Earl Weaver Baseball video game coming to iPhone and iPod Touch

Earl Weaver Baseball, the heavyweight of baseball simulations in the late 1980s and one of the titles that helped create EA Sports, is being ported to the iPhone by its original programmer.

Full post and video on Kotaku here...

No more support for original Xbox from March 2nd say Microsoft

Message on Official Microsoft Xbox support website lets users know that support will stop on Monday March 2nd 2009.

Statement on website...

On March 2, 2009, service repairs for Original Xbox video game systems for which the Warranty has expired will no longer be available. Any other technical support, documents, and content, however, will continue to be available to all our customers. Although Microsoft is ending repair services for the Original Xbox, an upgrade program and support will be maintained for Original Xbox consoles that are still under Warranty.

Support documents, content, and services available online

On March 2, 2009, technical support documents and content will be available online. Our Web sites will host a wealth of previous and new how-to, troubleshooting, and configuration content that has been revised and updated to meet our customer needs and current support model.

If you have an original Xbox console that is in Warranty that requires a repair, you will be able to submit an exchange request for an upgrade to Xbox 360 online.

Content and online repair services are available through the Xbox Support Web site.

10 Scariest video games ever - Silent Hill 2, Condemned, Project Zero, Eternal Darkness, Resident Evil, Siren, FEAR, Sanitarium, Dead Space & Doom 3,

Whether you’re a “lights off, headphones on, come get some-shouting” hard-as-nails type or more of the “hear-the-spooky-voice-on-the-title-screen-and-scream-until-the-police-arrive” variety, it’s time to grab a spare pair of pants and take a look at the top 10 scariest video games thus far (beware: contains mild spoilers and scary words…)

Read the post, if you dare, here on Know Your Money...

Midnight Club - Los Angeles South Central Download - March 12th

The Midnight Club: Los Angeles – South Central downloadable content will be available on March 12th for both the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and for PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system.

South Central offers more streets to race in with the free South Central Map Expansion which expands Midnight Club: Los Angeles by one third, adding four new neighborhoods to make up the iconic district of South Central. The South Central Premium Upgrade is the total South Central experience for Midnight Club: Los Angeles delivering 9 new vehicles, 26 new races, 12 new battle maps, 10 new delivery missions, over 100 new red light races, new vinyl packs, new parts, new music and more all for the cost of $9.99.

The free South Central Map Expansion will ensure that every racer with either Xbox 360 or PLAYSTATION 3 copies of the game can race online against players that have the South Central Premium Upgrade.

The South Central Map Expansion features:

• Map expansion by one third
• Four new neighborhoods
• Price: FREE for both Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3

The South Central Premium Upgrade features:

• Nine new vehicles:
• Luxury: 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG "Black" SUV: 2008 Range Rover Supercharged, 2008 Range Rover Sport Super Charged Lowrider: 1955 Chevy Bel Air, 1963 Buick Riviera, 1964 Chevy Impala, 1965 Chevy Malibu Muscle: 1970 Chevy Chevelle, 1966 Pontiac GTO
• 26 new races
• 12 new battle maps
• 10 new delivery missions
• 100+ new red light races
• New rims
• New body kits for each new car
• New vinyl pre-sets
• Hydraulics/Airbags unlocked on all new cars
• New music
• Price: $9.99 for PLAYSTATION 3 and 800 MS points for Xbox 360

More car packs are also set to come soon, stay tuned to the official site for more details, including the debut trailer.

Midnight Club - Los Angeles Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 customisation video

Midnight Club Los Angeles customisation video - customise every aspect of your vehicle... 

Video game trailers on gamezplay.org YouTube channel gameboyuk

New video game trailers from gamezplay.org today my channel is Number 8 most viewed - thanks

* Blood Bowl - Wood Elves v Chaos screenshots video game trailer
* Lost Planet 2 on Xbox 360 HD video game trailer
* Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 screenshots - Nintendo Wii video game
* Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 video game on Nintendo Wii
* Dead Rising Chop Till You Drop Web video number 3 - Nintendo Wii


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Lost Planet 2 on Xbox 360 HD video game trailer

Capcom announce Lost Planet 2 is being developed for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, following an exclusive announcement on Xbox LIVE that happened Monday, February 23. Lost Planet : Extreme Condition, the landmark third-person shooter that debuted on Xbox 360, went on to sell over 2.2 million units worldwide after its release. This next riveting instalment will offer deeper insight into the world of E.D.N III and the uncertain fate of future mankind.

