Dungeon Party - A Noisy New Character Arrives to this video game!

Cyanide Studios and Focus Home Interactive are pleased to introduce a new character in the crazy world of Dungeon Party!

The happy threesome - the Wizard, the Thief and the Executioner - welcome a new companion today. Ushered in with all his fans cheering, the Bard joins our crazy team of treasure hunters with his musical instrument and his beautiful voice.

As good news always comes in twos - the game also introduces a new Guild system, finally allowing lonely players to find friendly treasure hunters that are a perfect match!

Dungeon Party is an online, free-to-play game based on team play. In a totally crazy heroic-fantasy universe, groups of Heroes battle in teams of five in dungeons filled with lethal traps and horrible monsters... all in a quest to win the valuable treasures hidden inside… before the other team does!

In Dungeon Party, you create your characters and customize them via a huge variety of costumes and items. Styles are numerous and varied! Each player can equip their character with various potions, traps and other items, before throwing themselves into battle against the opposite teams.

Carefully choose spells and skills during the matches to adapt to the opposite teams’ strategies and to help your team the most.

In order to add some spice to the game, dungeons are also filled with numerous lethal traps and creatures haunting the place. They will make absolutely no distinction between the teams that are trying to grab the treasure chest, and will protect it zealously.

So make your way to the treasures thanks to the help of your teammates, fight-off the opposing teams and get out of the dungeon being victorious – and rich! Spend the money earned in the Online Shop to acquire new items, which will give you that little boost you may need to get the edge in your future matches!

Many options will be soon available, including a level editor that will let you create an infinity of personal dungeons to share with your friends and the entire Dungeon Party's community!

There are plenty of teams of Heroes waiting right now for you and ready to fight for the treasure, so join Dungeon Party right now for fun and delirious battles!

Spore Hero on Nintendo Wii Do you have what it takes to be a Spore hero?

Spore Hero delivers the unparalleled creative freedom of Spore in a story-driven action-adventure game created exclusively for the Nintendo Wii. Set in a rich and vibrant 3D world, Spore Hero empowers you to become the hero as you embark on an epic quest to fight to save your creature’s new home world from destruction!



This new and original Spore adventure starts with a bang – literally! Hurtling through the galaxy inside a blue meteor, you have just crash landed on a strange alien world. But something evil has followed you and brought dangerous red meteorites crashing down on the unsuspecting planet. Only a true hero can save the world from being destroyed by this new threat! Do you have what it takes to be a Spore hero?

In fighting to save your new home planet, your hero will engage in courageous battles, amazing adventures and much more! As you explore your mysterious world, you’ll encounter and unlock more than 250 new parts and abilities to help you complete quests, win fights, unlock combos and learn new fighting skills.

Creatures will come alive in Spore Hero, thanks to the revolutionary technology known as Spasm. Spasm, also known as procedural animation, is tailored specifically for the Nintendo platform allowing you create any creature your imagination can desire. Want two heads and seven legs, six arms or more? Spore Creature Creator gives you all the tools you need to enhance your hero as you fight, bite, spit and charge your enemies with the Wii Remote.

Spore Hero features a dynamic multiplayer mode, where you’ll use your battling skills to become the ‘baddest’ Spore hero around! This mode allows you to create your ultimate warrior by using any combination of your earned parts in a special multiplayer mode Creature Creator, or choose one of your previously created creatures.

About Spore
The critically-acclaimed Spore for PC lets gamers build their own personal universe from scratch, evolving life from a single-cell organism to a galactic god over hundreds of millions of years. Players design a species and guide it to sentience, then help it build a society, develop its culture, and ultimately explore an infinite cosmos of worlds created by other players. The Spore world continues to grow with two games built from the ground up for Nintendo Wii and DS. Visit www.sporehero.com for more details.

Key features

• Fight to Save the World— Built from the ground up exclusively for the Nintendo Wii, Spore Hero features an intriguing storyline taking you on a journey to fight a mysterious dark force that threatens your creatures new planet. Embark on exciting missions, intense battles, and incredible action-quests to save the world!

• Create a Hero—Spore’s much-loved Spore Creature Creator comes to the Nintendo Wii for the first time, offering a robust library of more than 250 parts to create your unique hero! One eye or five? Wings or a horn? The possibilities are endless!

