gamezplay

Saturday, February 28, 2009

PlayStation Store update - this weeks offerings... (UK)

Demos

Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X - FREE demo post here

DLC

High Velocity Bowling - Dwayne Pack (£0.79)
High Velocity Bowling - Candy Pack (£0.79)
High Velocity Bowling - Trick Shots Pack Two (free)
The Lord of the Rings: Conquest - All-New Content Pack (£6.29)
Skate 2 - San Van Classic Pack (£3.19)
Street Fighter IV - Brawler Pack (£3.19)
Buzz - Quiz of the Year 2008 (£3.99)

Trailers

Lumines Supernova
Prince of Persia Epilogue
echochrome Master Maze Makers
Burnout Paradise - The Ultimate Bundle
FIFA 09 Ultimate Team Intro
Disgaea 3 - Absence of Justice

Themes

Loco Roco
Rock Band
Guitar Hero - World Tour

Sony want GTA back on PSP as Chinatown heads for Nintendo DS

Grand Theft Auto - Chinatown Wars is heading for Nintendo DS but why not PSP?

GTA was once a top selling PSP series but what of the future?

"That's a tremendous franchise for PlayStation in general. We've had two that are the top two sellers on PSP right now. So, there's definitely continued conversations with Rockstar on all their brands. That's nothing that's left the PlayStation family," Koller told MTV Multiplayer.

Watch the video game trailer on yesterday's post...

Concerns have been raised as to the target age of games on the DS compared to PSP and if Rockstar have picked the wrong platform - only sales will tell.

Chinatown Wars is released on Nintendo DS on March 17th.

PlayStation 3 laptop possible as Sony merger divisions...

Could we see a laptop that plays PlayStation 3 games from Sony?

Sony have announced it's laptop division will join its gaming business in a company shake-up.

Second - Its consumer products group including its television, digital imaging, home audio and video businesses. Hiroshi Yoshioka, currently executive vice president of Sony and president of its TV business group, will become its first president.

A third cross-divisional group – the common software and technology team – which will be charged with ensuring compatibility between the two new division's products.

Any game can be played through a web browser - including Gears of War

Instant Action's vice president claims that any game can be played through a web browser, including Gears of War.

Instant Action recently unveiled its new technology platform, which utilises a proprietary plugin to render games at full speed from a web browser.

The technology performs in a similar manner to some already released MMOs, including the upcoming Free Realms, but Instant Action claims that any 3D game can be played on any web browser with their latest technology.

When asked whether Epic's hit Xbox 360 game Gears of War could be played via a web browser, Instant Action's vice president Brett Seyler told Gigaom.com that with Microsoft's approval, the company could convert the game for web-based play within "two to three weeks, max."

The company is apparently in talks with most video game publishers, with deals to be announced by the end of the year. Whether publishers will jump on board remains to be seen, but with the increased popularity of Steam and the like, they might see the virtues of selling games without the need for a huge PC install: Instant Action's technology only requires the download and installation of a 150kb plug-in.

Source: Gamezine

Instant Action website...

Astonishing - Empire - Total War video game review

PC Gamer gives top honours to Creative Assembly's "strategy masterwork"

PC Gamer UK has published an exciting, gushing review of The Creative Assembly's latest RTS, Empire: Total War.

According to PCG the new instalment is "astonishing. A strategy masterwork." Well worth the 94% and rare 'Must Buy' badge they've dished out, then.

"This is the grandest, most spectacular work of strategy gaming on the PC," the mag gushes. "If you've not tackled a Total War game before, or assume that they're not for you, I challenge you to play Empire and not be impressed, or even fundamentally changed by the experience.

"There had been rumblings about Total War being simplified for the US market, especially with its introductory mini-campaign 'The Road to Independence'," the review continues. But "The Creative Assembly do not seem to have shirked their responsibility, or ever stepped back from including more features, or more detail," it says. "Empire is the opposite of dumbed down.

"While it feels familiar, Empire manages to deliver more nuance on the campaign map than ever before. What's most immediately obvious is the effect of international trade.

"The sheer weight of ideas produced by the Creative Assembly team is in evidence. The battlefields are vastly more detailed than ever before, especially around towns, with the smaller scale details now coming into effect in the form of battlefield defences, use of buildings by troops, and accurate cover. Battles play out more convincingly than in previous games. There's still some errant unit activity, but I've seen little evidence of units sitting around waiting to be killed, or getting lost entirely. Not perfect, perhaps, but certainly more robust.

