Sacred 2 - Fallen Angel – New Xbox 360 Screen shots

cdv Software Entertainment USA today released new screens for the upcoming action-RPG, Sacred 2: Fallen Angel. The new screens, taken from the Xbox 360 version of the game, focus on the Temple Guardian and the Seraphim, two of the six playable characters available in the game, and also show the Temple Guardian and his special “Monowheel” mount for the first time on consoles. Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is set for a March 24, 2009 release on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is a hack-and-slash action-RPG with a rich story that takes place in a giant, open-ended and seamless world. This world contains massive dungeons, treacherous opponents and hundreds of challenging quests. Intelligent enemies, steadily adapting in number and difficulty based on player progress, challenge players in heroic single- and multiplayer battles for up to 16 gamers on the Games for Windows platform, and four-player cooperative matches on consoles.

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel provides hundreds of unique items that can be gathered in this mystical world. A deep reward system further enables advancements in character, individual attributes and character-specific fighting styles, each designed to keep players returning to the world of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel to discover what is around the next bend. Drop-in styled cooperative multiplayer gameplay ensures players will enjoy the game alone or seamlessly with friends at any time. Five unique multiplayer modes round out the experience and offer a refreshing, first-class gaming experience in Sacred 2: Fallen Angel.

Ubisoft Announces The Official Far Cry 2 Map Editing Guide

Ubisoft announced a unique partnership with Charles River Media, one of North America's leading publishers of video game development books. Both companies are working together to create one of the first game design books written by gamers for gamers.

"Designing Wargames: The Official Far Cry 2 Map Editing Guide" will be published in the spring of 2009. Written and edited by David Hutchison, author of “Playing to Learn: Video Games in the Classroom,” the book will comprise of map making techniques and advice contributed by Far Cry 2 map makers around the world.

"This is the next milestone in gamer-generated content," says David Hutchison, Associate Professor at Brock University. "Far Cry 2 makes it easy for both PC and console gamers to create cool new multiplayer maps that they can then share with other gamers. We want to honour this effort by inviting the Far Cry 2 map-making community to contribute to this first-of-its-kind game design book."

As underlined by Jessy-Gosselin Gant of the Far Cry2 development team:“Level design is a defining factor in how the player will experience a video game. It constitutes a key role in production by having the responsibility of presenting all the different game components such as art, animation, AI and gameplay mechanics at their best, so the player can enjoy them in a convincing and attractive environment.”

Far Cry 2 map-makers who are interested in contributing to the book can learn more at the book's website - www.farcrybook.com - where they can submit Far Cry 2 map reviews, map editing quick tips, tactical analyses, and feature articles.

Rock Revolution - New Rhythm Music Game on Mobile Platform

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced that Rock Revolution is now available in North America for purchase at major carriers. The company that created the music videogame category with breakthrough titles such as Dance Dance Revolution, Karaoke Revolution, Beatmania and Guitar Freaks is taking the music genre on-the-go with Rock Revolution, featuring rhythm-based gameplay created specifically for the mobile platform.

"Konami has led the music gaming experience for over ten years and is excited to bring Rock Revolution to an all-new platform that allows players to take the game with them wherever they go," said Anthony Borquez, Vice President of Konami Mobile and Online. "We are confident casual gamers and fans of the rhythm music genre alike will appreciate the multiplicity of playable characters and instruments available on their mobile phone."

In Rock Revolution, players choose between drums, bass, guitar or vocals for a diverse musical experience. Each instrument has its own difficulty level ranging from "easy" to "superstar," allowing players to increase their skills throughout the game. Players can also rock out as seven different musicians, each with their own talent and unique style.

Rock Revolution is now available for purchase at major carriers in North America. Subscribers can also text (ROCK) to 566264 to purchase the game.

Ben 10 - Alien Force Nintendo DS PlayStation 2 PSP Nintendo Wii design

BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE The Game, based on Cartoon Network’s hit television series, is the only console videogame that allows players to take command of characters from the ALIEN FORCE team to authentically control and experience their adventures.

The game begins five years after Ben put away the DNA-scrambling Omnitrix, but now Grandpa Max has gone missing and the planet Earth is in grave danger. Gamers must help Ben take the Omnitrix out of retirement and lead eight different playable characters—including cousin Gwen, enemy-turned-ally Kevin Levin and five of Ben’s brand new alien forms—Swampfire, Jet Ray, Humungousaur, Spidermonkey and Big Chill—to utilize their all-new super powers and defeat the intergalactic invaders! 

Gamers will experience tons of all-new story content on all platforms, and can even adventure as additional alien forms Echo Echo, Chromastone and Goop exclusively with the Nintendo DS version. Gameplay is fast-paced, 3D, action adventure style offering an unlimited combo system with puzzles and challenges that will engage players of all levels for hours at a time. BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE: The Game comes on the heels of a tremendously successful inaugural game, BEN 10: Protector of Earth, which launched in November 2007 and has sold more than one million units worldwide.

