World War II strategy game Men of War the sequel to Soldiers: Heroes of World War II and Faces of War

Third game in the exciting trilogy comes to the US

Leading Eastern and Central European publisher 1C Company today announced the development of its new World War II strategy game Men of War. Men of War is the sequel to the critically acclaimed Soldiers: Heroes of World War II and Faces of War and is scheduled for a summer 2008 release around the world.

Men of War takes place in Europe during the height of World War II. The story unfolds across three different campaigns played out through the eyes of Soviet, Allied and German soldiers. Each campaign has its own structured timeline bringing a different story of the war to life spanning across Russia, North Africa, Ukraine, Greece, Germany, Italy and the Pacific. The main Soviet campaign sees two student comrades, Smirnov and Kuznetzov, join the army and quickly become brothers in arms as they rise through the ranks and experience the rigors of war.

Men of War will feature 50 new units to play, including newly designed tanks, APCs and heavy guns. Dynamic, in-game video enhances the single player missions, while developer Best Way has given the sounds of war new range with over one hundred new effects, recorded under real operating conditions. The single player campaign will also feature a fully customizable user interface so players are able to set-up their command layout as they please.

In addition to the in-depth single player experience, Men of War also unleashes all new multiplayer maps along with new 'capture the flag' and 'high-value cargo' modes, all faithfully recreated with stunning graphics and refined AI. A new rating system has also been introduced to ensure a fair fight in online multiplayer battles.

Summary of key additions:

Three evolving storylines in the Soviet, Allied and German armies, comprising 19 missions in total

More than 50 new units to use in multiplayer mode

Realistic models of armament and military equipment recreated in accordance with design drawings and historical documents

System of ratings and statistics for every participant in multiplayer mode

New nation in multiplayer mode - Japan

Revised controls interface - customizable and easier to use

New multiplayer maps and 2 new game modes

Highly detailed WWII environments and characters faithfully recreated with a cutting-edge graphics engine

New Trailer download for PC SHIP SIMULATOR 2008

Leading computer software publisher Lighthouse Interactive and developer VSTEP today released a new trailer for Ship Simulator 2008, their true-to-life naval simulator on CD-ROM, compatible with Windows® Vista™. Ship Simulator 2008 includes multiplayer and new vessels from personal watercrafts and powerboats, to hovercrafts and super tankers. Navigate your way through San Francisco Bay, the New York harbor, port of Marseille and many other world renowned harbors, all recreated in minute detail. Ship Simulator 2008 began shipping to major retailers across Canada and the US last week.

The new trailer takes players on a thrilling simulation ride showcasing the wide variety of vessels. Fans can get a glimpse of Ship Simulator’s universe as they take the helm of great oceans liners of the past, as well as high-powered vessels of today. Experience what it’s like to sail your yacht through the Thai Phi Phi Islands or test your maneuvering skills with the Titanic in the bustling Rotterdam port! Besides these exciting vessels and environments, the trailer also shows the easy-to-control and user-friendly interface, giving great insight into the menus, maps and navigational instruments. Do you have what it takes to become a true sea captain?

To download the trailer, please visit www.lighthouse-interactive.com.

SUMMARY

With the growing number of Ship Simulator users worldwide, VSTEP is continuously adding new content and features. In Ship Simulator 2008, players will need to perform a multitude of tasks, all set within stunning 3D environments. They will take control of a wide array of vessels – from massive cargo ships and ferries, to speedboats, yachts, water taxis, personal watercrafts, and even the mighty Titanic! The waters you sail are as varied as the ships, including the harbors of New York, the Thai Phi Phi Islands, Rotterdam and Hamburg, plus three newly added harbours: San Francisco, Marseille and Southampton/Cowes/Solent. Ship Simulator 2008 incredibly recreates real locations from around the world and presents players with the challenges of commanding the vessel of their choice on the open sea.

FEATURES

• Dynamic ocean waves, with realistic ship motions
• Long distance travel, open ocean voyages between ports
• Visible damage system
• 50 new complex and challenging missions
• Extensive day, night and weather systems
• Open sea, plus 7 harbor environments including New York, San Francisco, Marseille and Southampton/Cowes/Solent
• 16 ships, each with walkthrough functionality and interactive bridge controls
• Controllable container crane
• Advanced vector graphic sea chart based on realistic 3D seabed models, with full-screen display option, transparency setting, and high level of detail on text and depth readings
• Advanced damage system showing dents and holes in vessels after severe collisions
• Free-roam mode allows players to choose a ship, an environment, weather conditions, time of day, and set their own waypoints
• Extensive mapping options for keys and joystick buttons
• Advanced rope system, which allows you to connect and disconnect player ships to other ships or mooring boulders at will (anchoring is now also possible)
• Mid-mission save function
• A system for sinking ships when damaged below the water line
• Advanced system for scoring and ranking in different ship type classes, linked to your online profile on the Ship Simulator forum
• Mission editor, so you can create your own adventures and share them with your fellow players on the forum
• Multiplayer free-roaming, including towing and chat
• In-game downloading of new missions, created by other players