As if RTS nuts weren't excited enough already. And by the sounds of this, non-RTS fans should be too.

Total War is out next Friday, March 4. Full review in PC Gamer, on sale NOW!

Source: CVG

Crown of Glory - Emperor's Edition Now Available!

Wage total war across Europe and build an empire in Crown of Glory: Emperor's Edition!

Matrix Games and Western Civilization Software are thrilled to announce that Crown of Glory: Emperor’s Edition, the highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed Crown of Glory, is now available for immediate download! Combining strategy and tactics in one design, Crown of Glory: Emperor's Edition offers gamers an opportunity to test their strength in an age of legends.

The original Crown of Glory won a series of accolades, including the Charles S. Roberts award for best Pre-20th Century Wargame, the War-Historical Group’s Wargame of the Year 2005, 8/10 from IGN and 9+/10 from Wargamer.com. Crown of Glory: Emperor’s Edition is a major step up from the original in nearly every area, with new detailed Naval Combat, a streamlined economic system, a much stronger AI, beautiful new strategic map, new scenarios and significant interface improvements, just to name a few!

To mark the release of Crown of Glory: Emperor’s Edition, three of the tutorial videos included with the game are now available to give gamers a feel for the addicting gameplay and in-depth game system headed their way! The topics of the three tutorials are The Basics, Land Combat, and Naval Combat. Be sure to check them out on YouTube or download a higher quality version from our website.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Crown of Glory: Emperor’s Edition is a very worthy sequel to the original classic. The new features, improvements and additional scenarios as well as engrossing strategic and tactical play make this an experience that Napoleonic fans should not miss. Anyone with an interest in the Napoleonic period as well as fans of beautifully designed strategy game should give this game a look!”

The initial release is download-only, with options for boxed copies with printed manuals planned to be available next week. Customers who would like a boxed copy and printed manual should wait for those options to show up in the Matrix Games Online Store before purchasing. Also, customers who already own the original Crown of Glory are entitled to a $10 Discount Coupon off the price of Crown of Glory: Emperor’s Edition. This discount coupon can be retrieved by following the links on the product and store pages.

Glory is Fleeting, Obscurity is Forever...

Two centuries ago, Europe was in the midst of one of the most gripping periods in human history. It was an era that saw cobblers become princes and emperors become exiles, an age of legendary diplomats and brilliant tacticians. Listen to the roll of the drum, the call of the bugle, and see the banners unfurled above the divisions and corps. Wide-eyed recruits march next to battle-scarred veterans, sabers clatter alongside the bags of grapeshot, the wheels of hundreds of caissons rattle, as generals plan and diplomats plot, and all of Europe grasps with desperate hands for… The Crown Of Glory.

This new Emperor’s Edition is a sequel to the acclaimed Crown of Glory and improves on the original in every area, immersing the player in the epic events of the Napoleonic era. A beautiful strategic map with more than 200 provinces covers all of Europe and North Africa, with scenarios and campaigns from 1792 up to 1820. Stronger AI, a streamlined interface and a new simplified economic model to allow players to focus on the aspects of the game they most enjoy. Players take the role of one of the crowned potentates of any of the eight Major powers as well as having the option to play as a minor power such as Poland, Denmark or Portugal.

A turn-based structure allows you to play at your own pace, deciding on the military, diplomatic, economic and social paths of your nation, including treaties, trade routes and levying and supplying military units. While your armies march across a worldwide map with monthly turns, detailed land and naval battles allow you to play at a smaller scale, where your brigades, divisions and ships can be commanded with historical tactics. All battles can be resolved quickly or fought out on a detailed battlefield map.

Each unit has its purpose on the battlefield, with such diverse troops as Jagers, Cossacks, Janissaries and Horse Artillery all modeled for individual strength and morale ratings and each beautifully rendered and animated. Similarly, ships ranging from Frigates to massive First Rate Ships of the Line clash on the seas in battles ranging from skirmishes to decisive fleet engagements, all modeled in great realistic detail.

The eight major powers (France, Britain, Austria, Prussia, Russia, Turkey, Spain, and Sweden) and over ninety computer-controlled minor nations are modeled in rich historical detail. Every effort has been made to bring you as thorough a simulation of the Napoleonic Era as is possible, from the dockyards of Lisbon to the frozen wastes of Holy Mother Russia.

