"Al-Quraysh" is a strategy game developed by Damascus based Afkar Media, that tells the story of the first 100 years of Islam's history from the viewpoint of four different nations - Bedouins, Arabs, Persians, and Romans.
One can choose to command any of the armies of the four nations or lead the army of the main character, Khaled Ibn Waleed, a Muslim warrior who defeated the Roman and Persian empires and never lost a battle. Or one can play the role of the Bedouin sheikh, who must earn the respect of his tribe. The player has the task of building and protecting trade routes and water sources, building armies, conducting battles, and freeing slaves.
The makers hope "Al-Quraysh," named after the prophet Muhammad's tribe, will help to correct the image of Islam, alleviate tensions with the West, and stoke pride among young Muslims. Afkar Media has already produced two games, both dealing with the plight of the Palestinian people.
One game released last year, "Under Siege," was born out of frustration with the prevalance of Arabs and Muslims portrayed as terrorists in Western video games. The creators of the game say the story line counteracts the biases in some Western games by showing the Palestinian struggle from an Arab vantage point and creating Arab and Muslim characters who are fighting in self-defense.
I haven't had the chance to check out or play any of the AfkarMedia games, although I truly wish I get to, but I think it's great that they're out there and doing all this amazing work.
I also like their choice of subjects and the messages they're trying to get across through their games.
Children will take the recommended amount of exercise they need each day if it is combined with video games, new academic research has reveal
An independent study at the University of Cumbria found that nine in every ten youngsters want to play video games at the same time as exercising. The games reduce the boredom of exercise.
Fifty children aged 11 and 12 were asked to use exercise equipment combined with video games provided by a company called Gamercize.
The children could play their games only while they maintained movement on the fitness machines. If they stopped exercising, the games paused.
Researcher Jack Tyson said: "The results of this study show that 90% of children like combining video games with exercise.
"Only one in five of these children was achieving the recommended one hour a day of moderate physical activity, while three-quarters of them played video games for more than one hour a day."
Today, the National Obesity Forum hailed the findings.
Clinical director Dr David Haslam said: "Physical inactivity in children is a major cause of the obesity epidemic, and Gamercize provides an innovative solution, reducing sedentary behaviour, whilst maintaining enjoyment, making it a popular and appealing remedy. This study begins to show that by providing more novel opportunities, it is possible to increase a child's activity in a painless and effective way."
Tam Fry, the Forum's board member for children and the Honorary Chairman of the Child Growth Foundation, added: "Ideally children should be running around fields and expending energy naturally, but a lot of children are unable to do this so active gaming brings about energy balance. The key to all this is that children must have fun and the value of Gamercize is that children have a great time using it."
Gamercize equipment has proved popular in schools and homes worldwide.
Derbyshire Sport introduced Gamercize equipment into schools this year.
Steve Smith, the schools sports partnership development manager, said: "We have found Gamercize equipment appeals to all children, helping us to provide additional physical activity in our primary and secondary schools. Gamercize has proved both popular with children and is extremely flexible for PE teachers and school sport competition managers alike."
Gamercize, the company behind world leading patented electronic fitness accessories for PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2, Xbox and Gamecube. The company aim is to encourage fitness with motivation and enjoyment, by innovation in technology. Gamercize is a member of the Fitness Industry Association and Youth Sports Trust. Its website is http://www.gamercize.net.
Spanish footballer Fernando Torres, who plays for UK side Liverpool, is addicted to computer games and has spent £35,000 kitting out his home with high-tech toys including three PlayStation 3 consoles.
He is understood to be highly superstitious and his love of three continues when he orders video games.
He has three copies of Pro Evolution Soccer(Surprise!) Grand Theft Auto IV and Halo 3.
Three games rooms three Playstation 3s three Xbox 360s, three of each game and three times three - number nine the number on his jersey.
Director’s cut High Definition movie of the recent ArmA II trailer, created especially for the dedicated fans in the ever-growing ArmA community.
As part of its continued commitment to the loyal ArmA fans, Bohemia Interactive wanted to ensure that the extended trailer provided a detailed look at the game’s weapons, vehicles and the incredible environments in the troubled setting of war-ravaged Chernarus. The ArmA II website also contains even more information about the upcoming military simulation and is packed full of key intel.
“We want to support our fans with fresh materials and news on a regular basis,” said Marek Spanel, CEO of Bohemia Interactive. “This video will be followed by more materials in the close future. Stay tuned and check the ArmA II website for forthcoming info.”
