5 Rare & Expensive Nintendo DS Games

The Nintendo DS has been available for less than 3 years, but there are already five rarities that collector's clamoring for.

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Ankh - Curse of the Scarab King on Nintendo DS

Ankh: Curse of the Scarab King on Nintendo DS. Following the success of the popular PC versions, this fun and colourful adventure will be available to play on DS in September 2008. Travel through ancient Egypt as young Assil, a bold young adventurer trying to save himself from a Mummy’s deadly curse.

Ever the party animal, Assil’s wild ways lead him to break into a pyramid to enjoy an all night party with his friends. However, on disturbing a peaceful, sleeping Mummy he was immediately punished with a lethal curse. Enjoy classic gameplay using the stylus to help Assil discover the remedy and break the curse within 24 hours to avoid his fate.

Feel the sand beneath your feet and the hot sun blazing down from above as your adventures begin in the mysterious land of ancient Egypt. Become immersed in the beautiful and vibrant Egyptian locations, travelling through bustling dusty cities, exotic bazaars and tropical dense undergrowth.

Ankh: Curse of the Scarab King features many colourful and humorous characters, including the lovable delinquent Assil; the Pharaoh, who would rather party than govern; his beautiful daughter Thara; the gossip loving Mummy, George; and Thor, the practical joker. Not all the characters are good natured though; beware of Seth, who enjoys a good ruckus, and Osiris, God of the Underworld.

Providing fun and excitement for players of all ages, Ankh: Curse of the Scarab King features many engaging puzzles that must be solved in order to progress. Enjoy and experience the vivid and enchanting surroundings on your adventure, but don’t forget the task in hand, Assil’s life must be saved before his time is up!

Fast facts:

Publisher: XIDER Games
Web: www.XIDER-games.com / www.Ankh-game.com
Release date: September 2008
Price: TBC
PEGI: 3+
Format: Nintendo DS
Genre: Adventure RPG

Silverfall Earth Awakening new fantasy RPG on PC

Fantasy RPG Silverfall Earth Awakening Coming Soon

Silverfall Earth Awakening is the new fantasy RPG for PC from Monte Cristo Games. A stand alone extension for Silverfall, this exciting action game launches in August 2008, taking place in a mysterious fantasy world. Whilst travelling across the unknown territories of Nelwë, players will need to battle with an impressive array of formidable creatures in order to save the realm.

Players can choose to play as one of six races - Humans, Elves, Goblins, Trolls and two new tribes, the stocky Dwarves and treacherous Lizardmen. Each race has skills specific only to them. Elves are skilled archers, Trolls have great strength and Goblins are dexterous and intelligent.

There are over 150 skills and magic spells to be mastered including 8 ‘Ultimate’ skills and 12 unique ‘High Level’ skills used to cause devastating effects. Players can also use object crafting skills to create armour, weapons and enchantments. A special crafting tool creates thousands of items by combining shapes, textures, colours and types of magic. Players can completely customise their equipment, design weapons for other players and exchange certain items when in multiplayer mode.


Fans of the original Silverfall game can import their character into Earth Awakening, making the most of any previous skills and equipment they have gained. Alternatively, newcomers can start the adventure from the beginning with a new character.

Silverfall Earth Awakening allows up to eight players to play together in the cooperative multiplayer mode or to battle against each other in the Player vs. Player (PVP) multiplayer mode via LAN or via the Internet.


Fast facts:

Developer and Publisher: Monte Cristo
Distributor: Ascaron Entertainment
Web: www.Ascaron.com
Release date: 15th August 2008
PEGI: 16+
Format: PC
Genre: Hack’n’Slash

About Monte Cristo

Created in 1995 Monte Cristo is a leading game production company with over a decade of experience, having successfully published 30 games worldwide. Backed by leading international venture capitalists, we are currently focusing a team of over 80 people on the development of CITIES XL which merges video gaming with social networking and virtual worlds.

East India Company Real-time Strategy War Game delayed

East India Company will be releasing in Q1 2009. Originally scheduled for release in Q4 2008, both parties have decided to extend the release date in the best interest of fans and the game. This dynamic real-time strategy war game for Windows PC is based on the exploits and adventures of the infamous 18th century East India Companies. It challenges players to build the World's most powerful trading empire as they engage in fierce open sea battles in both single player and multiplayer modes.

"The development team at Nitro Games is very passionate about this project. They are dedicated to delivering the best gaming experience possible for strategy fans," said Raymond Snippe, Senior Development Manager of Lighthouse Interactive. "Once gamers get their hands on EIC I'm sure they'll agree it was worth the wait."

