The Velvet Assassin Strikes Down Sabotage video game - with video

Today developer Replay Studios, along with publisher Gamecock Media Group, have announced the official name change for ’Velvet Assassin’, their upcoming stealth-action title formerly known as ‘Sabotage’. The new title creates a perfect marriage between the story of real life hero Violette Szabo and the clandestine art of sabotage she championed. From the incredibly innovative art style, storyline, and combat gameplay, Velvet Assassin is poised to revolutionize the stealth-action genre later this year.



“Rather than a trite, overused, and generic working title like ‘Sabotage,’ ‘Velvet Assassin’ captures the heart of what we’re trying to accomplish,” said Sascha Jungnickel, Creative Director at Replay Studios. “From the start we’ve wanted a game with a strong female lead that stays true to the history of Violette Szabo while pulling players into a world of dark intrigue.”

Inspired by the true story of British Agent Violette Szabo, players will take on the role of Violette Summer. Behind enemy lines in Nazi occupied Europe, Violette risks her life fighting to fell the Third Reich with anything she can get her hands on, including enemy soldiers. With no support or official backing from the British Government, Violette puts everything on the line to defeat the German war machine – one mission at a time. Velvet Assassin combines lush, surreal visuals, a ground-breaking stealth combat system and one of the most unique perspectives ever brought to gaming. Velvet Assassin is planned to release in Fall 2008 on PC and next-generation consoles.

“Most of the time a name change happens because it’s not ‘catchy’ enough or because the marketing team didn’t like it,” said Tim Hesse, Executive Producer at Gamecock Media Group. “I have to say, the Replay crew have outdone themselves by making Violette into one of the best looking stealth-killers ever. This game has come so far since last year that Sabotage just didn’t do the game justice – ‘Velvet Assassin’ sums up every aspect that makes this game great.”

Replay Studios will be on hand with Velvet Assassin at Gamecock’s EIEIO 2008 in Austin, Texas on March 6th. For more information, please visit: www.EIEIO2008.com

EXCLUSIVE REQUIEM BETA ACCESS Download and play now

EXCLUSIVE REQUIEM BETA ACCESS

MATURE: 17+ USERS ONLY

FilePlanet Free MMO Club users are the FIRST to get into the Requiem Online beta. If you're at least 18 years old, and looking for a serious, mature MMO then look no further - Requiem Online is for you. The game features a storyline of conflict between good and evil, graphic and bloody battles, and a unique DNA customization system that lets players develop new powers.


Be one of the FIRST to get into the Requiem Online beta test. We have the first batch of keys exclusively here on FilePlanet's Free MMO Club!

Get it here...

No Doubt Hits Now Available For Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock

No Doubt Hits Now Available For Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock

Fans will now be able to shred to hits from No Doubt’s renowned album Tragic Kingdom with the release of a new downloadable track pack for Activision, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: ATVI) Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.

This epic set of master recordings is plucked straight from No Doubt’s diamond selling album and includes such beloved chart toppers as “Don’t Speak,” “Excuse Me Mr.,” and “Sunday Morning.” The track pack is currently offered on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and will be available later today on PLAYSTATION Store for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system.

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock offers the ultimate rock experience with new wireless guitars, freshly added content and features including a multiplayer action-inspired battle mode, grueling boss battles, a host of exclusive unlockable content and visually stunning rock venues. Expanded online multiplayer modes allow axe-shredders worldwide to compete head-to-head for true rock status as they riff through a star-studded soundtrack including master tracks by legendary artists such as Aerosmith, Guns 'N' Roses, The Rolling Stones, Beastie Boys, Rage Against the Machine and Pearl Jam, as well as original songs by guitar icons Slash and Tom Morello. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is now available and is rated "T" for Teen by the ESRB.

2K Sports Steps Up to Bat with Exciting Wii Motion Controls for Major League Baseball 2K8

2K Sports Steps Up to Bat with Exciting Wii Motion Controls for Major League Baseball 2K8

What better way to for gamers to enjoy a baseball video game than to move like they are actually playing baseball? With Major League Baseball 2K8 on the Wii home video game system, fans of all ages and skill levels will be able to step up to the plate and hit one out of the park. Major League Baseball 2K8 provides the most fun and exciting baseball simulation experience available and the innovative Wii controls allow fans the opportunity to pitch, bat, field and run the bases using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk.

Some of the fun new Wii gameplay controls for Major League Baseball 2K8 include:
Pitching – To pitch, players simply point the Wii Remote at the screen, pull back to start the pitcher’s motion, then flick the Wii Remote forward. The quicker the player flicks the remote, the more velocity and movement the pitch will have. The Nunchuk can be used to view a player’s pitch arsenal and to select which pitch to throw.