New Content and Forthcoming Event for its MMORPG, Legend: Legacy of the Dragons

Waygate Publishing Limited, a London-based company specialising in the operation of Eastern European online games for the Western market, today announced a major interim content update for its free, browser-based Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game, Legend: Legacy of the Dragons, which will be released on February 1, 2008. In addition, the company announced plans for its first major in-game event to be held on and around the next Full Moon on February 21, 2008.

Brand new content and translations

The update offers the two largest quests yet in the world of Faeo, one for each of the races, and introduces 16 new locations, four new NPCs, numerous new items and monsters, a new faction, the Destroyers of Chaos, and a variety of smaller quests. The game’s library will also be updated with the latest instalment of the game’s mythology, The Era of Change, and brand new translations about the work of the factions. This is an interim release while the company continues translating and preparing for the introduction of magic into the game, allowing high-level players to learn and cast spells, which will be fully animated in the game’s unique, within the browser game sector, combat system.

It is expected the next update, which will include at least 27 new quests, will be ready for release at the end of February. Content from the open beta version of the game is also being completely revised by a new team of translators to ensure the quality of translation matches that of the new content as the game continues to evolve.

Forthcoming in-game event

The in-game event will prepare hundreds of players for a mass battle in one of the game’s battlefield locations, allowing them to fight each other, monsters and the dragons of the game’s title, Striagorn and Erifarius. The events are already an integral part of the Russian version of the game, attracting 1000s of players to the battlefield as they fight for the honour and rewards that come with victory.

Micro-transaction payment system

Although the game is entirely free-to-play, revenue is generated through a system of micro-transactions, allowing players to buy game money to invest in their character development. There are two payment systems: the first uses PayPal, whilst the second is an SMS payment system, currently operational for players in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Great Britain, Ireland, Netherlands, North America, Norway and Sweden, although Waygate Publishing hopes to expand this soon.

For more information, visit www.warofdragons.com.

About Waygate Publishing

Waygate Publishing Limited operates from offices in central London, specialising in the localisation and operation of Eastern European online games. The company also develops location-aware multimedia, used in popular satellite navigation devices.

www.waygate-publishing.com

About IT-Territory

IT-Territory is the Russian-based developer and publisher of Legend: Legacy of Dragons and numerous other online games. IT-Territory recently announced it has acquired the rights to translate and localise The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™ for the Russian-speaking market.

http://www.it-territory.ru/eng/

New contest - can you play by our Guild Wars Limited rules?

ArenaNet is known to do amazing things to the world of Guild Wars. Here at PvXwiki, we have taken things one step ahead, introducing our own idea for a future Guild Wars: the Guild Wars: Limited Edition, accessible to all campaigns released thus far. "Why limited?", you may ask. The answer is simple: instead of eight skills, the Guild Wars: Limited Edition only allows players to use five skills on their bar. That's right: Five skills!

It's just like the Guild Wars you're used to - but using only five skill slots. Try your hand at making builds for the Domain of Anguish, Urgoz's Warden, and even Team Areans and Guild Verses Guild battles with these limitations.

For the second official PvXwiki contest, we are inviting you to come up with your very own Limited Edition builds with this new restriction. Anyone can enter, and winners will receive excellent prizes courtesy of Razer™.

The makers of the three best-working builds will receive limited edition Guild WarsTM Razer Deathadder mice!

PvXwiki - proudly sponsored by Razer. For Gamers, By Gamers.

Contest Dates:
February 3rd - February 24th

More about contest:
http://www.pvxwiki.com/wiki/Guild_Wars:_Limited

About PvXwiki:
http://www.pvxwiki.com/wiki/PvXwiki:About

About the prize:
http://www.razerzone.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_17&products_id=74

Arcade Boxing video game FACEBREAKER for Nintendo Wii Microsoft XBox 360 and Sony Playstation 3

Electronic Arts announced today that FaceBreaker – an all-new intellectual property – is under development at EA Canada and will be released for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 video game system from Microsoft and the Wii in 2008.

“We’re very excited to announce FaceBreaker, an all-new franchise from EA SPORTS that is fun, fresh and innovative,” said Peter Moore, president, EA SPORTS. “FaceBreaker reinvigorates one of the great genres in sports videogames. Arcade boxing takes me back to my roots in this industry, and this game signals our shift to adding more approachable fun to our product lineup. In no time at all, you’ll be picking up the controllers and knocking your opponent around the ring, smashing faces, and having a riot.”