Lost Planet 2 picks up 10 years since the events of the original adventure and the landscape has evolved dramatically. With the success of terraforming activities, the planet’s ice has begun to melt, giving way to lush tropical jungles and other new environments. The story has advanced beyond Wayne Holden as players will now follow the exploits of their own customized snow pirates on their quest to seize control of E.D.N III. Players will move their heroes through different stories creating a truly unique and interactive experience. With this concept, gamers will have the opportunity to engage in the story in a more dynamic way as plot threads evolve from various perspectives.

The strongest features from the first game will return in Lost Planet 2 making fans feel right at home. In addition to the anchor actions that made the gameplay in Lost Planet a true 3-D experience, Lost Planet 2 allows gamers to gain tactical advantage with a wide variety of new actions. The game will also contain a new addition to the enormous Akrids which were a fan-favourite in the first Lost Planet.

Capcom has spent a considerable amount of time reviewing community feedback and incorporating it into Lost Planet 2 creating a game that both new and returning fans to the series will love. The game takes advantage of Capcom’s most highly advanced software development tool, the MT Framework 2. This is the first game to make use of the new technology that builds on the advancements made in the original MT Framework.

Beyond the deep single player mode, Lost Planet 2 is loaded with one the most extensive multiplayer campaign seen in a shooter to date. The intense and action packed campaign mode comes with the ability to form teams of up to 4 players online to clear mission objectives with friends.

BattleFantasia - A Fighting Game of RPG-Sized Proportions! Xbox 360

Aksys Games, a publisher of interactive entertainment products, announced that Battle Fantasia will be battling its way onto Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

Watch me screenshots video on YouTube here... please subscribe

“Battle Fantasia’s helps bring the fighting genre to the mainstream with its RPG-style appeal,” said Frank “Bo” deWindt II, Project Lead, Aksys Games. “If the fighting aspects don’t hook you, the quirky characters and their stories will.”
Battle Fantasia Prologue

There was once a time when the world was engulfed in darkness. Mankind fought six battles to save their world, but lost every single one. All hope was lost for humanity and many turned to praying to God. But, one day, the darkness was finally driven back by the swords of four heroes.

Light returned to the world, and with it came peace and serenity. The world was then divided into two major countries: The Magic Kingdom and the Steam Empire. The people prospered like never before…

But in recent months, strange things have begun to happen. Rumors spread among the people that the darkness was returning…

However, fate has once again brought together warriors from all over the world. Some fight in the relentless pursuit of justice. Some fight due to their conviction and faith.

As the battle looms near, an epic tale of new heroes begins to unfold…

Battle Fantasia Key Features:

Gorgeous Cel-shaded Graphics

Experience Battle Fantasia’s amazing art and graphics as you play through the game!

Exclusive Console Story Mode

Play through each character’s main scenario in “Story Mode”, or discover hidden sub-scenarios to truly immerse yourself in the universe of Battle Fantasia!

Exciting Online Play

Fight against opponents from far and wide or view your overall online rankings via Xbox LIVE

Feel the Burn of “Heat Up” and the Sting of “GACHI”

Master the Battle Fantasia exclusive battle mechanics of “Heat Up” mode, “GACHI Match”, and “GACHI Drive” to keep your opponents on their toes!

Find Every Unlockable!

With over 80 unlockable illustrations in “Gallery Mode” and various Xbox Achievements, you’ll find yourself playing for hours on end!

EA to focus on fewer, better games in 2009...

The boss of Electronic Arts admitted a poor performance in 2008. Not enough gamers wanted to buy our games - John Pleasants told Forbes magazine.

Franchises like Dead Space and Mirror's Edge sales were disappointing.

EA have reduced by 20% the number of titles it is working on. The company will continue to cut costs (but not in marketing) this year.

Dead Space 2 is already confirmed - let's hope this makes a lot of dosh and EA can continue to provide great games.

Source: Forbes

iPhone - Metal Gear Solid, Bioshock, Prey, GTA and Quake coming soon...

You can raise dogz, run chocolate shopz, race kartz and match, erm, threez until your thumbs are worn down to the knuckle, but sometimes the casual experience is just no match for gunning down something slimy or finally collecting that orc repellant armour you've quested so hard for.

