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Saturday, November 03, 2007

DDR Dances on to Nintendo Wii


The Dance, Dance Revolution series, which challenges energetic dancers to tap their toes on a dance mat to the beat of popular music, has been solid gold for Konami. Numerous DDR titles exist and a new one with a different array of tunes seems to come out every few months.

Newest on the scene is Hottest Party, the first DDR game to boogie onto the Nintendo Wii's virtual dance floor. Unlike other versions of the game, the Wii waltz requires players to move their hands as well as their feet to match the visual clues that pop up on the screen. But it doesn't add much to the experience because the Wii's motion-sensitive controllers are used to capture only basic left and right movements.

The single-player Groove Circuit mode plops a competitor in a series of discos where they must outperform computer dancers to advance. Workout mode encourages gamers to - horror of horrors - break a sweat by dancing until a certain number of calories are burned.

PS3 network enters record books


A project that harnesses the spare processing power of Sony's PlayStation 3 (PS3) to help understand the cause of diseases has entered the record books.

Guinness World Records has recognised folding@home (FAH) as the world's most powerful distributed computing network.

FAH has signed up nearly 700,000 PS3s to examine how the shape of proteins affect diseases such as Alzheimer's.

The network has more than one petaflop of computing power - the equivalent of 1,000 trillion calculations per second.

More from the BBC

Friday, November 02, 2007

QUAKE Wars games announced


9-Week Game Night/Ladder at 50+ Intel Program Centers $5,000 in Cash Prizes in the Balance, Including 2 Weekly Drawings for All Participants

iGames, the world’s leading game centre organization, today announced Xtreme Quest $5K Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars Presented by Intel, a 9-week series of Game Nights and special competitions, beginning Thursday, November 1. The series will showcase id Software’s critically acclaimed team-based multiplayer in a variety of different contexts for gamers of all skill levels, from hardcore competitors to more casual players.

Format:

• 6v6 Ladder: One week of preseason; five weeks of regular ladder play, followed by a, 3- week post-season tournament.

• Weekly Match Play: Intel and Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars to be the featured sponsor and game on Thursday night each week with players having the opportunity to participate for 3-4 hours on that night. Match results will be entered into an ongoing ranking system that provides points for both winning as well as just participating. Players play as much as possible to accumulate ranking points with the goal of earning one of the coveted “top 8” slots for post season play.

Prizes:

• 1st Place (team total) - $1,000

• 2nd Place (team total) - $750

• 3rd Place (team total) - $600

• 4th Place (team total) - $450

• 5th-6th Place (team total) - $300

• 7th-8th Place (team total) - $150

In addition, there will also be 2 weekly drawing prizes of $50 for all participants.

For registration and rules, along with the event schedule and complete list of participating iGames centers, visit www.igames.org/xtremequest/ or contact the iGames events team at Events.

FINAL FANTASY & FINAL FANTASY II on PSP


Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of Square Enix interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, today announces that FINAL FANTASY and FINAL FANTASY II will be released separately in the UK and across all PAL territories in early 2008 on the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system.

Experience the classic gameplay, captivating storylines and unforgettable characters that gave birth to the FINAL FANTASY phenomenon. Completely re-mastered exclusively for PSP, FINAL FANTASY and FINAL FANTASY II are the definitive versions of the games that established the biggest RPG brand in the world.

These new editions feature redrawn graphics and character art, exclusive all-new dungeons, full 16:9 widescreen visuals and an updated camera view that gives players a new perspective on these two timeless classics that defined the RPG genre.

John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. comments, “FINAL FANTASY and FINAL FANTASY II are the foundations of the Square Enix success story. They are the first two steps in the long and distinguished history of the FINAL FANTASY franchise. With these beautiful new versions, fans can now experience the origins of FINAL FANTASY wherever they go.”

About FINAL FANTASY

Story

The tale begins when four young warriors, each possessing a crystal, are summoned to restore the world’s harmonious elemental balance. During their voyage, they discover a nefarious entity has created turmoil in the structure of time in order to take control of the world, causing the heroes to travel to places they never imagined possible.

Features

• The ultimate edition of the game that gave birth to a phenomenon.
• The original game in the amazing FINAL FANTASY series that has sold over 75 million copies worldwide now returns in completely re-mastered form, exclusively for PSP.
• Redrawn graphics and enhanced sound capitalise on the PSP’s impressive audiovisual capabilities.
• Featuring an all-new dungeon, the Labyrinth of Time.
• Art Gallery mode allows you to view the stunning artwork of leading illustrator Yoshitaka Amano.

