Ad-supported portal featuring Disney Arcade, offering 60 cellphone mobile games for free download.

THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY LIMITED LAUNCHES NEW MOBILE DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT PORTAL IN THE UK

Barcelona, 11th February 2008 – Today, at the 2008 3GSM World Mobile Congress, The Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) unveiled its new ad-supported Disney.co.uk portal for mobile devices. Already the number one ad-supported UK, US and pan-European online entertainment destination for families, this new portal brings the Disney digital entertainment experience to the mobile world.

In line with Disney’s philosophy of providing guests with the most compelling content anytime, anywhere, the portal is available to anyone with a WAP-enabled mobile handset and can be accessed either by texting “Disney” to 83335 or by entering www.disney.co.uk into a mobile handset browser. Disney is also working with mobile operators to make it accessible directly through operator branded portals, already a significant distribution route for Disney’s mobile content.

Guests using Disney.co.uk online have increasingly demonstrated that games are in great demand. To address this demand, WDIG has incorporated into the new mobile portal Disney Arcade with up to 60 games to play, many of which (such as Pirates of the Caribbean) will be provided free of charge (subject to network data charges). Guests can also interact with and experience areas dedicated to Movies, Music, TV and Community. Disney franchises such as Hannah Montana (a variety of quizzes, real tones and pictures to download) and Pirates of the Caribbean (a mobile game, real tones and logos) are well represented across the portal.

Additionally the portal will have a distinct editorial style; give guests the chance to build and communicate with communities of their existing friends; and customize the site to their own tastes - all in an environment that has been built with safety in mind.

Commenting on the launch, Cindy Rose, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, WDIG, Europe, Middle East & Africa, said: “The launch of Disney.co.uk mobile epitomizes our strategy of bringing Disney to families anytime and anywhere. Now guests can access the best of Disney in the palm of their hands while they are on the move.”

“Disney is uniquely positioned to provide this type of service because our customers engage not only with our extensive range of entertainment experiences, but with our brand itself – which is trusted to deliver high quality family entertainment. Whether you want to see a trailer from our latest film National Treasure: Book of Secrets, find out when the next episode of Phineas and Ferb appears on the Disney Channel or play a mobile game, Disney.co.uk online or mobile is the place to do it.”

Mobile internet is experiencing a significant growth phase precipitated by the emergence of 3G handsets and flat rate data tariffs. Disney.co.uk aims to capture the growing number of mobile internet users. Disney.co.uk mobile will evolve seamlessly to provide guests with integrated cross platform services alongside its online sister sites and with the growing portfolio of Disney virtual worlds such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Club Penguin.

Featuring innovative mobile 'jump' navigation, guests can move instantly from Movies to Games to Music to TV to Community by pressing a single button on the home screen.

The launch of Disney.co.uk mobile follows the successful launch of Disney.co.uk online, which has experienced more than a doubling of usage and a significant growth in market share since the introduction of the new design and features in December 2007.

Disney 2008 cellphone games announced - From Hannah Montana to Donald Duck

DISNEY ANNOUNCES BUMPER LINE-UP OF MOBILE GAMES AND PERSONALISATION CONTENT FOR SPRING 2008

Barcelona, February 11th, 2008: Walt Disney Internet Group today announces five brand new titles for its mobile phone range of easily playable, highly enjoyable games that can be played by all ages.

In keeping with Disney’s unrivalled reputation for family entertainment and traditional gameplay values, the games encompass a variety of genres, suitable for all types of mobile phone user. They also feature well-known, well-loved characters, both from Disney’s roster, from Living Mobile, and beyond.

From Hannah Montana to Donald Duck, there’s something for everyone here:

First up is Lego Bionicle Defenders, (based on the Flash game Tower Defenders), featuring the popular Lego line of articulated toys in the mobile world. This fast-moving game takes place in a hostile undersea environment, where the player must battle through 16 levels and clear out all the Barrakis’ hostile sea creatures in their search for the Mask of Life. Lego Bionicle Defenders’ simple, yet addictive gameplay ensures that Lego fans of all ages will find it an entertaining challenge, as they build towers to outwit and thwart the Barrakis. Lego Bionicle Defenders will be available from March 4.

