TWICE!

“Twice!” Is a brilliant colourful puzzle game for your mobile. Its rules are well-known: you'll have to flip the face-down tiles of the puzzle one by one and remember the pattern on their front side. When you flip two identical tiles – you score points. To complete the level you have to find all the pairs. “Twice!” has three game modes, so you can pick the game for your own taste: race against time, limited number of attempts or no limits at all. The magical graphics and traditional Oriental music bless this game with a mysterious charm. Don't forget about the butterfly, it brings luck!

Game’s Features:

- colourful Oriental style graphics
- pleasant, relaxing music
- three game modes for any taste
- excellent memory training tool

Majesco Entertainment Announces 'Cake Mania 2' For The Nintendo DS

Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: COOL), an innovative provider of video games for the mass market, and Sandlot Games, a leading developer and publisher of casual and family-friendly games, today announced Cake Mania® 2 for the Nintendo DS™. Developed by Digital Embryo, Cake Mania 2 is the follow-up to the award-winning Cake Mania game that originally debuted on PC and has achieved more than 50 million downloads worldwide and sold over 280,000 units worldwide on the DS.

“Cake Mania’s fast-paced, addictive gameplay has created a tremendous following of franchise fans,” said John Merchant, Marketing Manager, Majesco Europe. “With a wide range of feature enhancements, Cake Mania 2 for the DS offers tremendous depth while retaining the same core gameplay mechanic that made the original a handheld success.”

“We are continually inspired by the legions of fans of Cake Mania that simply can’t get enough of Jill Evans and her baking adventures,” said Daniel Bernstein, founder and CEO, Sandlot Games. “We’re pleased to once again partner with Majesco Entertainment and Digital Embryo to provide the fans of Cake Mania 2 another way to flex their flour power on the Nintendo DS.”

In Cake Mania 2, players use the stylus to lead Jill through more than 200 different levels of baking and frosting madness that include 50 unique kitchen upgrades players can buy with cumulative bakery earnings. Cake-bakers must work quickly and accurately to please an all-new demanding customer base that includes aliens, federal agents, rock stars and grannies. Plus, Jill’s new non-linear baking experience with multiple endings will take her to exotic locations like an underwater theme park and outer space. Throw in new features, cake shapes, decorations and frosting flavors and players will have their stylus busy at all times throughout the main game and in the new Endless Baking mode.

Majesco will also be revealing details of Cake Mania for the Wii™ home video game system soon.

Hudson Entertainment Releases Omega Five For Xbox LIVE Arcade

Hudson Entertainment, the North American publishing arm of Hudson Soft, today announced that Omega Five for Xbox LIVE Arcade is now available to consumers for 800 Microsoft Points. Gamerpics featuring characters from the game are also now available. Published by Hudson and developed by Natsume, the game is an all-new original IP featuring a graphically intense, side-scrolling shooter set in a three-dimensional environment.

Taking place in a futuristic world, Omega Five introduces truly hardcore action never seen before on the platform, while providing visually stunning imagery that pushes the limits for a digital download game that is less than 50 megabytes. The game is set in several 3D environments and features dazzling special effects and massive battles, all in high definition. Omega Five is unique in that players can choose from multiple humanoid characters, each with their own unique special attacks and upgradeable weapons, which they can shoot in 360 degrees. Omega Five also includes a local co-op function so a friend can join in on the aerial mayhem.

“Omega Five delivers on Hudson’s continuing promise to bring original IP to the Xbox LIVE Arcade library,” said John Greiner, President and CEO of Hudson Entertainment. “This title will truly impress players with its vibrant and stunning graphics, classic side-scrolling gameplay and a co-op mode so that everyone can join in on the fun.”

Wii And Nintendo DS Controls Earn Nintendo A Second Emmy Award

For the second year in a row, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has honored Nintendo with an Emmy Award for excellence in engineering creativity. The groundbreaking Wii system was recognized for its innovative motion-sensing controls, which have attracted a broad range of nontraditional gamers and veteran players alike. The award also recognized Nintendo DS for its pioneering touch-screen control scheme and distinctive dual-screen display, both of which helped to make it the nation's top-selling game system of 2007.

