Ken Block - Subaru driver signs for DiRT 2 video game

Ken Block, the multi medal-winning Subaru Rally Team USA driver and co-founder of DC Shoes, has been signed as one of the key motorsport athletes who will feature in the eagerly anticipated Colin McRae: DiRT 2, Codemasters revealed today with the release of the ‘Ken Block Gets DiRTy Too’ feature video, now available from www.dirt2game.com.

X Games team-mate of the late Colin McRae, Block is at the forefront of a new breed of pro drivers, competing as Subaru Rally Team USA Driver #43 in the Rally America National Championship and the world-famous X Games. He has also gained notoriety for his mind-blowing stunts in his Subaru WRX STI. For Colin McRae: DiRT 2, Block is working with the development team at Codemasters Studios as technical consultant, lending his wealth of knowledge to the game and advising on car handling.

“Colin McRae is one of the main reasons that I am a rally driver. He is a big inspiration to me and the way I drive my rally car,” said Ken Block. “It’s really an honour to be a contributor to the creation of Colin McRae: DiRT 2 and to be able to continue the passion that Colin had for rally and for these videogames”



In the video released today, Block discusses his relationship with McRae, how he was inspired by the rally legend to pursue his own career and his involvement in the creation of Colin McRae: DiRT 2. Clips from some of Block’s best known videos and rally exploits showcase the supreme control he has over his car and the style, finesse and sheer audacity of his stunts, which has ensured that views of his online videos number in the multiple millions and made him a hero amongst motorsport aficionados worldwide.

“As one of the most talented and exciting drivers on the rally scene today, Ken is a perfect fit for Colin McRae: DiRT 2,” said Gavin Raeburn, Senior Executive Producer, Codemasters. “His insight into car handling and track design has already been invaluable to the development team and his endless enthusiasm for the game and rally as a great sport is absolutely priceless to us.”

Gamers will be able to join Ken Block for mud, gravel, dust and dirt too in Colin McRae: DiRT 2, coming this September for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Games For Windows LIVE, Wii, Nintendo DS and PSP (PlayStation Portable) system.

Nintendo Wii downloads update - Bonsai Barber and Super Punch-Out!! now available

A pair of excellent games based around completely opposite vocations. Newly available on the Virtual Console is Super Punch Out!!, the classic boxing title that pits players against tough pugilist rivals such as Bald Bull.

Speaking of baldness, the unique new WiiWare game Bonsai Barber invites players to take off the gloves and work their clippers instead, giving new hairstyles to a colorful cast of fruits and vegetables. Both are yours for the downloading via the Wii Shop Channel.

Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

WiiWare

Bonsai Barber (Nintendo, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone-Comic Mischief, 1,000 Wii Points): The village residents are hungry for the latest in foliage fashion, and it's up to you, the new barber, to fix them up. Use the tools of your trade: scissors, clippers, spray can, and more in this humorous, first-of-its-kind "first-person-groomer" game. Bonsai Barber features a colorful cast of 12 intriguing customers, including a temperamental shallot starlet (don't call her an onion), an oddball strawberry boffin, a cactus cowboy, a daredevil carrot, and a suave banana with top-secret clearance. Each day, five customers arrive to test your stylistic skill. If the customer requests a specific style, you'll plow that furrow, or you can rely on your expertise to pick from more than 30 popular fashions. Or, why not turn over a new leaf? Be creative and see how they react. They're a demanding bunch, so if you miss an appointment, you'll hear about it-on your Wii Message Board. If you do a good job, you may receive a gift or even a postcard from an exotic destination as your happy customers travel to distant lands and show off their exquisite coifs.

Virtual Console

Super Punch-Out!! (Super NES, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): Featuring the tight game play and humor the series is known for, this sequel to the NES classic sees Little Mac return to the ring with the World Video Boxing Association belt once again at stake. Slug your way through the grueling, sweat-pounding matches of the Minor, Major and World Circuits as you face off against some of Little Mac's greatest rivals, such as Bear Hugger, Bald Bull and Super Macho Man. With a cast of new challengers waiting, do you have what it takes to identify their unique patterns and exploit their weaknesses? Go to your corner and come out fighting, but remember what Doc Louis would say: "It's not about brawling-it's about finesse!"

Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other Wii features, visit Wii.com.

This weeks video game releases - Guitar Hero Metallica and Duke Nukem on April Fool's Day!

