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] [Posted by Bjorn on Friday, June 29 2007 @ 16:44 CET]Wii-Kly Virtual Console EURO Update
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This week Virtual Console has gone a little pink as iconic Nintendo hero Kirby pops onto Wii in the quirky golf title Kirby’s Dream Course™.
Gone are the peaceful greens that golf fans normally know; in their place are devious obstacles, traps and enemies. In this 1995 Super Nintendo classic, Kirby assumes the role of the ball, soaring through the air and rolling across the courses. Players must use our pink hero and his special powers to smash enemies out of the way around 64 colourful courses before sinking himself to complete each hole. Kirby’s Dream Course ™ is available now for 800 Wii Points.
Also available this week is the 1990 Turbografx action title Bloody Wolf™. Players assume the role of a special-forces commando as they go deep behind enemy lines to rescue the kidnapped President. With eight scenes to overcome, including one not featured in the arcade game each with its own challenging boss, this title will really put your skills to the test. Bloody Wolf™ is available now for 600 Wii Points.
2K Announces The Darkness Now Available
[Category :] [Posted by Bjorn on Friday, June 29 2007 @ 16:43 CET]
2K announced today that The Darkness™ is now available in the UK for Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.
The Darkness is a next-generation, first-person action game that features an immersive and gritty storyline written in collaboration with famed comic book writer Paul Jenkins.
“The Darkness takes the first-person action video game to new depths on both a visual and a gameplay level and brings the graphic novel to grisly new life,” said Christoph Hartmann, President of 2K. “Starbreeze Studios really captured the dark and gritty storyline of The Darkness comic book. Players can experience The Darkness through an intense and engaging game that will stay with them long after they’ve set their controllers down.”
Set in the dark and seedy underbelly of New York City and the ethereal realm of The Darkness, players assume the role of mafia hitman Jackie Estacado, heir to “The Darkness,” an ancient power that awakens within him on his 21st birthday. Jackie must use traditional weapons as well as learn to command his terrible new powers to seek revenge on his own crime family. The Darkness is based on the best-selling comic book series of the same name, published by Top Cow Productions and created by Marc Silvestri, Garth Ennis, and David Wohl. “The Darkness” comic book launched in 1996 and is currently published in 19 different languages around the world.
“We are excited to work with 2K and Starbreeze Studios to bring The Darkness from the printed page to the next-generation consoles,” said Marc Silvestri, Founder of Top Cow Productions. “Since we have all worked very closely on this project, fans of the comic book will be pleased with how accurately and effectively it comes to life as an incredibly visceral and enjoyable video game.”
Innovative features include:
• Varying manifestations of the Darkness allow you to devour, impale or implode your enemies. Use the Darkness to toss huge objects like cars as though they were toys.
• Summon darklings - impish and humorous demons - to do your bidding and eviscerate your foes.
• Cannibalize your victims – Slay your enemies and command the Darkness to eat their hearts and increase your strength and power.
• The light is your enemy – Extinguish any light in your path while seeking the shadows wherever possible in order to feed and replenish the Darkness.
• Insane multiplayer – Shapeshift between darkling and human in online multiplayer games and face other players in traditional as well as all-new innovative multiplayer modes.
• Diverse voice talent – An all-star cast adds authenticity to the characters and credibility to the overall cinematic experience, including Kirk Acevedo (Oz, Band of Brothers) as Jackie Estacado, Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under) as Jenny Romano, and Mike Patton (Faith No More, Peeping Tom) as the voice of the Darkness.
• In-game television – Watch select shows in their entirety, including everything from Nosferatu to Popeye. Players can also tune into breaking news that directly relates to the storyline.
The Darkness video game is rated BBFC 18 and is now available for Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. It will also be available for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system on July 20th.
Codemasters announce Rise of the Argonauts
[Category :] [Posted by Bjorn on Thursday, June 28 2007 @ 16:44 CET]
Prepare to live a life of brutal combat as Codemasters reveals the gladiatorial adventure that awaits in Rise of the Argonauts™.
Now in development at Liquid Entertainment, this grand scale action-RPG is scheduled to launch in 2008 for Games for Windows® and major console platforms.
With deep exploration and epic quests, players will take the role of Jason, King of Iolchis, and battle alongside iconic mythological heroes including Hercules, Achilles, Atalanta and others. As Jason grows from young king to true legend, set sail aboard the Argo and explore the vast Aegean – a dynamic world of islands filled with shining cities, lush jungles and deep forests.
Gamers will leave their mark on ancient Greece as they engage in heart-pumping, lethal, blood-spurting combat against hordes of enemy warriors, ruthless beasts and truly formidable mythological creatures. Whether Jason is lopping off heads or cutting warriors in half with his sword or if Hercules is wrestling with giant beasts, the intense action in Rise of the Argonauts™ will leave players wanting for their next confrontation.
Like all true heroes of Greece, the gods follow Jason on his quests. Jason will gain the favour of the gods and earn special abilities, but his actions may please some gods and displease others. Earning a god's favour will grant players powers within the god's domain, but drawing a god's wrath may cause them to inflict a torment on the heroes at the worst possible moment.
Get ready to confront the creatures of myth and legend in Rise of the Argonauts™, coming in 2008 for Games for Windows and major console platforms. Aspiring heroes can witness the action that lies ahead in the first trailer movie, now available to download from www.codemasters.com/argonauts (in Downloads).
Blue Dragon for Xbox 360 comes to Europe !
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Microsoft Game Studios today announced that the highly anticipated role-playing game (RPG) “Blue Dragon” will go on sale throughout Europe on 24th August for the estimated retail price of £44.99.
Rated 12+ “Blue Dragon” will usher in the next generation of RPG exclusively on the Xbox 360, with a combination of realistic environments, anime-styled characters, unique battles and a deep, compelling storyline.
Bringing top Japanese developer talent to the Xbox 360, “Blue Dragon” is a culmination of the work of famed game producer Hironobu Sakaguchi of Mistwalker game studio and developer Artoon. This epic RPG features the character design of Akira Toriyama, who designed “Dragon Ball Z,” and music by Nobuo Uematsu, the composer for “Final Fantasy.”
Gamers will find themselves exploring and discovering the vast world of “Blue Dragon” as they assume the role of Shu, a young boy who along with his band of four friends, embarks on a quest to combat the evil forces that have come to their world. These unlikely heroes possess miraculous strength and the magical power to control their phantom shadow creatures that range from a Minotaur to a phoenix to a dragon and more.
In addition, adventurers can bring Shu, his friends and their quest to save the world to their websites with the official “Blue Dragon” Fan Site Kit, which is available for download from http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/b/bluedragonxbox360/. The Fan Site Kit includes artwork, skins, screenshots, forum avatars and more assets for webmasters to create their very own “Blue Dragon” fan site.
Ubisoft ships Rainbow Six Vegas for PS3 to NA retailers
[Category :] [Posted by Bjorn on Wednesday, June 27 2007 @ 17:44 CET]
Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, announced that Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Vegas for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system has shipped to retail stores.
Developed by Ubisoft's award-winning Montreal studio, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas is the fifth iteration of the multimillion-selling tactical shooter franchise and will be available for the MSRP of $59.99.
The stakes are high when the world’s most elite counter-terrorism unit enters Las Vegas, a city more than 36.7 million men, women and children visit each year. "Sin City," the home of the Las Vegas Strip, flashy hotels, high-rolling casinos and world-famous celebrities, becomes the setting for a terrorist threat of global proportions. What happens when one of the world's most famous cities is held hostage by terrorists?
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas, the Academy of Interactive Arts and Science's First Person Action Game of 2006, arrives for the PLAYSTATION 3 system after critical and commercial success on previously released versions of the game. Today, with more than 15.5 million units sold worldwide, the Rainbow Six franchise is known as one of the best multiplayer experiences in gaming and is hailed for its immersive single-player campaigns. The PLAYSTATION 3 system version will feature 20 multiplayer maps and 10 game modes, introducing 10 all-new multiplayer maps and two game modes not found in the title's previously released versions.
Nintendo announce WiiWare for ... Wii !
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The search for the next ingeniously ground-breaking video game has begun. At a private developers conference this week, Nintendo announced the introduction of WiiWare™, a game-creation service that will allow developers large and small to create new downloadable video game content for sale by Nintendo through the Wii Shop Channel of the hot Wii™ home video game system. WiiWare paves the way for smaller, more creative games to make their way to the public at lower prices, without any inventory risk to developers. The first WiiWare content will launch in early 2008.
"Independent developers armed with small budgets and big ideas will be able to get their original games into the marketplace to see if we can find the next smash hit," says Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. "WiiWare brings new levels of creativity and value to the ever-growing population of Wii owners."
The possibilities for WiiWare are limited only by the imaginations of developers. WiiWare provides game creators a simple method by which they can get their games to the public. This approach, combined with the remarkable motion controls of the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™, will give birth to fresh takes on established genres, as well as original ideas that currently exist only in developers' minds. The reduced barriers to development provide developers the freedom to create and an inexpensive, clearly defined path to reach consumers who will ultimately determine which game will become the Next Big Thing.
WiiWare will be posted on the Wii Shop Channel. As with current Wii Shop Channel offerings, users will redeem Wii Points™ to download content. It will support a variety of pricing options. Details about that and upcoming projects will be announced at a later date. For more information about Wii, visit Wii.com.
Carcassonne coming on Xbox Live Arcade
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The classic, well-known European board game “Carcassonne” arrives on Xbox LIVE® Arcade for Xbox 360™ this Wednesday 27 June at 09:00 GMT.
Named after the medieval fortified town of Carcassonne in southern France, famed for its city walls, “Carcassonne” for Xbox LIVE Arcade starts with an empty landscape and a single square tile. Using strategic tactics and a little luck, one to four players take turns selecting from 72 tiles displaying various features of a city including roads, the walls of a castle or fields. The medieval countryside thrives as players and their opponents place tiles and complete towns, roads, and farms while competing to accumulate the most points.
The rules of the game are easy with fast game play and no elimination – perfect for just about anyone! Although simple, devoted players will find layers of strategy that will keep them coming back for more. Combining a fresh visual experience and the opportunity to always have a playing partner, “Carcassonne” is the future for board game fanatics.
“Carcassonne” from Sierra Online is the Xbox LIVE Arcade edition of the hit multiplayer tile-based German board game of the same name, designed by Klaus-Jurgen. Shortly after its release in Germany in 2000, the board game won Spiel des Jahres in 2001, the European equivalent of a Game of the Year Award.
