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Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Banjo Kazooie Nuts and Bolts video game for Xbox 360 from Rare

Famed game developer Rare Ltd. is reviving one of its most beloved and successful franchises exclusively on Xbox 360 with the third installment of the “Banjo-Kazooie” series. “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” embraces new and old fans alike, as the famous bear and bird duo return in stunning high definition for a unique adventure of epic proportions. The Lord of the Games (aka LOG) is tired of the petty squabbling between Banjo and the evil witch Gruntilda (aka Grunty), and has arranged a showdown to decide the rightful owner of Spiral Mountain. Claiming to have created every video game ever made, LOG has built the game worlds in which the contest’s challenges take place. Banjo must complete LOG’s challenges to win, while Grunty tries to stop him using every method her devious mind can muster.

Throughout their adventure, players create their own abilities by building vehicles for Banjo to pilot over land, sea and air. Vehicle parts, which range from simple devices such as engines and wheels to more unusual equipment such as springs and egg guns, are earned and collected throughout the game. Players use their imagination to combine parts in any order to create whatever vehicle they choose. LOG’s challenges have one goal, but players’ choice of vehicle and tactics will determine how it gets accomplished. By exploring worlds and solving puzzles, players both young and old will be rewarded with more advanced and diverse vehicle parts in their quest to defeat Grunty once and for all and lay claim to Spiral Mountain.

With the power of Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE, “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” brings an entirely new experience to the console and takes the franchise to a whole new level of enjoyment. High-definition graphics, user-created content and online gameplay are just three of the many advances people of all ages and skill levels will discover as they embark on their adventure.

Features: Top features include the following:

• An adventure that starts with your imagination. If you can imagine it, you can build it in the Mumbo’s Motors easy-to-use workshop. Then put your creation to the test as you take on Grunty in your quest for Spiral Mountain. Unlike other games, where the player progressively picks up new skills or abilities at points predetermined by the game’s creator, “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” puts the power of improving Banjo’s abilities into the hands of the players as they build vehicles that allow Banjo to progress through the game. Vehicle parts include a wide variety of body panels, engines, wheels, wings, propellers, fuel and weapons, plus many more weird and wonderful gadgets such as floaters, Mumbo Bombos and the versatile sticky ball. Players can design and create anything from a simple object-carrying truck to a space-age flying saucer. Once players have designed their creation, they give it the finishing touch by painting it and choosing a suitable name before Banjo jumps in and pilots it into action.

• Customizable experience. With more than 100 contraption parts and unlimited possible combinations, no two players will have the same experience in “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts.” By exploring the vast game worlds, discovering hidden secrets and solving puzzles to win rewards, players continually find more and more ways to customize and improve their contraptions, creating an unprecedented level of user-generated content for a 3-D platform adventure game.

• Fun right out of the box. Don’t worry if you aren’t the world’s greatest inventor or want to skip the workshop and get straight to the action, because “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” comes with a fully loaded experience right out of the box. Pre-built vehicles are included so players can jump right in and get started, with many more contraptions available for purchase throughout the adventure using the in-game currency system of musical notes.

• Xbox LIVE gets in on the fun. For the first time in franchise history, “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” is going to include competitive and cooperative multiplayer gameplay. Now players can face off head-to-head in multiple multiplayer modes or team up and play cooperatively via Xbox LIVE.* And with the title’s online blueprint sharing system, players can share their designs over Xbox LIVE with friends and gamers everywhere. Rare has an extremely dedicated and active fan base, and we expect this addition combined with the unlimited user-generated content of “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” to help further grow and inspire that community, and push their creative limits!

• Engaging storyline and entertaining characters. Two of Rare’s most beloved characters have returned from retirement, making their debut on Xbox 360. To win the deed to their homeland and prevent the evil witch Gruntilda from developing it into tower blocks and malls, Banjo and his best friend Kazooie battle over land, sea and air against their longtime rival. Familiar faces such as Mumbo Jumbo, Bottles, Captain Blubber and the Jinjos are also back to lend a hand, along with an equally colorful cast of new friends and foes. Players can look out for Trophy Thomas, Piddles, Lord of the Games and Grunty’s mechanically menacing army of Gruntbots.