About FINAL FANTASY II

Story

A malevolent emperor has called upon monsters from a demonic realm to take over the world, ending what seemed to be an eternal period of peace. From the destruction rise four young survivors who will take it upon themselves to stop the merciless ruler and avenge the death of their parents.

Features

• Redrawn graphics and enhanced sound capitalise on the PSP’s impressive audiovisual capabilities.
• Featuring two all-new dungeons: Arcane Labyrinth and Arcane Sanctuary.
• Find and use new equipment, battle new enemies and defeat a new boss, all exclusive to the PSP version.
• Art Gallery mode allows you to view the stunning artwork of leading illustrator Yoshitaka Amano.

Turok to launch on PC


Touchstone Announces Re-Imagined Story-Driven First Person Shooter To Be Released On Windows PC In Spring 2008

Turok, the epic, sci-fi first person shooter, will be released in spring 2008 for Windows PC, Touchstone announced today. Touchstone previously announced that Turok, one of next year’s most anticipated games, will be available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. Developed by Propaganda Games, Turok for consoles will be available at retail stores on February 8th, 2008.

“First person shooters have a rich history on the Windows PC platform and are known for having enthusiastic, dedicated fans,” said Josh Holmes, vice president and general manager, Propaganda Games. “Turok will be an unforgettable experience ideal for the Windows PC platform when it becomes available in 2008.”

Turok is an epic, story-driven first-person shooter set on a dark, mysterious planet in the future. Players take on the role of Joseph Turok, a former black ops commando, now part of an elite special forces squad, known as Whiskey Company, which is on a mission to take down a war criminal – Turok’s former mentor, Roland Kane. Set on a planet inhabited by Kane and his Mendel-Gruman Corporation soldiers, Turok must use his elite military training to elude Kane’s well-trained army and the ravenous, unpredictable dinosaurs, huge insects and other massive creatures that populate the environment.

Brought to Windows PC by Aspyr Studios, Turok will feature an engaging, story-driven single player experience and multiplayer modes for up to 16 players per game

Turok is rated M for Mature by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).

For more information about Turok, log on to www.turok.com.

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS game

Alvin and the Chipmunks, the #1 kids musical act of all time in the U.S., will make their interactive debut this holiday with Alvin and the Chipmunks, the video game. The Chipmunk Song— which will be included in the game –is a pop culture staple so beloved that it has been included in The Sopranos, Almost Famous, The Ellen Degeneres Show, King of Queens, Ally McBeal, Friends, Nip/Tuck, Boston Legal and Ugly Betty. Timed to ship around the release of the exciting new live action film, Alvin and the Chipmunks, from 20th Century Fox, the video game focuses on the Chipmunks musical abilities while expanding on the films storyline.

The Alvin and the Chipmunks video game follows Alvin, Simon, & Theodore on their latest mission to play during the battle of the bands event “Rockathonapalooza”. As the Chipmunks perform in each of the video game’s musical levels—from school proms to Burning Man to Forest Arenas to the ultimate, Rockathonapalooza – players are challenged to keep in rhythm with the music. The combination of fun game play, a cool soundtrack and everyone’s favorite Chipmunks, creates another way for the fans of Alvin, new and old, to enjoy and expand on their movie experience.

“This holiday, Alvin, Simon and Theodore have been entirely redesigned with a bold new look for the launch of their first live action film and video game debut.” said Ross Bagdasarian, CEO of Bagdasarian Productions.

The Soundtrack for the Alvin and the Chipmunks video game features smash-hit songs spanning several decades and including popular billboard hits and cult favorites, sung in signature Chipmunk style, that give the video game a unique sound. The songs will resonate with parents, providing hours of family fun, while introducing a new generation of kids to one of the greatest selling musical acts of all time. Some of the more than 40 songs include: All The Small Things, It’s Tricky, Heartbreak Hotel and Shiny Happy People.

Look for more updates on this exciting Holiday title in the coming months. The Alvin and the Chipmunks video game will be available for the PLAYSTATION 2 computer entertainment system, the Wii and Nintendo DS videogame systems from Nintendo, and PC. This game is scheduled for release this holiday season 2007.

Assassin's Creed Video Game

Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, and IFC, the first and largest network dedicated to independent film, announced that Greg Reid's short film "The Ultimate Weapon" won the short film contest inspired by the video game Assassin's Creedâ„¢ due out in November. As part of the prize package, "The Ultimate Weapon" will debut on IFC on November 14.

Greg Reid's "The Ultimate Weapon" was among more than 100 valid entries submitted for judging via IFC's Media Lab (http://medialab.ifc.com), a groundbreaking, integrated program which offers filmmakers a destination for posting their independent films online. Submissions were narrowed down to a top 10 list by Ubisoft (including key members of the development team in Montreal) and IFC, with the eventual winner chosen by fans and visitors who voted on IFC.com for the film they liked best.

