Bee Movie Game Demo Debuts On Xbox Live Marketplace

Bee Movie Game demo is now available for free download

Activision announced today that the Bee Movie Game demo is now available for free download on Xbox Live Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. The demo features a full action-packed chase level in which players must learn to navigate an onslaught of New York City street traffic, narrowly avoiding collisions with speeding cars, trucks and other hazards as they experience life from a bee’s perspective.

Bee Movie Game is based on the upcoming DreamWorks Animation film, Bee Movie, from creator Jerry Seinfeld. Bee Movie Game allows players to race, chase, fly and blast their way through the adrenaline-fueled world from the feature film and beyond. As the witty and courageous Barry B. Benson, gamers are propelled on an exciting adventure to save the bees’ production of honey.

Bee Movie Game will be available this fall for the Xbox 360 video game system from Microsoft, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Games for Windows, Wii home video game system from Nintendo and the Nintendo DS. The Xbox 360, Wii, PS2 and Games for Windows versions are rated “E” (Everyone – Mild Cartoon Violence) and the DS is rated “E” (Everyone – Comic Mischief) by the ESRB.

For more information on Bee Movie Game, please visit www.beemoviegame.com.

Win a giant 3D monitor

LANfest2K7 Offers Gamers The Ultimate 3D Gaming Experience With iZ3D

E-SPORTS SERVICES Pavilion To Feature iZ3D Monitors at All Gaming Stations

One Lucky Gamer Will Win an iZ3D Monitor

LLC, a designer, developer, and marketer of advanced 3D visualization systems, announced today its 22-inch widescreen 3D monitors will be used in all gaming stations in the E-SPORTS Gaming Pavilion at LANFest2K7. Hosted by the popular ecommerce store NewEgg.com, LANFest2K7 will be held at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, Calif. on October 5-7, 2007. With over $50,000 in cash and prizes available, attendees are sure to have the ultimate gaming experience.

"We have battle tested our new 22” Widescreen 3D monitors at many gaming events nationwide this year. We watched numerous gamers play the most popular current games on our 3D monitors. You need to experience 3D gaming first hand to understand the thrill of being fully immersed in the game. We listen to the players and take their feedback seriously to prove ourselves to the gaming community," stated Thomas Striegler, CEO of iZ3D, LLC.

“IZ3D has made its mark in the gaming community at many events with ESPORTS this year. The use of iZ3D monitors has put 3D viewing technology to the test. At LANFest2K7 all the monitors in the ESPORTS SERVICES Pavilion are iZ3D monitors for gamers to experience first hand this amazing technology,” stated Ed Tomasi, Vice President ESPORTS SERVICES.

E-SPORTS SERVICES will be hosting mini-tournaments in its Gaming Pavilion at LANFest2K7. With 10 premium PC systems with iZ3D monitors, attendees can sign-up for FREE activities including mini-tournaments and product giveaways including a 22” monitor.

To keep the 3D excitement alive after LANFest2K7, the monitors are available for purchase at www.iz3d.com. Designed to replace a standard 2D monitor, it offers commercial-grade image quality and display brightness, while supporting long-term viewing. The 22” widescreen 3D monitors are priced at $999.00.

iZ3D monitors incorporate advances in technology that create significant competitive, and technical advantages over other displays. iZ3D created an adjustable 3D environment without causing eyestrain, spatial disorientation or headaches. In 3D mode, users can see bright and sharp 3D images wearing passive polarized glasses.

The iZ3D monitor features the first S-3D drivers compatible with popular dual output cards including the NVIDIA GeForce 8 Series and the ATI FireGL™ V3600 workstation graphics accelerator. The S-3D drivers are also optimized to take advantage of Intel’s ® latest Core™ 2 Duo and Intel® Core™2 Quad processor technologies. iZ3D also features drivers that support Microsoft ® DirectX® 8 and 9 graphics in both Windows® XP and Microsoft® Windows VistaTM. iZ3D drivers offer the compatibility benefits of S-3D with fastest video graphics cards and processor power available.

