Halo Reach details from E3 and game trailer video

Two new major details have arisen regarding Halo - Reach, a title recently revealed at Microsoft’s E3 09 press conference. The first is the game’s genre which has been confirmed by Microsoft’s John Schappert to Joystiq as a first-person-shooter.



Secondly, Halo: Reach has been revealed as a prequel to the Halo series by none other than Shane Kim. When questioned by SKOAR: “Will Halo Reach follow the story of the first novel? (The Fall of Reach),” Kim replied:

“You’ll have to wait and see. There is an opportunity to tell the prequel to Halo. People are interested now they see how the trilogy of Halo ended. Now they can see how it began. The Halo universe is very rich and there are a lot of stories to tell.”

All that was revealed at the conference was how Halo: Reach would be arriving in 2010 and that a multiplayer beta for the title would launch alongside Halo: ODST. We’ll have more details on both titles as we receive them.

Fish'em All! for WiiWare arrives on Nintendo Wii 8th June

Fish'em All!, an arcade game with real coin-op flavor!
Alone or with your friends, you will have a great time catching these little fish... they're crazy! Beat your own high scores, take on challenges and solve fun puzzles in a range of amazing stages full of color and fantasy. Watch out for the dragon, the ninja-rat and the sumo-toad!

Do you think it looks easy?
This arcade game will bring all the excitement of the great classics to your Wii™ console.

* Nine colorful scenarios.
* Three game modes: Arcade, Challenge, Fishtris.
* One or two players.

Arcade

Can you beat the high score? Play a game in Arcade mode to see how long you can last. Catch as many fish as you can within a time limit. Watch the fish meter. The more points you score catching fish, the faster it will fill up. Each time you manage to fill a whole fish on the meter, you will receive extra time. If you manage to fill them all, you will move on to the next stage.

Challenge

Complete the challenges to unlock stages. You can then select any unlocked stage to play in two player mode.
Each challenge sets you a target. Note how many fish of each color you need to catch. Sometimes, it will tell you which items you need to avoid or set a time limit.

Fishtris

Even more difficult!
Every time you catch a fish, it will fall into the tube. If the tube fills up, the game will end. To keep on playing, match three or more fish of the same color to make them disappear.
When you match three or more fish of the same color, the fish meter will be slightly filled. When you manage to fill a whole fish on the meter, you will receive extra time. If you manage to fill them all, you will move on to the next stage. If things get tough, try and catch the Anglerfish.
It will eat all the fish in the tube.

Nickelodeon Announce Ni Hao, Kai-lan Video Games

Hit animated preschool series joins Dora the Explorer and The Backyardigans video games at retail this holiday season

2K Play, the family label of Take-Two Interactive, and Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids, today announced that the network's newest hit preschool series, Ni Hao, Kai-lan, will join 2K Play's all-new slate of preschool video games for the upcoming 2009 holiday season.

Available for the Wii system from Nintendo, Nintendo DS and PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Ni Hao, Kai-lan video game combines educational elements of learning Chinese language and culture with game play and action, and features familiar voice actors from the animated show. Ni Hao, Kai-lan joins 2K Play's game line-up featuring popular Nickelodeon characters such as Dora the Explorer and The Backyardigans.

"We're excited to offer our most diverse line-up of Nickelodeon games this holiday season," said Steve Lux, vice president of business development for 2K Play. "Our titles will provide preschoolers with a fun and immersive way to learn all about their growing world."

"Kai-lan, Dora and The Backyardigans encourage preschoolers to explore and learn through teamwork," said Shaan Kandawalla, vice president, Nickelodeon Kids and Family Games Group. "This partnership with 2K Play allows us to take these lessons to a new level through gaming, while strengthening the diversity of Nickelodeon's gaming portfolio."

In the upcoming Ni Hao, Kai-lan DS game, players will assume the role of Kai-Lan in a series of adventures relating to Chinese New Year, including: marching in a parade; decorating colorful lanterns; and learning about ethnic foods.

2K Play will also introduce Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom, an all-new title based on Nickelodeon's upcoming prime-time television event airing this fall. In the new game for the Wii gaming platform, players will assist Dora in her goal of restoring color to an enchanted village that has fallen under an evil spell. Also, in Dora Puppy for Nintendo DS, Dora learns pet care first-hand as she grooms and plays with her puppy, Perrito.