Presented in Las Vegas at the annual Technological & Engineering Emmy Awards on Jan. 7, these latest honors set the stage for even more exciting control innovations from Nintendo in 2008. A forthcoming Mario Kart racing game for Wii will be packaged with a wireless Wii Wheel, while the hotly anticipated Wii Fit will keep players more active than ever with the extraordinary Wii Balance Board.

"The pioneering interfaces for Wii and Nintendo DS reflect our long tradition of seeking new ways to enhance the gaming experience for users at every level," said Don James, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of operations. "We're grateful for this award and thank the academy for honoring us a second time."

Nintendo previously received an Emmy in 2007 for its invention of the plus-shaped D-pad, which radically changed how people interact with their video games and, by extension, their televisions. For more information about Nintendo, please visit www.Nintendo.com.

Turn Sony PSP (PlayStationPortable) into a Personal GPS Navigation System with Go!Explore

Use Go!Explore in your car or on foot – it’s up to you

In early Spring 2008, PSP (PlayStationPortable) owners need never get lost again – thanks to a new addition to the Go! range called Go!Explore which puts 3D city mapping in users’ hands by turning PSP into a state-of-the-art Personal GPS Navigation System system. Just enter your destination and Go!Explore will do the rest for you.

The Go!Explore setup consists of an attachable GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver and a UMD disc of the user’s chosen maps. At the touch of a button, users will be able to find their position on a map and work out the direction they need to take. Go!Explore works both on foot and in the car and – as most of the hardware is in the PSP attachment – it offers a top-notch Personal GPS Navigation System system at a fraction of the cost of other systems on the market.

On foot, you’ll be able to plot your way through cities in 3D thanks to the fully modelled city maps contained on the UMD discs. Simply load the UDM disc, select your destination, and watch as the city’s landmarks and points of interest appear on-screen in 3D. You can download new maps and upgrades from PLAYSTATION Network (PSN) – a resource that guarantees you’ll find those special locations – wherever you’re travelling.

When you’re in the car, you’ll benefit from different display modes for day and night, meaning that you’ll always get the clearest view of where you’re going. And don’t worry about your battery life or where to put your PSP while driving – we’ve got Car Adaptor and Car Mount accessories on the way too – bundled together in one package.

And don’t worry about the credentials of the product – as well as the awesome hardware of PSP, Go!Explore uses the technology of two other market leaders: map data industry leader TeleAtlas and navigation software legends NavNGo.

“Go!Explore is a stunning addition to the Go! range,” said Stephane Hareau, PSP Senior Brand Manager at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. “Who would have previously thought that PSP owners would be able to use PSP to navigate their way around an unfamiliar city? It’s an awesome product and another testament to the unrivalled potential of PSP.”

The three ways to buy Go!Explore for PSP:
GPS receiver and UMD (including maps of the relevant country): RRP €119
GPS receiver, UMD (including maps), Car Adaptor and Car Mount: RRP €149
PSP, GPS receiver, UMD (including maps), Car Adaptor and Car Mount: RRP €299

Packs mapping the following areas are initially available: UK/Ireland
France Germany / Austria / Switzerland Spain / Portugal Italy Nordic Benelux Go!Explore supports 11 unique audio languages on every geographic version; English, German, French, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian and Finnish. Updates will be available from PLAYSTATION Store for PSP at www.store.playstation.com.

PC game Speedball 2 - Tournament: The Soundtrack free Download

Speedball 2 – Tournament, the ferocious and extreme sports game of a violent future will be in stores across the UK from 8th February.

To give gamers a taste for the forthcoming online multiplayer action, the new MP3 soundtrack is now available as a free download!

Hard hitting techno, funky base lines and futuristic samples make up a soundtrack that aims to match the intensity and thrill of the game itself. Download the soundtrack now and get your adrenaline pumping as you immerse yourself in the world of Speedball 2 – Tournament.

