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Thursday, June 11, 2009

Chillingo and Gimka Entertainment Launch Defender Chronicles In Apple's App Store


Chillingo, the leading iPhone publisher and US-based development studio Gimka Entertainment have launched their tower defense game – Defender Chronicles in Apple’s App Store. This app takes gamers back to the glory days of epic battles, desperate princesses, artifacts hunting and marvelous fantasy on the iPhone and iPod touch.

Defender Chronicles - Legend of the Desert King presents a unique blend of role-playing adventure and tower defense, seen from a fresh side-view perspective. The game tells the story of the kingdom of Athelia, currently under siege by an army of orcs and the undead. You must install berserkers, rangers, halfings, mages, warriors, and archers along the streets and paths through the kingdom to stop those advancing monsters. Every so often, you must work hard to bring down a massive boss monster, such as an ogre or golem.

The game features 5 hand-drawn battlegrounds sporting the side-view perspective that will allow you to zoom in on the action. Each defender has its own unique ability. You can choose from 5 different game modes as well, including campaign, freestyle (random), extended, classic, and classic extended. The game features 7 original music soundtracks, spatial sound effects, and a variety of voice-acting.

"Defender Chronicles lends itself perfectly to the iPhone." said Chris Byatte, co-Founder and director of Chillingo. "It's easy to learn, quick to play, and immensely addicting."

“We are delighted to be working with Chillingo to take Defender Chronicles to market. Their marketing experience will help maximize the chances for Defender Chronicles' to be a commercial succes” said Petrus Santoso, CEO of Gimka Entertainment.

Defender Chronicles is available for the launch price of US$2.99 from Apple's App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore. The price will increase to US4.99 after the first week.

Red Faction video games left around London - help yourself


A car filled with over 100 copies of a brand new video game was left in busy central London areas yesterday, with passers-by encouraged to 'smash and grab' in order to celebrate the launch of Red Faction Guerrilla on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and get their hands on one of the first copies of the game for free.

During the day, footage captured hundreds of passers-by picking up the sledgehammer left chained next to the vehicle in Covent Garden, London, and smashing their way to success and grabbing a copy of Red Faction Guerrilla, a new destruction-based game released by THQ on Friday 5th June.

Simon Watts, PR Manager, UK & Europe for THQ, said: "Because Red Faction Guerrilla features the world's most realistic destruction engine, we thought that it would make for an interesting experiment to find out how many people, going about their everyday business, would stop in a busy city street to work out some stress by smashing their way into a car to earn a copy of the brand new game."

Set 50 years after the climactic events of the original Red Faction, Red Faction: Guerrilla allows players to take the role of an insurgent fighter with the newly re-established Red Faction movement as they battle for liberation from the oppressive Earth Defense Force.
Red Faction: Guerrilla re-defines the limits of destruction-based game-play with a huge open-world, fast-paced guerrilla-style combat, and true physics-based destruction.
Features:
  • Open World Guerrilla Warfare - You decide who, when, where and how to battle. Utilize guerrilla tactics, improvised weaponry, and modified vehicles to lead insurgent attacks on EDF targets. Launch attacks based on your own gameplay style, take on missions in any order you choose, or engage in destructive activities to weaken the EDF's grip on Mars
  • Strategic Destruction - Use destruction to your tactical advantage, setting ambushes or chain reaction explosions to attack enemy strongholds and permanently modify the game environment. Leverage fully-dynamic physics-based destruction to improvise on the fly: blow holes in a wall or floor to set an ambush or escape, take out a staircase to stop your pursuers, or drive vehicles through blown out walls
  • Evolving undefined then tear through the fully destructible open-world environments swarming with EDF forces, Red Faction resistance fighters, and the downtrodden settlers caught in the cross-fire
  • Multiplayer Combat - There is no place to hide when you put your guerrilla warfare skills to the test in a variety of highly destructive multiplayer combat modes

Information on the rest of THQ's line-up of titles is also available at www.thq.com.

Sony Online Entertainment Brings PopCap's Heavy Weapon to the PlayStation Network

Mount an assault on the enemy like never before with Heavy Weapon on the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system! Heavy Weapon combines the action and strategy of a classic arcade shooter with the fun factor of a more causal genre that all players can enjoy.


ABOUT HEAVY WEAPON: Heavy Weapon includes 19 exciting stages and challenging level bosses. Players launch their mission as an Atomic Tank, collect power-ups from friends and engage the enemy! Mission mode allows players to follow the storyline to the unlockable Boss Blitz mode where they can battle every boss in the game! The Survival mode features a nonstop onslaught of enemies to see which players can outlast the rest and achieve the best time!