March 29

• Guitar Hero: Metallica (PS3, Wii, 360)

March 30

• King Arthur (PC)
• Last Flight (Wii)
• CID The Dummy (Wii, PSP, PC, PS2)
• Burger Island (Wii)
• World of Battles (PC)
• ARMA II (360)
• Train Simulator 2009: World Builder Edition (PC)
• Troll & Armor (PC, 360, PS3)
• Deer Hunter Tournament (360)
• Conquest! Medieval Realms (PC)
• OutRun Online Arcade (360)
• Lawn Games (Wii)
• Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 (PC)
• Burn Zombie Burn (PS3)
• Sudoku Ball Detective (PC, Wii, DS)
• The Humans (PC)
• Age of Pirates 2: City of Abandoned Ships (PC)
• 7.62 mm (PC)
• Dawn of Fantasy (PC)
• ARMA II (PC)

March 31

• SpongeBob SquarePants Frantic Fry Cook (DS)
• Super PickUps (Wii)
• Ocean Commander (Wii)
• Totally Spies! Totally Party (Wii)
• Cradle of Rome (Wii)
• Jake Power: Policeman (DS)
• DinoPets (DS)
• Monster Pals (Wii)
• Pipe Mania (Wii)
• Chicken Hunter: Jewel of Darkness (DS)
• Sarah: Keeper of the Unicorn (DS)
• Paint by (DS) (DS)
• Hot n Cold (DS)
• Our House (DS)
• Cave Story (Wii)
• Empire Deluxe (DS)
• Major Minor's Majestic March (Wii)
• CellFactor: Psychokinetic Wars (360)
• Gardening Mama (DS)
• Vacation Sports (Wii)
• Matchstick Puzzle by (DS) (DS)
• Tokyo Beat Down (DS)
• Don King Boxing (DS, Wii)
• Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust (360, PC)
• Dungeon Hero (PC, 360)
• Air Conflicts: Aces of World War II (PSP)
• The Humans (DS)
• Heracles: Battle With The Gods (DS)
• M&Ms Adventure (PS2)
• Offshore Tycoon (Wii)
• Solitaire & Mahjong (Wii)
• Monster Pals (DS)
• DT Carnage (Wii)
• Banjo-Tooie (XBLM)
• CellFactor: Psychokinetic Wars (PS3)
• Ski Doo: Snowmobile Challenge (360)

April 1

• 18 Wheels of Steel Big City Rigs (PC)
• Nancy Drew: Double Dare 6 (PC)
• Duke Nukem Trilogy (PSP, DS)

Arpil 2

• Dance Dance Revolution: Disney Grooves (Wii)

Source: Kotaku

Ferrari Challenge - Trofeo Pirelli Five new cars andtrack to download this May - Scuderia, GTB Fiorano, Scaglietti Sessanta, P4 and Enzo Ferrari

London-based publisher System 3 today re-affirmed its PlayStation 3 downloadable content plans for racing simulation game Ferrari Challenge: Trofeo Pirelli. This content will come in the form of five brand new Ferrari models and one new track, and is set to launch in May 2009 (PAL territories – NTSC details tba). Each car also provides gamers with a brand new Trophy to race for.

The DLC pack includes:

Car 1: 430 Scuderia

The 430 Scuderia is just one of five stunning new Ferraris available to download and throw around the tracks of Ferrari Challenge! Visually striking with a distinctive exhaust sound, every last detail of the Ferrari 430 Scuderia exudes uncompromising sporting finesse as a direct result of its close links to Ferrari Challenge racing. And with the car’s development process aided by none other than Michael Schumacher, it’s not hard to understand why it’s been such a hit with Ferrari enthusiasts.

It’s both lighter and more powerful than the standard F430 and can achieve 0-60mph in 3.1 seconds, with a top speed of 198mph! It can also complete a lap at Fiorano (Ferrari’s test track) in a time comparable to that of the Enzo, the car that has come to epitomise Ferrari's philosophy of transferring F1 content to its road cars.

Car 2: 599 GTB Fiorano

Introducing the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. It might present a bit of a mouthful but the car’s name sums it up perfectly. Fiorano is the circuit Ferrari uses to hone the performance of its track and road cars; GTB refers to ‘Gran Turismo Berlinetta’ (the most famous Ferrari berlinettas ever built); and 599 reflects the 5999cc, V12 engine. With all that hype it’s a good job that the car doesn’t disappoint! In fact, we’d say it sets a high benchmark of excellence in the sports car world.