Current PC’s equipped with a dual output video card easily power the monitor. Smart capabilities allow it to be used for regular 2D office tasks as well as 3D viewing. Specifications include: 1680 x 1050 resolution; up to 170-degree 3D viewing angle; 5 ms response time; 600:1 contrast ratio; and 16.7-million colors.

SEGA Rally

Title: SEGA Rally
Developer: SEGA Racing Studio
Format: PS3, XB360, PC, PSP
Genre: Racing
Release date: September 28th 2007

GAME OVERVIEW

The introduction of SEGA Rally™ to the arcades in 1995 had the single biggest impact on the racing genre. Subsequent console rally games concentrated on a realistic simulation of the sport but their popularity, reflecting in sales, steadily dropped over the last decade. Now, SEGA Rally is back and set to reinvigorate the genre with the vital ingredients that many of the modern racers lack – fun, character and beauty, with few rally games able to match its unique and rewarding experience. Rally’s dead, long live SEGA Rally.

Safari Environment
The first track players will discover in the SEGA Rally Championship is set within the Safari environment. Strewn with animals and glorious views across the plains, players will encounter varying types of surfaces from the very muddy to the very dry. With arching corners that seem to go on for an eternity, it’s a chance for players to throw their cars around whilst wearing a smile from ear to ear.

SEGA Rally has been released across Europe. For more information on SEGA Rally please visit www.segarally.com. For assets please visit www.sega-europe.com.

Eidos unleashes a heavyweight Christmas mobile line-up

Original titles, old favourites and hot new franchises form basis of Eidos' holiday mobile push

Eidos Interactive, one of the world’s leading publishers of video games, has highlighted its determination to dominate the mobile phone sector with a strong line-up of bespoke titles for which will arrive before Christmas 2007*.

Released via its dedicated New Media division, Eidos is serving up a mix of original titles, classics from yesteryear and licensed properties including:

• Pandemonium: Originally a PSone title developed by Crystal Dynamics (Tomb Raider: Legend), Pandemonium is a breath-taking platform game set across sweeping, colourful vistas where players take control of Nikki and Fargus; a wizard-in-training with quick reflexes, and a slightly deranged jester with an even more deranged puppet sidekick called Sid. The player is charged with collecting gems and avoiding the enemy hordes as a sweeping camera tracks his every move. Pandemonium is identical to the PSone original in every respect, and is a true statement of intent for the quality Eidos New Media is aiming to deliver to mobile phones.
  
  
  
• Sola Rola: An original title, Sola Rola is a fun mixture of puzzle and action elements in which users control two blobby heroes – Wiz and Waz – as they attempt to save the universe by manipulating shapes. Spanning 25 stages, Sola Rola is crammed with puzzles and uses a unique physics system in which objects and characters can be scaled, tilted and used to solve the increasingly difficult puzzles on offer.
  
  
  
• Championship Manager 2008: Released to coincide with the PC version of the game, the mobile version of Championship Manager 2008 is a fully featured game of what is rightly regarded as the pioneer of football management titles. Developed by the award-winning Dundee based Dynamo Games, the mobile game features all the tactical acumen and logistics of the PC title, with a simple to navigate menu system and 2D match overlay specifically designed for handsets.
  
  
• Kane and Lynch mobile: Inspired by IO Interactive’s highly anticipated title; players can experience 38 adrenaline filled levels through 5 gripping scenarios. The mobile version of Kane and Lynch takes the gritty essence of IO's new blockbuster title and combines it with innovative design to create a unique game for mobile handsets.
  
  
• Tomb Raider: Anniversary Edition: To celebrate ten years of gaming’s most famous archaeologist, Lara Croft will star in a new adventure taking in familiar locations from her past. Inspired by the first three Tomb Raider mobile phone games, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Anniversary faithfully preserves the elements which made the original mobile games some of the best available on the mobile platform. Taut, and fast-paced, this is a perfect tribute to one of gaming’s true legends and the first title to come from new British Developer, FinBlade.

“The mobile sector is on the cusp at the moment and we are responding to market demands with a strong line-up that more than meets current consumer and operator demands,” said Simon Protheroe, New Media and IT Director at Eidos. “We believe that Eidos Mobile has an incredible bespoke range of titles for mobile gamers, we’re looking to attract new consumers to the genre by raising the quality of the end offering – this Christmas has never been a better time to buy your first mobile phone game.”