Historical leaders, special abilities, fleets, upgrades, reinforcements, colonialism, guard units and over 100 historical events, give Crown Of Glory: Emperor's Edition a unique and engrossing style. Combining strategy and tactics in one design, Crown Of Glory: Emperor's Edition offers you an opportunity to test your strength in an age of legends.

Emperor's Edition Improvements:

• New strategic map including a network of roads connecting provinces
• 70 new movement areas on the strategic map
• New “Simple Economy” mode for players who want to concentrate on military / diplomacy
• 6 new minor powers
• 101 new historical events such as “Reign of Terror,” “Janissary Revolt,” and “Assassination of Paul I”
• Map zooms in and out smoothly on strategic and detailed combat levels
• Nations gain Experience and Naval Experience and use these to purchase national upgrades, advanced units, and special training for units
• Improved orders of battle in all scenarios with historical names for hundreds of divisions and ships
• New scenarios for 1803 and 1812
• New scenarios that allow Portugal, Bavaria, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Poland to be player-controlled
• Changes to strategic A.I. to create more historical decisions for certain nations
• New “Path of Napoleon” victory condition in which player must try to accomplish all of Napoleon’s goals
• New rules for inflation and mobilization limits to better model wartime effects on the economy and to limit army sizes to historical levels
• New rules for march attrition
• New interface screens for strategic overview, unit and province lists
• Ability to fight detailed battles at division or brigade level
• New system of in-game help
• New music and sound effects

Get more information on Crown of Glory: Emperor’s Edition from its official product page and be sure to watch or download the new tutorial videos!

Men of War, Cryostasis and NecroVisioN video games release

505 Games release the long-anticipated 1C game triumvirate of Men of War, Cryostasis and NecroVisioN. Covering the major aspects of the PC gaming market, the three games take you from the trenches of the First World War (and the hell beneath them), to the roving skirmishes of World War II and finally to the frozen wastes of the Arctic in the late 1960s. You’ll battle vampires and the undead, control entire armies, and even have flashbacks into the mind of a cow.

All three games are available in all good high street shops, or from online retailers, and have a recommended retail price of £29.99.

MEN OF WAR

See World War Two from three different sides - Russian, Allied and German – as you command entire armies and plot your battle strategies across epic maps based on real-life locations. Men of War takes place across the globe during the height of World War II and features three different campaigns, each with their own unique units, vehicles and missions. From the Russian missions starring two student comrades fresh to the horrors of war, players are soon catapulted into massive battles with dozens of units under their command. In addition to the in-depth single player experience, Men of War also unleashes a range of multiplayer maps based on the main missions along with action-packed ‘capture the flag’ and ‘high-value cargo’ modes.

CRYOSTASIS

Taking place in the Arctic Circle in 1981, players take on the role of Alexander Nesterov, a Russian meteorologist sent to investigate the final hours of the North Wind, an old nuclear ice-breaker shipwrecked in an icy grave. The freezing cold has turned the inhabitants of the ship into freakish frozen monsters that will hunt down anything warm. Thankfully, Alex possesses a unique ‘Mental Echo’ ability, which allows him to relive the final memories of the dead and change their actions in the past. But, can Alex discover what happened on the North Wind or will he become the latest victim of the terrible cold?

NECROVISION

NecroVisioN is a first-person horror shooter, which sees players taking on the role of American soldier Simon Bukner, who must fight his way through the bleak trenches of World War One and into the jaws of Hell. Dead soldiers are coming back to life with a lust for human flesh, a mad German scientist has created a giant robotic scorpion and an ancient war between vampires and demons is threatening to wipe out humanity. Armed with his powerful Shadow Hand and demonic weapons, Bukner must battle to save himself... and the world.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Rockin' Pretty, a music simulation game, exclusively for Nintendo DS!

Multi-instrument Musical Mayhem on Nintendo DS!

Aksys Games, a leading publisher of interactive entertainment software, is pleased to announce Rockin' Pretty, a music simulation game, exclusively for Nintendo DS! Developed by Arc System Works, creators of Princess On Ice, players will once again test their music-rhythm prowess to the beats of hard rock! Will you be able to rock on and take our lovely girls to fame?

Rockin' Pretty showcases four hard rocking instruments (guitar, bass, keyboard, and drums) for the player to master. Using the stylus, tap or strum the screen according to the beats to gain applauses and stardom. Use the stars collected in each level to unlock new outfits, hairstyles, and instruments.

