NEW DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT IN MARCH FOR GUITAR HERO III: LEGENDS OF ROCK

ACTIVISION UNVEILS NEW DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT IN MARCH FOR GUITAR HERO III: LEGENDS OF ROCK

Modern Metal Pack to Feature Chart-Toppers from Avenged Sevenfold, Deftones and Thrice Dropkick Murphys On Tap for Free Download Available in Time for Dropkick Murphys On Tap for Free Download Available in Time for St. Patrick's Day Celebrations

New downloadable songs for Activision Inc.’s Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock are set to storm living rooms across the globe with the release of two new track packs.

Available today is the Modern Metal pack which let's players jam to master recordings of Deftones’ “Hole in the Earth,” Avenged Sevenfold’s “Almost Easy” and Thrice’s “The Arsonist.” The track pack is now on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and will be available later today on PLAYSTATION Store for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system.

Additionally, Activision will be kicking off the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with a special free track pack from the popular Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys that will be available mid March. Straight from the band’s sixth album, The Meanest of Times, the Dropkick Murphys pack will include master recordings of “Famous for Nothing,” “(F)lannigan’s Ball” and “Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya.” The track pack will be available for free to download on Xbox LIVE Marketplace and PLAYSTATION Store.

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock offers the ultimate rock experience with new wireless guitars, freshly added content and features including a multiplayer action-inspired battle mode, grueling boss battles, a host of exclusive unlockable content and visually stunning rock venues. Expanded online multiplayer modes allow axe-shredders worldwide to compete head-to-head for true rock status as they riff through a star-studded soundtrack including master tracks by legendary artists such as Aerosmith, Guns 'N' Roses, The Rolling Stones, Beastie Boys, Rage Against the Machine and Pearl Jam, as well as original songs by guitar icons Slash and Tom Morello. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is now available and is rated "T" for Teen by the ESRB. For more information visit www.guitarhero.com.

Dance Battle Audition - World's biggest dance game starts UK tour

World's biggest dance game starts UK tour

Dance Battle Audition, the most popular online video game in the world, has arrived in the UK...in a big pink bus.

There are over 300 million people playing Audition online in Japan, China and South East Asia - that's more than the population of America! - and the Korean company behind it, G10, have brought the game to the UK in a bus decked with 15 PC's for gamers to experience the game that has swept through the East.

Audition is also available to download for free at www.goaudition.co.uk. It's a casual game, which means it's very easy to play - all you need is the arrow keys and the spacebar.

Just download the game, choose your character, and start dancing. You can customise your character to suit your tastes, and even challenge your friends to a dance-off!

The audition bus is currently touring London - see www.goaudition.co.uk for full details - and will be visiting the rest of country from April.

Play.com Live: Win one of TWO Dodge Nitro's playing Soul Calibur IV next week!

Play.com Live: Win one of TWO Dodge Nitro's playing Soul Calibur IV next week!

Ubisoft proudly reveals the UK exclusive first play of Soul Calibur IV only at Play.com Live. Play as Darth Vader or Yoda in the new version of the classic Soul Calibur series and you could drive away in a brand spanking new Dodge Nitro SUV!

Two afternoon tournaments will see the UK’s best gamers fight it out to drive home the prize from Wembley. See http://www.dodge.co.uk/nitro/ for details of the prize!

In addition Ubisoft will be offering the lucky attendees to the show a chance to win one of TWO holidays to Las Vegas to celebrate the imminent release of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 on PC, Xbox 360 and PS3.

About Play.com Live

The Play.com Live event on March 15 and 16 will give people the chance to try out the latest computer games and watch the hottest bands – all inside the world famous home of UK football.

TV babe Gemma Atkinson (ex-Hollyoaks and I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!) and Virgin Radio presenter Iain Lee will host the two-day extravaganza which includes performances top bands including We Are Scientists.

