LucasArts today announced that The Secret of Monkey Island : Special Edition is now available on Xbox LIVE Arcade for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Steam, Valve Corporation's delivery and management platform for the PC, and Direct2Drive, IGN Entertainment’s digital download store.

Back by popular demand, The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition faithfully re-imagines the internationally-acclaimed classic game (originally released in 1990) for old and new audiences alike. The development team at LucasArts has brought the game into the modern era with all-new HD graphics, a re-mastered musical score, full voiceover, and an in-depth hint system has been added to help players through the game’s side-splitting puzzles. Purists will also delight in the ability to seamlessly switch between the updated HD graphics and the original’s classic look.

The game's twisty plot leads hero, Guybrush Threepwood, on a hilarious quest throughout the fabled Monkey Island. Tales of pirate wealth attract Guybrush, who lands at the port of Mêlée with high hopes, no money and an insatiable desire to become a pirate. If the player is clever enough, Guybrush will win the confidence of Mêlée's established pirates and soon find himself blown by the winds of fate toward Monkey Island -- a storied isle whose name alone chills the bones of even the most bloodthirsty buccaneers.

More information about The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition can be found at the official website, www.MonkeyIslandSpecialEdition.com.

The launch of The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition is just one element of LucasArts’ new mission to revitalize its deep portfolio of beloved gaming franchises.

On July 7, Telltale premiered the Tales of Monkey Island® game series on PC, delivering a completely new epic storyline and swashbuckling flair that will unfold across five monthly episodes.

In addition, on July 8, LucasArts released ten fan-favorite LucasArts PC games on Steam, including classic adventure titles like LOOM™, The Dig®, and Indiana Jones® and the Fate of Atlantis™ and hit action games including Star Wars Battlefront® II and Star Wars Republic Commando®. These titles are also being launched on Direct2Drive over the coming days.

San Diego Comic Con 2009 kicks-off next week and Capcom already has an amazing announcement to make. Everyone who brings their PSP and a copy of Monster Hunter Freedom Unite to the Capcom booth can download up to 8 free quests!

The Capcom booth will have a dedicated download station for Monster Hunter Freedom Unite players to download these quests. Only 6 quests will fit on a memory stick, so players should bring either two sticks, or another friend along that has their own PSP and copy of the game. There's a little bit of something for everyone amongst the quests offered, with 4 of the quests suited for beginners and the other catering to more experience players.

These quests are just a taste of what Monster Hunter Freedom Unite has to offer. Every Friday from now through 2010, new quests will be available for download for Monster Hunter Freedom Unite. Everything from challenge quests to event quests will add continous hours of fun to this extraordinary title.

Feel free to spread the word about this exciting Comic Con 2009 opportunity. Free downloadable content for Monster Hunter Freedom Unite -- all you need to bring is your PSP and the game!

Frogster is intensifying its online communications with the appointment of an experienced new colleague. Appointed to the post of Online Marketing Manager at beginning of July, Stefan Hinz reinforces the Berlin publisher's marketing team. The 29 year-old Bachelor of Communications brings his competencies in national and international marketing to the Frogster MMOG portfolio. His wide-ranging wealth of experience in the field of social media should furthermore guarantee the rapid and successful integration of the games into viral media.

Having already acquired specialised professional experience in the course of his studies, Hinz used this working from 2004 as a freelance writer, graphic designer and concept developer for both agencies and individual clients. He has been active in the games business since 2005, up until recently heading up the Online Marketing department for Ascaron Entertainment GmbH.

We have been looking for the right experienced team player for our marketing department for a long time. Someone who can help us both creatively and efficiently in marketing our products. Now with Stefan Hinz, our team gains yet more clout and our search has come to an end, said Rolf Kl'ppel, Head of Marketing & PR at Frogster.

With a brand new installer the three Penumbra games will be available as a single download starting this Friday the 17th. The new release will improve the user experience compared to the original "three downloads with three serials"-installation procedure.