• Innovation connecting the franchise’s past and present. With the power of Xbox 360, this newly activated feature, known as Stop ‘N’ Swop, connects “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” to the upcoming Xbox LIVE Arcade release of the original “Banjo-Kazooie.” Players’ accomplishments in the new game will be rewarded with extra content and features in the Xbox LIVE Arcade game, encouraging fans to dive into as much “Banjo” as they can get their hands on!

• Enjoy alone or with friends. “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” offers complete single-player and multiplayer experiences. Gamers can play through the adventure alone in the single-player campaign, or with friends in competitive or cooperative challenges alone or in teams on Xbox LIVE.

• Fun for everyone. Xbox 360 is the home to the best entertainment experiences for everyone. With “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts,” Xbox 360 continues to build its impressive lineup of content that appeals to people of all ages and types.

Combat Arms Europe Open Beta join today...

The open beta for Combat Arms Europe, the free-to-play, online multiplayer first-person shooter. The customizable shooter is now ready for players across Europe to join the arms race for free, with no locked areas and monthly subscription fees while providing a high-quality, fast-paced FPS with an extensive arsenal of weapons and gears.

The open beta version delivers striking improvements after a successful closed beta test in November and adds new features such as multiple new maps, a new individual One-Man-Army game mode, and an extended arsenal with new gears and weapons.

The open beta will pass directly into the game’s official launch early next year, so early gamers can get a head start in setting up their account and soldier for unlimited fragging-for-free.

The foundation of Combat Arms, like all Nexon Games, is providing a distinct, social gaming experience in a free-to-play environment, and with the open-beta being just the beginning, more features and contents tailored for European users are to be unlocked in future stages to come.

For further information and to participate at the open beta, please visit http://combatarms.nexoneu.com.

About Combat Arms:

Combat Arms is a fast-paced, multiplayer shooter, designed for non-stop action on the grounds of various battlefields where players are recruited to get engaged with their enemies in multiple game modes. While integrating the traditional attributes of the FPS genre, Combat Arms advances further by evolving striking features such as character customization as well as weapon modification system, enabling the players to adjust their weapons with attachments such as scopes, silencers and extended magazines.

Additional eye-catching feature is the unique backpack system, which allows players to combine a set of multiple weapons from the extensive armory for a more sophisticated combat experience on the battlefield.

Combat Arms is easy to adapt for newcomers with handy control while providing deep gameplay mechanics to veteran gamers. In-game currencies and experience points are rewarded based on the number of victories and kills made, and when accumulated, it will help the players to rank up and to mount with new weapons and equipments, while having access to their actual performance stat anytime during the gameplay. Moreover, the extensive community features within the game actively support the clan system, where players can easily recruit, manage, and communicate with their clan members.

14 day trial download - Squadrons Over Corellia Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game Expansion

Second Release, "Squadrons Over Corellia" is Live, Adds Spaceships, New Loot

Building on the successful debut of the online Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game, LucasArts and Sony Online Entertainment LLC today launched the first expansion: Squadrons Over Corellia. This set marks the debut of digital starship cards, allowing players to dominate their opponents from space by supporting ground units, moving units from quest to quest, increasing resources via smuggling runs, as well as providing new ways to enhance the player’s avatar.

In Squadrons Over Corellia, players once again take up arms for the Empire or Rebels and battle over a secret Rebel base on the Corellian moon of Talus. This strategic stronghold acts as a launch point for Rebel sabotage efforts in the Corellian system, and harbors one of the last known Jedi Knights, Rachi Sitra.

Squadrons Over Corellia adds more than 250 new playable cards and 22 new loot cards to the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game, including exciting new cards like:

• New Iconic Star Wars characters – Players can add a host of powerful iconic Star Wars characters to their decks, including Emperor Palpatine, Han Solo, Wedge Antilles and Jabba the Hutt;
• Two New Avatar Species – Players can choose to play as Wookiees or the Rodians, each with customizable stats and abilities;
• New Loot Cards – More than 22 new Loot Cards will be available, including the V-wing Starfighter and a powerful buff, the Sanyassan Skull, that can be redeemed with an active account* in the Star Wars Galaxies MMO.

The Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game marks the first ever Star Wars trading card game offered exclusively online. Available to both current and former Star Wars Galaxies subscribers*, the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game provides players an entirely new gameplay experience by combining the challenge of a trading card game with the adventures and community of the massively multiplayer game. Players can build their own virtual decks to fight in the story mode, epic one-on-one matches, cooperative Heroic Encounters, regular Sprints, and official tournaments.

In addition, all Star Wars Galaxies subscribers with current, valid, paid accounts in good standing are eligible to automatically receive five digital trading card Booster Packs each month included with their paid Star Wars Galaxies subscription at no additional cost, providing a simple way to quickly and easily build their decks.

Anyone wishing to try the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game can do so at no charge through a downloadable trial that includes limited access to a tutorial and practice games with a provided virtual Starter card deck.

The Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game may be also be accessed from inside Star Wars Galaxies, and is available to trial players as part of the Star Wars Galaxies 14-Day Trial. This trial, offered at no charge for up to two consecutive weeks, also includes all of the content of the base game, Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided and its first expansion, Star Wars Galaxies: Jump to Lightspeed. Available by download from www.StarWarsGalaxies.com, the 14-Day Trial gives players a chance to become part of the Star Wars galaxy and meet and fight with or against their favorite Star Wars characters as they explore this massive online universe filled with thousands of other Star Wars fans.

Microsoft knew of Xbox 360 disc scratching fault

Apparently somebody thought that this Xbox was...

Microsoft employees knew of a disc damaging fault in the Xbox 360 before putting the console on the market, a recently unsealed document involved in an ongoing lawsuit suggests.

The US class-action lawsuit, launched in July 2007, demands compensation from the software giant for a design flaw in the Xbox 360 that results in damaged discs when the machine is tilted.

According to The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the document, a declaration by Microsoft's program manager Hiroo Umeno, suggests the company knew that discs could be damaged when the Xbox 360 was reoriented.

"This is ... information that we as a team, optical disc drive team, knew about," said Umeno. "When we first discovered the problem in September or October (2005), when we got a first report of disc movement, we knew this is what's causing the problem."

Sony to release PlayStationPortable PSP 4000 out in 2009

Sony plans to refresh the PlayStation Portable product line with a PSP-4000 model in late 2009 and launch a true successor at a later date.

Publishing sources, speaking to Eurogamer.net, were unable to provide any further detail on next year's update, which will presumably follow this year's PSP-3000 in taking an iterative approach.

The PSP-3000 launched this October and followed a 2000-series model, the first Slim & Lite, in September 2007.

Even fewer details were available on the PSP successor, but we're told that developers are already working on games.
Sony UK said today that it would not comment on rumour and speculation.

PSP-3000 bundles currently retail for £129.99 the UK following its October launch, and despite sporadic software support and fewer platform-exclusives than Nintendo's DS, strong sales in Japan have propelled it to sales of over 30 million according to Sony's corporate sales website.

Source: GamesIndustry

Newest Action Hero on The Block - CID The Dummy! video game

The game is set in a near-future version of our planet. Litigiousness and refusal to accept responsibility has grown to such an extent that any product manufactured or sold by anyone, anywhere, has to pass a near-infinite barrage of safety tests. Be it a steamroller, a plimsoll, or a book, it’s got to be safety checked by independent government bodies in triplicate, and only after long-term safety testing can it be unleashed on the general public.

It’s in this world, with its laser-tight focus on safety, and rife with please-don’t-sue-me attitudes, that the lowly Crash Impact Dummy rose to occupy its current position of importance. Back in the old days, Crash Impact Dummies were only used when studying car crashes. As lawsuits became more prevalent, though, Professor B M Werken and D-Troit, joint owners of one of the main Crash Impact Dummy manufacturing plants, saw a gap in the market, and started creating Crash Impact Dummies for other things. They started off with more obvious uses like construction cranes and level crossings, but now make Crash Impact Dummies responsible for checking the safety of sponges, dog toys, contact lenses, you name it.