Tickets cost just £6 per adult and £3 for children and can be purchased through www.play.com/live. They are available to buy for a morning or afternoon visit to the show on either day.

Pinnacle unveils magical first Nintendo DS title Doodle Hex

Pinnacle Software, a division of Pinnacle Entertainment Ltd, has announced its first Nintendo DS title for worldwide distribution. Entitled Doodle Hex, the game is a magic themed mixture of spell-casting, battle elements and unique Japanese styled anime characters. Doodle Hex will be released in June 2008.

Developed by renowned Spanish team Tragnarion, Doodle Hex has been created specifically for the DS format, and makes innovative use of the handheld’s touch screen abilities within a clever spell-casting scenario. Players – nicknamed ‘Doodlers’ - are enrolled within a special College of Runes, wherein they are charged with learning the intricacies of rune-casting and their use within elemental magic. However, the tedium of college life is regularly interrupted by the school ghost, Kalamazoo, who organizes battles between the students as a way to further test their rune knowledge and casting skills.

Doodle Hex thus takes the form of a competitive spell-casting game where players use the DS stylus to draw their chosen runes in the centre of the touch screen, summoning spells that will transform, attack and weaken their opponent. The ultimate idea of the game is to deplete your rival’s energy bar before they can do the same to you.

Using a stunning comic book-effect interface, Doodle Hex works as either a single player or two-player head-to-head experience. In single player mode you will encounter an increasingly tough roster of challengers, where as two player head to head mode will allow you to cast your wits and spells against your friends with exhilarating conflicts and effects. 14 characters are available to select, each of whom has a specialist field in rune use. Having selected a character, the game begins and ‘Doodlers’ can send as many runes as they are able during the course of a battle, which creates a more open and unpredictable challenge than in turn-based games.

The runes in Doodle Hex can be used to attack, restore health or be unleashed as devastating combination attacks, incapacitating your opponent or even their ability to cast their own spells. As each player gains enough energy, spells available to cast are highlighted; the more powerful runes will deplete more energy from the Doodler’s who is casting than the less powerful attacks will. It is possible for both players to block incoming spells by activating a shield icon, however specific combination attacks can counter this, adding an extra element of skill and lateral thinking to the gameplay.

With over 250 available challenges, Wi-Fi compatibility for exciting two-player head-to-head action, and a wide range of unlockable bonuses, Doodle Hex is one of the most innovative and playable puzzle games to hit Nintendo DS to date. Its simple interface and huge number of runes to master combine to create a stunning and truly spell-binding challenge.

UNIQUE HACK 'N' SLASH ASPECTS OF HARD TO BE A GOD DOWNLOAD DEMO

UNIQUE HACK 'N' SLASH ASPECTS OF HARD TO BE A GOD REVEALED

TAKE ON GODS AND IMMORTAL BEINGS WITH LASERS AND SWORDS IN EXTRAORDINARY ACTION PACKED GAME

Hard To Be A God, the new action and adventure game from Ascaron to be released in April, has an enviable variety of weapons, enemies and gameplay. Over 200 different weapons are available to use on a variety of enemies, as a secret agent from a futuristic Earth explores the medieval and alien planet of Tsurinak.

Choice of weapons

The arsenal includes scorchers, modifiers, mini-guns and sophisticated gadgets, contrasting with the swords, axes and bow and arrows wielded by the combatants of Arkanar. To be successful in the quests all types of weapons must be mastered; a sword will be less effective than a mini-gun when surrounded by a horde of bandits but easier to wield and more effective when duelling on horseback.

Variety of enemies

As the game progresses the character takes on different allegiances as a variety of roles are explored, fighting with bandits during one quest and then against them on the next. It is not just humans that are a concern either, as monsters, immortal beings and ‘the gods’ all feature in a game encompassing over 350 unique characters.

The range of adversaries to overcome has an impact on weapon choice; guards and bandits can be despatched with a sword, but a giant monster may be best tackled with a scorcher or laser cannon.