Also in March, Disney Channel TV star Hannah Montana will be available on mobile, with a range of phone personalisation features, including wallpaper, screensavers, realtones, ringtones, and phone themes. All of these showcase 14 year old Miley Cyrus, the seemingly normal girl-next-door, whose alter ego is famous teen pop sensation Hannah Montana.

Hannah Montana, the TV show is watched in over 23 million homes across Europe, and Hannah is sure to be a hit on mobile phones as well.

The more traditional Disney characters also feature in the spring line-up of mobile games, with the ever-popular Donald Duck returning in Disney's PK - Phantom Duck. Disney's very own superhero is available on your mobile screen now, in a platform game, with puzzle challenges running through it to test the player’s brains. Help Super Donald use his wits to solve them and see him find clever ways to outsmart his enemies! Comic strip cut-scenes come to life seamlessly between levels continuing the storyline of the game. There are also wallpapers, screensavers, and themes available to augment the game experience.

Donald Duck also stars in Disney Bonus Selection, which includes two games for the price of one. Donald Duck's Quest Deluxe is a sequel to the wildly popular Donald Duck’s Quest game, delivering more than 60 levels of puzzles and five hours of brain-tickling fun! Follow the story of Donald & Friends in this brand new plot written for mobile featuring beautifully animated cut-scenes. You get to choose your character – Donald, Uncle Scrooge, Dewey, Huey or Louie – and must try to foil Magica de Spell's wicked plan to steal Scrooge's Dime Number One.

In the second game, Duckburg, you play as rookie cop Donald Duck and help him keep traffic moving smoothly through the chaotic streets! Donald has just joined the Duckburg force and must work his way through 15 promotion levels to become Best Traffic Officer. But beware of rival rookie cop and cousin, Gladstone, who tries to set him back at every turn! Help Donald meet the challenge by directing traffic without causing accidents; synching up the traffic lights, ensuring that Scrooge McDuck gets to the Millionaires Club on time, and more. Three mini-games also help you rack up points and keep Donald on his traffic-taming toes.

Then, in May, WDIG is proud to be releasing the second game in its Narnia series, based on the classic books by C S Lewis, Narnia Prince Caspian. From the silver screen to the mobile phone, Prince Caspian takes on the enemies of old to restore the Golden Age. Following their adventures in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, the Pevensie children return to Narnia one year later to find it a very different country indeed. The land is now under control of the evil King Miraz, who rules without mercy.

In addition to the game itself, WDIG will be releasing Prince Caspian branded wallpapers, ringtones, realtones, theme, and screensavers.

SPEED RACER, the Highly-Anticipated Live Action Film from Warner Bros Mobile cellphone game

Glu to Launch Mobile Game Based on SPEED RACER, the Highly-Anticipated Live Action Film from Warner Bros.

Leading Mobile Publisher Unveils First Title to Come through Partnership with Warner Bros. Digital Distribution

Glu Mobile Inc. (Nasdaq: GLUU), a leading global publisher of mobile games, today announced that it will be publishing a mobile game based on the forthcoming Warner Bros. Pictures live-action film SPEED RACER, a high-octane family adventure written, directed and produced by the Wachowski brothers, creators of the The Matrix trilogy, with producer Joel Silver. The mobile game marks the first title Glu will develop and publish through its strategic worldwide partnership with Warner Bros. Digital Distribution.

“The SPEED RACER film features key elements that make a great mobile game —speed, adventure, exciting characters and storyline,” said Jill Braff, senior vice president of global publishing, Glu. “As buzz builds for the upcoming film, we’re excited to bring a truly engaging game based on this highly anticipated film to the mobile phone.”

In addition to the mobile game, Glu will publish additional mobile content including wallpapers, ringtones, animated screensavers, voice tones and ringbacks.

“Glu has demonstrated its ability to create the highest quality games and make them available to a broad audience of mobile consumers around the world,” said Maria Seidman, vice president, sales development, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution. “We’re excited to see the roll-out of SPEED RACER on the mobile platform and we believe we will benefit from their mobile expertise in reaching SPEED RACER fans around the world on the mobile platform.”

SPEED RACER opens in U.S. theaters on May 9. The SPEED RACER mobile game will be released in late April and will be available worldwide through Glu’s global network of wireless carriers and distributors.

