Winners - The best game trailers of E3 2009 Awards

Celebrating the accomplishments of the industry at the show, one winner was selected from five nominees in 29 distinct categories. SCEA made the largest impact in the awards, taking home top honors in multiple categories including “Best Trailer” for The Last Guardian, “Best Graphics” for Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, “Best Press Conference” and the most noteworthy category, “Best of Show” for God of War III.

“With all eyes on the industry as the show returned to its previous format, it was an impressive showing,” said Shane Satterfield, Editor-in-Chief, GameTrailers “The general level of quality was extremely high, making selecting the nominees and winners incredibly difficult. The editorial team had its hands full, and we applaud the developers and publishers for showing some truly groundbreaking products.”

The expert editorial staff at GameTrailers selected all nominees and winners with 135 total nominees across all platforms and genres. With the exception of the “Best Trailer Award” and “Best Graphics Award,” all games had to be playable by the press at the show to be eligible.

GameTrailers’ extensive E3 2009 coverage included over 850 pieces of original content that garnered over 52 million total video views to date.

For more on E3 and GameTrailers coverage Log on to here to catch all the awards action and the very best of E3 2009.

Winners of the “GameTrailers Best of E3 2009 Awards” are as follows:

GENERAL AWARDS –

Best Of Show: God of War III - SCEA

Best Trailer: The Last Guardian - SCEA

Most Innovative: Project Natal - Microsoft

Best Graphics: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves - SCEA

One To Watch: The Last Guardian - SCEA

Best New IP: Brutal Legend - Electronic Arts

Best Music/Rhythm Game: DJ Hero - Activision

Best Software Lineup: PlayStation 3

Best Press Conference: Sony


PLATFORM AWARDS -

Best PlayStation 3 Game: God of War III - SCEA

Best Xbox 360 Game: Assassin’s Creed II - Ubisoft

Best Wii Game: DJ Hero - Activision

Best PC Game: Assassin’s Creed II - Ubisoft

Best PSP Game: Gran Turismo - SCEA

Best Nintendo DS Game: Scribblenauts -WBIE

Best Downloadable Game: Zombie Apocalypse - Konami


GENRE AWARDS -

Best Action Adventure Game: God of War III - SCEA

Best Fighting Game: The King of Fighters XII – Ignition

Best First-Person Shooter: Modern Warfare 2 - Activision

Best Third-Person Shooter: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves -SCEA

Best RPG: Mass Effect 2 - Electronic Arts

Best Sports Game: Wii Sports Resort - Nintendo

Best Driving Game: Forza Motorsport 3 - Microsoft

Best Online Game: Star Wars: The Old Republic

Best Strategy Game: League of Legends - Riot Games

Biggest Surprise: Metroid: Other M

NinjaBee Lets Avatars be the Hero, Releases New Game as download Band of Bugs for Xbox LIVE Arcade

NinjaBee, the creators of the first fully-enabled Avatar game on Xbox LIVE Arcade, A Kingdom for Keflings, announced today that beginning July 8, Band of Bugs will include Avatar support. In addition, NinjaBee will be releasing Tales of Kaloki, a new, game-changing DLC for Band of Bugs.

The added Avatar support will allow gamers the option of replacing the original story’s hero, Maal, with their custom Avatar as they play through the main story mode. Players will also be able to engage in hand-to-hand combat and spell casting in eight-player Spider Hunter mode. Spider Hunter, one of several multiplayer modes, allows players to battle with or against their friends over Xbox LIVE to survive an onslaught of deadly spiders, mosquitoes, centipedes and more.

The Tales of Kaloki DLC is based on NinjaBee’s first Xbox LIVE Arcade game, Outpost Kaloki X. The DLC is set in space and uses the basic mechanics of Band of Bugs but adds a new tile set, new characters, new story, new skills, new strategy, new attacks and new abilities.

