PlayStation makes a profit but Sony cuts full year sales targets

4.9m PS3 units sold from October to December

PlayStation 3 cost reductions have helped Sony's game division turn a profit for the third quarter ended December 31, but the company has slashed sales targets for the full year from 11 million to 9.5 million units.

Profit for the PlayStation business was JPY 12.9 billion (USD 121 million), compared to loss of JPY 54.2 billion (USD 509 million) for the same period in 2006, with improvement attributed to hardware reduction costs and strong sales of the PSP handheld.

Sales for the game division were JPY 581.2 billion (USD 5.46 billion), a 31.2 per cent increase over 2006's JPY 442.8 billion (USD 4.16 billion)

However, the company has lowered its full year sales targets for the PlayStation 3, from 11 million units to 9.5 million, while revealing it sold 4.9 million PS3's during the October to December period.

Software sales for the PlayStation 3 reached 26 million units during the three month period.

Following the success of the PlayStation Portable during the quarter, Sony has raised sales targets for the handheld from 10 million to 13 million units.

The company also said that while profit from the PlayStation 2 business decreased, hardware and software sales for the ageing console contributed to operating profit.

Net income for the entire Sony business rose 25 per cent to JPY 200.2 billion (USD 1.88 billion), up from JPY 159.9 billion (USD 1.50 billion) the previous year. Sales were also up 9.6 per cent to JPY 2.86 trillion (USD 26.8 billion).

With the PlayStation business making a profit, the company raised its full year net income target by 3 per cent to JPY 340 billion (USD 3.19 billion), while lowering yearly operating profit forecasts to JPY 410 billion (USD 3.85 billion), down from the previous JPY 450 billion (USD 4.22 billion) estimate.

Hardware sales for the PSP during the third quarter reached 5.76 million units, an increase of 22 per cent, while software sales for the handheld slipped 14 per cent to 18.3 million units.

Source: Games Industry

LEGO is 50 here's the top five LEGO video games

50 years ago today the Lego brick as we know it was born, allowing generation after generation of parents to stand in the toy aisle at their favorite retail establishment exclaiming, "How the hell do these cost so much? They're just Legos for chrissakes!" Seriously, I'd be ass-deep in Star Wars Lego crap if the price point weren't so insane. Still, 50 years of Lego history has given us countless Lego video games (if you can't count to 33), so I figured I would take a moment to check out the top five Lego video games of all time, in honor of this special day.

5.

Lego Digital Designer

Not so much a game as it was the updating of Lego to the digital age, allowing you to use your Mac or PC online to create your own Lego design and then order the blocks online, bringing your virtual creation to life. For those of us who can't afford the millions of Lego bricks it would take to build their own Lego home, this is as good as it gets.

4.

Lego Racers

(PC)


Number four would have to be sublime mixture of racing and building that was Lego Racers. While some reviewers thought it rather average, for me it was a lovely combination of two of my favorite pastimes, allowing me to build my own car and driver and then run them through a rather impressive series of tracks. Simple, sure, but I was pretty simple back in 1999 too.

3.

Lego Chess

(PC)


Oh sure, it's pretty much just Battlechess with Legos, but I'm a big fan of any game that mixes my deep love of strategic thinking with the torturing of tiny Lego beings.

2.

Lego Island

(PC)


The closest you're ever likely to get to my dream game, Grand Theft Lego, Lego Island was an open-ended PC game that allowed you to customize an entire island to your liking and explore using any number of vehicles you found or created to explore what your inventive mind had wrought. While it didn't let you stab prostitutes, you could always imagine it...Lego is all about using your imagination.

1.

Lego Star Wars: The Video Game

You knew this was coming, didn't you? I wouldn't be the geek I am today if not for both Lego and Star Wars, so the combination of the two is almost like merging my parents together into one amazing, half-dead parental unit, which while creepy really is the essence of the Lego brand. Putting things together using your imagination. I choose the first game because it was the success of it that led not only to the sequel and repack, but Lego Batman, Lego Indiana Jones, and - if I had my way - Grand Theft Lego.

A short list you might not all agree with, but that's the beauty of lists now, isn't it? Honestly the franchise has had a rather rocky start in the video games industry, but with Lego Batman, Lego Indiana Jones, and the upcoming MMO Lego Universe on the way, things are looking brighter every day for those little clickable building blocks. Happy 50th, Lego!

Source: Kotaku

Silent Hill Origins video game returns to Sony PlayStation 2

Konami's acclaimed prequel heads to PlayStation 2 in enhanced form
Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced that its hugely popular Silent Hill Origins title is to be released for PlayStation 2 in May following its enormous success as a PSP (PlayStationPortable) title.