Download the MP3 soundtrack here: http://www.frogster-interactive.de/downloads68!28!418,1.html

Fast facts:
Publisher: Ascaron Entertainment
Web: www.Ascaron.com / www.Speedball2.com
Developer: Kylotonn Entertainment
Co-Producer: The Bitmap Brothers & Frogster Interactive Pictures AG
Release date: 8th February 2008
RRP: £19.99
PEGI: 12+
Format: PC
Genre: Futuristic Sports

Vivendi Nokia video games for mobile and Cellphones via download

Vivendi Games Mobile and Nokia Announce Agreement to Offer Line-up of Mobile Games to Nokia Customers Via Download!

Vivendi Games Mobile, a division of Vivendi Games, today announced an agreement with Nokia to bring a diverse line-up of award-winning mobile games to hundreds of thousands of Nokia handsets via Download! and Nokia Catalogues. The agreement is a further step forward in Vivendi Games Mobile’s partnership with Nokia following the announcement earlier this year of an agreement to offer mobile games via Nokia’s N-Gage program.

Download! will allow Vivendi Games Mobile to reach end-users of Nokia handsets in a personal and direct manner; via a client-based mobile shop constantly refreshed over the air with the latest hit titles. It will now be easier than ever for customers to download titles from popular franchises including Crash, Leisure Suit Larry, and Spyro and enjoy a steady stream of new and exciting games and related content like wallpapers and ring tones.

“The challenge in the mobile games value chain is not only to make great games and attract customers, but also in the effective merchandising of games and the ease with which consumers can find, purchase, and download games,” said Paul Maglione, president of Vivendi Games Mobile. “Nokia has met this challenge by providing visibility and easy access to great content via Download!. The end result is a new and promising distribution channel that creates further ‘impulse buy’ opportunities for our titles and also allows customers to enjoy the best mobile games on demand.”

Vivendi Games Mobile’s branded Catalogues recently launched in local-language versions in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Russian Federation, Switzerland, UK, Ukraine and the U.S. Catalogues in 25 other countries will be available soon. Vivendi Games Mobile’s Catalogue offers 12 games, subdivided into four browseable categories (New Releases, Top Sellers, Action/Adventure and Casual/Puzzle). Featured titles include the recently released Brain Shock, and Delta Force; titles based on premium entertainment brands like The Bourne Ultimatum and Eragon; and award-winning games like The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night and the revolutionary first-person shooter Urban Attack™. Vivendi Games Mobile’s Catalogue will be constantly updated with fresh content and special promotions.

Download! is shipping on more than 50 devices globally on Nokia mobile phones, Nokia N-series and Nokia E-series devices.

FIFA 08 tops UK video game charts

1 FIFA 08 ELECTRONIC ARTS
2 CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE ACTIVISION
3 THE SIMPSONS GAME ELECTRONIC ARTS
4 ASSASSIN'S CREED UBISOFT
5 NEED FOR SPEED: PROSTREET ELECTRONIC ARTS
6 PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2008 KONAMI
7 GUITAR HERO III: LEGENDS OF ROCK ACTIVISION
8 WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2008 THQ
9 THE SIMS 2: CASTAWAY ELECTRONIC ARTS
10 LEGO STAR WARS: THE COMPLETE SAGA LUCASARTS
11 KANE & LYNCH: DEAD MEN EIDOS
12 TIGER WOODS PGA TOUR 08 ELECTRONIC ARTS
13 SUPER MARIO GALAXY NINTENDO
14 MYSIMS ELECTRONIC ARTS
15 FOOTBALL MANAGER 2008 SEGA
16 NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. NINTENDO
17 RATATOUILLE THQ 17
18 UNCHARTED: DRAKE'S FORTUNE SONY COMPUTER ENT.
19 CRASH OF THE TITANS VIVENDI GAMES
20 HALO 3 MICROSOFT

Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3 for Nintendo DS

Tamagotchi Town is Open for Business This Summer

Leading video games publisher and developer, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., announced today Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3 for the Nintendo DS. Available this summer, Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3 will feature the most robust store lineup to date, with 13 brand new shops to run and expand, a park to design and visit, and the ability to trade journals with your friends wirelessly.