Professor B M Werken is a man with a history, though. People wonder why he throws himself into his work with such focus, 24/7. He explains that he just wants people to be safe, and the press are usually satisfied with his answer. The truth, though, is a little darker.

Why does the Professor fall out with his friend and business partner, D-Troit, who becomes his arch enemy? What has driven the Professor to become so obsessed with product safety? Why does D-Troit kidnap Mia, the Professors daughter?

About CID The Dummy

A star is born and he's made to last. CID THE DUMMY makes his debut in Oxygen Games’ first multi-platform production. It's an all-new action platformer that is sure to grab you with its enjoyable, fun gameplay, featuring a totally original character with charisma and moves, different fighting styles with which to battle enemies from unarmed combat to weapons like the Bazooka that can freeze, hit and burn.

• Interact as only a crash impact dummy can. Climb walls, swing on ropes, burn obstacles, destroy exploding barrels, use lifters, bounce on springs and with a neat head butt destroy walls all in stunningly realized environments. Game environment interaction is the most important part of the gameplay.

• CID's world is swarming with a host of fearfully fun enemies like the Dumper, Cursed Dummy and the bizarre Failed Experiment.

• Apart from fighting enemies, the player will enjoy solving puzzles, avoiding traps and using acrobatic skills to get out of dangerous situations!

Mirror's Edge Time Trial mode now available

All players can now unlock the Time Trial mode in the recently released demo for Mirror’s Edge available at the PlayStation Store and Xbox LIVE Marketplace. By using any 16 number code (i.e. 0000-0000-0000-000) gamers can experience the thrill of seamlessly stringing moves together in an effort to beat the clock! To unlock the Time Trial mode players need to select Race

Play Time Trial in the main menu of the demo, and then enter the code. Unlocking the game mode works with already downloaded versions of the demo.

The demo features the prologue of the game, a tutorial and sections of the popular Time Trial mode. Time Trial is an addictive mode that challenges players to find the fastest routes throughout the city. Gamers can upload their best time to the Mirror’s Edge online leaderboards for their friends to download and compete against. Players can see their friend’s ‘ghost’ run as they race to the top of the leaderboards.

Mirror’s Edge shipped to retailers worldwide on Nov. 11thfor the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3. It will ship to retailers in North America on January 13th and worldwide on January 16th, 2009 for the PC.

Once this city used to pulse with energy; dirty and dangerous, but alive and wonderful.
Now it is something else.
The changes came slowly at first. Most did not realize or did not care, and accepted them.
They chose a comfortable life.
Some didn’t…
They became our clients.

In a city where information is heavily monitored, agile couriers called Runners transport sensitive data away from prying eyes. In this seemingly utopian paradise, a crime has been committed, your sister has been framed and now you are being hunted.
You are a Runner called Faith - and this innovative first-person action-adventure is your story.
Mirror’s Edge delivers you straight into the shoes of this unique heroine as she traverses the vertigo-inducing cityscape, engaging in intense combat and fast paced chases. With a never before seen sense of movement and perspective, you will be drawn into Faith’s world. A world that is visceral, immediate, and very dangerous.
Live or die? Soar or plummet? One thing is certain, in this city you will learn how to run.
From the makers of the groundbreaking Battlefield franchise, Mirror’s Edge is an action-adventure experience unlike any other

Key features

Move yourself: String together an amazing arsenal of wall-runs, leaps, vaults and more, in fluid, acrobatic movements that turns every level of the urban environment to your advantage and salvation.
Immerse yourself: In first person every breath, every collision, every impact is acutely felt. Heights create real vertigo, movements flow naturally, collisions and bullet impacts create genuine fear and adrenaline.
Challenge yourself: Fight or flight. Your speed and agility allow you not only to evade, capture and perform daring escapes, but also to disable and disarm unwary opponents, in a mix of chase, puzzles, strategy and intense combat.
Free Yourself: Runner vision allows you to see the city as they do. See the flow. Rooftops become pathways and conduits, opportunities and escape routes. The flow is what keeps you running – what keeps you alive.

