New 14-Day Free Trial Entices New & Returning Players with Vast RPG World and All Seven Ultima Online Expansion Packs

Mythic announce that Ultima Online - Mondain’s Legacy, is now available at no charge to subscribers of Ultima Online. Launched in the summer of 2005, the 7th expansion to the legendary MMORPG Ultima Online (UO) introduces the Elven race and several sprawling dungeons to the vast game world. For current Ultima Online subscribers that do not have Mondain’s Legacy, the game client will be automatically updated with the expansion content.

For players that are new to Ultima Online or for those interested in returning to the world, they can download the 14-day free trial which now features all seven expansions, including Mondain’s Legacy. Now all players can experience the Elves, new human racial abilities and new dungeons with dozens of new monsters to battle and weapons to wield.

“Mythic is extremely excited about offering Mondain’s Legacy as a free upgrade to all Ultima Online subscribers, as well as new players who sign up for the 14-day free trial,” said Jeff Hickman, Executive Producer for Mythic Entertainment. “Our goal is to continually provide fresh and rewarding experiences for our thriving UO community. By opening up our 7th expansion to all players, we hope to get everyone excited for the upcoming summer release of our 8th addition, Stygian Abyss.”

Coming this summer, Ultima Online™: Stygian Abyss™, the game’s 8th expansion, revolves around the introduction of the playable Gargoyle race. Players will find expansive new areas to explore, including Ter Mur, the Gargoyle homeland, and the Stygian Abyss – the largest dungeon area ever introduced to Ultima Online. This sprawling dungeon will contain new boss monsters of unparalleled difficulty, including the Medusa, Primeval Lich and the Stygian Dragon, as well as Player vs. Player zones where adventurers will be turned against one another.

Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss expansion requires the original Ultima Online game to play and will be available in the summer of 2009 via digital distribution only. To download Ultima Online at no charge or to find out more information about Ultima Online and the additions from Mondain’s Legacy and Stygian Abyss, please visit: http://www.uo.com.

The website for Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box has gone live.

Visit the site here...

Not too much going on over there at the moment, but there’s some cute wallpapers if the game is one of your things.

It will land in the US on August 24 and on September 25 in Europe for Nintendo DS and DSi with Level-5 releasing downloadable puzzles every week for 33 weeks.

Cyanide and Focus Home Interactive are pleased to unveil the second video of the new series of trailers.

This week, the Lizardmen show their skills on the Blood Bowl field! Mixing team players of brutal strength and nimble runners, the Lizardmen show they can overcome any obstacle either by dodging the opponents... or simply running over them.



An ultra-violent strategy game based on Warhammer Fantasy and American football, Blood Bowl allows players to create the ultimate “fantasy” sports teams. Coaches can build bone-crushing teams of Orcs, Wood Elves, Humans, Dwarfs and many more fantastic creatures – then throw them into the stadium for the ultimate blood sport! Blood Bowl is strategic, action-packed and violent, requiring coaches to use their best tactics, team design – and a dose of pure ruthless bloodlust always helps too!



All of these charming creatures are waiting for you to play in highly contested games soon on PC, Xbox 360 and handheld consoles.

War of Angels offers a complete and beautifully designed fantasy world, whose graphic style -a blend of a Japanese comic book style and western elements – is just one of War of Angel’s revolutionary features. Winged characters have exciting battles not only on land but also underwater and in the air. An intuitive town building system allows guilds to create cities according to their demands – but battles decide who rules these cities in the future.

Players can rear pets and mounts – their traits and characteristics will depend on the food fed to the player’s companion as it grows. Obviously, War of Angels comes with a variety of trading and community functions as well as a sophisticated crafting system. Finally, this unique RPG has a non-linear storyline – one that directly affects the character’s development. Players can decide whether they will choose the path of righteousness or descend into the darkness.

A truly exceptional title

"We are very pleased that we have secured this innovative title for the western gamer scene" says Patrick Streppel, member of the gamigo AG board. "An exceptional graphic style, the ability to fight under water and in the air as well as an innovative city building system set War of Angels apart from other MMOGs."

Pre-registration for the closed beta phase of the German version is open at http://warofangels.gamigo.com.

Nintendo announced sales numbers for some of its titles in the last quarter not bad figures especially considering four titles sold over one million copies between April and July.

* Pokemon Platinum DS, moved 1.91 million copies during the quarter and has sold 5.66 million worldwide
* Wii Fit sold 3.6 million copies, making LTD 21.82
* Mario Kart Wii sold 2 million with LTD 17.39 million
* Wii Sports sold 1.91 million copies, bringing total sales to 47.62 million which includes the sales of bundled versions

Activision has confirmed that Xbox avatars will be playable in its forthcoming Guitar Hero 5 - the latest in the long series of music games. It means that you'll be able to rock out alongside Lars Ümlaüt and Judy Nails.

You'll also be able to customise that avatar further in Guitar Hero 5's "create-a-rocker" mode, which will let you add clothing and accessories that are a little more rock'n'roll than the Xbox defaults.

As previously reported on Pocket-lint, Guitar Hero 5 has 85 tracks from more than 80 bands, 25 of whom have never been in a music game before. You'll also be able to combine any number of guitarists, bassists, vocalists and drummers to match whatever instruments you have.

Source: PocketLint

Outspark, the premier North American publisher for free-to-play massively multiplayer online games (MMO), today announced that it will launch and operate the North American adaptation of Debut, a casual, online rhythm and dancing game developed by EA’s J2M studio in Seoul, Korea. It is EA’s first Korean-developed game to come to the online gaming market in the west.

Working with J2M’s development team, Outspark will not only customize the game for North American audiences, but also build enhanced design and interfaces, social networking features, and regular content updates. Outspark will also be responsible for the operation of the title – including monetization, marketing, community management, support, and customer service support for the game.

Outspark has pioneered proprietary analysis-based game publishing that applies real time gamer data to dynamic retail management which responds to player perceptions, interactions and gaming patterns. Outspark uses this information to create an enhanced, engaging gaming experience that entices its more than 5 million gamers to “stay ‘n play” in their Virtual Playground, resulting in an industry-leading Average Revenue Per Paying User (ARPPU) of $50-60 per month.

The new title will leverage the power of the music genre in a free to play, casual MMO offering. Players who are accustomed to single player music and dance games will be able to experience the fun of a rich multi-player experience with deep community, highly customizable characters and great songs.

“We’re delighted to work with EA to bring this title from J2M to North America,” said Susan Choe, CEO of Outspark. “EA’s scale and strong heritage combined with Outspark’s online platform and unparalleled capability to provide real-time feedback and enhanced customization will bring unrivaled fun to millions of gamers as they play and connect in real time. Our players and EA fans will be eager to get their hands on this game.”

"Debut has been operating in Korea since 2008, and we're looking forward to bringing its adaptation to a broad North American audience," said Savannah Hahn, General Manager of EA Korea. This is a fun, immersive music rhythm game, and with Outspark's expertise in creating rich, social online gaming experiences, we think it will bring a new type of gaming environment to entertainment seekers online."

The new title is expected to be launched this fall.

The iPhone is a more powerful platform than Nintendo's Wii, and frame rate issues experienced in the Wii version of Tales of Monkey Island are down to hardware and file size restrictions, according to a Telltale Games developer.

Complaints over frame rate issues in the WiiWare version of the game on the developer's official forums triggered the response from a TellTale programmer going under the name of Yare, reports GameZine.

"The voices and textures are the way they are because we're limited to 40 megs for WiiWare titles," he stated. " The PC versions of our games are usually 150+ megs, and most modern games range anywhere from one to ten gigabytes or more. Talk to Nintendo about this one.

"Frame rate issues will probably get sorted out eventually, but keep in mind that the Wii is just not a powerful console. An iPhone is much more powerful than a Wii, even."

In a later post, the alleged representative said he stood by his comments, adding:

"The Wii and DS are extremely underpowered and their popularity doesn't remove the hardware limitations."

Even with the technical issues it experienced on Wii, Tales of Monkey Island has been one of Telltale's most successful launches, as Telltale founder Dan Connors told VideoGamer.

"It’s been pretty shocking how much love there is still out there for the Monkey Island series. It seems like a generational thing as well.

"Unfortunately I can’t get into the specific numbers, but I would definitely say it’s our strongest performing franchise to date. We’re pretty excited. It was number one on Steam for a few days. It did really well. It’s been our best performing title from our side as well."

Source: GamesIndustry

The Nintendo DS and DSi is said to be struggling to entice more punters, Nintendo has admitted its disastrous financial figures are down to the new–found status of the iPhone and iPod Touch as handheld gaming’s great new hope.

Nintendo’s profits have slumped in recent months by a massive 66%. And while the recession is clearly giving the Japanese giant a money–based migraine, it also says games from Apple’s App Store on the iPhone and iPod Touch are also wreaking havoc with sales of the Nintendo DS and DSi games.

In an otherwise dull conference call about their dire results, a Nintendo representative claimed the Nintendo DS and DSi were suffering, “due to harsher competition in the portable arena stemming directly from Apple devices.”

The Nintendo DS outsells all consoles combined

There are a lot of reasons why the iPhone and iPod Touch are giving the Nintendo DS a beating. On the most basic level though, Apple doesn’t have to shift games to shops before selling them, keeping the costs low. The Secret of Monkey Island only costs £4.99 on the App Store. And games can be free or cost just pennies.

How the PSPgo comes into this handheld play remains to be seen. But with direct downloads, Sony should be able to undercut Nintendo when it comes to price. The battle for your daily commute’s gaming time is well and truly on.

Source: ElecticPig

The manufacturing costs of the PlayStation 3 have dropped by 70 per cent, Sony Corp CEO and executive vice president Nobuyuki Oneda has revealed.

Speaking during a conference call for overseas investors following Sony's Q1 2009 results, Oneda revealed the company is on track to meet its cost reduction forecasts.

"The cost reduction since we introduced the PS3 is very substantial and this is on schedule," said the exec when questioned on the console's manufacturing figures. "We don't disclose how much of the PlayStation 3, specifically the cost deduction, was achieved during the past two years. But that is on schedule."

When pressed further for specific figures, Oneda replied: "About 70 percent, roughly-speaking."

Exact manufacturing costs for the PlayStation 3 haven't been made public by the company, however it was estimated the console originally cost Sony $800 (£485) per unit when released, resulting in a loss on every one sold.

In January 2008, reports indicated that manufacturing costs had been reduced by 50 per cent to around $400 (£243).

A further 70 per cent drop on this figure would suggest costs now sit at around $240 (£146) per unit. A figure which could indicate room for the widely rumoured price cut due later this year.

The 80GB PlayStation 3 currently retails for £299.99; $399.99 (£243) in the US.

Source: GamesIndustry

TOMY unveil the first gameplay trailer for NARUTO Shippuden: Clash of Ninja Revolution 3 revealing footage of the new special jutsu attacks for Naruto and Temari as well as previously unseen special jutsu for new characters Deidara and Granny Chiyo, as featured in the game. Each character within the game comes equipped with unique special jutsu attacks, enhancing the lightning-speed versus fighting action with beautifully rendered cinematic finishing moves.



Exclusively for the Nintendo Wii, the classic 3D fighting game features new and improved gameplay mechanics, more than 35 characters, multiple gameplay modes, and for the first time, Wi-Fi multiplayer functionality.

About NARUTO Shippuden: Clash of Ninja Revolution 3
NARUTO Shippuden: Clash of Ninja Revolution 3 is an exciting new fighting game based on the hit NARUTO Shippuden animated series from VIZ Media. Exclusively for Wii, the 3D fighting game features new and improved gameplay mechanics, a plethora of gameplay modes, and for the first time, Wi-Fi multiplayer capabilities. The game follows the storyline of NARUTO Shippuden and features more than 35 characters who have been upgraded with new looks and character-specific jutsu moves. The game also offers 40 3D environments to choose from, including nine completely new stages.

NARUTO Shippuden: Clash of Ninja Revolution 3 hits stores November 16, 2009 for the Nintendo Wii for $39.99 SRP.

Harmonix and MTV Games today announced they will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the theatrical release of This is Spinal Tap, by making available newly recorded versions of the songs featured in the cult classic film and its 1984 soundtrack album. The songs will be available in the Rock Band Music Store of downloadable content next week on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Nintendo Wii system. With the addition of the Spinal Tap tracks, the Rock Band music platform now offers more than 800 songs to consumers via disc and download, and has surpassed more than 50 million paid downloads to date.

Additional tracks from Black Sabbath and Foo Fighters will be available in the Nintendo Wii Rock Band Music Store, and tracks from Jane’s Addiction and Styx will be available for Rock Band Unplugged.

Rock Band DLC Additions for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 Systems and Wii Console

The 11 songs that comprised the film’s original soundtrack were recently re-imagined and newly interpreted by the band for its latest CD Back From The Dead. The end result is that England’s Loudest Heavy Metal Band, Spinal Tap, has never sounded better. Back From The Dead also features six brand new songs including “Back from the Dead,” “Rock ‘n’ Roll Nightmare” and “Warmer Than Hell” which are already available in the Rock Band Music Store and an hour-long DVD featuring band commentary. This is Spinal Tap is now available on Blu-Ray from MGM Home Entertainment.

Tracks available on Xbox 360 and Wii (Aug. 4) and PLAYSTATION 3 system (Aug. 6):

Spinal Tap “(Funky) Sex Farm”
Spinal Tap “(Listen to the) Flower People (Reggae Stylee)”
Spinal Tap “America”
Spinal Tap “Big Bottom”
Spinal Tap “Cups and Cakes”
Spinal Tap “Gimme Some Money”
Spinal Tap “Heavy Duty”
Spinal Tap “Hell Hole”
Spinal Tap “Rock ‘n’ Roll Creation”
Spinal Tap “Stonehenge”
Spinal Tap “Tonight I’m Gonna Rock You Tonight”

(All tracks are original master recordings from Back From The Dead recording sessions.)

These tracks will be available for purchase as part of the “Spinal Tap’s TAP TEN” or as individual tracks on Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 systems.

Price: $1.99 USD, £.99 UK, €1.49 EU (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track
$17.99 (1440 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for “Spinal Tap’s TAP TEN”
$2.00 USD, (200 Wii Points) per track

Wii Back-Catalog Additions
Additionally, tracks from Black Sabbath and Foo Fighters will be available Aug. 4 in the Wii Rock Band Music Store. These tracks come from the catalog of Rock Band music already released to owners of Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system. With the addition of these tracks, there are now more than 450 tracks in the Wii Rock Band Music Store.

Additional tracks available for Wii (July 28):

Black Sabbath “N.I.B.” *
Black Sabbath “Sweet Leaf” *
Black Sabbath “War Pigs” *
Foo Fighters “Doll”
Foo Fighters “Enough Space”
Foo Fighters “February Stars”
Foo Fighters “Hey, Johnny Park!”
Foo Fighters “Monkey Wrench”
Foo Fighters “My Hero”
Foo Fighters “My Poor Brain”
Foo Fighters “New Way Home”
Foo Fighters “See You”
Foo Fighters “Up in Arms”
Foo Fighters “Walking After You”
Foo Fighters “Wind Up”

(* Denotes cover version)

Price: $2.00 USD, (200 Wii Points) per track

Rock Band Unplugged Tracks for PSP System
Rock Band Unplugged fans will enjoy the addition of Jane’s Addiction’s “Had a Dad” and Styx’s “Renegade” to the 25 tracks already available via the Rock Band Unplugged in-game music store for the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system.

Tracks available for Rock Band Unplugged (July 30):

Jane’s Addiction “Had a Dad”
Styx “Renegade”

Price: $1.99, £.99 UK, €1.49 EU per track on the PSP system

** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change.

Be the first to crack the conspiracy exclusively on Nintendo Wii with The Conduit Special Edition.

Set in the near-future of a fictional America, this fast paced shooter action allows you to battle a range of devious and cunning enemy forces in a highly detailed 3D world, using a dynamic control scheme only possible on Nintendo Wii.

For the collectors among you, the special edition comes in an exclusive embossed, metallic slipcase and includes a secret agent in-game multiplayer skin, unlockable Drone single player skin and a unique All Seeing Eye.

Bethesda Softworks, a ZeniMax Media company, announce that WET will hit European retail shelves on September 18th for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. The game’s highly-stylized mix of action and acrobatics is showcased on the newly revamped web site that can be found at http://wetthegame.com.



“We are extremely excited to bring WET to gamers on September 18th,” said Vlatko Andonov, president of Bethesda Softworks. “A2M has created an explosive gaming experience and the action is non-stop from start to finish.”

Developed at Artificial Mind and Movement, WET throws players into a heart-pounding, adrenaline-pumping adventure of double crosses and paybacks in which they’ll take on the role of problem fixer, Rubi Malone. Use Rubi’s dual pistols or samurai sword during any acrobatic move as you take on countless enemies in a number of exotic locations around the globe.

“We’ve worked really hard to make WET different from any other action game available”, said Patrick Fortier, Creative Director at A2M. “When players experience the game’s unique blend of gunplay, sword combat and acrobatics, they won’t want to put the controller down.”

On a mission to find the man that left you for dead, you’ll master the controls that will allow you to create the most incredible fight sequences - limited only by your own imagination. Once you are able to chain together a number of moves, including sliding down ladders, running on walls, jumping and flipping, you will be rewarded with auto-lock and slow motion advantages. Featuring the perfect mix of humor and violence, WET is a third-person shooter experience unlike any other.