Business in Tamagotchi Town is booming, and over a dozen new shops have moved in. Help manage these brand new shops and keep customers coming back for more. When the work day is done, relax in the very own park that you've created. You can write in your journal to record the day’s events, and share items and journals with your friends over Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

“Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3 emphasizes the responsibilities of running successful businesses in a fun and creative way,” said Todd Thorson, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. “With so many new shops, mini-games and Tamagotchis, there is a lot of fun to be had for new and returning players.”

Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3 includes the following features:

• All New Stores: Find over a dozen brand new stores to run! Bake fresh bread at the Bakery, plan a party at the Event Coordinator shop, or scoop ice cream at the Ice Cream Parlor. Combine and upgrade stores to keep happy customers coming back for more.


• Create Your Own Park: Create a relaxing and fun park to hang out with friends and chat with other Tamagotchis. Decorate your park with fountains, gardens and other items to be discovered. Come back often to see how your park has changed.


• More Characters: The popular Violetchi joins in on the fun with Mametchi, Kuchipatchi and Memetchi to team up with players and help them run the best business they can.


• Connect With Friends: Share items and swap journals with friends via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

For more information about Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3 please visit http://www.namcobandaigames.com.

Insecticide on PC and Nintendo DS

Yet another major break in the case of Crackpot Entertainment’s Insecticide action/adventure has emerged – with news of the February 26, 2008 ship date, preorders have now begun that include a limited edition Art Book with online access to special content . Major retailers worldwide are backing the insectoid super-sleuths as the biggest case in Troi continues to unfurl. Gamers can get in on the ground floor and help search out the clues by pre-ordering their copy today.

Rookie Detective Chrys Liszt and her partner Roachy Caruthers are on the case of a murder that has rocked Troi to its very core. Help Chrys uncover clues that will lead to a startling discovery no one could have ever expected. While players shoot, snoop and finesse their way though the game they’ll learn that there’s more to some bugs than just a pretty exoskeleton.

Word on the street says a couple retailers are offering key evidence in the case – free Insecticide art books with every pre-order. These 16 page, 9” x 7”, full-color art books are extremely limited and won’t last long. They’ll feature exclusive artwork and provide access to even more content online which includes screenshots, sneak peek at trailers, content from the developers, concept art and a complete digital strategy guide. Follow the trail to your local GameStop or EB or take the search online at GameStop.com and join the Insecticide team.

Insecticide will be shipping for Nintendo DS on February 26, 2008 as will the first part of the bisodic download for PC.

For more information or to preorder, please visit www.insecticidethegame.com

Ghost in the Sheet PC Demo Download

Try out what it's like in the afterlife for free before taking the plunge...

Sharon, MA, January 8th, 2008 – Tri Synergy, Inc. (www.trisynergy.com) and CBE (www.ghostinthesheet.com) are excited to announce that a free playable demo for Ghost in the Sheet is now available for download from the Tri Synergy website. Now supernatural sleuths can put their paranormal skills to the test before taking the full plunge into the afterlife with the retail version of Ghost in the Sheet.

Ghost in the Sheet is a point’n’click adventure game based upon a highly original story about a ghost who finds out that the Afterlife is not nearly as fun or relaxing as it sounds. Having met your new and rather unpleasant astral boss, you embark on an adventure to an abandoned factory with the goal of finding out what happened there. This dark and winding factory called “Sector Omega” is filled with other undead with whom you can talk and gather details as you slowly come upon the ultimate truth as to why “Sector Omega” fell into an abandoned darkness...

