City of Heroes - Power to the players online video game

The launch of the highly anticipated Mission Architect system in its comic-book inspired MMO, City of Heroes. Free to current PC and Macintosh subscribers, the release of Issue 14: Architect marks the first time in MMO history that players have been given the power to create and share their own custom missions and story arcs, thus generating an unprecedented and virtually limitless amount of user-generated content for the City of Heroes community.

In addition to allowing players to create their own missions using thousands of existing assets from the game, players may also use the Mission Architect system to personalise their stories by building their own characters and enemy groups using City of Heroes’ highly regarded Character Creator system. Players will be able to publish up to three story arcs per account which will be displayed to all players across all servers in the Mission Architect system. Each user-created story can have up to five missions containing up to twenty-five individual objectives. Players will even be able to write custom dialogue for their missions, offering true flexibility in dynamic story telling.



“We are very excited for City of Heroes to be the first-ever MMO to offer this revolutionary new system to our players,” said Brian Clayton, general manager and executive producer of the franchise. “Within two weeks of opening the beta version of Mission Architect to our community, players published an astounding 5,000 custom stories, representing up to 25,000 user-created missions. Such a steady in-flux of fresh content offers the capacity for endless adventures to City of Heroes subscribers."

Not only will players be able to share and search the content they upload to the game, but the Mission Architect system allows players to play and rate each other’s story arcs as well. The highest rated missions will be prominently displayed earning those players in-game rewards for creating excellent content. Additionally, the best of these submitted story arcs will be hand-chosen by the City of Heroes development team and deemed as “Dev Choice” missions. Receiving either of these prestigious designations will reward the author with an additional slot to create even more quality custom stories.

Cover players for Grand Slam Tennis game - John McEnroe, Roger Federer and Serena Williams Featured on US box

Electronic Arts announced today that tennis stars John McEnroe, Roger Federer and Serena Williams will be the North American* cover athletes for its new tennis franchise, EA SPORTS Grand Slam Tennis. Eight different regional player partnerships will be announced soon. McEnroe, one of the sport’s most recognizable figures, was recently confirmed as exclusive to the game.

Federer and Williams are among the biggest names in tennis and the most accomplished; having won 23 Grand Slam singles titles between them. Williams becomes the first woman to grace the cover of an EA SPORTS simulation product.

“It’s very exciting to be on the cover of EA SPORTS Grand Slam Tennis. This game not only shows EA’s enthusiasm for tennis but for also women’s tennis,” said Williams. “I know from experience how tough and gratifying it is to win all four Grand Slams so I hope people will enjoy the Grand Slam experience that is offered in this game.”



EA SPORTS Grand Slam Tennis is being developed under the EA SPORTS brand by EA Canada in Vancouver, B.C. Designed first for the Wii, it ships to North American retailers on June 15th, one day earlier than the previously announced ship date. Worldwide it ships on June 26th with the exception of the United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Spain and Australia, where it ships on June 12th.

This fall, EA SPORTS Grand Slam Tennis will also be served up for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. With stunning realism, it will feature innovative control systems and robust online** capability. Classic matches from the past will be recreated, along with simulated dream match-ups that weren’t possible before.

EA SPORTS Grand Slam Tennis for the Wii has been rated “E” by the ESRB and “3+” by PEGI, and has an MSRP of $49.95 USD in North America.

Top-selling titles and franchises from EA SPORTS include Madden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL, NBA LIVE, NCAA Football, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR and NASCAR racing.

*In addition to select other global territories
** INTERNET CONNECTION required for online features. See product pack for details.

Update expands Runes of Magic game world New zone 'Ravenfell' open as of now

Just three weeks after the launch of Runes of Magic Frogster is expanding the game world with new content. The newly launched update makes fresh features immediately available: The high level zone ‘Ravenfell’ now offers exciting adventures and challenges to level of 45 - 50 players in a Caribbean setting, bringing Runes of Magic’s total quest-count up to over 1,600 quests.