For full details of Eidos New Media’s mobile phone titles and release dates, please visit http://www.eidosinteractive.co.uk/ for more information.

My Sims Capsule Collection

Just released in the UK - My Sims is the latest launch from EA within The Sims franchise – created especially for Wii and Nintendo DS the game delivers all the creativity and personal expression expected from The Sims but developed in a kitsch new world.

To celebrate its launch MySims has commissioned 4 of the UK’s hottest fashion designers to create a dual purpose capsule collection based on the core attributes of the game – Self Expression, Customisation, Creativity and Collectability.

Much like the world of fashion My Sims takes you into a world where personal style is everything and personalising your world is your right!

Each item works to enhance the My Sims Wii or DS experience BUT also brings the MySims world into your world. Strictly limited edition and available from 8th Oct at www.TheSims2.co.uk/mysims with all profits going to Great Ormand Street
Giles Deacon – Eek Wii-mote/Bag talisman – based on Giles’ signature avatar Eek will come with special My Sims elements designed to stimulate the mind or just act as good luck. RRP £35
Cassette Playa – Stuck on My Sims – Cassette Playa puts a unique twist on the MySims world with a series of vinyl and foil artworks rooted in customisation – give your DS that My Sims make-over or simply customise your phone, laptop, nails or notebook. RRP £15
House of Holland – My Sims Pouch Tee – designed for DS on the go, with a seamed in DS pouch/pocket – this limited edition tee bears the cult signature of Henry Holland’s irreverent take on life – with the slogan ‘Life Begins With MySims’. RRP £40
Tatty Divine – My Sims Sushi Bag – designed to perfectly carry your Wii mote on the go, Tatty Divine’s exclusive bag takes design inspiration from MySim’s sushi chef, and features hundreds of glittering Swarovski crystals. RRP £150
Bright, colourful, inventive & intuitive, these cool accessories are an insiders must have!

Sony offers cut-price PlayStation

A cut price PlayStation 3 (PS3) with a smaller hard drive and no backwards compatibility with previous consoles goes on sale later this month.
The £299 PS3 has a 40-gigabyte hard disk and will be released in Europe, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.

Sony has also slashed the price of the 60GB model from £425 to £349, as it hopes to ignite sales.

0ore from BBC

Halo maker parts from Microsoft

Bungie, the developer of the hugely popular Halo series, is to part company with owner Microsoft.
In a statement, the two firms said they would "forge a new long-term partnership" based around new games.

The move will surprise many in the games industry, despite rumours about a split in recent weeks.

Bungie is now a privately held company in which Microsoft holds a minority stake. Recent release Halo 3 made $300m (£150m) in its first week on sale.

More from BBC

Donkey Kong Barrel Blast

Format: Wii
Launch Date: 10/08/07
ESRB: E (Everyone): Mild Cartoon Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes
Game Type: Racing
Players: 1-4
Developer: Paon

Game Information

KEY INFORMATION

Race to victory with the DK Crew! Donkey Kong and friends have located high-powered barrel rockets, and now the battle for king of the jungle is on.

Donkey Kong is Back! One of Nintendo's most popular characters, Donkey Kong, is back with all of his friends … and a few enemies as well. Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, King K. Rool and the whole gang appear as playable characters in this fast-paced racing adventure.

Shake, Rattle, and Roll! Simple Wii controls make racing a snap. Shake the Wii Remote and Nunchuk to accelerate, then shake one or the other to turn. Press a single button or shake the controller to jump, attack or use items.

Rocket to Victory! Target enemies with a Pineapple Cannon, skillfully chain together Wild Moves or use the Wii Remote to blast out of a Style Barrel. Multiple game-play modes, 16 awesome courses and a rollicking four-player multiplayer game will keep players coming back for more.

How to progress through the game:

• Grand Prix: Race solo in 12 different cups across a variety of courses and difficulty levels.
  
  
• Time Trial: Pick the course and try to set a new record. Players can even save their best times in the form of ghost data.
  Practice: Race across any track without the pressure of time limits or other racers.
  