Fans of The Backyardigans will be treated to a triple adventure on Nintendo DS as the backyard pals sail the seas as pirates, journey into outer space and test their mettle as superheroes.

All of 2K Play's upcoming Nickelodeon games will feature actual voice actors from the popular Nickelodeon television shows. In addition, 2K Play's Nickeolodeon games are tested by kids and parents for age-appropriateness, fun-factor and quality. 2K will support the launch of the titles with a national media campaign.

The console titles are being developed by High Voltage Software, Inc., and the DS titles by Black Lantern Studios, Inc. These games have not yet been rated.

World of Dragons, the first multiplatform PC mobile phone MMORPG

LemonQuest, a leading producer and distributor of video games for mobile platforms, announces the launch of World of Dragons, the first multiplatform PC/mobile massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG).

The launch of World of Dragons breaks new ground in the online games industry, conceived as the first multiplatform game where users can feel the RPG experience from any PC or Internet-connected mobile device. At last a multiplatform project has become available in the online videogame market. This development has been a long time coming, and LemonQuest expects to have a hit on its hands.

World of Dragons has all the elements of the classic RPG where players can develop their character, choosing from among 4 races and 6 different professions, using more than 10,000 items in over 1,000 missions.

The final PC version of World of Dragons will not be available on the official website until mid-July, and LemonQuest’s developers are hard at work at the last touches to adapt it to the PC platform, but users can start enjoying the application in its mobile version and a lite adaptation for the PC, already available on the game’s official website www.wod-mobile.com.

World of Dragons, a challenge which is sure to mark a turning point in multiplatform MMORPGs.

East India Company PC video game out July 28th

Get an insight in to the meaning of "Fight, Manage & Rule."

Paradox Interactive has today announced that East India Company now has an official release date of July 28th. Together with the announcement, a game presentation from E3 has also been released, delving deeper into this naval war strategy title.



Developed by Finland based Nitro Games Ltd. East India Company is based on the historical East India trading companies of the 18th century. Players will enjoy building the world’s largest trading empire as well as engaging in fierce naval battles against enemy fleets.

East India Company Features revealed at E3:

· Extensively moddable: from damage values, to trade item prices, to ship textures.

· Multiplayer support for up to 12 players.

· Multiple ways to win the game: accomplishing all campaign missions, forcing all other companies out of business or conquering the whole of the East Indies.

· Multiple approaches possible: focus on trading, warfare and conquest or use diplomacy to reach your goals. East India Company can also be played as a pure trading game.

· Dynamic economy where supply and demand affect prices of trading items.

· Create your own armada with a maximum of 100 ships.

· Different multiplayer battle modes including ‘Last Man Floating’ and ‘Domination’.

· Unlock new ship types as they become available, from smallest sloop to 90 gun ship-of-the-line.

Game Summary

In East India Company, players will enjoy building the World’s most powerful trading empire and engaging in vigorous naval battles in both single player and multiplayer modes.

Starting modestly, you will build your fleet, establish connections to far away countries, and keep rival nations at bay. Choose from a wide array of ship classes, including a variety of transport and military vessels. Create diverse fleets and assign each of them specific trading routes. Control and upgrade well-situated ports as you form your strategy for domination.

For greater tactical depth, command your ship and give independent orders to each of your fleets. Fight against the other European powers to create a trading empire that will rule above all!

At E3 in Los Angeles development teams for Hearts of Iron III, East India Company and Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim will showcase brand new features for their eagerly anticipated titles.

E3 news Chapter II of Runes of Magic out September 2009

Second chapter with new regions, a new playable people, new classes, new instances, updated graphic engine and a new soundtrack to arrive in September

Under the name of ‘The Elven Prophecy’, Frogster is to turn over a new leaf with Chapter II of Runes of Magic scheduled for launch in September 2009. The publisher has announced this today at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) currently being held in Los Angeles. At the exhibition, Frogster is already showing some new content from Chapter II like the new game region “Weeping Coast”.

