MMORPG Sword of the New World: Granado Espada Expansion added

The Land of the Dead Has Risen
Sword of the New World expands with new content.
K2 Network, a global games publisher, announces K2 Network’s game portal Gamersfirst.com has launched an expansion for its Free2Play epic Age of Exploration MMORPG Sword of the New World: Granado Espada, entitled The Land of the Dead!

This new expansion adds new monsters, new stances, new skills and a slew of new features including: A whole new PvP Enabled map for players to explore, a new level of equipment: 92 Elites, 2 highly anticipated UPCs (Unique Player Characters): Kurt and Eduardo, and a host of Cash Shop additions including Andre’s Dolce and Granado Beachwear, the brand new Polisher system and Devil Wings.

Sword of the New World gives players more options, variety, entertainment and challenges than any other MMORPG can by virtue of its unique design features. With multi-character control (MCC), players are able to command up to three characters simultaneously. No longer limited to playing one character at a time, players can instantly switch between their favorite character classes or control them all at once; the pace of battle is swift and exciting in both player vs. environment (PvE) and player vs. player (PvP) combat. Sword of the New World features a bold, original art direction inspired by the supremacy of Europe’s Baroque period. Striking graphics make this title as thrilling to look at as it is to play, and the game’s brilliant design allows it to run on a variety of systems.

Pokemon Ranger - Batonnage tops Japan games chart

Pokemon Ranger: Batonnage has beaten off the opposition to take the Japanese chart top spot, selling almost a quarter of a million units in the process.

The data, compiled by Media Create for the sales week ending March 23, saw a completely new top four, with Deca Sporta for the Wii in second place, Armored Core for Answer on the PlayStation 3 in third and SimCity DS 2: From the Past to the Future in fourth place.

Wii Fit in fifth was one of only three titles to remain in the top ten from last week as a plethora of new titles saw releases in Japan.

Tales of Rebirth for the PlayStation Portable was another new entry in sixth, followed by Super Smash Bros Brawl, which will have surpassed the 1.5 million mark in Japan this week.

Crayon Shin-chan: Arashi wo Yobu Cinema Land took eighth spot, DS Beautiful Letter Training was ninth, and Time Hollow: Seeking the Lost Past rounded out the top ten.

Although eight of the top ten titles were on Nintendo platforms, there was some good news for Microsoft, as two new entries for the Xbox 360 made it into the top twenty - Armored Core for Answer on that console made number 13, while Army of Two was number 20.



The full top ten is as follows:

1. Pokemon Ranger: Batonnage (DS)
2. Deca Sporta (Wii)
3. Armored Core for Answer (PS3)
4. SimCity DS 2: From the Past to the Future (DS)
5. Wii Fit (Wii)
6. Tales of Rebirth (PSP)
7. Super Smash Bros Brawl (Wii)
8. Crayon Shin-chan: Arashi wo Yobu Cinema Land (DS)
9. DS Beautiful Letter Training (DS)
10. Time Hollow: Seeking the Lost Past (DS)

Source: Games Industry

New websites to introduce new players to Lineage II and Guild Wars PC games

NCsoft Europe announces the launch of two new websites specifically created to introduce players new to massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) the opportunity to discover two of NCsoft Europe’s most cherished and endearing games: Guild Wars and Lineage II.

From the battle-ravaged ruins of Tyria (Guild Wars), through the ancient kingdom of Cantha (Guild Wars Factions), and on across the treacherous plains of Elona (Guild Wars Nightfall), www.discoverguildwars.com introduces newcomers to the full Guild Wars experience, including the official expansion pack, Guild Wars: Eye of the North. Try mixing and matching combinations of games on this stunning, user-friendly website to discover how to gain access to new skills, missions, and geographical locations.

Lineage II: The Chaotic Throne, by contrast, offers a slightly different, if no less epic, playing experience. The world of Lineage II is divided into three kingdoms: Aden, Elmore and Gracia who share a delicate balance of power. Solo fighters, entire clans and immense alliances engage in combat so brutal the very ground shakes! By visiting www.discoverlineage2.com player can discover the historical background and rich heritage of one of the most enduring MMORPGs currently available using a sumptuously presented page-turning presentation guide.

Get fit in May with Family Trainer and the Nintendo Wii

Namco Bandai has a fitness oriented game too, but Family Trainer: Athletic World feels more like a game compared to Wii Fit. In one event players stand shoulder to shoulder on a mat and jump to vault over logs on the screen. In a different game players control a mine cart by lifting up their feet.