In ArmA II, you’re part of an elite squad of American soldiers sent behind enemy lines to restore peace to Chernarus, a Soviet country ripped apart by civil war as warring rival factions fight to take control of the troubled state. In an epic story full of plot twists and turns, it becomes clear that the troubles plaguing Chernarus are deeper than anyone thought and the battle intensifies to extreme levels.
Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:
WiiWare
SPACE INVADERS GET EVEN (Taito, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Cartoon Violence, 500 Wii Points): The Space Invaders are back, and this time they're out to get even. Take control of a UFO and make those Earthlings pay by unleashing your fleet of heroic invaders against their puny tanks, fighter jets and artillery-but watch out for the massive boss awaiting you at the end of each stage. Use your invaders' five attack types and the might of the mother ship to rack up high scores, then upload them via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and see where you stand in the global rankings. (Note: Router and broadband access required for online play. For more info, visit www.nintendo.com.)
Pit Crew Panic! (Hudson Entertainment, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): Pit Crew Panic! is a frantic, action-packed game that unfolds on the racing circuit. During the game, the pit crew is not only faced with repairing vehicles, but also various WHATSITs. Handling the WHATSIT repairs is a pit crew made up of legendary beauties. The controls are simple: Just grab a member of the crew with the Wii Remote™ controller's A Button, then release the button when the Pointer is over the damaged PART, and that crew member will begin repairs. Assign repairs to the members of your team and provide support using the Wii Remote to send a fully repaired WHATSIT out of the pit as quickly as you can. The game features Normal mode, which can be played using one of two rules: Abnormal mode (players split into two teams and compete against each other) and Ranking mode (compete with players around the world for the top record). Each mode can be played with a maximum of four Wii Remote controllers, allowing you to team up with friends and family. Your teamwork could lead to outstanding records.
Virtual Console
METAL SLUG 2 (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen-Blood and Gore, Violence, 900 Wii Points): Released in 1998 by SNK, METAL SLUG 2 is a side-scrolling military-action game. Players choose from Marco, Tarma, Eri and Fio, setting their sights on wiping out Morden's newly remobilized Rebellion Army. Just like the original METAL SLUG, players blaze a trail by shooting and jumping, but METAL SLUG 2 adds a new arsenal for you to command, including a heavy machine gun, a shotgun and even a laser gun, providing players with rich variety. Battle effects are packed in, as well-players turn into mummies after getting caught in poison gas coughed up by mummies. After picking up too many food items, characters turn fat, but they get an attack-strength upgrade. Two-player action is supported, too, so players can have a blast with their friends.
Playable demo for their adventure game Nikopol: Secrets of the Immortals (PC), inspired by the rich futuristic universe created by famed graphic novelist Enki Bilal.
In the demo, players discover the first chapter of the game: ‘Alcide’s Flat’, which gives them a glimpse of the eerie, corrupt atmosphere that is unique to this visually stunning adventure game.Nikopol: Secrets of the Immortals is available now at the Lighthouse Interactive European Web Shop and major retail stores across the United Kingdom and Scandinavia.
It is the year 2023 in Paris, France – now ruled by a power-hungry dictator, it is a place where the fascist rich and the abandoned poor are separated by both a literal and figurative wall. As our hero Nikopol, you must thwart a dark conspiracy as one of the leaders plot to take control of Paris and its people, but the story takes a sharp twist. You receive shocking news that your father, Alcide Nikopol, an astronaut sent into orbital exile many decades ago, may be alive and hidden in the city's underground. At the same time an eerie and mysterious pyramid appears floating above the city and is said to be inhabited by powerful Egyptian gods; among them Horus, god of the sky. Your journey will be entangled with political intrigue as you are caught between two worlds… one of anarchy and one of immortality.
FEATURES
· A thrilling challenge set in a rich futuristic universe inspired by famed graphic novelist Enki Bilal · As Nikopol, you must use cunning and logic to protect yourself from the Immortals' plans and thwart a dark conspiracy · Interact with a cast of unique characters set in 6 different game environments · Visually stunning graphics married with immersive gameplay
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment are pleased to announce that LEGO Batman: The Videogame has won a prestigious Children’s BAFTA Award for Best Videogame 2008.
Developer TT Games was snapped up by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment in 2007 and has since had a hugely successful 2008 seeing the release of LEGO Indiana Jones and LEGO Batman: The Videogame.