• Battle Your Friends- Put your combat skills to the test as you engage in embroiled battles with a friend in a multiplayer mode! Create a decked out creature or choose a previously created or pre-made creature to challenge friends with.

• Evolve— Evolution is taken to the next level in Spore Hero as you earn and find new parts, such as limbs and accessories to enhance your hero. As new parts play a direct role on your creatures abilities, you’ll have the power to charge your enemies with newly-acquired horns or fly to new levels with recently-unlocked wings!

You can even lend your parts to fellow creatures, helping them evolve along the way.

Athletes Host New BattlePros.com Website; Want Fans to Bring Their "A" Game

A new video game community site launched today - with a twist. BattlePros.com is a Web destination hosted by professional athletes that love video games and the competition that goes with it. Video gamers can join the site for free and take part in a variety of contests and tournaments to win a chance to battle a pro online.

Members can also sign-up to receive Twitter alerts when the pros are heading to Xbox Live, PlayStation Network or a PC gaming community looking for playing partners. The site will also offer the best trash-talking videos the Web has to offer. Pros and members alike will be challenged to show off their smack-talking skills, with the most creative videos featured on the main page of the site.

News Facts

* BattlePros is the first known site that brings together professional athletes and video gamers for ongoing battles online. Battles will take part on a weekly basis, providing video gamers with nearly endless opportunities to match wits with the pros.
* The BattlePros Blog will feature game reviews, tips and tricks, and gaming anecdotes from the pros.
* The site will host an ongoing monthly contest to find the Web's best trash talkers.
* JJ Stokes, former NFL receiver and current radio and television broadcaster is the site's video host. JJ learned a thing or two about trash-talking during his nine years in the league and wants the fans to bring their "A" game.
* Other pro hosts on the site include: Manny Lawson, linebacker with the San Francisco 49ers; Thomas DeCoud, safety with the Atlanta Falcons; and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters Dan Molina and Kristin Barbie Molina.
* New pros will be joining shortly from a range of professional leagues, such as Major League Baseball, the NBA, the NHL, Major League Soccer and a variety of Xtreme sports.
* Fans can follow the athletes on Twitter (www.twitter.com/battlepros) and receive tweets when they're heading online looking for random battle partners.
* The site is geared for online gamers looking for new friends to team up with or battle online for the hottest games, including: sports games such as Madden 10 and NBA Live; action strategy games like Halo 3 and Call of Duty: World at War; and music simulation games including Rock Band and Guitar Hero.
* The site's member search function and live chat capabilities make it easy for gamers to find playing partners of all skill levels.
* BattlePros allows members to create profiles with their own photos, videos and blog posts; form groups; take part in forum discussions; and download dozens of free games and other cool applications for their personal page.



Quotes
Attributed to Dean Fisk, founder of Battlepros.com:

* It's no secret that lots of pro athletes play video games in their free time. The pros on our site are passionate about gaming and they want to share their love of video games with the fans.
* BattlePros.com provides access to pro athletes like never before. Fans will battle live with the pros, chat it up on their headsets and even take their best trash-talking shot at a group that's practically heard it all.


Attributed to JJ Stokes, former NFL wide receiver and member of Battlepros.com:

* For all you gamers and trash talkers out there, bring your A game. Every month we'll be reviewing the best of the best.


Attributed to Kristin Barbie Molina, MMA fighter and member of Battlepros.com:

* I'm a big fan of video games and there's nothing like coming home from a hard day of training and sitting down with my best friend Xbox.

Section 8 with Clan and Stats Portal in this multiplayer Sci-fi FPS video game

SouthPeak Games and developer TimeGate Studios are pleased to announce their clan and statistics portal for the upcoming Section 8 sci-fi FPS. This extremely robust online center offers players unprecedented information and coordination for everything they do in the game. It also allows for full clan management and recruitment.

Everything will be accessible at www.joinsection8.com/stats and be available next week when the game ships in North America.