“We’re giving you an entirely new game,” said Steve Taylor, president of NinjaBee. “The Tales of Kaloki DLC is Band of Bugs but with long-range combat using lasers, rocket launchers, OO rays and a ton of other sweet weapons to blow attacking space ships to smithereens. It’s all the wackiness from Outpost Kaloki X and tactics from Band of Bugs rolled into one, and we’re stoked to be releasing it.”

In addition, NinjaBee will release a Band of Bugs Premium Theme. This theme, which features scenes from the game and concept art, can be downloaded through the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 240 Microsoft Points.

The Avatar support will be added to the original game for free and the Tales of Kaloki DLC will be purchasable through the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 240 Microsoft Points. Like the extensive collection of DLC already available for Band of Bugs, Tales of Kaloki can be played by downloading the original game, Band of Bugs (800 MS points). The Avatar support, Tales of Kaloki DLC and the Premium Theme will be available Wednesday, July 8. Band of Bugs is rated E for Everyone.

About NinjaBee
NinjaBee, located in Orem, Utah, began developing games in 2004. With every game they make, NinjaBee’s goal is to create a unique, top-quality, fun experience for people of all ages. Their popular titles include Outpost Kaloki X, Cloning Clyde, Band of Bugs, Boingz, Doritos Dash of Destruction and A Kingdom for Keflings.

Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning 4th of July Live Event

With summer officially underway, Warhammer Online - Age of Reckoning (WAR) is honoring the 4th of July holiday with a live event which kicked off last week and runs through Monday, July 6th at 8:00 am ET.

The forces of Order and Destruction will celebrate by dropping rare firework items from every enemy player killed during RvR combat. In addition, all players will experience a 10% gain in the amount of XP and Renown earned during the entire live event.

Kill your enemies and flaunt your victories with firework displays, because the 4th of July live event has begun and the WAR rages on!

Based on the popular tabletop war game from Games Workshop, Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning features revolutionary Realm vs. Realm™ conflict that will provide players with an engaging battleground for years to come. Available now for PC, WAR is rated "T" for Teen by the ESRB.

For more information on Warhammer Online, please visit www.warhammeronline.com.

Maloof Money Cup Skate 2's Latest Downloadable Content

Compete in the World's Greatest Skateboarding Event with Skate 2's Latest Downloadable Content

Electronic Arts announce that starting July 9 gamers can download and compete in Skate 2’s Maloof Money Cup Pack, based on the largest pursed event in the history of professional skateboarding. The pack will be available in the PLAYSTATION Store for $3.00 and on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 240 points in North America.

“Skate 2 has been embraced by the gaming and skateboarding community across the globe, making it the perfect stage for the Maloof Money Cup’s videogame debut,” said Joe Maloof, President of Maloof Companies. “Now players everywhere can experience the world’s greatest skateboarding championship and revel in the high-stakes excitement of the competition for themselves.”

Skate 2’s Maloof Money Cup Pack will feature separate gameplay events both online and offline – freeskate, single player vert and street contests that put gamers against world class pros, and an online mode in which gamers will be able to compete against their friends in new activities and challenges for bragging rights. Xbox 360 gamers get an added bonus as there are 250 achievement points up for grabs.

The Maloof Money Cup presented by etnies and Monster Energy boasts the largest purse in the history of professional skateboarding with nearly $450,000 in cash and prizes. The three-day competition and festival takes place July 10-12, 2009 at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, Calif., during the opening weekend of the OC Fair. All attendees can ride the virtual course for themselves in the Skate 2 booth, located near the front of the festival, where the Maloof Money Cup Pack will be available for playing.

Skate 2 ups the ante in delivering all the grit, creativity, and culture of skateboarding with all-new tricks that allow players to skate it their way – both on and off the board. Gamers can create their own epic skate spots which can then be shared and experienced by others around the world. The game also features a revamped Thrasher Hall of Meat mode that will have players spending countless hours pulling off bone-crushing wipeouts and bails.