During the launch weekend of Friday the 17th to Sunday the 19th the Penumbra Collection for Mac & Linux will sell for a mere USD 5! Windows users recently had the same offer available to them and due to numerous inquires from Mac & Linux gamers we hope that this offer will achieve full cross-platform horror enjoyment. After the launch weekend the Penumbra Collection will sell for USD 20.

The Penumbra Collection will be available in the Frictional Games Store for Mac & linux. In addition the Mac version will also be available from the Mac Game Store, Mac Games Arcade and the recently launched Gamer's Gate for Mac. All stores are participating in the USD 5 weekend launch!

Frictional Games Store - http://store.frictionalgames.com/
Mac Game Store - http://www.macgamestore.com/
Mac Games Arcade - http://www.macgamesarcade.com/
Gamer's Gate - http://www.gamersgate.com/

Boolat Games, an independent game development company, after a long delay from winter announces the release of “topatoi: The Great Tree Story” for PlayStation 3/PSN, which is now available at PlayStation Store in EU. The specific release dates for US and Asia will be announced soon.

It is the first part of the saga “topatoi”- the dynamic arcade game on the one hand, and a unique blend of puzzle and platformer on the other. It combines the best features of the predecessors and provides absolutely new gameplay experience. Being exciting, nice and highly captivating, this game appeals to everyone.

“topatoi” puts you at the controls of a fantastic gyroscopic hovercraft, which handles much like a futuristic whirligig. Spin it around a mysterious, unexplored corner of a remote world in an effort to repair your crashed airship and attempt to rescue your girlfriend. Help the hero, Raph, through the intricate and dangerous world of the Great Tree, combat hostile natives and negotiate with the inhabitants of a fantasy world. Success in your main mission will unlock more than ten bonus levels and an interesting multiplayer split-screen mode to further shake-up your playing experience.

It is a really great present for all PlayStation 3 owners, who interested in playing on their powerful consoles. Puzzle, platformer and arcade fans will be gladdened by a great number of unforgettable adventures in the mysterious worlds built around immense pillars. Classic platforming action and a lot of interesting puzzles played out across a variety of colorful storyline and bonus levels – it is “topatoi: The Great Tree Story”.

At the moment, the second episode is in development. All details of the sequel will be announced soon, but some “in development” screenshots are available on Internet from our first announce in 2008. Much more breathtaking adventures, interesting puzzles and arcade fun are waiting for Raph.

Phantom EFX, the world’s leading developer and publisher of PC-based casual game titles, and independent game development studio 8monkey Labs announced today that their highly anticipated historically-based first person shooter, Darkest of Days, is set to launch on September 8, 2009 for both Windows-based PC and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

“Working on Darkest of Days has been, without a doubt, the crowning achievement in both my personal career and that of Phantom EFX,” said Aaron Schurman, CEO of Phantom EFX. “The past few years, everyone here and at 8monkey Labs has been working incredibly hard to create this title, one that we feel will give gamers plenty of memorable entertainment and serve as a gigantic breath of fresh air into the FPS genre.”

Have you ever wondered what could happen if time travel was a reality? Have you ever thought about the possibility of going back in time to rewrite history for the better? That possibility is a reality in Darkest of Days, where players will travel back and forth through the annals time to relive some mankind's most dire hours. By fighting through terrible events such as The Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest conflict of the Civil War, and both World War I and II, the player will attempt to save certain key individuals who were never meant to become involved in these truly monstrous events and thereby change human history for the better.

In Darkest of Days, you take on the role of Alexander Morris, an unlucky foot soldier who gets transferred to General Custer’s regiment days before the Battle of Little Bighorn. Moments before his inevitable demise, a futuristic time agent warps in to save Morris and transports him to the future where he is told that time travel is now a reality. However, an unknown faction is attempting to re-write history for their own benefit. Your job is to stop them, and you’ll fight your way through eras spanning thousands of years to do it.