The renaissance of the arcade boxing genre is upon us. Created by the same team that developed the award-winning Fight Night Round 3, FaceBreaker offers irreverent fun, immersive gameplay and eye-popping stylized graphics. In this in-your-face, arcade world full of ego-wielding characters, each boxer comes to life with unique attributes and distinct personal style, including Romeo, a Latin lover known for his pelvic thrusts, and Molotov, an oversized Russian demolitions expert with a penchant for fighting dirty. Add a little personal motivation to your fight by uploading a photo of your face to create a realistic likeness using Photo Game Face, and go toe-to-toe with a real-life friend or foe.

Laugh out loud as you pummel your opponent with a barrage of blows to the face and watch in satisfaction as your progress is illustrated by real-time facial deformation. With haymakers, face shots and body blows, wait for the right moment to drop a super punch to make your presence known. Taunt your adversaries and flaunt your talent, by tying one hand behind your back to add ultimate humiliation to your bout. In FaceBreaker, it just feels good to rearrange your opponent's face.

Baseball Superstars 2008 Cellphone video game announced

With the baseball season coming up, GAMEVIL launches the next installment of their popular baseball series, Baseball Superstars 2008

GAMEVIL USA, the LA-based mobile games publisher, announced today the launch of Baseball Superstars 2008, the newest installment of their smash hit baseball series.

In Baseball Superstars 2008, there are 8 different teams to choose from, 4 unique stadiums to compete in, and a Season, Exhibition, and My League mode to play in. You can also create, customize, and train your pitcher or batter. Upgrade and equip your players with new baseball gear and accessories purchased with the money you earn in the game, improve their stats as you train your players and hone their skills, and increase their popularity ratings as you groom them into superstars. But playing ball will not be the only thing you’ll need to pay attention to. You will also manage the life of a major leaguer as your player hosts autograph sessions, attends commercial shoots, and even goes on dates with the ladies. One of the newest additions to Baseball Superstars 2008 is the Team Management feature, which will allow you to trade players among different teams.

“We’re expecting Baseball Superstars 2008 to be another hit like it’s predecessor, as it is the arcade-style game that anyone can enjoy, regardless of whether you’re already a baseball fan or not,” said Stephanie Huang, Marketing Manager of GAMEVIL USA, Inc. “If you can’t wait for the baseball season to begin, then why not get a head start and enjoy the sports now? Throw a curveball, steal second base, and hit a homerun, all from your mobile phone. After all, in this popular baseball game, anyone can be a superstar.”

World's number one online trading card game Urban Rivals – New design and game client

The world's number one online trading card game, UrbanRivals, release a new game client and character card design

Boostr the Company behind Urban Rivals recently launched a new version of the flash game client and unveiled an improved design for the character cards. The new design is now much clearer and easier to read and the new game features introduced have improved gameplay and the user experience.

The new game client features include: -

• A new Quick Challenge feature, with just one click this automated feature will challenge other players to a duel while you sit back and wait for the next game.

• Better motion of projectiles during the battles, with each clan having their own projectile design, the new client shows the success of each round in a battle.

• An animation for “Sureshot” (when your attack is at least double that of your opponent), the animation shows the knock-out blow in full animated effect.

• Shortcuts for common actions (tool tips available when you mouse over the buttons).

• Players’ nationality flags are visible during battles, so you know where you opponent is situated in the world, allowing for better communication.

Since the launch of the new flash client Urban Rivals has experienced a 20% increase in the average amount of games played.

Sebastien Flory, CEO of Boostr remarked, “We’ve built up a successful business bylistening to what our customers want, and delivering on our promises. Urban Rivals continues to grow at an astonishing rate and we’ll continue to give Urban Rivals players what they ask for.”

Myth War Online PC game: Celebrate Valentine's Day

Myth War Online: Celebrate Valentine's Day

The Myth War Online (http://mw.igg.com ) have an event to celebrate Valentine’s Day. All players are qualified to participate in the event to make a short original film about love. Players can submit their film link in http://mw.igg.com/active/valentine/index.php

Event Duration: From 31th January 2008 to 20th February 2008

Event Rules:
1. Players’ works should be based on the in-game graphics based around the topic of love. Players’ character names can be displayed. The film should last from 1 min to 3 minutes.
2. Players can upload works to www.youtube.com first and then post the link in http://mw.igg.com/active/valentine/index.php

3. Players can submit as many eligible video clips as they want.
4. MWO will verify all submitted video clips and announce the winner list 3 days after the end of the event.