Having claimed so much play time from gamers and late nights from developers, the iPhone is starting to stretch its legs in what is affectionately known as the hardcore space. We've already had Brothers In Arms: Hour of Heroes, Kroll and Hero of Sparta.

Rumours about a premium section on the App Store and Digital Chocolate's Trip Hawkins getting nervous about the whole thing are certainly telling signs too.

There's a trend on the way people, or at least that's what we're predicting using our arcane knowledge of all things pocket gaming and, of course, our giant brains.

Some imminent hardcore iPhone games are confirmed and promoted, while others are still loitering in the forest of rumour. Here are six games we variously know or suspect are on the way.

Read the full post here on Pocket Gamer...

Blood Bowl - Wood Elves v Chaos on Xbox 360, PC, Nintendo DS and PSP

Cyanide and Focus Home Interactive are pleased to reveal this exclusive set of new screenshots taken from Blood Bowl, the video game adapted from Games Workshop's famous board game.

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The imaginary forerunner of football, Blood Bowl is an ultra violent team sport based on the Warhammer world. It lets players compose a team of Orcs, Elves, Humans, Dwarves and many others fantasy creatures before jumping into the bloodiest arenas. The sport game is both strategic and violent. It requires tactics, a certain amount of game-sense and a lot of self-confidence.

Now we can reveal the two last races in the game. After the Orcs and Humans, Dwarfs and Lizardmen, Goblins and Skaven, today is the day for the Wood Elves and Chaos to show themselves and compete on the blood soaked field!

Wood Elf teams are very elegant and value fair play in their game. They are a very specialized team with distinctive positions for each player role. ‘Fragile and agile’, Wood Elves give priority to evasive tactics in order to avoid confrontation and score without using any violence. But don't underestimate them when on the attack, Wood Elves won't hesitate to fight back if they have to; Wardancers especially know how to stop stubborn opponents. Last but not least, Wood Elves can count on valuable help from Treemen. Their awesome strength and sturdiness are seriously difficult to match, fortunately for everyone else, Treemen have a bad Habit of Taking Root in the middle of the field during the game!

The Chaos team uses a totally different playing style to that of the Wood Elves. They have no concept whatsoever of fair play and don't care very much about the ball either! At least, not if someone is still standing on the other team. To sum up their game philosophy, let's say that some Chaos teams consider the number of injuries inflicted is far more important than number of touchdowns scored.
Their team is composed of Chaos Warriors, Beastmen and Minotaurs. Corrupted by the power of the Chaos Gods, they are bestowed great strength and excel at the physical contact game, often trying to eliminate every adversary before scoring. When they face opponents that are more resistant than expected, Chaos teams line up wild Minotaurs whose bestiality would make any other team shudder. However, be careful, Minotaurs are only honorary Blood Bowl "players"; they are highly unpredictable and seldom follow their coach's orders.

Both teams are waiting for you to play in highly contested games in 2009.

Blood Bowl is currently in development and will come out on PC, Xbox 360 and on Nintendo DS and PSP handheld systems.

Virtual Skipper 5 - FREE PC demo download

Considered to be the ultimate in nautical simulations, Virtual Skipper is back with a new edition which will delight all sailing fans.

With Virtual Skipper 5, players will be able to take part in thrilling regattas aboard world-class boats on a sea surging with realism in single- and multiplayer games.

Players can skipper four types of boat, each behaving differently, on an ultra-realistic sea, which has been modelled and animated to perfection. In addition to the water courses at Valencia, Trapani, Marseille and Malmö, official sites of the America’s Cup, the game includes 10 other famous competitive sailing locations.

An editor will also enable you to create and incorporate your own water courses and regattas and you will therefore have a host of different maps to guarantee renewed and continued gameplay fun in the Internet multiplayer games.


Features:

• 3D regatta simulation: the ultimate in computer sailing simulations.

• At any level, enjoy the game to its fullest with the four game modes suitable for beginners or seasoned navigators (arcade, tactical, simulation and “no rules”).

• A vast single player game with the highlight of a campaign dedicated to the America’s Cup.

• Skipper four types of boats: the Class ACC, the Trimaran Open 60, the Offshore Racer or even the Melges 24.