For more information on SPEED RACER, visit www.speedracerthemovie.com

I-play Unveils Paparazzi Snapshot! New 'Photo Action Adventure' Category for cellphones

I-play Unveils New 'Photo Action Adventure' Category for Mobile

'Paparazzi Snapshot!' announced as 1st in series of exciting new Photo Action Adventure titles from I-play

I-play, the mobile publishing division of Oberon Media, the world’s leading multi-platform casual games company, today unveiled an innovative new category for mobile gaming: ‘photo action adventure’. The new category combines popular ‘seek-and-find’ gameplay, exotic locations and adventures with larger than life characters and situations! ‘Paparazzi Snapshot!’ will be the first – unique to mobile – ‘photo action adventure’ game to launch in the US and Europe at the beginning of the second quarter.

‘Paparazzi Snapshot!’ combines all our guilty pleasures into one entertaining package, taking the massively popular hidden object game concept, adding adventurous quests, and some tongue-in-cheek tabloid gossip to the mix. As a photographer moving up in the photo journalism world, you will take pictures of some of the hottest celebrities ever: the pregnant star, the leading man, the lip-synching pop singer, Bigfoot, they’re all money-making photo opps. But beware, you must dodge body guards, build your reputation and earn cash along the way in order to become the top hotshot, dirt-digging tabloid photo-journalist you know you are.

Don Ryan, SVP Publishing, Oberon Media commented: “We’re very excited to be the first publisher introducing this innovative category of game to mobile. ‘Paparazzi Snapshot!’' in particular is a first class ‘photo action adventure’ game, where a tremendous job has been achieved to make the game as close as possible of the successful PC version, with exceptionally high quality graphics. The ‘photo action adventure’ category will bring fresh innovation to the mobile games market and accessible, original entertainment to mobile gamers everywhere.”

Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Named Overall Game Of The Year

Activision's Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Named "Overall Game Of The Year" At 11th Annual Interactive Achievements Awards Show

Activision, announced today that its best-selling Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare title was named “Overall Game of the Year” at the 11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards Show, held last night in Las Vegas, Nevada. Infinity Ward’s intense and cinematic action game swept the awards show, also taking home top honors for “Console Game of the Year,” “Action Game of the Year” and “Outstanding Achievement in Online Game Play.”

“It’s an honor for Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare to be recognized by the Academy as the best game of 2007,” said Robin Kaminsky, executive vice president of publishing, Activision, Inc. “The team at Infinity Ward is committed to delivering groundbreaking entertainment to gamers worldwide and all of the awards are an acknowledgement of their talent, dedication and hard work.”

“With Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, we wanted to deliver the best, most intense action experience ever,” added studio head and project lead Jason West from developer Infinity Ward. “We’re thrilled and truly appreciate that our efforts have been recognized by the Academy, especially with the incredible competition this year.”

Released in November of 2007, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare quickly topped worldwide sales charts to become the #1 best-selling game by units worldwide for calendar 2007, according to The NPD Group, Chart Track and GFK Group.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted net revenues of $1.5 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan and South Korea. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site, which is located at www.activision.com.

Discs Of Tron video game on XBox live from Disney

Combatants Prepare To Battle Sark Again in Discs Of Tron

Disney Interactive Studios Announces Classic Game Will Be Available Through Xbox LIVE Arcade on February 13

The ground-breaking film “Tron,” about a man who ventures inside a video game and has to battle for survival, spawned two classic arcade games in the early 1980s. Disney Interactive Studios today announced Discs of Tron, the second arcade game inspired by the film, will be available on February 13 for Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

In Discs of Tron, players face off in a three-dimensional arena against the film’s villain, Sark, as they throw discs to try to knock him off of a platform or “derezz” him with a disc while he counters. The game, which includes both classic and enhanced modes, gets increasingly more difficult as players progress. A player’s advancement through the game includes multiple platforms of different altitudes, a barricade between the two combatants and chasers, which are secondary weapons from Sark. The player’s deflector can provide necessary temporary protection from Sark’s onslaught of discs.

Discs of Tron, which received an 8.0 out of 10 review score from Official Xbox Magazine (U.S.), includes multiplayer modes: Classic Versus (highest score wins), Speed Versus (player to reach determined score first wins), Co-op (two players’ scores combined for leader board results) and Deadly Disc Versus (players play simultaneously and power-ups help one player or hinder another).

