Apple to launch new video game platform in 2010 - the iBox?

GamesIndustry reports on comments by Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot about what to expect from the coming generation of gaming hardware. In addition to greater integration between game hardware and set-top boxes, he said he doesn't expect Apple to stop with the iPhone as a platform for games.

"We will see more customers coming to the videogame industry, and they will not only come to the basic consoles like we have today, but they will start also to come on all the boxes that you see under the TVs. TV boxes will be more powerful, and with accessibility, will help to take more people.

So we will see more consoles on which we will be able to put product." Guillemot continued, "... because you saw new interfaces with the Wii, with the Wiimote, and also with the DS, with the stylus, what we see for the future is that there will be also big announcements in interfaces.

And it will not only happen on consoles, but it will also happen on those TV boxes as well."

PDC World Championship Darts 2009 is released today on both Nintendo DS and Wii formats

PDC World Championship Darts 2009 is released today on both Nintendo DS and Wii formats and is expected to fly off the shelves.

“If like the newly crowned Darts Premier League winner, James Wade, you believe you can take on the world’s best darts Pro’s and beat them at their own game then this game is the perfect way to start your darts career.” commented Oliver Birch, Product Manager at Oxygen Games.

“You can beat Barney or topple Taylor whilst playing your way around real life PDC worldwide championship venue locations as seen on Sky Sports.”

“I expect there to be some major living room darts drama this weekend as friends and families line up their Wii RemoteTM's and challenge each other for some high scoring 180s.” continued Birch

PDC World Championship Darts 2009 has a full career mode for up to eight players, plus 13 party games to choose from, for those who want to practice thier bull’s eyes or brush up on their Killer instinct.

Officers - World War II The battle for Europe begins

Take your part in some of the battles that changed the course of World War II. Officers: World War II developed by Morphicon and GFI and published by Kalypso Media is released today. This real-time strategy game will offer players a unique insight into the tactical decisions required to win some of the key battles of World War II. For the first time you will be able to experience fighting large scale battles over maps of up to 10 square miles, with up to 1,500 fighting units.

Operations such as Overlord, Millenium and Cobra will test your tactical skills to the limit. To succeed you will need to combine the skills of your infantry, engineers, tanks and aircraft. As your forces smash through the German lines you will need to ensure they are supplied with all the supplies they require or your advance will falter. Winning battles is as much about tactics and planning as it is about aggression.



The weather and season will effect the equipment you require, as well as affecting the difficulty of running a campaign. In multiplayer mode players can also command Russian & German forces.

Today the battle for Europe begins.

Officers: World War II will be available from 29th May 2009 at a RRP of £24.99

Grand Slam Tennis video game play all 4 grand slams on Nintendo Wii

Grand Slam Tennis video game play all 4 grand slams on Nintendo Wii .

Watch the trailer here...

Horrid Henry video games based on the Best-Selling Children's Books coming to PC

A video game based on the highly successful Horrid Henry books written by Francesca Simon and the top rating children’s television series, produced by Novel Entertainment. Developed by Asylum Entertainment, the Horrid Henry game gives fans the chance to become their favourite naughty schoolboy.

Since first blasting onto the children’s book scene in 1994, Horrid Henry has quickly become a worldwide publishing phenomenon. With book sales exceeding 13.5 million copies in the UK alone, Horrid Henry is available in 27 countries worldwide including the US and has been translated into 22 languages. The hugely popular TV series, shown daily on Children’s ITV in the UK, has also sold globally and Henry has his own touring stage show, his own website and even a record deal with EMI.

After already achieving incredible sales success with Peppa Pig on Nintendo DS™, Asylum Entertainment is currently developing the Horrid Henry game for Wii™, Nintendo DS and PC. Players take on the role of Horrid Henry as they run and jump through a series of fun levels, meeting recognisable characters along the way and having plenty of mischievous adventures.

Lucinda Whiteley, Creative Director of Novel Entertainment says:"We are thrilled to further extend the reach of the Horrid Henry brand to include a PC, Wii and DS game. SouthPeak Games and Asylum Entertainment are leaders in their field and we are excited to be working with such creative game developers."

“We are delighted to be working with Asylum Entertainment and Novel Entertainment on the Horrid Henry license,” said Jonathan Hales, European MD, SouthPeak Games. “The books and TV series have proved exceptionally popular in Europe and the books have recently launched in North America, so we’re sure the video game will be just as successful.”