WET is a highly-stylized third person shooter that seamlessly blends gun play, sword kills and over-the-top acrobatics to create the ultimate interactive action experience. The game allows you to shoot anywhere, anytime. You will have the freedom to shoot while running, sliding down ladders, sliding across the floor, or performing any number of acrobatic moves. Featuring an ironic mix of humor and violence, unique retro film visual treatment, and original 70’s inspired music, WET is a third- person shooter experience unlike any other.

STORY:
When Rubi Malone, a gun-for-hire, agrees to fix a wealthy man’s problem by finding and bringing back his wayward son, she thinks the job is going to be cut and dry. She thought wrong. The job turns out to be more complicated than expected and the man who hired her isn't who he appears to be. On the run and looking for the man who betrayed her, Rubi is leaving a massive body count in her wake.

KEY FEATURES:

Three Types of Gameplay – Seamlessly combines three types of gameplay: 360 degree slip-aiming mechanics, sword fighting and acrobatic abilities.

Acclaimed Writer Duppy Demitrius – Written by Demitrius who is best known for his work on the action-packed TV series 24.

Ultimate Interactive Action Experience – Over-the-top acrobatics with constant action that features aerial sword attacks, fantastic sword skills and high body count.

Cinematographic Style – Unique retro film visual treatment with stylized over-the-top characters, an original 70’s inspired soundtrack and locations that span three continents.

New Iconic Character – Rubi combines attitude, style and killer instinct!

NFL training camps are in full swing and the release of Madden NFL 10 is only two weeks away! Will Tom Brady return to his MVP level? Will the Dolphins build on last year’s success? How will T.O. affect the Bills? Will new coach Rex Ryan lead the Jets to the post season? See how your favorite team and players will fair – according to the Madden NFL 10 Season Preview.

We continue our look at each team’s overall rating and individual player ratings with a focus on the extremely competitive AFC East division. In addition to the player ratings, a wealth of team-specific assets are now available, for both the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, and Wii versions of Madden NFL 10.

Everything culminates next week, where Madden NFL 10 will predict the 2009 NFL division winners, season MVP, and more.

To view the overall team ratings for the Jets, Dolphins, Patriots, and Bills, as well as download the complete team roster ratings, visit the official Madden NFL 10 website below:

• Madden NFL 10 Season Preview

Up next week: The Madden NFL 10 Season Preview

Madden NFL 10 will be available on the Xbox 360 video game system from Microsoft, PlayStation 2 and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment systems, Wii, PSP (PlayStation Portable) handheld entertainment system and is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.

Create your very own 3D character and then go and explore your new fun environment. You can then create your own 3D friends and keep them happy by playing games with them and giving them gifts! The happier your friends are, the more games you will unlock… you will even unlock new locations to go and explore and play games in!

You can share gifts and friends, and also chat with up to three friends via DS Wireless Communications. Will you be able to keep your friends happy and be the best friend ever?!

This summer, let My Friends take you to a whole new world of fun & games!

My Friends for the Nintendo DS is out now!

Apple gaming has come a long way in a short time, and estimates suggest there are over 13,000 games on the App Store. This means if you've just got yourself a new iPhone 3GS, 3G or iPod touch, the choice may be overwhelming.

Here is our pick of the best iPhone and iPod touch blockbuster games so far, with direct links to the App Store should a game take your fancy.

Link to games and full post here...

Evidence has emerged that Warren Spector's Junction Point Studios is working on a game codenamed "Epic Mickey" for the Wii, offering a dark, steampunk-style take on Mickey Mouse and the Magic Kingdom.

Most of the evidence comes from the rumour-hunter's faithful friend - concept artists' websites - and appears to corroborate a Gamasutra report from late last year that first identified the "Epic Mickey" codename.

Tireless digger Superannuation has turned up the website of concept artist Tony Pulham, whose resumé reveals he recently joined Junction Point to work on "Epic Mickey", and identifies it as a Wii game.

Another Superannuation post unearthed some beautiful concepts for "Epic Mickey" on the website of artist Fred Gambino. Pictures show the Mickey Mouse ears adorning a gigantic, crumbling paddle-steamer, the spires of the Magic Kingdom castle perched atop a twisted tower of rock, and a semi-mechanical "Zombie Goofey" [sic].

Meanwhile, a poster on the NeoGAF forum has found what appear to be the same concepts described in the original Gamasutra report, showing more distorted, nightmarish, mechanical versions of classic Disney characters, including the Seven Dwarves. They come from the artist Gary Glover's site.

Disney Interactive Studios bought Junction Point - which Deus Ex mastermind Spector formed with several other Ion Storm alumni - two years ago. Not long after, it was rumoured - notably in American gaming magazine EGM - that Spector was working on a Mickey Mouse platform game intended to rival Mario.

Last year, Spector said that he was "tired of making games about guys in black leather carrying guns" and that "100-hour games are on the way out". He also revealed that Disney Feature Animation and Pixar were collaborating on Junction Point's game.

And there's more. In an archived Edge interview from E3 2006 - before the Disney acquisition - Spector said: "I want to do a cartoon game really bad - well, really good. People don't realise that I did my Masters thesis on Warner Brothers cartoons, you know - I used to teach animation classes, I've been a Disney stockholder since I was 19. I'm a cartoon freak, I've met a bunch of the old WB directors, and did Toon, the cartoon [pen-and-paper] RPG… And I've been trying to get somebody to let me do a cartoon game for the entire time I’ve been in the videogame business."

In that same interview, Spector even alluded to a project that sounds an awful lot like "Epic Mickey". "I did some concept work on a license with a media company that was very cartoony, and boy, we did some great work," he said. "It was the most fun I've had in a long time, maybe since Deus Ex. The work was phenomenal, and I'll never be able to show it or talk about it with anybody. But hopefully the project will happen. We were gonna let people live in a cartoon world, and it was going to be wacky."

A friend of Eurogamer also once spotted Warren Spector wearing a Mickey Mouse backpack and hoodie in public. True story.

Here's hoping Spector's paymasters at Disney allow him to realise some of the extraordinary vision hinted at by those concept images, because it's mouth-watering stuff. And a long way from the Castle of Illusion...

Source: EuroGamer

Aliens vs Predator is an entirely new title for PC and high-definition consoles from acclaimed British developer Rebellion, the team behind the 1999 original PC gaming classic.

Bringing the most intense war between two of science-fictions most popular characters FPS fans, AvP delivers three outstanding single player campaigns and provides untold hours of unique 3-way multiplayer gaming.



Experience distinctly new and thrilling first person gameplay as you survive, hunt and prey in the deadly jungles and swamps surrounding the damned colony of Freyas Prospect.

El Presidente would like to invite all Xbox 360 gamers to view the delights of the tropical pardise that is Tropico 3. Kalypso Media have today released the very first screenshots for the Xbox 360 version of their forthcoming title. Tropico 3 is the third game in this highly popular and succesful strategy series and will stick to the theme of the original Tropico game.

More screenshots after link...



Tropico 3 on the Xbox 360 will be an almost identical port of the PC version except for some of the interface elements which will be specially adapted for the console. Tropico 3 will mark the publishing debut of Kalypso Media on the Xbox 360 platform.







Tropico 3 on the Xbox 360 will be released shortly after the PC version in the Autumn of 2009.

What does a single-shard, persistent world do for gameplay?
What can one persons actions mean for over 300,000 people?
EVE is an unscripted, emergent experience.

Start exploring Eve Online with a free 14 day trial:
www.eveonline.com/butterfly

In this first ViDoc created by acclaimed developer Bungie, Sgt. Buck, voiced by Nathan Fillion, introduces his team of ODSTs and their mission into covenant occupied New Mombasa.

Gunnery Sergeant Eddie Buck has witnessed more war than any Marine should. He fought alongside Cole at Harvest—somehow managed to make it off of Reach alive. The fact that Buck is still on his feet says more about his mettle than his military dossier ever could. Now the Covenant have found Earth.


Devastated her defenses. Anyone who could have stopped the invasion is dead or gone. But Buck and his squad of Orbital Drop Shock Troopers aren't going to let Earth fall without a fight. These ODSTs may be headed feet first into hell, but they’re going to make damn sure it’s crowded with Covenant when they get there.



Don't forget if you pre-order “Halo 3: ODST” at participating retailers, you will receive a token to unlock grizzled UNSC hero Sgt. Johnson as a playable character in Firefight.

Capcom announce the official site for Ace Attorney INVESTIGATIONS - Miles Edgeworth is up and going at http://ace-attorney.com.

Ace Attorney fans can get the latest info about the game here as well as new screens and artwork.

We had an incredible time at Comic Con 2009. Fans were extremely excited to get their hands on the game. Producer Motohide Eshiro was on location, meeting fans and signing autographs.

Ace Attorney INVESTIGATIONS - Miles Edgeworth, will hit the U.S on February 16, 2010 for the Nintendo DS. This time around, the player takes on the role of famed prosecutor Miles Edgeworth, a memorable rival of charismatic legal eagle Phoenix Wright. Edgeworth actively investigates crime scenes in order to pursue the truth behind each case. By solving the challenging puzzles presented to him, Edgeworth will work with the police to bring criminals to justice.

Accompanying Title Update Offers New FREE Multiplayer Mode; Download the F.E.A.R. 2: Reborn Demo on August 27

From September 3, F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin fans will be able to download four all-new single-player levels in the exclusive F.E.A.R. 2: Reborn DLC campaign from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Monolith Studios, for a brand new gameplay experience on the PlayStation Network for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and Windows PC.

F.E.A.R. 2: Reborn lets players experience four new single-player missions that coincide with the events in F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, and a simultaneous automatic title-update provides a free Slow-Mo Deathmatch multiplayer mode for use with F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin multiplayer content. A robust game demo of F.E.A.R. 2 Reborn will be released on August 27.

• Four All New Levels: Face the chaos of Alma’s aftermath from an entirely new point of view: that of Replica Soldier Foxtrot813. As gamers begin the mission as part of an orbital Powered Armor drop to reinforce their squad, the ruined city of Auburn emanates supernatural events and familiar voices, beckoning Foxtrot813 to go against orders from Replica command. Be careful, not everything is as it seems…

• Slow-Mo Deathmatch: Through a free title update, gamers obtain a slow-mo powerup to slow down enemies in multiplayer deathmatch, thus gaining a distinct short-term advantage. The longer players hold onto the slow-mo powerup, the more objective points are accumulated, contributing to the overall score. Watch out though, whoever has slow-mo ability becomes a bigger target to everyone else!

Additionally, launching on August 13 is a brand new F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin premium theme for 240 Microsoft Points and picture pack for 80 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360, as well as a new theme for PLAYSTATION 3. F.E.A.R. 2: Reborn is the third robust DLC pack available for F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, and will become available for Windows PC at a later date. The “Toy Soldiers” map pack launched April 16, with the “Armored Front” map pack following soon after on May 21.

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

Kuju Entertainment and developer doublesix today announced the opening of the first graveyard in PlayStation Home, in the brand-new Burn Zombie Burn! PlayStation Home Space.

The creepy new Burn Zombie Burn! PlayStation Home Space incorporates the fun, cartoony art style and quirky sense of humor that make Burn Zombie Burn! a rollicking zombie-killing adventure. Players wandering the Burn Zombie Burn! graveyard, filled with statues, crypts and a maze, will find surprises around every corner.

The Burn Zombie Burn! PlayStation Home Space includes three crypts, and those brave enough to explore them will find the first two filled with Burn Zombie Burn! goodies and extras, including a challenging hedge maze mini-game for up to six players. The third crypt, on the other hand, remains a mystery, though music and flashing lights offer some clue as to what lies behind the stone door. Curious zombie-slayers will need to master the timed mini-game if they want to discover the third crypt's secrets.

For more on Burn Zombie Burn! head to www.burnzombieburn.com, and for Burn Zombie Burn! walkthroughs provided by the doublesix team, check out the dedicated YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/doublesixgames.

About Burn Zombie Burn!
Set across six classic American-horror-movie inspired levels, Burn Zombie Burn! is a top-down, arena-based shoot-em-up in the classic coin-op tradition featuring next-gen game-play mechanics and possessing that 'one-more-go' addictiveness which defines all of the great shooters.

The aim of the game couldn't be simpler; shoot, burn and blow-up as many brain-munching zombies as possible. Use fire to build up your multiplier and then destroy zombies en masse with explosives to increase that oh-so-important leaderboard high score. But beware! A burning zombie is a faster zombie - burn too many and they will overwhelm you.

Burn Zombie Burn! is frantic, arcade gaming at its best - delivering dark humor and bloody zombie violence in copious amounts!

It’s only been a month since the launch of Spore Galactic Adventures and already EA’s Maxis studio has hit a major milestone with more than 100,000 user-created adventures! Spore fans have taken creativity to new heights, creating imaginative, wacky and fun missions with the game’s easy-to-use Adventure Creator. Dive in today and play various imaginative and epic Adventures such as “The Silent Beacon,” “Valley of a Thousand Deaths” and “The Fog” by visiting the game’s Sporepedia at www.spore.com

Expanding on the original Spore game, the Spore Galactic Adventures expansion pack gets your creature out of its spaceship and exploring colorful and wacky new planets. Players can turn their creatures into space captains, battle epic monsters in intergalactic arenas and engage in intense planet-side races. In each mission, players earn experience to rank up their captain and earn game-changing items such as the Plasma Pulser and Swarm Magnet. In addition to the adventures in the box, players can download 10 all-new adventures created by the writers of the outrageously funny, pop-culture parody TV show, Robot Chicken.

To support Spore’s dedicated fan community, www.spore.com features a bevy of fun content including additional downloadable adventures, contests and news.

Available for PC and MAC for $29.99, Spore Galactic Adventures is rated E10+ by the ESRB. The Robot Chicken adventures are rated TEEN by the ESRB. As an expansion pack, Spore Galactic Adventures requires the original Spore game to play.

To learn more about Spore Galactic Adventures or to download a free trial of the Spore Creature Creator, please visit www.spore.com.

Try your hand at battling for supremacy over Europe in this new playable demo!

Matrix and Wastelands announce the release of a playable demo for WW2: Time of Wrath. Coming on the heels of the release of the successful release of this new grand strategy game, the demo offers gamers a chance to experience World War II on a massive scale.

The demo is available from Patches Scrolls, Gamer’s Hell, Strategy Informer, Fan gaming, and Worth Downloading.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Any fan of World War II strategy should give the Time of Wrath demo a download. It doesn’t take much time to pick up the game and start battling it out across Europe and Time of Wrath is one of the best game systems on the market when it comes to recreating the Second World War!”

From the front lines in France and Russia to the deserts of North Africa and the airfields and convoys of Britain, the campaigns of World War II are yours to command in WW2: Time of Wrath! This turn-based grand strategy title, the highly improved and expanded sequel to WW2: Road to Victory, puts the player in charge of the political, economic and military decisions of one or more Axis or Allied nations, including minor nations. A diplomacy system based on political points allows you to sway possible allies to your side. An upgraded and expanded naval combat system includes fleet engagements, combat patrols, massive aircraft carriers, elusive raiders and U-Boats as well as a convoy system.

Concentrate precious industrial resources on building, training and upgrading a wide variety of combat units from airborne soldiers and armored divisions up to nuclear weapons! Historical leaders enhance the performance of your armies and hundreds of historical events like the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, Lend-Lease and more give you choices that can change the course of history. WW2: Time of Wrath is fought across turns that vary in length by season and 25 km hexes with divisions and corps, giving the player a broad strategic picture of the war while still leaving enough room for operational decisions.

Get more information on WW2: Time of Wrath from its official product page and be sure to get the demo from this list of mirrors.

Mindemia announce that their puzzle board game, Room Boom - Suburbia is available for Mac users.

In Room Boom - Suburbia, players try to gain control over a suburban neighborhood by building and selling houses. Anything from hiring corrupt demonstrators to leveling opponents houses to the ground is allowed in the way to victory!

Room Boom: Suburbia blends puzzle action with a multiplayer board game in a unique way, suitable both for a gathering of friends or family, as well as single player sessions against computer controlled opponents.

Mindemia is also proud to reveal that a free addon pack is currently in production. 'The Bum Expansion' will contain two new elements on the board, bringing more complexity and fun to the game; The Bum: A vagrant has taken his residence in peaceful Suburbia. He will seemingly mindlessly wander across the board, scare potential Buyers away and halve revenue and rent wherever he decides to stop and rest.
Buyers: The word is spreading about the building skills of the local house builders, and people are lining up for new houses. If a Buyer is waiting in an area, the next house built there will generate an additional 50% in revenue. Just make sure to build it before The Bum arrives, or they will look elsewhere!
'The Bum Expansion' will be available for free for all who own the full version of Room Boom: Suburbia.

For more information about Room Boom: Suburbia, and a free demo, visit:
http://www.roomboomsuburbia.com

Multi-instrument Musical Mayhem on Nintendo DS!

Aksys Games is pleased to release Rockin' Pretty, a music simulation game, exclusively for Nintendo DS today! Developed by Arc System Works, creators of Princess On Ice, players will once again test their music-rhythm prowess to the beats of hard rock! Choose between four hard rocking instruments such as the guitar, bass, drums, or keyboard and rock your way to stardom! Will you be able to take your lovely girls to fame!?