Game Features
· Special AI settings to challenge any skill level
· Challenge your friends – Up to five players can play over Xbox LIVE or up to four players can play on the same Xbox 360
· Interact with new and old friends alike over Xbox LIVE while you play “Carcassonne” with the Xbox LIVE Vision camera
· Helpful step-by-step tutorial to teach you the game in minutes
· Skill-based matchmaking for ranked games
· The complete “Carcassonne” includes 72 tiles and all rule sets
· “Carcassonne” includes the “Rivers II” expansion set - 12 additional tiles
· Earn up to 200 Gamerscore and 12 Achievements
Where can I get “Carcassonne” from?
You can download “Carcassonne” beginning Wednesday 27th June from 09:00 GMT on Xbox Live Arcade.
“Carcassonne” will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft® Points and is rated 3+.
Trauma Center: Second Opinion hits Wii in August !
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Step back into the role of master surgeon as you take to the operating theatre in this year’s ultimate emergency room adventure. You will need to keep a cool head under pressure when Trauma Center: Second Opinion launches for Wii across Europe on 10th August 2007.
Following the popular Trauma Center: Under The Knife on Nintendo DS, Trauma Center: Second Opinion allows you to become a life-saver once more as you perform complex and challenging operations, using the unique Wii Remote for a more immersive game experience. Set initially in Hope Hospital, Trauma Center: Second Opinion sees the return of rookie doctor Derek Stiles and introduces new surgeon Dr. Nozomi Weaver. Derek finds himself thrown in at the deep end combating the deadly disease ‘GUILT’ (Gangliated Utrophin Immuno Latency Toxin), believed to have been engineered by the terrorist group Delphi.
Following the same format as the original Trauma Center: Under The Knife, Trauma Center: Second Opinion is a fast-paced action-filled game where players must complete the tasks set for them as quickly and accurately as possible. With points awarded for both accuracy and speed, a truly great surgeon will need a confident, but steady hand. In this version of the game, all the surgeon’s actions are controlled using a series of life-like movements with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, making Trauma Center more exciting and realistic than ever before.
The game’s controls add a very different dimension to Trauma Center: Second Opinion. With a two-handed play scheme utilising both the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, players can select instruments using the Nunchuk in one hand whilst the other hand employs the chosen tool, adding precision and realism to the game.
Players are able to wield more than a dozen different instruments over the course of the game by using the Wii’s unique motion sensitive controls. Players can utilise everything from syringes, scalpels and tweezers to defibrillator paddles, which can be used to shock arrest patients back to life.
Players can also use each character’s unique “Healing Touch” ability; slow down time and perform lightning-fast surgery as Derek, or heal patients at an accelerated rate as Nozomi. But choose wisely – these skills may only be used once in each operation.
For skilled surgeons seeking an even tougher challenge, each stage can be replayed to improve score and ranking. There is also a brand-new sixth chapter of the story and an Extreme Difficulty mode that will push even the best player to their very limit, though new doctors can begin by selecting the optional Easy Difficulty setting!
So you’d better make sure your hands are steady and you’re prepped for surgery when Trauma Center: Second Opinion launches across Europe for the Wii on 10th August 2007 at an estimated retail price of around £35.
The Bourne Conspiracy coming to videogaming ?
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Sierra Entertainment, a division of Vivendi Games, today announced Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Conspiracy, the first title in its exclusive global partnership with Ludlum Entertainment.
Being developed by High Moon Studios, one of Sierra’s internal developers, the game combines seminal moments from the best-selling novel and hit film The Bourne Identity with all-new content developed in conjunction with Ludlum Entertainment. Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Conspiracy makes the highly anticipated jump to PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Microsoft's Xbox 360™ videogame and entertainment system in summer 2008.
Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Conspiracy, will give players the experience of becoming a 30 million dollar elite agent, fusing an experience that delves deep into Jason Bourne’s character with gameplay and game presentation inspired by the aggressive filmmaking and frenetic action found in the films. Only by playing Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Conspiracy will players discover Bourne’s true identity and experience the very moment he became a malfunctioning weapon, first hunting targets around the world as a deadly government assassin then marking himself as his agency’s most wanted.
“Robert Ludlum's best-selling spy novel and blockbuster film adaptation have awed millions with riveting, unforgettable fiction,” said Al Simone, senior vice president, global marketing for Sierra Entertainment. “For the first time ever, players will be able to experience the shadowy world of expert assassin Bourne, who continues to find himself plagued by splintered nightmares from his former life.”
“With Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Conspiracy we are not just basing a game on Ludlum’s franchise, we are building upon the universe he introduced with The Bourne Identity,” said Peter Della Penna, president of High Moon Studios. “High Moon has collaborated closely with Mr. Ludlum’s estate holders, the guardians of his creative vision, since the day we began to develop the game. The goal of that collaboration has been to create a videogame that takes inspiration from known elements within the Bourne universe, elements that have captivated more than a quarter of a billion people around the world, with original story and game play that establishes a signature Jason Bourne game experience. Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Conspiracy is our installment to the series and is meant to reside on its own within the Bourne entertainment library.”
Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Conspiracy promises constant tension and action, with players adopting Jason Bourne’s piercing sense of survival, cunning nature, heightened target awareness and firearms training that allow him to engage and eliminate small armies. As a third-person espionage action game, players move from fistfights to firefights to experience sequences that, unlike any other game, seamlessly blend Bourne’s signature hand-to-hand combat with intense shooting and the ability to escape and evade deadly situations.
Collector's Edition for Sierra's World in Conflict
[Category :] [Posted by Bjorn on Tuesday, June 26 2007 @ 17:17 CET]
Sierra Entertainment, a division of Vivendi Games, today announced a Collector’s Edition version of the upcoming action-strategy PC game, World in Conflict™, by Massive Entertainment.
The World in Conflict Collector’s Edition will include limited edition extras for hardcore fans and Cold War enthusiasts, including an authentic piece of the Berlin Wall, a bonus DVD from The History Channel®, behind the scenes videos and special packaging. Additional pre-order bonuses for the Collector’s Edition and Standard Edition versions of World in Conflict are now available at participating retailers across North America.
World in Conflict will be available in September 2007.
World in Conflict is the highly anticipated action-strategy game from Sierra’s own Massive Entertainment that asks the terrifying question, what if the cold war didn’t end? The game represents the next-generation of strategy games, pitting Cold War-era superpowers against one another with completely destructible 3D battlefields, blistering visuals utilising DX10 technology, and an innovative gameplay mechanism, removing traditional resource-gathering and base-building in favor of non-stop combat, tactical decisions and an FPS-like addiction to intense action.
“The World in Conflict Collector’s Edition offers gamers the chance to grab a piece of history – an authentic piece of the Berlin Wall, a monument that once divided the Cold War superpowers right through the heart of Europe,” said Al Simone, senior vice president of global marketing, Sierra Entertainment.
“In World in Conflict, the Berlin Wall isn’t dismantled in the name of global peace, it is obliterated by the collateral damage of the opening salvos of World War III. We are excited to offer gamers this exclusive opportunity to grab this piece of history as well as the other amazing added content in the Collector’s Edition version.”
The World in Conflict Collector’s Edition will include:
• Authentic Piece of the Berlin Wall: An authentic piece of Cold War history, taken directly from remnants of the famed Berlin Wall that once divided Europe along the lines of Superpower control.
• “Modern Marvels©: The Berlin Wall” by The History Channel®: Learn the definitive tale of one of the most hated symbols of oppression in history and hear stories of those who braved the deadly No Man's Land between East and West.
• Behind the Scenes Videos – Explore the making of World in Conflict through extensive behind the scenes videos, showing development secret, gameplay tips and more.
• Creative Headset HS-390 – Call out commands to your teammates using the limited edition of the World in Conflict Headset HS-390 of Creative Labs. It provides a comfortable fit through lightweight design, slim neckband and cushioned earpads. Top-quality sound is ensured by a noise-cancelling microphone and gold-plated plugs.
• Limited Edition Collector’s Packaging: The Cold War battle rages on the collectible World in Conflict packaging, showing Soviet and USA flags facing off on opposing sides of the game box
World in Conflict Collector’s Edition will be available at retail stores worldwide this September for the personal computer.
PlayDevil reviews Crackdown for Xbox 360
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Welcome to Crackdown.
A new game developed by RealTime Worlds and published by Microsoft, only for 360. Crackdown is sort of a GTA clone but then again, totally different.
The purpose in this game is to kill all the gangs who control the city and to level up yourself with new powers. The game offers total freedom as well so you can go where you want at any time.
Sounds like your cup of tea?
Well we reviewed Crackdown in-depth WITH the latest DLC content and it can be read right here.
Hail to The Chimp on 360 and PS3 by Gamecock
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Gamecock Media Group today announced Wideload’s Hail to the Chimp will be released on the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION®3 system in Spring 2008. Jump into the biggest political race the animal kingdom has ever witnessed and battle all competitors head-to-head. Do you have what it takes to be King of the Jungle?
”No one has attempted to bring an over-the-top party game like Hail to the Chimp to next-gen consoles, much less one with biting political satire,” said Rick Stults, Console Chief for Gamecock Media Group. ”Keeping with its reputation, Wideload is going to give gamers something truly original.”
Hail to the Chimp begins after the Lion is deposed as King following a series of embarrassing scandals. The rest of the animals decide it's time to give democracy a try and hold an election for the next King giving even the lowliest of animals (the Clams) a say in things. The election quickly becomes a chaotic multiplayer free-for-all, with each candidate using a combination of brute force and dirty tricks to turn out the Clam vote. Ten animals will compete to become the next King. During the game, all ten candidates will need to form, and break, alliances with their rivals to gain the upper hand. Multiple game types and hazard-filled arenas keep the action flowing nonstop as the shifting loyalties, truces and vendettas build up to epic proportions.
TEKKEN 5: Dark Resurrection Online for PS3
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Leading video games developer and publisher NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. announced today that they will be releasing TEKKEN®5: Dark Resurrection™Online, an online update to the now available downloadable fighting game, TEKKEN®5: Dark Resurrection™ at the PLAYSTATION®Store, exclusively for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system.
The new downloadable add-on will have TEKKEN fans thanking the fighting game gods as this marks the first time in the popular fighting franchise’s history that TEKKEN will be playable online. The new highly anticipated online feature will include ranked matches, custom battles, and online tournaments where TEKKEN fans will finally be able to show off their fighting skills to have it out with other fans, outside of their own living rooms.