The 599 GTB Fiorano sprints from 0 to 60mph in under 3.7 seconds and boasts a top speed in excess of 206mph! In 2006 the car won Evo’s Car of the Year award and Top Gear Magazine’s SuperCar of the Year award. However, it’s still the new model's uniquely innovative and luxurious inners that guarantee superior driving pleasure.

Car 3: 612 Scaglietti Sessanta

The 612 Scaglietti Sessanta is just one of 60 truly unique 60th anniversary celebration cars. Based on the 612 Scaglietti, the Prancing Horse's range-topping Gran Turismo combines blistering performance and superb handling with superior comfort, sumptuously handcrafted trim, state-of-the-art accessories and meticulous attention to detail. It’s a beautiful but powerful machine made even more desirable by its extremely limited availability. The 2-door coupe can reach speeds of 195mph.

A few years ago it was featured on UK car program Top Gear, where host Jeremy Clarkson raced against, and beat, his plane and train-faring co-hosts in a race from the UK to Switzerland. We can’t offer you the opportunity to re-enact that race but we can allow you to download the car and race on any track in Ferrari challenge!

Car 4: 330 P4

Presenting the ultra curvaceous and instantly recognisable Ferrari 330 P4. As one of the most revered cars in Ferrari’s long and illustrious history, the 330 P4 remains one of the most evocative shapes ever created. Powered by an F1-derived, 4-litre V12, it produces 450bhp and is capable of speeds of over 200mph. The sexy motor grabbed the headlines in 1967 when Ferrari beat the Ford GT40 in the ‘24 Hours Of Daytona’ event with a 1-2-3 finish! Company founder Enzo Ferrari kept a picture of the winning trio’s final approach for as long as he lived.

To this day only one completely original car remains. This fact, combined with the car’s obvious historical significance, has made it one of the most sought after, rare and valuable cars in the world today! Now there’s a story to be thinking about when you’re racing it around Monza…

Car 5: Enzo Ferrari

May we present another of System 3’s brand new DLC Ferrari motors: the awe-inspiring Enzo! Built to celebrate four years at the top of the F1 Constructors’ Championship, the car is a marriage of cutting edge technologies and is named after Ferrari’s founding member. Combining an F1 gearbox with a 5998cc, V12 engine and a carbon fibre body, the Enzo is a formidable drive that can achieve a top speed of 227mph and accelerate from 0-60mph in just 3.14 seconds! Its super-stylised chassis and gutsy roar are unmistakable and, six years on, it still drops jaws.

Whenever the car turns up at auction it regularly sells for over $1 million with the famed 400th charity auction car selling for $1.27 million in 2005! All of which, in our humble opinion, makes the Enzo a pretty special car. Coveted by collectors and the stuff of owner-drivers’ dreams, the Enzo is now ready for Ferrari Challenge owners to enjoy. And trust us, you won’t be disappointed!

Track 1: Nürburgring

System 3 are proud to present the awesome German GP race track Nürburgring! The 5.15km-long ‘GP-Streke’ section of the track is most notably used for GP2 and F1 racing, with many drivers claiming it to be one of the most challenging purpose-built circuits in the world. As a booster for German pride, Michael Schumacher set the lap record of 1.29.468, a time achieved in the F2004 Ferrari F1 car in the 2004 F1 season.

Nürburgring is well known for its long home straight, which is closely followed by a blind, narrow and barrier-laden first corner. It’s just the beginning of what is an extremely demanding circuit. As long as the GP-Streke section of the track is, it’s actually only a fraction of the 28.26km-long Gesamtstrecke (‘whole course’), a track which takes over 6 minutes to drive around in the average supercar! So get downloading and master one of the most demanding tracks on the racing circuit!

Cars and the track will be available individually or as a pack. An exact launch date and price for this DLC pack will be announced in the near future.