Rockin' Pretty utilizes the stylus to tap or strum to the hard hitting music of Rockin Pretty. With intuitive game mechanics, players will take our lovely girls through various performance venues and gain star power. Using the stars collected from each level, players will be able to unlock new outfits, hairstyles, and instruments.

"Don't let the glitz and glam fool you! Boys and girls will find themselves rockin' out while playing Rockin' Pretty." says Frank deWindt II, Project Lead, Aksys Games. "If you love musical rhythm games, you'll fall head over heels for Rockin'
Pretty!"

Key Features:

• A Tale of Music and Love
A great family story of teenage proportions, will our beloved girls pick love, or their love for music?!

• To Trade Or Not To Trade
Using local wireless connectivity, players will be able to trade items, outfits, and instruments they unlock with friends and family!

• Fame Is All You Need!
Earn your audience's love and watch your girl's appearance change!

• On The Road To Stardom!
Perform your heart out at eight tour events, ranging from basic open-mic nights to stardom arena venues!

CompuExpert announced today that Patch 1.004 has gone live in PC flight simulation Rise of Flight - The First Great Air War.

The new update to Rise of Flight includes a number of improvements to the combat flight simulator's interface. A new chat system has been implemented in network play, allowing players to communicate more easily. The flight map can now be accessed and navigated more conveniently, and menus and screens throughout the game have been improved. A profile statistics screen now tracks and displays a wide variety of statistics, keeping players up-to-date with data about their accomplishments.

A number of improvements have been made to Rise of Flight's multiplayer capabilities. In addition to the new chat system, connecting to other players for networked games is now easier, and server creation is now fully functional.

Two new airplanes have also been added to Rise of Flight with the update. The British S.E.5a biplane and the German Pfalz D.IIIa fighter join the other meticulously rendered World War I era planes.

Also included are improvements to the artificial intelligence that allow computer-controlled planes to fly and fight more effectively, increasing the simulator's challenge and realism.

About Rise of Flight
Rise of Flight is a World War I PC flight-simulation title from Moscow-based developer neoqb. The flight simulator, set in the Western Front in 1917, was built on the newly developed Digital Nature engine. More than 125,000 square kilometers of the territory have been redrawn from 20th Century maps. Rise of Flight allows virtual pilots to fly the famous Spad XIII, Fokker D.VII, Albatros D.Va and Nieuport 28 biplanes in exciting dogfight battles. Featuring advanced physics, flight and damage models, Rise of Flight promises a realistic, challenging and fun experience for simulation fans of all stripes and skill levels. Rise of Flight also implements full 6 DOF TrackIR support and is compatible with the TripleHead2Go multi-monitor system from Matrox.

Consumers can purchase Rise of Flight at: Amazon.com, GoGamer.com, NewEgg.com, NCIX.com, FSPilotShop.com, Fry's Electronics, Microcenter, Wal-MartCanada and other fine retailers.

Atlus went live with the full website for Demon's Souls a groundbreaking action RPG experience for PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. With new content and game information, plus updates planned from now until the game launches, the official site is a must-visit for hardcore gamers.

Over time, new details will be revealed about the various characters and demons players will encounter and weapons and spells at their disposal, as well as tips on character growth to aid players in their challenging quest.

Additionally, there will be in-depth explanations of the groundbreaking online gameplay system, access to the official Demon's Souls blog and Wiki pages, up-to-date news and coverage, and much more. Fans can also use a special banner code to let them "Drop a Soul Sign" on social networking sites they frequent, letting others know that Demon's Souls is coming to North America!

The press conference announcing the site's launch was overseen by Atlus' supercomputer and coffee maker, AtlusA.R.A.M.

"This website is the culmination of many hours of labor," droned the automaton. "On it, humans will find information about the upcoming game Demon's Souls. It will be expanded over time. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS!?"

Visit the official website: http://www.demons-souls.com

The website's launch coincides with the expansion of Demon's Souls' pre-order bonus at participating retailers. Atlus recently revealed that fans who reserve either edition of the game at participating retailers will receive a 40-page art book and a music CD featuring the game's full soundtrack, all at no additional cost.

Visit the special pre-order site: http://www.demons-souls.com/preorder.php

Demon's Souls for PLAYSTATION 3 system is scheduled for North American release on October 6, 2009. The Standard Edition will retail with an MSRP of $59.99, and the Deluxe Edition, which includes a 150+ page strategy guide and collectible slipcase, will retail with an MSRP of $69.99.

About Demon's Souls
King Allant the XII, the last king of Boletaria, searched tirelessly to expand his might. The Nexus, a great ice shrine nestled in the mountains, bestowed the power of the souls onto him, bringing prosperity to his kingdom. Still unsated, he returned again to the Nexus, where he foolishly awakened the Old One from its eternal slumber. This long forgotten evil, now wrought upon Boletaria, plunged the realm into darkness and fog. A mighty demon horde poured into the kingdom, devouring the souls of men.

Champions from other realms learned of Boletaria's fate and sought to deliver the kingdom from evil; none would return from the cursed land. Called upon by a mysterious maiden in black, you go forth, the last hope for humanity in a place lost to demons and darkness...

Key Features
• Ultimate hardcore RPG challenge - In this brutal land, death is inevitable, but not final. Combining the best features of an action game and RPG, you'll slice, smash, shoot, and ensorcel some of the most horrible, vicious enemies ever encountered. Are you strong enough to face the impossible and win?
• Groundbreaking online capabilities - Network features go far beyond any previous RPG, allowing players to leave hints for each other, replay death scenes, cooperatively revive dead players, or invade another player's game to wreak havoc. Not merely an add-on feature, multiplayer options are vast, and uniquely focused on changing and intensifying the single player experience.
• Freeform and flexible - The open-ended structure of the game means that there is no single path, but rather a wealth of options. Set your own pace and progress as you like. Build exactly the character you want by creating a detailed avatar, nurturing the right stats, and customizing your skills and equipment.
• You act, the world reacts - The World Tendency system changes the aggressiveness of monsters and the rewards for killing them based on players' actions. Different events and NPCs may be triggered, as well.

Watchmen Part 2

Morally Superior
Reward: 36 Points
Objective: Complete the game as Nite Owl.

Street Justice
Reward: 36 Points
Objective: Complete the game as Rorschach.

Martial Artist
Reward: 15 Points
Objective: Perform all 8 Nite Owl combos within 60 seconds.

Feral Fighter
Reward: 15 Points
Objective: Perform all 8 Rorschach combos within 60 seconds.

You Tag 'em - I Bag 'em
Reward: 11 Points
Objective: Eliminate an enemy that your partner has knocked down or thrown in your direction.

Focus Fire
Reward: 11 Points
Objective: Take down 10 enemies in a row finishing off each of them before doing damage to anybody else.

Electric Explosion
Reward: 8 Points
Objective: Hit 14 enemies with a single electrify armor blast.

Rrarararghgh!!!
Reward: 8 Points
Objective: Sustain a single rage mode for 60 seconds.

Ping Pong
Reward: 8 Points
Objective: Hit at least 4 different enemies while building up a combo.

Unending Combo
Reward: 8 Points
Objective: String a single uninterrupted combo that's at least 10 hits long.

Gentleman
Reward: 8 Points
Objective: Complete Chapter III without hitting any ladies before they hit you.

Watchmen Part 1

Psycho
Reward: 36 Points
Objective: Complete the game in Rorschach mode.

Hero
Reward: 36 Points
Objective: Complete the game in Nite Owl mode.

Teamwork
Reward: 36 Points
Objective: Complete the game in co-op mode.

Thief
Reward: 15 Points
Objective: Find all abilities and pickups in Rorschach mode.

Detective
Reward: 15 Points
Objective: Find all abilities and pickups in Nite Owl mode.

Untouchable
Reward: 11 Points
Objective: Go unharmed for an entire level, without restarting from a checkpoint.

Turbo
Reward: 11 Points
Objective: Complete the game in less than 80 minutes in one session, without restarting from a checkpoint.

Vigilante
Reward: 8 Points
Objective: Eliminate 20 bad guys in 101 seconds.

Shield
Reward: 8 Points
Objective: Dodge or block 25 incoming attacks.

Strong Arm
Reward: 8 Points
Objective:Knock 100 people over, by throwing other people into them.

Retaliator
Reward: 8 Points
Objective: Perform 200 counter attacks.

Exterminator
Reward: 8 Points
Objective: Perform 250 finishing moves.

Kuju Entertainment and developer doublesix announced today that Burn Zombie Burn! on PlayStation Network is getting an update.

Players can now incinerate zombies to their favorite music, thanks to a new custom-soundtrack option, while new video-capture and uploading capabilities make it easy for zombie-slayers to immortalize their finest moments and share them with friends.

Today's patch also includes a teaser trailer for Burn Zombie Burn! In Space, coming in the next expansion pack, and fixes scoring issues in the Burn Zombie Burn! leaderboard.

For more on Burn Zombie Burn! head to www.burnzombieburn.com, and for Burn Zombie Burn! walkthroughs provided by the doublesix team, check out the dedicated YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/doublesixgames and become a Fan on the Facebook Page www.facebook.com/burnzombieburn.

About Burn Zombie Burn!
Set across six classic American-horror-movie inspired levels, Burn Zombie Burn! is a top-down, arena-based shoot-em-up in the classic coin-op tradition featuring next-gen game-play mechanics and possessing that 'one-more-go' addictiveness which defines all of the great shooters.

The aim of the game couldn't be simpler; shoot, burn and blow-up as many brain-munching zombies as possible. Use fire to build up your multiplier and then destroy zombies en masse with explosives to increase that oh-so-important leaderboard high score. But beware! A burning zombie is a faster zombie - burn too many and they will overwhelm you.



Burn Zombie Burn is frantic, arcade gaming at its best - delivering dark humor and bloody zombie violence in copious amounts!

The Xbox 360 and PC versions of id's Rage sport higher framerates than the PlayStation 3 version, the latest issue of Edge magazine reveals.

In a ten-page reveal in its latest issue, Edge writes that the Xbox 360 version of Rage - which uses id's new Tech 5 engine - matches the 60fps framerate of the PC version, while PS3 runs at just "20-30fps".

It's not mentioned whether the PS3 framerate will be addressed by the game's eventual release.

"The PS3 lags a little bit behind in terms of getting the performance out of it," John Carmack told Edge. "The rasteriser is just a little bit slower - no two ways about that.

"The RSX is slower than what we have in the 360. The CPU is about the same, but the 360 makes it easier to split things off, and that's what a lot of the work has been, splitting it all into jobs on the PS3," he said.

The PS3 edition was thought to be the most technically capable of the console pair, thanks to id being able to squeeze the gigantic shooter onto a single-player Blu-ray disc, compared to Xbox 360's four DVDs.



The developer also confirmed that a Mac version of Rage is still in development.

Source: CVG

Today GameTap released two new games for their games-on-demand service, Zoo Tycoon 2 and Turtix.

Zoo Tycoon 2 brings the series update to date with a 3D engine and even more animals, shops, and exhibits to help you build and maintain the animal sanctuary of your dreams.

Turtix is a 2D platformer that evokes the hop ‘n’ bop games of the 16-bit era with illustrative graphic flair.

New Releases For Subscription Service, Available 07.30.09:
Zoo Tycoon 2- It's back to the zoo! With Zoo Tycoon 2, you are once again in charge of your very own zoo, with dozens of animals to choose from. And with the new Guest Mode, you can walk around, take care of the animals, and see your zoo as it's never been seen before - in full 3D. Keep your animals fed and happy and your guests entertained and you'll be a true zoo tycoon in no time.
http://www.gametap.com/video-games/Zoo-Tycoon-2-20001162-0.html

Turtix- The islands used to be a peaceful, happy place, protected by a powerful magic amulet. One day, however, a young student named Turtix goofed on a spell and broke the amulet! Now the islands have been invaded by enemies, and Turtix must go forth and fix his mistake by recovering the pieces of the amulet in this fun platforming adventure.
http://www.gametap.com/video-games/Turtix-20001138-0.html

Next Week’s Release: Arx Fatalis

Free Game Of The Week, 07.30.09 – 08.05.09:
King Of Fighters 2003- The King of Fighters tournament is back, this time hosted by an unknown patron. But (as usual!) the tournament has sinister underpinnings, and someone - or something - once again seeks the power of the demon Orochi. There’s only one way to bring an end to this sinister plot, and it involves a lot of butt-kicking!
http://www.gametap.com/video-games/The-King-of-Fighters-2003-20000933-0.html

The complete list of free games can be found here: http://www.gametap.com/video-games/free-pack-games.html

KOEI dedicates WARRIORS OROCHI 2 for PSP (PlayStation Portable) system to the fans with exclusive game content and two new minisites

KOEI, recognized worldwide as the premier brand of strategy and action games, today announced that WARRIORS OROCHI 2 for PSP (PlayStation Portable) system has reached gold status. The Tactical Action game ships on August 25th, 2009, and comes packed with exclusive content for the PSP system including: new playable characters, new scenarios, and a Japanese voice option.

Gamers can pre-order the game now from Amazon, Best Buy, Game Crazy, GameFly, and GameStop.

To celebrate the upcoming release, KOEI is launching two sites for the game. There's the official product site, and a new minisite conceived with KOEI's legions of hardcore fans in mind.

With the new minisite, dubbed "Warriors Orochi 2 Dedicated," KOEI is giving its fans WARRIORS OROCHI 2 music tracks and over a dozen specially-modified high-resolution movie clips all of which fans can use free-of-charge to create their own anime music videos (AMVs) or fan videos.

Visit the "Warriors Orochi 2 Dedicated" site today at koei.com/wo2dedicated. Learn more about WARRIORS OROCHI 2 on the official product mini site at koei.com/wo2psp

About WARRIORS OROCHI 2
Shattering time and space, the venomous Serpent King Orochi kidnapped history's greatest warriors in a scheme to test his might. The heroes eventually defeated Orochi and his menacing army. Now the slain Orochi lies in the netherworld, and a mysterious alliance is hatching a plan to resurrect Orochi.

With four different storylines featuring characters from SAMURAI WARRIORS® and DYNASTY WARRIORS®, WARRIORS OROCHI 2 includes three new game modes: Dream, VS and Survival, as well as "Tag Team"-style matches that pit fighters in head-to-head arena combat.

A star-studded lineup boasts 96 playable characters including the massive boar-like Gyuki and the faceless Dodomeki. New playable characters exclusive to the PSP system include the graceful San Zang and the warrior-monk Benkei.

New features exclusive to the PSP system also include: 2-Player VS mode plus Co-op play in Story, Free and Dream modes, 12 new scenarios in Dream mode, and a Japanese and English voice option.

WARRIORS OROCHI 2 for the PSP system is developed by KOEI Canada and based on an original work by Omega Force. Play is for 1 to 2 players. Multi-player play is via ad-hoc wireless only. This game is rated "T" (Teen – Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence) by the ESRB.

Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) and Wastelands Interactive (www.wastelands-interactive.com) are pleased to announce the release of a playable demo for WW2: Time of Wrath.

Coming on the heels of the release of the successful release of this new grand strategy game, the demo offers gamers a chance to experience World War II on a massive scale.

The demo is available from Patches Scrolls, Gamer’s Hell, Strategy Informer, Fan gaming, and Worth Downloading.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Any fan of World War II strategy should give the Time of Wrath demo a download. It doesn’t take much time to pick up the game and start battling it out across Europe and Time of Wrath is one of the best game systems on the market when it comes to recreating the Second World War!”

From the front lines in France and Russia to the deserts of North Africa and the airfields and convoys of Britain, the campaigns of World War II are yours to command in WW2: Time of Wrath! This turn-based grand strategy title, the highly improved and expanded sequel to WW2: Road to Victory, puts the player in charge of the political, economic and military decisions of one or more Axis or Allied nations, including minor nations. A diplomacy system based on political points allows you to sway possible allies to your side. An upgraded and expanded naval combat system includes fleet engagements, combat patrols, massive aircraft carriers, elusive raiders and U-Boats as well as a convoy system.



Concentrate precious industrial resources on building, training and upgrading a wide variety of combat units from airborne soldiers and armored divisions up to nuclear weapons! Historical leaders enhance the performance of your armies and hundreds of historical events like the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, Lend-Lease and more give you choices that can change the course of history. WW2: Time of Wrath is fought across turns that vary in length by season and 25 km hexes with divisions and corps, giving the player a broad strategic picture of the war while still leaving enough room for operational decisions.

Mythic Entertainment announce that the critically acclaimed MMORPG, Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning (WAR), is being developed for the Mac computer platform and is currently being offered in beta version. The Mac version of WAR is scheduled for official release in the fall of 2009, when players on both platforms will be able to battle and quest together on the same servers.

The beta of the Mac version of Warhammer Online will allow current players to download a client to their Mac computers and play with their live game accounts. Players who do not have an existing live account, but are interested in playing WAR on the Mac, will be able to participate in the beta version of WAR on Mac by downloading a 10-day beta trial account. As part of the WAR Mac beta event, players who participate will receive an exclusive title and trophy reward for their characters within the game.

“The MMORPG audience continues to expand, and that means gamers eager to experience WAR aren’t all playing on a PC,” said Jeff Hickman, Executive Producer of Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. “We want as many players as possible to experience the glory of Realm vs. Realm combat, and bringing WAR to the Mac makes this an exciting reality.”