Rewards:
The Most Creative Award (2 winners) Any Saint Pet
The Best Play Book (2 winners) Any Deity Pet
The Most Popular Award (2 winners) Any Christmas Pet
Excellent Award (5 winners) Any Titan Pet

AGEOD's American Civil War Arrives in US PC game

cdv Software Entertainment USA is pleased to announce that they have shipped AGEOD's American Civil War: 1861-1865 -- The Blue and The Gray to North American retail outlets today. The game, created by acclaimed designer Philippe Thibaut, focuses on key battles of the American Civil War, and puts players in the combined role of diplomat, logistician and strategist. For more information about the game, please visit http://civilwar.cdvus.com.

AGEOD’s American Civil War: 1861-1865 – The Blue and the Gray is a historical war game that places players at the head of the United States or the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War (1861-1865). Players take on the roles of military and political leaders trying to lead their factions to military, political or economic victory during five historic years that divided the nation. Players must organize their military forces, all while managing supply and morale as they plan actions over land, sea and by rail.

The game consists of challenging scenarios, campaigns and grand campaigns, all played out on the largest American Civil War map ever created for a game. Strategy gaming fans will face a daunting challenge in this authentic title created by Philippe Thibaut, renowned designer of the award-winning Europa Universalis, Pax Romana and Birth of America.

Ultimate video game movement simulator gets better

Perhaps a number of of you has the movement simulator of Force Dynamics. This simulator can along several axis move to give a realistic experience when you play race games.

The simulator has already been on much large events and several times on TV has been.

Source: Dutch website with video

Denki Wins BEST DEVELOPER In TIGA Awards

Scottish games studio Denki has picked up the Best Developer trophy at the 2008 TIGA Awards, held in central London last night.

Denki was nominated, alongside fellow UK developers Blitz Games and Sumo Digital, as the development company which has made the greatest contribution to independent game development in the UK last year.

TIGA – The Independent Game Developers Association - is an industry body for companies in the UK which create videogames. Each of the awards were voted for by member companies.

Denki is renowned within the games industry for its focus on original game design, high-quality conversions of top-tier brands and carefully managed project development. The company is best known for its work on interactive digital television gaming where, in the past seven years, it has released nearly seventy titles through companies including the UK's Sky Television and DIRECTV in North America. Denki's releases include both original games and many based on leading brands from the likes of Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Sky Sports, LEGO, Namco, Eidos and DreamWorks.

“It's a great honour to be chosen as the best independent developer,” said Denki's Internal Development Manager, Gary Penn, “particularly considering the significant achievements of our fellow nominees”. “We’re proud of having retained our independent status through what have been some very tough times for indie developers over recent years. We're especially delighted that our colleagues and peers within the industry rate Denki so highly and would like to thank everyone who voted for us.”

Building on their experience within the Game Boy Advance and digital television markets, Denki has recently turned its attention towards the Casual and Indie games sector.

“The new opportunities afforded to independent game developers by digital distribution means that games are becoming a far more inclusive pastime,” said Gary. “You can now play games on your television, mobile phone, web browser and even your MP3 player as well as the traditional games consoles people are already familiar with. This change means that for the first time in a generation we have the opportunity to re-engage with people who would never consider themselves ‘gamers’. The next challenge for the games industry is to start creating entertainment which will appeal to people who never normally play any sort of videogames. Denki is ideally positioned to deliver these new types of game and we already have several titles we’re very excited about in development.”

Denki is working on a number of forthcoming branded titles for interactive television as well as several yet-to-be announced games, based on original intellectual property for other platforms.

GEARS OF WAR LEADS GOOZEX 2007 TRADES

Goozex, Inc., the leading online video game trading community, announced today the company’s 2007 year end trading statistics. The Gears of War game title lead the most traded and offered categories on Goozex for the year. The Goozex trading system experienced enormous growth, closing the year with 14.2 million Goozex points exchanged among its members. Goozex points are used as a virtual currency to acquire games for all major platforms by members. On January 1, 2007, the company recorded 12,200 titles offered in the system’s library. The size of the library increased 605% over the year closing with 86,000 games.

Below are the top 10 Goozex trading lists for 2007.