Skate 2 is developed by Black Box, an Electronic Arts Inc. studio in Burnaby, British Columbia. The game is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB and 16+ by PEGI.

mmolecule Launches WonderKing Online Beta Key Giveaway

Eligible mmolecule members can win one of 1,000 closed beta keys for WonderKing Online

WonderKing Online Beta Key Giveaway for mmolecule members. mmolecule will conduct a random drawing to award 1,000 closed beta keys for WonderKing Online, a new MMO from NDOORS to be released in 2009.

Any existing mmolecule member or anyone who becomes a member of mmolecule on or before July 7th will be eligible to win. Only one key will be awarded per person. Winners will be privately notified on July 8th.

“We're very excited to offer our community members the opportunity to experience WonderKing Online,” said Andrew Muchmore, COO and co-founder of mmolecule. “This is a great opportunity for mmolecule members to get into the game, as well as get to know NDOORS. We look forward to offering more tools, services, and contests involving WonderKing Online in the very near future.”

Complete contest details are available at http://www.mmolecule.com.

Gatheryn Hosts In-Game Ice Cream Social For Active Beta Users

This afternoon (June 30th) at 3pm PDT, active Gatheryn beta testers will have the opportunity to participate in Gatheryn's first community event, The Elymia Ice Cream Social. The Ice Cream social is open only to active beta testers, but more events will be scheduled, and more users welcomed into the beta in the weeks to come. Don't miss out on the fun and excitement of Gatheryn community events - register for the beta at http://www.mindfusegames.com.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet other Elymians and exercise Gatheryn's social functionality by comparing clothing ensembles, adding others to their Friends List, or playing a game of checkers. Members of the Mindfuse staff will also be in attendance to answer questions about Elymian life and listen to feedback from users on what they like in the game, and what they'd like to see changed.

Ice cream will be distributed to all attendees as an in-game item 3 times during the event - at 3:00, 3:30 and 4:00. Using ice cream is a good way to test out Gatheryn's newly implemented health system as a single serving completely cures all fatigue. No RSVP is required for active users. The event will take place in Westpark, just outside the Broken Anchor Pub, in the Western portion of the city.

For more information about Gatheryn, or to register for the beta, visit: www.mindfusegames.com

Infernal Hells Vengeance Xbox 360 Cult PC video game hit makes the leap to console!

Cult Hit - Action Shooter of 2007, Infernal – Is coming exclusively to console on Xbox 360 this spring!

Former Etherlite Secret Agent Ryan Lennox, now obsolete and betrayed by those close to him is a man who knows no fear! In a desperate bid to uncover his former employers secret agenda Lennox makes a pact with the devil. Embarking on an action-packed voyage into a world of deception and betrayal, armed with special abilities and military grade weaponry, Ryan Lennox is a man who must succeed.



Lennox will need to master his devilish powers to uncover the truth and restore the delicate balance of good and evil. The captivating plot sees Lennox journey from ancient monastery catacombs and secret mountain hideouts to sprawling harbor docks and industrial oil refineries, before finally facing his ultimate showdown...

Infernal uses a state-of-the-art Physics engine enabling highly interactive worlds with destroyable walls and objects, while giving the player the ability to use a vast array of weapons. This is supported by using high level graphics and a stunning overall design based on locations throughout Europe and the USA.

Features:

* Stunning 3rd Person Shooter with deep & engaging storyline
* Explore a range of stunning environments & locations across 3 levels of difficulty
* Over 10 hours of gameplay
* Control a variety of guns and weapons as well as supernatural forces to increase their power
* Engange in Hand to Hand combat, or utilize a range of weaponry
* Duck and cover system to avoid enemy attacks
* Fight intelligent opponents who use the environment to their advantage
* Utilize a vast array of supernatural powers such as telekinesis & teleportation to overcome obstacles and enemies
* Harvest the energy of your enemies to heal and to replenish your Infernal mana


“Infernal was always designed with a console release in mind and it’s great that we’re finally able to release exclusively on XBOX360. The vast array of weaponry and supernatural powers makes Lennox an enviable foe.” Said Adam McGowan, Marketing Director at Playlogic

Infernal will be released exclusively to console on Xbox 360 in Q2 2009!

Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

The Next Addition to the Popular Vandal Hearts games Flames of Judgment Coming to PLAYSTATION Network and Xbox LIVE Arcade

Konami revealed new game details and screenshots from the upcoming tactical role-playing game, Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment for PlayStation Network and Xbox LIVE Arcade in this winter. On the continent of Sostegaria, two rival kingdoms stand on the brink of war. In a small town on their border is a simple church orphanage, home to young Tobias Martin. Caught in the tide of battle, Tobias and his comrades enlist to fight for peace – and revenge. But they face an unstoppable warrior, who wields the almighty Flames of Judgment, and will let no one stand in his way.


Key Features:

Classic gameplay, expanded and streamlined – combines the speedy RPG pace of the original Vandal Hearts with improved user mechanics and top-notch presentation.

Strong story – serving as the prequel to the original Vandal Hearts, Flames of Judgment delivers a rich, focused, and character-driven storyline that includes quality cinematic cutscenes.

Multiple endings – the player’s actions throughout the game determine the ending, Tobias’ future and more!

Party members adapt to the player’s style of game play – player characters naturally and automatically improve at whatever they do, providing a wide, deep range of customization options.

20 playable maps

Mega Man Star Forces 3 Black Ace and Red Joker Nintendo DS games arrive with three videos

Capcom announce that Mega Man Star Force 3 (MMSF3) for Nintendo DS has shipped to North American retailers. Mega Man Star Force 3 comes in two different versions, Black Ace and Red Joker, allowing friends to share unique items and powers utilizing the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, enhancing their individual characters. Mega Man Star Force 3 is rated E for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) and carries a suggested retail price of $29.99.



As in the previous games, Mega Man Star Force 3 is a unique blend of an action and role-playing game (RPG), combining the high intensity combat that is the hallmark of Mega Man games with Star Force’s strategic battle system. By defeating enemies and boss characters, players earn “battle cards” that enhance and evolve Mega Man’s abilities and attacks.



New to Mega Man Star Force 3 are “Noise Changes,” random enhancements that change Mega Man’s form and unlock new abilities. The two versions of the game, Black Ace and Red Joker, each have over 100 unique Noise Types that can be combined with Mega Man to unlock elemental powers based on earth, air, water and fire. The new Noise feature will add an exciting randomness to battles, encouraging players to explore, collect and battle across the digital world of Mega Man Star Force 3.



In Mega Man Star Force 3, players travel between the physical world and the digital world via electromagnetic waves that form “wave roads.” Geo Stelar, the protagonist of the game, can see these wave roads by using his unique “visualizer” tool. Once in the digital world, Geo can merge with the electronic life-form known as Omega-Xis to become Mega Man. The wave roads are being overrun by mysterious “noise” that change the player’s environment and powers in different ways. This noise is being generated by an approaching gigantic meteor that threatens both the physical and digital worlds of Mega Man Star Force 3, forcing Geo Stellar and his crew to fight the oncoming threat to save two worlds. Fortunately, Mega Man discovers that he can control the Noise, using the new “Noise Change” system to transform into many different forms, including the ultimate “Black Ace” or “Red Joker” forms.

Sony plan PlayStation 2 PS2 emulation for PlayStation 3 PS3 consoles - again!

Let's admit it PS2 emulation is something that you'll probably never use, but at the same time there's still a desire to have it. If Sony hadn't have introduced backwards compatibility in the first place and originally mocking fun of Microsoft's efforts with the 360, we probably would never have bothered.

Still it's been a number of years since Sony decided to strip away the PS2 hardware featured in the original PS3 models as a cost-cutting measure, and yet the feature is still one of the most desired from PS3 owners and potential adopters.

Thankfully, it appears that backwards compatibility could finally be on the way if a recent patent application is anything to go by, spotted by Silconera here.

Full post here on Total Video Games here...