Updates to the new TEKKEN5: Dark Resurrection Online will include Opti Match, Quick Match, Custom Match and Friend Match, making it easy to find opponents to fight with anywhere, anytime. Players will also have the opportunity to study their opponents by viewing battles in the lobby while waiting for their turn to conquer and trash talk each other via voice chat. The online update also includes two new single player modes, including Practice mode, where players can hone their fighting skills before battling online, and Survival mode, where players must use their superior TEKKEN skills to defeat as many opponents as possible, one after the other, in a fight to the finish.
TEKKEN 5: Dark Resurrection Online will also allow players to show off their skills with the Online News Ticker that will post the weekly, monthly and overall rank leaders at any given point. Players will fight their way to the deadly Dark Lord to prove that they are worthy of battling it out in the online TEKKEN ranking.
“It is beyond words how excited we are to finally be bringing our famous fighting franchise, TEKKEN, online for the first time,” Makoto Iwai, Senior Vice President and COO of NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. said. “Not only is TEKKEN 5: Dark Resurrection Online a great value, but it now features the largest evolution in the franchise to date.”
New Sonic RPG game for DS ?
[Category :] [Posted by Bjorn on Saturday, June 23 2007 @ 17:14 CET]
SEGA® Europe, Ltd., SEGA® of America, Inc. and Canada-based developer studio BioWare® Corp. today announced a partnership to create a new video game based on the classic SEGA flagship icon, Sonic The Hedgehog. The exact name of the game is undetermined, but this new title developed exclusively for the Nintendo DS will ship in 2008.
“BioWare is one of the hottest names in RPG development in the world,” said Simon Jeffery, President and COO, SEGA of America, Inc. “Everyone at SEGA has huge confidence that Sonic is in the safest of hands, and that BioWare can create the ultimate handheld RPG experience for gamers of all ages.”
BioWare is the award-winning independent developer that has created some of the world's best-selling titles including the Baldur's Gate™ and Neverwinter Nights™ series, the 2003 Game of the Year, Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™ and the 2005 RPG of the Year, Jade Empire.™ BioWare is currently developing one of the most anticipated next-generation titles of 2007, Mass Effect.™
“We’re thrilled to be working with SEGA on Sonic, one of the industry’s most enduring and compelling icons,” said Greg Zeschuk, president of BioWare. “As huge fans of Sonic ourselves, we’re committed to delivering a truly amazing story-driven experience within the Sonic universe, focusing on capturing the character’s broad appeal and placing him in a completely original adventure,” added Ray Muzyka, chief executive officer of BioWare.
The relationship with BioWare reinforces SEGA’s increased emphasis on Western content development for Western audiences. In the past few years SEGA has announced partnerships with developers Bizarre Creations, Gas Powered Games, Monolith Productions, Obsidian Entertainment, Planet Moon Studios, Pseudo Interactive and Silicon Knights. SEGA has also acquired development studios The Creative Assembly, Secret Level and Sports Interactive.
World In Conflict coming to Xbox 360
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Sierra Entertainment, a division of Vivendi Games, today announced that World in Conflict - the upcoming action-strategy game that blurs the line between traditional strategy gameplay and fast-paced shooters - will be available for the Xbox 360™ videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft this fall.
The game is being developed for Xbox 360 by Sierra’s own Swordfish Studios, in conjunction with Massive Entertainment, also a Sierra-owned studio, to optimise gameplay for the Xbox 360 controller and implement a new heads-up-display (HUD) that is more functional and appealing for console gamers.
World in Conflict represents the next-generation of strategy games, pitting Cold War-era superpowers against one another with completely destructible 3D battlefields, blistering visuals, and a narrowed gameplay focus that removes traditional resource-gathering and base-building in favor of non-stop combat, tactical decisions and an FPS-like addiction to intense action.
“World in Conflict is the natural fit for Xbox 360, as it effectively blurs the lines between strategy, action and first-person shooter, making controlling units and issuing orders quick and easy on the console controller,” said Al Simone, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing, Sierra Entertainment. “With the game coming to Xbox 360, next-generation console gamers will be able to enjoy the next-generation of strategy games. Fans of action games and strategy fanatics alike will find that World in Conflict’s unique gameplay and advanced multiplayer combat will provide a fresh game experience not yet available on consoles.”
World in Conflict presents a chillingly authentic Cold War scenario where the Berlin Wall never fell. Created by Cold War authority and best-selling author Larry Bond, the story begins in 1989 as the Soviets, fearing certain collapse, boldly advance into Europe. NATO responds in force only to be met on a second front - a full-fledged invasion of the American homeland. Players take on the role of field commander, leading the era’s most powerful military machines in the campaign to retake America’s cities and suburbs.
Konami Announces Contra 4 For Nintendo DS
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Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced Contra 4 (working title) for the Nintendo DS™.
Marking the 20th anniversary of the quintessential action franchise, the game pushes 2D side-scrolling action in an all-new direction with gunplay that spans two full screens, original gameplay mechanics that grant players deadlier abilities than ever before, and frantic multiplayer functionality.
Contra 4 takes place two years after the events of Contra III: The Alien Wars. After saving earth from invasion by Red Falcon, Bill Rizer and Lance Bean are confronted with a new extraterrestrial menace: the terrifying Black Viper. Joined by hard-boiled mercenaries Mad Dog and Scorpion, the warriors must once again wage war against an entire army of invaders.
Refining the 2D side-scrolling genre the series established 20 years ago, Contra 4 delivers pure action at a fever pitch as players jump, shoot, and dodge oncoming hazards. Utilizing a new dual screen presentation, the action spans both screens of the Nintendo DS, giving players the opportunity to battle across expansive environments in which death can come from any direction. The use of both screens for the game’s core action also allows for massive boss battles as players try to seek and destroy the weak points of sky-high enemies. A first for the series, Contra 4 introduces a grappling hook accessory that lets players grab onto elements of the environment directly above them. Whether using it to avoid oncoming dangers or attack from a strategic vantage point, the grappling hook allows for new combat situations and dramatic set pieces that underscore the game’s adrenaline-soaked pedigree.
Continuing the multiplayer tradition of previous games in the series, Contra 4 lets two players battle together against Black Viper’s army of vile alien forces and reclaim Earth for mankind.
Developed by WayForward Technologies, Contra 4 is planned for release on the Nintendo DS in 2007.
Dragon Blade: Wrath Of Fire Exclusively for Wii
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The power of the dragon is in your hands as D3Publisher of America, Inc. (D3PA), a publisher and developer of interactive entertainment software, today announced that Dragon Blade: Wrath of Fire™ will be available exclusively for the Wii™ system this fall.
Designed specifically for the Wii system, Dragon Blade is a 3rd person action-adventure game where players unleash the magical powers of a fierce dragon, creating a unique and visually stunning weapon through their sword and arms. Players will utilize an intuitively designed, two-handed Wii control scheme and use both arms simultaneously to emulate the dragon’s arms, wings, tail, fire and more as they embark on an epic fantasy adventure in more than 20 unique environments in 6 visually stunning worlds.
“Dragon Blade is one the few hack ‘n slash games that will be available on the Wii this fall and the development team, Land Ho, has done a great job to fully utilize the Wii controls so players will experience parallel movement between themselves and the game avatar like never before,” said Yoji Takenaka, executive vice president and chief operations officer, D3PA. “With its arcade style pick-up and play gameplay, we expect Dragon Blade to appeal to gamers of all ages.”
Featuring an original story by Richard A. Knaak, one of the best-selling authors behind the immensely popular DragonLance series as well as other popular series based on Warcraft, Diablo, and the Age of Conan, Dragon Blade immerses players in a compelling storyline and richly detailed fantasy worlds. Players will use their dragon powers and hundreds of combat options to battle colossal enemies and embark on quests to upgrade their weapons and make them even more powerful over time.
Dragon Blade: Wrath of Fire is under development by LAND HO! Co., Ltd. The game is currently rated “RP” (“Rating Pending”) by the ESRB and is slated for release in fall 2007.
Wii-Kly Virtual Console EURO Update
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This week sees the return of the ground breaking action platformer, Mega Man™, on the Wii’s Virtual Console. Originally released in 1989 on the Nintendo Entertainment System, players must assume the role of Mega Man and fight their way through six action-packed stages, defeating bosses as they go in a desperate effort to save the city from evil Dr Wily and his robot army! Players must defeat enemies by shooting at them and navigate complex obstacles using their agility and speed. Once they have defeated bosses in all the stages players must defeat the final bosses, utilising the power-ups earned through previous victories! This punchy game, renowned for its music and challenging gameplay is available for download this week for 500 Wii Points.
This week you can also get your hands on side-scrolling beat ‘em up and Kung-Fu extravaganza China Warrior. Last seen on Turbografx in 1989, China Warrior was acclaimed for its ground breaking graphics. Now gamers can experience this epic game all over again on Virtual Console. Consisting of four stages, each divided into three areas, players must battle their way across the country defeating a relentless onslaught of enemies in the hope of being crowned the ultimate warrior. China Warrior is available for download this week for 600 Wii Points!
New DS games coming from Mercury Games
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Mercury Games and Ertain BV today announce a strategic alliance that brings over 10 titles from Ertain’s Publishing office in Japan into Europe and US. The deal promotes Ertain’s Zen Series of DS games, consisting of innovative painting games, puzzle games, and funky relaxing fish simulations, all for release in 2007.
The agreement signals the Japanese publisher’s intent on taking the Western market seriously and developing a long term strategy of expansion. This alliance also bolsters Mercury Games’ position as a growing publisher with a great pipeline of innovative DS games.
Tomo Ohno, COO, Ertain BV, says “Teaming up with Mercury Games is a great way to enter the Western market. We can develop our position alongside them and firmly establish our presence. The timing is great and we feel that we have the right mix of product, ambition and partner. We look forward to a great relationship.”
Leo Zullo, President, Mercury Games, comments “This is a great strategic step for Mercury Games. Japan has long been a source for innovative products. Now with Ertain, it is a great pleasure to be working with fun and expansive products that don’t necessarily follow a trend, but cater to a distinct market, and follow a great ethos”.
Zullo concludes, “I’ve stepped back into the role of President of Mercury Games to work on a series of strategic alliances, this being the first of many to be announced“.
More information on the Zen series will be announced shortly.
About The Zen Series
Tired or stressed? Time to play the 'Zen Series'! The Zen Series is a series of titles make you relax and sooth your mind…, with no killing, no winning and no losing. Experience the spirit of Zen, empty your mind and enjoy!
