North Koreans Undercutting MMO WOW Farmers?

The North Koreans may be undercutting the MMO farming market according to GameSetWatch:

Chinese-based game service companies offering WoW power-leveling numbered less then 30 in 2004, but service companies will surpass 2000 soon, and this number is growing continuously.

Looking over the entire Southeast Asian market, many of these companies are concentrated in the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and other areas in India.

North Korea is worth mentioning because the labor cost is currently the most inexpensive.

Source: VE3D

2007 = Best year in video games history

The BBC reports

The last 12 months have been one of the best years in video game history, both critically and commercially.
Gamers have been able to revel in some of the most exhilarating interactive experiences ever designed.

Sales in the UK are at an all-time high, with more than £1.52bn taken in the last 12 months.

Some video games crossed over into blockbuster entertainment territory. Halo 3, for example, earned £84m in its first 24 hours on sale.

Top three games for 2007 from ...

DAVID AMOR, RELENTLESS GAMES

1. Ratchet and Clank - PlayStation 3
2. Super Mario Galaxy - Nintendo Wii
3. Command and Conquer - PC

DAVID BRABEN, FRONTIER GAMES

1. The Darkness - Xbox 360
2. Bioshock - PC and Xbox 360
3. Halo 3 - Xbox 360

MARGARET ROBERTSON, GAMES CONSULTANT

1. Super Mario Galaxy
2. Final Fantasy XII - PlayStation 2
3. Planet Puzzle League - Nintendo DS

More from the BBC website ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7156701.stm

IGNs top 100 video games of all time - see if you agree

The Top 100 Games of All Time! - Over the next ten days...

Yes, friends, more than 30 editors located all over the world set aside their ages, allegiances and personal favorites to pick the hundred best videogames that the planet has ever seen! There was fighting, there was mayhem, and there was pizza -- lots and lots of pizza.

Now, some of you may proclaim, "but your list is different from the rankings you guys did in 2005!" Well, of course it is people. Plenty of fantastic games have been released since then, and we have plenty of new folks in our ranks to throw in their couple of cents. We're also not afraid to admit that our tastes change over time too.

Our criteria for creating this list of our picks for the Top 100 Games of All Time are as follows:

• Eligible games had to have been released no later than December 31, 2006 (perspective is a good thing)


• A number of factors were taken into consideration when selecting a winner: How good the game was compared to others of its time, its overall game design, how well it stands up over the years, how influential it has been in the realm of gaming and just plain how much fun we had playing it are all points for contention.


• The list is comprised of single, stand-alone titles and doesn't include compilations, expansion packs or add-ons.


• Titles with multiple editions such as collector's boxes, gold editions or direct re-releases have been consolidated into one single entry, with the edition deemed most deserving taking precedence.


• Updated versions of original titles were only included on the list if they were significantly different from their predecessors.

So what made it and what didn't? To find out, keep checking back with us over the next 10 days as we start with games No: 100-91 and work our way down to the golden ten. After you've had a chance to check out the list, tell us what you think about it on the IGN Boards, and share your own favorite games with everyone. Enjoy!

See the list on the IGN website here... http://uk.top100.ign.com/2007/

Stand-alone Rock Band guitars available in January 2009

Game maker Harmonix Music Systems of Cambridge and distributor Electronic Arts Inc. are scrambling to satisfy customers angry about defects in many of the guitar-shaped game controllers that come with Rock Band. There's also a shortage of these controllers, making it difficult for players to create the four-piece band promised by the gaming software.

Many gamers were hoping they could use controllers created for the game Guitar Hero III - a rival program from Activision Inc. that's based on technology invented by Harmonix. They can, if they're using Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360 game machine, but not if they've got Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3 videogame console.

Harmonix wants to fix this with a software patch to make the PS 3 version of Rock Band work with the Guitar Hero III controller. About 68,000 copies of Rock Band have been sold for the PS 3, while the PS 3 version of Guitar Hero III has sold over 247,000 copies. Many PS 3 owners have purchased both games, and want to use the same controllers with either one. But Activision has refused to allow the necessary modifications, unless Harmonix and its owner MTV Networks pay for the privilege.