"Girls of all ages with a love of music won't be able to resist the excitement and fun of being a rock star..." says Frank deWindt II, Project Lead, Aksys Games. "Fans of Princess On Ice and rhythm games alike, will definitely not be disappointed!"

Key Features:

• A Tale of Music and Love…
A great family story of teenage proportions, will our beloved girls pick love, or their love for music?!

• To Trade Or Not To Trade…
Using Nintendo DS™ wireless connectivity, players will be able to trade items, outfits, and instruments they unlock with friends and family!

• Fame Is All You Need!
Earn your audience's love and watch your girl's appearance change!

• On The Road To Stardom!
Perform your heart out at eight tour events, ranging from basic open-mic nights to stardom arena venues!

Rockin' Pretty has not been rated by the ESRB.

City of Heroes Free update includes design your own city

City of Heroes takes another giant step with yet another free update, allowing players to design their own missions and story arcs to share with the entire City of Heroes community across all live servers.

City of Heroes set a new standard for player creation and customization in MMOs with its Character Creator. Now, players will be able to use an intuitive interface to create their own missions from the ground up by determining details ranging from environments, mission objectives, and enemies, to written fiction and character dialogue - giving their stories nearly infinite depth and personalization.

Issue 14 is scheduled for release in March 2009.

What is the Mission Architect?

Mission Architect is a new game system developed for the City of Heroes massively multiplayer game. It allows players to create their own stories and share those stories with other players on live servers. Creators can pick from hundreds of maps and thousands of characters. They can use existing characters or create their own custom enemies. They can get even more detailed and create full enemy groups, giving each enemy unique costumes and powers.

Players can also write all of the dialog for their story as well as decide on level of difficulty and enemy placement. It’s even possible to trigger one mission goal off of another, creating a chain of events within a single mission. Each story can have up to five chapters or missions and each mission can hold up to a maximum of 25 achievable goals.

For people who just want to play the user created content, there is an integrated mission browser that shows all the generated content. It can sort stories by name, highest rated, lengthy and recently added. It can also filter content to show only those with specific ratings, arcs that the player have or haven’t played as well as the alignment of the story.

As people play content, they’ll be able to rate that content from one to five stars. Creators will actually get in-game benefits for making content that gets highly rated and there will be a Dev Choice and Hall of Fame standing for the best of the best.

City of Heroes is rated PEGI 16+. For more information about City of Heroes go to http://eu.cityofheroes.com.

New game details for Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 on Nintendo Wii (PES)

Enhanced AI, Improved Control and Added Game Modes Announced for the Nintendo Wii version of the Next Addition to the PES Franchise

Konami today revealed a new game trailer and details of Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 (PES 2009) for Nintendo Wii scheduled to be released on March 17th, 2009. The new game builds on the innovative control system pioneered by its predecessor, with PES 2009 adding a wide range of new control and content elements which will affirm its title as the definitive football title for the Nintendo console.

PES 2009 for Wii boasts three control methods, with the intuitive 'point and drag' interface of last year's game enhanced to make defending and shooting more instinctive. Players use the Nunchuck or the Wii Remote to control the player on the ball, while they pick the player to pass to, or send them on runs into space. The system has been further refined, so that close control is improved, but two new control ideas have also been implemented.

Users can now play PES 2009 using either the Classic Controller or the Wii Remote held sideways. Selecting these offers a take on the classic PES controls from other versions, with the many through balls, chips and shots allocated individual buttons on both controllers. Mixtures of these systems can also be allowed during co-op multi-player games, with users opting to use their favored system from the user-friendly menu system.

Other key advances include the addition of the UEFA Champions League, the greatest club competition in European football, as a stand-alone option with all-new introductory elements, and a greatly expanded Champions Road mode. Champions Road is an incentive-based game, wherein players are rewarded for success in competitions.

Players are given individual challenges, each of which is allocated a cash bonus. These range from scoring a hat-trick, to string multiple passes together, etc, and the monies raised can be invested in improving the facilities at the user's chosen club. Everything from oxygen capsules through to private jets can be bought, all of which will help entice better players to the club, while the players involved improve their experience stats during matches.

The Wii game also marks the introduction of the Master League, which has proven so popular in PES for other home gaming formats. Master League places the player in charge of a lowly team and charges them with building their reputation and success through astute signings, good on-field performances and training methods. Every aspect of overseeing a club falls under the user's jurisdiction, with success on field used to attract new talent and build a team of stars capable of succeeding in PES 2009's many cup and league competitions.