Features include:

• PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system trophies.
• Action-packed game modes!
• 6 secret upgradeable weapons!
• 19 missions with nukes, mega lasers, and more!
• Unlockable Boss Blitz bonus game mode!
• Enhanced sound effects and original score!
• Amazing enemy landscapes and graphics!

WHEN
: Beginning today, Heavy Weapon is available for purchase from the PlayStation Store for $9.99 (plus applicable taxes).

For more information on Heavy Weapon, log in to www.station.com.

Sony Online Entertainment Brings PopCap's Heavy Weapon to the PlayStation Network


Mount an assault on the enemy like never before with Heavy Weapon on the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system! Heavy Weapon combines the action and strategy of a classic arcade shooter with the fun factor of a more causal genre that all players can enjoy.


ABOUT HEAVY WEAPON: Heavy Weapon includes 19 exciting stages and challenging level bosses. Players launch their mission as an Atomic Tank, collect power-ups from friends and engage the enemy! Mission mode allows players to follow the storyline to the unlockable Boss Blitz mode where they can battle every boss in the game! The Survival mode features a nonstop onslaught of enemies to see which players can outlast the rest and achieve the best time!

Features include:

• PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system trophies.
• Action-packed game modes!
• 6 secret upgradeable weapons!
• 19 missions with nukes, mega lasers, and more!
• Unlockable Boss Blitz bonus game mode!
• Enhanced sound effects and original score!
• Amazing enemy landscapes and graphics!

WHEN
: Beginning today, Heavy Weapon is available for purchase from the PlayStation Store for $9.99 (plus applicable taxes).

For more information on Heavy Weapon, log in to www.station.com.

Overlord II Playable demo unleash the Minion Horde on PlayStation and PC


Overlord II playable demo now available on the PlayStation Store & PC!
Gamers can now step into the delightfully despotic shoes of the new Overlord and take full control of a horde of vicious, malicious but ultimately lovable Minions, as Codemasters today announced that the Overlord II playable demo is now available on the PlayStation Store for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and PC; the PC demo is now available to download from www.overlordgame.com/gb/try.

The accompanying Overlord II gameplay video explains how the new Overlord grows up in his dark Netherworld domain with the help of Minion Keeper Gnarl and his slavish and loyal Minion subjects. Raised by Gnarl and the Minions, the “Overlad” grows into the mighty Overlord as the Glorious Empire cements its hold on the world above. Players will get to witness the might of the Glorious Empire and get a glimpse of all-new enemies like the magic-detecting Sentinels and the huge, magic-eating Eradicators.

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, more deadly and more agile - 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 the PlayStation® Store for the Playstation®3 computer entertainment system and PC ahead the full game's launch on June 26th†. The demo is also available for Xbox® 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft from Xbox LIVE Marketplace [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-GB/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d802434D0809]. To download the PC demo and see the new Overlord II gameplay video, command your Minions to go to www.overlordgame.com.

Latest PSP-3000 colour packed with Disney Interactive Studio's Hannah Montana - Rock Out The Show

Hannah Montana: Rock Out The ShowSony Computer Entertainment rainbow of PSP (PlayStationPortable) colours is about to grow further with a brand-new, very special model - a Lilac Purple PSP-3000 that will come packed with top game Hannah Montana - Rock Out The Show for A-list pop star entertainment straight out of the box. 

Arriving this October in PAL territories, the Lilac Purple model brings a girly touch to the current wardrobe of PSP-3000 colours that also includes Vibrant Blue, Mystic Silver, Pearl White and Radiant Red as well as the classic Piano Black.

“As girls spend as much time listening to music, taking and editing photos, watching movies, chatting with Skype, surfing the net and playing games with their friends as boys do,” says Isabelle Tomatis, European Marketing Manager, SCEE: “we thought it was about time that they had their own colour of PSP – and we’ve styled this one up just for them.”

In the first ever Hannah Montana game for PSP, fans will not only star in the show, they will also design a custom concert in each city they visit and rock the stage as they perform as Hannah Montana to 11 hit songs, including three new tracks. Jackson and Lilly join in on the fun in Hannah Montana: Rock Out The Show PSP game to help Hannah on her tour as they travel to seven amazing locations around the world and customise outfits, design stages and so much more. Players will add their flair to performances by creating unique routines for each song with the “Rockstar Moment” maker by customising dance moves, lighting and special effects. Players will also be able to style the band members and the back-up dancers with amazing fashions, hair-styles and accessories. – and the whole pack also comes with a Memory Stick™ for players to save their designs and settings onto.