Additionally the ‘Ruins of the Ice Dwarf Kingdom’ dungeon challenges mid-level players, despatching them to the forgotten fortress of the Ice Dwarves. Offering something of a change from levelling and collecting equipment, the ‘Wind-Runner Races’ is already the second mini-game in the fantasy world of Taborea. Heroes from level 35 can look forward to the new Elite skills which will further expand their dual class abilities.

However, new players aren’t being short-changed either. A completely reworked tutorial eases the path for budding heroes in their entry into the online role-play game. In addition, the patch optimises the localisation of areas, items and quest texts. “This content update meets the wishes of our players by further expanding the high level area.” commented Runes of Magic PR Manager, Philipp Senkbeil on the new features being built-in so shortly after the game launch. These seamlessly join up with the content that was already implemented at the launch, such as the difficult instance, the ‘Kalin Shrine’. There is also a new dungeon, ‘Treasure Trove’ which is set to appear in the near future.

You can read further information about the current content as well as comprehensive patch notes, on the official Runes of Magic forum:
http://forum.runesofmagic.com/showthread.php?t=52932.

Runes of Magic – a world full of wizardry and adventure
Runes of Magic was commercially released on 19th March 2009. All interested fantasy fans can continue to download the online role playing game for free at www.runesofmagic.com and can plunge into the game world after a short registration process.

With an extensive range of features Runes of Magic prepares to redefine the standard of free to play massively online role playing games. Runes of Magic conveys an absorbing story through more than 1.600 quests embedded in an atmospheric fantasy world. 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 four to five months with free add-ons and updates. MMO fans can find more information, pictures and videos on the official website www.runesofmagic.com.

Features

- Free to play: no monthly fees, free download
- Extensive dual class system (six primary and secondary classes)
- Versatile spell- and attack-combinations
- Enthralling background story
- More than 1.600 quests and quest series
- 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
- 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
- Guild castles in special zones
- Cross-server fights in three-server-battle and guild wars in development

Facts
Titel: Runes of Magic
Genre: Fantasy-MMORPG
Platform: Windows-PC
Publisher: Frogster Online Gaming
Developer: Runewaker Entertainment Ltd.
Release: March 19th 2009
PEGI: 12+

Crazy Machines Complete - Built for complexity and fun! Video game info

Invent your Crazy Machines with two packs in one! Crazy Machines 1 and 1.5 in one box!

Enjoy 70 different elements to make your contraptions in this fun-filled game which will keep you engrossed for hours! A “Rube Goldberg” Machine is a deliberately over-engineered apparatus - why do it simply when you can create something engrossing and crazy?

Let your imagination take flight and fulfil your creativity by making an impossibly complex and interesting machine. Choose from 70 different elements with over 200 puzzles and fulfil the budding inventor you have inside you!

From grilling sausages with a pulley, gears, rubber bands and a candle to firing a cannon with a basketball, these wacky brainteasers will light up your imagination with creative and addictive fun!”

Go to the Inventors Laboratory where you can go wild and make whatever you want! Hone your skills, practice, pick up tips and then let your imagination do the rest….

FEATURES
Over 70 Game Elements
Addictive Fun
Over 200 Challenges
Multiple Solutions
3D Graphics and Real Time Shadows

Crazy Machines 1.5 Features:
Over 200 brand new level!
New backgrounds, elements and music!

Crazy Machines Complete will be released in the UK on 24th April for a recommended retail price of £19.99.

Buccaneer - The Pursuit of Infamy tops indie games chart

Number 1 selling Indie game on Steam available NOW for $9.99

Following on from its tremendous success at Games Developers Conference in San Francisco and a fantastic 50% discount on Steam, Buccaneer: The Pursuit of Infamy is selling by the boatload. Don’t miss your chance to become the most infamous pirate in the Caribbean at just $9.99 until 17 April.