Blitzkrieg Strategy Pack Rolls into Stores
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The Blitzkrieg Strategy Pack, has shipped to North American retail stores today.
The new compilation from CDV Software Entertainment USA contains two critically acclaimed WWII strategy titles - Blitzkrieg 2 and its standalone expansion – Blitzkrieg 2: Fall of the Reich.
For more information about the Blitzkrieg series, please visit http://blitzkrieg.cdvusa.com/.
Wii-Kly Virtual Console US Update
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Three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop Channel every Monday. Wii™ owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:
NES Open Tournament Golf™ (NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): We all knew that Mario™ was a top-notch plumber, but did you know that he could also be a world-class golfer? You can challenge another player in Stroke, Match and Tournament modes. Play on three fantasy courses in the USA, the UK and Japan and try to win a million dollars. Make sure you keep an eye on the wind and distance to the hole before selecting your club, or else you'll be racking up some high scores - which is exactly what you don't want to do in this game. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced golfer, NES Open Tournament Golf is perfect for those days when you just can't get to the local golf course.
World Sports Competition (TurboGrafx-16, 1-5 players, Rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points): Play through a total of 18 Olympic events in this action/sports title. Players compete in six categories of events that include shooting, archery, rowing, swimming and track and field. The game features Olympics mode, where you play all the events over the course of a few days, and Training mode, where you can choose individual events to play. After practicing in Training mode, go for the gold in Olympics mode and break world records. Depending on your play time and ability, you can enjoy the game a number of different ways. Gather friends and play in competitions with up to five players to get even more out of this great game.
Bloody Wolf (TurboGrafx-16, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older - Animated Blood, Violence, 600 Wii Points): Enter alone, deep into enemy territory to rescue the kidnapped President in this overhead-view action shooter. Take on the role of a commando in a Special Forces team and face your enemies with an onslaught of weapons, including machine guns and grenades. Earn valuable information, weapons and items by rescuing POWs. Fight your way to the end of each stage and defeat the boss by effectively using your weapons and equipment. This port of the insanely popular arcade game features refined graphics, story and cut-scenes, making this action game a must-have. This new and enhanced version includes the never-been-told second half of the story that was left out of the arcade version.
Band of Bugs Storms onto Xbox LIVE Arcade
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This Xbox LIVE Wednesday Arcade sees the arrival of the tactical, insect-infested combat game “Band of Bugs”! Don’t let their tiny size fool you, because these bugs are armed to the teeth, ready to take your orders and spring into action. “Band of Bugs” will be available for download on Xbox LIVE® Arcade for Xbox 360™ from Wednesday 20th June at 09.00 GMT.
The third Xbox LIVE Arcade title from NinjaBee, “Band of Bugs” builds on the success of their previous titles, “Outpost Kaloki X” and “Cloning Clyde”, and delivers quality game play in a unique setting.
“Band of Bugs” is a strategic diversion for fans of tactical game play, while the unique animations and environments in the game make it a fun, approachable title for newcomers as well. “Band of Bugs” is one of few turn-based tactical strategy games available on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Players will enjoy unlimited variety in their game play choices with Xbox LIVE Arcade’s first ever free built-in level editor, which they can use to create custom maps and play with friends over Xbox LIVE.
Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command for PSP
[Category :] [Posted by Bjorn on Tuesday, June 19 2007 @ 16:56 CET]
THQ announced "Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command". It marks the first time that the brutal, war-ravaged world of Games Workshop's Warhammer 40,000 universe will be playable on the PSP. Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command features fast, action-packed combat through turn-based strategy and an engaging, authentic single-player storyline.
Gamers play as the elite Space Marines of the Ultramarines chapter and strive to combat the encroaching evil of the ruthless and daemonic influenced Chaos Space Marines through 13 cinematically-tied missions. With a robust multiplayer mode featuring 9 unique missions, gamers will team up and go head-to-head with other gamers worldwide as either the Imperium of Man or Chaos Space Marines, ensuring hours of unique replayability.
Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command will also fully utilize all the portable functionality of the PSP, bringing the Warhammer 40,000 universe to life on handheld.
Features:
- Compelling single player game consisting of 13 unique missions
- 9 unique multiplayer maps for Local or Global games, with small, medium and large map variants to cater for games from 2 to 8 players
- Fully destructible, real time 3D battlefields mean that no two games will be the same
- Pick from two Space Marine chapters or two Chaos Space Marine Legions to play as in Multiplayer games, in battles between Imperium vs. Imperium, Forces of Chaos vs. Forces of Chaos, or Imperium vs. Forces of Chaos
- Over 20 ranged and close combat weapons taken directly from the Warhammer 40,000 universe, including the Bolter, Plasma Gun, Chainsword and Power Fist
Wii-Kly Virtual Console EURO Update
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It’s a celebration this week as Virtual Console proudly presents its 100th classic game!
Make sure you’re in gear and ready to rev your engine to the max as F-Zero X™, the 100th title on Virtual Console, launches this week. This futuristic racing game is the stunning Nintendo 64 sequel to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System smash hit and will have you going hell for leather! Boasting 30 different hover machines to control and more than 20 tracks, all packed with jaw-dropping twists and turns to choose from, players must use the capabilities of their chosen vessels to spin and sideswipe opponents out of the way and take the glory in victory. With five different modes including Time Attack, Death Race Mode and multi-player VS mode, players will be spoilt for gravity-defying choice! Make sure you celebrate the 100th Virtual Console game in style and download F-Zero X™ for 1000 Wii Points.
Also up for grabs this week is J.J. & Jeff, a comical side-scrolling platform game originally created for the TurboGrafx. Players assume the role of either J.J. or Jeff, two bungling detectives, as they run, jump, kick or spray their way through six different levels to solve a kidnapping case. Players must defeat their enemies by cunningly using their spray paint, whilst also keeping an eye on their life spans which can be bolstered by finding hidden food throughout the levels. Get clued up with J.J. & Jeff on the Virtual Console this week for 600 Wii Points!
Nintendo’s Virtual Console has some of the greatest games of all time. Fans of classic Nintendo systems have so far been delighted by games from the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Nintendo 64, including Super Mario 64™, The Legend of Zelda™: Ocarina of Time™, The Legend of Zelda™: A Link to the Past™ and the hugely popular Super Mario World™. Also some of the world’s biggest game publishers have brought many of their greatest hits to Virtual Console, including Street Fighter® II The World Warrior and Super Ghouls ‘n Ghosts™ from Capcom, Castlevania® and Gradius™ from Konami, and Galaga™ and Pac-Man® from Namco Bandai.
In addition SEGA has also been treating its fans by releasing a host of popular SEGA MEGA DRIVE games which have so far included Sonic the Hedgehog™, Streets of Rage™, Golden Axe™ and Gunstar Heroes™. On top of this Hudson has been entertaining gamers with a selection of its best titles from Turbografx (PC Engine) including Bomberman® ’93, R-Type®, Super Star Soldier® and Bonk’s Adventure™.
All these great games now make up over 100 classic titles available on the Virtual Console in Europe.
Update on PGR 4 !
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Bizarre Creations and Microsoft Games Studios bring you the latest details on all things “Project Gotham Racing® 4,” which is speeding its way nicely onto store shelves in time for this Autumn.
The dynamic weather system will bring Mother Nature into the mix, and will show exactly what kind of physics the snow can introduce. Check out the video and see for yourself not only how cool drifting and powering in the big white flakes looks, but also how challenging and realistic the elements can feel while driving.
The video takes place in the beautiful cityscape of Nurburgring. Additionally, you will be able to tear through the streets of North in Quebec. These two cities, along with St. Petersburg, are three of 10 locations in “PGR 4.” More information on the rest of the cities will follow soon.
”PGR 4” will also feature some of the world’s most iconic cars, including the following:
· '62 Ferrari 250 GTO
· '67 Toyota 2000GT
· '78 Lamborghini Countach LP400
· '98 Subaru Impreza 22B STi
· ‘04 BMW M5
· '07 Ruf RGT 997
· '07 Lotus GT3RR
Be on the lookout next month for additional updates as we roll out the game’s impressive new features, locations and vehicle list.
Boogie hits retail this August on Wii
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EA announced today that Boogie™ – an all new intellectual property in development at EA Montreal will be released for the Wii™ on 31st August 2007 in Europe.
The game will ship to retail stores with a packed-in karaoke microphone peripheral and will feature new versions of tracks made popular by hit bands including The Jackson 5, Kool & The Gang, M.C. Hammer, The Village People, Cyndi Lauper and Britney Spears.
“We have assembled a great selection of music for the game that will appeal to players of all ages, making this dancing and karaoke game the ultimate party package for the entire family,” said Alain Tascan, Vice President and General Manager, EA Montreal. “Wii is expanding videogames to untapped markets pulling in a new audience of gamers that typically did not play games in the past; Boogie will give these diverse players something new to enjoy as well as share with their friends and family.”
Players will dance, sing and create music videos with this ultimate videogame party package that takes advantage of the innovative Wii controls getting gamers off their couch and playing to a new beat. Not only will gamers be belting out their favorite tunes or dancing to the latest hit songs, players will catch their best dance moves, record their own voice and make music videos with the easy-to-use music video creator..
Fun mini-games, co-op gameplay, head-to-head dance battles and karaoke party make Boogie the perfect party game and a complete entertainment package for gamers of all ages.
Episodic Xbox 360 content for Tomb Raider Anniversary
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Eidos Interactive Ltd., part of SCi Entertainment Group, one of the world’s leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, is pleased to announce that the latest Lara Croft adventure, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, will be released on the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, initially in the form of downloadable episodic content which will be available for purchase to owners of Tomb Raider Legend on Xbox 360.
This is the first time ever that the serialization of a full retail game will be available for purchase through Xbox Live® Marketplace. The game will be available in four episodes; Episodes 1 & 2 will be available in September, with the next two episodes arriving shortly afterwards. A full retail version is planned to be released for Xbox 360 later in the year.
“We have created this version of Anniversary specifically for digital distribution as episodic content. This is part of our strategy to grow our presence in online and digital distribution as we believe there are huge growth opportunities arising from this delivery format and we intend to capitalize on the increasing demand for digitally downloaded content,” said Jane Cavanagh, Chief Executive, Eidos. "Lara has always been at the forefront of technology and this world first initiative with Microsoft really highlights that fact. Ultimately we also intend to make the title available at retail so that it reaches the maximum possible audience.”