Top 10 Most Traded Games on Goozex in 2007:
Gears of War – Xbox 360
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess – Wii
God of War – PS2
Halo 2 – Xbox
Bioshock - Xbox 360
Dead Rising - Xbox 360
Super Paper Mario – Wii
Crackdown - Xbox 360
New Super Mario Bros. – Nintendo DS
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - Xbox 360

Top 10 Most Requested Games on Goozex in 2007:
Assassin’s Creed - Xbox 360
Gears of War - Xbox 360
The Orange Box - Xbox 360
Bioshock - Xbox 360
Super Paper Mario – Wii
Mass Effect - Xbox 360
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare - Xbox 360
Dead Rising - Xbox 360
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess – Wii
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption – Wii

Top 10 Most Offered Games on Goozex in 2007:
Gears of War - Xbox 360
Crackdown - Xbox 360
Bioshock - Xbox 360
Dead Rising - Xbox 360
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter - Xbox 360
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Vegas - Xbox 360
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess – Wii
Halo 2 – Xbox
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - Xbox 360
Saints Row - Xbox 360

Goozex offers a weekly RSS feed of the top 10 categories that can be found here:
http://www.goozex.com/trading/asp/top10list-games.asp

PT Boats: Knights of the Sea PC Updates

Latest news on PT Boats: Knights of the Sea development! Take to the high seas with us to find out more re what is new about Akella’s naval action sim.

Committed to keeping historical accuracy, game devs have introduced one more unit to the British navy – a legendary Fairmile D motor torpedo boat. It’s one of the largest and heavily armed boats in the world. It is fitted out with 4 torpedoes, 2 single 40-mm cannons, 2 twin 12,7-mm machine guns, 1 single 20-mm cannon, and depth charges.

The interfaces of the first-person view and tactical mode have been re-designed to better convey the battle experience on the open sea in the WWII. As you switch between modes, you reveal more new features. In the first-person view, you can see a fire control center available on board the boats and submarines. Targeting and selection of weapons are made through appropriate scopes (artillery, torpedo, and periscope).

The interface of the tactical mode has become easier and more good-looking; we’ve added keys/indicators that allow the gamer to repair separate vessel sections while staying at sea.

Please view illustrations of these new features in place in the game gallery. For more information about the game, please, visit the official website www.pt-boats.net.

About PT Boats: Knights of the Sea

PT Boats: Knights of the Sea

Genre: naval action simulator

Platform: PC

Developer and publisher: Akella

Release date: Q2 2008

The seas can be dangerous, but when you're in command of a crack strike boat crew, you might just be the most dangerous thing out there...

Join up to the Russian, German or Allied navies and prove your worth out these on the open water. Control every aspect of your boat's defensive and offensive, from the anti-aircraft guns hobbling your enemy's air superiority to the torpedo strapped to the sides to sink destroyers of merchant vessels.

Combining advanced strategic and action modes you can plan the intricacies of your attack and then lead your crew from the front and right in the battle. As you advance in rank throughout the long campaign you will gain access to new boats and even warships for you to command. Build up your crew in single player then go online and join your friends manning your own boat and challenge others in a battle to the death.

Key features:

• Innovative combination of sim, strategy and tactical action.
• Control the entire crew or take your place at an individual station.
• DirectX 9 as well as DirectX 10 options.
• Proprietary graphics engine, with advanced physics and post-processing effects
  

CHAMPIONSHIP GAMING SERIES ANNOUNCES NORTH AMERICAN SCHEDULE FOR SECOND SEASON

Fresh from the unprecedented success of its inaugural 2007 season, Championship Gaming Series® (CGS), the only worldwide professional video gaming league, today officially announced its schedule of events for the 2008 North American season.

The commencement of the second season builds on the immense foundation laid last year, when CGS drafted 18 teams located on five continents, established an unprecedented player compensation, made high-definition broadcasts available to more than 350 million viewers worldwide, and crowned the Chicago Chimera team as the first-ever CGS World Champions at the $1 million World Final in Los Angeles. CGS has redefined professional gaming and transformed it into a modern sport for the digital age.

In North America, the 2008 season will get underway March 7-9 at the South by Southwest ScreenBurn Arcade in Austin, Texas. The CGS North American Combine and Draft will feature the best gamers from the United States and Canada vying to distinguish themselves for a spot on one of six teams: Los Angeles Complexity, New York 3D, Chicago Chimera, Carolina Core, San Francisco Optx, and Dallas Venom.

The CGS North American Combine is modeled after the same dynamic competition structure used by other professional sports leagues. Gamers compete in tournaments and special challenge matches issued by GMs. Players will also be subjected to the proprietary CGS H2i hand-eye coordination testing system which measures their raw gaming ability. North American GMs will then draft players to join their teams as pro athletes who will receive professional player contracts for the 2008 season.

“Last year, CGS revolutionized competitive gaming by launching the only worldwide professional gaming league and creating groundbreaking television programming distributed to a worldwide audience,” said CGS Commissioner Andy Reif. “This year CGS will continue to build on this momentum with plans to further expand our television distribution and also amplify our online initiatives to give our fans even greater access to the league.”