“Discs of Tron is considered an arcade classic as it mesmerized fans who wanted an entertaining and challenging experience derived from the innovative film,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “The game’s release on Xbox LIVE Arcade enables multiple generations to play the addictive game in both its original form from 25 years ago and an enhanced mode with upgraded graphics and sound.”

The enhanced mode features high-definition graphics that show the three-dimensional arena surrounded by a cityscape from the world of Tron. The game’s audio is also upgraded in the enhanced mode.

From Disney Interactive Studios and developed by Backbone, Discs of Tron is rated E for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).

The original Tron arcade game, which is comprised of four mini-games inspired by the film and features an enhanced mode and multiplayer challenges, is now available on Xbox LIVE Arcade.

Deal of the week on CasualGameStore.com

Artex Studios, Inc. announced today the new 'Deal of the week' discount program. Every week CasualGameStore.com sells one popular casual game at 20% discount.

"Deal of the week discount program is a unique and new distribution model on our portal. We would like to offer the best casual games for our customers at lower price." - said Jozsef Trencsenyi, Founder and CEO of Artex Studios, Inc. and owner of CasualGameStore.com.

About Artex Studios, Inc.
Artex Studios, Inc. is a Hungary based independent casual game developer company founded by Jozsef Trencsenyi. Artex creates high-quality games for Windows, MacOSX, Linux, arcade, handheld and mobile platforms since 1999. Located in Budapest, Artex is recognized for games like Franklin the Turtle for GameBoy Advance, Mahjong Zodiac and Happy Melodies for Windows and MacOSX.

Website

Last Of The Patriots II Release as freeware on March 28th

Last Of The Patriots II Release Date Announced

The Sci-fi shooter designed on a movie script. Last of the Patriots II concludes the story from the first game, as well as show-casing a new concept of dual-story driven gameplay.

Paul Davis author and creator of the prototype series Last Of The Patriots has announced the sequel will be released as freeware on the 28th of March, 2008.

Continuing the concept of innovative story-based solutions, the sequel is showcasing a new concept of dual-story driven gameplay. "The aim of this sequel is to introduce the concept of dual-story gameplay, as the player follows the story of the two main characters and how their stories inevitably intertwine" said Paul Davis founder of the series. "This series is very much a foundation for which the industry can hopefully work from".

Website

Puzzle Guzzle Demo Now Available for Sony PSP

Puzzle Guzzle Demo Now Available
Agetec, Inc. today announced a demo of their upcoming puzzle game, Puzzle Guzzle, for the PSP (PlayStationPortable) system. The demo is available now as a featured download in the PLAYSTATION Store (http://store.playstation.com).

Puzzle Guzzle is expected to triangulate its way onto store shelves later on this month. The game features three highly addictive puzzle modes and over ten original gameplay styles. Giving players the ability to upgrade and customize their in-game personalities, Puzzle Guzzle is a refreshing take on the cliché-ridden puzzle genre. Unlike most solitary, brain-twisting titles, Puzzle Guzzle inspires people to come together by combining their love for enigmatic games with the recent social networking craze. Players are given the chance to exchange game profiles and send other players feedback on their stats via the PlayStation Portable’s infrastructure mode. Additionally puzzlers are encouraged to create and share their own unique puzzles while on the go.

“PlayStation”, “PS” Family logo and “PSP” are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Memory Stick Duo may be required (sold separately).

Left Behind Games - Million Game Free Give Away To First Responders

Left Behind Games, announced today that it has launched its new Million Game FREE Giveaway marketing program. For a nominal shipping and processing fee, the first million responders can get LEFT BEHIND: Eternal Forces for FREE, normally a $24.95 retail value, by going to www.lbgames.com/free.

“This new program will help us to increase our installed base of users to benefit future sales and expand distribution of the world’s only games where prayer is more powerful than guns”, said Troy Lyndon, chief executive officer of Left Behind Games. Lyndon continues, “More and more people continue to communicate how grateful they are that our content presents a healthy alternative in an industry that is getting increasingly more graphically violent. Finally, parents can get their youngster, for FREE, a really good, fun and safe game that encourages positive values.”