PlayStation 3 users who have not previously taken their console online will also be prompted to download the latest patch for the game, which address various minor issues and improve certain aspects of the game. These include:

Ferrari Challenge PS3 Patch Version 02.20

- adjustable steering wheel resistance added.
- multiplayer collision option added.
- 30-minute race duration option added in Multiplayer.
- minor Multiplayer connection issues resolved.
- Trophy support added.
- XMB background music support added in single player.
- Photo mode added to Showroom.
- lap split-times added to Time Trial mode.
- gear indicator added to in-car view.
- ‘Legend’ A.I. difficulty added.
- Host & Friends options refined.
- reservation system in Private lobbies implemented.
- frame rate improved in 1080p mode.
- improved detail in 1080 modes.

About Ferrari Challenge: Trofeo Pirelli
Released in late 2008 on DS, Wii, PS2 and PS3, Ferrari Challenge was a labour of love for System 3 founder and professional race driver Mark Cale. Combining 60 years of sumptuously detailed Ferrari car models with a handling engine tuned by GP2 and soon-to-be F1 driver Bruno Senna, Ferrari Challenge was a hardcore racing fan’s dream game.

Magic Ball video game soars to the top of the PlayStation Network's sales charts

Alawar Entertainment and Creat Studios are excited to announce the success of the PlayStation 3 version of Magic Ball, a 3D Breakout-style game custom-made to thrill arcade fans. Released in January, the game jumped to the number three spot among the top 10 best-selling titles on the PlayStation Network and remained in the top 10 for two months.

To take advantage of the large number of consumers with game consoles, Alawar commissioned Creat Studios to port Magic Ball 3 to the PlayStation 3. Alawar chose to port the game to the PlayStation 3 to further its phenomenal success. To date, fans have purchase over two million Magic Ball games on various platforms.

To meet the high technological standards of the PlayStation 3, Creat completely redesigned the PC version of Magic Ball 3. The game now supports resolutions of up to 720p and uses Havok, an advanced physics engine, adding unprecedented visual appeal when playing the game on a high definition television. Creat also enhanced the game's music and audio. To date, no other casual release has as many original songs and sound effects.

Magic Ball for PlayStation 3 also features a multiplayer mode in which friends and family members can challenge each other online. In addition, the game supports expansion packs and allows users to buy new game modes and levels online. The creators of Magic Ball for PlayStation 3 will be adding new content on a frequent basis.

"It's a pleasure to see Magic Ball 3 reborn on the PlayStation 3,"said Kirill Plotnikov, Alawar's VP of publishing. "Owners of the console can now enjoy the breathtaking graphics and exciting gameplay this title offers. Even better, the release of Magic Ball through the PlayStation Network is just the beginning of a larger undertaking. Due to the ongoing success of the series, Magic Ball 4 is now in development and we are close to releasing an iPhone version. I fully believe casual game fans worldwide will enjoy these innovative new products."

Political Platform Puzzler Clover on Xbox Live

New screenshots of début title Clover featuring a newly redesigned lead character Sam and also announce a revised release window of April. Clover is to be released via Xbox LIVE Community Games for 400 Microsoft Points.

The screenshots feature new artwork, new locations and a new dynamic sky-blending system that means that the player's view of the game world is constantly changing. Lead character Sam has been given an overhaul based on community feedback.

Clover features so much artwork that some is destined to be left on the cutting room floor, after the game hit Microsoft's mandatory 150mb maximum size limit imposed on Community Games. Gamers anticipating Clover's release can now follow Binary Tweed on Twitter and the Clover Facebook Group.

About Clover
Clover is a plot-driven platformer in the style of classic titles such as Fantastic Dizzy that sees the player solve logical puzzles by collecting items, talking to a diverse cast of characters and exploring artistically realised environments. Clover is to be released in early April via Xbox LIVE Community Games for 400 Microsoft Points.

Dragonica video game website launches on Monday 30th March

The world of MMORPG’s goes sideways as the official European Dragonica website launches on Monday 30th March

Dragonica is the brand new free arcade-style 3D side-scrolling MMORPG. It will be available to download across Europe in English, French and German this Spring from the www.gpotato.eu gaming portal. As the gPotato Europe team prepares for the Closed Beta, we are proud to announce the launch of the brand new Dragonica website at http://dragonica.gpotato.eu.

The brand new website covers everything you need to know about the world of Dragotaka ahead of the Closed Beta. Find out how a modern arcade-style 3D side-scroller plays with lots of gameplay footage and fantastic screenshots. Immerse yourself in Dragonica storyline’s by reading about the game or watch the rendered cinematic trailer as the witch Paris frees the evil Dragon Lord Elga from his prison.