KEY FEATURES:

• Authentically Step Into The ALIEN FORCE World – Play the only console videogame that allows you to command members of the ALIEN FORCE team; investigate never-before-seen locations, enemies and characters, and explore favorite places from the best show episodes.

• Multiple Playable Characters with Special Superpowers – Take control of Ben and his new alien forms Swampfire, Jet Ray, Humungousaur, Spidermonkey and Big Chill to manipulate fire, swim underwater, grow more than 60 feet tall, stick to walls, fly at mach speed, plus lots more! Harness Gwen’s talent to create an energy shield to protect and attack, and use Kevin Levin’s ability to absorb materials to create impenetrable body armor. Adventure as alien forms Echo Echo, Chromastone and Goop exclusively in the Nintendo DS version.

• Solid and Robust Gameplay – Explore action-packed levels and secret sections in arcade-style gameplay as you clash with more than 20 types of enemies; use more than 75 attack options and create unlimited attack chaining with the streamlined combo system; engage in two-player co-op on PlayStation®2 computer entertainment and Wii for hours of fun and replayability.

• Based On a Successful Television Franchise – As one of Cartoon Network’s breakout original franchises, the BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE television series is in its first season as a top-rated show, and is the next generation continuation of the phenomenally successful and Emmy-winning Ben 10 original series. A long form television movie based on BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE will debut on Cartoon Network in fall 2008.

• Exceptional Level of Authenticity – The game’s art style, sound effects and music are 100% authentic, with all audio in the game pulled directly from the show sound vaults and all voice acting provided by the original television cast.

For the Goblins, Orcs, Elves, Humans, Dwarfs, there is only one Big Game, and it's Blood Bowl!

While Americans are busy stocking up on chips, dips, beer and soda for this Sunday's Super Bowl, the rest of the fantasy world already has bone-crushing action in the form of the famed "Blood Bowl" - and throughout the rest of this week, Focus Home Interactive and Cyanide will be showing off the game (Xbox 360 and Windows PC) through daily video releases.
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Each day, we’ll be releasing a brief trailer focusing on one of the game’s many teams, culminating in an action-packed gameplay trailer to be released on Friday. Don’t miss a day!

To launch this Blood Bowl blitz, we’re releasing a new trailer of the Goblin team in action. In this video, watch as these sneaky little gobbos zip around the field doing their best the snatch up the ball and make a run past the other team’s defenses. When all else fails, our fiendish little friend finds a nearby troll to throw him headlong into the end zone!

An ultra-violent mix of American football and other team sports, Blood Bowl takes place in the popular Warhammer universe, and allows players to build the ultimate “fantasy” teams. Would-be team managers can build bone-crushing teams composed of Orcs, Elves, Humans, Dwarfs and many more fantastic creatures – then throw them into the arena for the ultimate blood sport! Blood Bowl is strategic, action-packed and violent, requiring players to use their best tactics, team design – and a dose of pure ruthless bloodlust always helps too!

Published by Focus Home Interactive and developed by Cyanide Studio, Blood Bowl is being developed for the PC and the Xbox 360 as well as for the handheld systems Nintendo DS and Sony PSP and is set for release on Q2 2009.

Celebrity cast pictures for Command & Conquer Red Alert 3 - Uprising sexy jodi Lyn O'Keefe, Holly Vance and Gemma Atkinson

Eclectic Ensemble Cast Stars in Newest Addition to the Red Alert Universe.

Electronic Arts today announced the members of the live action movie cast for Command & Conquer Red Alert 3 - Uprising, the upcoming campaign expansion to last autumn’s award-winning Command & Conquer Red Alert 3.

Picking up in the aftermath of the events in the original, Command & Conquer Red Alert 3 Uprising features an eclectic cast, starring in the all new, live-action movie sequences the Command & Conquer franchise is known for. From sci- fi legends to rising starlets and masters of the squared-circle, the cast of Command & Conquer Red Alert 3: Uprising includes (in alphabetical order): Jamie Chung, (Dragonball Evolution), Ric Flair (16-time world heavyweight wrestling champion), Malcolm McDowell (Heroes, Clockwork Orange, Wing Commander), Jodi Lyn O’Keefe (Prison Break), Holly Valance (Neighbours) along with returning fan-favorites Gemma Atkinson and Ivana Milicevic.

“Quality live-action movies and storytelling have always been a unique component to the Command & Conquer DNA and we wanted to make sure we did things right with Uprising,” said Amer Ajami, Senior Producer at EA Los Angeles. “We are really pleased we were able to assemble another large and talented ensemble for Uprising, and we think our fans are going to be pleased by everyone’s performances, not only in the cutscenes, but also in Commander’s Challenge, where you’ll actually be battling some of our stars.”