Batting – Swinging for the fences with Major League Baseball 2K8 on Wii will provide fans with even more fun when they control the Wii Remote as if they were swinging a real bat. The Nunchuk acts to control the direction of the ball.

Fielding – While controlling their designated player using the Nunchuk, players can snag fly balls and use the Wii Remote to throw to the appropriate base. Players can use Major League Baseball 2K8’s “Smart Throw” technology to throw to the best base by simply flicking the Wii Remote or can manually choose which base to throw to by pressing a direction on the directional pad

Baserunning – Players can control the speed of their baserunning by shaking the Wii Remote and Nunchuk simultaneously, then pushing both controllers to slide.

Major League Baseball 2K8, rated E for Everyone by the ESRB, will be available in retail stores on March 4, 2008, for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii home video game system, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, and PSP (PlayStationPortable) system.

For more information about Major League Baseball 2K8, please visit www.2Ksports.com.

SBK08, the official game of the HANNspree Superbike World Championship

SBK08 – First official trailer available!



Black Bean Games is pleased to announce the exclusive release of the first trailer for SBK08, the official game of the HANNspree Superbike World Championship, developed by Milestone. The video is available now on www.gamespot.co.uk

As well as featuring the official teams, riders and tracks of the current WSBK Championship, SBK08 has six difficulty settings, that will appeal to WSBK fans and gamers alike. A fast paced, action packed arcade mode for gamers that want to jump in and challenge WSBK greats like Troy Bayliss and Max Biaggi, through to a full simulation mode for those that like to be challenged by mastering a superbike round some of the worlds most famous circuits including Donington, Valencia, Miller, Misano, Assen, Magny Cours and many more

SBK08 will be available on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PSP, PlayStation 2 and PC and is scheduled for release in May 08

2K Sports Announces Major League Baseball 2K8 Has Gone Gold

2K Sports Announces Major League Baseball 2K8 Has Gone Gold

Let’s play ball! 2K Sports today announced that the highly anticipated baseball simulation title, Major League Baseball 2K8, has gone gold and is now ready for production for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PSP (PlayStationPortable) system, and Wii home video game system. Available on March 4th in retail stores nationwide, Major League Baseball 2K8 offers dedicated fans the opportunity to enjoy exciting and expanded features to provide the most fun and realistic baseball simulation experience available.

Major League Baseball 2K8 will revolutionize player control this year with brand-new pitching, fielding and baserunning, as well as a completely overhauled batting interface. To bring fans closer to the action than ever before, Major League Baseball 2K8 features authentic Major League Baseball and Minor League stadiums that have been completely redesigned for accuracy, complete with the detail and specific architecture of each ballpark and city.

Jon Miller and Hall of Famer Joe Morgan, the best announcing duo in baseball video games, are back in the booth to deliver the deepest commentary available, providing insightful analysis of each ball and strike. Other in-game features include a totally unique trading card system, robust Minor League system including 90 playable minor league teams, all-new Signature Style™ animations complete with home run celebrations, and much more.

Major League Baseball 2K8, rated E for Everyone by the ESRB, will be available in retail stores March 4, 2008, for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, PlayStation 2, PSP (PlayStation Portable), and Wii.

For more information about Major League Baseball 2K8, please visit www.2Ksports.com.

WWII Battle Tanks: T-34 vs. Tiger Final Box Artwork Revealed

WWII Battle Tanks: T-34 vs. Tiger Final Box Artwork Revealed

Leading publisher Lighthouse Interactive today released the final box artwork and 6 new screenshots for their upcoming tank simulation game 'WWII Battle Tanks: T-34 vs Tiger'.

The box artwork is simple, yet powerful - displaying the true essence of this highly realistic WW2 Tank simulation game: the agile and fast moving Russian T-34 tank and the brutal, heavily armoured German Tiger. WWII Battle Tanks: T-34 vs Tiger allows players to experience the power of some of the most advanced weaponry of its time and battle the enemy head on during some of the most critical campaigns of World War 2.

Following on from their massively successful Ship Simulator series, with WWII Battle Tanks: T-34 vs Tiger Lighthouse aims to wow simulation fans with yet another high quality and genre-defining simulation game, because WWII Battle Tanks: T-34 vs Tiger is looking stunningly realistic and has all desired playing features on board. Suited for Windows XP and Windows Vista this game is scheduled to release in Q2 2008 for PAN European territories.

Game summary

The tank simulation ‘WWII Battle Tanks: T-34 vs. Tiger’ takes place in Belarus during the summer of 1944, in which the Soviet Union launched “Operation Bagration”, the Belarusian offensive, against the retreating German Wehrmacht. After Kursk, this was the most significant struggle of the two tank armies and resulted in the complete destruction of the German Army Group Center and the Soviet recapture of all territories within their 1941 borders.