The storylines of the LEFT BEHIND products are based on the best-selling "Left Behind" book series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, which has sold more than 63 million copies worldwide.
For more information, visit www.lbgames.com.

Point 'N' Click Adventure: Jack Keane

Strategy First Signs Classic Point 'N' Click Adventure: Jack Keane

Eagerly Anticipated Comic Adventure Game to be published by Strategy First in North America

Software publisher Strategy First Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Silverstar Holdings, Ltd., and developer 10Tacle are thrilled to announce the signing of the hilarious adventure title, “Jack Keane and the Dokktor’s Island”

“We are delighted to team up with 10Tacle to bring such an exciting, action-packed adventure game to the North American market,” said Emanuel Wall, Strategy First Business Development Manager.

“In Strategy First we have found a great distribution partner for North America for our amusing, action-packed adventure hit “Jack Keane”. We are confident that the outstanding product quality and the comprehensive, target-oriented, marketing and PR campaign will find a broad audience who will be very much interested in the adventure of the sympathetic and bearish hero,” said Frank Holz Marketing & Sales Director, 10Tacle Studios AG, the promising partnership.


About Jack Keane
Jack Keane is an action-packed Point ‘n’ Click Adventure with loads of allusions to well-known computer games and classic movies. Set in the early colonial period, the story leads likeable adventurer Jack Keane to a wide variety of places such as London, Capetown or the jungles of India. In London he accepts a risky assignment for the Queen: it’s up to Jack to travel to a remote island and stop a mad scientist out to rule the world with his army of trained apes.


Key Features

• The Funniest adventure game in the footsteps of Monkey Island
  
• Enthralling story including many allusions to famous movies, videos and computer games
  
• More than 40 funny characters
  
• An abundance of cinematic movies and cut-scenes
  
• Countless locations stuffed with interactions
  
• Suited for both beginners and, due to increasing difficulty levels, advance players
  
• Two playable characters: The very ironic, slightly clumsy daredevil Jack Keane, plus the attractive and adventuresome lady, Amanda
  
• 3-D levels presented in a classic adventure atmosphere
  
• Plenty of diverse locations such as London, the high seas, Cape Town and the Indian jungle
  

Jack Keane will release in North America April 15th, 2008. For more information, please visit: http://www.strategyfirst.com/en/games/JackKeane/

Assassin's Creed for PC due in March

Ubisoft Announces Assassin's Creed For PC Will Launch In March

PC Version Features Brand-New Exclusive Investigation Missions

Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, announced that Assassin's Creed for PC will be available at retailers nationwide in March.

Assassin's Creed for PC follows in the wake of the critically acclaimed and worldwide console hit Assassin's Creed, and will feature four brand-new exclusive types of investigations, providing even more ways for players to explore the various locations of the Third Crusade. Players will assume the role of the main character, Altair, and will work to stop hostilities by suppressing both sides of the conflict and experience the art of a master assassin. With more than 2.5 million units of the console versions sold to date in North America alone since its mid-November 2007 launch, Assassin's Creed for PC is set to expand upon this success.

"We are thrilled to bring Assassin's Creed to an eager PC audience and we anticipate the game will resonate with them just has it has across the other platforms," said Tony Key, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Ubisoft. "In addition, the development team was able to integrate exclusive content into this version of Assassin's Creed, making it an even better and unique experience for PC gamers."

Assassin's Creed for PC is rated "M" for Mature by the ESRB and has an MSRP of $49.99. For more information, please visit http://assassinscreed.com.

Go! Sports Skydiving for Sony PlayStation 3

Go! Sports Skydiving


Fact Sheet

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA)
Platform: PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) via PLAYSTATION Network
Developer: Lightweight Co., Ltd
Genre: Action Sports
Rating: “E” for Everyone

OVERVIEW

Go! Sports Skydiving is a skydiving simulator that uses the SIXAXIS wireless controller to twist, turn and pull off aerial tricks. The easy and intuitive motion control allows the gamer to move through the skies into various skydiving team formations or to perform solo tricks. Go! Sports Skydiving supports several single player modes, including formation and landing, and features different locations at various times of the day. An online mode allow gamers to compete against other players in formation and team matches, and also supports a global ranking system for the formation and landing modes.