Features of Ghost in the Sheet include:

• High resolution graphics with detailed animations to immerse the player


• Gripping storyline garnished with black comedy ‘afterlife’ style


• A RPG-like skill learning system – as the player progresses through the game, he learns new paranormal skills which are vital for future adventures


• Skills range from the conventional paranormal Telekinesis to obscure skills like Scary Sound


• Nonlinear gameplay that allows the player to freely roam the factory while solving a variety of puzzles in any order


• No dying, mazes, slider puzzles, or timed sequences that can needlessly frustrate

Ghost in the Sheet is available at GameStop, Circuit City, MicroCenter, Frys, Amazon.com & other fine retailers nationwide.

Get more information on Ghost in the Sheet from Tri Synergy’s webpage and be sure to check out the new screenshots below!

PC game Robotopia's Robots Get Upgrades

Robotopia gets an Upgrade, as your Robo's level grows you will be able to select from five new classes. The "Tank" class provides the ability to reflect a high percentage of enemy bullets off your robot, the "Ninja" class is capable of leaping into shadows and appearing out of nowhere, the "Bomber" class drops three vertical bombs whilst somersaulting and the "Knight" class will give you the cutting edge when it comes to dealing out saber damage! These Robo upgrades can be purchased once your robot reaches the appropriate level. Can you reach the ultimate level 200 "Guardian" class robot!? The New Classes can be used in both the one player Campaigns as well as in Online Fragfest play!



Robotopia is an all action, fast paced shooter that takes you online to stage epic battles that span across a beautiful multi-scrolling world. Here you can play flag games where players battle to hold points across the landscape. Or play as bounty hunter where allegiances can be made as players fight for robo currency. Either way you are going to be caught up in some intense action making strong allies and fierce enemies.



If going online immediately seems a bit daunting, get stuck into the one player game that is designed to train you in the art or robo destruction. Here you will meet a variety of drones and soldiers who will test your skills and increase your robot's performance through an RPG style experience system. Download today to enjoy free online play, Register the game to upgrade your Robo past level 10 and enjoy all the features!

Wireless Guitar Controller and Wireless Nunchuck set before the Vegas show

New Products For Wii, PS3, and PSP Slim Headed To Retail This Summer

Nyko Technologies, a premier peripherals manufacturer, today unveiled their line-up of new accessories that will debut at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. The line-up includes new products for the Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Sony PSP-2000 series (slim), including a new version of the popular Frontman Wireless Guitar Controller for the Wii and PS3, as well as all-new products such as the Wireless Nunchuck for the Wii, and the Charger Grip and TV-Link for the PSP-2000 series. All products are currently slated to ship to retail in early 2008.

For the ultimate in unrestrictive cord-free Wii gaming, Nyko introduces the Wireless Nunchuck. The unit's dongle attaches easily to the bottom of the Wii remote, eliminating the restrictive cord for complete freedom while playing. The Wireless Nunchuck features full accelerometer support for motion-based gameplay, and is compatible with all games that require the Nunchuck controller attachment. The Nunchuck's ergonomic design is perfect for both left and right-handed gamers. Two AAA batteries (included) provide up to 30 hours of gameplay. The Wireless Nunchuck for the Wii will be available in the first quarter of 2008 for a suggested price of $29.99.

Nyko will also introduce the most convenient charging solution for keeping Xbox 360 wireless controllers powered up and ready to go with the Charge Base 360. The Charge Base 360 comes with 2 custom-designed NiMH batteries with additional contact points allowing for easy drop-in and charge functionality. The included docking station organizes and rapidly charges 2 wireless controllers simultaneously through any standard power outlet, and provides up to 25 hours of play time on each battery. The Charge Base 360 will be available in Q1 2008 for a suggested retail price of $29.99.

The latest installment of Nyko's popular line of wireless guitar controllers, The Frontman for the Wii and PS3 brings the excitement of cord-free rock 'n' roll gaming to the living room. The Frontman features a built-in tilt sensor, responsive whammy bar, fret buttons, and a bi-directional strum bar that offer spot-on accuracy and responsiveness. Additionally, the Frontman includes interchangeable pick guards for personalizing your controller. The Frontman for the Wii is fully compatible with "Guitar Hero IIITM," while the PS3 version is compatible with both "Guitar Hero IIITM" and "Rock BandTM." The Frontman PlayStation 3 and Wii will retail for a MSRP of $59.99 and $49.99 respectively.