Features:

· Create a Section 8 clan

o In game clan tags can be setup to automatically update from the portal

o Ability to turn on/off recruitment status and review the statistics of your incoming applicants

o Establish hierarchies within your clan (Recruit, Member, Officer, Leader, etc.) and manage rosters directly from the portal

o Toggle viewing clan member’s e-mail address for coordination outside of the game

· Over 50+ unique Leaderboards not available in game, categorized by:

o Career Statistics (XP, Kills, Deaths, Destructions, Combat, Teamwork, etc.)

o “In a Life” Records (XP, Teamwork, Combat, Kills, Damage, Captures, Repairs, Defenses, Destruction)

o Gear “In a Life” Records (Assault Rifle, Shotgun, Knife, etc.)

o Badges (32x badges)

o Feats (16x feats)

· All Leaderboards can be changed to best “overall” or best “within my clan”

· Overall community page that tracks the top players / top clans, as well as tracks continuously updated community wide statistics (ex: most popular map, popular gear, popular loadout, etc.)

· A unique player profile page for each user that tracks over 100 unique in-game statistics to the individual that can be set to rank either best “overall” or best “within my clan”

· Mutually exclusive statistics for each platform (Xbox 360, PC)

· Supports players from all regions (EFIGS)

Section 8 will be available for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft on September 1, and for Windows PC on September 4 in North America. Both the Xbox 360 and Windows PC versions will be available on September 11 in the UK and Asia Pacific, and September 18 in the rest of Europe.

Two more maps feature zombies as part of exciting Combat Arms video game update - Quarantine Mode Spreads in Combat Arms

Two more maps feature zombies as part of exciting Combat Arms update

Nexon America updated its popular multiplayer online first-person shooter, Combat Arms, now allowing players to experience its popular Quarantine Mode on two additional maps – Showdown and Two Towers. The game also added new weapons and a new mercenary, Hauser, who gives players a chance to look like an action hero while taking out the opposition.

Players who purchase Hauser will be equipped with the Commando Vest, which boosts protection allowing them to take more damage while inflicting casualties.

Other updates include:

· Search & Destroy game mode has been added to Power Surge map.

· Specialists are now able to acquire the Minigun, which is a portable Gatlin Gun.

· Clan chat has been updated for easier use.

LEGO Indiana Jones 2 - The Adventure Continues video game Fact Sheet

LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues combines the fun and creative construction of LEGO bricks with the wits, daring and non-stop action of one of cinema’s most beloved adventure heroes. With a unique, tongue-in-cheek take on all the Indiana Jones films — including for the first time ever Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull — LEGO Indiana Jones 2 follows Dr. Jones’ escapades from the jungles of South America to the Peruvian Ruins and beyond. Fans can experience the most authentic LEGO experience yet by designing and building their own levels brick by brick, and by fusing their levels with the ones in the game to create a custom experience. In LEGO Indiana Jones 2, everyone can build, battle and brawl their way through their favorite cinematic moments — or create their own.

Game Information

* For the first time ever in a LEGO game, Build Your Own Adventure Mode allows you to create your own levels and environments and share them with your friends.
* For the ultimate and most authentic LEGO experience, you can create your own levels and combine them with the existing ones in the game.
* Play all new Kingdom of the Crystal Skull characters such as Mutt Williams on his motorcycle and use special abilities, including Oxley’s Crystal Skull Power.
* Innovative re-tellings of the classic movies (Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) with all new objectives and brand new levels. For example, this time you can play through the exciting vehicle chase in Shanghai with Short Round.
* Beat each level in Story mode and return in Free Play for a completely new adventure.
* Indy has all new animations, such as grabbing an enemy with his whip then throwing him over his shoulder.
* Jump into all new vehicles to help Indy get through all the new levels including planes, boats and mine carts — but watch out for the quicksand!
* Use Indy's newly enhanced whip to interact with Lego objects and help unlock iconic puzzles and battle with enemies.
* Use a variety of weapons from the environment to fight enemies (e.g., chairs, guns, swords, bottles).
* Collect artifacts through the game to unlock more than 60 playable characters, including villains and supporting characters (Marion Ravenwood, Mutt Williams, Short Round, Rene Belloq, Willie Scott, Marcus Brody, Dr. Henry Jones Sr. and Irina Spalko).
* Character swapping and free-play abilities
* Two-player drop-in, drop-out cooperative gameplay encourages parents to share the legacy of Indiana Jones with their children in a fun and humorous way.

Platform: Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 system, PSP system, Windows, Wii and Nintendo DS
Publisher: LucasArts
Developer: Traveller’s Tales
ESRB Rating: Rating Pending
Release Date: Fall 2009

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Naughty Dog admit that Uncharted 2 on Xbox 360 is impossible

“I guarantee that this game couldn’t be working on Xbox 360,” said Balestra. “It would be impossible. I’m 100 percent sure of this.”