As the name already suggests, the core element of ‘Chapter II – The Elven Prophecy’ is the integration of the elven folk as a playable race. A widely branching background story entwines about the elves with lots of new challenges with the new pieces of lore being told by means of a multitude of new quests and epic quest series. Continuing ‘Chapter I – Rise of the Demon Lord’ the second chapter leads players into new game regions, steeped in elven history. It’s the eponymous elves who stand by mankind in their epic conflict against the demon’s menace.

According to the legends, demons of human origin – having degenerated into underworld beings under the influence of the runes – forged an alliance with the nagas in ancient times. Together, these evil forces brought war and devastation to the world of Taborea. An alliance of elves and humans succeeded in banishing the demons into the void and drove back the nagas behind a magical wall. However, when elven prince Sig’aylas removed the holy sword ‘Arclight’ from the wall to defend his human truelove, the wall perished and the naga threat flared up once again.

Together with the elves, ‘Chapter II – The Elven Prophecy’ introduces two new character classes into the world of Runes of Magic. They complement the palette of selection possibilities within the tactically interesting dual class system, creating further combinations to choose from. Advanced players will look forward to new challenges in the form of new demanding dungeons, raid instances and new PvP modes. As a consequence of the copious new game content, ‘Chapter II – the Elven Prophecy’ raises the level cap for all characters in Runes of Magic to 55.

Along with the expansion Frogster is also integrating a new pet system in the Taborea game world. Players will then have the opportunity to actively train their companions, so that they can mature and fulfil valuable supporting roles in combat situations. On top of all this, the game atmosphere in Runes of Magic will receive a thorough general overhaul. The new game regions will really shine, thanks to improved graphics with new effects and hand-drawn textures. Moreover, the renowned sound-studio Dynamedion is recording a completely new soundtrack for the launch of Chapter II. Just as with the base version of Runes of Magic and all of the subsequent updates, Frogster will offer ‘Chapter II – The Elven Prophecy’ as a free download.

Already in August, Frogster is going to integrate first content packages of ‘The Elven Prophecy’ like the new region “Weeping Coast” and raise the level cap to 52. The climax of Chapter II will follow with the official launch in September. “With the comprehensive Chapter II we will seamlessly linking in with our previous policy of regular content expansions for the Runes of Magic game world. And we will still be implementing regular content updates right up until we launch The Elven Prophecy,” Daniel Ullrich, Frogster’s Director Product Management, commented discussing the expansion plans.

Runes of Magic – a world full of wizardry and adventure
Runes of Magic was commercially released on 19 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
Title: Runes of Magic
Genre: Fantasy-MMORPG
Platform: Windows-PC
Publisher: Frogster Online Gaming
Developer: Runewaker Entertainment Ltd.
Release: 19 March 2009
PEGI: 12+

ClubGalactik.com Flash-based 3D Avatar Creator

Virtual Fairground previews next generation virtual world and MMOG

Club Galactik, home of the upcoming MMO game and virtual world based on animation hit series Galactik Football went live today. With the site already fully localized for multiple territories, kids and tweens from all over the world can now start creating their own Club Galactik characters. They can currently choose from three of the seven Galactik Football teams: the superstar Snow Kids, the agile Wambas and the sinister Shadows. Users can also explore the lore of the Galactik Football universe and will soon be able to play a unique card game featuring their character. 3D Flash-based mini-games that you can play using your avatar will be added to the site in the coming weeks.

Club Galactik is completely developed and published in-house by Virtual Fairground. The game is based on the Gaumont/Jetix co-produced animation series Galactik Football. The full MMO game experience is set to launch April 2010 in time for the start of the FIFA World Cup Soccer 2010 and the third season of the Galactik Football animation series.

“As soon as we announced that we were working on a Galactik Football MMO game there was a lot of interest from fans that wanted to see what we are working on”, says Maarten Brands of Virtual Fairground. “With a gradual roll-out of games and features we will have plenty going on to keep the fans happy while we work towards a full launch next year.”

“Launching the avatar creator and some of the mini-games is a great way for us to show what our team can do with Flash in a browser”, adds Ilja Goossens. “We feel that there are a lot of misconceptions about what you can do with this technology in relation to games. The high penetration rate of Flash is a huge benefit and we want to show that our talented developers can create high-end entertainment experiences in a browser using this technology.”