The player can experience the battlefield from within the Russian T-34 and the German “Tiger”, with fully animated 3D interiors and playable Driver, Gunner and Commander positions. The tanks’ dynamics include realistic physics, accurate ballistics and elaborate damage models. Interior models feature historically accurate gun-sight optics.

The vast Belarusian landscape of the early 20th century, with its rolling hills, villages and large forests was carefully recreated from historical reference photos and maps. The rich battlefield environment includes AI controlled Russian and German tanks, infantry, armored-personnel-carriers, anti-tank-guns and airplanes.

Stunning special effects, such as explosions, fires and smoke, the ability to completely destroy vehicles and buildings, all combine to create a lifelike combat environment. The action can be viewed from various camera angles in first or third person view.

‘WWII Battle Tanks: T-34 vs. Tiger’ includes two single-player campaigns and two multiplayer modes (skirmish and team-play) for LAN and Internet play for up to 16 players.

Features

• German and Russian Campaign missions are based on “Operation Bagration”, the codename for the Soviet Belarusian Offensive during World War II.
• Playable tanks: The Russian T-34/85 and the German Sd.Kfz. 181 "Tiger" Ausf. E.
• Control your tank from fully modelled and animated 3D positions. (driver, gunner and commander).
• “Napalm Engine” 3D technology allows for impressive effects, such as dynamic shadows, self shading, bump mapping, specular maps, glow and bloom.
• Stunning graphics and huge realistic landscapes to explore.
• Interactive environment with various levels of destruction: Buildings, trees and vehicles can be damaged or destroyed by cannon, MG fire or ramming attacks.
• AI controlled vehicles include: T-34/85, T-34/76, Tiger, Sk.Kfz.251, M3A1,ZIS-5, Opel Blitz, ZIS-3, Pak. 40, IL-2, FW-190.
• Multiplayer options include: LAN and Internet play for up to 16 players; Two multiplayer modes: Skirmish and TeamPlay.
• The game is GameSpy Arcade ready for online multi-player sessions and uses DirectPlay TM technology for direct IP multi-player connections via LAN and Internet.
• “TrackIR” support immerses the player in hands-free first person views for all available crew positions.

For more information on ‘WWII Battle Tanks: T-34 vs Tiger’ and to keep up with the latest breaking news, visit www.lighthouse-interactive.com

Unique Role Playing Aspects Of Hard To Be A God Revealed

Unique Role Playing Aspects Of Hard To Be A God Revealed

VARIED QUESTS, IN-DEPTH CHARACTERS AND MIXED GENRES CONTRIBUTE TO UNORTHODOX GAMING ADVENTURE

Hard To Be A God, the new action and adventure game from Ascaron to be released in April, uniquely combines the sci-fi and medieval fantasy genres with a mix of Hack & Slash and RPG gameplay. Exceptional attention to detail during game development results in an in-depth storyline, advanced character development and a diverse range of quests, set on a planet locked in medieval times.


Blurring genres
The original storyline distinguishes it from other role playing games. The crossover of medieval fantasy and sci-fi provides a unique opportunity to combine the archaic with the futuristic, mixing a medieval backdrop with technologically advanced items. The in-depth and intriguing story development immerses the player in the role of a secret agent sent from a futuristic Earth to the medieval, alien planet of Arkanar.

Character customisation
As the game progresses a unique individual, far removed from the secret agent at the start, will have evolved. Customisation of the character is made possible through combat skill or ability development, such as swordsmanship or negotiation. This fine-tunes the character to suit a particular type of gameplay. The different guises that the character is forced to take on, including bandit, don, aristocrat and monk, will affect the combat methods and style of gameplay.


Range of quests
A variety of quests needs to be completed, from defeating ruthless bandits to recovering a lost child. Different individuals will be met along the way, each with their own background storyline, adding to the depth of the game. Alternate ways to complete quests give the player choice in how best to progress; some quests require clever battle tactics or diplomacy, i.e. if outnumbered by a gang, kill the leader and the rest will cooperate, while others are dependent on nerve and strength.

Try your luck at survival by visiting www.hardtobeagod.com to download the demo.

Fast facts:
Publisher: Ascaron Entertainment / Nobilis
Web: www.Ascaron.com / www.hardtobeagod.com
Developer: Akella
Release date: 11thApril 2008
Price: £29.99
PEGI: 12+
Format: PC
Genre: RPG/Hack & Slash

EA ANNOUNCES THE SIMS 2 FREETIME EXPANSION PACK

EA ANNOUNCES THE SIMSTM 2 FREETIME EXPANSION PACK

Reward Your Sims With a Wide Variety of Fun, New Activities!