Speaking to Ars Technica, co-president of Uncharted developers Naughty Dog, Christophe Balestra, commented on the advantages of developing a game for the PlayStation 3, even going as far as to say that their upcoming epic action adventure game, Uncharted 2, wouldn’t be possible on the Xbox 360

Balestra then went on to discuss just why this may be, while also ruminating on what he and the team at Naughty Dog wished to improve upon for the sequel to 2007’s excellent Uncharted:

“First of all,” says Balestra, “we fill the Blu-ray 100 percent, we have no room left on this one. We have 25GB of data; we’re using every single bit of it.”

Not only does the Blu-ray provide Naughty Dog with the necessary amount of space to cram as much content on the disc as possible, the inclusion of a hard-drive with every PS3 sold is a major boon as well:

“The fact that every PS3 has a hard drive is huge for us,” Balestra continued. “It’s the combination of Blu-ray and hard drive. You can play the entire game without loading. We don’t require an install.”

Using the PS3’s specific architecture effectively is also a must for the studio, which results in some excellent results, as Balestra is quick to point out:

“We’re doing all the post-processing effects on the SPUs [Synergistic Processing Units]. The quality of the depth of field we have, you can’t do that on the Xbox. We’ve invested a lot of time maximizing the power of the machine. That’s our job, to make the PS3 shine.

“The ability to use the RSX [the PS3’s graphics processor] to draw your pixels on the screen, then you use the Cell to do gameplay and animations—we kind of took the step of using the Cell process to help the RSX . All those things are done on the Cell processor.

“It really helps us getting that quality of lighting per pixel; the amount of computation is pretty crazy.”

Balestra also noted that the ‘power of the PS3’ aids the developers in providing a more immersive experience, such as realistic sound dynamics and improvements to Uncharted 2’s artificial intelligence:

“All that math is done on SPUs to immerse players into the environment,” he said, adding: “We had a pretty good AI system on Uncharted, but we wanted to have more [non-player characters], we wanted to have also more enemies on the screen.”

Finally, Balestra was questioned about what the team would have liked to improve upon for the follow-up to Uncharted, to which he provided a slightly evasive answer:

“Sometimes people ask us about what is the one thing [we improved] on Uncharted 2, and it’s hard to answer. We’re trying to increase the quality of the game, so we’re design-driven. No matter what it takes, we’ll find a way to figure it out, to squeeze what we need to squeeze out of [the system] to make it happen.”

Uncharted 2 is out this October, exclusively on the PS3 if you didn’t know.

Source: Ars Technica

Halo 3 ODST new co-operative multiplayer mode - with video

This is Firefight! Second “Halo 3: ODST” ViDoc drops, showcases new cooperative multiplayer mode

Stand back to back, Troopers, and give the enemy no ground! The Covenant invasion of earth is almost upon us, and it’s going to take a great deal of teamwork to keep the Brutes at bay. In the second “Halo 3: ODST” ViDoc from renowned developer Bungie, “Halo” series fan favorite Sgt. Avery Johnson offers a detailed look at the game’s action-packed cooperative multiplayer experience, Firefight.



Firefight features ten hellish missions that will test your ability to work as a team as you and your squad mates take on waves of increasingly brutal Covenant baddies. Grim, game-altering skulls continually change up the game and force your team to adapt to shifting challenges. Surviving the Covenant onslaught won't be easy so why not bring a “Halo” icon to the fight; pre-order your copy of “Halo 3: ODST” now (visit xbox.com or bungie.net for participating retailers) and unlock Sgt. Johnson for use in Firefight!

In addition to the new ViDoc, Bungie and Microsoft recently lifted the curtain on Rally Point at Gamescom, a sprawling Firefight map located in the city of New Mombasa. More details about Rally Point are below:



• Sector 10 inside the city of New Mombasa has seen better days. The air is heavy with acrid smoke parted only by the constant arrival of enemy drop ships. Lucky for you, the crossroads that converge on the entrance into ONI’s Alpha Site offer up a textbook choke point. The Covenant has come to claim access. You and your squad of ODST’s are going to stop them at all costs.

The new “Halo 3: ODST” ViDoc is available for download today on Xbox LIVE Marketplace. Stay tuned for the final ViDoc, set to premiere ahead of the worldwide launch of “Halo 3: ODST” on September 22nd.