"While the top 10 entries were all very solid, video game and film fans alike voted Greg Reid's ˜The Ultimate Weapon' the clear winner," said Tony Key, vice president of marketing at Ubisoft. "Ubisoft's partnership with IFC yielded some great films and proved to us that Assassin's Creed is able to engage people's imagination and spawn creativity. The story and mystery of the game itself has already struck a chord with fans of video games and film."

"The Assassin's Creed short film submissions we received were outstanding and any of the top 10 entries had a chance to win, but Greg Reid's entry proved itself the best of the field," stated Lee Sparer, vice president of partnerships for IFC. "Part of IFC's mission is to provide a voice to independent filmmakers on all levels, and so it is exciting for us to have offered this opportunity and challenge to our talented filmmakers on Media Lab. We look forward to participating in other similar contests in the future to help platform short films and other video content being produced by undiscovered talent around the country."

Greg Reid claims his grand prize of $10,000, an Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, an Xbox 360 version of Assassin's Creed and inclusion of his short film inside the Limited Edition version of the game. To view the winning film online, and the other top entries, please visit http://medialab.ifc.com/assassinscontest.

"I'm really excited that our Assassins Creed short film, ‘The Ultimate Weapon' was selected as the winning film, amid a very competitive line-up of entries," shared Greg Reid, the director and co-writer of short film The Ultimate Weapon. "Assassins Creed has it all from a gaming perspective. Joel Poehlmann and I wrote a film, inspired by the rich and dynamic backdrop of the game. We wanted to create a film and storyline that had it all; a little intrigue, fast-paced action fight sequences and killer still animations. After making the film, I can't wait to play the actual game myself."

About Assassin's Creed
The game is set in 1191 AD, when the Third Crusade was tearing the Holy Land apart. Shrouded in secrecy and feared for their ruthlessness, the Assassins intend to stop the hostilities by suppressing both sides of the conflict. Players will assume the role of the main character, Altair, and will have the power to throw their immediate environment into chaos and truly experience the art of a master assassin.

In 2006, Assassin's Creed received the Game Critics Award: Best of E3 2006 for "Best Action-Adventure Game" and swept the "Best PS3 Game" category across numerous video game Web sites.*

Assassin's Creed will be available on the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and on Xbox 360 at the MSRP of $59.99 in North America, with the Limited Edition priced at $69.99 - rated "M" for Mature by the ESRB. In addition, those who pre-order Assassin's Creed at GameStop will receive an exclusive Assassin's Creed art bonus book when they pick up their game. For more information about Assassin's Creed, please visit www.assassinscreed.com.

*1UP "Best PS3 Game," GameSpot "Best PLAYSTATION 3 Editors' Choice Winner," GameSpy "Best of E3 PS3 Game of the Show," Games Radar "Best of E3 PLAYSTATION 3," GameTrailers "Best of Show," IGN "Best PS3 Game of the Show".

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Sims 2 Tout pour les ados French Fact Sheet

Donnez à vos Sims tout ce dont ils ont besoin pour exprimer leur propre style dans les Sims 2 Tout pour les ados !
Vos ados Sims peuvent désormais affirmer leur style grâce à de nouveaux meubles et objets de décoration, ainsi qu’à une collection de vêtements tendance. Vos Sims vont pouvoir essayer la mode « gothique », « street » et « fashion victim ».
Offrez à vos Sims un nouveau téléphone, une chaîne hi-fi, une télévision et autres gadgets pour qu’ils soient toujours à la pointe de la mode tout en restant en contact avec leurs amis. Assurez-vous que vos Sims portent les derniers vêtements à la mode : survêtements, jeans de créateur et tenues de yoga.
Laissez vos jeunes Sims s’exprimer comme seuls les ados peuvent le faire !
La vie trépidante des fashion victims :

• Installez un lit surmonté d’un ciel de lit et une coiffeuse chic dans la chambre de princesse de votre ado fashion victim.
• Une belle penderie sculptée permettra à votre ado fashion victim de ranger ses jeans de créateurs et ses accessoires de mode.
• Un ensemble petit haut et pantalon de pyjama et des pantoufles à fourrure assorties est une parfaite tenue d’intérieur pour jeune fille Sim.

Style sport extrême :

• Accrochez un skateboard et un surf sur les murs de la chambre de vos Sims comme symbole de leur style tendance décontracté.
• Mettez dans leurs armoires des shorts baggy et autres vêtements décontractés parfaits pour rester à la maison.