  
• Candy's Challenges: Help out Candy Kong by taking on 32 unique challenges, such as grabbing 1,000 bananas, beating a course in a certain time or staying in first place wire-to-wire.
  
  
• Cranky's Flight School: Learn how to play from Cranky Kong himself.
  
  
• Multiplayer: Players take on up to three friends in a high-flying free-for-all as they bash, smash and rocket their way to victory. Multiplayer is not a separate mode; players can simply choose to play the other modes with additional people.
  
  
• Characters: Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, Lanky Kong, Tiny Kong, Funky Kong, Wrinkly Kong, Cranky Kong, Kritter, Kopter, Klump, King K. Rool, Kludge, Kalypso, Kip and Kass.

Special powers/weapons/moves/features:

• Wild Moves: Each course is littered with bananas. If players grab 50 of them, they can perform a Wild Move by pushing down on the control stick and then releasing it. Wild Moves propel racers forward at an insane rate of speed for a short period of time – they also allow them to run over enemies, other racers and most obstacles. Skilled players can extend the lives of their Wild Moves by hitting objects to create combos.
  
  
• Style Barrels: If players fly into a red Style Barrel, it will fire them high over the course. While in flight, an animation of the Wii Remote will appear on-screen and ask players to shake it in a certain direction. Each time players do so successfully, the rider will pose and get showered with bananas!

* Items: There are 15 crazy items that players can use – everything from offensive weapons like Backward Barrels and Pineapple Launchers to helpful power-ups like Banana Fairies and Crystal Coconuts. Using items effectively can turn the tide of a race.

BAFTA NEEDS YOUR VOTE!

The British Academy and PC World Invite Gamers To Vote For Best Game

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) in association with headline sponsor PC World today invites the public to vote for their favourite game in the PC World Gamers’ Award at this year’s British Academy Video Games Awards.

The inaugural PC World Gamers’ Award, at BAFTA’s 2007 Video Games Awards, is the only game to be voted for by the public at this year’s ceremony which takes place on Tuesday 23 October at Battersea Evolution in Battersea Park, London. Gamers can vote for the award at www.obsessedwithgames.co.uk. The list of finalists is as follows:

• DR KAWASHIMA'S BRAIN TRAINING (DS) (Nintendo/Nintendo)
  
• FIFA 07 (PS2) (EA Canada/Electronic Arts)
  
• FOOTBALL MANAGER 2007 (PC) (Sports Interactive/SEGA)
  
• GEARS OF WAR (Xbox 360) (Epic Games/Microsoft)
  
• GRAND THEFT AUTO: VICE CITY STORIES (PSP) (Rockstar Leeds/Take Two)
  
• RESISTANCE: FALL OF MAN (PS3) (Insomniac/Sony Computer Entertainment Europe)
  
• WII PLAY (Wii) (Nintendo/Nintendo)
  

Hilary Bevan Jones, Chairman of the Academy said “The great thing about the PC World Gamers’ Award shortlist is that it reflects the real diversity of games being played by the public, and I am sure everyone will look forward to tuning in to watch the ceremony on Nov 4 at 11pm on E4 to see which one is victorious.”

Prizes include 4 pairs of tickets to the Awards show, a day at EA’s development studios, a PS3, an Xbox 360, a DS lite, the top 10 chart games and 3 Pyramat wireless gaming chairs.

The BAFTA Awards ceremony will reward the individuals behind the very best in artistic, creative and technical innovation in video games.

Chris McShane, Head of Trading, PC World said “We are extremely proud to be once again associated with these great awards, and this year as headline sponsor. Working within the gaming industry is extremely exciting and this year’s awards will show the best of the industry’s talent – may the best games win”.

This year’s nominations show the real breadth of today’s video games’ appeal to both sexes and all ages, exemplified by the fact that the forty three different games nominated are rated 3+, 7, 12, 15, 16 & 18. This year’s categories have been fine-tuned to encapsulate the ingredients which contribute to making the video game one of the most exciting and engaging moving image art forms of today’s popular culture. The Academy will recognise excellence in Artistic Achievement, Technical Achievement, Gameplay, Innovation, Original Score, Use of Audio, and Story and Character as well as achievements in the genres of Action & Adventure, Casual, Multiplayer, Sports, Strategy & Simulation plus Best Game.