Partnered with Blitz 1>UP, Stickman Studios created the critically acclaimed Indie arcade game that lets you sink ships, plunder gold and strike fear into the hearts of your opponents as you blast enemy ships out of the water. Will you become the world’s greatest pirate captain, or will you watch your infamy ebb away and risk mutiny at the hands of your crew?

“We're absolutely thrilled to have hit Number 1 on the Steam Indie top sellers list,’ says Stickman Studios’ Simon Nevill. “We’ve always known that we have a quality game and that even a little exposure would help it sell. We’re utterly delighted that all our hard work and efforts are now beginning to pay off.”

Buccaneer is arcade-style fun on the high seas with easy to use controls, great looking visuals and more fun than you can shake a parrot at. In single-player you have to transform your down-on-its-luck crew and basic ship into the wealthiest pirate galleon on the high seas. There are 56 missions to pit your wits against.

If you fancy taking your swashbuckling skills online, check out the epic multiplayer game and show off your teamplay prowess. With 10 maps there are countless emergent strategies to discover.

“Thanks to the increased sales the multiplayer games are really alive and kicking,” says Chris Swan, Blitz Arcade’s Business Development Director. “It's now incredibly easy to find a game size and map that suits everyone’s pirating tastes.”

Download now for your chance to get this gem of a game for half price.

Spellborn Concept Art - Wallpaper to download

Deathhands are alchemist specialists, they know how create volatile substances, plagues and tamper with the bodily functions of his adversaries, or rather its victims.

Today, these highly specialized assassins get their new exclusive wallpaper on the official website of The Chronicles of Spellborn! We are sure that you will enjoy this beautiful concept art and put it as your desktop wallpaper!

4:3 resolution
800x600
1024x768
1280x1024

16:10 resolution
1280x800
1440x900
1680x1050
1920x1200
2560x1600

Enjoy and see you in the game !

Blood Bowl video game - New website opens

It is with great pleasure that Cyanide and Focus Home Interactive are announcing the opening of the official Blood Bowl website!

Source of all information on the game and its content, it is the best place to discover the Blood Bowl video game and stay informed of the latest news about the game and the growing community around it. To accompany this event, we are pleased to offer exclusive new images from the game.

An ultra-violent mix of Warhammer Fantasy and American football, Blood Bowl allows players to create the ultimate “fantasy” sports teams. Coaches can build bone-crushing teams of Orcs, Wood Elves, Humans, Dwarfs and many more fantastic creatures – then throw them into the stadium for the ultimate blood sport! Blood Bowl is strategic, action-packed and violent, requiring coaches to use their best tactics, team design – and a dose of pure ruthless bloodlust always helps too!

All of these charming creatures teams are waiting for you to play in highly contested games in Q2 2009.

Blood Bowl is currently in development and will come out on PC, Xbox 360 and on Nintendo DS and Sony PSP handheld systems.

Published by Focus Home Interactive.
Developed by Cyanide Studio.

Visit the website: http://www.bloodbowl-game.com/

Major New Update for World War One: La Grande Guerre 1.06d patch download

The 1.06d includes dozens of fixes and improvements to add more shine to the muddy trenches!

Matrix Games and AGEOD are pleased to release the new comprehensive 1.06d update for World War One: La Grande Guerre.
The v1.06d update includes many crash fixes and scenario tweaks, some balance changes, and improvements to the rules for rail systems.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “World War One: La Grande Guerre has come a long way since its initial release.

World War One is a well designed combination of innovative strategy played out on the canvas of a massive conflict that is often overlooked in the wargaming genre.”

As Europe mobilized in August 1914, both sides of what would be called World War I chanted “Home before the leaves fall!’’ Four long and bloody years later Europe lay in ruins and many once-enthusiastic patriots returned home disenchanted and broken ... Will YOU be able to prevent that outcome?

Take charge as a military and political leader during the most trying and critical times of World War One! As either a member of the Central Powers, the Entente or a neutral nation, you will confront the epic gauntlet of challenges that faced the likes of Kitchener, Joffre, Luddendorf, Clemenceau, Czar Nicholas II or Enver Pasha in scenarios that range from single theatres to the entire grand campaign.