But because McBain bought Sony's PS 3, his Guitar Hero controllers refuse to cooperate. Harmonix published a software patch on the Internet to fix the incompatibility problem. But Activision successfully demanded withdrawal of the patch, and is insisting on financial compensation before such a patch can be issued. Other PS 3 games use standard PS 3 controllers, which are made by Sony and a variety of other companies. Players don't usually need different controllers to play different games on the same console.

Activision spokeswoman Maryanne Lataif said her company was willing to work with Harmonix to make the various game controllers fully compatible with one another. "Unfortunately for Rock Band users, Harmonix has been unwilling to discuss an agreement that will allow us to provide that option in a manner that maintains the high standards people have come to expect from Activision," Lataif said.

Harmonix spokeswoman Spencer Saltonstall said her company is also committed to doing what's best for gamers. "We are really and truly not looking at this from the financial standpoint," Saltonstall said. "We are looking at this from the consumer standpoint."

Saltonstall also said that Harmonix, MTV, and EA are working hard to put stand-alone Rock Band controllers onto store shelves. "We have 7,000 people in China manufacturing guitars for us," she said. "They're on their way." The controllers are expected to go on sale next month. Saltonstall said that Harmonix launched Rock Band before it had enough guitar controllers to go around, to get the game into stores in time for Christmas.

There's no question which game is winning the battle of the bands. Guitar Hero III, priced at $100, sold 1.9 million units in November alone, and 3.3 million since its debut in October, according to game industry trackers at the NPD Group. By contrast, the $170 Rock Band sold just 382,000 units in November, its first month on the market.

One reason for Guitar Hero's huge lead is that it works with Sony's PlayStation 2, still the world's most popular home videogame console. About 45 percent of the Guitar Hero III games sold so far have been for the PS 2. This week, Harmonix launched a PS 2 version of Rock Band, and the company said that the game is playable with the PS 2 controller for Guitar Hero III.

Source: Boston Globe

Sony play catch-up as PSP sales double in Japan - Nintendo DS still leads

Nintendo's DS still leads hardware market

Sales of Sony's PSP have more than doubled in Japan, with the console selling 184,610 units for the week ended December 16, compared to 91,481 units the previous week.

The boost in sales comes without any significant new PSP software releases during the period, with only three games for the handheld in the top fifty best-sellers.

However, Nintendo's DS is still leading hardware sales in Japan with 222,144 units sold in the past week, backed by 28 games in the top fifty.

The Wii has shifted 170,558 units according to data from Media Create, with the PS3 selling 63,720 and the PS2 18,025 units.

Sales of the Xbox 360 are still under 10,000 units with Microsoft shifting 8,561 units.

Source: Games Industry

Nokia to delay N-Gage cellphone revamp

Nokia N81

Testing has uncovered "issue" needing to be addressed

Nokia has announced another delay in its N-Gage First Access platform, originally scheduled for a November launch.

The pre-release version, was going to work only on Nokia N81 or N81 8GB phones and was to feature one or more games. Those with access to the application could post feedback and make suggestions on the company's forums.

Now, however, even the pre-release version of the revamped N-Gage platform has been delayed.

"We know all of you are eager to get started with N-Gage First Access, and we are just as eager to get it into your hands and start hearing your feedback. We have teams of people around the world, literally, working overtime to deliver this experience to you," said a statement on the official N-Gage blog.

"Unfortunately, as can sometimes happen in software development, unexpected difficulties can occur. We have been doing an internal run with more than 1,000 global testers this week, and during this process we uncovered an issue we feel we need to address.

"Overall, the games and service are working smoothly, but because of this issue, we feel we could not release N-Gage First Access before the holidays as planned."