This year’s Awards will also include a new BAFTA Ones To Watch Award in association with Dare to be Digital.
A full list of all nominations can be found at www.bafta.org/games

Stream Music, Movies And Digital Photos From PC To Wii

X-OOM MEDIA CENTRE FOR Wii PROMISES ALL ROUND ENTERTAINMENT

X-OOM Media Centre for Wii will turn your Nintendo Wii into your own multimedia centre allowing you to watch movies, listen to music and view digital photos by streaming files directly from your PC onto the Wii using Wi-Fi.

X-OOM Software, a leading publisher of digital media software for mobile devices, will be releasing X-OOM Media Centre for Wii in November 2007.

WATCH MOVIES

Rather than watching your favourite movie clips & downloads on PC, simply use X-OOM Media Centre for Wii to direct all your files straight into your living room and watch in comfort at your television using the Nintendo Wii.

LISTEN TO MUSIC

With its clear, accessible structure, the X-OOM Media Centre for Wii is an easy way to view the hundreds of multimedia files stored on your PC, meaning you can access and play your favourite music simply and easily through your TV.

VIEW DIGITAL PHOTOS

Showcase your latest photographs live on TV in your lounge. Use the Wii’s wireless remote control to browse and select your favourite files on PC to show friends & family at Christmas or family gatherings.

Due to the Nintendo Wii’s built-in Wi-Fi connection, there is no need to rely on cumbersome memory cards, CDs or cables in order to transfer data from one system to another. The software allows you to transfer all of your media files at the click of a button, giving you the option to store movies, music and photographs on your PC but access them in your living room.

X-OOM Media Centre for Wii will also provide access to 1000s of Web TV channels and radio stations.

Network connection through WLAN or LAN. Supports MP3, WMA, OGG, DivX, XviD, MPEG 2, MPEG 4, WMV, JPG, BMP.

Codemasters signs licence for Wii, DS games

Templar's 14 million-selling books to come to Nintendo formats

Codemasters has signed with Templar Publishing to produce games based on its best-selling Ology books.

The UK publisher will create titles based on the 14 million-selling series, with Dragonology, Wizardology and Pirateology the first three titles confirmed for the Nintendo Wii and DS.

"Extending Codemasters' reach in the family entertainment category, this alliance with Templar further demonstrates the continued growth and diversification of our portfolio," said Barry Jafrato, senior vice president of brand at Codemasters.

The Wii titles will be focused on action gaming, while the DS counterparts are to include more exploration gameplay. Dragonology will be the first title released, due in the second half of 2008.

"The Ology book brand is a powerful contemporary franchise and we always seek to work with high calibre creative partners," commented Richard Scrivener, commercial and operations director at Templar Publishing.

"Right from the outset, we were impressed by the combination of Codemasters' passion for the product and their global reach," he said.

Sony to cut chip production costs

Joint venture with Infineon will help stem department losses

Sony has announced a partnership with Infineon Technologies for future production of DRAM chips, which should have an impact on the semiconductor unit's fortunes.

The division, which also makes processors for the PlayStation 3, posted a JPY 10 billion (USD 86 million) loss last year according to a report on Bloomberg.

The deal will take the form of a Tokyo-based joint venture and will work initially on chips for consumer electronics goods, such as cameras and mobile phones.

The move follows not long after rumours that Sony is planning to sell the production line for the PS3's Cell processor to Toshiba, and comes at a point at which the company is under increasing pressure to announce a price cut in Europe for the flagship console.

Stressed? Try a Computer Game

Playing computer games to de-stress yourself? Sounds counterintuitive to me. But then again, I get stressed just playing FreeCell. So what do you make of this?

According to Dr. Kathleen Hall and the Stress Institute, playing a game for five minutes can be just the thing you need to lower your blood pressure and get your body into a more Zen state. Dr. Hall, a stress expert, is working with Pogo, a casual gaming site that's aimed primarily at women. Pogo, which offers both a free site (Pogo) and a paid subscription-based site (Club Pogo.com) with a focus on multiplayer play, combines casino games, word games, puzzlers, and other easy-to-learn games with the power of community. "Women," says Beatrice Spaine, vice-president of Pogo marketing, "love to chat and bond while they play."