Gaze over an incredibly detailed, beautifully crafted, and massive WWI map as you control dozens of different ground units, planes, and ships. To add further flavor to an already chaotic and intense period of conflict, hundreds of military, economic, political and technological events can help turn the tide of war for or against you. Deftly craft new alliances and jockey for any advantage that can break the deadlock by using ambassadors in an innovative and intuitive diplomacy system.

Update file patch download...

This update is comprehensive and will bring any previous version of World War One: La Grande Guerre to version 1.06d. Get more information on World War One: La Grande Guerre from its official product page.

College Romance - Rise Of The Little Brother Mac video game

College Romance: Rise Of The Little Brother is a visual novel developed by Ewan Grantham and published by Tycoon Games.

You are just starting your first year at the university where your brother recently graduated. It's your first exposure to college life, your first time living on your own, and possibly your first true romance.

As you explore this world, you can meet:

Jules - A waitress at the cafe that's a year older than you, and works there only part time as she goes to your school the rest of the time. She dreams of a life of travel, but can she be part of your dreams?

Jessica - Jules' twin sister. She works with Jules at the cafe, but has different dreams than her sister for her future. Play the game, and find out why!

Sarah - Her family has just moved to Alta so she can go to the university. She works at a convenience store, has a full load at school, but for you she may be willing to fit some time in for a date.

Teri - A very straightforward young woman who is a long time swimmer. She's also honest enough to make you wonder how she gets along with anyone, besides you.

The demo version of the game introduces you to all of these fascinating characters, while the full version allows you to make choices to pick a future with one or more of them. Multiple paths mean that you can explore a number of good (and bad) endings. Hours of game play as you work your way through each relationship.

A free demo is available from Tycoon Games website at http://www.tycoongames.eu

College Romance can be played on PCs, Macs, and Linuxes with very low hardware requirements.

Jewel Quest Solitaire new casual puzzle game on Nintendo DS

Jewel Quest Solitaire is a new casual puzzle game for the Nintendo DS released to retail tomorrow by Avanquest Software Publishing. Following on from the hugely popular PC and DS games, this new Nintendo DS title will provide puzzle enthusiasts with a fun, modern twist on the traditional versions of both Jewel Quest and Solitaire.

Jewel Quest Solitaire features two types of gameplay including Just Cards Mode, for playing classic solitaire; and Full Quest Mode, which allows players to follow the mysterious storyline and access special jewel boards. The adventure takes place in the South American jungle, where cards must be matched and jewels swapped in order to turn the boards to gold. With 684 different scenarios, Jewel Quest Solitaire provides hours of fun for puzzle fans.

Jewel Quest Solitaire features unique tri-peaks solitaire and 114 new jewel themed card layouts for varied and endless gameplay. As players unearth buried cards, special moves must be uncovered and cursed jewels avoided in order to progress through the levels. The cards behold riches and glory, so must be played wisely or the journey will end.

Players need to use the stylus to drag a card that is one number higher or lower than the active card onto the deck. When no more eligible cards are available, the stock pile can be clicked to receive a new active card. There is also an undo button to step back one move if a mistake is made. After each round of cards, the jewel board will become unlocked, enabling players to try for a bonus by matching the jewels and turning all the squares to gold.

Bonus scores can be achieved in various ways; playing cards of the same suit as the previous card in the deck; playing long runs of cards without flipping over new ones from the stack; using certain Wild Cards that increase the score by the value of the card; and for each card left over in the stack after the hand is won.

Fast facts:
Publisher: Avanquest Software Publishing
Developer: iWin
Distributor: GEM, Centresoft, Interactive Ideas, Ideal Software and Music Box Leisure
Release date: 10th April 2009
PEGI: 3+
Format: Nintendo DS
Genre: Puzzle
SRP: £19.56