Newly redesigned for the improved PSP-2000, Nyko's Charger Grip provides ergonomic grips that emulate the feel of a console controller and reduce strain on hands, while also extending the battery life. The built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery extends the PSP's play time up to 10 hours while the collapsible design makes it easy to carry in a backpack or handbag. The Charger Grip for the PSP-2000 series will be available in the first quarter of 2008 for a suggested price of $29.99.

Experience UMD movies and games on the big screen with the TV-Link for the PSP-2000. The TV-Link high-definition component cable enables you to enjoy all your PSP games, UMD movies, videos and photos at home in front of the TV. The cable's gold-tipped connectors and shielding assure an interference-free, superior connection for the highest audio and video quality possible. The TV-Link for the PSP-2000 will be available in the first quarter of 2008 for a suggested price of $14.99.

For the ultimate solution in PS3 gaming, the Zero Wireless Controller is the final word in high-end wireless controllers. Continuing the popularity of Nyko's Zero controller line, the PS3 Zero features a unique metal polymer hybrid design, putting the most advanced controller into the hands of PS3 gamers. Able to provide up to 25 hours of continuous play with the included removable, rechargeable NiMH battery, the Zero also features a revolutionary wireless chipset that provides a reliable and accurate range of up to 30 feet. Backlit LED buttons, precision analog sticks, durable buttons, and curved triggers also come standard. The controller is also equipped with a precise accelerometer that detects six different directions of motion as well as dual vibration motors. Zero is available in three distinct color schemes to match the tastes of any gamer. The Zero Wireless Controller for the PS3 will be available in the first quarter of 2008 for a suggested price of $59.99.

"Nyko is pleased to add a plethora of new and unique gaming accessories to our constantly expanding library of innovative peripherals," said Chris Arbogast, Director of Marketing at Nyko Technologies. "We're constantly striving to provide everyone from the casual to the hardcore gamer with high-quality feature-rich products that provide unequaled flexibility and convenience."

Nyko will offer hands-on demos of all their upcoming products, including their Online-Link Cat5/RJ45 Ethernet cable and their 32 MB Memory Card for the PS2. They will also have recently released products available for hands-on demos, including the highly regarded Perfect Shot for the Wii and the newly redesigned ChargeBase 2 for the PS3, at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Press demos will be taking place at the Las Vegas Hilton in suite No15119 from January 7th through the 9th.

Omega Five and Tron on Microsoft Xbox LIVE Arcade

Fly through treacherous 3D environments with “Omega Five,” a graphically explosive next-generation shooter firing its way onto Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360. Also this week, Disney Interactive Studios and Backbone Entertainment bring back an arcade classic, “Tron.” Both games will be available this Wednesday, 9th January, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. GMT.



Hardcore and casual gamers alike will love “Omega Five,” a new high-definition shooter with awe-inspiring graphics. “Omega Five” features a gorgeous and challenging environment, with enemies coming at players from all angles, even the background. Battle enemies as Ruby, Tempest or other unlockable characters and simply add another controller to play local co-op with a friend. “Omega Five” features the highest quality visuals available on an Xbox LIVE Arcade shooter and offers multiple levels of difficulty including “++Mode” where players are only allowed one hit.



Featuring the familiar gameplay from the original, players battle as the mighty warrior Tron against the insidious Master Control Program and his ruthless right-hand man, Sark. “Tron” offers a four-part retro-futuristic test of skills, including racing light cycles, battling Sark’s tanks, fighting to enter the MCP cone and dodging grid bugs. “Tron” offers both the original arcade game and an enhanced version with new graphics, improved sound and two-person multiplayer. It’s the perfect re-creation of the original game based on the pioneering computer animated Walt Disney Pictures’ 1982 feature film, “Tron.” Plus, the Xbox LIVE Arcade version is the first version of “Tron” with two-person multi-player functionality of co-op and versus.