Hall, who Martha Stewart called the Queen of Stress, advises that games like the ones on Pogo.com can work wonders, increasing brain health and staving off depression, anxiety, and disease. At a recent Pogo event, Hall said that older women in particular could benefit by playing games that keep their brains fit. She told stories of triumph about women who thought of themselves as overweight, suffered from depression, had substance abuse and self-image problems, and more. They all believed Club Pogo contributed to their personal solutions.

Together, Hall and Pogo are launching "Take 5 To Play," a campaign to encourage women everywhere to pick up their mice and start playing games like Pogo's hits Poppit! and Word Whomp. As part of the campaign, you'll find Hall on the Pogo web site answering questions about stress that are posed to her by the players.

Pogo's not alone in the casual gaming space by a long shot. The casual category has been identified as the fastest-growing part of the gaming industry. Each has a different twist, though. Bonus.com is relaunching this month as a place for Gen X families to play together. It will combine family social networking activities with casual gaming and entertainment. PopCap, creators of popular casual games like Bejeweled and Zuma, want you to download their games and play casually by yourself, minus the social networking. What they all have in common is a belief in "better living through gaming."

I've said it before—I don't play computer games in my spare time (probably because I'm on the computer so much of my non-spare time). The thought of relaxing in front of my computer is right up there with relaxing in front of my dentist. For me, equating games with de-stressing is like Ponce de Leon equating Florida's waters with everlasting youth, but then again, maybe not. The number of casual gamers is just too high.

Maybe there is something to this notion of gaming to help you distress that I'm missing.

Set me right if I'm wrong. Does gaming help you cope with stress?

Source: Yahoo Tech

Nintendo shares hit all-time high

Shares in Nintendo hit an all-time high of JPY 64,800 before closing up 2.7 per cent, or JPY 64,300 on Wednesday, following Goldman Sachs giving the company a “buy” rating.

Goldman Sachs compared Nintendo's success in new markets to that of Apple, suggesting that both companies had managed to knock rival Sony off its top spots in both the portable music and home console markets.

"We believe Nintendo's talent in creating new markets, evident from the launch of the DS and Wii, could bring it close to the level of Apple, whose high valuations are due in large part to its innovative business model," reports Reuters.

Shares were also boosted by speculation that Nintendo will again raise its earnings forecasts thanks to continued strong sales of the Wii and DS and its associated software.

Source: Games Industry

Channel 4 and EA mobile game competition

Winner to receive placement and £2500

Channel 4's 4Talent department and Electronic Arts are offering aspiring games designers a chance to pitch their ideas for a new mobile phone game.

The winner will receive £2500 and a placement at EA Mobile.

"4Talent is committed to helping emerging content producers maximise their creative potential," commented James Estill, senior producer for 4Talent.

"This partnership with EA provides the perfect opportunity to support the gaming industry and nurture the next generation of games developers."

The closing date for submissions is October 17, with the winner being announced at this year's Golden Joystick Awards on October 26.

The judging panel will consist of Channel 4 Education's Matt Locke, EA Mobile's Tim Harrison and Chris Gibbs and O2's head of games Despina Kaparaki.

New Xbox 360 Arcade package

5 XBLA titles and wireless controller for $279.99

Retailers in the US are taking pre-orders for a new Xbox 360 Arcade bundle, due for release later this month.

The Arcade bundle consists of a Core unit, a memory card, wireless controller and five Xbox Live arcade titles including Pac-Man Championship Edition and Uno.

Toys R Us and Amazon.com both have the deal listed, with a price of USD 279.99 – the current asking price for the Core unit.

In the US, leading retailer GameStop has removed listings for the Xbox 360 Core, leading to suggestions that this new Arcade bundle will replace the existing USD 279.99 SKU.

Source: Games Industry

Halo 3 Records More Than $300 Million In First-Week Sales Worldwide

Xbox 360 Console Sales More Than Doubled; Nearly 3 Million Gamers Play Online Via Xbox LIVE

Interactive entertainment will never be the same, with the launch of one title that has changed the way the world thinks about video games. “Halo 3” has captured the attention of consumers worldwide and has made history as one of the biggest entertainment launches of all time.