Dragonica also includes this year’s most frantic multiplayer mode in the classic ten player PvP mode. Find out how to set up your own Guild in the game, how you’ll be able to hook up with another player and form a couple, and how easy it is to use the game’s friends list to find and form a party with other players. Learn about the different characters and see how you’ll be able to use the game’s character creation tool to build your online identity, decorate your own in-game house and raise a pet and bring into battle with you.

But wait, there’s more! The next generation of online MMORPGs shifts the gameplay from clicky mouse-controlled combat to precise combo-based action where you have to land every hit and get your timing right to keep the combo going. Dragonica’s keyboard only control system allows you to bring console style gaming to your PC, notebook or netbook!

You’d be silly not to try Dragonica, 2009’s brightest and most frantic arcade-style MMORPG! Pre-registration is now open for the English, French and German Closed Betas at the official European Dragonica website, http://dragonica.gpotato.eu.

Kraze a multi-genre racing video game for the PC

Armed with an array of the most powerful cars ever designed, players compete for the Kraze Championship which includes racing modes such as Off Road, Rally, F1 and Street Race.

Kraze challenges the player's concentration, car handling and racing skills on a variety of environments from narrow city lanes, perilous mountain cliffs to the shimmering sands of a mirage-strewn desert.

The salient features of Kraze include:

• 13 different vehicles with varying speed and handling
• 8 different locations around the world
• Off-Road, Rally, F1 & Street Race modes
• Championship, Quick Race & Time Trial
• Individual profiles and vehicle customisation
• Slow motion action replays and recording of races

Kraze on the PC will be available to buy this summer.

Wheelman enters UK video games charts - Resident Evil 5 stays at No 1

ChartTrack UK video game s chart week ending 28th March



1 RESIDENT EVIL 5 CAPCOM
2 WII FIT NINTENDO
3 STREET FIGHTER IV CAPCOM
4 PROFESSOR LAYTON AND THE CURIOUS VILLAGE NINTENDO
5 WWE LEGENDS OF WRESTLEMANIA THQ
6 FIFA 09 EA SPORTS
7 CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR ACTIVISION
8 GRAND THEFT AUTO: CHINATOWN WARS ROCKSTAR
9 CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE ACTIVISION
10 TOM CLANCY'S H.A.W.X. UBISOFT
11 WHEELMAN MIDWAY
12 WII PLAY NINTENDO
13 MARIO KART WII NINTENDO
14 KILLZONE 2 SONY COMPUTER ENT.
15 DR KAWASHIMA'S BRAIN TRAINING NINTENDO
16 MARIO & SONIC AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES SEGA
17 BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE D3P
18 GRAND THEFT AUTO IV ROCKSTAR
19 CARNIVAL: FUNFAIR GAMES 2KPLAY
20 SEGA MEGA DRIVE ULTIMATE COLLECTION SEGA

Make a video game and get a degree - in Sweden

At Gotland University in Sweden the students spend one year developing one large game to earn their degree. All lectures and literature received during the one year course IGPS (International Game Production Studies) are connected to the game they make. Since the course is on-line based, anyone in the world with the right qualifications can apply.

Gotland University has several game related educations. The course IGPS, takes the students through different focus areas from idea, concept development, via planning and production, to release. All of the assignments given to the students are applied to the game they are developing. -”Learning by doing is by far the best way of learning. That’s why everything in this course is related to one game project that the students do. That means that all your efforts during the education will go to improving the game” says Troels Linde, teacher at Gotland University.

One of the games this year is “Penalty of Heroes” a game that will be released on Xbox Live this fall. -“This is a large project with over 10 people involved and we have to manage it like any other big budget project such as the games made by Blizzard or Valve. It’s a great way to get experience and education at the same time” says Håkan Mattsson, producer of the game.

Many of the former students at Gotland University are now working at well-known game studios such as DICE, Grin, Avalanche and Massive Entertainment. The cooperation with these established game studios is one of the key factors to good education. -“We get mentors from successful game studios that give us feedback and share their experiences regarding game development. It’s a true privilege” says Nicklas Johansson, student at IGPS.

Some students start their own game companies after their education. The well reviewed PC game “Penumbra – Overtune” released in 2007, was one of the first games developed at IGPS.

April 14th is the last application day for the class of IGPS starting in September 2009.