“We’re continuing to break new ground in getting incredible gaming experiences in the hands of consumers,” said George Peckham, General Manager of 3rd Party Publishing, Xbox, Microsoft. “We’re excited to be able to deliver one of the most well-recognized franchises in video game history with Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary to our more than six million Xbox Live members worldwide in the form of episodic content.”
Konami reveals Pro Evolution Soccer 2008
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Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced that PES 2008 will be released in Autumn 2007. The latest edition to the multi-million-selling Pro Evolution Soccer series will be released for PLAYSTATION®3, Xbox 360, PC-DVD, PlayStation®2, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) and Nintendo DS, and is primed to be the definitive football title for any format.
Key to PES 2008 is a proprietary adaptive AI system entitled Teamvision. Unique to the Konami game, Teamvision is a sophisticated AI programming that learns and adapts according to an individual’s style of play. As such, it will learn new ways to build attacks and to counter specific movements and previous attacking or defensive errors, ensuring games are more in line with the tactical but flowing nature of the real thing.
With the Pro Evolution Soccer series renowned for its fluid, realistic gameplay, the new game builds on the implementation of Teamvision with additional key advances. As with previous releases since its inception in 1996, the ball is again treated as a separate entity, with the timing of shots entirely down to the player, while the new AI ensures that defenders work to close down space and block efforts on goal. Similarly, distribution of passes works along the same lines, with players using the space available to them to switch the ball. Close control has also been enhanced with more control when dribbling the ball, and a number of subtle moves added to bypass defenders and move the ball into space.
Working in conjunction with the Teamvision system, every aspect of Pro Evolution Soccer 2008’s on-field play has been reworked and fine-tuned to create the balanced and strategic play of a high stakes match. Set-pieces have been improved, with full control given over the number of players and the position of the defensive wall. A wider range of set piece options are also available to make use of specific talents within the team.
Marking the series’ first appearance on PLAYSTATION®3, and its second Xbox 360 outing, these and the PC-DVD ‘Next Generation’ versions of Pro Evolution Soccer 2008’s are further enhanced by stunning aesthetic elements. Player detail has been taken to incredible levels with full facial animation and the high-definition detail afforded by the hardware used to show full movement and subtle details to the various kits during the course of a match. All ‘Next Gen’ versions will also benefit from an extensive Edit mode, allowing gamers to customise their PES experience.
“We have taken a long hard look at what has made the Pro Evolution Soccer series so popular, and where we want to take it next,” commented Shingo ‘Seabass’ Takatsuka, creator of the series and Producer of PES 2008. “With the new Teamvision AI system, we truly believe that we have elevated the game to a new level. The movement of players off the ball, coupled with the total control given to the player, creates the closest simulation of real football to date. We really hope everyone enjoys our evolution. I promise it will be worth the wait.”
PES 2008 will be released for PLAYSTATION®3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable), PC-DVD and Nintendo DS in Autumn.
Updated Game Release List
[Category :] [Posted by Bjorn on Thursday, June 14 2007 @ 17:00 CET]
Since our "Game Release List" was a bit outdated (last update was from March) it was time to do a full update.
The new "Game Release List" is now online so all the upcoming games, with new release dates are in there.
We also deleted the old platforms such as Xbox and GameCube because, sadly enough, there aren't any new games being made. RIP.
The new consoles, Xbox360, Wii and PS3 are now on top of the list. Portable platforms such as the DS and PSP follows while titles for PC are on the bottom.
All can be quickly viewed by shortcuts.
PlayDevil's "Game Release List" can be viewed right here.
Enjoy !
New Gears Of War MP Achievements
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On Thursday, 14th June, the stakes get even higher as “Gears of War®”, rated M for Mature, releases eight new Achievements for the “Annex” gametype and the “Hidden Fronts” Multiplayer Map Pack on Xbox LIVE®.
In addition to adding new Achievements, worth a total of 250 points, “Gears of War” developer Epic has improved the Roadie Run controls so players have greater control of their movement and can better annihilate their pestilent enemies. The title update will also help squash multiplayer exploits and provide general housekeeping.
For more details visit http://gearsofwar.com/news/
For those who have yet to man up and join the battle, the “Annex” gametype is now available for free and the “Hidden Fronts” Multiplayer Map Pack is available on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for 800 Microsoft Points. All four multiplayer maps will be made available at no cost over Xbox LIVE® on 3rd September 2007.
Halo 3 themed 360 hardware ?
[Category :] [Posted by Bjorn on Thursday, June 14 2007 @ 16:36 CET]
The countdown has begun for the biggest entertainment event of 2007 with the close of Bungie Studios’ massively successful “Halo® 3” multiplayer beta. A first for the acclaimed “Halo” franchise, the limited public beta was an overwhelming success, seeing more than 820,000 unique participants and more than 12 million hours of online gameplay in its short test period, equivalent to more than 1,400 years of continuous play by one person.
Now that the beta has closed, consumers worldwide can gear up for the game’s release with a variety of new merchandise, including two new Xbox 360™ Limited Edition “Halo 3” Wireless Controllers designed by Spawn and McFarlane Toys creator Todd McFarlane, as well as an Xbox 360 Limited Edition “Halo 3” Wireless Headset, which lets gamers talk with friends over Xbox LIVE®. The controllers and headset will be available starting in early September and can be pre-ordered at select retailers today, allowing “Halo” fans everywhere to prepare for the launch of this year’s biggest game.
Two new Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 3 Wireless Controllers will be available starting Sept. 18 and can be pre-ordered today at select retailers. Designed with original artwork by legendary Spawn artist Todd McFarlane, they will be available in either the Covenant Brute or Master Chief themes. Each controller will be packaged with a limited edition “Halo 3” collectible figurine created by McFarlane Toys will sell for an estimated retail price £34.99.
Xbox 360 Limited Edition “Halo 3” Wireless Headset. For the “Halo 3” enthusiast who enjoys wireless mobility while playing with friends on Xbox LIVE, the Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 3 Wireless Headset will sport the Spartan green and gold and provide high-quality voice connections over Xbox LIVE for an estimated retail price of £34.99. Available in early September, this accessory can be pre-ordered today at select retailers.
Dynasty Warriors to be unleashed on DS
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KOEI, today announced the release of Dynasty Warriors DS: Fighter’s Battle in Europe. The multi million selling Dynasty Warriors series has already appeared across a number of formats but this is the first time it has brought its unique blend of tactics and action to the Nintendo DS. With a completely new Warriors experience designed from the ground up specifically for portable play, Dynasty Warriors DS: Fighter’s Battle will be ready for release across Europe on August 31.
“We wanted to translate all of the entertainment and challenge that has made the Dynasty Warriors series so incredibly popular on the home consoles, whilst also creating something fresh and exciting that takes advantage of the capabilities of the DS and provides a truly memorable portable Warriors experience.” said Will Curley, Sales Manager for KOEI Ltd.
About DYNASTY WARRIORS DS: FIGHTER’S BATTLE
Once again players are given the chance to team up with the legendary Dynasty Warriors and strive to unite ancient China in the midst of warring kingdoms and rival soldiers fighting to tear the country apart. The spectacular Musou attacks are once again at your disposal enabling players to unleash stunningly powerful attacks that can wipe out entire squads with just one awesome strike.
Players can choose to take the role of one of three new characters: The Phoenix, The Dragon or The Chimera, with each character possessing a specific special ability, from awesome power to rapid speed. Players can also select up to seven of the original Dynasty Warriors to fight alongside them as officers using the brand new “Battle Deck” of cards.
The new “Obstacle Roulette System” gives players the chance to select cards from the “Battle Deck” which will enable them to unleash spells and attacks that can make the difference between victory and defeat. These will prove especially advantageous in the wireless Vs mode for up to three players, where crafty use of the cards can disrupt your opponent’s challenge and pave the way for their humiliating defeat and your spectacular victory.
Square Enix announces Heroes of Mana for DS
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Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, today announces the forthcoming release of HEROES of MANA™ on the Nintendo DS™ system for Autumn 2007.
Developed exclusively for Nintendo DS, HEROES of MANA breathes new life into the WORLD of MANA™ series by taking it into the completely new realm of real-time strategy. Stylus-wielding generals must plan, plot and employ strategy to ensure victory on the battlefield. Utilising the Touch Screen to the fullest, players take full control of the battle as they gather resources, assemble armies and experience an all-new perspective on the ever-evolving battle for the world of MANA,
“We’re very excited to be bringing HEROES of MANA to Europe,” says John Yamamoto, President and CEO of Square Enix Ltd. “The MANA series has long been adored by fans around the world. HEROES of MANA offers a fantastically fresh new approach, with the addition of real-time strategy that makes battles even more thrilling than before.”
-The Story-
Roget, a soldier of Pedda, is on a reconnaissance mission to Ferolia with his companions, when their aircraft is shot down by the enemy and abandoned by their carrier. The crew comes to realise that the mission was a plot by their own superiors to eliminate them, with the invasion of Ferolia being only the first step towards Pedda’s domination of the world. Witnessing the atrocities committed by the Peddan army, Roget and his crewmates are forced to fight against their own countrymen.
-Features-
• Real-time strategy that makes full use of the Nintendo DS Touch Screen – the intuitive control scheme allows players to lead armies, build bases and vanquish their foes entirely through the use of the Nintendo DS stylus
• Intense head-to-head multiplayer allows friends to challenge each other via DS Wireless Communications
• Command heroes and monsters alike from the MANA series and lead them to victory on the battlefield
• The signature MANA art style comes to life in a fantastic blend of 2D and 3D environments
• KINGDOM HEARTS series composer Yoko Shimomura delivers a stirring soundtrack that captures the essence of the WORLD of MANA series
PlayDevil reviews Mario VS Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
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March of the What? Minis ? Yes that's right.
Welcome to Nintendo's new platform game for DS starring 'Mario' and ... 'Donkey Kong'.
In this platform game you must guide 'minis' of Mario through levels in order to save one of Mario's female friends. It all looks a bit like "Lemmings" but with using the touch screen controls this game could be a bit different.
Take a look at our review of "Mario VS Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis" and find out if this game is what you need.
Full review right here.
FlatOut Ultimate Carnage Gone Gold !
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The nitrous tanks are charging and the V8 engines are revving as Empire Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of Silverstar Holdings, is excited to announce that FlatOut Ultimate Carnage has now gone gold, and is set to give the green light to the year’s most destructive and high-octane Xbox 360™ racer on June 22nd.