Valliant steeds

Horses are an important feature in Hard to be A God, distinguishing it from other games and bringing a new element of gameplay to the genre. Different types of horse, from armoured beast to peasant jade, can be used for travel or battle, providing extra speed when attempting to escape guards or get to different areas.

Horseback combat is a very significant part of the game and an important skill to develop. At times the character may be chasing a bandit with sword drawn, and then in another scenario blades will clash whilst on horseback as mounted guards do battle with the secret agent.

Try your luck at survival by visiting www.hardtobeagod.com to download the demo.

FANTASY GAME "EDGE OF TWILIGHT" COMING TO SONY PLAYSTATION 3 MICROSOFT XBOX 360 AND WINDOWS PC

STEAMPUNK FANTASY GAME "EDGE OF TWILIGHT" COMING TO PLAYSTATION 3, XBOX 360, AND PC

Strikingly Original Action Adventure Game, Powered By Unreal 3 Engine, Hits Shelves in 2009

SouthPeak Games has announced that Fuzzyeyes Studios’ “Edge of Twilight” will be available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and PC in 2009. The game is currently under development at Fuzzyeyes Studio, using the Unreal 3 Engine under license to Southpeak.

“We are very excited to help bring Fuzzyeye’s creative vision to life. The team spent a lot of time developing a comprehensive story to give the universe a history and purpose, which can change based on the players interaction within the world.” said Melanie Mroz, CEO of SouthPeak.

Edge of Twilight takes the player into a lavishly envisioned steampunk world to play as Lex, an outcast bounty hunter who finds himself caught between clashes of two polar opposite civilizations. Delivering a unique brand of fast-paced cinematic action, the game will be a truly immersive experience.

“It is energizing to see our unique vision take shape. We are bringing some unusual ideas to the table and so far we couldn’t be happier with the results,” said Wei-Yao Lu, CEO of Fuzzyeyes. “Gamers should look forward to 2009!”

Edge Of Twilight will be released in 2009. Visit www.edge-of-twilight.com for more information.

New European Server launch for Lineage II: The Chaotic Throne

NCsoft Europe Prepares To Launch New European Server For Lineage II: The Chaotic Throne
Increased demand for NCsoft's acclaimed MMORPG Lineage II celebrated with launch of additional EU server.

Thursday 6th March/... Brighton, England – NCsoft Europe, the world’s leading publisher and developer of online games, will soon be launching a new European server for its hit massively multiplayer online PC game, Lineage II.

Since its worldwide launch in late 2003, Lineage II has been an unparalleled success, reaching more than 17 million players worldwide and gaining a reputation as the gaming market’s premier player-versus-player (PvP) MMOG. Following the December 2007 launch of Lineage II’s latest expansion, The Kamael, which added a staggering gigabyte’s worth of new content to the game, demand for European server access is running at an all time high as new players rush to join long-time fans. By launching a new server, called Luna, alongside the existing European servers Franz and Teon, NCsoft Europe has quickly moved to ensure continued, instant access and smooth online gameplay for new and current players of Lineage II.

Lineage II is an epic, online fantasy adventure like no other. It offers a dynamic online world, drawn in exquisite detail and populated with wonderfully lush landscapes, intricately sculpted fortresses and beautifully realised characters. Players can storm massive castles, fend off majestic beasts, ride dragons into battle and conquer formidable rival clans as they aim to become part of the Kingdom of Aden’s political and social elite. With the launch of The Kamael players can enjoy an entirely new playable race, a mysterious breed of one winged soldiers with an affinity to dark magic, along with a completely enhanced new player experience that’s helped to introduce thousands of new adventurers to Lineage II’s incredible world.