Le sombre univers gothique :

• Meublez la chambre de votre Sim gothique avec une armoire noire et rouge et des fauteuils en velours pour représenter leur côté ténébreux.
• Remplissez leur armoire avec des tenues et des accessoires gothiques : boucles, ceintures et bottes cloutées pour lui et vêtements en cuir, tatouages et collants résille pour elle.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 French Fact Sheet

Attaquez-vous au monde entier avec Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 08. Pour la toute première fois, chaque séquence de votre partie est enregistrée, depuis votre premier tee dans le mode Jouer jusqu’à votre dernier putt dans une Fedex Cup. Inscrivez vos performances les plus incroyables - et impensables - sur le GamerNet d’EA SPORTS, un centre de jeu interactif révolutionnaire qui rassemble en ligne le contenu crée par les joueurs. Placez la barre haute en y mettant vos plus grands moments ou bien relevez des défis établis par les autres joueurs afin de définir de façon claire qui est vraiment LE meilleur golfeur du monde. Que vous téléchargiez une partie imbattable ou alors le coup le plus extraordinaire, vous allez retourner la planète avec Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 08.
- Le tout nouveau GamerNet d’EA SPORTS — L’interaction en ligne atteint une autre dimension. Enregistrez toute votre expérience, de vos parties les plus prodigieuses en passant par vos coups renversants à l’inspiration démente, puis inscrivez-la sur le GamerNet pour que le monde entier tente de rivaliser. Gagnez des points – et en même temps le droit de vous vanter – lorsque des joueurs ont pour objectif de vous battre, ou bien lorsque vous surmontez des défis qu’ils ont établis.

- GameFace : collez votre meilleure photo — Plongez dans le jeu comme jamais auparavant. Téléchargez de vraies photos de vous-même, de vos amis ou votre famille et créez ainsi des personnages du jeu parfaitement ressemblants à la réalité. Pas besoin d’être un artiste !

- La confiance joue un rôle déterminant — Le tout nouveau système ShotConfidence suit vos performances à la trace sur chaque trou, chaque partie, et chaque parcours. Basé sur des facteurs clés; tels que le choix du club, le trou, le lie, et plus encore, creusez dans vos performances passées à l’aide de l’indicateur de confiance afin d’identifier vos forces et vos faiblesses avant chaque coup.

- Des parcours de playoff de la Fedex Cup — Golfez sur des parcours de rêve : Westchester Country Club, TPC Boston, Cog Hill, et East Lake, et découvrez une nouvelle forme de championnat.

- Attaquez-vous aux pros du PGA et du LPGA TOUR — Retrouvez les plus grands joueurs du PGA TOUR, dont Tiger Woods, John Daly, and Vijay Singh, plus des joueuses du LPGA Tour, telles que Annika Sorenstam, Natalie Gulbis, Christie Kerr, et Morgan Pressel.

STAR WARS GALAXIES latest details

New Heroic Encounters, High-Level Gameplay Areas and an All-New Collection and Rewards System Now Available for Star Wars Galaxies Subscribers

LucasArts and Sony Online Entertainment today announced the release of Chapter 7: A Collection of Heroes to Star Wars Galaxies subscribers. Featuring an abundance of new content, quest systems and game-play enhancements, particularly for high-level players, Chapter 7 is the most feature-packed update ever released to Star Wars Galaxies subscribers as part of their regular subscription to the game. In addition, Star Wars Galaxies kicks off a community-wide challenge in-game this month, tied to the exciting new adventure content found in Chapter 7.

“The amazing amount of quest content we’ve been able to deliver in Chapter 7: A Collection of Heroes, and in the other updates we’ve delivered in 2007, is really remarkable,” said John Blakely, vice president of development for Sony Online Entertainment. “So far this year, we’ve delivered nine new profession-based skill systems, new Rebel and Imperial content mission hubs, a new storyteller system for our role-players, new quest chains, and one of the most advanced pet systems found in an online game. Now, with the additional new features included in Chapter 7, we’re incredibly proud of the increase in new game-play as well as the overall state of the game, and are looking forward to delivering even more content by year’s end.”

“In 2007 we saw a huge number of new and former players re-joining the Star Wars Galaxies community, and we attribute that directly to the high-quality features and content we’ve added to the game over the past two years,” said Tom Nichols, senior director of online for LucasArts. “We look forward to continuing our work with Sony Online Entertainment to deliver even more content next year, based directly on what players have requested: additional heroic encounters, space-based content, and profession enhancements.”

