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Monday, March 30, 2009

First Shakespeare video game - Romeo and Juliet Free demo download

Shakespeare video game
So, does Shakespeare's play really work as computer game? That's what the folks at Baby Eish Games are hoping. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

Independent game studio Baby Eish Games has unveiled the first in its series of Shakespeare-based computer games, Most Romantic Tales?

Romeo and Juliet. Unlike previous adaptations, this visual novel adventure game boasts a line by line translation of Shakespeare's original text. While the story has been translated into colloquial English, all of the key elements of Shakespeare's romantic tragedy are still in tact. Players can decide between different dialog options, but ultimately, the story is linear.

A Baby Eish spokesperson has this to say, "Shakespeare was an entertainer, not an academic. Frankly, we think he'd be pretty appalled at how we teach his plays at school. They're meant to be enjoyed, and translating his works into computer games is a great way to reach the modern audience on their own ground."

You can find a free, one hour demo of Most Romantic Tales Romeo and Juliet at http://www.babyeishgames.com/Romeo-Juliet.html.

Exclusive video game range based on Giochi Preziosi best-selling toy range

Giochi Preziosi
Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced it has entered into an exclusive, global licensing agreement with Giochi Preziosi and Marathon Media to develop and publish video games based on the hugely successful Gormiti action figure and entertainment franchise.

The new agreement expands the Gormiti phenomenon into the interactive entertainment software category with the first Gormiti titles to be released for Nintendo DS and Wii gaming systems.

Gormiti is the story of the never ending battle on the ‘Island of Gorm’ between vast armies inspired by the elemental forces of nature. Created and first launched by Giochi Preziosi in 2005, the expansive product line inspired by the heroes of Gorm is Europe’s fastest growing action figure brand. With over 100 million figures sold to date, Gormiti ranks among the category best sellers in all major European markets and is quickly gaining speed following its launch in the US earlier this year.

All new Gormiti adventures are featured in the Giochi Preziosi/Marathon Media co-production of a 52 episode, animated TV series entitled ‘Gormiti - The Lords of Nature Return’. The animated series premiered in Italy to record ratings via the Mediaset network in September 2008 and will launch in fall 2009 on M6 in France and on RTL 2 in Germany. Broadcaster for other countries, including UK and Spain will be announced after MIP TV 2009.

“The Gormiti licence is one that is ideally suited to video games,” commented Kunio Neo, President for Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH. “The collection side of it and the eternal battle between these elemental forces opens up a wide range of exciting possibilities. The games will be entrusted to our European development studio, and we look forward to unleashing the Gormiti armies on DS and Wii in the near future.”

“Konami’s global reach and marketing expertise combined with their proven ability to translate an action packed and character rich property like Gormiti into an exciting and sustainable video game franchise makes them a perfect partner to compliment and expand upon the Gormiti phenomenon” said Giochi Preziosi’s CEO Dario Berte. “Konami understands the magical appeal of Gormiti. We are excited and proud to be partnering with a company that shares our passion for creating a gaming experience that will bring these amazing characters to life for dedicated Gormiti fans and video game enthusiasts of all ages.”

Vincent Chalvon Demersay, President of Marathon Media, said, “The stories and characters that make “Gormiti - The Lords of Nature Return” such a unique and fascinating television series also make it a great candidate for adaptation as an exciting interactive gaming adventure. Konami has an exceptional track record of developing high quality games that capture the imagination and extend the entertainment experience into the gaming arena.”

Golemizer MMORPG first free expansion now online

Golemizer-video-game
The first free content expansion, Diluculo Island, for the free web MMORPG Golemizer. A free 2D steampunk MMORPG, Golemizer requires no download or plug-in to play and features a rich sandbox environment.

Following the path of a mysterious scientist named Dr. Grant, players will discover an island where strange creatures, the bymizins, are living. Are they friendly? Are they hostile?

Players will have to find out for themselves while facing the many dangers of the island like giant spiders, zombie velociraptors and the terrifying X-Rex (a steam powered dinosaur).

Along a storyline of 100 new quests, the Diluculo Island expansion features:

- Over 200 new zones to explore
- 3 new golems that players can create (zombie velociraptor, mecha repair-o-tron and even the X-Rex)
- 10 new skills available to all characters
- New island themed items that players can buy to customize their cities and dungeons
- The first vehicle in Golemizer, a blimp that can be built by players!


To meet the requirements of the constantly growing number of players and NPCs (over 10 000), Golemizer has recently been moved to a new server to provide the best gaming experience possible.

Since its release in September 2008, more than 19 000 players have roamed the creative world of Golemizer. In their journey, they have created 1 200 quests using the player quests creation system, crafted over 800 000 items and created more than 5 000 new zones using the player dungeon system.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

PlayStation and Xbox games 'turn children into scientists and engineers'

playstation 3
Children who spend hours every day on their PlayStation or Xbox video consoles are improving their brains, according to new research.

A study of 12 year-olds found they boosted crucial visual-spatial skills in which a child learns by thinking in pictures and images.

Video of new Nintendo DSi



Read full story on the Telegraph site here...

Nintendo Wii sales pass 50 million

Satoru IwataGlobal sales of Nintendo's Wii console have passed 50 million, the company's boss Satoru Iwata has said.

The Wii is now the fastest-selling games console in history, surpassing the PlayStation 2.

Mr Iwata also said that Nintendo's handheld DS console had shipped 100m units around the world.

Read the full post here on the BBC...

Final Fantasy XIII detail emerge

final fantasy XIII
The first concrete details of how the forthcoming monster RPG will actually handle.

We find out how a step backward could push the series forward...

Details on CVG website here...

PSP focus moves to 'download games' as iPhone creates new market for 'snack' games

red psp download games iphoneThis interview with Sony, hints at a move to provide more download games for the PSP through the PlayStation Network.

Apple's iPhone has shown how this new market, for bite sized games, has really taken off.

Users want cheap short dip in and out games to play when they have breaks in their busy lives.

Read the full report here...

Bad Company 2 trailer exclusive and Mass Effect 2 plus loads more...

mass effect 2 trailerGameTrailers TV discovers BioWare's acclaimed RPG design philosophy.

Plus, we have an exclusive Battlefield - Bad Company 2 trailer.

Star Wars The Old Republic, Mass Effect 2 and Dragon age Origins BioWare revel all three projects progress...

Best in game Operation Flashpoint 2 video Footage


GameStar TV show have this footage of OperationFlashpoint 2 video game...

German with english subtitles...

OnLive - New games streaming online service could mean the end of the games console?

onlive video games
The founder of a new service that plans to stream on-demand video games over the internet says he feels like he has a big target on his back.

No wonder, given that Stephen Perlman's vision to revolutionise the way games are distributed and played has been talked up as threatening the future of the console and of retail stores.

OnLive, which was launched in the middle of the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco to much excitement, buzz - and scepticism - aims to provide high quality gaming on low-end machines.
onlive controller

Read the full post on the BBC website here...