“We are really excited to be working with SouthPeak as our partner in bringing the Horrid Henry game to market. Their position in the US market makes them ideal for us to work with for the launch of the game. We are looking forward to making the Horrid Henry video game successful together,” said Simon Bailey, MD of Asylum Entertainment.

Horrid Henry the video game is set for release this October, alongside a whole week dedicated to the TV series on CiTV, during half-term and the publication of the latest book (Horrid Henry Wakes the Dead).

Batman: Arkham Asylum, Mini Ninjas and Just Cause 2 Eidos video games at E3

Eidos announce three major titles that will be on show at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), June 2-4, 2009. The Eidos booth, located at South Hall Booth No2422 will feature Batman: Arkham Asylum, Mini Ninjas and Just Cause 2.

“Eidos is proud to offer three very innovative and unique products at this year's E3. These games are a reflection of Eidos' commitment to deliver compelling characters in rich and expansive environments, allowing players to immerse themselves in engaging gameplay,” said Robert A. Lindsey, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Eidos Inc. “Heading back to the Los Angeles Convention Center is a big deal and Eidos is striving to make the return to the show floor unforgettable.”

Featuring the world-renowned characters of DC Comics, Batman: Arkham Asylum, developed by Rocksteady Studios, will be playable on The PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, offering show visitors a journey into the depths of Gotham City's psychiatric asylum for the criminally insane as Batman faces his greatest challenge yet. Visitors will have the chance to experience a selection of the game's extensive FreeFlow™ Combat and Invisible Predator™ Challenge Maps. Also playable for the first time will be one of the eight maps that will allow fans to play as The Joker, a character that is playable exclusively in the PLAYSTATION 3 Challenge Maps that will be made available as a free download for owners of the game through PlayStation Network. Rated “T” for Teen, Batman: Arkham Asylum will be co-published in North America by Eidos, Inc. and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Games for Windows®, and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. The game will be available in North America August 25th and throughout Europe August 28th.

Mini Ninjas, from IO Interactive, will take you on a journey to feudal Japan where you'll join Hiro, Futo, and the rest of the ninja clan on their biggest ninja adventure ever, as they embark on an epic and electrifying quest to restore harmony to a world on the brink of chaos. Rated “E10+” for Everyone 10 and older, Mini Ninjas will be playable on Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. The game will be co-published in North America by Eidos, Inc. and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and made available in September 2009.

Just Cause 2, from Avalanche Studios, will be showcasing the latest code demo of the hotly tipped action sequel. Set on an Island Paradise, Just Cause 2 is an explosive open-world adventure of insane, adrenaline-fuelled stunts and action. Using the grapple and parachute combo, Just Cause 2 has no vertical limit and takes to the air like no other game. Just Cause 2 will be behind closed doors and strictly by appointment only. Rating pending, Just Cause 2 will be available on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Games for Windows, and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system.

2029 Online video game Closed Beta Near Ready Win iPods

2029 Online Alpha testers have been raving about their first impressions of the game and can’t wait to see what the Beta testers have to say about it. With the Closed Beta just a few days away, our CB testers are almost ready to be immersed in real time combat that will deliver an adrenaline rush of action sure to get their pulse racing. Alpha test has been finished on May 27th at 10:00 pm EDT (GMT-4). The official Closed Beta will be unleashed on May 30th at 9:00 pm EDT (GMT-4). We hope to see you there!

Notes
1. Alpha testers can take part in the coming Closed Beta test using their Alpha account.
2. There is no need to remove the Alpha test client from your computer before the Closed Beta test. The client will either be automatically updated or it can be manually updated to the Closed Beta version at the start of the test.
3. All Alpha testers will be rewarded with a special weapon worth $50 in the Closed Beta test.
4. All testers’ character data will be kept after the Closed Beta test is finished.

Join the Closed Beta to Win iPod's!
The long wait is finally over, and not a moment too soon. With anticipation at the boiling point, we knew players would be pumped and ready to rock! If you’ve got a Beta key and you place at the top of our rankings during the Beta test, you’ll soon be the proud new owner of one of the iPod’s below.