KEY FEATURES

• Various Gameplay Modes – Includes 4 offline modes, a license mode, and 2 online modes with up to 4 players.
• SIXAXIS™ Wireless Controller - Fully controlled by the SIXAXIS motion sensors to maneuver your skydiver into various formations.
• Download Replays – Watch the replays of the highest ranked players on the leaderboards.
• Global Online Ranking – See how you compare to other skydivers worldwide.

Lost video game (Lost: Via Domus) trailer on Sony PlayStation3 and XBox 360

New trailer of upcoming Lost video game. In stores Feb 27

Watch the YouTube video here

What if everyone could make videogames?

Recently I've been playing some very interesting games from some very interesting places. First was an Iranian game, where I tried to rescue Iranian nuclear scientists from American forces. Second was a Kenyan game where I searched the countryside for ancient African artifacts, while avoiding hostile tribesmen. And just a few days ago I played a Lebanese game where I was an officer trying to prevent Israeli forces from crossing the border into Lebanon.

None of these games have hit the shelves in the U.S., nor should you expect them to, unfortunately. But each of them taught me things about the people who made them, the cultures in which those people live and the concerns people have there. That wasn't necessarily these games' intent, but it was an interesting side effect.

More from: Escapist Magazine

GOTHIC 3 – THE BEGINNING – Mobile Cellphone GAME

Gothic 3 – The Beginning – high ratings from press – everywhere available

JoWooD Productions is pleased to that the mobile gaming version of their successful Role Playing Game, Gothic, is well accepted by gamers and journalists.

Besides getting high ratings from magazines all over the world, Gothic 3 – The Beginning won a lot of awards already:

Play2go (89% - Gold Award)
The atmosphere, that is ported on this small display, is fantastic!

Airgamer (87% - airgamer award)
Atmosphere and story are quiet fantastic…

HandyPlayer (89% - HandyPlayer Award)
The world of gothic is en-route as sweeping as on PC and fascinates the player just from the very beginning of the game. Due to the unstained gameplay and the great atmosphere and exciting story…”

You can get the game here or at a online store of your choice:
www.jamster.com

About Gothic 3 – The Beginning:
Based on the story from the Gothic PC gaming series, Gothic 3 - The Beginning takes place in a turbulent world, dating 140 years back from the first instalment in the Gothic series. Players will take on the role of young Xardas, who has been chosen by God Innos, from the Island of Kohrinis, to capture and return magic rune stones to his people.

Features:

Visit various locations in Khorinis and Tirith

Chat with NPCs to find clues in your adventure and trade with merchants to gain the best equipment for your journey

Fight against hundreds of monsters and develop your skills to be able to use stronger armour and weapons

Learn how to use long banned magic to gain enough power to accomplish your tasks

Find valuable treasures and pieces of equipment or take them from your conquered enemies

Pry locks and chests open to find rare treasures

Auto-save feature at checkpoints throughout the game allows players to continue their adventure at any time

SPEEDBALL 2 – TOURNAMENT PC video game released and music download

SPEEDBALL 2 – TOURNAMENT SMASHES INTO RETAIL TODAY

BRUTAL, ADRENALINE PUMPING ACTION HITS THE SHELVES

Speedball 2 – Tournament, the ferocious and extreme sports game for PC, is available in stores today. In a violent future, two heavily armoured teams fight a vicious battle for possession of a steel ball. Take control of a brutal squad of athletes and punch your way through the opposition, pounding players to the ground as you go, using any malicious tactics to win the game.

State-of-the-art 3D graphics enhance the brutal gameplay as the adrenaline races and your customised team of ‘speedballers’ battle with the opposition. The extreme online multiplayer action lets you face your friends, or enemies online with a chance to climb the leagues and international rankings to become the Speedball 2 champion.