Chapter 7: A Collection of Heroes continues the Star Wars Galaxies saga through a series of high-level heroic encounters and story-based gameplay areas. In addition, the premiere of a collection system gives players of all levels new ways to interact with the Star Wars Galaxies universe while amassing rich rewards and rare collectible items.

Chapter 7: A Collection of Heroes includes the following features and content:

Three all-new heroic encounters designed to challenge even the most battle-hardened combatants:

· A volatile, four-phased encounter on the planet Lok, where players must discover who or what is responsible for increasingly frequent and deadly droid attacks. Waves of explosive droids, droidekas, and super battle droids will only soften up players as they progress to the final encounter with the iconic IG-88.

· Nightsister rangers, protectors and spell-weavers have been entombed for crimes against their own in the Chamber of Banishment on Dathomir, but some have not yet learned their lesson. A high-ranking Nightsister is now recruiting brave players to free several of her imprisoned sisters, including the terrible Axkva Min the Devourer.

· Players must work with defenders of the city of Mos Espa to establish fortifications and a defense perimeter against a massive Tusken army invasion. Waves of Tusken Raiders, snipers, warriors, flesh hunters, blood champions and elite guards are only a prequel to the mighty wrath of the Tusken King.

Players who live to tell the tale of these heroic encounters will be richly rewarded with rare items, badges, and sets of combat-class specific jewelry. More information on the three new heroic encounters can be found at: http://starwarsgalaxies.station.sony.com/players/news_archive.vm?id=67423&month=092007.

A flourishing gameplay hub where high-level players can join together to take on adventures and collect rewards:

The former village of Aurilia has finally shed the stain of its former Dark Jedi masters and has emerged as a prospering township. Known for their discretion, residents of Aurilia serve as vendors of both information and high-level items. Players wishing to venture through the new heroic encounters will find that they first need to meet a few prerequisites set by the residents of Aurilia. More information on Aurilia can be found at: starwarsgalaxies.

A new collection system that provides players of all levels rich new rewards for playing the game:

The Star Wars Galaxies universe is filled with millions of things to do, see and interact with, and now players will be richly rewarded for doing just that. Chapter 7 will deliver a new collection book interface that allows players to keep track of all they have done in the game. For every collection series they complete, players will receive high-value items including weapons, armor, home décor, and even skill bonuses.

There are thousands of things for players to collect in the galaxy, including interactive objects in the game world, loot from combat victories, and items that are created using schematics. In addition, players can collect badges that they earn through completing dangerous encounters, participating in events, mastering a profession, participating in PvP, and achieving veteran status, among other activities.

More information on the new collection system can be found at: starwarsgalaxies.

A collection challenge open to all galactic residents:

As part of the new collection system, Star Wars Galaxies is recognizing and rewarding the first players to complete each of the dozens of new collections in-game. The first player on each server who completes a collection will be recognized on the Star Wars Galaxies community website and will also receive a special badge in game. In addition, other players on the server will see the winning player’s name when they open their collection system user interface and mouse-over the appropriate collection, forever distinguishing that player in the Star Wars Galaxies community.

In-game reward from C-3PO himself:

C-3PO is in desperate need of assistance! Players who log in to the game after Chapter 7 goes live, and before Chapter 8 is released, are eligible to automatically receive a comlink* that will provide direct communication to the iconic protocol droid for an important assignment. C-3PO will provide the player information about a special collection-based mission for the player that will end with a unique reward.

Anyone wishing to try Star Wars Galaxies, including the new content in Chapter 7: A Collection of Heroes, can do so at no charge for up to two full weeks through the Star Wars Galaxies 14-Day Trial. This trial includes all the content of the base game, Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided and its first expansion, Star Wars Galaxies: Jump to Lightspeed. Available by download from www.StarWarsGalaxies.com, the 14-day trial gives players a chance to meet and fight with or against their favorite Star Wars characters as they explore this massive online universe filled with other Star Wars fans.

About Star Wars Galaxies

Star Wars Galaxies, developed and published by LucasArts and Sony Online Entertainment, is one of the longest-running and most popular online experiences, bringing gamers of all ages and skill levels together in the ultimate Star Wars® journey. Begin aboard the Millennium Falcon helping Han Solo and Chewbacca fend off the notorious Darth Vader. Along the way, join with Star Wars characters on missions that span across the galaxy. Ally with the Rebels to fight against the Galactic Empire, or join forces with the dark side and crush the Rebel scum. Heroic adventurers can seek their fortune in space or on the ground as a bounty hunter, smuggler, Jedi or a host of other unique Star Wars professions.

The latest news and information on Star Wars Galaxies can be found on the community page at: www.starwarsgalaxies.com.