Event Time
May 30th at 09:00 pm EDT(GMT-4) -- June 6rd at 10:00 pm EDT(GMT-4)

Notes
At 10:00 pm June 6rd EDT (GMT-4), we will collect testers’ character level information based on the latest rankings and announce the winners. iPod winners must contact a GM via Live Support to claim their prizes. Anyone who fails to contact us within one week will forfeit their prize. Mall Points will be distributed on June 8th.

Prizes

FIRST - The top player on the rankings will win an 8GB iPod touch.

SECOND - The player holding down the number 2 spot on the rankings will win an 8GB iPod Nano

THIRD - The player in the 3 spot on the rankings will get a 1GB iPod Shuffle 2

As this amazing event gets closer to completion, testers will receive Mall points based on the level their character has reached. Level 60 - 70 characters will get 100 Mall Points to blow, while Level 70+ characters will get 100 Mall Points as well as a chance to win $30 Amazon Gift Cards!

BMW M3 stars on cover of Need for Speed Shift all cars and tracks listed

Start your engines! Electronic Arts announce Need for Speed SHIFT will feature 18 authentic race tracks and over 65 pixel-perfect cars including the one-of-a-kind BMW M3 GT2 that will grace the cover. The spectacular SHIFT cover car is one of the fastest, most powerful cars ever to be featured in a Need for Speed game. Designed to deliver a true drivers experience, SHIFT boasts legendary cars from the past 35 years, each one modeled to deliver an incredible sense of speed and realism.

At Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, gamers will also get a first look at a wide spectrum of the seminal performance machines in the game, including classic cars like the 1972 Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R, renowned tuners like 1995 Mazda RX-7, and ultra-exclusive exotic cars like the 2007 Lamborghini Reventón. The best way to show off these hot rides is to take them for a spin on the track. Need for Speed SHIFT features over 50 unique layouts across 18 tracks including real-world locations and fictional circuits. Players can race on world-renowned tracks like the grueling 20 km Nordschleife or meticulously-designed fictional circuits found in Glendale with its steep grades, hairpin corners and blind crests.



“Need for Speed SHIFT is about the intense power and emotion of being behind the wheel and this carefully selected list of cars and tracks was chosen to give players the ultimate driving moment,” said Patrick Soderlund, Senior Vice President at EA Games Europe. “SHIFT is the evolution of racing genre. We’re delivering the first truly immersive driving game by combining perfectly modelled cars and tracks with the dramatic realism of the true driver’s experience.”

Need for Speed SHIFT car roster:
2006 Aston Martin DBR9
2009 Audi R8 LMS
2008 Audi R8
2008 Audi RS 4
2007 Audi S3
2007 Audi TT 3.2 quattro
2006 Audi S4
BMW M3 E36
BMW M3 E46
BMW M3 E92
2008 BMW 135i Coupé
2009 BMW M3 GT2
2007 BMW Z4 M Coupé
2008 Bugatti Veyron 16.4
2006 Dodge Challenger Concept
2008 Dodge Viper SRT10
Falken Tire 2010 Ford Mustang GT
2010 Ford Shelby GT500
2007 Ford Focus ST
2006 Ford GT
2006 Need For Speed Shelby Terlingua
1996 Ford Escort RS Cosworth
2009 Chevrolet Camaro SS
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS
2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
2006 Honda Civic Si
2000 Honda S2000
2006 Koenigsegg CCX
2008 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4
2007 Lamborghini Murciélago LP640
2007 Lamborghini Reventón
2006 Lotus Elise 111R
2007 Lotus Exige S
2005 Maserati MC12 GT1
2008 Mazda MX-5
2006 Mazda RX-8
1995 Mazda RX-7
1994 McLaren F1
2007 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition
2007 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer EVOLUTION
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer EVOLUTION IX MR-edition
2003 Infiniti G35 (V35)
1997 Nissan 200SX (S14)
2009 Nissan 370Z (Z34)
2006 Nissan 350Z (Z33)
2009 Nissan GT-R SpecV (R35)
2008 Nissan GT-R (R35)
2000 Nissan Silvia (S15) spec.R AERO
1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)
1972 Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R
1992 Nissan 240SX (S13)
2006 Pagani Zonda F
2010 Pagani Zonda R
2008 Porsche 911 GT2
2009 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
2006 Porsche 911 GT3 RS
2004 Porsche Carrera GT
2007 Porsche Cayman S
2008 Renault Mégane RS
2007 SEAT Leon CUPRA
2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STi
2007 Lexus LF-A Concept
2008 SCION tC
1986 Toyota Corolla GTS (A86)
2008 Volkswagen Scirocco
2006 Volkswagen Golf GTI

