic will showcase the most recent enhancements to Unreal Engine 3 for licensees, evaluators and partners in a private theater within its expo suite, ES 144, located in the West Hall. Hours for Epic’s booth are the same as expo hours: Wednesday, February 20, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Thursday, February 21, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., and Friday, February 22, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Demos will run on the half hour each day of the show, and appointments are not required.

Those wishing to make appointments to individually meet with Epic should email Mark Rein, mrein@epicgames.com, and specify three possible meeting times, the number of people planning to attend, and whether those individuals would like to see a technology demonstration, chat with Epic business representatives, speak with Epic technical representatives or see to other matters. Availability may be limited, so please respond early. Those unable to confirm an appointment in advance are invited to drop by, and Epic will do its best to accommodate visitors.

GDC Speaker Sessions Featuring Epic

Key members of Epic’s development team will be leading the following GDC speaker sessions:

“Automating Regression Discovery: Finding the Wrenches in the GEARS OF WAR,” will be presented by Martin Sweitzer, programmer, Epic Games. This intermediate-level lecture, to be held Wednesday, February 20, 12:00-12:30, in West Hall Room 3004, will be geared toward programmers, although production and management may also benefit from the talk.

“UNREAL TOURNAMENT 3 Postmortem: ULTRA KILL!” will be led by Dr. Michael Capps, president, and Jeff Morris, producer, Epic Games. This postmortem, to be held Friday, February 22, 2:30-3:00 p.m., in West Hall Room 2001/2003, will cater to all developers, regardless of experience.

Epic Press Sessions and Media Availability

Epic will host two media briefings at GDC. These will take place on Wednesday, February 20 and Thursday, February 21 at 2:00 p.m. in Epic’s expo suite (ES 144, West Hall). Limited space is available, so journalists are encouraged to book places in advance by emailing Dana Cowley, dana.cowley@epicgames.com, with contact details, publication and preferred date. Each 45-60 minute briefing will consist of demos, short talks by key Epic spokespeople and question and answer sessions. There will be additional one-on-one interview slots, and these will be allocated on a strictly first come, first served basis; reporters should indicate interest in booking one of these slots via email as well.

About Unreal Engine 3

The award-winning Unreal Engine is known for cutting-edge graphics and its best-of-breed toolset. Unreal Engine 3 maintains those features while adding massive world support, multi-processor support, next-generation console optimizations, and one of the most mature tool pipelines in the industry. Unreal Engine 3's new toolset is designed specifically to accelerate developers' productivity for ultra-complex, next-generation content. Additional information on Unreal Engine can be obtained through the Unreal Technology Web site at www.unrealtechnology.com.


About Epic Games

Epic Games, Inc., based in Cary, NC and established in 1991, develops cutting-edge games and cross-platform game engine technology. The company has created multiple million-selling, award-winning titles in its Unreal series, recently shipping Unreal Tournament 3 for PC and PlayStation 3. Epic’s breakthrough game, Gears of War, sold over 4 million copies and was awarded overall Game of the Year for 2006 by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, Game Developers Choice Awards, GameSpot, GamePro and many others. Epic is also responsible for the Unreal Engine, which is the underlying technology for a wide range of games including the Game Critics Awards’ Best Console Game and Spike TV’s 2007 RPG of the Year Mass Effect by BioWare and the 2007 BAFTA Best Game and Spike TV Game of the Year BioShock by 2K Games. Epic's Unreal Engine 3 is the current holder, and four-time consecutive winner, of Game Developer magazine's Front Line award for Best Engine. Epic was also recognized as 2006 Studio of the Year by Spike TV, Developer of the Year by Official Xbox Magazine and 2007 Large Company of the Year by the North Carolina Technology Association. Additional information about Epic can be obtained through the Epic Games Web site at www.epicgames.com.