Key features of Darkest of Days include:

• Brand New Engine: The dedicated team at 8monkey Labs has created an all-new, groundbreaking game engine known as Marmoset. The Marmoset Engine not only breaks from the all-too present Unreal engine FPS clones flooding the market, but also allows for some amazing graphical capabilities. You’ll fight through epic battles filled with literally hundreds of NPCs on the screen at the same time, all with an advanced AI and all without a hint of graphical slowdown and all set against wide-open environments that are lushly detailed and dynamically lighted.
• Compelling Storyline: Darkest of Days is a compelling, action-packed first-person shooter to be sure, but it’s not just mindless run-and-gun, blow ‘em up gameplay. You’ll have to not only think about how to approach certain key battles and situations, but you’ll also have to take care when fighting – certain key people that were never meant to die will be marked with a special blue aura. If you kill them, you’ll face dire consequences…
• Wreak Havoc with Future Weapons in Antiquity: Something nearly every gamer that’s ever played a shooter based in the past has always wanted is the ability to bring a futuristic weapon back through history and kick some major butt. How differently would Custer’s last stand have turned out if the General was equipped with an M-16 assault rifle? You’ll be able to answer questions like this in Darkest of Days. While not every battle and situation will allow you to wield weapons from the future, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to unleash futuristic fury on your unsuspecting foes.

For more information about Darkest of Days, please visit www.darkestofdays.com. For more information about Phantom EFX, please visit www.phantomefx.com. For more information about 8monkey Labs, please visit www.8monkeylabs.com.

You end up getting sucked through a rift in time. At the end of your journey, you find yourself deposited onto an alien world, in the future – the year is 2029.

Over the course of your long journey across this strange land, you have found yourself engaged in many ferocious battles, hardening your heart and turning you into a grizzled warrior eager for the familiar adrenaline rush of battle.

Not getting the same rush from encounters with the enemy anymore? Need a little extra boost to get your heart racing? Well, we’ve got just what you need! Team vs. Team PvP! These battles will test your limits, as well as your ability to work together in a team.

Event Location

PvP Battlefield

Tournament Style

Single-round elimination, Team PvP

Awards

All teams will receive 6 Red Name Erasers; The winning team will be awarded 20 Martial Items, as well as 6 Super Exp Potion 1; Team leaders are responsible for distributing prizes.

Before Engaging in Combat...

Make sure you register! There will be a thread set up for players who want to register and all you have to do is reply to that thread. The information in your post must include the name of your team, as well as who will be accompanying you in battle. Teams will be limited to 7 players at the most and 4 players at the least.

Once registration has closed, pairs of teams will be randomly chosen by our GMs to compete against one-another. The list of registered competitors and their match status will be posted on the official site.

The competition style is group PvP combat. Participating teams MUST show up on time, or they will forfeit their match. Before the competition starts, GMs will confirm that everyone participating has registered properly for the match. During the confirmation process, players must make sure they have no buff effects activated.

The GMs will then announce the start of the competition. Players who are engaged in combat will be allowed to utilize buff effects on each other, but not until combat starts!

There is a level requirement of 14+, if you do not meet this requirement, you will not be able to sign up.

Check out this chart detailing how the competition will proceed.

For more details about this event, please visit http://2029.igg.com/news/view.php?aid=488

Ignition Entertainment Ltd., a UTV Enterprise - a worldwide publisher and developer of videogames is pleased to announce the release of Archer Mclean’s Mercury which is now available for download from the PlayStation Network for the PSP (PlayStation Portable) in the PAL territories.

Mercury, the original and now iconic puzzle game, where the simple but challenging task is to manoeuvre the blobs of ‘mercury’ to a set goal will have gamers engrossed for hours on end.

The cleverly designed levels are full of variety, with switches, platforms, obstacles and hazards barring your goal to level completion. Having an understanding of the laws of physics, which are reversed in some instances, will help you in your tasks.

Mercury with its ingenious physics routines and large 3D levels often requires skill, fortitude and maybe even a little luck to complete and will have you coming back for more in order to beat the fastest times and unlock the games many secrets!


Game features:

• Six fantastic game worlds with 72 levels of fantastic liquid mayhem!
• Over 30 interactive objects, enemies and level solving devices, including Teleporter, Spinners, bridges and flux transmitters
• Combo, Boss and lots of secret levels to unlock
• Unlock able levels per world for hi-scorers and a bonus 7th world to discover!
• Training camp for beginners for to practice blob control and colour manipulation
• Ultra realistic liquid mercury effects never before seen in a game
• Addictive pick up and play gameplay

Mercury serves up the ultimate puzzle game for players of all ages. Once you start playing it will be impossible to put down!