Exceeding the already high expectations set for the game, FlatOut Ultimate Carnage has been hailed by the Specialist Gaming media as one of the best looking and technologically advanced racing games on the Xbox 360 platform. “Wow, no seriously WOW!” wrote Xbox 360 World. “We’ve played it and we’re very, very hot for it. Beautiful” said Games Radar. “…set to take the 360 by storm” according to 360 Gamer and “…this really can't be beaten” from Gamesmaster.
The game, owned by Empire and developed by Bugbear Entertainment of Finland, is a gameplay and graphic triumph. Commenting on the completion of the game, Empire European Marketing Manager, Rob Noble said, “It's done! All the hard work is over and FlatOut Ultimate Carnage is ready to hit the primetime and to take its rightful place as the number one destruction racer on the market. This is one game you need to check out for its amazing action, spectacular visuals and just superb action racing!”
EA announces SimCity Societies for PC
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Electronic Arts announced today that SimCity™ Societies™ is in development and is scheduled to hit retail stores this holiday season.
Featuring an all-new, revolutionary feature set, SimCity Societies allows players to construct not only the cities they desire, but create their cultures, societal behaviors and environments as well. Build an artistic city, haunted town, green city, spiritual community or most any society you want! Using the accessible, innovative and versatile city-builder, players can create their own kind of city in SimCity Societies!
“SimCity Societies allows players to create a variety of cities with the unique societies they desire,” said Vice President and Studio Head of The Sims Division, Rod Humble. “There is such a variety of cities to build from in SimCity Societies – and they’re all such a blast to play. Sometimes I build an aggressive police state where stragglers are dragged off to re-conditioning centers and emerge ready for work. Other times, I build a green community in the tropics, where the citizens grow their own food and have a small environmental footprint. With so many options to choose from, SimCity Societies is the most flexible city building game ever!”
Players start by choosing from a variety of more than 350 building types, each of which allows them to combine, connect and re-arrange structures freely. Players can challenge authority and experiment with what happens when citizens flagrantly disobey power in an unruly Orwellian society. Or if players are feeling happy, they can build a Fun City filled with Ferris Wheels, Gingerbread Houses and Chocolate Factories! Inspiration can come from a wide range of architectural periods ranging from the realistic to the fanciful; from the industrial age to futuristic designs, with each structure reflecting its name and nature, many offering a click-on action for fans to play upon! As each city evolves, players will be able to unlock new buildings that can help advance – or regress – their society.
SimCity Societies introduces an all-new, revolutionary feature set for players to combine buildings that will produce or consume new kinds of resources called “social energies.” How you mix and match these resources – industry, wealth, obedience, knowledge, devotion, or creativity—determines the social energy of your city. Will your city be happy and creative, spiritual and knowledgeable, will it be wealthy and powerful or obedient and fearful? Its fate is in your hands!
Not only will players be able to build from any or all energies, but the cities will look and behave differently depending on the energy combinations the player makes. From futuristic metropolises and fantastical haunted cities to obedient Orwellian states and devout contemplative towns – what to combine and connect is up to the creator.
SimCity Societies is being published by Electronic Arts and developed by Tilted Mill Entertainment. It is scheduled to be available in retails stores across North America and Europe in November 2007.
Patch available for Mad Tracks XBLA
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Today at 10am EST Microsoft has released a correcting patch for the first XBLA racing title ‘Mad Tracks’, published by D3Publishing and developed by Load Inc.
This title update corrects unlocking issue that was preventing some player from progressing in the game.
This light update will automatically install at title launch and will have no side effect.
Mad Tracks has reached a very large Xbox 360 enthusiasts and was ranked #2 on the official weekly top ten last week.
SEGA Rally Comes Hurtling Onto PSP
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SEGA Europe Ltd. today confirmed that SEGA Rally™ will be tearing its way onto the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system.
Scheduled for release during September 2007, SEGA Rally for the PSP is being developed by racing game specialists Bugbear Entertainment Ltd. Already announced for PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PC, SEGA Rally is receiving a stream of plaudits from the specialist gaming press for its bumper-to-bumper competitive racing.
SEGA Rally on the PSP encapsulates everything its predecessors laid out when defining the rally genre; amazing visuals, superb handling and closely fought competitive racing. These three key features have been the chassis of development for SEGA Rally on the PSP, combining to bring players a thrilling ride through jaw dropping environments and against competitive AI, all alongside an instinctive handling system that rewards players for pushing their rally-racing skills to the very limit.
“The original SEGA Rally is heralded as one of the all time great video games and this new instalment on the PSP is a great example of updating a classic perfectly for today’s machines,” said Guy Wilday, Studio Director, SEGA Racing Studio. “With the addition of multiplayer Wi-Fi and online multiplayer, there’s scope for players to show off their skills against their friends, whilst the excellent PSP screen exudes all the visual qualities expected of SEGA Rally”.
Built from scratch, SEGA Rally on PSP has been developed by Bugbear Entertainment Ltd. with guidance from the SEGA Racing Studio to ensure that the unique character of SEGA Rally shines through on the PSP.
SEGA Rally will be available for the PSP, PS3, the Xbox 360 and PC during September 2007.
Speedball II Comes To Xbox Live Arcade
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Empire Interactive today announced that it will bring the furious excitement of the classic Speedball II: Brutal Deluxe to the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft via Xbox LIVE® Arcade.
The highly anticipated title was recently voted one of the most wanted games for Xbox LIVE Arcade in an article by the Computer and Video Games website. Its arrival will please both hard-core fans and new generations of gamers who have yet to experience what some believe is the finest combat sports game ever made.
The Bitmap Brothers classic, Speedball, was first released for the Amiga in 1990 and quickly became a huge success. However it wasn’t until the release of its sequel, Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe that the title reached new gaming heights and sold over 2 million units. It is still considered by many to be one of the best games of all time. The Xbox LIVE Arcade version is a perfect conversion of Speedball II: Brutal Deluxe but with the addition of an all-new High Definition version, more teams and downloadable content.
This new Xbox LIVE Arcade version of Speedball II will enhance this classic game, whilst still retaining all the classic elements that have made it a firm favorite amongst gamers.
“We are pleased to be bringing this all time classic to Xbox LIVE Arcade,” commented Ian Higgins, CEO Empire Interactive. “With its brutal and addictive gameplay, and the ability to play multiplayer over Xbox LIVE, we are sure this will be the definitive version of Speedball”
“This is another example of Empire updating a classic IP and bringing it to a brand new audience. Double Dragon is our first foray onto Xbox LIVE Arcade, our announcement of Speedball 2 demonstrates our continued intention to bring high quality classic titles to a broader market,” said Clive Kabatznik, CEO of Silverstar Holdings.
Two Worlds v1.4 Patch available
[Category :] [Posted by Bjorn on Tuesday, June 12 2007 @ 16:14 CET]
Two Worlds Receives Extra Polish since patch v1.4 has just been released.
Here's the lowdown on this new patch :
+++ Update 1.4 incorporates feedback and requests from players +++
After paying close attention to dedicated fans, the Two Worlds development team at Reality Pump have been hard at work preparing the official 1.4 update for Topware's epic free-roaming RPG. A huge number of suggestions, proposals and requests from Two World's steadily-growing fanbase have been incorporated into the 1.4 file, which marks a significant update from smaller updates released soon after the game's European mainland release.
Coming in at 298 MB for users updating from the 1.0 retail version (1.3 > 1.4: 176 MB), the 1.4 update brings a considerable improvement in both gameplay and technical terms and is not to be missed by anyone who's been lured into Two Worlds' rich and incredibly detailed universe. The 1.4 update will also be included in the US and UK retail versions, which SouthPeak Games will be releasing in late summer 2007.
The 1.4 update can be downloaded from the support area.
URL: http://www.2-worlds.com/ - Support - Updates
Prince of Persia Classic on Xbox LIVE Arcade
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“Prince of Persia Classic,” will be available for download on Xbox LIVE® Arcade for Xbox 360™ beginning Wednesday 13th June at 09.00 GMT.
In Ubisoft’s “Prince of Persia Classic,” gamers take on the role of the prince as he embarks on a mission to rescue the princess before she has to wed the wicked Jaffar – all of which must be accomplished in under 60 minutes! Jumping across platforms and avoiding traps, the prince must collect bottles of potions to keep his power bar charged as he duels enemies on his way to the princess.
Originally developed by Jordan Mechner, “Prince of Persia” broke molds and made waves when it launched for the PC in 1989. By using hours of live footage of his younger brother running and jumping and a technique called ‘rotoscoping’, Mechner achieved a natural sense of movement, which was widely perceived as a great leap forward in the quality of animation seen in computer games. Additionally, Mechner utilized intense sword fighting action vs. the widely popular use of projectile weapons in video games at the time. With clever puzzles and deadly traps, the original “Prince of Persia” influenced a rich sub-genre of games were sprawling non-scrolling levels and fluid animation became the norm.
Game Features
- Enhanced character designs, animations and visuals
- New traps, puzzles and enemies to tackle further augment the classic experience
- 12 Achievements will be available, ranging from the simple (finding the sword in the first level) to the near impossible (finding all the potions in the game or finishing the game without dying)!
The title will feature 3 different leader boards:
o Normal Mode: Complete the game as fast as possible, which saves at the end of each level
o Time Attach Mode: Complete the game as fast as possible – but be prepared to start from the beginning if you fail to save the Princess in under 60 minutes
o Survival Mode: Complete the entire game in under 60 minutes – without dying
Where can I get “Prince of Persia Classic” from?
Now dubbed “Prince of Persia Classic,” the Xbox LIVE Arcade remake of the original game, is available worldwide from Wednesday 13th June on Xbox LIVE Arcade for 800 MS points. It is rated 16+.
Secret Files Tunguska goes Nintendo DS and Wii
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Koch Media has assigned the exclusive production rights in the Secret Files Tunguska PC game to 10TACLE STUDIOS MOBILE (implementation for Nintendo DS) and to Keen Games (implementation for Wii). This fun adventure. leading the player all around the globe, will soon be ready for all owners of Nintendo DS and Wii.
Pete Walentin, Development Director of keen games, stated: "It is a real pleasure to implement one of the best adventures of recent years for Wii in cooperation with Koch Media. We will optimise the controls for Wii Remote and Nunchuk in order to turn a game that is very good already into a 'perfect-match' for Wii."
"Secret Files Tunguska is one of the most successful adventures of recent years. We are happy that we can bring this gaming adventure to a new platform by developing a Nintendo DS version and that we can also enhance it in a useful way with our innovative touch screen control," says Alexandra Gerb, Managing Director of 10TACLE STUDIOS MOBILE.