NBA 2K10 Draft Combine Now Available for Xbox LIVE Arcade

Available for PlayStation Network on September 3

2K Sports today announced that NBA 2K10: Draft Combine , a download-only experience offering fans pre-season basketball excitement leading up to the launch of NBA 2K10 this fall, is now available for Xbox LIVE Arcade for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

For the first time, NBA 2K10: Draft Combine will allow fans to create their own custom player and experience the on-court life of an NBA hopeful going through the NBA Draft Combine at the world-renowned ATTACK Athletics gym in Chicago.

NBA 2K10: Draft Combine will be available on the PlayStation Network for PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system on September 3, 2009.

“We’re thrilled to provide this opportunity for fans to get an early taste of NBA competition before NBA 2K10 launches this fall,” said Greg Thomas, senior vice president of sports development for 2K. "They will be able to build their own custom player from over 300 different signature customizations, and later use them in NBA 2K10's all-new My Player career mode that will allow fans to continue their journey to become an NBA legend."

Features of NBA 2K10: Draft Combine include:
· Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose as spokesman.
· Building custom players and increasing their NBA stock through a variety of challenging basketball drills and 5-on-5 games.
· Over 300 different signature customizations, including player-specific shooting animations, and dunk and dribble packages to give each created player his own unique personal style.
· Ability to strengthen all parts of the created player's game through a variety of drills, such as shooting, post offense and defense, attacking the basket, dribbling, challenging shots, and boxing out for rebounds to progress through the NBA Draft Combine.
· Organized games that allow players to gain valuable skill points by offering a variety of specific in-game objectives to be accomplished. A full analysis will be available for gamers to review their player's performance and strategize further improvement.
· All players created in NBA 2K10: Draft Combine will wear a special patch on their uniform throughout the rest of that player's career to denote that they have completed the NBA Draft Combine.
· Online leaderboards to track the highest ranking custom built players, so fans can gauge how their player stacks up against the competition.
· Opportunity to unlock special achievements on Xbox 360 and trophies for PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system.
· Fans can take their custom built players from NBA 2K10: Draft Combine and use them in the all-new My Player career mode in NBA 2K10 launching this fall.

NBA 2K10: Draft Combine, developed by Visual Concepts, is now available for Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 for 400 Microsoft Points in North America, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and India. The title will be available in North America and Korea on September 3, 2009 for the PlayStation Network for PLAYSTATION 3 system for $4.99.

Runes of Magic Patch 1.9 'Naga's Awakening' heralds second chapter

The Naga are back: After a thousand years of banishment, the snake-like beings have succeeded in passing through the magical wall which once kept them from human civilisation. The new content update ‘Naga’s Awakening’ doesn’t just tell the story of the start of the Naga invasion, but also at the same time marks the beginning of Runes of Magic’s second chapter, ‘The Elven Prophecy’.

Players can explore the ‘Weeping Coast’ right away. In this swamp territory adventurers will meet the Naga for the very first time. New quests tell the history of the region and ultimately lead to the bottom of the ocean. In the group dungeon ‘Heart of the Ocean’, alongside fish people and other ocean dwellers, there lurks a powerful leader of the snake-like beings, ready to seize unwary players. With ‘Naga’s Awakening,’ Frogster has also raised the level cap to 52.

The content update also expands Runes of Magic with more open combat, and a Public Encounter. In ‘Varanas Nightmare’, up to 150 players can step into nightmare world where the regional capital Varanas is in ruins and under siege by undead skeletons and nightmare beings. At the end of the three stage challenge for experienced player groups, there is an encounter with the Demon Lord himself – this is the first time that the eponymous fiendish lord of the first chapter makes an appearance.

Additional content from the second chapter, ‘The Elven Prophecy’, including the new Elven classes and NPCs, will be published in the second phase of the launch on 15 September.

Runes of Magic – A world full of magic and adventure
Runes of Magic has redefined the standard for free-to-play MMORPGs in terms of gameplay, fun and quality. The online role play game carries an exciting, multi-layered story, driven by more than 2,000 quests set in the atmospheric fantasy world of Taborea. To date, Runes of Magic has attracted more than 1.6 million registered users, making it one of the most successful titles in the free-to-play segment, and a must play game for all fans of MMOs and RPGs.