• Navigate the 14 legendary water courses, including Valencia, Marseille, Trapani and Malmö, official sites of the America’s Cup. Discover the prime locations for competitive sailing such as San Francisco, Sydney, Porto Cervo, Auckland, Vancouver, the Isle of Wight, Quiberon and even Qingdao. We have the exotic in store for you with the Bay of Rio and the mouth of Vesuvius!

• Including the famous Nadeo editors: Water course editor and MediaTracker (cameras, text and graphics).

• Multiplayer game (LAN and Internet), with world player rankings on the Internet.

Download the FREE PC demo here...

Sherlock Holmes - The Awakened FREE PC demo download

This 502 Mb demo contains roughly one hour of gameplay and gives players a chance to learn what it's like to be the great detective Sherlock Holmes and his able assistant, Doctor Watson.

The demo will immerse players in a shadowy world, where all is not as it seems, and followers of the dark cult of Cthulhu are working behind the scenes to an unknown but sinister end.

Players will be challenged to investigate crime scenes, interview witnesses, search for clues and use a broad set of tools to examine them.

The greatest detective, in the darkest of adventures

Since its release in 2007, Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened has attracted a huge worldwide audience, earning high marks from reviewers and consumers alike. Regarded by many as one of the best uses of a license (earning GameSpot's "Best Use of a License" award in 2007) – The Awakened is one of the key titles in the adventure genre is the past several years.

While keeping the traditional Point & Click game play, 'The Awakened' was deeply reworked to provide gamers the ability to switch between 1st and 3rd-person view mode. Players are now able to freely choose which view mode they want to use to lead their investigation at best.

The game, based on an excellent scenario, plunges the player into the heart of a terrifying investigation. Sherlock Holmes, assisted by the loyal Doctor Watson, investigates strange disappearances which seem related to the activity of a secret sect. The adventure begins in London, in the renowned Baker Street, taking us then to investigate a disturbing psychiatric hospital near Bale, Switzerland, then on to Louisiana and finally to Scotland.

Features:

• Join Sherlock Holmes in the most risky adventure of his career.

• An original confrontation between the universe of Sherlock Holmes and the myth of Cthulhu, for a fight between the rational and the supernatural.

• Sumptuous graphics, biting dialogue, disturbing characters and an excellent sound track make for incredible and apocalyptic turn of the century atmospheres.

• Use of the latest real time 3D technologies for total immersion in gripping ambiances.

• Become in turns the famous detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal friend Doctor Watson.

• Interact with more than 60 characters in 5 disturbing universes.

• Use and combine more than 50 objects, and discover hundreds of clues and documents to carry out the investigation to its final outcome.

• Two view modes - the original 1st - person mode along with the new 3rd - persone mode, which brings a fresh new perspective to the game

• A new help Bar which allows players in the 3rd-person mode to instantly discover all the available actions on the screen

• An updated help system that offers gamers step-by-step solutions to the game's puzzles.

• Improved graphics which features new lighting, HD effects, shaders, shadows and new animations.

Download the FREE Pc demo here...

Pro Cycling Manager FREE playable PC demo download

This 760 MB demo puts players at the head of the Euskaltel team as they race to win the 16th stage of the Tour de France 2008: Cuneo – Jausiers.

In the demo, your team is beginning its last week of competition before the grand final on the Champs-Élysées, but you still haven’t won any stages yet, and your sponsors are beginning to put some pressure on you to see their colours on the podium.

Through this 157.4 km mountain stage, you’ll need to display all your talents as a Director of Sports to finally get the victory you need.

Download the demo here...

Dracula - Origin - FREE download PC demo

The release of the English playable demo for the latest adventure game from Frogwares studio.

In the demo, you will be drawn into the first pages of an enthralling story, unwind the first knots of an evil plan and immerse yourself in the disquieting and bewitching atmosphere surrounding the Prince of Darkness in this great adventure game.

Dracula: Origin is the new adventure game from Frogwares studio, the team that developed the famous Sherlock Holmes series for PC. Having successfully tackled the myth of Cthulhu in Sherlock Holmes - The Awakened, Frogwares is once again venturing into a disturbing and fantastic universe, the world of the Prince of Darkness, in an adventure which combines romanticism, mystery and horror.

Young, charming and devout, Dracula was once an ardent defender of Christendom but lost his faith in God when he is abandoned by his one true love after she marries. Count Dracula then makes a pact with the Prince of Darkness, and becomes a vampire with an insatiable thirst for blood and vengeance, cursed to eternal damnation.