While working on a solution, and carrying on extensive internal testing over the holidays, Nokia plans to "polish the overall experience" even as it readies more games.

Nokia released the original N-Gage, a combination phone, handheld gaming device, MP3 player, PDA, and FM radio, in 2003. A year later, a subsequent redesign - the N-Gage QD - removed radio reception and MP3 playback features.

The latest iteration of the N-Gage is an application, built into or downloaded to a supported Nokia phone, that acts as a central hub for content including games.

Sony and Capcom team for Devil May Cry PlayStation 3 bundle in Japan

Two limited edition PlayStation 3 SKUs for Japan

Sony and Capcom are teaming up for the release of Devil May Cry 4 by announcing two limited edition PlayStation 3 bundles for Japan.

Available in both black and ceramic white, the 40GB PlayStation 3 will come with a copy of the game and extra content on a separate Blu-ray disc.

The bundle will retail for JPY 47,800 when it's released on January 21.

Source: Games Industry

Nintendo Wii and DS software dominates Japan video game charts

Sony's Gran Turismo 5 Prologue has made its debut in the Japanese charts at number three, selling 116,000 copies according to data from Media Create.

However, it's the only PlayStation 3 title in the top twenty, with Nintendo Wii and DS product clogging up the charts for the week ended December 16.

Mario Party DS is at number one with 180,000 sales over the seven day period, while Wii Fit is at two with 124,000 units sold, taking it past half a million sales since release.

There are two PlayStation 2 games in the top twenty from Konami and Bandai Namco, and one PSP title – Sony's Hot Shots Golf sequel.

The Japanese top twenty follows:

1. Mario Party DS (DS)

2. Wii Fit (Wii)

3. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (PS3)

4. Prof. Layton and Pandora's Box (DS)

5. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)

6. Dragon Quest IV (DS)

7. Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii)

8. Wi Sports (Wii)

9. Wii Play (Wii)

10. Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon: The Labyrinth of Forgotten Time (Wii)

11. World Soccer Winning Eleven 2008 (PS2)

12. Mario Party 8 (Wii)

13. Powerful Pro-kun Pocket 10 (DS)

14. Kirarin Revolution (DS)

15. Pokemon Mysterious Dungeon: Time Expedition Party (DS)

16. Mario Kart DS (DS)

17. Taiko Drum Master (DS)

18. Pokemon Mysterious Dungeon: Shadow Expedition Party (DS)

18. Hot Shots Golf Portable 2 (PSP)

20. SD Gundam G Generation Spirits (PS2)

Source: here

78 million UK games sales in 2007 is new record

78 million games sold in 2007

Sales of game software in the UK will reach 78 million units by the end of the year, as retail enjoys another year of rapid growth.

According to data from Chart Track, last week generated sales of GBP 87.9 million, with the UK seeing a record-breaking third quarter as revenues rose 36 per cent from GBP 233.5 million in 2006 to GBP 332.6 million.

The number of units sold was up 16.6 per cent for the weeks 1 to 50, and 25.3 per cent by value.

"2007 has been a fantastic year for our industry as all the latest generation of consoles and handheld devices have become fully established," commented Paul Jackson, director general of ELSPA.

"Interactive entertainment is now truly mass market, and this is just the beginning of a period of real sustained growth."

Software units for the third quarter were up 33 per cent from GBP 8.52 million to 11.33 million, with console revenues up 45 per cent from GBP 180.95 to GBP 263.20 million.

The console market now accounts for 79 per cent of software revenues and 75 per cent of total software units.

Source: Games Industry

Sony PSP firmware update allows remote play of all PlayStation One titles

PlayStation 3 2.10 and PSP 3.80 firmware required

The recent PS3 and PSP system update comes with an unannounced feature - the ability to remotely play any PS One game on the PSP handheld.

A PS3 2.10 firmware update was released in the US today, adding a voice changer feature to voice/video chat, DivX and VC-1 (WMV) codec support to video playback, and picture-in-picture features to Blu-ray disc playback.