Runes of Magic features a unique dual class system enabling players to combine one of eight primary classes with a secondary class. The result is a deep player experience that expands upon the game’s deep customization offering. There are two different playable races, Elves and Humans, from which players can choose. Each dual class combination produces its own powerful elite skills. Another popular feature is the opportunity to furnish your own completely individual virtual home, and guilds can construct guild castles, which can be expanded with additional buildings. Thanks to comprehensive crafting and reputation systems, gripping PvP features, deep customization and demanding dungeons, Runes of Magic has something for everyone.

Taiwanese developer Runewaker regularly expands the game world with new free content and challenges.

Runes of Magic Features
- Dual class system with eight classes and unique elite skills
- Individual furnishing of player housing and guild castles
- In-depth story experienced through above 2,000 quests laced with epic quest-lines
- Gripping Player-versus-Player duels in arenas and on the battlefield
- Easy travel using portal stones and a wide range of rideable animals
- Challenging boss-combat in dangerous and extensive dungeons with up to 36 simultaneous players
- Entertaining mini-games offering variety to the hero’s routine
- Dynamic crafting and customization of items
- Regular comprehensive free updates with new game content
- Free-to-Play: No monthly subscriptions, free to download the game
 
Facts
Title: Runes of Magic
Genre: Fantasy MMORPG
Platform: Windows PC
Publisher: Frogster Online Gaming GmbH
Developer: Runewaker Entertainment Ltd.
Release:
19.03.2009 “Chapter I – Rise of the Demon Lord”
15.09.2009 “Chapter II – The Elven Prophecy”
USK: from 12 years
PEGI: 12+

Tropico 3 video game - Official release dates & Demo version

Tropico 3, the long awaited sequel to the well-known strategy game series will be hitting stores within the next few weeks for both PC and Xbox 360.

The official release dates are as follows:

Worldwide (including UK):
PC & Xbox 360: 16th October, 2009









Germany:
PC: 24th September, 2009
Xbox 360: 16th October, 2009

The PC demo will be released the week commencing 7th September, 2009.

SouthPeak Challenges Sleuths to Investigate Crime Scene for Nintendo DS

Interactive Crime-Solving Title Scheduled for Release this Holiday Season

Leading video game publisher, SouthPeak Games, announced today a new Nintendo DS title, Crime Scene, scheduled for release this holiday season. Crime Scene puts players in the role of a detective, giving them a full arsenal of police tools to solve crimes and ensure justice is served.

“People love a good ‘whodunit’, so we’re about to give them a bunch of head-scratching crimes to solve,” said Richard Iggo, VP of Marketing at SouthPeak. “Whether you are a fan of police dramas on TV, classic detective fiction, or just tricky puzzles, Crime Scene allows players to take part in their own tense, high stakes investigation and get involved in forensic work.”

Crime Scene turns Nintendo DS into a weapon of justice. Players are tasked with combing through crime scenes and untangling suspense-filled scenarios by using the stylus, breath and voice features, and their own eye for detail to condemn wrongdoers. All the police tools are at the players’ disposal as they study bodies, take blood samples, collect fingerprints, use voice recognition software, identify murder weapons, conduct DNA analyses and more.

Need for Speed Shift UK Championships Win a brand new Nissan 350Z GT

Electronic Arts has teamed up with retailer GAME to create the ultimate video game driving challenge: the Need For Speed SHIFT UK Championships. Starting on August 28, gamers will be able to put their racing skills to the test as they compete in GAME stores across the UK to post the fastest lap times on new video game Need for Speed SHIFT, the latest edition of EA Games’ renowned Need for Speed series.

Heats will take place at 49 GAME stores, with the fastest winners going on to face off in a final set of time trials to be held at Thorpe Park, Surrey, on September 26th.
The 49 finalists will then compete to set a quick lap time worthy of being crowned the Need for Speed SHIFT UK Champion, with the winner receiving the keys to a brand new Nissan 350Z GT sports car. There will also be a host of other spot prizes for participants in individual stores.

“With Need for Speed SHIFT, we set out to create a racing game that pushes the genre and delivers something never before seen in a Need for Speed title,” said Stuart Lang, EA UK Marketing Director. “By focusing on the driver’s experience through the first-person view, we are able to capture the high-speed intensity and gripping emotions of racing. This contest will allow thousands of gamers across the UK to experience that feeling and reward them for their skill.”