Available now from: http://uk.playstation.com/psn/store/

Videogame audio experts Jack’s Hoose Music are all a-quiver about creating the samba-tastic audio for Denki’s new Xbox LIVE Arcade title Quarrel.

Quarrel’s unique blend of strategic and word-based gaming will be jazzed-up and effervesced by an original and inspiring mixture of Latin American, Lounge and Easy Listening music combined with the unique vocal stylings of Denki’s chief creative whiz and all-round Gary Penn (the voice behind Grand Theft Auto, GTA 2 and Tanktics, fact fans).

The Quarrel house band starts grooving behind the scenes, from the moment the game’s fired up. The talented and eclectic ensemble provides everything from warm percussion on the opening menus, through to encouraging, joyful or cheeky comments on each player’s performance. Until your vocabulary skills have been celebrated by a moustachioed, maraca-wielding musician, you’ve never really enjoyed a game properly.

“I'm feeling intense pleasurable excitement to be working with Denki on such a sound project,” says Ged Grimes, the founder and managing director of Jack’s Hoose Music. “Denki’s approach to Quarrel audio represents a sultry Latin twist for videogames. I can't wait for players to hear the results.”

Jack’s Hoose Music has composed and produced music soundtracks for a wide range of games, from music-based titles such as Amplitude and Pop Idol, through to action blockbusters such as Enter The Matrix.

Gary Penn, Denki’s creative boffin, said, “I'm amped to have Jack’s Hoose Music on board. Ged is widely recognised as a maestro in his field and the opportunity to work with him on our first Xbox LIVE Arcade title was one we couldn’t resist. We wanted the band to provide so much more than just background music to Quarrel. The whole live vibe creates so much more character. Ged’s brought the whole band to life, put them in the game and they’re playing – just for you. He's totally in tune with the Denki Difference which means every single element of the Quarrel audio will be as dramatic and entertaining as the game itself.”

Machine 22, an independent game developer, announced the long-anticipated clothing system for the web MMORPG Golemizer (http://www.golemizer.com). Golemizer is a free web MMORPG where players are set in the role of mad scientists creating strange creatures in a steampunk universe.

While the main theme of the game is about players unleashing monsters in the world, the sandbox approach of Golemizer gives many opportunities to players to also unleash their imagination through various systems like dungeons and quests creation, city management and many others.

The newest addition to Golemizer allows players to craft and wear their own clothes which has always been a very popular request from players. As players have proved in the past they will also surely find imaginative ways to use this new system.

The clothing system also introduces a new mini-game where players can buy sheeps and take care of them to obtain wool which is a key resource to craft clothes. This new mini-game will open new business opportunities to players interested in a more pacific way of playing. The freedom to play how you want has always been important to Golemizer so this new addition remains in this line of thought.

New features:
- 20 suits and hats players can craft (and of course many more to come!)
- 25 new skills
- Sheeps management mini-game
- New resources: Wool and cotton
- Special suits obtained through quests and events!

This is only the first steps toward what is sure to become a very popular feature as players are always looking for ways to be unique. It is also yet another proof that no feature is out of reach for a game developed and maintained by a single person. Dave Toulouse, sole owner and developer of Machine 22, assure current and future players that many new exciting features are on their way and that he's still as passionate to work on Golemizer as he was when he first started 2 years ago.

Big Head Games and Dark Horse Comics are pleased to announce the release of the new update, ‘Episode 2’ for The Terminator iPhone and iPod Touch game. Since Episode 1 was released in May to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the classic film, BHG has been hard at work on part two of the story where you will meet John Connor and find the time displacement equipment allowing time travel back to 1984.

Also included in the update is a new lightning weapon as well as Terminator drones, revamped AI, enhanced difficulty and control system plus the all new world wide online high scores board., Take on the best the world has to offer in the Quick Game mode.