East India Company promises to take Real-time Strategy War games to new levels with its technically advanced proprietary game engine and breathtaking cinematic game environment. Players will have the opportunity to fight, manage and rule one of eight nations spanning Europe to the Far East.

6 never-before-seen print quality screenshots accompany this press release. To download the screenshots, visit www.lighthouse-interactive.com.

For more information on East India Company, bookmark the official website at www.eic-game.com and also visit www.lighthouse-interactive.com to keep up with the latest breaking news.

GAME SUMMARY

In East India Company, players will assume the role of Governor Director of one of the East India Companies or other rival companies. There are eight nationalities to choose from: British, Dutch, French, Danish, Portuguese, Swedish, Italian or Spanish – with the goal of bringing new colonies and wealth such as: tea, spices, gold, diamonds and other precious cargo back to Europe, but they must dominate the other rival empires along the way. Wars will be waged and blood will be spilled. Players will also conquer the open sea and explore 40 different cities, towns and villages.


Starting modestly, you will build your fleet, establish connections to far away countries, and keep the rivaling nations at bay. Choose from an array of ship classes and types of transport and military vessels: small sloops, schooners, brigantines, frigates and ship-of-the-line. Create different fleets and assign them to specific trading routes. Controlling well situated ports and upgrading them is one key to success.

Conflicts and wars are inevitable. When hostile fleets engage each other, the spectacular naval battles are fought at a real-time tactical level. Devastating broadsides are fired with a deafening roar and cannon balls tear through enemy ships and their crew. At a tactical level, you have direct command over your ship and give independent orders to each of your other fleets. Fight against the other European powers to create a trading empire that will rule above all others!

FEATURES

Fight!

• Declare war on rival empires fought at a real-time tactical level
• Command ships and fleets independently
• Wage war on the vast open sea
• Sink your rivals' ship or board them to take control in bloody hand-to-hand combat

Manage!

• Hire and manage your own crew
• Buy guns and ammo
• Repair and upgrade your ships at port
• Buy and sell goods
• Establish profitable trading routes
• Open diplomatic relations or declare war
• Negotiate tense political situations

Rule!

• Lead the most powerful company in history
• Take over colonies and expand your empire
• Build a powerful fleet to rule the seas
• Conquer strategic ports
• Accomplish tasks ordered by your company or the Crown

Multiplayer (Internet or LAN) Features

• Supports up to 8 simultaneous players
• Player statistics tracked on the EIC game server
• Raise your ranking by thwarting your opponents
• Head-to-head missions are a true test of strategic skill

NavyField Europe, Submarine detail release and New Server Events

Submarines - a new sailor tree and new submarine tree will be created and 16 submarines have been preparing for now.

Submarines are a bit slower than other normal ships and the torpedo of submarine has a shorter range and more damage.

Small ships like destroyers and light cruisers can detect submarines. They will have a new role in battle and of course submarines can detect other submarines.

eFusion expect that big battleships need to corporate more with small ships and team-work will be even more important.


Submarines can use guns and torpedoes on the sea but it can only use torpedoes while being submerged.

The Submarine patch date is planned in September and eFusion expect many players will enjoy this addition.


New “Hood” Server launching date will be 24th of July and many events are prepared. 3 months Ranking Event, 50 Level Challenging Event, Nomination Event and Bonus Item for First buying Users Event will be started on launching day.

Event participants have a chance to win Model-ship, NF Crystals, NF T-Shirts, NF Posters and Premium Items.

July patch has been implemented as planned on 17th of this month and host wakeup function, macro-blocking, CV EXP boost and gun power boost added.

New Billing Method "PaySafeCard" will be added in this month, so gamers will have diversity of methods.

GNGWC European Preliminary League applying is finished and the battle will be started from 26th of July.

World of Kung Fu - Free-to-play Martial Arts Online Game

Wallpaper from site below

The Free-to-Play Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) from VestGame Entertainment opens up new cities to explore, with new quests, monsters, and numerous improvements to gameplay. New version represents the final test of the Open Beta prior to its official release.

Starting today, World of Kung Fu players will be able to explore a dramatically enhanced and expanded virtual world. The popular 3D martial arts game is based on the arts and mythology of ancient China. The new version is the last in a series of upgrades leading to the official launch of the game on August 1st. A new server has been added to handle the increase in traffic.

The most noticeable new feature is the addition of 8 new maps including the new country of Qinchuan, its capital city Jingchuan, a huge, accurate replica of the Forbidden City (populated by dragons), a Dragon Maze, a large Hot Spring area, Qigong Temple, and more. The new maps expand the game’s playable area by about 25%.

Many quests have been added, as well as a new treasure hunting system. The new “Divine” weapons class has been activated. Ferocious enemies like the Tang Serpent and the Mojia Warriors will make their appearance. In addition, the level cap has been raised to allow players to achieve level 80.