WAR for the Mac is made possible using the CiderTM Portability Engine from TransGaming (TSX-V: TNG) that acts as a "wrapper" around the game software, enabling it to run seamlessly on Intel-based Macs. TransGaming’s Cider technology allows Mythic Entertainment to rapidly enable and deploy WAR for the Mac, providing a new high quality gaming experience to the ever-growing Mac gaming community.

“The availability of WAR on Mac is an outstanding example of the caliber of games being deployed for the Mac gaming community,” commented Vikas Gupta, CEO & President of TransGaming. “Mythic Entertainment has created an incredible game and TransGaming is thrilled they have chosen our advanced Cider technology to launch WAR for the Mac.”

To download the beta version of WAR for Mac or the 10-day beta trial, please visit: www.warhammeronline.com/mac.

Based on the popular tabletop war game from Games Workshop, Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning features revolutionary Realm vs. Realm conflict that will provide players with an engaging battleground for years to come. Available now for PC and rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB, WAR will be available for the Mac in the fall of 2009. For more information or to download the 10-day free trial, visit http://www.warhammeronline.com/.

This history born from the remote past…

Gods which were ruling the Universe, decided to create a new life a new world and 3 new races to populate it. And so Human, willing to know everything about the beings, Nordic, fighters which respect only honor and courage and Elves, nature and harmony sons, born in ARENA World.
The Mind God was the ruler of this world and he begun to teach to Human beings how to use the strength with the aim to create an absolute power to rule the world over the other races.

But Gods discovered this plan and their rage was terrible: Mind God should be killed and it was the war…

ARENA Online, published by Kalicanthus Entertainment, is the new MMORPG 3D Fantasy free to play, available on www.arenaonline.eu .

The world is inspired to Celtic and Slavic legends and each player can choose a race to play and each race fight against the other two. Each character’s template can be completely personalized and the growth of the character is skills based so each player can create a Mage or a Warrior or any hybrid combination. To get experience players can do hundreds of quests, can get experience killing mob also in group or killing other player’s race.

The entire world is Realm vs. Realm based with some locations free of fight. Players can organize themselves in guilds, but members must belong to one race and can participate to castle siege every day. Guilds conquering a castle can earn Platinum defending it.

There are many events in the game like castle sieges, treasure chest event, tournaments, Coliseum battles and so on. There is a crafting system well developed and players can create their own weapons or armors to increase their skills but they can also gather resources to get money and create potions or enchantments.

ARENA is continuously updated and new features are added every week.

Wizardry, battles, God palace.. an hard MMO for hard players.. This is ARENA Online.. Only for the brave!

New game from publisher Game Life, ‘Easy Piano’. The fun and educational new game lets players enjoy the most realistic piano experience ever on DS thanks to its unique 8-note full-octave keyboard peripheral. The various game modes will guide players’ first steps in the piano world and offer the chance for more practiced players to play all-time classics. The game is scheduled for release in November 2009 in Europe and PAL regions.

Whether you are playing along with different tracks from the game or learning the piano, for the first time on DS players will be able to practice on a real keyboard and be tutored in the correct finger movements and skills required to become a mobile virtuoso. The 8-note piano keyboard peripheral represents a complete musical octave, but players will have access to a full three octave range while playing. Players can also choose from piano, guitar or a number of other instruments included with the game depending on how the mood takes them or what their chosen musical opus demands.

The game’s tracklisting contains 40 of some of the world’s most famous songs, spanning time and genres to offer something for everyone. Discover how to play Mozart, or Beethoven then switch styles to hammer out Bohemian Rhapsody, Bittersweet Symphony, Every Breath You Take or even The Jingle Bells theme tune. With 2 different difficulty modes, everyone can have fun testing and improving their keyboard skills.

The creation mode allows players to record up to four 3-minute-long masterpieces, with tools giving everyone the chance to enhance their creativity. Beginners can use simplified staves to assist and practice, while those with more honed skills can get straight into recording their live performances. After listening and correcting the work of one hand, players will then be able to add a second hand to the recording.

The lesson mode is specifically designed for people discovering the wonders of piano playing for the first time, with a series of 10 involving lessons and a host of mini-games to teach the basics of playing and music in a way that never fails to entertain.

Gameforge announce the opening of a new client-based MMOG, Gates of Andaron. Gamers will be introduced to the battle between the kingdoms of Valorian and Derion in the Gates of Andaron. The fantasy game, developed by Korean MMOG developer Zemi Interactive, is available for free to courageous fortune-seekers everywhere at www.gatesofandaron.com.

War has ravaged the kingdoms of Valorian and Derion. Those who were once allies are now hostile enemies. While the origin of the conflict has been lost over time, both kingdoms have created their own versions of the story behind the bloody conflict. The only thing certain is that the key to ending the war between the two kingdoms lies hidden in ancient, almost-forgotten tales and sagas. The quest to reveal the truth and end the everlasting struggle is a task for only the bravest of adventurers.

Whether playing as a human, feline or fairy, as an ally to one of the warring kingdoms you will face deadly challenges that can only be surmounted through the might of sword and power of magic. Not only will your journey take you through the world of modern Iberia, but it will transport you to distant lands deep in the depths of Andaron's history. In Gates of Andaron, terrifying monsters and epic battles await as you rise above the betrayal and become a hero for all eternity.

Gates of Andaron features:

• R.S.C.S. - Real-time Strategic Command System: For fast-paced combat situations, the Real-time Strategic Command System helps you keep an overview, stay in control, and lead your combatants into battle quickly and conveniently.
• Motivating PvP Scoring System: While conquering terrain and completing special missions in grueling player versus player (PvP) battles, earn valuable honor and achievement points that enable you to purchase additional, exclusive items for your character.
• Expansive Customization Options: The crafting system allows you to create your own armor. With the help of skilled NPC's and special items, you are able to add improvements and visual effects to your weapons and equipment and prepare helpful potions.
• Cooperative Gameplay: Having another player by your side not only provides camaraderie, but allows you to share life energy and collect experience points together as you progress through challenging battles.

New Quarantine Mode includes a new map, weapons and has players turning into zombies, running amok and spreading their contagion to other players

Nexon America announce Quarantine Mode, a new content update for its popular multiplayer online first-person shooter (FPS), Combat Arms. The new play mode introduces player-versus-zombie combat where players compete as soldiers or as infected zombies. The mission for players: to either survive and destroy the infected or infect as many humans as possible. Players can acquire the updated game now at http://combatarms.nexon.net.

Quarantine Mode is introduced as “Operation: Overdose,” on a new map to Combat Arms. On this map, players are randomly selected at the start of each match to become a zombie. Players chosen for the “infected” team must try to infect anyone that crosses their path. Zombie players will use a melee attack to infect other players. Infect all players and zombies win. Humans have two ways to win – survive the mission timer or destroy all of the infected.

For the uninfected, it won’t be easy to fight off the zombies, who are immune to poison, extremely resistant to bullets and moderately resistant to fire, explosives and melee attacks. Zombies are also not affected by critical hits. Infected players have double the normal stamina and have an increased amount of health. Players will need to use their weapons to keep the zombies away with the weapon knockback feature and work with teammates to use strategy to defeat the hordes of walking dead.

“This isn’t the usual zombies invading, eating your brains type of scenario,” said Min Kim, Nexon America’s vice president of marketing. “In Quarantine Mode, the fun doesn’t end with fending off zombies. Even if you get infected, you can continue playing as a zombie and spread the zombie bug to your friends and other soldiers. This makes for a messy, gooey fun fight with only the stoutest soldier able to avoid becoming a chew toy.”

The new Combat Arms update also includes a variety of new deadly weapons including a flame thrower, new assault rifles and shotguns to its roster of deadly armaments. Quarantine Mode is the latest major update Nexon America added to Combat Arms, which has seen more than three billion kills since launching last summer.

From the studio that brought MLB 09 The Show, SCEA San Diego presents NBA 10 The Inside. NBA action is back once again for hoops on-the-go with NBA 10 The Inside for the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system. Combining the perfect blend of arcade and simulation basketball along with a host of unique mini-games, NBA 10 The Inside delivers an engaging NBA experience with quick action and fluid gameplay. This year’s effort expands on the franchise by offering the most diverse and feature-rich handheld NBA action available.

New this year is the expanded Conquest Mode, with three original features where players will take on the entire country and battle in the classic acquisition style of Conquest while playing Dodgeball, Give & Go, or MiniQuest which allows players to choose from 1 of 4 mini-games. In addition, two new mini-games have been brought into the mix—Open Lanes, a traditional 10 frame bowling game, and Cherry Pickin,’ a puzzle based mini-game with an NBA feel, both of which players can enjoy anytime, anywhere. NBA 10 The Inside also brings back all of the popular mini-games from years past. From the Skee-Ball-like Hot Shot to basketball-themed pinball tables, all are available to provide fast and engaging action that further adds to the stable of traditional and non-traditional basketball gameplay.

Refined gameplay mechanics and Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) also help to create a more realistic and action-oriented experience. And, with expanded play-by-play and audio commentary from Kenny Smith and Ian Eagle, NBA 10 The Inside delivers an unrivaled experience for basketball fans and gamers alike.

KEY FEATURES

* New Quest Modes

- DodgeQuest – Players will battle teams head-to-head in an attempt to take over the entire country while playing the Dodgeball mini-game. In-game power ups and player upgrades have also been added to the traditional Dodgeball mode for depth.
- Give&GoQuest – Players will face off on the Give & Go mini-game as they battle other cities and acquire players in an attempt to take over the entire country.
- MiniQuest – New Conquest mode lets players take over the entire country and choose from either Dodgeball, Conquest, Elimination, or Give & Go each time two cities battle one another.

* New Mini-Games

- Open Lanes – A traditional 10 frame bowling mini-game with an NBA look and feel.
- Cherry Pickin’ – A puzzle based mini-game where players shoot colored orbs that stick to the game board, which is made of additional colored orbs. The goal is to line up at least three orbs of the same color to remove them from the board. The overall objective is to clear out all orbs on the game board to proceed to the next level.
- Classics – Shootin’ Bricks, Block A Shot, Big Shooter, Pinball and more classic mini-games return in NBA 10 The Inside.

* Expanded Play-by-Play and Color Commentary

- Ian Eagle returns to provide new play-by-play and in-depth analysis, along with fresh color commentary from former NBA star Kenny Smith.

* Realistic Animations – Running at 60 FPS, NBA 10 The Inside incorporates tandem animation technologies to produce ultra realistic player interactions. Additionally, motion capture data delivers smooth gameplay and lifelike player movements.

* Wireless Multiplayer Gameplay – Compete head-to-head against friends and basketball fans around the country with Ad Hoc connectivity of up to two PSP systems, or link to a network via a wireless local area network (VLAN) access point for multiplayer action nationwide.

LittleBigPlanet, the PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) hit that won various Game of the Year Awards last year and is credited with defining the “creative gaming” genre, is coming to the PSP(PlayStation Portable) for the first time. Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment’s Cambridge Studio in close collaboration with the award-winning Media Molecule team, LittleBigPlanet PSP allows player to bring the beloved Sackboy with them on the go.

LittleBigPlanet PSP is a world of endless possibilities where imagination and creativity is king. In this stylish and stitched-together 3D craft material world, there is fun to be had for all ages, tastes and player types. On this portable LittleBigPlanet there are over 30 new developer-created levels through 7 new themed locations to explore and Play. Players will also find a huge host of materials, tools and stickers to Create objects or even levels that suit their style. And, pivotal to the creative LittleBigPlanet community, players will be able to publish their creations online to Share with others via PLAYSTATION®Network. Levels and objects can then be ranked so the best of the best rise to the top.

PLAY, CREATE & SHARE
The LittleBigPlanet experience starts with players customizing Sackboy, the loveable main character on LittleBigPlanet. From there, players Play and learn about Sackboy’s powers to interact physically with the surrounding environment while navigating through over 30 vibrant themed environments. Players make their way across these worldly levels, avoiding obstacles, solving puzzles and collecting items that can be used to make their own creations.

To Create, players use the simple “Popit” menu system to access all of Sackboy’s materials, stickers, tools to bring their imaginations to life. Here, players have the power to build and move around any object in the game’s colorful landscape. All materials and objects have realistic physical properties and will behave accordingly. With a robust tool set at their disposal, the sky is the limit. Once the object or level is completed, players can publish and Share their creative works with the community via the PLAYSTATION Network. Of course, they can download and explore other players’ creations as well.

LittleBigPlanet continues to bring its revolutionary concept and the most accessible design tools to the videogame industry, this time in a portable form with LittleBigPlanet PSP. On this LittleBigPlanet, the world is full of infinite possibilities, where imagination becomes reality and the powers of creation are firmly in the players’ hands.

KEY FEATURES

PLAY, CREATE, SHARE – LittleBigPlanet PSP allows players to not only play ready-made in-game levels, but to also create their own game levels and share them with others across the world via the PLAYSTATION Network. All while on the go!
CUSTOMIZED EXPERINCE – Whether the player is a fashion designer, an architect, or aspiring video game developer, they can show their talents off with the easy-to-use creation tools to build and share objects or entire levels.
GET CREATIVE – Players will have a full array of stickers, decorations, materials (glass, metal, sponge, polystyrene, cardboard and rubber), bolts (springs, motor and wobble bolts), switches, and rods, to choose from to create their unique game levels for fun or competitive gameplay.
THIRTY NEW LEVELS ACROSS 7 THEMES - LittleBigPlanet PSP delivers new content with new levels and territories to play and explore.

Marvel v Capcom 2 features the biggest roster of challengers to ever square off in a Capcom fighting game, a total of 56 combined brawlers from both the Capcom and Marvel universes. From the world of Capcom comes characters such as Ryu from the Street Fighter series, Jill Valentine from the Resident Evil games and unofficial company mascot Mega Man. Marvel is represented by some of its biggest names, including the Invincible Iron Man, Captain America, the Sentinel of Liberty, and War Machine, Weapon of S.H.I.E.L.D. Players can mix and match from both worlds in order to create their own ideal three man/woman/robot/monster team-up.

Marvel VS Capcom 2 is designed to be a gateway for new players to experience the fun of fighting games while providing a deep system for hardcore fighting fans to dig into. Action is based around colorful, exaggerated attacks that include gigantic projectile attacks (such as Ryu's fireball or Dr. Doom's Plasma Beam) and high-flying aerial moves (like Spider-Man's Maximum Spider or Cammy's Killer Bee Attack). The controls are somewhat simplified from the classic six-button system at the heart of Capcom games like Street Fighter® IV, utilizing a four-button control scheme for the action, with two "assist" buttons that pull in your team members for additional support.
Due to the amazing combination of Marvel and Capcom characters and the game's celebrated fighting system and graphics, MvC2 has been a hotly sought-after title on the game collector's circuit. Previously owned copies for older game consoles have been demanding more than $100 in auctions and at specialty video game outlets. Now players who have been desperately searching out used copies of the game will be able to go hands-on and play online with the same great online experience from Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. Additionally, Capcom has added an optional advanced visual filter that improves the overall appearance of the game and added online modes, including Ranked Matches and the popular Player "Quarter" Match, that allows up to four people to watch and chat while two others are battling it out.
Key features

Features
• Over 50 characters from the Marvel and Capcom Universes!
• 3 on 3 tag-team matches
• New online matching mode, including Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix’s “Quarter Match” mode ; enjoy the arcade experience from your console
• New optional visual filter smoothes out the game’s graphics
• Four button controls introduce new players to fighting games; compatible with the Mad Catz Street Fighter IV joysticks and Fight Pad
• Available for the first time via digital distribution on Xbox LIVE Arcade and the PlayStation Network

By now, many of you are Hulk Smashing over Xbox Live, and if you're not ... what are you waiting for?

Actually, while you download Marvel vs. Capcom 2, watch our latest video from the MvC2 Mix Tape. This track from Planet Asia and DJ Toure is called "Superheroes."



You can't deny the bad-assery of this video and the album as a whole. If you didn't win one of our limited MixTape vinyls at Comic-Con, here's the entire track listing. We'll let you know when and where soon, but everyone is going to be able to download the Mix Tape for free. And it's entrirely possible we'll be giving away more of the limited vinyls through Unity. Stay tuned!

1. “Superheroes” by Planet Asia and DJ Toure
2. “Number One” by Havoc and Nyce
3. “Terrorize” by Raekwon and Ohno
4. “The Remainder is One” by Random, Blaze Rock and Storyville
5. “Reinforcements” by DJ Qbert
6. “Take U 4 A Ryde” by Talib Kweli and Ohno
7. “Battle Drum” by Hieroglyphics
8. “Fight the Good Fight” by The Grouch and Eligh
9. “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like They Used To” by E40 and DroopE
10. “Power Up” by MC Supernatural

Source: Capcom blog

Aspyr Media and the leading Eastern and Central European publisher 1C Company release the demo for Death to Spies: Moment of Truth, the sequel to the popular stealth-action title Death to Spies.

The game's main character is Semion Strogov, Captain of the 4th department of the Soviet counterintelligence service called SMERSH. SMERSH literally means in Russian Death to Spies, which was the name for a set of counterintelligence departments in the Soviet Army formed during World War II. Strogov is back from his previous missions and must now participate in a series of even more complicated and exciting military operations under the code name Death to Spies: Moment of Truth.