“Lineage II is a remarkable game that truly encapsulates the very best that the massively multiplayer online RPG genre has to offer. With its deep, immersive gameplay and thrilling player Vs player combat the demand for server access across Europe continues to be incredible.” said Mirko Gozzo, Lineage II product manager at NCsoft Europe. “We’re delighted to be launching a brand new European server for a game that continues to go from strength to strength.”

NCsoft expects the new Lineage II server, Luna, to launch at the end of April.

The standard edition box of Lineage II: The Kamael is available now at major retailers at a recommended retail price of £14.99 / €19.99 and at the PlayNC store (http://eu.plaync.com/eu/store/). The game includes a 15 day time card in addition to the standard 30 days play; giving players a total of 45 days play time. Monthly subscription fee to the game is £8.99 / €12.99. The game is rated 12+ by PEGI (www.pegi.info). For more information please visit www.discoverlineage2.com

Pendulum Spins into Action with Digital Extremes for Dark Sector's Cinematic Cut Scenes

Pendulum Spins into Action with Digital Extremes for Dark Sector's Cinematic Cut Scenes

Pendulum, a leading digital animation & fx studio for the advertising, video game and entertainment industries, announced today that some of its latest work will be seen in the highly anticipated game, Dark Sector™. D3Publisher and Digital Extremes'original 3rd-person action-shooter, designed exclusively for next-generation gaming, will feature over 13 minutes of original Pendulum-directed cinematic cut-scenes portraying critical story elements of the game.

Pendulum designed, story-boarded, directed and animated seven in-game cut scenes, using Softimage XSI, and worked closely with the Digital Extremes development team to facilitate those sequences being exported to the game developer's proprietary next-gen technology, the Evolution Engine™. Starting with the creation of original storyboards, based on the Dark Sector narrative script, Pendulum then scanned those boards and used Final Cut to edit them into 2D Animatics, so as to define story pacing and basic shot layouts. These were subsequently translated into 3D Animatics and relied upon by Pendulum's Michael McCormick and Robert Taylor for scene blocking and added efficiency during their direction of multiple days of motion capture. Facial animation was executed using a combination of Digital Extremes' in-game facial animation rigs and Pendulum's proprietary facial software. Working closely with the Digital Extremes team, Pendulum was able to conform to the developer's unique pipeline and help smooth the sequences' integration into the game.

"Pendulum got it. They understood from day one that creating amazing cinematics is about iteration and collaboration," said Sheldon Carter, Digital Extremes' Producer for Dark Sector. "And that's exactly what we were looking for in a creative partner. Someone who could see our creative vision and help us raise the quality bar of the cinematics to match the AAA quality game we were designing. The end result are incredible cinematics that we can all be proud of."

A dark gritty experience packed with fast action, incredible superpowers and an engaging story, Dark Sector represents the next evolution of interactive action. Dark Sector thrusts players into the role of Hayden Tenno, a covert operative sent on a dangerous mission into Lasria - an Eastern European city on the brink of ruin that hides a deadly Cold War secret. In the midst of this mission, Hayden is attacked by an unknown enemy and infected by the Technocyte Virus, a brutal bio-weapon that twists its victims into mindless killing machines. Surviving this attack, Hayden finds that the Technocyte virus has granted him powerful inhuman abilities, unlike anything he has ever seen. Now, he must evolve along with his powers, survive, and become a hero. The 7 cut scenes, all integrated into and played back from within Digital Extremes' powerful Evolution Engine, tell this story with stark clarity and high-octane action.

Pendulum owners, McCormick and Taylor, served as the project's Directors, with Colin Hodges as the project's 3D Technical Lead and Wade Ammon as the studio's cinematics Producer. Motion Capture was provided by Los Angeles-based Vicon House of Moves.

Damnation new video game for Microsoft Xbox 360 Sony PlayStation 3 and Windows PC

The action shooter goes vertical as Codemasters signs Damnation from Blue Omega Entertainment.