Due for release in May, Silent Hill Origins acts as a prequel to the popular horror series, and follows troubled truck driver, Travis Grady, who gets stuck in the terrifying town while making a routine delivery. He quickly discovers that all is not well in the fog-smothered town, and that its shrouded streets hide grotesque creatures and dark secrets. Moreover, as he explores the seemingly abandoned town, Grady is confronted by crippling memories from his troubled past and it becomes clear he must escape from Silent Hill while resolving the memories that have plagued him since childhood.

The PlayStation 2 version offers a visually enhanced version of the PSP game, with a host of elements that are new to the franchise and provide the player with an enhanced sensation of isolation. While the game retains the cinematic experience of the previous games, it also has an intuitive ‘Cineractive System’ that allows players to face down horrifying monsters while the control scheme changes intuitively for each situation. Players also have an enhanced camera system that actively tracks Travis, while fans of the series will revel in Silent Hill Origins’ original soundtrack by series composer Akira Yamaoka.

"It is fantastic to bring the Silent Hill series back to the format that was so integral to its success,”, said Hans-Joachim Amann, Head of European Product Management for Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH. “Silent Hill Origins is a stunning prelude that explains some of the mystery and mythos of the series, and we look forward to inviting Silent Hill’s many fans back to its doom-laden streets.”

Nintendo DS the world's most popular video games system gets a face lift with cobalt blue and black version

The best-selling video game system in the world is adding a cool new color scheme to its wardrobe on Feb. 10. Like a black T-shirt with a splash of color, the new Cobalt/Black version of the portable Nintendo DS™ grabs your attention. It looks good whether it's toted in your school backpack, pulled from your purse or riding with you on a family trip.

Cobalt/Black marks the seventh color in the Nintendo DS Lite palette. It joins Polar White, Coral Pink, Onyx, Crimson/Black and the limited-edition Gold and Metallic Rose. Now there's a Nintendo DS color to complement any outfit.

Nintendo DS just finished 2007 as the best-selling video game system in the United States, with more than 8.5 million sold last year alone. Since it launched in November 2004, Nintendo DS has sold more than 17.6 million in the United States. Its smart looks, innovative touch screen and voice recognition features, and remarkable software have reinvented the way people think about video games while attracting girls, women, baby boomers and seniors to the world of video games in record numbers.

The new Cobalt/Black version will be available starting Feb. 10 wherever video game systems are sold. For more information about Nintendo DS, please visit www.nintendo.com/ds.

Sudoku on Microsoft Xbox LIVE Arcade

Sudoku to launch on Xbox LIVE Arcade Q2 2008 with innovative multi-player

Merscom announced it will be publishing this Spring Buku Sudoku, the first Sudoku game for the Xbox LIVE Arcade system. The first, and only, Sudoku title for the Xbox LIVE Arcade, Buku Sudoku brings the worldwide Sudoku phenomenon to the Xbox LIVE Arcade while adding innovative competitive and cooperative play features.

Buku Sudoku uses three key features of the XBLA platform to create the best console Sudoku experience. First, the native HD resolution of the 360 allows for an easy to read grid with pencil marks. Secondly, the controller’s triggers and thumbsticks make for a very fast entry method, a usual barrier with electronic Sudoku games. Thirdly, the unique XBLA service allows for multiplayer experiences never before witnessed in a Sudoku game. All of this is wrapped up in a cohesive graphical style that manages to offer something for all users. In a similar fashion, multiple puzzle sizes, difficulties, control schemes, and tutorials offer appeal to any player whether totally new or a veteran.

“We are really excited about the release of Buku Sudoku, as it takes the proven and popular gameplay of Sudoku to a new level. It will appeal not only to Sudoku fans but anyone who loves a great gameplay experience,” said Kirk Owen, CEO at Merscom. “Given the popularity of Sudoku on other platforms and the quality of this game, we expect Buku Sudoku to be a phenomenal hit.”

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S.T.A.L.K.E.R. : Clear Sky publisher announced

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

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

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

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

Official game site: www.stalker-game.com

Major Minor's Majestic March on Nintendo Wii - Fact Sheet

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

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

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

Publisher: Majesco Entertainment

Developer: NanaOn-Sha

Platform: Wii

Genre: Music/Rhythm

Storyline

In a town where marching bands are prevalent and everyone is looking to be the best, Major Mike Minor is fairly ambivalent towards marches despite hailing from a long line of illustrious Drum Majors. After his parents present him with a “special” baton that magically attracts band members to fall into rhythm behind the leader, will Major Minor finally fulfill his potential and share the joy of marching with the world?

Features

Major Minor’s Majestic March marks the return of the creative team behind the renowned PaRappa the Rapper franchise-legendary game designer and multimedia musician Masaya Matsuura and famed New York artist Rodney Alan Greenblat.
Your Wii Remote is Major Minor’s “special” bandleader baton, used to keep tempo, recruit new band members and pick-up valuable items. If your rhythm is unstable confusion will result; band members will drop out and you could ultimately fail the stage.