The demo features a single level from the game called "Polish Surprise." In this level the player infiltrates a Nazi castle to destroy a weapons cache and intercept a radio transmission of top-secret intelligence.

The demo is available at http://files.aspyr.com/support/DTS_Demo_Installer.zip and Death to Spies: Moment of Truth is scheduled for release later this summer.

Multiplay - one of the largest gaming communities in Europe - is pleased to announce it has 5,000 beta keys for S2 Games' Heroes of Newerth. The keys are for the closed beta and will be available from Monday 3rd August from Multiplay's gaming downloads site, www.fileplay.net.

Craig Fletcher, Managing Director of Multiplay said: "We are very pleased to be chosen by S2 Games to release 5000 keys for their highly-anticipated title. This represents the latest in an increasing portfolio of content delivered through the Fileplay site.

Developers and publishers alike are really seeing the benefits of the clean, easy-to-use site for their beta key and file distribution needs. With new features still being launched, such as the High Definition video streaming last week, the site is going from strength to strength."

To coincide with the UK’s largest LAN event, i37 (http://iseries.multiplay.co.uk), Multiplay will be allocating 2,000 of these keys specifically for those attending the event. The remaining 3,000 will be distributed over five days, with 600 available each day. These keys will allow the lucky gamers to join the closed beta and be some of a select few who are enjoying the game in advance of general release.

Demand is immense for what many are calling the next version of DotA, so people need to be fast to secure a key.

Reserve EITHER edition and get a free 40-page art book AND a free soundtrack CD

Atlus - defenders of the macro-transaction (i.e., pay once, get everything), today expanded the free bonus for customers who pre-order Demon's Souls, a groundbreaking action RPG experience for PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system.

In addition to the previously announced 40-page, full-color art book, fans who pre-order at a participating retailer can now also expect to receive a free soundtrack CD featuring music from the game.

The disc, which offers 24 tracks totaling 71 minutes from the game's haunting orchestral score, represents the complete Demon's Souls soundtrack, available for the first time as part of this exclusive North American promotion. The CD will be secured within the inside back cover of the art book, ensuring that existing pre-orders will receive the added bonus disc.

"With its deep, satisfying gameplay and highly innovative online functionality, Demon's Souls is already a tremendous value for PLAYSTATION 3 system owners," stated Aram Jabbari, Manager of PR and Sales at Atlus. "Not content with just that, or possibly suffering from some sort of undetectable mental ailment, we're taking things even further with the expansion of the free pre-order gift being offered to customers. Reserve EITHER edition of the game, Standard or Deluxe, at a participating retailer and receive a 40-page art book and a music CD featuring the game's full soundtrack, all exclusive to North America and at no additional cost to the customer. With this, pre-orders of the Deluxe edition of Demon's Souls become one of the best values in gaming history, and a must-own for collectors and avid fans of the game."

Demon's Souls for PLAYSTATION 3 system is scheduled for North American release on October 6, 2009. The Standard Edition will retail with an MSRP of $59.99, and the Deluxe Edition, which includes a 150+ page strategy guide and collectible slipcase, will retail with an MSRP of $69.99.

After a very successful Closed Beta, Aeria Games has announced that La Tale will be progressing forward into Open Beta on July 30, 2009.

Aeria Games is celebrating the beginning of Open Beta with an exciting leveling event: The run for 80. The first 80 players brave enough to lead the community and reach level 80 will receive a special prize package filled with rare and wonderful in game items. In addition to the Run to 80 event, Aeria has planned for a number of daily events during Open Beta to keep the action moving. Some of these events include bonus experience events, free game items and monster spawns.

La Tale is a unique 2D side-scrolling Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG). Players will find a richly drawn world filled with adventure, puzzles and skilled combat. La Tale brings together traditional console gaming and adds the thrill of an unpredictable multi-player world to deliver endless action packed fun.

The much anticipated new game will join the ranks of successful free-to-play MMOs at Aeria, including Shaiya, Last Chaos, Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine Online, and Dream of Mirror Online. La Tale promises an exhilarating gaming experience to go along with the reputation of high quality service and support of Aeria Games.

Mythic Entertainment, an Electronic Arts studio, today announced that Ultima Online - Mondain’s Legacy, is now available at no charge to subscribers of Ultima Online. Launched in the summer of 2005, the 7th expansion to the legendary MMORPG Ultima Online (UO) introduces the Elven race and several sprawling dungeons to the vast game world. For current Ultima Online subscribers that do not have Mondain’s Legacy, the game client will be automatically updated with the expansion content.

For players that are new to Ultima Online or for those interested in returning to the world, they can download the 14-day free trial which now features all seven expansions, including Mondain’s Legacy. Now all players can experience the Elves, new human racial abilities and new dungeons with dozens of new monsters to battle and weapons to wield.

“Mythic is extremely excited about offering Mondain’s Legacy as a free upgrade to all Ultima Online subscribers, as well as new players who sign up for the 14-day free trial,” said Jeff Hickman, Executive Producer for Mythic Entertainment. “Our goal is to continually provide fresh and rewarding experiences for our thriving UO community. By opening up our 7th expansion to all players, we hope to get everyone excited for the upcoming summer release of our 8th addition, Stygian Abyss.”

Coming this summer, Ultima Online™: Stygian Abyss™, the game’s 8th expansion, revolves around the introduction of the playable Gargoyle race. Players will find expansive new areas to explore, including Ter Mur, the Gargoyle homeland, and the Stygian Abyss – the largest dungeon area ever introduced to Ultima Online. This sprawling dungeon will contain new boss monsters of unparalleled difficulty, including the Medusa, Primeval Lich and the Stygian Dragon, as well as Player vs. Player zones where adventurers will be turned against one another.

Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss expansion requires the original Ultima Online game to play and will be available in the summer of 2009 via digital distribution only.

In series finale "The Bogey Man," a long-buried mystery could mean the end of West Wallaby Street as we know it!

FREE episode here...

The final episode of Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures releases today, completing a four-month escapade that has taken the famous inventor and his faithful pooch through a madcap series of wild and engaging new stories. Available today for PC at www.telltalegames.com, "The Bogey Man" puts Wallace's mechanical and social skills - not to mention his golf swing - to the test. Filled with unrequited romance, hidden mysteries, perplexing contraptions, and a heavy dose of comic relief, "The Bogey Man" brings the series to an exciting climax in grand Wallace & Gromit style.

In the previous episode, Wallace inadvertently got down on one knee before his prim neighbor Felicity Flitt - who interpreted the gesture as a marriage proposal. In a twisted plot true to Wallace & Gromit form, his only chance for a reprieve is admission into the prestigious Prickly Thicket country club, an association distained by the Flitt family due to a centuries-old dispute. It seems like the perfect escape, but once Wallace is admitted into the club, he learns of a much larger mystery that must be solved to protect the West Wallaby Street lifestyle he and Gromit hold dear. Built by Wallace and Gromit's own ancestors, the club itself is a grand machine in the style of Wallace's own inventions, and its mechanical inner-workings hide a secret that must be recovered to return life back to normal. Only Wallace and Gromit have the technical know-how to unlock the mysteries protected by this contraption to top all contraptions!

Over the last four months, Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures has taken the heroes through exciting new stories - from a honey business plagued by giant problems (and giant bees!), to a whodunit set at an underground beach resort in Wallace's cellar, to a heartwarming tale of canine wiles triumphing over an oily villain's greedy deceit. Today's release represents the first time the complete episodic series is available on PC, making now the ideal time for new players to dive in and enjoy all four Grand Adventures stories.

Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures made its debut on Xbox LIVE® Arcade this spring with Fright of the Bumblebees, which can be downloaded for 800 Microsoft points. The series is due to complete its Xbox LIVE Arcade run in the coming months, with the official release date announcements expected shortly.

Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures has been just one of numerous recent highlights for the characters, who are celebrating their 20th Anniversary this year. Their highly successful short film, A Matter of Loaf and Death, has been airing around the globe since its triumphant Christmas debut and will begin distribution in the US on DVD this coming fall. The pair are also featuring in 'Wallace & Gromit present A World of Cracking Ideas', a major exhibition celebrating innovation at the Science Museum in London. Telltale's Wallace & Gromit games are designed for the same all-ages audience as the duo's other endeavors and will be enjoyed by gamers and non-gamers alike.

Customers can purchase the complete set of Wallace & Gromit games from www.telltalegames.com for $34.95. This purchase includes the option to receive a Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures Collector's DVD containing the four games plus bonus content for just the cost of shipping, to be released shortly. Individual Wallace & Gromit episodes can be purchased for $8.95. Telltale is also introducing an upgrade offer today, which allows customers who own one of the individual episodes to get the remainder of the series for only $19.95. Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures includes subtitles in German, French, Italian, and Spanish. To buy the games for PC or download the free demo, visit http://www.telltalegames.com/wallaceandgromit.

About Wallace & Gromit

Wallace

An endearing and affable inventor. Ever enthusiastic, Wallace's hair-brained, over-ambitious, yet well intentioned ideas consistently get him and his faithful hound into trouble. A definite penchant for cheese and crackers, not to mention fashionable knitwear!

Gromit

Wallace's long-suffering loyal pooch. Gromit cares greatly for Wallace even though he's often railroaded into his master's mad-cap plans. Though cultured and sensitive, preferring order and the quiet life, Gromit displays amazing courage and heroism when it comes to getting his master out of self-made scrapes. Always showing astonishing initiative, Gromit is definitely the intelligent one of the pair.

Electronic, announced today that Fedor Emelianenko, the world’s top ranked* MMA heavyweight, will headline the EA SPORTS MMA fighter roster. Emelianenko will be joined by Gegard Mousasi and Renato Sobral, both of whom will be featured in a title bout at the STRIKEFORCE fight on August 15, as the first of a long list of fighters who will appear in EA SPORTS MMA, the all-new mixed martial arts title coming in 2010.

“I have fought all over the world and I am excited to be in EA SPORTS MMA because this game is going to show the global appeal of mixed martial arts,” said Emelianenko. “I know MMA fans have been wanting to play as me and pitting me against any opponent. Now they will have their opportunity.”

Fedor Emelianenko, a 6’0”, 231 pound Russian heavyweight mixed martial arts fighter, who excels in Sambo and Judo, holds a 30-1 record and is the current WAMMA Heavyweight champion. Prior to signing on with STRIKEFORCE, Emelianenko defended his WAMMA championship by knocking out former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski. (sted: Prior to signing on with STRIKEFORCE, Emelianenko defended his WAMMA championship by knocking out former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski.) .

Gegard Mousasi, a former Dream Middleweight champion, has a current record of 25-2-1 and won his last match in Dream 9 against Mark Hunt this past May. The 6’1”, 185 pound Dutch-Armenian fighter will be taking on Renato Sobral to determine STRIKEFORCE’s Light Heavyweight champion and has a fight style that is a unique blend of Dutch kickboxing and judo.

Sobral, hailing from Brazil, is known for his aggressive style, grappling prowess, and high-caliber submissions. He is the current STRIKEFORCE Light Heavyweight champion and has a record of 35-8 with his last victory coming against Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou at Affliction: Day of Reckoning fight earlier this year.

“I am very excited to have Fedor, the number one heavyweight in the world, as one of the top fighters in EA SPORTS MMA,” said Executive Producer Dale Jackson. “He is one of the elite fighters in the sport today and will provide the ultimate competition for our gamers. The EA SPORTS MMA team at Tiburon has been working on the game for over a year already and we will have a lot more great fighters and other exciting news to talk about soon.”

In addition to appearing in the EA SPORTS MMA video game, Mousasi and Sobral will be sponsored by EA SPORTS for the STRIKEFORCE fight.

EA SPORTS MMA will feature the most authentic, intense and broad mixed martial arts experience to date – complete with a vast array of top fighters and fighting styles from around the world. EA SPORTS MMA will be available on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system and the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system.

EA SPORTS is the leading interactive sports software brand in the world, with top-selling titles and franchises including Madden NFL, FIFA Soccer, NHL hockey, NBA LIVE basketball, NCAA Football and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR.

* As ranked by Sherdog.com

Marvel v. Capcom 2 features the biggest roster of challengers to ever square off in a Capcom fighting game, a total of 56 combined brawlers from both the Capcom and Marvel universes. From the world of Capcom comes characters such as Ryu from the Street Fighter series, Jill Valentine from the Resident Evil games and unofficial company mascot Mega Man. Marvel is represented by some of its biggest names, including the Invincible Iron Man, Captain America, the Sentinel of Liberty, and War Machine, Weapon of S.H.I.E.L.D. Players can mix and match from both worlds in order to create their own ideal three man/woman/robot/monster team-up.

Due to the amazing combination of Marvel and Capcom characters and the game’s celebrated fighting system and graphics, Marvel VS. Capcom 2 has been a hotly sought-after title on the game collector’s circuit. Previously owned copies for older game consoles have been demanding more than $100 in auctions and at specialty video game outlets. Now players who have been desperately searching out used copies of the game will be able to go hands-on and play online with the same great online experience from Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. Additionally, Capcom has added an optional advanced visual filter that improves the overall appearance of the game and added online modes, including Ranked Matches and the popular Player “Quarter” Match, that allows up to four people to watch and chat while two others are battling it out.

Not a great deal is known about Final Fantasy XIV Online - one of the true surprise announcements of this year's E3. So you have to take a good look at all the media you can get - trailer below.



Great HD trailer that you may have missed - or seen in low-quality shaky-cam footage - in a decent resolution.

Source: CVG

Metallic Blue and Deep Red DualShock 3 pads heading to retail this October

Sony has revealed two new controllers for the PS3 will be heading to the US this autumn.

These vibrant DualShock 3 joypads will be available in Metallic Blue and Deep Red and are due to hit shelves in October.

The new controllers, spotted by Engadget, expand the range of coloured peripherals available for the console in the region, including a silver version of the Dualshock 3 that was launched through GameStop towards the end of June.

There is currently no word on whether or not these new colours will be retailer exclusive, nor any signs that they will be released in Europe.

Source: MCVUK

CMSF British Forces is available now! The second Module for the Combat Mission Shock Force modern warfare tactical simulation has just been released!

British Forces is available for download, mail delivery, or both download & mail delivery, starting at just $25, and as usual available only directly from www.battlefront.com!

Ownership of the base game Combat Mission Shock Force is required. A bundle consisting of British Forces and Marines (the previous Module) is available as well, for only $35 (a whopping $15 off the regular price). You can download and play immediately! Hardgoods - consisting of a CD - will be mailed out within 2 weeks.

Click here to order now! = http://www.battlefront.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=9&Itemid=26

A free demo for Combat Mission Shock Force v1.20 including Marines and British module content is available for download as well. Click here to download the free demo = http://www.battlefront.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=42&Itemid=358

Players Can Experience Demo of Single-Player Mode for Flight Combat Game on Xbox 360

505 Games U.S., in collaboration with 1C Company, have today released a demo for upcoming flight combat title IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey. The single-player demo is now available for download on the Xbox LIVE Arcade for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

The IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey demo will give players a taste of two of the game’s memorable conflict scenarios, The Battle of Britain and The Battle of the Bulge.

In Battle of Britain: Red Skies Over Dover, players are given the role of a Royal Air Force (RAF) pilot commanding the legendary Mk. II Spitfire with B wing armament (two canons, four machine guns). What starts off as a routine ‘mopping up’ mission on a few stray He-111 German bombers soon develops into an all-out battle in which the RAF faced their finest hour. The mission demonstrates the skills required to intercept larger bombers as well as the more nimble Stuka bombers. The need to use wingmen effectively will become apparent as the mission unfolds and survivors will have the opportunity to land on a home airstrip.

In Battle of the Bulge: Tiger Hunt, the US Air Force P-51D Mustang is the weapon of choice, as players are tasked with taking out Germans ripping through the Ardennes. Defending FW-190 fighters will also have to be dispatched to help overcome the Tigers as US forces aim to stem the German advance and defend the front line. The mission will allow players to try rocket attacks on ground targets as well as sample the snow-capped vistas of the Belgian landscape in December.

Based around large-scale aerial combat over the ground-based military operations of World War II, variety is at the heart of the action in IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey. Players participate in the most famous confrontations of the era piloting fighters, battle planes or heavy bombers across a range of thrilling missions. There are six theatres of war in which to engage – The Battle of Britain, Stalingrad, Berlin, Sicily, the Battle of the Bulge and Korsun – representing the main airborne battles of World War II in Europe.

As well as taking environmental and landscape visuals to new heights by incorporating satellite technology, IL-2 also boasts a tangible damage effects engine. Players will see real-time damage to aircraft, such as holes in the wings and trail lines during dogfights.

505 Games, in collaboration with 1C Company, will release IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey in North America on September 15, 2009 for Xbox 360, PS3, DS and PSP platforms.

Today, Toys“R”Us announced that customers who purchase Activision Bakugan Battle Brawlers video game for Nintendo Wii or Nintendo DS in any Toys'R'Us store in the world will receive a unique edition of the game when it is released on October 20. Featuring two exclusive in-game characters, this version of the highly-anticipated video game is now available for pre-order at Toys“R”Us stores in the United States with a $5 deposit.

The characters featured in the exclusive Toys“R”Us edition are:
• Manion, a mysterious sphinx with golden armor protecting his head, back and forearms. Due to his huge wingspan, he can attack from above. Additionally, his sharp claws can tear at his enemies.
• Ravenoid, a humanoid looking Bakugan totally covered in armor, can use his large wings to swoop down upon his opponents in battle. His large, clawed feet can also squeeze victims in an unyielding vice.