In the game, you play the role of Professor Van Helsing, the celebrated vampire hunter, on the hunt for Dracula, while Dracula himself is on a quest for a mysterious manuscript which will give him the power to raise the dead.

Your goal is to prevent Dracula from finding and using this manuscript, and also to kill him, in order to liberate the souls of all those who have had the misfortune to cross his path.

Using conventional Point & Click gameplay, Dracula: Origin is a superb adventure supported by impeccable graphics and a rich storyline, which takes you to London, Egypt, Austria, and of course, to Transylvania, in the famous home of the great vampire. With a subtle combination of 2D environments and animated 3D characters, the game faithfully reproduces the world imagined by the celebrated author Bram Stoker, with all its associated motifs (horror, love, blood, crucifixes, stakes, garlic, etc.), in a disturbing, finely-realized and absorbing Gothic atmosphere.

Features:

• An unrelenting pursuit of one of the most terrifying figures from fantasy literature.

• Confrontation between two antithetical heroes: Van Helsing, the restrained scientist and spiritual hero, and the young and high-spirited Dracula, whose inhumanity matches his malevolence.

• Superb graphics, combining 2D environments and 3D characters.

• A deep storyline, focusing on Van Helsing's quest to kills the king of all vampires, and Dracula's quest to find the manuscript to raise the dead.

• Interaction with over 40 characters. Use and combination of over 150 objects associated with the vampire-themed storyline (stake, statue, garlic, mirror, etc.).

• A romantic, bloody and violent Gothic ambiance which is true to the original world created by Bram Stoker, providing total immersion into the adventure.

• Help system that shows the interactive possibilities (objects and actions) to help players in need.

Download the free PC demo here... (606Mb)

Turn an old iMac into a iDreamcast in these (not so) simple steps...

Got an old iMac lying around? 

Why not remove the insides load a 15" LCD screen and an iDreamcast and play your fav games...

More pictures and instructions here...

Ceville PC video game out now

Point & click adventure Ceville hits the shops!

In Ceville – the humorous and engrossing point and click adventure from Kalypso Media - you assume the role of tiny tyrant Ceville.

When he's not puzzling his way through the world of Faeryanis, he's guaranteed to be found holding hilarious conversations with one of the more than 30 different inhabitants of his former realm.

Later in the game Ceville is joined by two other characters which the player also controls, either one after the other or as a team. With the logical combination or use of objects players won't be able to stop grinning or laughing out loud as they puzzle their way through an epic story of the eternal war between "Evil" and... "really, really terribly Evil"!

Ceville is out now for a recommended retail price of £29.99.

Family Pirate Party video game on Nintendo Wii

Get Ready To Plunder Like No Other!

Aksys Games, a publisher of interactive entertainment software, is pleased to announce Family Pirate Party exclusively for WiiWare!

Developed by ARC SYSTEM WORKS, creators of the Guilty Gear series and Family Glide Hockey, players of all ages will finally be able to battle their family members in an all or nothing family board game!

Family Pirate Party has players controlling our beloved family through several unique pirate-themed virtual board game. Players will traverse to multiple island spots on the board and plunder their riches and defend their spot against newcomers.

Go head-to-head with your buddies in hilariously exciting minigames!

“The "Family" series of games was created to offer simple-yet-fun alternatives to classic games that are appropriate for gamers of all ages,” said Bo deWindt, Project Lead, Aksys Games. “FAMILY PIRATE PARTY is a unique twist on the classic digital party game and promises hours of family friendly fun.”

Key Features:

• Get In The Fun With The Whole Family!
Enjoy 1-4 player board game fun, with any combination of players or CPU opponents!

• Maximize your Bootay!
Find and collect Help Cards to increase your gold, or use them to give you an advantage!

• Plunder Ye Island!
Play through three maps of varying difficulty which include Beginner's Island, Freezing Winter Land, and Fluffy Cloud Land!

• Keep the party going with add-on content!
Use your Wii Points and download new maps and new costumes pack for the whole family!

Family Pirate Party has been rated “E10+” by the ESRB.

Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Complete NEW Trailer

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children COMPLETE. Watch the trailer for Advent Children Complete! A trial version set which includes a demo for Final Fantasy XIII as well as a bundle which includes a "Cloud Black" Limited Edition Playstation 3 and the Trial

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