The Terminator for iPhone and iPod Touch is currently available in the iTunes app store

App Store link:
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=316085211&mt=8

New gameplay video YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWfX5R9cXIE

Metaboli, the European leader in the digital distribution of PC games, its subsidiary in North America, GameTap LLC and Capcom, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, announce the launch of a new way of promotion for digital distribution of PC Games.

To support the release of the PC version of Street Fighter IV on the 7th of July, Metaboli has set up an innovative campaign around a free Flash version of the original Street Fighter II' Champion Edition which will be playable directly in web-browsers.

For the first time, players can discover again the most popular fighting game from the 90's directly in their web-browsers, and are invited to get Street Fighter IV for PC available via download-to-own.

Originally released for coin-op in 1992, Street Fighter II' Champion Edition includes 12 characters: Ryu, Ken, Honda, Chun-li, Blanka, Guile, Zangief, Dhalsim, Balrog, Vega, Sagat and M.Bison. After every third match players can participate in a "bonus game" including car-breaking, barrel breaking and drum-breaking for additional points. Players could finish the game by defeating all 12 challengers within the single player mode.

To support the release of the PC version of Street Fighter® IV on the 7th of July, Metaboli has set up an innovative campaign around a free Flash version of the original Street Fighter® II' Champion Edition which will be playable directly in web-browsers.

For the first time, players can discover again the most popular fighting game from the 90's directly in their web-browsers, and are invited to get Street Fighter IV for PC available via download-to-own.

Originally released for coin-op in 1992, Street Fighter II' Champion Edition includes 12 characters: Ryu, Ken, Honda, Chun-li, Blanka, Guile, Zangief, Dhalsim, Balrog, Vega, Sagat and M.Bison. After every third match players can participate in a "bonus game" including car-breaking, barrel breaking and drum-breaking for additional points. Players could finish the game by defeating all 12 challengers within the single player mode.

Street Fighter 4
Street Fighter II' Champion Edition will be available on most Flash portals and players will have the opportunity to embed the game on their blog/website and to share it with friends.

This Flash version has been converted by DotEmu, the leading technology provider for emulation and fast porting solutions.

After having played the Flash version, gamers are invited to discover the new Street Fighter IV PC version or to discover the GameTap Classic Pack which grants access to over 500 classic hits for only $4.95 per month.

Street Fighter IV can be digitally purchased here: http://streetfighter.gamesplanet.com/street-fighter-4-game-gametap.html

The Flash version of Street Fighter II' Champion Edition can be played for free here: http://www.kongregate.com

GameTap Classic Pack is available here: http://www.gametap.com/

Pro Cycling Manager 2009, the must have simulation game for cycling enthusiasts and sports management fans from Ascaron Entertainment and Focus Home Interactive is available to buy today. Based on the world famous Tour de France race, the latest edition includes the Spanish Tour (La Vuelta) for the first time. Players can enjoy an exhilarating and competitive sports management experience whilst guiding their team to victory in four authentic events.

Fans of the series can watch the new trailer online at www.cycling-manager.com to view the game’s beautiful environments, realistic animations and experience the buzz of the most renowned cycling event in the world.

There are various competitive events in the velodromes that enable managers to put their team’s endurance, speed and skill to the test:

Scratch race – all contestants start the race on equal terms. Riders must overtake and lap their competitors, holding this lead until the finish to gain an advantage over those who have completed fewer laps.

Flying 200 metre time trial – time is critical in this speedy event as riders must race along the set distance to achieve the quickest time possible, ensuring a win for their team.

Points race – this official Olympic discipline involves many cyclists racing simultaneously on the same track for up to 160 laps. A sprint is held every ten laps, with points awarded to the top four finishers; the winner is the rider with the most points at the end. This event is very tactical, so players must decide the best racing style in order to secure a win for their team. Some racers prefer to sit back and conserve energy, only attacking for the sprints to accumulate points. Others may attempt to take control of a lap early in the race and defend their leading position.

Omnium – a multiple race event where all contestants compete against each other in a flying time trial, scratch race, individual pursuit, points race and shorter time trial. It is widely considered to be the event that determines the best all-round track cyclists due to the combination of sprint and endurance required. Team manager’s skills will be put to the test as they decide which riders are best at each specific discipline to ensure success.