“This global exclusive with Activision allows us to offer Bakugan fans around the world a completely unique way to experience the Bakugan Battle Brawlers video game with one-of-a-kind characters and abilities,” said Bill Lee, Vice President, Divisional Merchandise Manager, Toys“R”Us, U.S. “There is no better place to offer special editions of video games that can’t be found anywhere else in the world than Toys“R”Us.

Fans can begin pre-ordering the Bakugan Battle Brawlers video game today in Toys“R”Us stores nationwide or online at Toysrus.com. Bakugan Battle Brawlers will be released for Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2 computer entertainment systems on October 20, 2009.

Latest game in the "Lips" franchise features 40 chart-topping hits, plus a five-song pack of your choice for free download from Xbox LIVE
One of the most incredible collections of the world’s hottest number one songs is about to launch this fall. Get the crowd singing and the party started with “Lips: Number One Hits,” the newest game in the “Lips” singing franchise exclusively for Xbox 360.

Show off your singing chops with friends, harmonize in a duet or belt out those high notes to a diverse collection of 40 global smash hits, spanning genres, generations and countries so that even the pickiest of singers can find their unique pitch.

Available worldwide this fall, “Lips: Number One Hits” features popular songs that have graced the # 1 position on major global charts. Joining previously announced hits from Coldplay, Rihanna, Tokio Hotel, Timbaland feat. OneRepublic, Extreme, Culture Club, MC Hammer, Roy Orbison and Marvin Gaye the full catalog also includes:
• California Love by 2Pac feat. Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman (U.S.): this song earned the late rapper a posthumous Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance, Duo or Group in 1997
• Barbie Girl by Aqua (Denmark): a breakthrough international hit, this song featured the band’s lead singers as the toy couple Barbie and Ken in the music video
• Just Dance by Lady Gaga feat. Colby O’Donis (U.S.): the debut song of this theatrical pop singer became an international smash hit
• Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears (U.K.): this successful single was written and recorded in two weeks, becoming the band’s first Billboard Hot 100 #1 and peaking at #2 on the U.K. Top 40 chart
• The Fear by Lily Allen (U.K.): from her second album, this song is the artist’s social commentary about the dark side of celebrity and consumer culture
• Don’t Phunk With My Heart by Black Eyed Peas (U.S.): influenced by Indian music, this song sampled the Bollywood cult hit film “Don,” a movie about a man posing as the leader of a gang of international smugglers
• I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’ by Scissor Sisters (U.S.): this song was written with the legendary artist Elton John and features his piano playing in the melody
• Heartless by Kanye West (U.S.): this is the first single in “pop art” music, a new genre which West describes as making pop music in an "artistic" way
• Touch My Body by Mariah Carey (U.S.): this song was Carey's 18th #1 on the U.S. singles charts, which pushed her into second place behind the Beatles as the artist with the most chart-topping singles
• Hey There Delilah by Plain White T’s (U.S.): this song was written as an ode to a girl named Delilah that the band’s singer met only once by chance in NYC
• Always On My Mind by Pet Shop Boys (U.K.): the Daily Telegraph’s music critics ranked the band's cover of this Brenda Lee song as #2 of the all-time best cover songs
• I’m Yours by Jason Mraz (U.S.): while this artist’s music has appeared on the charts since 2003, this single is his first chart-topping hit
• Push the Button by Sugababes (U.K.): this song was the girl group’s fourth #1 single in the U.K. and topped the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles

The complete song listing of artists and songs available on “Lips: Number One Hits” can be found at xbox.com/lips.
In addition to the huge variety of songs available on disc, “Lips” fans will be able customize their “Number One Hits” set list with a theme pack of their choice containing five additional songs, available to download for free on Xbox LIVE. This summer, singers can help decide what themes will be available for “Lips: Number One Hits” by voting for their favorite themes at xbox.com/lips.

“Lips: Number One Hits” and the original “Lips” game combine to create the ultimate singing party, with more songs to keep the fun rocking all night long. But for singers with an insatiable appetite for variety, Xbox LIVE Marketplace has a vast library of tunes that can be downloaded for both titles. New tracks of all genres and artist-specific songs packs are added regularly each week, so personal catalogs can keep growing and growing. “Lips,” combined with the power of Xbox LIVE, makes Xbox 360 the best destination for music game fans.

“Lips,” Xbox 360’s first exclusive singing party game from iNiS, launched November 2008. The second title, “Lips: Number One Hits,” launches this October 2009. More information on “Lips” is available at xbox.com/lips.

Overlord II - Battle Rock Nemesis DLC extends the evil with new combat arena, enemies and in-game items

Extend the evil as Codemasters announce the new ‘Overlord II - Battle Rock Nemesis’ downloadable content for Overlord II, the twisted fantasy action adventure, for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

The ‘Battle Rock Nemesis’ downloadable content is available now from PLAYSTATION Store (£3.19 / €3.99 / $5.00) and today on Xbox LIVE Marketplace (400 Microsoft Points). Details of downloadable content for the PC edition of Overlord II will be announced shortly.




The ‘Battle Rock Nemesis’ downloadable content installs the imposing ‘Battle Rock’ arena in the Netherworld which plays host to a series of new combat challenges as the player progresses through the game. Gamers harvest life force as they wreak havoc upon Nordburg Hunters and Gnomes in practice rounds and then take on fearsome foes, including the Satyr, the Empire’s Champion, and the fabled Phoenix in a series of boss battles which unlock new rewards including more powerful spells and in-game items for the Overlord and his Minions. On Xbox 360, players can earn Achievements worth 100 points through winning the boss battles.



Overlord II is the sequel to the original twisted fantasy action adventure and is available for the PLAYSTATION3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PC, with full online & offline multiplayer and split screen functions. Overlord Dark Legend was developed and designed exclusively for Wii and features Minion control through intuitive Wii Remote movement. Overlord Minions is a dedicated puzzle action title, developed exclusively for Nintendo DS and uses 100% touch screen controls, perfect for Overlords on the go.

Xbox announce Swiss born, female racing sensation Natacha Gachnang as the European ‘Face of Forza’ to celebrate the upcoming launch of Forza Motorsport 3 for the Xbox 360 from Microsoft.

Launching on 23 October 2009, Forza Motorsport 3, is the definitive racing game for everyone from hardcore tuners to anyone who’s ever dreamed of driving at full-throttle. Who better than Gachnang to speak to its incredible realism and thrilling driving action.

In December 2008, Gachnang was announced as the first ever female driver to race in the FIA Formula Two Championships. The 21 year old, who is the cousin of Formula One driver Sébastien Buemi, is currently shining in her debut season racing under MotorSport Vision.

Natacha also spent some time in Seattle as a consultant on the game, giving advice on the realism of some of the tracks she has raced in her career, as well as critiquing the sounds and set ups of the cars she has driven. Gachnang also explored the customisation and tuning elements of the game and created her own car.

The ultimate thrill seeker, Gachnang lists heliskiing as one of her favourite hobbies and she jumped at the chance to test her experience of the road on the breathtaking virtual tracks of Forza 3.

“What a buzz – the tracks, the cars, the handling – the attention to detail is incredible. Forza 3 is a car fans dream! It really feels like I’m right there, in the car, racing round the tracks, all in the comfort of my own living room!” said Natacha Gachnang

Launching this October exclusively on Xbox 360, "Forza Motorsport 3" unites the racing game genre making it possible for everyone to experience the thrill of the world's most exotic and exquisite cars.

You can take the wheel of over 400 of the most loved cars on the planet on over 100 different tracks, including the sublime Audi R8 and the infamous German Nürburgring.

Developed by Turn 10 and Microsoft Studios, Game Director Dan Greenawalt stated, “A love of all things cars lives in everyone at Turn 10. It’s fantastic to see this mirrored in Natacha. Her passion and expertise for racing is clear to see and the realism of the game really lets her skills as a driver shine through. From a pro driver like Natacha to anyone who has a passion for cars, Forza Motorsport 3 has something for everyone.”

The release of Defenders of Law launches the beginning of a three-game deal in which Big Fish Games has acquired the Defenders of Law IP and will publish the first edition online and in retail stores as well as two upcoming sequels through 2010. The first edition of Defenders of Law for PC download is now available at www.bigfishgames.com.

“Defenders of Law is a truly immersive game that lets players take the role of an investigative lawyer,” said Melissa DiGioia, Senior Producer at Big Fish Games. “The game’s unique method of storytelling coupled with its innovative detective gameplay allows players to experience a truly interactive murder mystery.”

“Big Fish Games has built a site full of strong titles, and to have Defenders of Law included in their lineup ensures that the game will reach a wide audience,” said Mariana Cardoso, General Manager of GAMEINVEST.

In Defenders of Law, players step into the shoes of one of five possible lawyers in order to investigate a murder mystery in the town of Willburg. The lawyers are assigned to defend a suspect in the murder of Miss Rosendale; and they have 15 days to gather enough evidence to strengthen their clients’ defense. Players must test their strategy skills by exploring the town to collect evidence. Clues can come from several helpful witnesses, as well as from fingerprints, footprints, and blood samples. Physical evidence can be extracted from the crime scene with the hidden object game mechanic, and analyzed in the lab. After the evidence is processed in the lab, the player will go to the courtroom for a decisive showdown against the district attorney. In the end, it will be revealed whether the defendant is guilty or innocent.

Using a mouse, players navigate their way through 28 detail-rich scenarios with multiple crime scenes, numerous murder weapons and several different murder suspects that guarantee a different outcome and experience each time the game is played. With five characters to choose from and many hours of ingenious gameplay, players of all ages will be drawn to the mystery of Defenders of Law.

Redbana has just released several new and exciting additions to the online dance rhythm game, Audition. New clothes, songs, modes and more have been added to the virtual dance world, making it the freshest online dance scene on the web. The new updates bring a fresh wave of style to the game, introducing players to the hottest music to hit the scene.

“Keeping the game as current as possible through routine updates is a priority for us,” explains Eric Liu, Global Manager of Redbana. “Audition is all about providing a fun, bright, exciting environment, and in order to maintain this experience with each visit, the game’s features need to reflect its players present interests.”

Redbana’s modern inspirations are appreciated in the game’s upbeat music, bright animations and attitudes, which all work together to make a fantastically fun virtual dance community. Audition’s routine updates are not limited to game accessories; the most recent update includes:

- 8 New Songs
- 50+ New Avatar Items
- Extended Story Mode
- Big Game Renewal!
- Crazy Dynamic Mode (individual, team)
- Beatup & Union Battle Party Reset Items

Redbana’s unique enthusiasm to create frequent game updates and upgrades in sync with Audition’s outstandingly energetic attitude ensures an online game that is fun for everyone.

No Audition account? No problem. New users can sign up for a FREE account at http://audition.redbana.com

Sony and WildStorm have teamed up with best-selling fantasy author J.S. Lewis to adapt the smash hit MMO, Free Realms (www.FreeRealms.com), to the comic page! This 12-issue comic book series mirrors the nonstop action of the game, offering exciting adventures, battles with vicious monsters and, of course, the allure of gorgeous fairies!

The story begins when a young boy is abducted and dragged into a darkened forest teeming with twisted monsters. It's up to a relic hunter and a pixie to save him, but their mission is cut short when a horde of troll-like creatures captures them!

On sale starting July 29th, 2009, look for Free Realms comic book issue No1 wherever comics are sold!

FEATURES:
• 32pg.
• Color
• $3.99 US
• Story by J.S. Lewis
• Art by Jon Buran and Allen Martinez
• Colors by Bill Crabtree
• Letters by Johnny Lowe
• Cover by Jon Buran and Allen Martinez
• Release Date Wed, July 29th, 2009

Land of Magic is introducing a new Treasure Chest event on July 30, 2009. A nice break away from traditional EXP Boost events, the Treasure Chest event will give players items according to the amount of time played.

New players can receive the first gift item after only 5 minutes of play time. After another ten minutes, players will receive another next gift item. As playing time doubles, players will receive another special item.

Players do not have to be logged on to the game continuously for the time to be accumulated. All players need to do is log in often to receive the special gifts. The time is reset every day during daily server maintenance. For existing players, the times needed to get these special items are longer.

The special gifts will be mostly cash shop items, some rare items and gems. In Land of Magic, gems are needed to upgrade weapons. Some lucky few will win rare weapons considered to be the most valuable items in the game.

Land of Magic is a constantly evolving MMO game that was once the top ranked online game in Korea for three straight years. Land of Magic is also one of the first games to introduce the rebirth system which allows players to reborn over and over again into the same or different professions with different results. Famous for its fast play, number of levels, numerous combinations of skills and distinct differentiation among classes, player characters are all unique in the Land of Magic.

For details, please visit NeoFun.com.

Koichi Sugiyama is renowned across the world for the expansive orchestral work he's contributed to the Dragon Quest series. Lesser known is the fact that he's a boardmember on JASRAC, a copyright collection agency that's the equivalent of the RIAA in Japan, and he frequently comments to the media about copyright and piracy issues. (These often don't get reported on as much as his more conservative, nationalistic comments, such as that time in 2007 when he spearheaded a full-page ad in the Washington Post disputing Japan's involvement with "comfort women" during World War II.)

Dragon Quest IX may have sold 3 million copies in Japan within two days of launching, but that hasn't kept Sugiyama from getting steaming mad over gamers using flash-RAM carts to play the RPG for free. "The way I see it, it's like selling a set of thieves' tools," he commented to Famitsu magazine this week. "If you make off with a physical item, everybody knows that's a crime. If you stole an apple from a fruit stand, then you're plainly committing the crime of shoplifting; going into someone's house and taking their jewelry is robbery. Everyone is conscious of the fact that stealing what's in front of you is a crime, but with something that's not in plain sight, like intellectual property, a lot of people fail to understand what the issue is."

Going into people's houses unannounced and rifling through all their possessions in search of herbs and gold is one of Dragon Quest's more amusing hallmarks, but Sugiyama doesn't have much respect for people who have no problem emulating that in real life. "I'd like them to see this property the same way they'd see physical property," he said. "Looking at how aware the world's nations are of copyright, I'm sad to say that I have the impression Japan is lagging behind. The more advanced a nation, generally the more respectful of copyright they are, but I would not call Japan at all advanced in this regard."

Sugiyama's reputation for being outspoken has made him an easy target for criticism among Japanese gamers, similar to litigious anti-violence activist Jack Thompson over here. "[Internet] opinions don't make me angry -- they inspire me to try harder," the composer responded in the Famitsu interview. "It's hard to say if the anti-copyright crowd is a small group or actually the majority, but let's say they compose about 20 percent of users, and another 20 percent completely and fully support copyright. That leaves 60 percent of users without a clear view on the law, and there's the chance that the 20 percent with outrageous opinions will drag that 60 percent to their side. I've seen that phenomenon in several cases, so you can't ignore it just because you think it's a tiny minority at work. These are all hypothetical figures, but the real battle here will be how to appeal to this large group of people without a solid opinion on copyright."

A revision to Japan's copyright legislation passed in May means that as of January 1, 2010, it will be expressly against the law to download pirated software in the nation, in addition to uploading it. Downloading will not be an arrestable offense and holds no criminal penalties, but if a game publisher felt like it, they could track illegal downloaders and take them to civil court for damages, much as the RIAA has tried to do with music downloaders in the US.

Sugiyama isn't all that satisfied with this new law, however. "Selling pirated games or offering them for download on the Internet puts you afoul of the law, but selling the RAM cartridges themselves is tough to restrict by law," he said. "With the revisions to copyright law taking effect next year, using a RAM cartridge to commit intellectual property theft will be a crime, but actually arresting someone for it will be extremely difficult. It may be time to consider some other sort of legal restriction."

Source: 1up

Sales of Dragon Quest IX have now topped three million, according to figures from Famitsu publisher Enterbrain.

The DS RPG has sold 3.2 million copies in Japan since its launch on July 11; a number which Agence France-Presse is reporting makes it the fastest-selling game on Nintendo's handheld to date.

Just two days after its release, the title had sold over 2.3 million units with sales of the DSi console increasing twofold as a result.

The wait is over as old-school hero Nathan Spencer gets a 3D makeover with today’s release of Bionic Commando for Windows PCs.

Bionic Commando is rated by the ESRB as Mature and is available now on store shelves in North America for $39.99 for Windows PCs or through various online distribution platforms, including the Capcom e-Store and Steam.

Features:

* Use the bionic arm to swing between towering skyscrapers at breathtaking speed, hook onto distant objects, zip up on hanging girders and choose your own route through the game
* Gameplay that moves through horizontal and vertical environments - a 3D game that truly uses all three dimensions Full multiplayer mode with rich stat-tracking to check whether you’re a true commando or a lowly private
* Use the power of the bionic arm - and of next-gen physics - to realistically throw massive objects, pummel opponents, whip enemies into the air, or pull the landscape apart
* Arm yourself with a variety of weapons worthy of a Bionic Commando
* Starring Mike Patton, the former lead singer of Faith No More, as the voice of Nathan Spencer
* Developed by Swedish studio GRIN, developers of the highly acclaimed Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter series for PC

Meanwhile, Bionic Commando Rearmed became available today via Steam. Regularly $10, Bionic Commando Rearmed can be purchased in a bundle through Steam with Bionic Commando for $44.99.