A PSP 3.80 firmware update was also released, adding Internet radio compatibility.


Remote play of PS One titles was not mentioned in either update, but GamesIndustry.biz has confirmed the existence of the new feature.

Although some PS One titles have previously been made available for sale via the PlayStation Store, this update allows all PS One titles to be played on the PSP via the PS3's remote connection.

It also lets PS3 owners play purchased PS One titles remotely from the hard drive, rather than requiring them to be downloaded to a PSP memory stick.

A SCEA spokesperson had not yet responded to a request for comment.

It is not known if there are any compatibility issues with specific titles, but users will need to reassign the controls in many games to account for the PSP's lack of two analog sticks and four shoulder buttons.

Source: Games Industry

Nintendo DS Brain Training tops Spanish, German charts

No Xbox 360, PS3 titles in top ten

Nintendo's DS Brain Training games have topped the charts in both Spain and Germany.

Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training is at number one in Spain, with sequel More Brain Training taking the coveted spot in Germany.

Neither the Spanish or German top ten has any PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 games, with Wii, PlayStation 2 and DS the dominant formats.

The top ten for each country follows:

Spain, week ended December 9

1. More Brain Training (DS)

2. WWE Smackdown Vs RAW 2008 (PS2)

3. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (PS2)

4. Imagina Ser Mama (DS)

5. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (DS)

6. Imagina Ser Disenadora De Moda (DS)

7. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS)

8. Mario Party (DS)

9. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training (DS)

10. WWE Smackdown Vs RAW 2008 (PSP)

Germany, week ended December 2

1. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training (DS)

2. More Brain Training (DS)

3. High School Musical - Sing It (PS2)

4. Need for Speed Pro Street (PS2)

5. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)

6. FIFA 08 (PS2)

7. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PC)

8. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii)

9. Wii Play (Wii)

10. Need for Speed Pro Street (PC)

All data supplied by Media - Control GfK International

More exclusive Grand Theft Auto IV content for MIcrosoft XBox 360 - 2009

In addition to episodes due 2008

Take-Two has announced in a conference call that it intends to release more exclusive Grand Theft Auto IV episodes for the Xbox 360 in 2009.

The company revealed earlier this year that it would be supplying two extra episodes for Microsoft's home console in 2008, but this is the first time it has spoken of extra content beyond the initial deal with Microsoft.

"In fiscal 2009 we'll also be offering additional episodic content for Grand Theft Auto IV on Xbox 360," confirmed Ben Feder, CEO of Take-Two.

The publisher also reiterated the full game will be released next year, with two exclusive episodes due before the end of 2008.

"We're eagerly anticipating the release of Grand Theft Auto IV in our second quarter. The game looks terrific and we're confident it will be every bit as ground-breaking as previous titles," added Feder.

Source: Games Industry

Codemasters pulls Sensible Worlds of Soccer from Xbox Liv

"Incorrect" version of game made available

Codemasters has pulled Sensible World of Soccer from Xbox Live Arcade as the game disconnects users attempting to play online.

The developer has promised to put a fully functioning version of the game on Microsoft's online service shortly.

"It has come to our attention that an incorrect version of Sensible World of Soccer was made available on Xbox Live Arcade," said Codemasters Online Gaming.

"We are currently investigating the issue and will have a correctly functioning version of Sensible World of Soccer available soon.

"Any users that have already downloaded Sensible World of Soccer will need to delete their copy of the game and download it again when the correctly functioning version is available in order to enjoy online play via Xbox Live," detailed the company

Sensible World of Soccer was released on Xbox Live Arcade today, although Codemasters had originally hoped to release the game in the first quarter of 2007.

Game Group see profit jump to over £70 million

British computer and video games retailer Game Group said it expected its full-year profit to be ahead of an average market forecast after continued strong sales in the run-up to Christmas, boosting its shares.