Need for Speed SHIFT track list:
1. Alpental
2. Autopolis International Racing Course
3. Ambush Canyon
4. Brands Hatch
5. Dakota
6. Ebisu Circuit
7. Glendale
8. Hazyview
9. Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
10. London
11. Miytomi
12. Nordschleife
13. Road America
14. Rustle Creek
15. Silverstone
16. Circuit de Spa Francorchamps
17. Tokyo
18. Willow Springs

Need for Speed SHIFT is being developed by Slightly Mad Studios in collaboration with Black Box and Patrick Soderlund. Slightly Mad Studios includes developers and designers that worked on the critically acclaimed games GT Legends and GTR 2. The PSP (PlayStation Portable) version is being developed by EA’s Bright Light studio.
Need for Speed SHIFT is scheduled to ship in Europe on September 17 and in North America on September 22 on the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, PC and PSP. More information can be found at www.needforspeed.com or follow us on Twitter at NeedforSpeed.

Runes of Magic Return of the Ice Dwarf Kingdom update to Version 1.7 expands the game world with new guild buildings

With the new large Patch 1.7 “Return of the Ice Dwarf Kingdom”, Frogster will soon deliver additional new game contents for Runes of Magic. Among other things, this update enlarges the world of the online role-playing game with new expansion potentials for guild castles. Moreover, the instance “Ruins of the Ice Dwarf Kingdom” is extended by a high-level area with new boss adversaries. The release of “Return of the Ice Dwarf Kingdom” is scheduled for 3 June 2009.

With this update, guilds can, for collected resources, erect special buildings in their castle yard. Step by step, these guilds unlock more and stronger constructions from the technology tree. Thus, the workshop is available only after the erection of a school, and powerful rune towers are available to the guilds only if they have considerably advanced the expansion of their castle. All buildings grant the guild special bonuses, from enhanced riding speed through the potential to mine resources up to powerful defensive works, which are in turn tactical elements in the planned guild vs. guild wars.

Players at level 50 can now plan new trips to the “Ruins of the Ice Dwarf Kingdom” again. So far, the dungeon was conceived for adventurers at levels 35 to 40, but this update extends it by a completely newly designed area for high-level groups with new bosses and, of course, new rewards.

Furthermore, the content patch introduces Elite skills for the levels 40 and 45. Pet collectors can rejoice – permanent pets will become available with the update.

Frogster to Show New Content from Runes of Magic at E3

Battlefield 1943 Coral Sea location to be unlocked once everyone reaches 43 million kills - watch the video

Battlefield 1943 Delivers Nonstop Multiplayer Action Across Four WWII Maps for $15

DICE announce Battlefield 1943 will kick off a worldwide community challenge that, when achieved, will reward players by unlocking a fourth map called Coral Sea. The WWII Coral Sea map will be unlocked when the multiplayer community achieves 43M kills on Xbox Live and the same number on PlayStation Network. When it ships this summer, Battlefield 1943 will include three maps (Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal, and Wake Island) plus this fourth bonus map, all for $15.


Coral Sea is designed to showcase the intense battle in the skies, offering an all-new Air superiority game mode. The legendary WWII action this map provides will have players dog fighting in this airplanes-only map, proving once again DICE delivers on a first class online vehicle warfare experience better than anyone else! Players will be able to track the progress of their respective console communities at www.battlefield.com/1943.

Battlefield 1943 is a premium arcade title that delivers endless hours of 24-player First-Person Shooter (FPS) action on popular maps inspired by Battlefield 1942™. In addition to Coral Sea, Battlefield 1943 will also have players battling over three tropic locations: Wake Island, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. These maps have now been updated with the DICE Frostbite™ engine, providing destructibility to the battlefield and leaving players with almost nowhere to hide. Gamers play as the US Marines or the Imperial Japanese Navy, competing by land, air and sea. They have the freedom to pick their path in battle - be it as a rifleman crawling through the trenches, a steel fisted tank commander, or a dog fighting ace pilot that rules the skies!

All four maps will be playable at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3 Expo) at the intersection of West Hall & Concourse Walkway.

Battlefield 1943, this highly anticipated FPS game will be available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace (1200 MS Points) and PlayStation Store ($14.99) this summer, and in September on PC.