The Nintendo DS version of Secret Files Tunguska will hit the shops in the 4th quarter of 2007, the Wii implementation is expected to be published in the 1st quarter of 2008.
About Secret Files Tunguska:
Background: On the 30th of June 1908, an explosion with the destructive power of 2,000 Hiroshima bombs rocked the Tunguska region in central Siberia, felling more than 6,000 square metres of pine forest. The explosion could be heard within a radius of 1,000km. Witnesses saw an oblong object, glowing in a blueish-white light, fall from the sky. A 20km high pillar of light was followed by a mushroom-shaped black cloud. The three following nights were so bright all over Europe that you could read a newspaper outside without additional light. In California, on the other hand, they noted a continuing reduction of sun light.
Lara Croft back at No.1
[Category :] [Posted by Bjorn on Tuesday, June 12 2007 @ 16:08 CET]
Eidos Interactive Ltd., part of SCi Entertainment Group, one of the world’s leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, is pleased to announce that the latest Lara Croft adventure, Tomb Raider Anniversary, which released on June 1st throughout Europe, has taken the No.1 spot in a number of territories on both PlayStation 2 and PC.
In the UK the game went straight in at No.1 on PlayStation 2 and PC and has remained at No.1 for a second week running. In Germany the game also went straight in at No.1 on PlayStation 2 and PC and in France the game went in at No.1 on PC and was the best-selling game (in value) on PlayStation 2 (source: GFK).
Inspired by the first Tomb Raider videogame, originally released in 1996, LARA CROFT TOMB RAIDER: ANNIVERSARY is a totally new adventure for Lara, faithfully preserving the elements which made the original Tomb Raider such a classic, selling over 7 million copies worldwide. The Tomb Raider series is still one of the best selling videogame franchises of all time with over 32 million copies sold and two major feature films released, starring Angelina Jolie.
Wii-Kly Virtual Console US Update
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Seems like these days everybody's just running around, grabbing whatever they can for themselves. Some are after gold nuggets, some want rings and some are trying to recover a stolen axe. Doesn't anybody talk anymore? Why don't you grab a few warm cookies, pour yourself a glass of cold milk and fire up the Wii™? We'll play games and tell stories from simpler times.
Three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop Channel every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:
Lode Runner® (NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): This landmark action-puzzle game has been a worldwide fixture in video games from the moment of its inception until today, producing many sequels and related products along the way. The player controls the hero, or "Runner," who collects gold nuggets located around every stage, all the while avoiding capture by enemy robots. The action itself is simple, but the stages are designed as increasingly challenging puzzles, and none of the 50 stages is as easy as it seems. The Runner avoids enemies by digging holes in the floor to the right and left of his position—by doing this, he can clear a path to places that, at first glance, seem unreachable. Players must use their brains to collect all the gold nuggets in every puzzling stage if they want to escape to the next. In addition to normal play, this version of the game features an Edit Mode that allows players to design their own stages, adding a new level of enjoyment to the game.
Sonic the Hedgehog™ 2 (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): Dr. Eggman (aka Dr. Robotnik) is back to continue his zealous search for the Chaos Emeralds needed to fuel his new Death Egg contraption. The evil doctor secretly follows Sonic to his vacation spot, Westside Island, and launches a full-scale attack, imprisoning all the helpless animals of the island and turning them into mindless worker drones. Now Sonic must thwart the doctor's plans at all costs. This time he isn't alone, as a peculiar two-tailed fox named Miles Prower (aka Tails) decides to aid him in the battle. Together they must locate the Chaos Emeralds before Dr. Eggman does, and put an end to his diabolical scheme.
Golden Axe™ II (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older – Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): Not long after the devastating reign of the wicked Death Adder, another evil arose. Dark Guld and his minions invaded and took hold of the prized Golden Axe with plans to destroy it. Once again, as a fierce barbarian named Ax-Battler, a fearless female Amazon known as Tyris-Flare or a ferocious dwarf named Gilius Thunderhead, you will wield steely swords and powerful magic in an all-out war to recover the sword. Once you slash your way through the six side-scrolling levels, you'll get the chance to defeat Dark Guld once and for all.
Overlord playable PC demo available !
[Category :] [Posted by Bjorn on Monday, June 11 2007 @ 16:33 CET]
Unleash a minion horde on your PC as Codemasters announces the release of the Overlord™ playable PC demo, now available from www.codemasters.com/overlord in Downloads).
Don the Overlord’s illustrious armour, assemble a team of fighter minions and head off for a session of serious destruction in the once tranquil area of The Mellow Hills. Descend upon the unsuspecting populace and wildlife, use your loyal minions to gather life-force from the somewhat unwilling sheep, grow the size of your minion horde, and let the Halflings-gone-bad know there’s a new boss in town.
Make use of minion upgrades, including pumpkins as minion helmets, throw in some peasant intimidation and a show-down with the Guard Troll and you’ll have a taste of the havoc that a minion horde can wreak.
Adopt a Minion and Rate My Evil
In addition to the demo, PC gamers can adopt their very own minion thanks to the Desktop Minion e-toy, which is also available from the site. Simply download and install the little chap on your desktop for the ultimate in minion companionship (and random abuse).
Plus, later this week, gamers will be able “Rate My Evil” as an interactive leader board of nastiness goes live on the website. Users will be able to rank a series of famous people and characters in order of unpleasantness and even upload photos of friends to add into the miserable mix.
Meanwhile, experience the power of the mighty Overlord with the PC demo now available from www.codemasters.com/overlord.
A demo is also available from Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox™ 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®. It’s time to perfect your evil laugh; Overlord™ is coming June 29th for PC and Xbox 360.
Burn fired up by Topware Interactive
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Topware Interactive is proud to announce that they will be publishing Burn in North America this Summer. This FPS thriller offers a dark and intense campaign mode coupled with state of the art online community play.
Enter the frag-fest as one of five warriors with seven unique upgradeable weapons. Fully destructible physical surroundings offer more destruction than ever as you face off against the genetic mutant solder; the DARK.
“This high paced shooter is a total adrenaline rush from start to finish.” says Topware Interactive managing director James Seaman “Stay tuned for more news, screens, trailers, and an incredible demo of this FPS classic.”
Wii-Kly Virtual Console EURO Update
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This week, a selection of 80s and 90s classics join the already impressive back catalogue on Virtual Console. First up this week is 1987 NES classic Balloon Fight™. In this highly addictive action title players take on the role of a dare-devil balloonist battling enemies across the skies. Players must pop their opponent’s balloons to send them plummeting to the ground before they pop yours! Balloon Fight also features a two-player mode with both competitive and co-operative play as well as a bonus survival game called Balloon Trip and is available now for 500 Wii Points.
Also up for grabs this week is Adventures of Lolo™. Originally launched on the NES in 1991, players assume the role of Prince Lolo who must rescue Princess Lala from the clutches of the evil Great Devil, saving the land of Eden as he goes. Although he is not endowed with agility, Lolo possesses intelligence and great courage that must be employed to solve taxing puzzles and ensure the safe return of Princess Lala. Adventures of Lolo is available now for 500 Wii Points.
However, if these don’t take your fancy then why not download the Turbografx classic Dead Moon. This side scrolling action shooter sees the player piloting a space ship in a quest to stop aliens taking over the Earth. Players must defeat alien space ships by shooting at them, working their way through six levels, each with a boss that requires players to attack from different directions. Players can upgrade both their weapons and their ships throughout the game, tipping the odds in their favour! This classic game is available now for just 600 Wii Points.
These great games will join the list of 96 classic titles already available for the Virtual Console in Europe.
Codemasters' Overlord demo available on Xbox360 Marketplace
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There’s a minion horde ready to come tearing down your download pipe as Codemasters announces the release of the Overlord™ playable demo. The demo is now available from Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox™ 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®; the PC demo will follow shortly.
In the demo, players don the Overlord’s illustrious armour, assemble a team of fighter minions and head off for a session of serious destruction in the once tranquil area of The Mellow Hills. As you descend upon the unsuspecting populace and wildlife that reside in the hills, use your loyal minions to gather life-force from the somewhat unwilling sheep, grow the size of your minion horde, and let the Halflings-gone-bad know there’s a new boss in town.
Top that off with minion upgrades (where else do pumpkins get used as minion helmets?), throw in some peasant intimidation and a show-down with the Guard Troll at the Slave Camp and you’ll have just as taste of the havoc that a minion horde can wreak.
In the full game, players will be able to amass armies of up to 50 minions and select from three further minion types to lead into battle. Then there’s the rest of the twisted domains to explore (and conquer), seven corrupt heroes to defeat, the Dark Tower to rebuild, and the Legion of Terror and other spells to unleash as you strive to be proclaimed the mighty Overlord!
Get ready to explore your more despotic side with Overlord™, coming June 29th for Xbox 360 and PC. Meanwhile, perfect your evil laugh with the playable demo, now available from Xbox LIVE® Marketplace with the PC demo following early next week at www.codemasters.com/overlord
Assassin's Creed To Launch Worldwide Nov 2007
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Today Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, announced the worldwide launch for the highly anticipated and critically acclaimed Assassin’s Creed™ will be November 2007.
The Assassin’s Creed franchise will make its debut on the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PC. Assassin’s Creed is being developed by an all-star team from Ubisoft’s world-class Montreal studio. As a testament to its pre-launch following and buzz, the latest Assassin’s Creed gameplay trailer, released on May 23, exceeded more than 1.3 million downloads via GameTrailers.com in less than a week.
“Assassin’s Creed is going to be a huge launch for Ubisoft this year along with the added prestige of being the start of this exciting new franchise that is bringing something completely new to the market,” said Tony Key, vice president of marketing, Ubisoft. “We’re confident that Assassin’s Creed will exceed expectations as a ‘must-have’ title this holiday season and will achieve both critical and commercial success.”
The game is set in 1191 AD, when the Third Crusade was tearing the Holy Land apart. Shrouded in secrecy and feared for their ruthlessness, the Assassins intend to stop the hostilities by suppressing both sides of the conflict. Players will assume the role of the main character, Altair, and will have the power to throw their immediate environment into chaos and truly experience the art of a master assassin.
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 Heads To Europe
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Atari today announced that NAMCO BANDAI Games’ Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 for Wii and PlayStation®2 is coming to Europe.