Shares in Game Group, which have outperformed the UK general retailers' index by around 184 percent this year, were 9.5 percent higher at 254 pence at 3:08 a.m. EST, valuing the company at around 870 million pounds ($1.74 billion).

The company, which earlier this month said it was performing slightly ahead of expectations in the run-up to the key Christmas trading period, said profit before non-recurring costs and tax for the year to January 31 would be no less than 70 million pounds, up from 29.5 million the year before.

Game Group had been expected to report an underlying pretax profit of about 58.9 million pounds this year, according to the average forecast of 12 analysts polled by Reuters Estimates.

On December 11, Game -- which sells computer and video games, consoles and accessories to more than 800 shops in Britain and abroad -- said like-for-like sales rose by 44.1 percent in the 45 weeks to December 8.

The company said it would report fully on Christmas trading for the six weeks to January 12 on January 15.

Source: Reuters

Sudden Strike 3 Arms For Victory PC video game Patch released

Fireglow Games Publishing releases a small yet pleasant pack (97,5 Mb) consisting of two multiplayer maps (all control points can be captured only one time) and a single-player mission. The pack (97,5 Mb) also contains a patch with numerous improvements and bug fixes.

Description of the maps:

Tongs - This peculiar map contains a large island in the middle. It can be played by 2 to 6 people. There are 5 bridges on the map and a lot of flags to fight for.

Elimination - This map features kill-em-all style on a flat map.

Untermehmen VII "C" - This hardcore single mission features the old good Sudden Strike play. You have limited amount of reinforcements ... and the enemy has much more. You will like it.
This pack requires the original Sudden Strike 3 Arms for Victory DVD.

About Sudden Strike 3: Arms for Victory:
Sudden Strike 3: Arms for Victory is the latest installment in the award-winning, critically acclaimed and hugely popular Sudden Strike series. It features historically authentic models built to scale, fully interactive giant maps and full 3-D state-of-the-art graphics in the popular Sudden Strike style. Only Sudden Strike plays like the 'real thing'. WW2 gaming at its best: on land, at sea and in the air!

Features:

• Fully interactive landscape (all objects can be destroyed, all buildings and pillboxes can be used as shelter)


• Massive operations on big maps, strategic scale of the maps (front line can be a few kilometres long)


• Thousands of units fighting in real time


• More than 300 tanks, ships, soldiers, guns and planes with original weapons built to scale


• Great sounds, 5.1 supported, nations speak native languages


• New feature - advanced Micro AI-behaviour allows your troops to act exactly as you plan


• Joint naval and ground operations, air raids, artillery strikes etc.


• State-of-the-art technology to render 3D landscape, realistic lines of sight and fire


• Spectacular visual & lighting effects


• Multiplayer mode: up to 8 players, GameSpy® supported


• Five campaigns playable for American, British, German, Japanese and Soviet sides

Download from here...

Battle Rage PC video game - beta test

Battle Rage, the latest production of Teyon, is coming into beta tests and balancing phase.

The game is officially announced to be completed in the first quarter of 2008.

Soon we will reveal all the details concerning the game's mechanics and gameplay. Until that time we would like to present the first official trailer from the game allowing you to feel the climate of Battle Rage.



The game is a TPS with elements of the beat'em up game and allows a player to control giant robots. Battles between the robots take place on carefully selected battlegrounds. The player can fight alone (versus one, two or three opponents) or in the team with one sidekick. Every machine has its own weapons for melee and distance combat, additional weapon types can be found on the maps. The player has also a possibility to tweak parameters of the robot to fit them to his preferences. The game offers the player three modes: quick game, arcade and multiplayer.

If you want to know more about the game, visit its official website: http://battle-rage.com

Load Inc. partnership with Assassin Studio

Today, Load Inc. announced a partnership with the serious folks at Assassin Studio in Seattle. The two companies are teaming up to give a fresh start to Mad Tracks PC. After tremendous release on Xbox 360™ Live Arcade this summer, Douglas Boze, CEO of Assassin Studios will be on the lookout for a distribution and retail partner in North America for the great PC version. Now why ‘Assassin’ you wonder? Our award winning AD, Herve Nedelec, has his own version: “no doubt about it, Douglas kills the competition”.