These activities may not tone your body as much as Wii Fit’s push-up trainer, but they are pretty fun. I played this almost a year ago at Tokyo Game Show and I’m looking forward to getting the final version when it comes out on May 29 in Japan.

Oh yeah, the mat pictured above comes with the game. Not a bad deal for 7,140 yen ($71). Yeah, that sounds expensive, but Wii Fit costs 8,800 yen ($88) and Super Smash Brothers Brawl commands a premium price of 6,800 yen ($68) in Japan.

Source: Siliconera

WWE Smackdown v Raw 2009 as WWE returns to consoles

The Number One Fighting Videogame Franchise Returns To The Virtual Ring With WWE Smackdown v Raw 2009

Leading Videogame Brand Set to Deliver the Definitive Sports Entertainment Experience With Added Depth, Explosive New Features and the Debut of Downloadable Content

THQ and JAKKS Pacific today announced that WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 is in development for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PSP (PlayStationPortable) system, Wii videogame console, Nintendo DS and mobile devices. Joining the immensely successful World Wrestling Entertainment roster of WWE SmackDown/SmackDown vs. Raw licensed videogames, which have shipped more than 37 million units worldwide since 1999, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 is expected to begin shipping to retail outlets worldwide this fall.

“The ambitious cross-platform launch of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 last year yielded tremendous growth for the franchise, as we delivered multiple gameplay experiences across seven platforms and greatly expanded our audience of WWE videogame fans,” said Bob Aniello, senior vice president, worldwide marketing, THQ. “With dynamic new features and the extension of our gameplay experience through downloadable content, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 will bring more console, handheld and wireless gamers together to enjoy the virtual world of WWE.”

“We are tremendously excited about the next groundbreaking release in the billion dollar WWE SmackDown vs. Raw videogame franchise,” said Nelo Lucich, vice president of interactive, JAKKS Pacific. “Downloadable content, innovative experiences with tag teams and a new Create-A-Finisher feature, along with significant annual improvements across all platforms, combine to bring the sports entertainment experience to new heights and gratify our long-time fans, casual gamers and franchise newcomers alike.”

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 upholds the franchise’s commitment to delivering the definitive videogame simulation of live WWE programming.

The Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system, PlayStation 2 system and PSP system versions of the game will unleash a brand new tag team experience, allowing players to build momentum and attributes, eliminate opponents with high impact double teams and finishers, as well as get the “hot tag” for the win. The franchise’s renowned creation system offers a brand new Create-A-Finisher option, while a new Road to WrestleMania® Mode paves the way to WWE’s biggest event of the year and lets players experience co-op storylines for the first time. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 also extends the virtual WWE gameplay experience with robust online capabilities, including the highly anticipated debut of downloadable content.

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 for Wii builds upon its inaugural offering by significantly expanding its match type options, giving players more ways to enjoy the platform’s unique pick-up-and-play experience. The game also takes full combat sports entertainment to the next level by giving players more Superstar control with interactive entrances and victory scenes. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 for Wii will also include a wide variety of new weapons, the debut of online gameplay and much more.

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 for Nintendo DS returns with new gameplay controls that utilize the stylus and D-pad to deliver a compelling handheld fighting game experience. The redesigned Season Mode takes a role-playing approach, allowing players to interact with Superstars, upgrade their abilities and complete missions on a quest toward legendary goals. In addition, a larger Superstar roster, new match types and the inclusion of Create-A-Superstar will provide players with a variety of intriguing options to enhance gameplay.

Playable Demo of Sherlock Holmes: Nemesis Available

Playable Demo of Sherlock Holmes: Nemesis Available Now!

Focus Home Interactive, The Adventure Company and Frogwares are pleased to announce the first playable demo of Sherlock Holmes: Nemesis, the latest episode in the critically acclaimed Sherlock Holmes adventure/detective franchise for PC.
This new demo contains several hours of gameplay and lets you play as the great detective, hot on the trail of Arsène Lupin, the famous French thief, who plans to steal a precious painting at the National Gallery in London. You will have to gather clues, investigate crime scenes, interview witnesses and display all your reasoning skills to solve the puzzles left by the gentleman burglar and keep him from stealing the painting and embarrassing Scotland Yard.

Download the demo from:

GameSpot

WorthPlaying

GameZone

FileFront

GamersHell

Focus Home Interactive

A true battle of wits between two of the greatest figures in popular literature, Sherlock Holmes: Nemesis will send players to 19th Century London where Arsène Lupin, a young French burglar with an impressive track record, has just challenged Scotland Yard and the most celebrated of detectives – Sherlock Holmes.