Where can I get “Omega Five” and “Tron “ from?

Omega Five: available for 800 MS Points from 9:00 a.m. GMT, Wednesday 9th January 2008

Tron: available for 400 MS Points from 9:00 a.m. GMT, Wednesday 9th January 2008

They are rated 3+.

More information is available at http://www.xbox.com/games/livearcade.

Sony PlayStation Hardware Sales Exceeding 3.9 Million in US

1.2 Million Consumers Join PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) Family since Black Friday

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced PlayStation hardware retail sales reached more than 3.9 million units in North America during the critical holiday sales window (Friday, November 23, 2007 to December 31, 2007). This accounts for SCEA’s three systems currently in the market PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3), PSP (PlayStationPortable) and PlayStation 2 (PS2). PS3 retail sales reached 1.2 million hardware units during this holiday timeframe.

“The PlayStation brand ended the year in a very strong position and clearly indicates more positive momentum going into 2008. We are particularly pleased to have sold through 1.2 million units of PS3 during the holiday selling season,” said Jack Tretton, president and CEO, SCEA. “The strong PS3 sales also further establish Blu-ray’s dominant position as the high-definition medium of choice for games and movies. Consumers are clearly responding to the expanding multimedia capabilities and a great line-up of over 200 games.”

Sales of PSP reached 1.4 million units during this same timeframe. The success of the recently introduced Daxter PSP Entertainment Pack and Star Wars Battlefront PSP Entertainment Pack have continued to swell the PSP install base. Upcoming platform defining software such as God of War: Chains of Olympus and Final Fantasy: Crisis Core will further increase PSP momentum in 2008.

PS2 sales exceeded 1.3 million units during its eighth holiday season. The industry’s most successful platform is poised for another great year in 2008 with the continued success of the critically-acclaimed Buzz and SingStar franchises.

Dungeon Explorer on Sony PSP and Nintendo DS

Hudson Entertainment Releases New Screens for Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts on Nintendo DS and PSP (PlayStationPortable) System

Today Hudson Entertainment announced that new screens for Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts on the PSP (PlayStationPortable) system and the Nintendo DS are now available.



Both versions are scheduled to launch in mid-February 2008. Each game features a unique story with epic battles, an all new assortment of weapons and many unique fighting styles. Like the classic game, the new versions will feature deep and customizable multiplayer adventuring.

In the game for the PSP system, players are trained in weaponry and mystical forces as Warriors of Ancient Arts. On a quest and ready to uncover the fate of a legendary kingdom, gamers will prepare to battle demonic forces and monstrous creatures. Unique for the PSP system, players have the ability to choose their warfare style with more than 150 different kinds of fighting arts, including Big Bang Arts, allowing three players to team up to triple their destructive power in Ad-Hoc Multiplayer mode.

In the DS version, gamers find themselves in a land plagued by a legion of undead, monstrous soldiers. The story takes place centuries after the events of the PSP version, as a legend foretells of a hero who will rise to face the threat. With more than 60 different fighting arts across 8 lost Ancient Fighting Art schools, players can become a skilled warrior to successfully wage battle against dangerous enemies such as the Demon God's undead soldiers, mutated monsters, and an army of ancient automatons. To assist in battle, the game offers hundreds of weapons, armor and equipment; all can be upgraded along the way.

For a group effort, 3 players can join forces to battle the Demon god's minions via Nintendo's Wireless Connection.

www.HudsonEnt.com

Wallpapers available for AGEOD's American Civil War: 1861-1865 – The Blue and The Gray

cdv Software Entertainment USA, a leading publisher of strategy gaming titles in North America, is pleased to release several new wallpapers from their upcoming game – AGEOD’s American Civil War: 1861-1865 – The Blue and The Gray.