Microsoft Corp. today announced that “Halo 3” has officially become a global phenomenon, garnering more than $300 million in sales in the first week alone. The critically acclaimed Xbox 360 exclusive, which was released in Europe on Wednesday 26th September, is the fastest-selling video game ever and already one of the most successful entertainment properties in history.

Initial reports from retailers worldwide show console sales have more than doubled compared with the weekly average before the launch of “Halo 3.” With games like “Halo 3,” “BioShock,” “Mass Effect” and “Project Gotham Racing 4,” Xbox 360 has the greatest line-up in the history of video games and the only console where consumers can play all of the year’s biggest blockbusters.

“‘Halo’ is truly a cultural phenomenon, and the launch of ‘Halo 3’ is an important milestone for Xbox 360 and for video games as entertainment and as an art form,” said Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft. “‘Halo 3’ embodies our vision for the future of entertainment, where some of the world’s greatest creative minds will deliver a new generation of interactive storytelling.”

“Halo 3” is quickly staking its place as the most popular Xbox LIVE® game in history with members gathering in record numbers to play on the world’s largest online gaming and entertainment network on TV. More than 2.7 million gamers have played “Halo 3” on Xbox LIVE in the first week, representing nearly one-third of the 7 million Xbox LIVE members worldwide. Within the first day of its launch, “Halo 3” players worldwide racked up more than 3.6 million hours of online gameplay, which increased more than elevenfold to 40 million hours by the end of the first week, representing more than 4,500 years of continuous gameplay. Since “Halo 3 launched,” gamers have unlocked nearly 30 million achievements. In its first week alone, “Halo 3” drove a record number of Xbox LIVE Gold Memberships as hundreds of thousands of new members gathered online with friends, family members and other gamers around the world to collectively compete and complete the game.

“Halo 3” is the conclusion to the epic trilogy and picks up where “Halo 2” left off, answering questions about the fates of the beloved protagonist Master Chief™ and his artificial intelligence sidekick Cortana as they struggle to save humankind from destruction at the hands of the alien coalition known as the Covenant. In addition to the rich storyline, “Halo 3” continues the franchise’s grand tradition of delivering innovative online multiplayer experiences via Xbox LIVE. The game’s online multiplayer and innovative four-player cooperative gameplay for Xbox LIVE Gold users, the much-talked-about Saved Films feature that enables players to capture and save their favourite moments on their hard drives, and Forge, an innovative map editor that enables myriad customization options, are just some of the new features gamers are experiencing.

Developed by Bungie Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios, the “Halo” franchise is exclusive to the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system and optimized for the Xbox LIVE online entertainment network. “Halo 3” was released in 37 countries and 17 languages. To date, more than 20 million copies of the games in the “Halo” trilogy have been sold worldwide.

Record week-one sales come on the heels of the previously announced $170 million in sales in the U.S. within the first 24 hours of the game’s release, which marked not just the biggest video game launch, but the biggest entertainment launch in history. The Xbox 360 title beat previous U.S. sales records set by blockbuster openings for entertainment events such as the release of “Spider-Man 3” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” In addition, more than 1.7 million copies of “Halo 3” were pre-ordered in the United States, making it the fastest pre-selling game in history, surpassing the previous record-setting pre-sales of “Halo 2.”

Buy Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 from Play.com and net £50k!

Konami Digital Entertainment and Play.com team up for incredible launch competition for PES 2008

3rd October 2007, Konami Digital Entertainment, the publisher of the forthcoming PES 2008 video game, is backing a very special campaign organised by leading online gaming retailer Play.com where one Play.com PES 2008 customer will net a massive £50,000.

This unique promotion will see Play.com invite any customer who buys a copy of PES 2008 from them, to join an online tournament that will pit them against thousands of other Play.com customers.

The entry mechanic is now open and will close at midnight on November 24th 2007 and applies to purchases of PES 2008 on PLAYSTATION 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2 or PC-DVD formats.