Speedball 2 – Tournament: Game Features

New Multiplayer mode – Dedicated server solution and renowned Raknet network middleware for professional online gaming (e-sports)

Customise your players – Choose your player skin, team colours and tags in the profile editor or create your own logo and integrate it into the game and display it on the field

Team Selection – Choose your team carefully from male, female and cyborg characters with differing strengths and weaknesses

Game-Centre – Unique online community platform: Subscribe to worldwide rankings, leagues and events and use the match making tool to play with friends or other ranked players. Get your own webpage and add personal information, access the chat room and link to your clan’s blog

Extreme community support and action – Challenge other players on the Speedball2.com game portal’s international leagues or tournaments for friendly or ranked matches

Live news and replays – Keep up-to-date with tournaments and events and watch full game replays on the Game-Center

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

More information on Supreme Ruler 2020 PC video game

Supreme Ruler 2020 Developer Diary No1 – Where we’ve come from…

1983 – Supreme Ruler (TRS-80)
1985 – Supreme Ruler Plus (TRS-80)
1992 – Supreme Ruler (Atari ST – Designed Only)
2000 – Began Work on Supreme Ruler 2010 (Windows PC)
2005 – Released Supreme Ruler 2010 (Windows PC)
2006 – Began Work on Supreme Ruler 2020 (Windows PC)
2008 – To Be Released –> Supreme Ruler 2020

Many games have multiple versions that span years of development time – whether people know it or not, Supreme Ruler is one such game. Originally conceived in 1983,
Supreme Ruler began life as a text-only simulation for the TRS-80 Model One microcomputer. BattleGoat Studios Co-Founder and Lead Programmer, George Geczy, was inspired by some of the early text-based strategy games that allowed the player to take the role of leading an ancient nation or city-state, though he wanted to bring in more modern concepts of taxation and economic simulation.

Supreme Ruler garnered some good reviews and was much enjoyed on the TRS-80 leading to the release of a Supreme Ruler Plus version a couple of years later that took the concept as far as it could go on a system with a 48KB memory limit!

Fast forward to 2000 – we (David and George) sold our retail business, and BattleGoat Studios was founded. Much of that first year in development was spent shooting basketballs and hammering out the details of what to do with this new Supreme Ruler conceptualization. Graphics capabilities had continued to improve and now it was
possible to consider using satellite imagery as the background map within the game. Instead of creating a fictional world, real countries could be involved. NASA made this option even easier to achieve for a small studio by releasing full satellite imagery of the world on a royalty free basis through their “Blue Marble” project.

With Real World imagery, we now had to write a story line that would be plausible… With the economic problems that accompanied George W. Bush’s first year in office,
the storyline almost wrote itself. What if these economic problems continue to worsen over the next few years? What would happen if OPEC decided to change their
currency standard from Dollars to Euros? What if the aging power distribution network had an even greater failure than what happened in 2003? What if the countries that have been propping up the US Dollar for the last several years decided it was time to get out? What about Global Warming? Avian Flu? These may sound like the plots of a
Tom Clancy novel, but they generally came from the headlines and economic opinions that were circulating during the development of Supreme Ruler 2010. If we were taking the story from the headlines, we had to make sure that each region in the game would accurately reflect the resources, technology and military structure of its real world counterpart. So the majority of development time spent on Supreme Ruler 2010 over the next four years was spent profiling each region in our 2010 world, creating an economic model that realistically portrayed each country.

Now we had our story for SR2010 and our general design document. As we began to build the User Interface though we realized that some of our ideas might not make the final feature cut, especially if we ever wanted to finish the game and actually release it. In May 2005, Supreme Ruler 2010 was finally released.

And that’s where we found ourselves at the start of 2006. After adding some additional features and missions for 2010 in subsequent free updates, it was time to concentrate on our next project –Supreme Ruler 2020. We were very pleased to sign with Paradox Interactive for the worldwide release, the combination of Paradox’s expertise and reputation are bringing an entirely new audience to our game.

When BattleGoat Studios releases Supreme Ruler 2020 this year it will mark the Silver Anniversary (25 years) of the franchise. What’s new in 2020 and some of the development challenges that have been faced during the last two years will be detailed in upcoming Developer Diaries.

PDC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DARTS 2008 OUT NOW ON NINTENDO Wii

Eagerly anticipated Darts game for Wii is on sale with demand already outstripping supply.

PDC World Championship Darts 2008 hits the stores on Wii= with some retailers already sold out of their allocation.

"We knew demand for Darts on Wii would be high given it's a perfect fit for the console, but the level of pre-orders and sales has even exceeded our expectations" explained Jim Scott CEO of Oxygen Games.