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 combines the lightning fast fighting and action that have made Budokai Tenkaichi 1 and Budokai Tenkaichi 2 the #1 fighting games of 2005 and 2006. Developed by NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc. / Spike, and distributed in Europe by Atari, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is scheduled for European release in winter 2007
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 delivers an extreme 3D fighting experience, improving upon last year’s game with over 150 playable characters, enhanced fighting techniques, beautifully refined effects and shading techniques, making each character's effects more realistic, and over 20 battle stages. In addition, an improved control system for the Wii will allow players to more easily mimic signature moves and execute devastating energy attacks as they are performed in the Dragon Ball Z animated series.
This is the ultimate chapter in Budokai Tenkaichi series with over 20 new characters that have never been seen in any other DBZ video games such as Nail, King Cold and King Vegeta and battle stages that fans will love. Each year, the developers refine the game to bring fans closer to feeling like they are actually playing the show.
In addition to the unprecedented number of characters and improved Wii control system, the environments have also been enhanced to feature day and night stages. The power of the moon in the night stages gives players additional ways to transform their characters and lets fans recreate some of their favorite memories from the show.
The immensely popular Dragon Ball Z series is the gold standard of anime-based video games, with more than 25 different games and over 10 million units sold since May 2002.
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is set for release this winter 2007.
Dungeon Hero announced for PC And Xbox 360
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Today Gamecock Media Group announced Firefly Studios’ Dungeon Hero will be releasing on the PC and Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. The first dungeon-based game to realistically depict underground life, Dungeon Hero promises all the danger, intrigue and daily routine of an actual subterranean community. Combining HD graphics with incredibly detailed environments completely immerses players in their newfound surroundings, complete with goblin cheese merchants, jailed troll miners and helpful imps just looking for peace.
“Dungeon Hero sets itself apart from every dungeon game that has come before it,” said Rick Stults, Console Chief for Gamecock Media Group. “We love the realism that the game portrays, the living breathing dungeon aspect is something unique that hasn’t been done anywhere before and that’s the key to the innovation we’re looking to promote.”
Dungeon Hero provides players with a fresh take on the classic dungeon based game. The in-game world is a totally functional, living, breathing community in every way. Eat, sleep, chat, socialize, trade and travel as you would in any civilized place – after all dungeon creatures are people too! Fierce adrenaline pumping close quarters combat against a multitude of enemies drives the player deep into their heroic role. The battle system is intense with savage encounters that will leave enemies wondering where they went wrong. Dark times call for one to stand against many, will you be the one strong enough to become the Hero of the Dungeon?
Pac-Man Championship Edition available on XBLA !
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Today Microsoft Corp. and NAMCO BANDAI Games made video game history by unveiling the “Pac-Man Championship Edition” — featuring the first new Pac-Man mazes in more than 26 years — available only on the Xbox 360™.
The “Pac-Man Championship Edition” is the same beloved “Pac-Man” game played in arcades of the ’80s but is updated with new features that former “Pac-Man” fanatics and new generations of fans alike will love. It includes new mazes that dynamically change shape during gameplay, six new timed game modes, new soundtracks and high-definition (HD) graphics. Details include the following:
· Classic 2-D “Pac-Man” presentation with a new, modern look in HD
· Six new, timed game modes:
- The Championship Mode. This is the main game mode designed by NAMCO BANDAI Games and Iwatani specifically for the championship round of the Xbox 360 Pac-Man World Championship. This mode – as well as all others within the “Pac-Man Championship Edition” – features redesigned mazes with wide maze walls and a widescreen configuration to better enable high-speed game play. Timed limit of five minutes.
- Challenge Mode 1 (Patience and Reward Course). This mode is an evolution of the Championship Mode. Patience mazes strategically offer fewer Power Pellets and Reward mazes provide a large number of Power Pellets – providing unique challenges and rewards for the player. Timed limit of 10 minutes.
- Challenge Mode 2 (The Darkness Course). In this mode, only the area directly around Pac-Man and the Ghosts is visible and the maze walls are completely hidden. Timed limit of 10 minutes.
- Extra Mode 1 (The Freeway Course). An extremely high-speed mode for advanced players, this mode features warp-speed Pac-Man and Ghosts and plenty of tunnels. Timed limit of five minutes.
- Extra Mode 2 (The Manhattan Course). A mode inspired by the streets of Manhattan — the home for the first-ever Xbox 360 Pac-Man World Championship. Timed limit of five minutes.
- Extra Mode 3 (The Overall Course). A mix of all other modes resulting in extreme mazes for the most devout Pac-Man fans. Timed limit of 10 minutes.
· Xbox LIVE leaderboards, Achievements and Gamerscore
· Rated E for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Rating Board
· Costs 800 Microsoft® Points
· Available for download only on Xbox LIVE Arcade on the Xbox 360 starting at 0900 BST on Wednesday, June 6, 2007.
New content for XBLA title Small Arms
[Category :
A remote village was razed to the ground today, following sightings of a wild band of barbarians. Gastronaut Studios LLC, the award-winning creative powerhouse of fun, sociable video games, has claimed responsibility, citing premium downloadable content and a free Title Update for Xbox LIVE® Arcade title "Small Arms" as the cause of the violence.
Sources at the scene have said that players will be able to download two playable characters, two distinctive battlefields, and access two unique achievements from Xbox LIVE Marketplace, all for only 250 Microsoft® points. The update and new content are both scheduled to launch tomorrow on June 6th.
Frozen together, sharing their most intimate secrets for a million years, barbarians Ivar and Gullarp know everything about each other. Now you will, too. Meet Ivar, a four-time 'Mr. Arctic-Ice Tournament' ice fishing champion with a penchant for recycling and defending the environment. He's especially protective about his favorite fishing spot, the Arctic Ice Floe, as unlucky seafarers recently discovered! Now meet Gullarp. He enjoys the outdoors, long raids of small defenseless villages, and an occasional round of penguin bowling. Gullarp is proud to display his handiwork at the Pillaged Village.
Premium content boasts:
- Two playable characters: Recycle your opponents as Ivar, the sabretooth tiger druid, or as Gullarp, the bald wooly mammoth.
- Two distinctive battlefields: Go fishing for friends on the Arctic Ice Floe, or fight for glory amid the rubble of Pillaged Village.
- Two unique achievements: Become an Honorary Barbarian by completing Mission Mode as any new character, or launch a career as a Barbaric Recruiter by hosting a multiplayer game on any new battlefield.
Title Update features:
- New options enable the in-game display of player indicators and Gamertags to help players navigate moments of intense action.
- Performance enhancements: Improved frame rate and reduced tearing.
- Smarter leaderboards: More efficiently and accurately track player positions.
- Tighter weapons balance: Based on user feedback, provides for the best gameplay experience.
- Bug Fixes And an assortment of upgrades that resolve issues related, but not limited, to Achievements and Xbox LIVE Multiplayer.
Wii-Kly Virtual Console US Update
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For six months, classic games have flowed at a steady rate into the gaming reservoir that is the Wii Shop Channel. And this week Wii™ fans will see that pool of games hit a new high-water mark, as Nintendo adds a wave of new entries: Nos. 97, 98, 99 and 100. Why not dive in and see what treasures you find?
The four new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the channel every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:
Milon's Secret Castle® (NES®, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone - Comic Mischief, 500 Wii Points): It is a world where music is the language of the people. An evil warlord from the north arrives and captures the castle. The princess is imprisoned deep within the castle, and the world's musical instruments are taken and hidden away. Our hero, Milon, takes it upon himself to fight the warlord, rescue the princess and recover the people's musical instruments. He has only his wits and the magical Bubble to aid him on his quest. Help Milon along the way by looking for hidden doors, finding secret items and defeating fierce enemies. Make sure to look for the shops inside the castle, where you can buy hints and valuable items. Whenever Milon finds a Music Box, he will be transported to a bonus stage. Each instrument you find will add a layer to the background music. Try to grab all seven instruments to create a performance worthy of a music-themed game.
ToeJam & Earl™ in Panic on Funkotron (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone - Comic Mischief, 800 Wii Points): During ToeJam and Earl's trip back home, a number of Earthlings hitchhiked on their spaceship and are now infesting planet Funkotron. ToeJam and Earl must track down the Earthlings in order to capture them in large jars and ship them back to Earth in spaceships. It is also their funky mission to find 10 beloved objects belonging to Lamont the "Funkapotamus," the source of all funk in the universe, so they can persuade him to return to his favorite funk-filled planet. ToeJam and Earl must use their "funk powers," such as Funk Move and Funk Scan, to assist in evading and capturing the Earthlings.
Dead Moon (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone - Mild Fantasy Violence, 600 Wii Points): This side-scrolling shooter includes a total of six scenes spanning areas from Earth to the moon. The story begins with a comet discovered in the vicinity of Pluto that is headed on a sudden collision course with Earth. Mankind narrowly succeeds in diverting the comet's course, and it crashes into the moon. However, investigations into the damage uncover that what hit the moon was not a comet, but a gigantic mother ship. Power up your ship, destroy enemies and fight your way through the bosses in an attempt to reach the moon's core and protect Earth from alien invasion. Enjoy the unique world of Dead Moon, including various stages with beautiful backgrounds, a power-up system that increases your attack as well as your defense and bosses that have you altering your ship's direction to fight them.
... and the 100th game in the Wii Shop Channel:
Zelda II™ - The Adventure of Link® (NES, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone - Mild Fantasy Violence, 500 Wii Points): Link returns to Hyrule to search for the Triforce and to awaken Zelda from an endless sleep. Embark on a quest to find the Triforce of Courage and save Hyrule from ruin. Learn magic spells, talk to people in towns to get clues, collect items to increase your power and explore six palaces where the underlings of the evil Ganon await you. This sequel to the Adventure classic uses a side-scrolling visual engine unique to the series for more technical combat, and features more in-depth world roaming as Link encounters townsfolk while on his quest.
Atari Announces Popular Flash Game N+ for Handhelds
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Atari today announced the development of N+, the successor to the award-winning and beloved flash ninja game N. Created by Metanet and developed by SilverBirch Studios, N+ will leap onto the Nintendo DSTM and the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system in November 2007.
Adding to the successful formula that made N a hit online, N+ will offer equal parts platformer and action gameplay with incredibly fluid animation, fast action, amazing acrobatics and instant playability. N+ embodies the same brisk pick-up-and-play style that has endeared gamers worldwide and improves on the adored flash game with downloadable content, multiplayer components and a built-in level editor.
"N+ takes all the great elements of the flash game, from the amazing acrobatics to the simple-but-fast gameplay, and adds an impressive set of new features," said