“The new features and additions to gameplay as well as numerous ‘under the hood’ technical enhancements really add polish to World of Kung Fu, and that is being reflected in the numbers of new registered users we see signing up every day”, says David Clarke, the game’s Producer.

A great deal of play balancing combined with technical enhancements such as improved integration with Windows Vista and other versions of the Windows operating system will make it easier for new players to get involved with the game. The addition of a new server will also make the game more accessible to many people.

More detailed information about the many new features mentioned above can be found on the official World of Kung Fu website: http://www.worldofkungfu.com

YouTube videos here

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness coming to PlayStation 3 and PS Network

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One is currently in development for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and will debut on PLAYSTATION Network late fall 2008.

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness is an RPG-Adventure game series set in the comic-book-meets-pulp-horror-meets-H.P. Lovecraft deranged 1920s universe of New Arcadia, delivered to gamers via accessible episodic releases. Players join Gabe and Tycho, the crime-solving team of the Startling Developments Detective Agency, to combat savage enemies and solve mysteries hidden deep in the sinister heart of New Arcadia. The game is the result of close collaboration between Hothead Games and Penny Arcade, featuring distinct artwork and characters designed exclusively by Mike "Gabe" Krahulik, story and dialogue by Jerry "Tycho" Holkins, and all brought to life by the Hothead team.

"We keep getting emails asking why our Penny Arcade game is not on PSN," said Hothead's CEO, Vlad Ceraldi. "We have always said we wanted to have our games on as many platforms as possible to give choice to gamers. All good things take time and we are very excited to be debuting our first PS3 title and look forward to bringing more games to this platform in the future."

Sam & Max Season Two Collector's DVD

Special package featuring five complete games, hours of video bonuses, and original cover art by Sam & Max creator Steve Purcell available for order now at www.telltalegames.com

Collector's DVD for the acclaimed game series Sam & Max Season Two is available for ordering today. Telltale has given the second season of "gaming's first sitcom" the premium boxed-set treatment that has become common for television favorites, with behind-the-scenes extras and loads of special features. Telltale is also introducing new merchandise today to celebrate the release, including a signed commemorative print, a 2-CD Season Two soundtrack, and several special bundle offers.

Sam & Max Season Two has garnered critical acclaim from numerous sources, including two Editor's Choice awards from PC Gamer and positive reviews from mainstream press ranging from the New York Times to Playboy. The series is based on comic book characters created by Eisner award-winning cartoonist Steve Purcell, who has been publishing stories starring the offbeat dog and "rabbity-thing" crime-fighting duo for over twenty years. Purcell contributed an original painting inspired by the games' events to serve as the cover for this unique DVD release.

In addition to all five games from the award-winning episodic series, which play on a PC with a DVD-ROM drive, the Season Two Collector's DVD contains hours of region-free video viewable on a PC or in any standard DVD player. Special features on the disc include game footage reels with audio commentary from the development team, the 20-minute holiday video feature "Sam & Max Nearly Save Christmas," outtakes and promotional trailers, concept art, desktop wallpapers, and an MP3 soundtrack sampler. Samples of the video content can be viewed at http://www.telltalegames.com/samandmax.

Customers who already bought the downloadable Sam & Max Season Two set from Telltale can get the Collector's DVD for just the cost of shipping and handling. For new customers, the Season Two Collector's DVD sells for $34.95 and comes with free downloadable copies of the games. The DVD is expected to start shipping in August. More details are available here: http://www.telltalegames.com/store/samandmax-season2-disc


To celebrate the arrival of the Season Two DVD, Telltale's store has been stocked with new Sam & Max merchandise and great value bundles. The following new items are now available for preorder:

• The complete Sam & Max Season Two soundtrack, a 2-CD set featuring nearly three hours of jazz music from the games and another Steve Purcell original on the cover, retailing for $19.99
• A limited edition case file stuffed with "evidence" from each Season Two episode, priced at $5.99
• A poster print based on the Season Two DVD cover art, available unsigned for $14.99 or signed for $19.99
  

10 Undergarments Worn by Women in Video Games

Crazy things happen all the time in video games. People get shot, die, then come back to life. Plumbers traverse magical pipes and fight grumpy mushrooms. Monkeys voluntarily enter giant plastic balls and roll around collecting bananas...

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Microsoft Drops Player Fees On Games For Windows Live

Games For Windows Live is "now offering completely free online multiplayer" service, Microsoft said in a statement posted on the service's Web site. The company previously charged a monthly fee of $7.99. However, the emergence of several free online gaming services may have prompted Microsoft to drop the monthly charge.

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