Set to change the landscape of third person action/shooters forever, catch the dizzying views at www.codemasters.com/playdamnation

Codemasters, a leading video game publisher, and US creative studio Blue Omega Entertainment today announced Damnation, a new videogame franchise set to come leaping onto the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Games for Windows this winter.

Evolving the shooter genre with its unique and exhilarating combination of fluid action and combat, Damnation will feature huge, open environments, frenetic combat, daredevil acrobatics and high-octane vehicle-based stunts. Presenting players with an intense test of reflexes, quick thinking and rapid-fire conflict, Damnation will feature vast, breathtaking landscapes, each covering miles of distance and thousands of vertical feet.

Billed as a 'shooter gone vertical' and visually inspired by iconic elements of American history, these massive streaming landscapes will form the battlegrounds for a post-industrial conflict between humanity and an unstoppable arms dealer hell-bent on total world domination.

Players will be able to choose their own paths and navigate the world by performing daredevil feats on the edge of human ability. However players aren't the only ones with mind-blowing acrobatic skills; intelligent enemies will give chase and engage players in frantic gun fights and attacks that can come from any direction – in Damnation's world there's no safe place to hide.

With up to three hours of actual gameplay stretching out in front of them per level, players will need more than just muscle power to get across each level safely. Damnation will offer players a selection of awe-inspiring vehicles, from motorbikes capable of launching across seemingly infinite chasms, to huge, armour-piercing marvels that will induce mayhem with every huge shell.

The high action will be supported with an epic and in-depth story which, while focusing on the exploits of the hero character Rourke, is truly an ensemble piece. Players will meet and become involved in intricate story plots that reveal much more than the obvious.

In addition to the single player experience, Damnation comes complete with a unique set of multiplayer options that take full advantage of the game's expansive levels. Currently in development at Blue Omega's facilities in Annapolis, USA, Damnation will be available for Xbox 360, the PLAYSTATION 3 system and Games for Windows in late 2008. For more information and to catch a glimpse of what the future of gaming has in store, visit http://www.codemasters.co.uk/games/.

Driving simulation: Bus Driver to launch in US

The Wheels at Meridian4 Go Round and Round!

Meridian4 (http://www.meridian4.com) is pleased to announce that they will be publishing SCS Software’s addictive driving simulation; Bus Driver in North America and Australia. The game, which is already a success with fans in Europe, will be hitting our shores in May. So everyone behind the yellow line, get to the back of the bus and make sure you have exact change because this is going to be a great ride!

“When I first saw the name Bus Driver, I said…really? After playing the game and learning of SCS Software’s heritage with games like Deer Hunter II & III and the successful 18 Wheels of Steel series, I knew that Bus Driver would be a hit with the right audience." said Steve Milburn, Marketing Director at Meridian4. “Bus Driver will catch you off guard and have you obsessed within minutes.”

“Having successfully launched the game across Europe, we are delighted to partner with Meridian4 to bring Bus Driver to Northern American fans of the game." said Pavel Sebor, CEO at SCS Software

About Bus Driver

In Bus Driver, your job is to transport passengers around an attractive and realistic city. You must drive to a timetable on a planned route, while obeying traffic rules, and taking care not to upset or injure your passengers. This makes Bus Driver unlike any other driving game - the experience of driving a bus is very different from blazing through a racing circuit.

• 12 buses to drive – detailed models inspired by real-world buses, including London’s double-decker bus, America’s school bus, Europe’s low floor buses and many more
  
• 30 routes arranged into 5 tiers with increasing difficulty
  
• Multiple duties, such as driving a school bus, transporting tourists, sight-seeing tours and even the transportation of prisoners
  
• High replay value based on sophisticated system of traffic rules and game-play related bonuses.
  
• Large city to drive in, with several districts of varying styles: modern, old-town, suburb, airport, harbor and more with day/night cycles and realistic weather conditions.
  
• Living roads with intelligent traffic controlled by AI system
  
• Non-violent, easy to pick up gameplay, suitable for all ages.