The upcoming game, created by acclaimed Europa Universalis designer Philippe Thibaut, will challenge gamers as they battle their way through a historically accurate re-enactment of the American Civil War, while taking on the roles of politicians, logisticians and military strategists.



More information about AGEOD’s American Civil War: 1861-1865 – The Blue and The Gray is available at http://www.cdvus.com.

Nintendo Wii - Our House - The Facts

Publisher: Majesco Entertainment
Developer: Budcat Creations
Platforms: Wii
Genre: Action/Simulation

Overview
Design your custom house, shop for raw materials, build your dwelling and decorate the interior to your liking, then unveil your creation to the neighborhood! In Our House, you and your friends will race against the clock and each other to buy the best materials in the ultimate home improvement store! But that’s only half the fun because after the mad rush, you’ll construct your dream house with your purchases. Use your Wii Remote to hammer, saw, paint and much more as you assemble your house from the ground up. Show off your creative flair by tastefully decorating your dwelling while showing up your friends by designing the most valued house in your community!

Features

• The only game that lets you build or remodel your home and turn it into a unique creation! True modular house construction enables endless combinations that create personalized trophy homes with countless upgrades


• Shop for materials in the Home Store, build your house, then decorate it to add the most value to your house before your friends maximize their own house value


• Earn money for materials and build your dream house by using the Wii Remote to play games related to six Home Store departments


• Party Mode lets you jump right in and play all of the games without the actual construction


• Supports 4 player gameplay for hours of family fun!


• Features Wii Connect 24 support for the literal community-building within The Neighborhood Mode

Our House - The First Home Design Game Exclusively on Nintendo Wii

If you can dream it, you can build it as Majesco Entertainment, an innovative provider of video games for the mass market, today announced Our House for the Wii home video game system. Developed by Budcat Creations, Our House turns the Wii Remote into the ultimate creation tool that lets players design, build and decorate their own personalized trophy home they can share with others in an online neighborhood.

“Few things are as exciting as building and personalizing a home of your own, and only the innovative Wii Remote makes it possible to hammer every nail and paint every wall,” said John Merchant, Marketing Manager, Majesco Europe. “We believe Our House’s combination of unique subject matter, endless creativity and competitive multiplayer fun will resonate with players of all ages.”

Our House is the only game that lets you build and remodel your home as you design a unique customized creation. After shopping for raw materials in the Home Store, players will use their Wii Remote to hammer, saw, paint, tile and much more as they assemble and decorate their family dwelling. But the creativity doesn’t end indoors since a home’s overall neighborhood value is based on landscaping and exterior upgrades too. Four-player “build-offs” encourage social play while Wii Connect 24 lets players share their creations with friends via the literal community-building feature of Neighborhood Mode.

PlayStation 3 still not in Profit say Sony

Costs are falling, but Sony won't make solid commitment

Sony's Kaz Hirai has said that the company hopes the next fiscal year will see the PlayStation 3 console business achieve a profit.

Speaking at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas Hirai said that profitability in the 2008 financial year was not a definite commitment, but something the company was striving for.

"We want to get to the positive side of the equation as quickly as possible," commented Hirai, reports Reuters.

"The next fiscal year starts in April and if we can try to achieve that in the next fiscal year that would be a great thing. We are going through the budgets right now.

"That (profitability) is not a definite commitment, but that is what I would like to try to shoot for," he said.

Sony has just announced sales figures for the PlayStation 3 during the US holiday period reached 1.2 million, although the machine is still being out-sold by Sony's own PlayStation 2 and PSP consoles.

Production costs for the PlayStation 3 are falling noted Hirai, with the recently introduced 40GB model requiring less components than the higher end 60GB and 80GB models.

"Component costs are coming down, and the number of components... we are seeing a reduction.

"The 40 GB PlayStation 3 obviously has fewer components, and uses less power, which means that components required to dissipate heat, for example, can be smaller, so there is some cost reduction there," he added.

Source: Games Industry