Deep Silver have just released a new trailer with scenes from the game, presenting many different aspects of the RPG. The new trailer is accompanied by the song "The Poet and the Pendulum" from Nightwish, the most successful symphonic/gothic metal band world-wide.

About Risen:

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



Risen will be released for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows operating system.

A Whole New Dimension of Horror Comes to PC Fans
Capcom is pleased to announce that Resident Evil 5 for the PC will release on September 18th, 2009 across European territories. PC gamers will get the ultimate Resident Evil package in the new PC version as new features will include NVIDIA’s new GeForce 3D Vision technology (wireless 3D Vision glasses sold separately), new costumes and a new and improved mercenaries mode with three times as many enemies.

Fans that pick up the PC version will be the first to experience stereoscopic 3D out of screen effects as their living rooms are transformed into the world of Kijuju. Infected Majini coming at players from every angle, dust flying in and out of screen and the scariest bosses to date are taken up a notch. Resident Evil 5 PC is a whole new level of fear players will never forget. The game also supports Stereoscopic 3D in all of its cut scenes – an industry first.

These groundbreaking stereoscopic 3D effects were developed in close cooperation with NVIDIA, which resulted in the game being part of NVIDIA’s “The Way It’s Meant To Be Played” partnership program. Resident Evil fans can check out the 3D action for themselves today as a new stereo 3D tech demo with benchmark is available to download today on NVIDIA’s official site at - http://www.nzone.com/object/nzone_re5_downloads.html.

To find out more info on NVIDIA’s GeForce 3D Vision technology, click on the link here, http://www.nvidia.com/3dvision/.

As part of First Star Software’s celebration of 2009 as the 25th Anniversary of Boulder Dash, DotEmu and First Star Software, Inc. are proud to announce the launch of the first free, Ad-supported, Boulder Dash game now available at : http://www.easyretro.com/play/334/boulder_dash_arcade-first_star_software.html

Since its initial release, in 1984, there have been four versions of Boulder Dash released into the coin-operated arcades. Ported by DotEmu and Co-published by First Star Software, Inc. this Arcade version is the best known, most popular of them all!

In each of the 24 levels, as you play in all 6 worlds, you must clear a path and collect the number of diamonds required in order to open the exit. Along the way, you'll encounter boulders, brick walls, magic walls, the growing amoeba, numerous enemies and much more. Boulder Dash-Arcade Web Edition is playable with the keyboard; but also, with the mouse, improving original gameplay and broaden the appeal to more casual players who are used to a ‘mouse-only’ interface.

- Several millions of units have been sold in the Boulder Dash series, and we are very happy to have the opportunity to make this classic available again, and for the first time, on the Internet. In addition, the casual game play will be enjoyed by both retro-gamers as well as news players.», Xavier Liard, DotEmu CEO.

- We’re very excited to be working with DotEmu as we prepare to launch several Ad supported, ‘free-to-play’ titles, including Boulder Dash-Arcade Web Edition and others in the Boulder Dash series. We see these free, browser versions of Boulder Dash as yet another way to feature the brand and to support the recent release of new games in the series, on SmartPhones; for Windows and Mac, etc.» added Richard M. Spitalny, First Star Software’ President.

Rumble Fighter, a compelling and fast-paced online mixed martial arts Fighting game is launching today in Europe. PC gamers from all over the continent can sign up NOW, create a character and start fighting TODAY, absolutely FREE of charge. Just visit this website http://rf.ogplanet.eu to register.
Casual MMO publisher OGPlanet today announced the official launch of its first European game, Rumble Fighter. Following a successful Beta period, all European PC gamers are now invited to join forces with friends in the rumble zone, in battles of up to 8 players.

Unlike other Multiplayer Online Games that charge subscription fees, Rumble Fighter allows gamers unlimited access to the battle zone free of charge. Players can upgrade and purchase a large variety of items and skills to enhance and personalise their game play experience. This is done by either earning carats, Rumble Fighters’ in-game currency, through participating and winning battles or by buying Astro’s, OGPlanet’s virtual currency.

To celebrate the full launch of Rumble Fighter, OGPlanet will be giving all players a random in-game Astro item. All players who will have logged in before Sunday, August 2nd at 23;59 will receive their very own surprise!

“Since we opened our Beta trial to all European gamers, Rumble Fighter has received great feedback and our top priority now is to continue offering a high-quality, user friendly game,” stated Stephan Ansari, VP of European Operations. “With our dedicated European client, we can offer a more personalised gaming experience making Rumble Fighter an exciting Multiplayer Online Game (MOG) that blends social online community experiences with casual, easy to pick-up gameplay.”

Gamers are invited to create an online character with a unique fighting style and virtual personality, then scrap it out, online to the bitter end against fighters from all over the Europe.

Pit your fighting wits against fighters throughout Europe across numerous feature-rich 3D environments using a wide variety of fighting techniques and in-game weapons and items.

Rumble Fighter’s Features:
o Free to download and play
o Fully customisable – change your character’s appearance and choose its fighting style and techniques
o Solo and Team modes- choose to battle alone or join forces with friends
o Up to 8 players in the same room
o Easy to learn – casual and fun gameplay makes Rumble Fighter easy to understand and quick to get to grips with
o Hardcore Gamer or Casual Fighter – Rumble Fighter is exciting for players of all abilities, from the “Casual” to the “Hardcore”
o Transform – Rumble Fighter’s unique “ExoCore” systems enables players to evolve during battle and further enhance their character’s attributes
o Upgrade with Astros – use in-game points known as Carats or buy OGPlanet’s universal cyber currency Astros to further customise your characters and buy new techniques, weapons and other items
o Rich graphics – Rumble Fighter’s custom-built graphics engine utilises cell shading techniques and pre-rendered global illumination map textures, creating vibrant rich imagery inspired by Japanese animé
o Available to PC users in Europe from today.

Puzzle Lab announces the release of Posh Boutique 2, a sequel of a great time management hit. Alicia successfully developed her own chain of posh boutiques and went on a vacation. Hardly had the plane landed, when she found out, that she had won a lottery prize of $1,000,000! Full of enthusiasm, she cancelled her vacation and decided to start another chain of boutiques in a new area. The gameplay is basically the same as in the first Posh Boutique, but there are also some new features, making the process of running the boutique business even more fascinating. VIP mini-games will entertain you after a busy day devoted to time management.

Acting as Alicia, you serve customers who come to your store to buy something. You take them to fitting rooms, to the sunglasses rack or to other accessories, depending on what they would like to purchase. To deliver excellent customer service, follow the icons above each customer's head - they display the desired item. Once you have taken the customer to the right place, you should choose the right item from the assortment of goods. Unlike the first Posh Boutique, Posh Boutique 2 features several ways of selection: skimming, picking one of nine items and picking an item from the conveyor belt. Finally the customer should be taken to the check-out counter to pay for his purchases.

For each day there is a goal to earn a certain amount of money. Later on you can spend it on hiring an assistant or on upgrading equipment in order to serve the customers faster and to make them more patient. By the way, the patience level of each customer is also displayed above the heads in the form of smileys. The more content a customer is when leaving the boutique, the more money you earn! So do not make them wait for too long, otherwise the customers can lose their patience and leave without paying. Apart from upgrades, you can also spend money on store window design to attract more customers.

Of course, there are various types of customers, and you should pay special attention to those marked as VIP. But there also two new types: journalists and couples. Couples are simply served together, but journalists are a bit troublesome. You should make efforts to cater for them well, and, in addition to this, they come to the store after the close of business. They choose goods for a boutique review and rate your store. To get a high rating (and to increase sales!) you should find required goods among those scattered all over the screen.

For various achievements Alicia gets awards and keeps them in a special trophy room. It is available at any time, so that you can enter it and see if you are successful enough! Remember that at the end of the game the trophies will bring you some extra money.

Features:

- Upgradeable equipment
- Improved time management gameplay
- New types of customers
- New ways to attract customers
- Exhilarating mini-games
- Cups and awards
- Rich graphics

Pricing and Availability

Posh Boutique 2 runs under Windows 98, ME, 2K, XP and Vista. A single-user license costs $9.95 ($4.95 if you subscribe to Puzzle Lab mailing list).

Get a taste of NBA 2K10's all-new gameplay and My Player career mode while living the life of an NBA hopeful going through the real NBA Draft Combine.

2K Sports today announced NBA 2K10: Draft Combine, a download-only title that will provide pre-season fun for basketball fans leading up to the fall launch of NBA 2K10.

Planned for release this September on Xbox LIVE Arcade for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation Network for PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, NBA 2K10: Draft Combine will allow fans to create their own custom player with the utmost detail and, for the first time in the NBA 2K series, begin their career by experiencing the on-court life of an NBA hopeful going through the NBA Draft Combine at the world-renowned, ATTACK Athletics gym in Chicago.

“We’re giving our dedicated NBA 2K fans an incredible opportunity with NBA 2K10: Draft Combine,” said Greg Thomas, senior vice president of sports development for 2K. “Gamers will have exclusive access to online content and get to test drive NBA 2K10’s new gameplay features, advanced player progression system and the all-new My Player career mode before the game launches this fall.”

Features of NBA 2K10: Draft Combine include:

• Building custom players by working with a mentor, the 2K Insider, and increasing their NBA stock through a variety of challenging basketball drills and 5-on-5 games.
• Over 300 different signature customizations, including player-specific shooting animations, dunk and dribble packages and more to allow each created player to have his own unique personal style.
• Ability to strengthen all parts of the created player’s game with a variety of drills, such as shooting, post offense and defense, attacking the basket, dribbling, challenging shots, boxing out for rebounds and more to progress through the NBA Draft Combine.
• Organized games that will allow players to gain valuable skill points and offer a variety of specific in-game objectives that will need to be accomplished in order to gain them. At the end of each game, a full analysis will be available for gamers to review their player’s performance and strategize their further improvement.
• All players created in NBA 2K10: Draft Combine will wear a special patch on their uniform throughout the rest of that player’s career to denote that they have completed the NBA Draft Combine.
• Online leaderboards to track the highest ranking custom built players, and where a player stacks up against the competition.
• Opportunity to unlock special achievements on Xbox 360 and trophies for PLAYSTATION 3 system.
• Fans can take their custom built players from NBA 2K10: Draft Combine and use them in the all-new My Player career mode in NBA 2K10 launching this fall, allowing them to continue their journey of becoming an NBA legend.

NBA 2K10: Draft Combine, developed by Visual Concepts, is planned for release in North America, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and India this September on Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 (400 Microsoft Points) and PlayStation Network for PLAYSTATION 3 system ($4.99).

Beginning July 28 Fans Can Wreak Havoc with the Game's Most Powerful Weapon Yet in the New Map, StormVille

GameHi announced it will begin the first open beta test for Sudden Attack, their No. 1 free-to-play first person shooter (FPS) available for players July 28 – August 17. Slated for commercial release this fall, fans who missed the closed beta can register for this first open beta at http://www.gamehi.com/ in order to take part in what’s currently one of the most popular multiplayer online FPS games in Asia.

This first open beta will be open to anyone who signs up over the next three weeks. Members of the first closed betas will not need to re-register, and will be able to keep their same account and character name.

For the first time players will get to try the Property Defense mode in the new map StormVille. Here each team must find, capture, and defend a specific area for a certain amount of time, in order to win the game. Unlike rules from other missions, the characters will respawn infinitely until the objective is met or time runs out. As well, players will have the chance to experience the game’s most powerful weapon yet, the MG43. This machine gun is Sudden Attack’s primary weapon, holding 100 rounds in a clip, the largest rounds in the game so far.

Originally launched in July, 2006 Sudden Attack is now the most played first person shooter in Korea with more than 100 consecutive weeks on the game charts. Notable for its high quality graphics, stable game service, ample resources, and quick character and community system, Sudden Attack is positioned to garner similar blockbuster success in the U.S. Its broad appeal comes from a combination of elements including fast and fun casual gameplay; and unlike most FPS games, Sudden Attack is free-to-play.

With ongoing updates for new maps and firearms Sudden Attack offers a variety of features to provide both novice and core gamers continuous gameplay options. Community inclined it supports several chatting modes, macros and firm clan system, as well as Explosion and Elimination game modes. Quick entry allows users to install in under three minutes and join games without having to wait for a new start. Even new FPS fans can easily adopt in the game with simple rules and easy controls. Additionally, players can earn in-game points for game currency or purchase upgrades through real world cash.

Sudden Attack players are divided into two opposing teams: Special Force and Silent Fox Alliances. Each team is required to have at least one member and at maximum eight members. Players can also group into their own clans to fight within a separated network. Here players can show off group power, where teamwork and coordination play a crucial role. Strong clans can join ‘Clan Battle System,’ an exclusive competition mode in the game. Clan strengths can be proved clearly within this mode, as comradeship and cooperation are decisive factors to secure a win. Additionally, the game makes a breakthrough in comparison with preceding MMOFPS titles with the availability of in-water battle mode.

Frogster’s French and Spanish Runes of Magic server is open for all players as of now. With the launch of the open beta test, MMO-interested French and Spanish players can now explore the already integrated content of the online fantasy world in their own native languages.PEGI: 12+


Following the successful shutdown of the closed beta, the servers today go back up on the net for the deciding test phase. A brief registration procedure on the official Spanish (http://www.runesofmagic.com/es/) and French (http://www.runesofmagic.com/fr/) web pages is all that is required to take part in the open beta. All adventurers who are already active in the game will keep their accounts. The download of the software is of course free of charge. Frogster will use the time leading up to the official live operation in September to optimise the localisation. A so-called ‘wipe’ – a deleting of avatars – of characters created during the open beta test will not take place.

“We are completely satisfied with the development of Runes of Magic in Spain and France,” commented Daniel Ullrich, Director of Product Management, on the closed beta’s previous performance. Above all, the key aspect of localization is progressing according to plan: “A large part of the game has already been translated for the launch of the open beta,” said Localization Manager Konstantin Drewitz: “We are optimistic that we can offer Runes of Magic as a completely localized version for the release in September.”



Runes of Magic – a world full of wizardry and adventure
The German and English versions of Runes of Magic were released on 19 March 2009. Anyone can download the online role-playing game for free at: www.runesofmagic.com and can plunge into the game world after a short registration process.

With an extensive range of features, Runes of Magic is redefining the standard for free-to-play massively multiplayer online role playing games. Runes of Magic features an absorbing story through more than 1,600 quests, in a vibrant fantasy world. Players can choose from six main classes, combined with a secondary class, presenting 30 individual combinations of character classes over all. All characters possess unique skills with impressive combo attacks and can use mounts like war horses and more.

A particularly attractive feature is the ability for players and guilds to arrange and furnish their virtual homes. Thanks to an extensive crafting and reputation system, exciting PvP and demanding dungeons and boss monsters, there is something for everyone.

Taiwanese developer Runewaker developed Runes of Magic according to western MMO standards over three years. The studio is providing new challenges for players every four to five months with free add-ons and updates. You can find more information, pictures, videos, and the game available for free download via the official website: www.runesofmagic.com.

Features
• Free-to-play: no monthly fees, free download
• Extensive dual class system (six primary and secondary classes)
• Versatile spell and attack combinations
• Enthralling background story
• More than 1,600 quests and quest series
• No zone boundaries thanks to seamless architecture
• Dungeons: Instanced, tile based, and persistent
• Individually developable skills and spells
• Armour sets with special bonuses
• Dynamic item system with hundreds of runes for upgrading
• Optional PvP system with arena battles
• Ranking system with player-ranking lists
• Multitude of unique mounts
• Epic crafting system with the ability to improve existing items
• Personalization of player houses through individual furnishing
• Reputation system
• Customisable user interface with the option to use Add-Ons
• Map and radar system to easily find dealers, resources and quests
• In-game auction houses for trading items
• Teleport-Runes for instant travel
• Mouse and keyboard controls for movement
• Regular updates with new content
• Guild castles in special zones
• Cross-server fights in three-server-battle and guild wars in development

Facts
Title: Runes of Magic
Genre: Fantasy MMORPG
Platform: Windows PC
Publisher: Frogster Online Gaming
Developer: Runewaker Entertainment Ltd.
Release: 19 March 2009

Wii Sports Resort is more than just a game: it's the sequel to the phenomenally successful Wii Sports, and marks the debut of Nintendo's MotionPlus accessory.

The original Wii Sports was a fantastic introduction to the concept of motion controls. Think about it: the Wii Remote was a radical departure from established video game controllers and without the butter smooth motion control experience of Wii Sports to light the way, the whole experiment could have easily back-fired. Of course, the game is also ridiculously fun and still stands as the quintessential Nintendo Wii experience.

Which is why a retail sequel makes so much sense. But rather than being just a simple follow up, Wii Sports Resort faces its own monumental task: familiarise Wii owners with the new MotionPlus accessory and convince them to buy yet another Wii Remote attachment. Easy enough, right?

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Wii Sports Resort: Like the real thing

Actually it is because, much like its predecessor, Wii Sports Resort makes it largely effortless for anyone to jump into one of the 12 included mini-games, and although every single game doesn't justify the use (or requirement) of the included MotionPlus adaptor, the ones that do offer a very positive advertisement for not only the accessory but the potential future of gaming on the Wii.