Martyn Gibbs, Customer and Brand Director at GAME, said: “This is a great chance for GAME customers to come in store and try an exciting new game before it’s released. The game play is fast and incredibly realistic. Lots of budding racers are going to be really excited to come in and test their racing skills against other racers around the country. And to top it all, the prize is amazing. It’s another example of GAME going the extra mile for customers.”

Players are thrust into the loud, intense, and athletic experience of racing a car from the driver’s perspective through the combination of perception based G-forces, the hyper reality of the cockpit view, and the all-new brutally disorienting crash dynamic. Need for Speed SHIFT features an accurate, accessible physics-based driving model that allows you to feel every impact, every change of track surface and every last bit of grip as you push yourself to the edge.

Need for Speed SHIFT will be released on PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, PC and PSP (PlayStation Portable) in fall 2009.

BioWare’s Dragon Age: Origins to Feature the Voices of Fantasy and Sci-Fi Stars Tim Curry and Kate Mulgrew

Leading video game developer BioWare, a division of Electronic Arts, has secured a star-studded voiceover cast for its upcoming blockbuster game, Dragon Age - Origins. Featuring Tim Curry, star of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Broadway’s Spamalot, as well as Kate Mulgrew, well-known for her role as Capt. Kathryn Janeway in “Star Trek: Voyager”, Dragon Age: Origins also includes notable cast members Tim Russ (“Star Trek: Voyager,” “Samantha Who?”), Claudia Black (“Stargate SG-1,” “Pitch Black”) and Steve Valentine (“Estate of Panic,” “Crossing Jordan”). Dragon Age: Origins marks BioWare’s return to fantasy, created from the ground up to take players through a dark epic tale filled with violence, lust, and betrayal.

Tim Curry will play the villainous Arl Rendon Howe. Howe is the calculating villain, cultured and charming, with an insatiable lust for power, who never hesitates to harm anyone who gets in his way. Kate Mulgrew will lend her vocal flair to Flemeth, a powerful witch who maintains her immortality through the darkest of means, and who plays a pivotal role in the player’s survival. Both roles provide the actors with the opportunity to bring their considerable talents to bear in their portrayal of these characters.

“Dragon Age: Origins has the largest cast of characters of any game BioWare has ever made,” said Mark Darrah, Executive Producer, BioWare. “By working with an incredibly talented cast of actors we are able to bring reality and depth to the characters, their back stories, motivations, and dreams that our talented writers have created for them.”

In Dragon Age: Origins, players take on the role of a Grey Warden, one of the last of an ancient order of guardians who have served as protectors throughout the centuries. Only they have the power to unite the shattered lands, defeat the Archdemon and drive back the darkspawn that threaten to destroy the world. Players will interact with many interesting characters who may join them in their quest, and they will choose whether these characters become friends, foes, or even a romantic interest. Featuring a deep and compelling story where every choice can have a dramatic impact on the game, Dragon Age: Origins is scheduled to release on November 3, 2009 in North America, for the PC and Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system and later in November for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system.

Dragon Age: Origins is rated M by the ESRB.

Role-playing game for Xbox 360 and PC Risen Experience website offers new tasks

Piranha Bytes today announced the second chapter of the official Risen Experience website http://risen.deepsilver.com

In the first chapter, the visitor to the island of Faranga was surprised by gnomes. But, of course, the adventure doesn't end here! Having been rescued by a helpful island dweller, the first priority is now to find and equip a weapon.

En route to the next settlement, the protagonist gets to pick one of several possible paths – just like in the RPG Risen itself, the player has numerous options available for achieving the chosen goal.

At the same time, the official Risen blog keeps fans up to date with topical news about the development of the game and background information from the world of Risen.

About Risen:
This epic role playing game is set in a medieval world on a volcanic Mediterranean island, The “Risen” story unfolds over four chapters and will offer multiple ways to develop the story by his own actions and decisions. An innovative and intuitive user control interface will support both casual and hardcore gamers. With full world streaming support, the player will have a seamless experience while playing in a fully simulated game world with authentic characters.

Second beta kicks off for action video game Mini Fighter

Second Round of Closed Beta Testing Adds Even More Ways to Fight Online!

CJ Internet, the leading global entertainment company, today announced the start of the second closed beta test for online action game Mini Fighter. Thousands of players participated in the first closed beta, and their valuable feedback has been used to make Mini Fighter even bigger and badder than it was before.