But playing Hannah Montana: Rock Out The Show is just one possibility with this PSP. With games, music, videos, online chat and photos to explore, this is a device that will make girls the envy of their friends. The new Lilac Purple PSP-3000 will arrive this October

Rise of the Tomb Kings Live Event for Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning - Free Trial

The Armies of Order and Destruction Begin the Final Push Towards the Land of the Dead

Mythic Entertainment announce ‘Rise of the Tomb Kings,’ the final live event in the Call to Arms live expansion for Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning (WAR). From June 16 until June 22, the forces of Order and Destruction will race to construct giant airships that will soon transport players into the treacherous deserts of the Land of the Dead.

The winning Realm will have exclusive first access to the new Tomb Kings themed dungeon zone, and the unimaginable wealth it contains, immediately following the conclusion of the ‘Rise of the Tomb Kings’ live event. The more ambitious adventurers will be further recognized for their contribution, with exclusive titles: “Sky Captain” for Order, and “Master of the Air” for Destruction. The dedicated – and lucky – players might also receive the Ravening Cloak, an ultra-rare item drop only available during the live event.

“The Call to Arms continues as the armies of Order and Destruction are getting close to unlocking the secrets to the Land of the Dead,” said Jeff Hickman, Executive Producer for Mythic Entertainment. “’Rise of the Tomb Kings’ will see heroes on both sides of the battle competing for the glory of their Realm so they may be the first to plunder the wealth of the Tomb Kings.”

Based on the popular tabletop war game from Games Workshop, Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning features revolutionary Realm vs. Realm™ conflict that will provide players with an engaging battleground for years to come. Available now for PC, WAR is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB. For more information about the game and to download the free 10-day trial, visit www.warhammeronline.com.

About Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning

Experience the glory of Realm vs. Realm™! Declare your allegiance and join hundreds of thousands of mighty heroes on the battlefields of Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, the new MMORPG from Mythic Entertainment, the creators of Dark Age of Camelot™. Enter a grim fantasy world of perpetual conflict to fight for the Realms of Order (Dwarfs, High Elves, and Empire) or Destruction (Greenskins, Dark Elves, and Chaos). Invade enemy lands, besiege imposing fortresses, and sack sprawling capital cities for the glory of your Realm. Wield devastating magic and deadly weapons, battle monstrous creatures, and join your brothers-in-arms in epic Public Quests. Climb the Bastion Stair, carry your Guild Banner into battle, and unlock the infinite secrets of the Tome of Knowledge as you travel the world. Sharpen your blade and unleash your inner mutation; the Age of Reckoning has begun and WAR IS EVERYWHERE!

Launched in September 2008, WAR has been recognized by numerous critics, receiving “MMO of the Year” awards from G4 TV, Game Focus, and GameSpy, as well as recognition from IGN, Massively, MSNBC, MMORPG.com and others as a “Best of 2008.”

Taito and the Netherlands Embassy in Japan bring Waterways to iPhone!


Taito Corporation (Taito), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd., today announced that, with the cooperation of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Japan, action-puzzler Waterways will be on sale at the App Store worldwide and available for the iPhone and iPod Touch on June 11. Waterways, developed by Dutch studio Rough Cookie, was the winning concept of the Netherlands-Japan GameJam 2008 contest, held as part of the “Netherlands in Japan 2008-2009” celebration.

Last year was the 150th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Japan and the Netherlands, and this year, 2009, marks 400 years of trade between the two nations. Sponsored by the Dutch game organizations NLGD Foundation and the Dutch Game Garden, and also backed by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Japan GameJam 2008 contest was held by Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Japan as part of the continuing “Netherlands in Japan 2008-2009” celebration.

The Netherlands government invests in the growth of its national creative industry, and for this reason the “Netherlands in Japan 2008-2009” celebration has also featured events focusing on cross-cultural exchange via games. Taito has long taken an active role in promoting the industry and mobile gaming in particular by participating in world-class events such as the International Mobile Gaming Awards. Hoping to make use of this prior experience and eager to contribute to the longstanding friendship between Japan and the Netherlands, Taito participated in the “Netherlands in Japan 2008-2009” celebration by joining the panel of judges for the Netherlands-Japan GameJam 2008 competition and agreeing to publish an extended and adapted version of the winning concept.

GameJam winner Waterways is an action puzzle game designed and developed by Dutch studio Rough Cookie. Players assume the role of a heroic cow named Patch. When the Netherlands’ state-of-the-art water management system “Caretaker 3000” goes haywire, leading to widespread flooding, it’s up to Patch to navigate a series of water-filled mazes and drawbridges in an effort to reach and repair the leaking valves. Waterways makes full use of the iPhone/iPod Touch’s motion sensors, with intuitive controls and instantly appealing game play.

Taito and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Japan hope to continue to work together for the benefit of both Japan and the Netherlands’ game industries.