Following the North American Combine and Draft in Austin, the six teams will commence their competition in April and continue until mid July. Live coverage of the 2008 North American regular season will kick off on DIRECTV’s The 101 on June 23 and continue until the North American Final on July 14, 2008 where the top team will claim the title of North American Champion and take home the coveted Dew Trophy.

“When we announced the launch of CGS two years ago DIRECTV made a commitment to bring the phenomenon of competitive gaming viewership to a critical mass, and from the astounding results of the 2007 season, we believe we are on our way to achieving that goal,” said Steven Roberts, senior vice president, New Media and Business Development, DIRECTV, Inc.
“The television audience from the World Final has truly exceeded our expectations and proves that CGS is popular programming that attracts more than just core gamers, especially in the key male demographic of 18-34 yrs. We are proud to be a part of history in the making and we can’t wait to see what the 2008 CGS season brings us.”

In the coming weeks, details will be announced regarding CGS’ international schedule, the World Final, official Draft rules for each region and the official slate of the league’s 2008 Games.
CGS events are broadcast to more than 350 million viewers by DIRECTV’s The 101 in the U.S., BSkyB’s Sky One, Sky Two and Sky HD in the UK, ESPN STAR Sports in Asia, Sky in Brazil and Mexico, and DIRECTV throughout the remainder of Latin America, and across Continental Europe via broadcast partners which will be announced shortly.

For more information, please go to thecgs.com.

About Championship Gaming Series
Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, the Championship Gaming Series™ (CGS) is the only worldwide professional video gaming league. Launched in 2007, and a joint venture among BSkyB, DIRECTV and STAR, CGS features teams of the world's best gamers from North America, Latin America, the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. The league distributes entertainment content to more than 350,000,000 viewers worldwide via DIRECTV in North America and Latin America, BSkyB in the UK, and STAR in Asia and Australia. CGS sponsors include Mountain Dew, Dell XPS, Xbox 360 and Creative.

GSC World Publishing and Koch Media Sign Publishing Agreement for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. : Clear Sky

GSC Game World, computer games developer, its publishing subdivision GSC World Publishing and Koch Media, a leading marketer of games and application software, today announced the conclusion of a publishing agreement concerning the title S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky. Under the terms of this contract, Koch Media is guaranteed worldwide publishing rights - with the exception of the territories Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky will be published by the games labels Deep Silver and GSC World Publishing.

"The unique atmosphere of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. caused a sensation among gamers, while the sales have demonstrated the brand's enormous potential. We are delighted with this chance to publish the prequel together with GSC under the Deep Silver label," said Craig McNicol, Managing Director of Koch Media.

«Publishing the game Heroes of Annihilated Empires worldwide together with Koch Media distribution, we were happy of the cooperation and are glad to continue it with S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky project», - said Sergiy Grygorovych, CEO of GSC World Publishing.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky is a survival FPS game for PC based on a 'what-if' scenario of the second Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident. The game is created as a warning to mankind against mindless play with technologies. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky is the official prequel to the renowned S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game by the Ukraine-based GSC Game World studio. The game is set in 2011 and brings forth the events to have preceded the third campaign of Strelok to the Zone center. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky introduces an alternative look onto the events of the original game and offers the player to try himself out as a mercenary s.t.a.l.k.e.r. in search of his own path in the world of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.

Official game site: www.stalker-game.com

About Koch Media UK

Founded in 1994, KOCH MEDIA UK develops, publishes and distributes a diverse mix of titles for home console gaming systems, personal computers and the Internet. Based in Basingstoke, the company has distribution contracts with a number of software publishers, including NINTENDO. For publishers not in the UK, KOCH MEDIA exclusively markets, sells and distributes titles. Under its own brands of DEEP SILVER and EUROPRESS, KOCH MEDIA develops and publishes its own range of gaming and educational and lifestyle software. For more information on KOCH MEDIA and its products, visit www.kochmedia.co.uk

About Deep Silver
Deep Silver is KOCH Media's premium games label. Deep Silver has been collaborating with international developers and publishers since 2002 to publish creative and innovative computer and video games. The multi-award-winning X2 and the daring Singles have already put Deep Silver at the top of the charts. Projects include co-publishing titles with Sunflowers (ANNO 1701, ParaWorld) and JoWooD (SpellForce 2, Gothic 3, etc). www.deepsilver.com

About GSC Game World and GSC World Publishing:
Founded in 1995 in Kiev, GSC Game World is the leading computer game development company in Ukraine. The launched projects developed by GSC Game World, among others, include the critically acclaimed and multi-million selling Cossacks series, American Conquest, American Conquest: Fight Back, Alexander (Oliver Stone's movie tie-in), Cossacks II: Napoleonic Wars. The two recently released titles by GSC Game World are Heroes of Annihilated Empires (self-published worldwide by GSC's proprietary publishing subdivision GSC World Publishing) and the top-selling S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl. Currently in development is the official prequel S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky for PC.
Official web-site: www.gsc-game.com

MAJESCO ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES 'MAJOR MINOR'S MAJESTIC MARCH'

March to the beat of your own drum as Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: COOL), an innovative provider of video games for the mass market, today announced Major Minor’s Majestic March for the Wii™ home video game console. Developed by NanaOn-Sha, Major Minor’s Majestic March marks the return of the creative team behind the renowned PaRappa the Rapper franchise-legendary game designer and multimedia musician Masaya Matsuura and famed New York artist Rodney Alan Greenblat.