"Darts 2008 has been one of the highest pre-ordered games on the Wii™ and we are working hard to make more stocks available" Jim Scott added.

PDC Darts 2008 on Wii™ allows players to immerse themselves in the realism of the sport, and go head-to-head with the greatest PDC Champions.

PDC Darts 2008 has been carefully crafted, allowing players to throw using the Wii Remote as they would a real dart. "Using the Wii remote to throw the dart is the closest thing to real darts yet – GAME ON” – Phil Taylor, 13 Times World Champion.

Additional Features
• 16 PDC Champions to play as or compete against, including: Phil Taylor, Raymond van Barneveld, Peter Manley, Wayne Mardle, Dennis Priestley, Adrian Lewis, Alan Warriner-Little, John Part, Colin Lloyd, Mark Dudbridge, Roland Scholten, Ronnie Baxter, Terry Jenkins, Kevin Painter, Andy Hamilton and Andy Jenkins.
• Player AI is calculated using real life averages from major tournaments and also based on actual playing characteristics i.e. stamina, belief, pressure, complacency and accuracy
• PDC Pro animations - throw styles and walk on’s - have been mo-capped and are full integrated.
• 4 Games Modes: Exhibition, Tournament, Career and Party Games.
• Indepth career mode, realistically reflecting a players progress through the PDC calendar, featuring 7 of the major PDC tournaments
• Three difficulty levels for extended play and learning curves; Amateur, Professional and Master.
• Character Editor: Customisable elements include player model, skin tone, eye colour, nationality, name, hairstyle, hair colour, eyewear, shirt style and colour, throwing angle, level of difficulty i.e. meter on (Amateur) or off (Pro and Master) and preferred checkout. Select from a range of barrel weights and different flight designs.
• Commentary from TV’s ‘Voice of Darts’ Sid Waddell and top level match referee Bruce Spendley.
• 7 real-world tournament sets and locations common to the PDC circuit.
• Game stats displayed in-game, at the end of match and stored as high-scores and trivia.
• Sound effects including convincing dynamic crowd sounds, darts hitting the board and commentary.
• Wii Remote sensitivity option – change the sensitivity of the Wii Remote to tailor to your own throw style.

Immerse yourself in the realism of PDC Darts 2008; Go head-to-head with the greatest PDC Champions and be part of the year’s most fierce console Championship.

Pure Darts… Out on now on Wii, PlayStation 2 and PC - Game On!

For further information on the game visit www.dartsthegame.com

NAMCO BANDAI - PAC-MAN CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION on Microsoft XBox 360

The Next Generation of Pac-Man Wins Over Fans and Prestigious Industry Peers Alike

NAMCO BANDAI Games today announced that Pac-Man Championship Edition, now available on Xbox Live Arcade for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, has been nominated for “Best Downloadable Game” by the eighth annual Game Developers Choice Awards. The award is one of the most prestigious honors in the industry as nominees are both chosen and voted on by fellow game developers. The “Best Downloadable Game” category recognizes the overall best game released on console or PC platforms, specifically and solely for digital download.

“A Game Developers Choice Award nomination for Pac-Man Championship Edition is an honor and testament to NAMCO BANDAI Games’ ingenuity and success in enhancing a classic arcade game for the Xbox Live Arcade community,” said Todd Thorson, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. “Pac-Man has been a pop culture icon for more than two decades and we are thrilled to bring the fun and amusement of the franchise to the next generation of gamers.”

Pac-Man Championship Edition was created specially for the first-ever Xbox 360 PAC-MAN World Championship held in New York City in 2007. The game brings players back to those classic days of pizza parlors and arcades with the first brand new mazes released in more than 26 years. Try the Darkness Course where maze walls are invisible except for those directly around Pac-Man and the ghosts or the Freeway Course where everything moves at twice the normal speed of the game. Pac-Man Championship Edition also features enhanced environments where the traditional Pac-Man look has been completely updated with a new, modern high-definition appearance and soundtrack.

Since its April 2007 release, Pac-Man Championship Edition has successfully launched the famed arcade game into the new millennium and onto the Xbox 360. Additionally, Pac-Man Championship Edition has received numerous industry accolades as one of 2007’s best downloadable games from MTV.com, G4’s X-PLAY, Next-Gen.biz and Gamasutra.com.