Michael Phelps video game

Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, and global videogame publisher announced today a new partnership to develop next generation console and iPhone videogames. The first title is scheduled to release in Spring 2010 and will be developed by 505 Games’ newly formed U.S. operations in Los Angeles. 505 Games also has European offices in the UK, and distribution partners around the world.

“505 Games is proud to partner with Michael Phelps to create innovative new gameplay experiences that celebrate active lifestyles, the spirit of competition and the inspirational dream of becoming a champion,” said Adam Kline, president of 505 Games US. “Through swimming, Michael has become an international superstar and role model for people of all ages. With 505 Games’ global reach, we look forward to leveraging the powerful digital entertainment medium to bring Michael’s passion for sports and competition to new audiences around the world.”

505 Games and Phelps are currently in the development stages for the first-of-its-kind videogame that may also include some of his team mates. In addition, 505 Games will donate a portion of the videogame proceeds to the Michael Phelps Foundation.

“I am really excited to partner with 505 Games and work with them to develop a game that is reflective of my personality, lifestyle and competitive nature,” said Phelps. “I believe this will be a tremendous opportunity to help continue my quest to raise the profile for the sport of swimming.”

Phelps, who is represented by Octagon, was recently profiled by CBS News’ “60 Minutes”, named Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsman of the Year” and released his third book entitled NO LIMITS: The Will to Succeed.

UK games chart - 13th December 2008 - Call of duty tops charts

1 CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR ACTIVISION
2 MARIO KART WII NINTENDO
3 FIFA 09 EA SPORTS
4 NEED FOR SPEED: UNDERCOVER EA GAMES
5 DR KAWASHIMA'S BRAIN TRAINING NINTENDO
6 FALLOUT 3 BETHESDA SOFTWORKS
7 WII PLAY NINTENDO
8 WII FIT NINTENDO
9 GUITAR HERO: WORLD TOUR REDOCTANE
10 TOMB RAIDER: UNDERWORLD EIDOS
11 LEGO INDIANA JONES: ORIGINAL ADVENTURES LUCASARTS
12 SONIC UNLEASHED SEGA
13 QUANTUM OF SOLACE ACTIVISION
14 MARIO & SONIC AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES SEGA
15 LEGO BATMAN: THE VIDEOGAME WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
16 LITTLEBIGPLANET SONY COMPUTER ENT.
17 GEARS OF WAR 2 MICROSOFT
18 WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2009 THQ
19 FAR CRY 2 UBISOFT
20 PRINCE OF PERSIA UBISOFT

MapleStory Christmas events

Get set for snow and stockings galore as Nexon's hugely popular and free to play

Christmas is all around, and MapleStory Europe has yet again prepared a special celebratory event for a delightful Christmas that’s full of festive fun, excitement and generous presents.

The Christmas cheer, which starts on December 16th and runs until January 15th, invites players to explore an amazing, special Christmas town full of sparkling Yuletide trimmings and festive spirit. However, with the town short of one very important holiday staple - snow! - players will need to hunt down special Christmas items first if they want the snow to start falling and MapleStory Europe to have a traditional white Christmas.

And what’d Christmas be without gift giving? Players can present each other with items from the Cash Shop, and all players who send a gift item to a fellow player will receive a special Christmas present during the event period. Players also have the opportunity to participate at further events including Cash Shop Sale, 2X EXP and Drop Event, and many more.

MapleStory originally launched in South Korea in April 2003 and quickly went on to become one of the most successful online games of all time, with over 92million registered accounts across the world. MapleStory Europe, which launched in May 2007, is the latest iteration of the completely free to play franchise, and offers gamers in Europe the chance to play MapleStory in five different languages -

English, French, German, Spanish and Dutch.

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Tuesday, December 16, 2008