New Tekken 6 gameplay mode unveiled at E3 conference

NAMCO BANDAI reveale a new Scenario Campaign mode for TEKKEN 6, the latest entry to the blockbuster fighting franchise. The new mode for the Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system version of Tekken 6 will allow players to participate in single or two player online co-op campaigns while experiencing intense action and large-scale battles.

The Scenario Campaign features a unique hybrid control system combining conventional fighting game controls with free movement. This control system allows players to progress through the story and mow down hordes of enemies with relative ease while still enjoying fighting game action. In addition to hand-to-hand fighting, players have an arsenal of staffs, machine guns, flame throwers, and even giant robots at their disposal - a first for the series!

Choose from 40 playable characters and play alone or cooperatively online with a friend through a multitude of stages while amassing a wealth of items for customizing and strengthening your characters. Bring these fighters online to deliver bone-jarring punches and dominate opponents globally.

A must-have for fighting aficionados, TEKKEN 6 sees the return of many familiar faces as well as new characters to create the largest line-up in franchise history. Adding to the already robust gaming experience, dynamic and destructible environments will enable players to punch their enemies through concrete walls or kick them through floors to open a whole new battleground as they go mano-y-mano. Furthermore, an impressive real-time motion blur effect has been implemented to provide the richest visuals the series has ever seen.

Delivering the perfect fighting trifecta, TEKKEN 6 will also be available this fall for the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system with additional content, items, and an ad-hoc multiplayer mode.

Overlord II playable demo now available from Xbox LIVE

Prepare to take control of a Yeti-hunting, seal-clubbing, wolf-riding team of Minions and create chaos, as Codemasters today announced that the Overlord II playable demo is now available from Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft [UK demo].

Ensuring that all future megalomaniacs will be able to take the Minion horde for a test drive ahead the full game's launch on June 26th†, playable demos for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and PC versions are scheduled to follow in the next week. Gamers can also preview the game's tyrannical treats in the '10 Reasons Why it's Cool to be Evil' video, now playing at www.OverlordGame.com



In the Overlord II demo, players step into the big spiky boots of a new Overlord whose sights are firmly set on becoming the king of chaos, the bringer of evil and the master of Minions. As the demo opens the Overlord, aided and abetted by a team of brown fighter Minions, emerges from his underground lair into the ice caves only to discover a Yeti frozen in a block of ice. The Minions can, in their inimitably violent way, 'defrost' him and then give chase as he knuckles out into the snowy wastes of the Hunting Grounds, near the town of Nordberg.



Then it's time to put the Minions to work, harvesting valuable life-force from the indigenous fauna. Minions will happily lock onto anything in the vicinity - including fluffy seal pups ('Well,' argue the Minions, 'the smelly furballs are eating all the lovely fishies'). There are also Nordburgian Hunters and hippy, peace-loving elves to contend with but, as ever, the Minions aren't fussy who they attack for their master.

To speed their progress, Minions can befriend a pack of wolves and ride them through the snowy landscape like a Minion Cavalry. The wolf-mounted Minion is an altogether tougher force and more deadly - wolves have their own attack moves and will knock enemies off their feet through sheer force, biting and goring opponents into submission.

Discover why being evil has never been so much fun with the Overlord II playable demo, now available from Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

Peregrine video game glove E3 Fact Sheet

The Peregrine is a new way to control PC games. It is a seamless, customizable input device that you wear on your hand in order to better control increasingly complex real-time strategy and massively multiplayer titles.

Gamers who add the Peregrine to their arsenal will gain access to more than 30 actions in the palms of their hands, allowing them to command armies and cast spells with speed, accuracy and comfort.

Features:

› Over 30 actions available at the touch of a finger
› Maximum comfort during long gaming sessions thanks to durable, flexible fabric construction and military-grade conductive traces
› Three sizes to fit the needs of gamers big and small
› Magnetic break-away USB pod so gamers aren’t leashed to their desks
› Customizable faceplate for a unique look
› Premium quality electronics and connectors to ensure a long lifespan
› Full compatibility with any PC game that uses the keyboard