Lupin has announced that he plans to rob the capital of five objects of immense value over the course of five days. The objects are housed in highly prestigious locations such as the National Gallery, the British Museum, the Tower of London and even Buckingham Palace! Sherlock Holmes will have to muster all his courage and ingenuity to save England from terrible humiliation.

Theatre of War video game coming to PC from Battlefront

Theatre of War offers a fresh take on the WWII Real-time Strategy genre by combining the look, feel, sounds and historical elements of WWII to create the ultimate warfare simulation.

The game engine features realistic shell ballistics, armor penetration calculations and damage effects coupled with destructible environments, trenches, fortifications and individually tracked weapons, equipment, ammo and vehicles.

More than 50 battles spread across seven different campaigns (US/UK, Soviet, German, French, Polish, Battle for Moscow and Panzer Lehr in Normandy), along with eight non-campaign scenarios, five Training scenarios and 11 different multiplayer missions are available in the game to offer a rich and challenging combat experience to players.

About Battlefront.com

Battlefront.com is an independent, internet-based publisher and developer of superior war and strategy games since 1997! Among our games you will find the award-winning 3D tactical combat simulation series Combat Mission (three successive Wargame of the Year Awards).

Other titles include the ultimate WWII RTS game Theatre of War by acclaimed developer 1C Company, grand strategy classic Strategic Command 2 Blitzkrieg by award-winning designer Hubert Cater, the WWII air combat game Down in Flames by Dan Verssen, the uniquely "realistic" Sci-Fi combat game DropTeam and the famous TacOps 4 modern combat simulation, a commercial version of the official tactical training tool used by the U.S. Army.

Look out later this year for the ultimate Napoleonic combat simulation HistWar: Les Grognards from Jean-Michel Mathé! Besides computer games, Battlefront.com offers a selection of books, prints, and other warfare related articles to one of the world's largest and fastest growing wargamer fan communities!

Project Bang for Nintendo WiiWare

Preparing our big bang for Nintendo WiiWare

Engine Software announces WiiWare development

Engine Software, developer based in the Netherlands, today announces that it has started its first development project for the Nintendo WiiWare service. The debut title, for now dubbed “Project Bang!”, will be a casual game type with very addictive gameplay using the unique Wii Remote controller functionality, and will support a two-player battle mode.

Nintendo’s WiiWare service is a new downloadable game content service that is scheduled to be launched in March 2008. Players will be able to purchase and download WiiWare games directly from the Wii Shop Channel in exchange for Wii Points. “WiiWare brings new levels of creativity and value to the ever-growing population of Wii owners.”, as stated by Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime.

Ruud van de Moosdyk, VP of Development at Engine Software: “We are very excited about our first game for the WiiWare service. When we acquired our official Wii license last year we already had several concepts written up that would be ideal for WiiWare, and Project Bang! is the first to actually go into production. We wanted to get rolling on this exciting new platform early on, and I am quite happy we are now on schedule to do just that. “

In the near future Engine Software will be releasing more information (including the final name), and screenshots of Project Bang!, as well as more news regarding future plans for the platform. Project Bang! is scheduled to be completed early on in the service’s operational status, but no exact date can be given at this time.

Last Of The Patriots II now available on PC freeware game

Paul Davis author and creator of the prototype series Last Of The Patriots has announced that Last Of The Patriots II is now available for download on PC. The game features new concepts in story-telling techniques, and switches between the two main characters as they seek the truth behind the corporation.

The series is a prototype for future games, that revolve around plot and character and less on action, with an emphasis on deeper underlying meaning. The main premise of the game is to show war in a realistic way never before seen in games. "The game is a prototype, but we hope this can add something both for the industry and players alike" said Paul Davis the games creator.

The game has been released as freeware and is now available for download.

Imperium Romanum - Free Patch

Today, Kalypso Media Group is publishing a multilingual patch for the strategy highlight “Imperium Romanum”.

As part of our constant work to continually improve our products, we’ve listened to the forums and can now announce a new patch. As an added bonus, the patch also includes a map of the settlement Augusta Raurica.

The patch can be downloaded from: http://www.imperium-game.com/getupdate102.php

On www.imperium-game.com you can find general information about the game, a variety of screenshots, the trailer of the game as streaming video, interviews with the developers and a comprehensive demo version.

Imperium Romanum now available.