“When I found out that EA wanted me to be part of Command & Conquer, all I could say was ‘Woooooooooooo!’” said 16-time world heavyweight champion, Ric Flair, who stars as Commander Hill, a commander players will have to take on in the new Commander’s Challenge mode. “I had a great time on set and, whiIe I may have retired from the ring, I think my fans are going to love seeing the “Nature Boy” style and profile his way to victory. I know my kids are going to have a great time trying to take it to me on the battlefield.”

Malcolm McDowell, who plays Rupert Thornley, the president of the European Union, and had previously starred in the live-action movies for the Wing Commander franchise, added, “It’s great to be working with good actors and the more good actors you can get to do games, the better. In the past people might have thought you could get away with anything in games and that isn’t a good attitude. Kids are spending a lot of money and time on these games and they deserve first rate performers and I’m glad to say that this is what Uprising is.”

Command & Conquer Red Alert 3: Uprising will take players deeper into the Red Alert™ universe with four new mini-campaigns set in the aftermath of the events of Red Alert 3. The game also features the new Commander’s Challenge mode, a series of 50 challenging, over-the-top scenarios where players will need to battle through a gauntlet of commanders and obstacles in order to unlock the game’s powerful new units.

Command & Conquer Red Alert 3: Uprising will be available for digital download this March and has not yet been rated by the ESRB or PEGI. For more information about the game, please visit www.commandandconquer.com, home of Command & Conquer TV, EA’s dedicated online Command & Conquer network that goes beyond the game and brings players all the latest news, tips and strategies straight from the developers. This Friday, fans can go to the website to catch the first episode of BattleCast PrimeTime, the channel’s flagship program, which will have all the latest Command & Conquer news including an interview with Ric Flair.

Valentine's Day-Event in Runes of Magic has just begun

For those players who want to flee from the cold of winter, they can now indulge themselves in spring fever as love is in the air of Taborea. A Valentine’s Day event has just started in Runes of Magic and marks the beginning of an extensive series of events that awaits players of Frogsters’ fantasy online-role-playing game during 2009.

From today until Valentine’s Day on February 14th 2009, fans with a sweet tooth are invited to produce in-game chocolate to strengthen their in-game characters. During this time friends of flowers will also be able to obtain rose seeds on a daily basis. If cared for these flowers will bloom and grant growers a strong buff. To compensate players for all their efforts, roses will be exchanged for special gift boxes. With a bit of luck and perseverance, gardeners will find one of two time-limited mounts designed exclusively for this event: a Pegasus or unicorn. Those who collect 30 roses during the event will be awarded a special title as a reward

Runes of Magic started the open beta with an English and a German version in the middle of December 2008. All interested players can now download the online-role playing game and enter into the fantasy world after creating an account for free on www.runesofmagic.com.

Runes of Magic – a world full of wizardry and adventure
With an extensive range of features Runes of Magic prepares to redefine the standard of free2play MMO games. Runes of Magic conveys an absorbing story through more than 1.000 quests embedded in an atmospheric fantasy setting. Players can choose between six main classes and combined with a secondary class they present 30 individual combinations of character classes over all. All characters possess unique skills with impressive combo attacks and can use mounts like war horses and more. A particularly attractive feature for guilds and players is the possibility to arrange their own virtual homes with individual furnishing. Thanks to an extensive crafting and reputation system, thrilling PVP, as well as demanding dungeons and boss-monsters, no wishes remain unsatisfied. The Taiwanese developer Runewaker has developed Runes of Magic according to western MMO standards within a time frame of three years. The studio will provide new challenges for players every three to four months with free add-ons and updates. MMO fans can find more information, pictures and videos on the official website www.runesofmagic.com.

Features

- Free2play: no monthly fees, free download
- Extensive dual class system (six primary and secondary classes)
- Versatile spell- and attack-combinations
- Enthralling background story
- More than 1.000 quests and quest series on launch
- No zone boundaries thanks to seamless architecture
- Dungeons: Instanced and tile based as well as persistent
- Individually developable skills and spells
- Armour sets with special bonuses
- Dynamic item system with hundreds of runes for upgrading
- Optional PvP system with arena battles and guild wars
- Ranking system with player-ranking lists
- Multitude of unique mounts
- Epic crafting system with the chance to improve existing items
- Personalization of player houses through individual furnishing
- Reputation system
- Customisable user interface with the option to use Add-Ons
- Map and radar system to find dealers, resources and quests easily
- In-game auction houses for trading items
- Teleport-Runes for instant travel
- Mouse and keyboard controls for movement
- Regular updates with new content
- Cross-server fights in three-server-battle in development
- Guild houses in special zones in development

Khemia - Alchemists of Al Revis PlayStation 2 and Mana Khemia - Student Alliance PSP video games

Both Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al Revis (PS 2) and Mana Khemia: Student Alliance (PSP) will be published by NIS Europe for the European countries. The decision comes after increasing demands for hardcore titles in Europe. NIS Europe will release several hardcore titles a year and gradually increase its line‐ups. Hardcore gamers in Europe can expect the same level of quality that the North American gamers have been enjoying for years.