Electronic Arts today announced that The Sims 2 FreeTime, the newest expansion pack from The Sims, is available on store shelves across Europe and North America. A wide range of all-new activities, hobbies and cool careers are now available to your Sims with this expansion pack. New life pursuits based on your Sims personal interests mean that even more creativity and unique stories are now at your fingertips. Sports, music & dance, arts & crafts, science, and film & literature are just some of the new storytelling options connected to your Sims discovery and pursuit of their individual hobbies.

“The Sims 2 FreeTime empowers your Sims with the tools to explore hobbies that are entertaining and that go beyond the every day,” said Rod Humble, Head of The Sims Studio. “Now your Sims have the freedom to discover a wide range of talents, add stimulating career options, expressive and artistic outlets, and fun leisure time activities. The Sims 2 FreeTime adds depth and humor to the gameplay storytelling, and also appreciation for the experiences that make life enjoyable.”

Sims can follow their dreams and rediscover the joys of leisure time! Awaken your Sims' true passions in life as they discover and excel at all-new activities. Whether they're kicking a football with the family, practicing ballet, restoring cars with friends, or building train sets, your Sims now have more ways to build skills, enhance friendships, and make their lives more successful. Craft new, unique items for your Sims that they can use in their daily lives including clothing, pottery, and more. Your Sims will even unlock secret rewards by mastering their hobbies and advancing in all-new careers. Explore a wide variety of new hobbies that will change your Sims' lives!

Talented mechanics can remodel and then drive their newly-renovated sports cars. Sims can rake in oodles of Simoelons with skilfully crafted pottery or by writing a mesmerizing novel. A variety of individual artistic interests can be developed, including playing the violin, playing the piano and creating beauty on a painting easel. For Sims that love games, chess, darts, billiards and basketball lay-ups all await them in The Sims 2 FreeTime. Even a model train set can be personalized by your Sims!

Explore cool careers that bring happiness and fulfilment to your Sims in The Sims 2 FreeTime. New cool career options are available, including oceanography, architecture, and entertainment. And now by honing their talents, your Sims can unlock a secondary aspiration making them even more unique.

International pop star Natasha Bedingfield is featured on The Sims 2 FreeTime soundtrack with her new hit song “Pocketful of Sunshine” sung in Simlish, the universal language of The Sims. Also on the soundtrack is an international line-up of bands and artists from Scandinavia, Europe and the US.

KEY FEATURES

• New Gameplay Elements Tied to Hobbies. Your Sims can discover the activities that they’re most passionate about! Addition of a wide range of new activities, including sports, music & dance, arts & crafts, science, film & literature and more, all add new storytelling options tied to your Sims discovery and pursuit of specific hobbies. Sims can now participate in contests to win prizes and Simoleons, or they can master interests, practice and improve their skills, and get in “the zone!” Your Sims can enrich their lives by creating items to use or sell, like pottery or cars. These new hobbies can strengthen friendships and uncover secret lots.

• New Lifetime Aspiration Meter. Your Sims can measure the progress of their aspirations over a lifetime and unlock special rewards and interactions!

• Five New Career Tracks and their Reward Objects. Oceanographers can earn a koi pond, entertainers can get their own star of fame, architects can use their own drafting table, dancers can receive a ballet barre and intelligence agents can use an audio earpiece.

• All New Objects and Outfits. The Sims 2 FreeTime introduces brand new items, including a basketball hoop, pottery wheel, toddler activity table, modular synthesizer, hobby train table and much more.


Product Specifications
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Electronic Arts Redwood Shores
PC expansion pack*
Category: Simulation/Strategy
PEGI Rating: 12+
Requires The Sims 2, The Sims 2 Special DVD Edition , The Sims 2 Holiday Edition or The Sims 2 Deluxe for PC to play.

New screens of much anticipated RPG from Paradox Interactive: Mount and BladePostcards from Calradia

Postcards from Calradia

New screens of much anticipated RPG from Paradox Interactive: Mount and Blade

To ye, who possess a stout heart forged in the heat of battle - have ye a Mount and Blade? For war hath broken out in the idyllic land of Calradia.

For so long a place of mystery, unknown to all, except those brave enough to journey there. Now heralds have come from yonder, with painted tablets depicting this fabled place.Across welcoming sun-drenched expanses, through green and pleasant lands ye must travel. Over unspoiled rivers that sparkle with hallowed brilliance, to majestic towns built from stone. Ye must enter dark, torch-lit halls to find these warring factions, to pledge yourself to their service.

Be ye mercenary, cutthroat, knight or adventurer the clash of steel upon steel beckons all forth. Whether ye seek wealth beyond measure or everlasting glory – ye must ride. Ride hard! Ride fast!!