PES 2009 also has a greatly improved online mode, with up to eight players competing online at once, using two consoles and with four players per Wii console.

Anything up to four against four is allowed online, while offline allows for four players simultaneously. Players can also now use their Mii avatar within PES 2009's Match Mode, and within Champions Road. Miis are easily assigned in both sections, and can also be used within co-op matches.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 is currently available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system and will be available for the Nintendo Wii on March 17, 2009.

Free Command and Conquer Generals 'Black Sheep' mission download link

Celebrating their sixth anniversary of Command & Conquer Generals, Electronic Arts have opened their vault to let fans play the Global Liberation Army mission - not included when the game was launched.

This mission, named "Black Sheep," was the third Global Liberation Army campaign scenario. Involving players using a Toxin Tractor to spray a deadly corrosive agent on a town that'd been "corrupted beyond salvation" by the United States' propaganda.

Download the mission here...

The first real music teacher on Nintendo DS

Meet the 1st Music teacher on your NDS in this trailer!

Discover:

- How through 21 lessons you’ll be able to play and read music while having fun.
- The different modes: terminology, chords…
- The mini games to work out your musical ear, rhythm …
- All the songs you’ll be able to perform after playing this game.

- Learning how to play music is now possible on your Nintendo DS!

Watch the trailer

FEATURES

Music remains a major frustration for most of us. Only the bravest and those who could stand those boring and tough music lessons are now able to play music and live that unique experience. For the rest, you can still try to touch that feeling by playing a rhythm based video game and shaking a plastic guitar … but it will never be (sound) the same.

BUT now with “MUSIC”, a new edutainment game for the Nintendo DS coming out in April 09, you could learn and play music in a FUN and EASY WAY!
“MUSIC” brings a serious music learning method on DS developed by Shiro Tsuji a famous Japanese music teacher.

Learning music at all ages is now possible on DS!!!

Game features

• Smoothly learn the basics of the music theory with 21 lessons.

• Monitor your progresses and learning curve with 18 quick tests.

• Work out your musicality and skills across a series of fun mini games designed to practice your sense of rhythm, your memory, your musical ear…

• Practice what you’ve learnt on virtual instruments (the piano, the drum…).

• Plan your learning and practicing through your coach calendar.

Genre: Edutainment/ music
Platform: Nintendo DS
Publisher: Nobilis
Pegi : 3+

Dead Rising Chop Till You Drop Web episode Number 3

Dead Rising Chop Till You Drop Web video number 3

Watch the trailer on the link below... please subscribe

Rock Band 2 on PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 2 this March and April in UK

Electronic Arts, Harmonix and MTV announce that Rock Band 2 will be released in the UK for Sony PlayStation and Nintendo Wii fans in the next two months.

The game's instruments costs will also be cut in the UK.

PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 Rock Band 2 will be available on 27th March, while a Nintendo Wii game will have to wait until 24th April.

Out for Xbox 360 since last year, and all formats in the US since then - but an exclusivity arrangement with Microsoft has kept it off rival consoles in Europe.

The game will sell for £49.99 on PlayStation 3, £39.99 on Nintendo Wii and £29.99 on PlayStation 2.

The prices of instruments will also be reduced drums to £49.99, guitars £39.99 - full instrument edition set down to £89.99.

Also new official software and hardware bundles at £119.99 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and £109.99 for PlayStation 2 and Nintendo Wii.

Nintendo stop sales on R4 cartridges in Japan

Last year more 50 different games companies in Japan had teamed up with Nintendo to take the makers of the popular R4 Revolution cartridge for the DS to court.

Today those companies made their first major blow, making it illegal to sell the R4 in Japan.

The R4 Revolution cartridge is by no means unique, but is one of the most popular homebrew devices available for the Nintendo DS. It's a Slot-1 MicroSD card adaptor which allows DS gamers to boot their own software on the DS. It can also be used to play downloaded 'copied' games, with Nintendo claiming it loses more than $975 million USD to piracy every year.

The mass lawsuit includes a total of 54 companies who claim they've been affected by the sale of the R4, including the likes of Capcom.

Today the Tokyo District Court found enough cause to block all legal sales of the the R4 across Japan, with further punishments still possible as the court case continues.

The block imposed by the court probably won't have all that much impact however, as Nintendo has already pressured the majority of game retailers into taking the R4 off their shelves according to Kotaku.