WATERWAYS

Publisher: Taito Corporation
  • Platform: iPhone / iPod touch
  • Release Date: Thursday, June 11, 2009
  • Genre: Game (Puzzle / Action)
  • Price: $2.99 / €2.39
  • Region: Worldwide
  • Copyright: Rough Cookie 2009 / Published by Taito

HeatoN launches secret product at Dreamhack


QPAD, the Swedish company famed for its premium gaming gear, today announced the launch of HeatoN’s first product at Dreamhack, the biggest LAN party in the world, taking place 13-16 of June.

1339 Product release
The research and development collaboration between QPAD and Emil "HeatoN" Christensen was presented in January and now the first product of this partnership will be launched at Dreamhack. To catch a glimpse of the new product you should go to the QPAD and Guinness World record booth in the exhibition area for a presentation and demonstration on Saturday the 13th of June at 13:39 C.E.T.

"I would have to say that we have developed the perfect XXXXX that will make sure you are always on the top of your game." Says Emil "HeatoN" Christensen

World exclusive
50 pcs of the new HeatoN product have been flown in exclusively for this release and will be available in the Dreamhack shop directly after the release.

Crown of Glory: Emperor's Edition Gets a Major Update


Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) and Western Civilization Software (www.west-civ.com) are thrilled to announce the release of the first update for their hit Napoleonic strategic/tactical blend, Crown of Glory: Emperor’s Edition. The comprehensive 1.0.9 update comes with heaps of improvements and bug fixes in addition to two key new pieces of documentation: The Advanced Economy: Help and Advice for the New Player, and the Modder’s Guide.

As for the hefty list of bug fixes, the most notable item resolved is the mouse lag experienced by some in certain parts of the interface. In addition, the update includes improvements to the AI for both the strategic and tactical portions of the game, several significant improvements to the overall interface, and two dozen “fine tune” rule changes to enhance historical accuracy.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Crown of Glory: Emperor’s Edition is an absolutely must-have for any fans of the Napoleonic genre. The first Crown of Glory made a mark when it was released, but Emperor’s Edition takes us to a whole new level of Napoleonic strategy! If you tried the original Crown of Glory, there is still an upgrade discount available for the Emperor’s Edition. If you haven’t tried it, the stand-alone Emperor’s Edition is an excellent time to get on board and see if your inner Napoleon is up to the challenge.”

Two centuries ago, Europe was in the midst of one of the most gripping periods in human history. It was an era that saw cobblers become princes and emperors become exiles, an age of legendary diplomats and brilliant tacticians. Listen to the roll of the drum, the call of the bugle, and see the banners unfurled above the divisions and corps. Wide-eyed recruits march next to battle-scarred veterans, sabers clatter alongside the bags of grapeshot, the wheels of hundreds of caissons rattle, as generals plan and diplomats plot, and all of Europe grasps with desperate hands for… The Crown Of Glory.

This new Emperor’s Edition is a stand-alone sequel to the acclaimed Crown of Glory and improves on the original in every area, immersing the player in the epic events of the Napoleonic era. A beautiful strategic map with more than 200 provinces covers all of Europe and North Africa, with scenarios and campaigns from 1792 up to 1820. Stronger AI, a streamlined interface and a new simplified economic model to allow players to focus on the aspects of the game they most enjoy. Players take the role of one of the crowned potentates of any of the eight Major powers as well as having the option to play as a minor power such as Poland, Denmark or Portugal.

A turn-based structure allows you to play at your own pace, deciding on the military, diplomatic, economic and social paths of your nation, including treaties, trade routes and levying and supplying military units. While your armies march across a worldwide map with monthly turns, detailed land and naval battles allow you to play at a smaller scale, where your brigades, divisions and ships can be commanded with historical tactics. All battles can be resolved quickly or fought out on a detailed battlefield map.

The eight major powers (France, Britain, Austria, Prussia, Russia, Turkey, Spain, and Sweden) and over ninety computer-controlled minor nations are modeled in rich historical detail. Every effort has been made to bring you as thorough a simulation of the Napoleonic Era as is possible, from the dockyards of Lisbon to the frozen wastes of Holy Mother Russia.

Historical leaders, special abilities, fleets, upgrades, reinforcements, colonialism, guard units and over 100 historical events, give Crown Of Glory: Emperor's Edition a unique and engrossing style. Combining Strategy and Tactics in one design, Crown Of Glory: Emperor's Edition offers you an opportunity to test your strength in an age of legends.

The update is comprehensive and will bring of all previous versions of Crown of Glory: Emperor’s Edition up to v1.0.9. Get more information on Crown of Glory: Emperor’s Edition from its official product page.