“There’s a great thing about Mad Tracks PC once you start you can actually stop! And that comes in handy when it’s time for a New Years Eve dinner” says Thomas Leinekugel, VP project manager at Load Inc. and fine food enthusiast.

“With over 1.2 million downloads of the trial version of Mad Tracks on PC and over 630,000 XBLA downloads, we are very excited about the possibilities of coupling this product with the right distributor in North America”, says Douglas Boze, CEO of Assassin Studios.

Reflexive Entertainment releases PC video game The Great Tree

Fly into a magical world of mystery and adventure told through beautiful drawings and mesmerizing gameplay with Reflexive's newest game: The Great Tree.

Whispers speak of something sinister in the shadows. The time of the Great Descent draws nigh, but the Great Tree is failing. Stripped of its source of energy, its life force is running out. The fairy Wren, whose lives are intertwined with the tree, must find a way to collect the pollen that can save The Great Tree...and themselves.

Reflexive Entertainment (www.reflexive-inc.com) is proud to announce the release of The Great Tree. A grown-up story of good and evil that puts the survival of an enchanted world into your hands.

Drawn and painted by the same award-winning artist behind Wik: Fable of Souls, The Great Tree transports players into a beautifully dark world full of magic and mystery. The story of the faeries known as the Wren is one fraught with intrigue and danger. Told through elaborate drawings and poignant voice, the epic story has been carefully put together through blood, sweat and tears, to bring players a unique gaming experience.

Taking on the role of one of the Wren selected to collect pollen, players hear the story through cinematic interludes and then live it through the levels. Using magical powers and agile movements, players must avoid powerful and innovative enemies that literally come alive from the background in ways that are both exciting and horrifying.

"Watching a mushroom that you thought was just a pretty picture in the background open its eyes, change its expression and then open its mouth to try to eat you is just one of many amazing moments in this game that will startle, surprise and in the end simply amaze you," said Ion Hardie, Director of Product Development. "It contains moments that are as unique and enjoyable as anything I've ever seen in any game."

Featuring stunning locales, surprising enemies, and 100 wondrous levels, The Great Tree provides an amazing gaming experience, which feels akin to an epic film. More information, including the game's demo, can now be found at The Great Tree game's website: http://www.thegreattreegame.com/.

Cost headache for game developers

Next-generation consoles have wowed gamers with breathtaking graphics, surround sound and stunning gameplay since coming on to the market in the past year.

Halo 3 has been a massive success for Microsoft
Cutting-edge video games might be a dream come true for consumers around the world, but for many companies developing them, it's been a nightmare.

The movie-like productions on Sony's Playstation 3 and Microsoft's Xbox 360 games have meant that the cost of producing them has risen sharply.

Halo 3, an extremely popular game produced by Microsoft, is estimated to have cost $30m (£15m). However, the American software giant was able to recoup that, and the millions more spent on marketing, straight away.

On its first day of sales, it brought in $170m, setting the record for the most money earned in a day by an entertainment product. It far outstripped the money made in a day by Spiderman 3, the biggest-grossing Hollywood film.

More from the BBC

Video games reduce blood flow to the brain!!!!

People who spend too much time playing video games, especially violent video games, may risk damaging brain function and affect their learning and emotional control, a study released yesterday showed.

Chou Yuan-hua, a doctor in the Department of Psychiatry at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, enlisted 30 youngsters -- all aged 25 -- as research subjects for the study.

They were given physical examinations to monitor changes in blood circulation in their brains before and after each played a video game for 30 minutes.

The study found that the act of playing video games obviously caused decreased blood flow to the brain, and that the effect is even more pronounced in those playing violent video games.

Source: Taipei Times