The 4th entry in the RPG series, Mana Khemia is different from the previous Atelier Iris games. Mana Khemia is a campus sim style RPG, where you can interact with classmates and professors to complete academic quests. You play as Vayne Aurelius, a novice alchemist who was invited to attend Al‐Revis Academy. At the academy Vayne will meet human and not so human(?) alchemists, and together you will solve the mysteries of alchemy.

Key Features

• Multi‐player ‐ A co‐op mode were you can battle monsters together to get rare items. Jump Start‐Install part of the game on to the memory stick to make loads faster.
  
• Academic Quests – Players will take on quests that the professor assigns. If you fail your mission, you may have to stay after school. Also depending on who you work with for your assignments, the outcome of the story will change.
  
• Avatar Crafting ‐ Personalize your characters by “crafting” skills and stats instead of just levelling up through combat. Crafting skills and stats allows the player to create unique characters like a warrior that excels in summoning magic or a magician that’s an expert that s at snipe shooting.
  
• Item Crafting – A comprehensive item/weapon crafting system. Create anything from healing potions to swords through alchemy.
  
• Team Crafting ‐ Craft items using your team’s recipe.
  
• Symbol Encounters – No more random encounters. Visually confirm and engage enemies.
  

Guitar hero tracks from Incubus, Wings, Bob Seger, The Shins and Ryan Adams To Bolster The Roster added

Having already delivered fans over 70 rockin’ downloadable tracks for Activision's Guitar Hero World Tour since the game’s October 2008 launch, three new Track Packs spanning a variety of musical genres and multiple artists will be available throughout February 2009 to Guitar Hero fans across the globe.

On February 12th, rockers Incubus, The Shins and Ryan Adams turn off the amps and electric guitars in the Acoustic Track Pack. Coming to Guitar Hero World Tour are Incubus’ “Drive,” The Shins’ “New Slang” and Ryan Adams’ GRAMMY Award nominated version of “Wonderwall.”

Following their debut appearance on disc in Guitar Hero World Tour with “Band on the Run,” Paul McCartney’s Wings return to the Guitar Hero stage with the Wings Track Pack. “Junior’s Farm,” “Hi Hi Hi” and “Jet,” three top-ten hits from the band’s diverse catalog of music, will be available for download on February 19th.

GRAMMY Award winner, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Academy Award nominee Bob Seger will make his Guitar Hero downloadable content debut with the Bob Seger Track Pack. After making an appearance in ads highlighting different celebrities jamming on instruments from Guitar Hero World Tour, Seger’s legendary hit “Old Time Rock and Roll” joins "Her Strut" and a live-recording of "Get Out of Denver" in the Bob Seger Track Pack, available for download on February 26th.

The Acoustic, Wings and Bob Seger Track Packs will be available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for 440 Microsoft Points and on the PlayStation Store for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system for $5.49. The songs in each Track Pack will be released as downloadable singles for Xbox 360 for 160 Microsoft Points, PLAYSTATION 3 system for $1.99 and Wii™ for 200 Wii Points.

Outsiders Provide Unique Twist to NASCAR Kart Racing

In addition to 14 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers, NASCAR Kart Racing players can take the wheel as one of 10 original animated characters known as “Outsiders”. Hit the off-road courses or take these “Outsiders” for a spin through classic NASCAR tracks like Daytona International Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, Dover International Speedway and Bristol Motorspeedway. Each “Outsider” hails from a racing background outside of NASCAR, providing a unique twist to the NASCAR Kart Racing experience. Players can choose from the following “Outsiders”:

Billy Backfire
Bobby Backfire
Kelly Kates
Linda Leadbetter
Maurice L’éclair
“Shakes” McDaniel
“Thriller” Tadwell
Monica Torres
Luke Trigger
Terri Winsome

NASCAR Kart Racing, the first and only NASCAR racing title available for the Wii, will ship to retailers in North America on February 10, 2009, just in time for the Daytona 500 and the official start of the 2009 NASCAR season. Designed exclusively for the Wii, NASCAR Kart Racing enables players to grab the steering wheel as a famed NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver, or as an “Outsider”, and speed through treacherous landscapes, wind around rocky cliffs, jump rivers and dodge falling boulders. Up to four players can go head-to-head, via split screen, in a mad dash to the checkered flag, making NASCAR Kart Racing an ideal game to play with family and friends.

Please visit info.ea.com to view the all-new video featuring the “Outsiders” and to access images of these 10 original animated characters.