Head to Netmarble.com, sign up for the new beta, and prove that your fighting skills are up to the challenge!

“The survey responses we received have been incredibly helpful in helping us make Mini Fighter as fun as possible,” said Youngjong Jung, President and CEO of CJ Internet. “Over half the players who responded asked for new modes, so we made sure there were plenty of never-before-seen zones to enjoy in the second closed beta.”

Whether you want to tackle the 50 levels of Dungeon Mode, head to the Sky Zone to fight epic battles amongst the clouds, or take on other players as a monster in the newly-added Boss Zone, you’re sure to find a brawl that fits your style in Mini Fighter.

Free FEAR 2 Reborn video game demo download on PlayStation 3 and Xbox LIVE

Warner Bros and Monolith Studios are pleased to announce that a playable demo for F.E.A.R. 2: Reborn, the next F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin DLC pack, is available for free download via PlayStation Network and Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

This free demo provides the first chance to get a hands-on look at the upcoming single-player campaign, featuring four all new levels. F.E.A.R. 2: Reborn immerses gamers in the aftermath of Alma’s destruction with a mysterious new point-of-view: that of Replica Soldier Foxtrot 813. Be careful, not all is as it seems.

Download now and get the first look at F.E.A.R. 2: Reborn today!

The complete F.E.A.R. 2: Reborn experience will be available for purchase on September 3 via PlayStation Network for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, and Xbox LIVE for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and Windows PC. Additionally, patches for PlayStation 3 and PC and a title update for Xbox 360—all including Slow-Mo Deathmatch mode capabilities—will be made available for free on September 3.

About F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin:

In F.E.A.R.2: Project Origin, a routine assignment to locate the president of Armacham Technology Corporation turns into a desperate battle for survival after an explosion decimates the city and unleashes Alma Wade, the terrifying supernatural menace at the centre of Armacham's highly classified Project Origin. As Alma 's power swells out of control, special forces Sgt. Michael Becket and his squad must battle through an apocalyptic landscape of shattered buildings and buckled streets in search of clues for how to destroy her. The more Becket learns about Armacham's secret experiments and reckless agenda, the more he begins to suspect that he's somehow linked to the crisis and may be the only one capable of averting total disaster. F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin is rated 18 and is available now for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and Games for Windows.

Masaya Matsuura to deliver BAFTA Vision Statement at GameCity Squared

GameCity Squared, the fourth iteration of the world's best loved video game culture festival is proud to announce that the father of rhythm-action, Masaya Matsuura will be delivering this year's BAFTA Vision Statement at the festival on Saturday 31st October.

Following in the footsteps of Lorne Lanning, Keita Takahashi and Alex Evans, Matsuura-san promises to deliver an extraordinary keynote in the heart of the city that will dissect the state of the music game genre and give some personal insights into the future of video games.

"The Vision Statement is a unique platform for the most interesting, provocative developers in the World to deliver their thoughts and manifestos independent of any PR constraint. We're beside ourselves with excitement that Matsuura-san has agreed to deliver the address this year", said GameCity director Iain Simons.

He'll be in good company - with full details yet to be announced, a radical set of new venues and a free to attend programme, GameCity Squared promises to be the most audacious GameCity yet.

GameCity runs from 27 - 31 October, 2009. www.gamecity.org

Joystick Junkies get chic with E4!

Streetwear label Joystick Junkies has teamed up with E4 to make a stand for dweebs, dorks and nerds the world over. E4 and Joystick Junkies are searching for the ultimate geek chic face of 2010 who’ll feature in a Joystick Junkies fashion shoot for the Spring Summer 2010 collection.

Entrants have to send in their ‘gamer geek chic’ looks to the E4 website by 17 September 2009 at 10am – the winning pictures will be those that are funny or interesting and should show evidence of a passion for gaming. Anyone from babes to bikers can enter - it’s not about model looks.

First prize is the chance to feature in a fashion shoot organised by fashion label Joystick Junkies, plus the winner’s choice of clothes to keep from their catalogue (up to the value of £100). Three runners up also get to select £100 worth of Joystick Junkies clothing each.

Launching 28th August on E4

Joystick Junkies (www.joystickjunkies.com)
E4 (www.e4.com/gamegeeks)