TT Games beat stiff competition from Nintendo’s Mario Kart Wii and Professor Layton and the Curious Village to scoop the top prize at the Children’s BAFTA Awards. Only four titles were short-listed for the award two of which were titles developed by TT Games - LEGO Batman: The Videogame and Guinness World Records: The Videogame.
“We’re absolutely delighted; it’s a very special accolade for the whole team” said TT Games head of production Jonathan Smith.
“To get this acknowledgment, here in our home country of the UK, to be acknowledged by the British Academy for the work that everyone’s done on LEGO Batman, was really thrilling.”
Spencer Crossley, head of videogames UK at Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment said, “We extremely happy for everyone at TT Games. They have brought to life two great brands through fantastic game play and lots of humour which works perfectly for children.”
LEGO Batman: The Videogame is the latest game from the award-winning team behind the LEGO Star Wars series of games. With trademark LEGO fun and charm, the game takes you into the world of the ultimate crime-fighting hero. LEGO Batman: The Videogame brings the one-and-only Caped Crusader to life in a completely original storyline. Players will take control of the Dynamic Duo, Batman and Robin, to fight Gotham City’s most notorious criminals including The Joker, The Penguin, Catwoman, Scarecrow, Killer Croc and many more. The criminals have broken out of Arkham Asylum and are set to wreak havoc on the city.
Create and operate the rail world of your dreams. Build routes, drive locos, issue Driver Commands, download content and much more.
Auran Games and N3VRF41L Publishing today announced that the latest version of their long running Trainz franchise went gold today. Trainz Simulator 2009: World Builder Edition is the culmination of 8 years of ongoing development and is the fifth major release in the series. It delivers new features and graphics capabilities along with over 12,500 rail related items including more than 400 locomotives and hundreds of miles of drivable routes.
"The World Builder Edition for Trainz 2009 is a defining release in the history of Trainz," said Tony Hilliam, Auran CEO and Exec Producer of Trainz. "This release builds upon all the features from previous releases and adds new higher resolution graphics capabilities, more detailed terrain and new tools such as advanced content search filters and custom displacement maps. Many of our audience are dedicated hobbyists who have their favourite version of Trainz from 2004, 2006 through to the Trainz Classics series. Our goal is that Trainz 2009 will provide a united platform for all users which we will continue to improve upon every year."
"Trainz has sold more than a million units around the world since 2001," said Graham Edelsten, Director of N3V Publishing. "We have released a dozen or more different versions aimed at every type of train fan and at every budget. It is truly an evergreen product based around people's enjoyment of the world of trains. Trainz 2009 is backwards compatible with the majority of the 100,000+ items that are available on the Trainz Download Station but it is also capable of handling much higher resolution content as well. It will be very exciting to witness the new content as it is developed and released over the coming months and years. We look forward to bringing that new content to users in every corner of the globe."
TS2009 includes the traditional Surveyor (World Builder) module plus Driver and Railyard. People can create, drive, operate, collect and share content with more than 300,000 registered Trainz fans from around the world. The focus of development for TS2009 has been on improving the underlying systems to bring Trainz into the next generation of graphics and to provide better tools for the community to create their own dream railroad (or railway, depending on where you are in the world). It includes 99% backwards compatibility plus enormous room to expand upon existing content by upgrading assets such as tracks, locos and rolling stock.
Work has already begun on the upcoming Engineers Edition (TEE) which will deliver a range of newly created routes that utilise the new capabilities provide by the World Builder Edition. TEE will be available in retail outlets throughout the world in early 2009.
TS2009 World Builder Edition is available for digital download or mail order on DVD from the Auran Store for USD $29.99. www.auran.com
Massive Expansion of its Range of Free Games and Content for Home and Portable Videogame Consoles.
Independent videogame and content developer, Mikomi.info, today announces plans to significantly expand its range of free content available for home PCs and online enabled videogame consoles. In addition to opening new play areas on its consistently popular online RPG Warrior Quest, Mikomi.info has also launched a brand new game, Star Blaster, which can be played on both the Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 3 via their console’s respective browsers. Incorporating a distinctive interface, Star Blaster pits players against waves of invading aliens whilst online leader boards allow gamers to compare their skills with those of other players from around the world.