“There’s something magical about marching bands that truly captures the imagination. The concept of leading a virtual band that’s reliant on your musicianship is a perfect fit for the interactive capabilities of Wii,” said John Merchant, Marketing Manager, Majesco Europe. “The combined musical and artistic superiority of Matsuura and Greenblat make them a natural choice to deliver this innovative title exclusively to the Wii audience.”

Major Minor’s Majestic March turns the Wii Remote™ into a “special” baton that the bandleader, Major Minor, uses to keep tempo, recruit new band members and pick up valuable items. While marching through eight whimsical locations that contain various hair-raising events, Major Minor strives to create the most impressive parade ever. Players can add up to 15 different instruments to their dynamic procession—including brass, woodwinds, and percussion—to alter its composition and resulting performance. Players are scored on how well their band maintains its rhythm and manages obstacles that could otherwise throw the procession into disarray. The band keeps tempo to more than 25 popular marching band songs from around the world, composed into original medleys for each stage.

About Majesco Entertainment Company

Majesco Entertainment Company is a provider of video games for the mass market. Building on 20 years of operating history, the company is focused on developing and publishing a wide range of casual and family oriented video games on leading console and portable systems. The company's shares are traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol: COOL. Majesco is headquartered in Edison, NJ and has an international office in Bristol, UK. More information about Majesco can be found online at www.majescoentertainment.com and www.majescoeurope.com

SCHOLARSHIP FUND CREATED BY ACADEMY OF INTERACTIVE ARTS & SCIENCES SUPPORTS HIGHER EDUCATION FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF GAMING GURUS

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) has announced the creation of the Dr. Randy Pausch Scholarship Fund, established to support students pursuing careers in game design, development and production. The AIAS will award four $2,500 scholarships to students attending accredited universities.

This new scholarship fund, which will cultivate the gaming industry's brightest young minds, is a collaborative effort between the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences and Bing Gordon, chief creative officer of Electronic Arts. The AIAS will donate $1 for every Academy member's vote for the 2008 Interactive Achievement Awards.

The AIAS has more than 12,000 members who are dedicated to serving the entertainment software industry. The 11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, hosted by actor, comedian and avid video game player, Jay Mohr, will take place during the 2008 D.I.C.E. Summit on Thursday, February 7, 2008 at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas.

The scholarship fund honors Dr. Randy Pausch, professor of computer science, human-computer interaction and design at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). Dr. Pausch, a co-founder of CMU's Entertainment Technology Center (ETC), has had great influence within the industry through his teachings, sabbaticals at Walt Disney Imagineering and Electronic Arts, and consultation with Google on user interface design.

"It makes sense that the Academy's first scholarship fund honor Dr. Randy Pausch, who has been an inspiration to those who want to be involved in making great games," said Joseph Olin, president, AIAS. "We hope these scholarships may help the next Will Wright or Mike Morhaime get their start. This new effort is a wonderful opportunity for the video game industry to support its future by providing a foundation in academics."

A scholarship committee comprised of AIAS board members Rich Hilleman, Electronic Arts; Don Daglow, Stormfront Studios and Mike Capps, Epic Games, along with the University of Southern California's Chris Swain and Carnegie Mellon's (former AIAS board member) Jesse Schell to select scholarship recipients. The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences will begin accepting applications after the 2008 D.I.C.E. Summit. Additional information on the Dr. Randy Pausch Scholarship Fund and the application process will be available at www.interactive.org.

DISNEY INTERACTIVE STUDIOS INVITES FANS TO "WORK THIS OUT" WITH THE LATEST ADDITION TO ITS SUCCESSFUL "HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL" VIDEO GAME FRANCHISE

Disney Interactive Studios announced today that the newest video game in the “High School Musical” franchise – High School Musical: Work This Out! for Nintendo DS™ will be available April 2008. High School Musical: Work This Out! allows fans of the popular Disney Channel movies to dive into the world of the Lava Springs Resort in an all new musical adventure game, featuring storylines extending beyond “High School Musical 2.” For the first time on Nintendo DS, High School Musical: Work This Out! features all 10 songs from the movie, and allows players to take their favorite songs from the film on-the-go by using the Nintendo DS as a music player. This unique feature lets players listen to their favorite “High School Musical 2” songs even while the Nintendo DS is closed.