Entrants will be placed within leagues of 20 people, which will be hosted by the official www.PESRankings.com site. PESRankings is Konami’s official league organiser and moderator. Registered players will be given special codes that will automatically enter them into their mini-division, wherein they will be put in touch with their fellow competitors.

These customers will then play each other via the PES 2008 online mode, with all results submitted to PESRankings and recorded online. All recognised football ratings apply, with victorious teams awarded three points for a win, and one for a draw. Goal difference will be used to determine league placing if the scores are tied. The top two players from each league will progress to a knock-out tournament, before the final 32 are invited to the ‘Venue of Legends’, Wembley Stadium on 15th March 2008 to determine the tournament’s overall winner.

Entrants must be over 12 years-old, and games must be played using club teams, with ten-minute matches with no extra time or penalties used within league matches, but extra time and penalties coming into play during the knock-out stages if the scores are level following a ten-minute match.

Fine and daytime weather must be selected, as must the random stadium setting, while the player level must be set at normal, with injuries turned on. If the eventual winner of the tournament is aged 12-17, the prize will be placed within a special trust fund for them which they can access on turning 18.

Further rules and conditions can be found at www.play.com/pes2008p

Working with Games

At Bafta, 195 Piccadilly Tuesday 23rd October, 9.00-5.00 at the London Games Festival.

Tiga is pleased to reveal more details of speakers and programme for the Cross media conference – Working with Games.

The conference will feature speakers from the games, film, TV, advertising and web areas but the unifying theme will using games and games related skills to reach now audiences.

The conference is structured to be a series of quick fire presentations from games, creative advertising, and web companies and broadcasters and one from talent agency 19 - the speakers will all point to how games skills and know –how can be applied to many applications outside the traditional games market including education with a many examples being showed for the first time:

Speakers include: Adam Singer, Peter Cowley Endemol, Peter Davies BBC, Jonathan Smith – TTGames, and Nice Tech also working on BBC virtual world application. Ubisoft will talk about their move into CG film, 19 about the how interactivity can work for the Beckhams, and Google on how games are written into their new thinking. Cimex and Pre-loaded have made inroads into the educational content market and will show examples, whilst Mark Boyd of BBH, Blitz’s Sion Lenton, IGA’s Ed Bartlett, and Dan McDevitt of Woot!media will show how there is a healthy market for games growing in advertising.

The delegates will be members of Bafta, Pact and Tiga with plenty of scope for networking – book now places going fast and limited to 120 only.

PlayStation 3 magazine PSU3 merges with long-standing Play

Imagine Publishing chooses to focus on its core PlayStation brands for 2008 and beyond

Imagine Publishing today announced the merger of PSU3 with Play, effective immediately.

The move comes after careful deliberation into the state of both the PlayStation and the related magazine market which has not seen the significant growth shown by Xbox 360 titles. With the PlayStation magazine market unlikely to improve in the short to medium term, the decision was taken to merge the two titles in order to focus resources on what is Imagine’s market-leading PlayStation title.

The merger will see key staff from PSU3 move over to Play to bolster its already talented team, and will see some of PSU3’s innovative features incorporated into Imagine’s bestselling independent title and improve Play’s editorial package in time for what is hoped to be a stronger 2008.

Nick Jones, Editor in Chief of Imagine’s PlayStation titles commented, “The fact is that the PlayStation market is at an all-time low and this has been reflected in the sales of PlayStation magazines. With a lower than expected PlayStation 3 installed user base, no price reduction of the hardware, and few triple-A games until much later next year, we have taken the decision to merge PSU3 with Play and focus on our most long-standing games brands and also our new launches.”
“By concentrating on Play, our premium PlayStation multiformat magazine, and of course PowerStation the market-leading tips and cheats title, we will be able to ensure that Imagine stays ahead of its competitors and remains an attractive opportunity for games publishers and advertisers alike.”

Issue 159 of Play will be the first issue to incorporate PSU3 and will be on sale on 19 October. Existing subscribers of PSU3 will be offered Play as a substitute.

Imagine Publishing is one of the UK’s fastest growing consumer specialist publishers. Formed in May 2005, it now publishes 20 magazines and 20 websites in the videogames, computing, entertainment and photography markets. An Imagine magazine is purchased every ten seconds.