In addition to the launch of Star Blaster, online RPG Warrior Quest has also been expanded with the addition of a new gaming area, Starshine Towers. Since its launch early in 2008, Warrior Quest has attracted hundreds of thousands of gamers and has consistently proven popular with both Wii and PS3 gamers since its launch earlier this year. Online leader boards again connect players from across the world and across gaming platforms. Starshine Towers can be accessed by entering the password “starkid” when prompted in game. Also announced today is a brand new game, Ash’s Quest, which is due to launch before the end of 2008. Combining RPG elements with a side scrolling mechanic, Ash’s Quest will bring more free adventure gaming to consoles, PCs, and Macs this holiday season.
Today’s final announcement is the unveiling of a planned March 2009 launch for Mikomi.info’s debut graphic novel, Xevicom Forever: Remixed. Previously released as an online exclusive, Xevicom Forever has been reworked with new artwork and an expanded script for its print debut next year. In addition to being available through all good comic and graphic novel retailers Xevicom Forever: Remixed will also see an exclusive version released for PlayStation Portable.
Mikomi.info is an independent game and content developer for PC, Mac, and online enabled home videogame consoles. Its website, www.mikomi.info, hosts a variety of exclusive content for players that include games, comics, and graphic novels. For more information please visit http://www.mikomi.info
Meet the Characters: Job Classes Among The Heroes Of Dokapon
They each have their own unique strengths...who will you become? Like most RPGs worth their salt, Dokapon Kingdom allows players to choose from a variety of job classes in the development of their ideal adventurer. At the beginning, players choose from one of three job types - Warrior, Thief, or Magician - each with a unique bonus ability or trait. For example, the Warrior can randomly receive a boost to his or her attack at the start of a turn, although the Warrior insists that no illegal performance enhancement drugs are involved. The Thief can steal one random item or field magic from another player when he or she passes through them on the play field (and they really don’t care what they snatch, so long as their target has something to lose). Lastly, the Magician can cast two field magic spells prior to their turn, whereas other player classes can only cast one.
After a little bit of adventuring, players will be able to master their existing job and unlock new ones. Clerics can randomly heal a little HP at the start of a turn (“we don’t need no steenkin’ potions”), the Acrobat can bounce back from a fatal blow every now and then (gracefully, we should add), and the Ninja can use two items prior to the start of a turn (that’s what agility gets you). There’s a ton of variety, and a ton of different ways to play based on the kind of character you work towards. Each class also has a preferred type of weapon, yielding a significant performance increase when equipped for the right type of adventurer.
Here’s a listing of job classes you’ll find in Dokapon Kingdom (excluding a couple secret ones):
Warrior Strong in attack and defense abilities, the Warrior receives a random boost to his AT (attack) stat at the start of a round. Preferred weapon: Sword
Magician Physically frail but strong in the arcane arts, the Magician is able to cast two spells prior to his or her turn, whereas other classes can only cast one. Preferred weapons: Staff, Wand
Thief Trained to be fast and agile, the Thief will often be the fastest player in a fight, and uses his or her shiftiness to steal one random item or field magic from every player it passes by on the play field. Preferred weapon: Dagger Cleric A potent magician but serviceable in a fight, the Cleric randomly heals some HP (health points) at the start of turns, a very useful trait in tough areas. Preferred weapons: Spear, and to a lesser extent Axe or Hammer
Alchemist The Alchemist is a master of items. No doubt a result of numerous experiments, the Alchemist has mastered the ability to randomly duplicate an item or field magic every now and then. If he has rare items in his possession, this ability increases in value exponentially. Preferred weapons: Staff, Wand
Monk The Monk, master of meditation, can dramatically boost his abilities in times of need. This 50% boost to all stats makes the Monk an absolutely lethal adversary at his or her best. Preferred weapon: Bare Knuckles
Ninja The Ninja, deft and cunning, has the ability to use two items prior to a turn. Considering how powerfull some of the rarer items in the game are, this allows the Ninja to potentially wreak a lot of havoc before their turn even begins. Preferred weapon: Sword
Acrobat The Acrobat is the ultimate master of physical grace and beauty. This offers him or her the ability to feign death following a critical blow. Opponents will be stunned as the Acrobat gracefully jumps back to their feet, ready for another round of battle. Preferred weapon: Crossbow
Spellsword The Spellsword, being a master of magic and blade combat, has a counter for field magic that he or she is randomly able to employ. Nothing is more disheartening to an opponent than to see their potent magic thwarted. Preferred weapon: Sword
Dokapon Kingdom, the friendship-destroying game, is scheduled for release on October 14.
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