High School Musical: Work This Out! follows the extremely successful launch of High School Musical: Sing It!, High School Musical: Makin’ the Cut and High School Musical: Living the Dream this past holiday season. Across all titles and platforms in the franchise, Disney Interactive Studios has shipped 3.8 million copies of the video games worldwide. According to NPD data for the U.S., the “High School Musical” video games achieved Top 20 positions on each published platform for the month of December 2007. High School Musical: Sing It!, a karaoke-themed video game featuring songs from both “High School Musical” films, ranked as the #6 top selling Wii™ home video game system title and #11 selling PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system title. High School Musical: Makin’ the Cut, a rhythm-based music and adventure game, ranked no10 for Nintendo DS. High School Musical: Living the Dream ranked #5 among the GameBoy® Advance titles for the same month.

“The phenomenon of ‘High School Musical’ goes beyond simply watching the movies,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president, global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “The success of the video game franchise proves that fans want to immerse themselves in the world of ‘High School Musical,’ whether they are singing the songs or embarking on adventures with the cast. This new experience once again underscores Disney’s passion to provide fans with unparalleled entertainment as they wait for ‘High School Musical 3’ to arrive, which will also usher in a new generation of video games this holiday season.”

High School Musical: Work This Out!, due out in April, is the only musical adventure game allowing fans to immerse themselves in the world of “High School Musical 2.” Fans can play as their favorite High School Musical characters Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Ryan, Chad and Taylor to explore the Lava Springs Resort as seen in the movie. Throughout the game, players go on various adventures at the resort, compete in time-based challenges and play different rhythm games, all while listening to the hit songs from “High School Musical 2.”

High School Musical: Work This Out!, rated E for Everyone PEGI 3+ and, will be available in April 2008 exclusively for Nintendo DS for $29.99.

Speedball-Demo out now

A singleplayer demo version of Speedball 2 – Tournament is now available for download. Tigers vs. Brutal Deluxe: Who is going to kick the opponent out of the arena? PC players choose one of the two tough teams to play in single player knock-out mode against CPU opponents. With two controllers plugged in to one computer, sports fans even jump into 1-on-1 matches against human opponents.

The full retail version is coming to stores soon. It features all 32 teams, team editor, team management, the singleplayer modes knock-out, cup and tournament as well as the full multiplayer mode via LAN and internet. The demo package consists of a 440 MB zip file and can be downloaded here:

http://www.fip-publishing.de/downloads68!1!435,1.html

Clever Communications makes impressive public relations

Clever Communications, a public relations agency specializing in interactive entertainment products, celebrates a major milestone in its company’s history-its one-year anniversary of serving the interactive entertainment industry. The Clever team, the agency of record for top publishers including Hudson Entertainment, K2 Network and more, provides an array of public relations services including customized public relations programs, media outreach, messaging, strategic counsel and more. The agency was started in January of 2007 by Mika Kelly, who previously held PR management positions at Namco, Infogrames (Atari) and more.

“We are so excited to reach this milestone in our company’s history,” said Mika Kelly, Principal at Clever Communications.

“We have worked so hard this last year to acquire and impress our clients and our success has been evident as we have grown and flourished. We look forward to helping many more companies to promote their services and products in 2008.”

Over the course of its first year in business, Clever has managed public relations outreach and projects for top video game industry clients including Hudson Entertainment, K2 Network, Ignition Entertainment, Playspan, G4Box Inc., True Games Interactive and the Mastering the Craft of Online Gaming Infrastructure Conference. In addition, the Clever team has branched beyond traditional game clients managing campaigns for Music and Video Production Company, 3volution Productions as well as energy drink company, Redux Beverages and its products: Cocaine and Brawndo.

As the company’s client roster has grown, so has the Clever team, including the hiring of industry veteran, Tina Casalino. Formerly of Sony Computer Entertainment of America and Reverb Communications, Casalino manages day-to-day media outreach, planning, strategy and more as a Senior Account Executive at Clever.

“Clever has impressed us with their extensive knowledge of the video game industry and their proven close-knit relationships with top-tier media contacts and publications,” said John Lee, Vice President of Marketing at Hudson Entertainment. “Their hard work since we started working together has made a great impact on our visibility in the industry—we look forward to a long partnership.”

Clever Communications has offices in Northern and Southern California and partner agencies in many European countries. Additional information can be found on the Clever Communications website www.clevercomm.com.