Source: Bit-Tech

Grand Theft Auto IV soundtrack available on iTunes

The launch of the extended Grand Theft Auto IV soundtrack experience starting today exclusively on the iTunes store in the US and iTunes store in Europe.

The first release is a collection of six original tracks produced exclusively for Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned by elite underground hip-hop DJ and record producer Statik Selektah, featuring some of the most respected names in the genre.

Coming soon to the iTunes store, the second release features highlight tracks from from the overall soundtrack and gives listeners a taste of the updated genres that now play across Liberty City's airwaves via this new episode. Stay tuned for information on tracklist and release date.

Note that all of the new songs added to the Liberty City radio dial via the Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned soundtrack can be seamlessly purchased and downloaded online through the in-game ZiT function. Simply tag songs you like on your in-game cell phone to create a custom playlist which will automatically be uploaded to your Social Club profile. A simple click-through to iTunes from there will pull up your custom playlist for purchase.

Also check out the Grand Theft Auto IV destination page on iTunes with each in-game radio station's playlist, exclusive albums and more, all accessible at www.itunes.com/gtaiv.

GTA Chinatown Wars Nintendo DS first HD video game trailer released

Rockstar have released the first story trailer detailing the main plot of the game.

You will play as Huang Lee, who is on a typical mission to revenge his father's death and, in true Asian style, to restore the honor of his family by punishing those who dared to mock it. But his trip won't be easy, as the criminals found in the Chinatown neighborhood are extremely dangerous and will make a lot of trouble for him. The gameplay fragments in between the classic GTA-style artwork show a lot of fun things like running around while explosions happen at every step, in a very arcade manner as even Rockstar Leeds have said.

Below is the trailer so you can all enjoy it. Don't forget to select High Quality from the menu of the YouTube player.

Miami Law video game on Nintendo DS this June

Hudson Entertainment to Lay Down Miami Law for Nintendo DS

Intense Action-Adventure Game Will Transform Players into Crime-Solvers

Nintendo DS owners will be challenged to help save the world with their fingertips in the upcoming game, Miami Law, set to be published by Hudson Entertainment, the North American publishing arm of HUDSON SOFT. Scheduled for release in June 2009, Miami Law contains explosive action, as well as crime-scene investigation, which players will use interchangeably to help save the city of Miami.

“Miami Law has a great mix of up-tempo action and mind-challenging forensic investigation that players will absolutely love,” said Mike Pepe, Director of Marketing at Hudson Entertainment.“The unique game design will turn the DS into both an action-adventure experience and a crime scene lab all-in-one.”

Miami Law is an action-adventure game packed with all of the ingredients of a prime-time TV show: an intricate storyline with a shadowy terrorist conspiracy, furious shoot-outs in abandoned warehouses, challenging crime-scene detective work and more. Players will have many opportunities to choose their path and change the story– either as the intense Law Martin from the Miami PD or the brainy Sara Starling from the FBI. Players will be presented with different challenges depending on which character they pick– playing as Sara will feature a puzzle-based, mystery solving element, whereas playing with Law will thrust the player into the action, often into car chases or shoot-outs where taking out the bad guys is the only way to get results. Unlockable extras, including Texas Hold‘Em Poker and Sudoku, are included to take the pressure off players when the tension gets thick.

Load more promotions for Xbox Live Gold subscribers

Microsoft are upping the anti with more benefits for Xbox Live Gold subscribers as reported on Electric Pig/Ars Technica...

Microsoft is upping the incentives to hand over your credit card details and subscribe to its Xbox LIVE Gold service with a weekly sales promotion for Xbox LIVE Arcade titles. The superb time-shifting platform puzzler, Braid, will be the first to get the discount treatment, being offered to paying subscribers for 800 Microsoft points (£6.80) instead of the usual 1200 (£10.20).

Each deal of the week aims to add more value to the £39.99 per year service, which already counts early demos and trailers, Netflix access (in the US only), and the chance to play multiplayer games online as a lure to Xbox 360 owners.

Future promotions won’t just include Xbox LIVE Arcade titles; game add-ons, Xbox Originals and ‘other great content’ will be available as well.

Even so, faced with the free alternatives provided by Wii’s Nintendo WiFi Connection and PS3’s PlayStation Network, coaxing players into paying for a multiplayer service is going to be an increasingly tall order in the coming months.

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