March in 8 different whimsical locations that contain various hair-raising events. Use your best efforts to create the most impressive parade ever whilst nimbly avoiding obstacles.
Add 15 different instruments to your procession, from brass to woodwinds to percussion.

As the makeup of the band changes, so does the performance; it all depends on which members you select! Try different combinations each time you play.

Numerous modes of play.

March and keep tempo to more than 30 well-known marching band tunes from around the world, composed into original medleys for each unique stage.

Dazzle the crowd with your incredible baton-twirling displays during brief intermissions.

LATEST ADDITION TO HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL VIDEO GAME ON NINTENDO DS

Disney has shipped 3.8 million units of "High School Musical" themed video games worldwide

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

High School Musical: Work This Out! follows the extremely successful launch of High School Musical: Sing It!, High School Musical: Makin’ the Cut and High School Musical: Living the Dream this past holiday season. Across all titles and platforms in the franchise, Disney Interactive Studios has shipped 3.8 million copies of the video games worldwide. According to NPD data for the U.S., the “High School Musical” video games achieved Top 20 positions on each published platform for the month of December 2007. High School Musical: Sing It!, a karaoke-themed video game featuring songs from both “High School Musical” films, ranked as the No6 top selling Wii home video game system title and No11 selling PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system title. High School Musical: Makin’ the Cut, a rhythm-based music and adventure game, ranked No10 for Nintendo DS. High School Musical: Living the Dream ranked No5 among the GameBoy Advance titles for the same month.

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

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

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

Download Demo-Version of Speedball 2 – Tournament available

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

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

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

Jumpgate Evolution at forthcoming Codemasters Online Connect event.

Codemasters Online today revealed that their next MMORPG set for release in 2008, Jumpgate will be fully playable at their forthcoming 2-day community event, Codemasters Online Connect.

Available to play across 400+ machines this will be the first chance players have to get hands on with Codemasters Online's latest blockbuster MMORPG set for release in Winter 2008. Lucky attendees to Connect will also walk away with an exclusive BETA key for Jumpgate as part of the gift pack being distributed to all attendees at the show.

'We are excited to be unveiling Jumpgate to the press and public at Connect," commented Edward Relf, Director of Marketing, Codemasters Online. "Connect is the perfect platform for us to demonstrate this amazing next generation MMORPG and look forward to letting gamers get hands on with this twitch-based space epic."

Recently unveiled as Codemasters Online's next MMORPG, Jumpgate is the definitive space combat MMO immersing players in an intense action-packed universe. Embarking on an immersive and accessible space adventure, players can trade valuable commodities, take part in dangerous outer-space raids, meet and play with friends and live out the dream to become an elite hero or infamous space pirate. The game features both a rich and varied universe to explore and has been designed for experienced and novice MMO players alike.

Developed by the US-based MMOG developer NetDevil, Jumpgate is a space-based MMO incorporating all-new action style gameplay like never seen before in any previous online game.

For more information on Codemasters Online Connect visit www.codemastersconnect.com

For more information on Jumpgate visit www.jumpgateevolution.com

Kicks available in French and Italian

Kicks now available also in French and Italian

Great news for all the French and Italian players!

GameTribe has released an updated version of the Kicks’ game client which includes a Multilanguage feature: now you’ll be able to enjoy this game also in French and Italian in addition to English!

To enjoy this feature all you have to do is to change settings in the option area.

1) If you are already playing Kicks Online, you will not need to reinstall the client: just launch the game and you’ll automatically download a patch that includes the new Multilanguage feature! Then go to the Options section and change your language preferences.

2) If you are not yet a Kicks player, you just need to create a GameTribe account, download the game here and then set the favorite language in option menu after logging into the game.

It’s football time!

Start playing!!!

Gametribe.com,

www.gametribe.com

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

Third game in the exciting trilogy comes to the US

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

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

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

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

Summary of key additions:

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

More than 50 new units to use in multiplayer mode

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

System of ratings and statistics for every participant in multiplayer mode

New nation in multiplayer mode - Japan

Revised controls interface - customizable and easier to use

New multiplayer maps and 2 new game modes

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

New Trailer download for PC SHIP SIMULATOR 2008

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

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

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

SUMMARY

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

FEATURES

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

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

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

Brand new content and translations

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

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

Forthcoming in-game event

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

Micro-transaction payment system

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

For more information, visit www.warofdragons.com.

About Waygate Publishing

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

www.waygate-publishing.com

About IT-Territory

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contest Dates:
February 3rd - February 24th

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Baseball Superstars 2008 Cellphone video game announced

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The new game client features include: -

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Myth War Online PC game: Celebrate Valentine's Day

Myth War Online: Celebrate Valentine's Day

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

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

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

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

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

AGEOD's American Civil War Arrives in US PC game

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

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

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