Pro Cycling Manager 2009 is available today from all good retailers.

Fast facts:

Publisher: Ascaron Entertainment / Focus Home Interactive

Developer: Cyanide

Release date: 10th July2009

PEGI: 3+

Format: PC and PSP

Genre: Sports Simulation

BioShock & The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Bundle is now available in shops across the UK for a suggested retail price of £29.99 for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and £19.99 for Windows PC.

Creating a value-rich package, the BioShock & The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Bundle combines 2006 Game of the Year winner The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion with 2007 Game of the Year winner BioShock - two games with a combined bounty of more than 80 Game of the Year awards from the industry’s top publications. In addition to having achieved critical success and Platinum Hits status, both games rank among the bestselling titles on Xbox 360.

BioShock is the genetically enhanced shooter that weaves intricate storytelling with an intense and exciting journey through a decaying underwater Art Deco utopia gone mad. Caught between powerful forces and hunted down by mutated citizens, gamers are not only armed with a complete arsenal from simple revolvers to chemical throwers, but are forced to genetically modify their own DNA to use themselves as a deadly weapon.

Taking the world by storm in 2006, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion set a new benchmark for role-playing experiences for current generation gaming. Lush visuals, expansive worlds and limitless character customization combine with unprecedented levels of player freedom and NPC interaction to form one of the most successful and critically acclaimed games ever created.

The BioShock & The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Bundle is rated M by the ESRB.

JoWooD Productions and DreamCatcher Games are pleased to announce that top model Anja Rubik will be featured in their upcoming Wii title Yoga (http://anjarubik.com). A very enthusiastic yoga practitioner, Anja will not only grace the cover, but also accompanies players during numerous relaxing Yoga exercises, providing player motivation throughout the game. Anja Rubik is considered one of the upcoming stars of the model scene and is ranked among the top 15 international supermodels.

“We’ve invested a lot in creating a fun and authentic Yoga title for Wii suitable for everyone. Regardless of your age or gender, anyone who is interested in learning more about this ancient Indian philosophy will love this game.” says Markus Reutner, Marketing manager JoWooD Productions. “Anja Rubik embodies the spirit of Yoga and thus is the perfect guide to increase motivation and promote the practice of this peaceful fitness regime.”

Yoga for the Wii system offers an entirely new fitness and lifestyle experience. It enriches your living room with this ancient art and you can strengthen your body, mind and spirit while training at home. Thanks to the combination of state of the art graphics and the Wii Balance Board™ accessory, this game leads to a brand new fitness-gaming experience.

About Yoga for the Wii system:

Anja Rubik and a 3D animated Yoga guru guide you through the most important parts of the game and offer useful information on both the individual exercises and the philosophical basis behind yoga. Yoga encourages the player to take steps to improve his or her own health and to restore and maintain their own state of well-being. The game supports a wide range of body positions, and the Balance Board provides the player with immediate feedback. The yoga guru guides you through poses in a gentle introduction into this fascinating world.

It's simple for you to develop your own, customised yoga exercise plan and monitor your progress!

Yoga is designed to stand out from the considerable range of “fitness games“ out there and shows a new, modern way to provide more body awareness and relaxation.

Does your work-out really need to be faster, most exhausting and harder? Slow your day down, allow your body and mind to relax – with Yoga for the Wii system.

Anja Rubik & Yoga

Anja Rubik is an ambitious yoga fan and practices this ancient philosophy to provide balance in her stressful everyday life as a model. She is convinced that it is the best way to control thought and breathing processes, and is enthusiastic about the new opportunity to practice yoga in the comfort of your own home while receiving feedback from a yoga guru. We're proud to have found Anja as the perfect advocate for our Wii game Yoga.

Yoga provides a completely new experience in the realm of fitness and lifestyle! JoWooD offers a tried and tested way of training the body and mind in the form of Yoga, all in the comfort of your living room! The combination of excellent graphics and the use of the Wii Balance Board offers a gaming experience never before seen!

Yoga encourages the Wii player to relax after a hard day!

Yoga supports the Wii Balance Board!