What makes MotionPlus so compelling is the way it enhances each mini-game; at its best, it allows you to forget that you're simply holding a piece of plastic. Each slight movement of the Wii Remote is replicated on screen, whether it's a table tennis paddle or sword in your hand. The added accuracy lets you focus on the actual motions and it adds a nice touch of realism to the experience.

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Of course, you'll still have to overcome the urge to focus on the visual representation of your actions and instead simply play like you would in real life. Resort's visual style may be eye pleasing, but following the on-screen images isn't always the best way to play.

For instance, while playing Frisbee Dog, I found myself putting up much better scores when I stopped focusing on the angle at which my Mii was holding the disc and simply motioned like I was tossing the real thing.

The same held true in Table Tennis, an improved version of the mini-game seen in Wii Play: the less I worried about the on-screen position of the paddle, the better I seemed to play. It works against many of the traditional notions we have about playing games, but it proves to be a very intuitive way to play, and both aforementioned mini-games are among the best in the package.

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Also of note are the Swordplay games. Wanna-be Jedis should be excited as Resort finally proves that a lightsaber-focused Star Wars game (or any sword-based game, for that matter) is a real possibility on the Wii. Split between duels, adventure-like Showdown stages (in which you take down waves of foes), and a Speed Slice mode where you chop up everyday items as indicated by the screen, these games finally give you nearly full 1:1 control.

It's no exaggeration to say that the standard for melee-based action games has been set and any future game that doesn't support MotionPlus will immediately be seen as a disappointment.

The MotionPlus attachment also improves the Bowling and Golf events, both of which are holdovers from the first game. The attachment gives you greater control over the spin and release of your bowling ball, making an already sharp mini-game even better. Golf has a more robust feel this time around, with nine new holes (for 18 total) and additional shot options, though it's still tough to gauge the strength of your shot, especially while putting or chipping in.

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Many of the other games make less of an impact, whether due to uninteresting gameplay or the lack of MotionPlus implementation. Wakeboarding and Power Cruising (jet ski racing) are both decent water-based events, but neither offers a particularly compelling experience. The Basketball games lack a realistic throwing motion, but the Three-Point Contest remains a decent diversion; the Pickup Game mode is just a poorly realised imitation of the real thing, however.

The Air Sports (skydiving and sightseeing/dueling in airplanes) are pleasant, relaxing counterparts to the more active events, but the remaining games, Cycling and Canoeing, both come across as Wii Fit castoffs, with constant, tiring motions and lengthy challenges.

As with its predecessor, Wii Sports Resort is best experienced with local pals (up to four players in most games), though the score-based challenges mean events like bowling, archery, and Frisbee Dog hold up well with repeated solo play.

Still, it's tough to justify the lack of online play modes or even leaderboards, especially since the game has some online implementation via the excellent option to automatically download top user-created Miis from the Check Mii Out channel for opponents and bystanders. This alone is enough to ding the overall score.

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But even without that crucial feature, Wii Sports Resort still feels like an accomplishment, not only because it offers a fun and accessible experience built around the MotionPlus attachment, but because it may very well renew optimism in those jaded by the lacklustre motion controls seen over the last couple years. It's a very strong follow-up to the original and I can only hope that upcoming titles will build on the momentum that Resort has generated.

Source: PC Advisor

DJ Jazzy Jeff, GRAMMY Award winning hip-hop and R&B record producer, actor and world famous turntablist will ascend to the virtual stage this fall in Activision and Guitar Hero's highly anticipated video game DJ Hero. In addition to joining the distinguished rank of playable characters that will appear in the game, including DJ Shadow, DJ Z-Trip, Grandmaster Flash, DJ AM and others, DJ Jazzy Jeff will shake the room and bring the party to life with his own set list featuring two exclusive mixes hand created by the legend himself - Tears for Fears "Shout" v Eric B. & Rakim "Eric B. Is President" and LL Cool J "Rock the Bells" vs. The Aranbee Pop Symphony Orchestra "Bittersweet Symphony."



"I am very, very excited DJ culture is finally getting its due. To have a song in DJ Hero is a dream come true; to be a character someone can pick up the controller and select you and play is probably the biggest thing to happen to me in my career," said DJ Jazzy Jeff. "Music is so much a part of everyone's life, DJ Hero is going to appeal to almost everybody."



Expanding upon the revolutionary easy to pick up/challenging to master gameplay mechanics developed and refined in Guitar Hero, DJ Hero delivers an all-new interactive music experience that allows players to rule the party and not only experience, but to hear music in an all-new way. With over 100 individual songs, highlighted in over 80 unique never-before-released mixes that blend genres of music, including hip-hop, R&B, pop, rock and electronica, DJ Hero delivers the most diverse and international collection of music ever assembled in a music game by incorporating anthems from legendary artists. Created exclusively for DJ Hero, the turntable controller immerses fans into DJ culture and a sea of music as they utilize and master various DJ techniques including scratching, blending, cross fading and sampling, while leaving room for creative expression with a variety of effects and player chosen samples and scratches, transforming a face in the crowd into the life of the party.

DJ Hero is being developed by FreeStyleGames for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2 computer entertainment systems and the Wii system from Nintendo.

Marvel v Capcom 2 features the biggest roster of challengers to ever square off in a Capcom fighting game, a total of 56 combined brawlers from both the Capcom and Marvel universes. From the world of Capcom comes characters such as Ryu from the Street Fighter series, Jill Valentine from the Resident Evil games and unofficial company mascot Mega Man.

Marvel is represented by some of its biggest names, including the Invincible Iron Man, Captain America, the Sentinel of Liberty, and War Machine, Weapon of S.H.I.E.L.D. Players can mix and match from both worlds in order to create their own ideal three man/woman/robot/monster team-up.
Marvel VS Capcom 2 is designed to be a gateway for new players to experience the fun of fighting games while providing a deep system for hardcore fighting fans to dig into. Action is based around colorful, exaggerated attacks that include gigantic projectile attacks (such as Ryu's fireball or Dr. Doom's Plasma Beam) and high-flying aerial moves (like Spider-Man's Maximum Spider or Cammy's Killer Bee Attack). The controls are somewhat simplified from the classic six-button system at the heart of Capcom games like Street Fighter® IV, utilizing a four-button control scheme for the action, with two "assist" buttons that pull in your team members for additional support.
Due to the amazing combination of Marvel and Capcom characters and the game's celebrated fighting system and graphics, MvC2 has been a hotly sought-after title on the game collector's circuit. Previously owned copies for older game consoles have been demanding more than $100 in auctions and at specialty video game outlets. Now players who have been desperately searching out used copies of the game will be able to go hands-on and play online with the same great online experience from Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. Additionally, Capcom has added an optional advanced visual filter that improves the overall appearance of the game and added online modes, including Ranked Matches and the popular Player "Quarter" Match, that allows up to four people to watch and chat while two others are battling it out.
Key features
Features
• Over 50 characters from the Marvel and Capcom Universes!
• 3 on 3 tag-team matches
• New online matching mode, including Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix’s “Quarter Match” mode ; enjoy the arcade experience from your console
• New optional visual filter smoothes out the game’s graphics
• Four button controls introduce new players to fighting games; compatible with the Mad Catz Street Fighter IV joysticks and Fight Pad
• Available for the first time via digital distribution on Xbox LIVE Arcade and the PlayStation Network

Cosmos, the goddess of harmony. Chaos, the god of discord. Reigning from distant realms, the two gods had gathered warriors from all lands to lead them in savage war. Cosmos and Chaos were of equal strength. It was believed the conflict would last forever.

But the balance was broken. Those who answered Chaos's call created an inexhaustible force. And under vicious attack without relent, the warriors fighting for Cosmos started to fall one by one. The conflict that has continued for eons is now about to end in Chaos's favor. The world has been torn asunder, sinking into a vortex of disorder. As for the few surviving warriors their fates are about to be determined.

Assume the role of your favorite FINAL FANTASY characters thrown into an epic battle between light and darkness in this unique action game.

505 Games in collaboration with 1C Company have confirmed the date of the single player Xbox 360 demo for upcoming flight combat title IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds Of Prey. Gaijin Entertainment’s hotly anticipated WWII action simulator will get the demo treatment on Xbox LIVE Marketplace from 29th July, with the full release hitting UK shelves on 4th September for Xbox 360, PS3, PSP and Nintendo DS.

The IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds Of Prey demo will give players a taste of two of the game’s memorable conflict scenarios, The Battle of Britain and The Battle of the Bulge.

In Battle of Britain: Red Skies Over Dover, players are given the role of an RAF pilot commanding the legendary Mk. II Spitfire with B wing armament (two canons, four machine guns). What starts off as a routine ‘mopping up’ mission on a few stray He-111 German bombers soon develops into a fracas in which the RAF faced their finest hour. The mission demonstrates the skills required to intercept larger bombers as well as the more nimble Stuka bombers. The effective use of wingmen will become apparent as the mission unfolds and survivors will have the opportunity to land on a home airstrip.

In Battle of the Bulge: Tiger Hunt, the US Air Force P-51D Mustang is the weapon of choice as players are invited to pick off some German armour ploughing through the Ardennes. Defending FW-190 fighters will also have to be dispatched; although the Tigers are the primary target as US forces aim to stem the German advance and defend the front line. The mission will allow players to try rocket attacks on ground targets as well as sample the snow capped vistas of the December Belgian landscape.

Based around large-scale aerial combat over the ground-based military operations of World War II, variety is at the heart of the action in IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey. Players participate in the most famous confrontations of the era piloting fighters, battle planes or heavy bombers across a range of missions. There are 6 theatres of war in which to engage – The Battle of Britain, Stalingrad, Berlin, Sicily, the Battle of the Bulge and Korsun – representing the main airborne battles of World War II in Europe.

As well as taking environmental and landscape visuals to new heights by incorporating satellite technology, IL-2 also boasts a tangible damage effects engine. Players will see real-time damage to the aircraft such as holes in the wings and trail lines during dogfights.

IL2 Sturmovik: Birds Of Prey will be published by 505 Games in collaboration with 1C Company on 4th September 2009 for Xbox 360, PS3, DS and PSP. Visit the official website at www.il2game.com for all the latest information.

In the medieval universe of World of Battles, nine races fight a terrible war for world domination. Choose your side, recruit, train and equip units in order to create a powerful army able to face opposing armies created by other players.

Take part in huge battles in order to establish yourself as a warlord and progress in the online World of Battles’, ranks. Players will be free to connect for quick play and to participate in one of the many official tournaments of World of Battles.

In the game, you will discover a unique system for customizing your units and soldiers. You'll be able to personalize the appearance of each one of your soldiers with a very high level of detail. Before launching into your first battles, you'll need to prepare your troops, because if you don't, your army will surely take a beating.

Once you're ready to fight, gameplay switches to real time strategy mode. Take command of your armies and show everyone who's the greatest warlord in the war-torn battlefields of World of Battles. You can also join friends to confront other clans in titanic guild wars in which tactics and teamwork will be essential to become the most powerful army of all.

World of Battles is free and accessible to all in order to allow everyone to share an intense online gaming experience. World of Battles has higher technical ambitions than other current free internet games and a significant development budget. The game will be supported through additional services and micro-transactions which will allow players to buy customizations for troops and units.

World of Battles is currently being developed by Frogwares studio. It will be available online for free in June 2009.

In development by Epicenter Studios, "Real Heroes: Firefighter" emphasizes non-violent, game-integral puzzles and challenges that mirror the on-the-fly choices firefighters face every day.

Featuring Epicenter's proprietary "Thinking Fire" technology, blazes will seem almost alive as they not only attack structures, potential victims and firefighters, but also cause unexpected changes to the environments that will suddenly alter the player's options and strategies.

No two scenarios will play out the same way in "Real Heroes: Firefighter."

Electronic Arts unveiled the full soundtracks for Madden NFL 10, FIFA 10, NHL 10 and NBA LIVE 10. This first-ever quadruple announcement represents the sounds of this fall’s four sports franchises and affirms EA’s standing as the leaders in worldwide videogame music and marketing.

“Each EA SPORTS game is unique to every gamer that picks up the controller, we wanted to make sure the music matched each of those unique experiences,” said Steve Schnur, Electronic Arts’ Worldwide Executive for Music and Marketing. “With the big songs and huge bands in Madden NFL, bringing back the Soul of the Game to NBA LIVE, tapping into the hard hitting metal tracks of NHL and the international flavor of FIFA, this year’s EA SPORTS soundtrack line up aligns with each of the game’s unique styles.”

MADDEN NFL 10

Since 2001, the annual Madden NFL soundtrack has become music’s most essential launching pad for such artists as Avenged Sevenfold, Franz Ferdinand, Lupe Fiasco and Fallout Boy. This year, Madden NFL 10 makes the ultimate surprise play with a front-line of classics that includes Black Sabbath, 2Pac, Iron Maiden, Kid Rock, Nirvana, Public Enemy, System Of A Down and Rage Against The Machine; tracks by breakout bands Airbourne, Mastodon, and Killswitch Engage; and an exclusive new song by Cypress Hill.

The complete in-game soundtrack for Madden NFL 10:
ARTIST SONG
2Pac Can't C Me
Airbourne Heads Are Gonna Roll
Alice In Chains Them Bones
B.o.B Created A Monster
Bang Camaro Revolution
Beastie Boys Sabotage
Black Sabbath Paranoid
Cypress Hill Get ‘Em Up
Helmet Unsung
Iron Maiden Aces High
Judas Priest Painkiller
Kid Rock I Am The Bullgod
Killswitch Engage Reckoning
Korn Blind
Mastodon Divinations
Nas feat. Puff Daddy Hate Me Now
Nirvana Breed
Pantera Walk
Public Enemy Shut Em Down
Rage Against The Machine Guerrilla Radio
Set Your Goals Gaia Bleeds (Make Way for Man)
Slipknot Duality
System Of A Down Sugar
The Vanity Plan Before I Die
Young Dre The Truth Cheah Beah

NBA LIVE 10

Long recognized as the premiere showcase for diverse and innovative new music, NBA LIVE 10 features more than 80% exclusive tracks, including reinvented classics from Afrika Bambaataa, Dead Prez and Snoop Dogg, along with ground-breaking collaborations by indie-rockers Matt & Kim with the legendary De La Soul, and newcomers Mickey Factz & B.o.B. The soundtrack also spotlights never-before-heard songs from Beastie Boys and Wyclef Jean.

The complete in-game soundtrack for NBA LIVE 10:
ARTIST SONG
88 Keys feat. Colin Munroe Wake Up Call
Afrika Bambaataa feat. Why G, Mickey Factz &The Fort Knox Five Zulu! (We Don't Stop Yawl)
B.o.B. Champion
Beastie Boys Pop Your Balloon
David Banner & GQ S.P.I.T.
De La Soul La La La
Dead Prez Still Bigga Than
Embassy Music Board Overtime
Grand Puba Get It
Laza Crank It Up
Matt & Kim feat. De La Soul Daylight (Troublemaker Remix)
Matt & Kim Daylight
Mick Boogie feat. Kidz In The Hall, Donnis & Daytona Class Of Our Own
Mickey Factz & B.o.B. Mind Got Blown
Mos Def feat. Talib Kweli History
Murs feat. Kurupt & Jay Rock We Ballin'
Pete Rock When I Need It
Reflection Eternal Get Lite
Rye Rye feat. Busy Signal Get Like This
Snoop Dogg Lodi Dodi (LIVE 10)
Wale feat. Jazmine Sullivan World Tour
Wyclef Jean feat. Haitian Fresh Ballin'
Xzibit feat. BJ The Chicago Kid & Poo Bear Fanatic
Young Dre The Truth & 2Pac feat. BJ The Chicago Kid All Eyez On Me (The Truth)
Zion I Go Hard

NHL 10

NHL 10 boasts a crunching line-up of metal, indie-punk and rapcore tracks from both legendary platinum bands – including Megadeth, Scorpions, Green Day and Rancid – and breakthrough new acts such as Cancer Bats and Metalkpretty.

The complete in-game soundtrack for NHL 10:
ARTIST SONG
Alexisonfire Young Cardinals
Cancer Bats Deathsmarch
CKY Hellions On Parade
Disco Ensemble Golden Years
Drangonforce Heroes Of Our Time
Eagles Of Death Metal Anything 'Cept The Truth
Earl Greyhound Oye Vaya
Green Day Know Your Enemy
Megadeth Peace Sells
Metalkpretty Wake Up! Wake Up!
Ministry & Co-Conspirators Keys To The City (Chicago Blackhawks Theme Song)
MxPx Kids In America
Nickelback Burn It To The Ground
Papa Roach Into The Light
Priestess Raccoon Eyes
Rancid The Bravest Kids
Scorpions Rock You Like A Hurricane
Thousand Foot Krutch Fire It Up

FIFA 10

For the latest edition of the most influential global soundtrack in the world today, EA SPORTS FIFA 10 brings together genre-spanning tracks from 39 different artists representing more than 25 nations, including England, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Mexico, Brazil, Norway, New Zealand, Israel, USA and Nigeria.

The complete in-game soundtrack for FIFA 10:
ARTIST SONG COUNTRY
Adiam Dymott Miss You Sweden
Afrobots Favela Rock Brazil
Alex Metric Head Straight England
Auletta Meine Stadt Germany
Balkan Beat Box feat. Tomer Yosef and Saz Ramallah-Tel Aviv Israel
BLK JKS Lakeside South Africa
Bomba Estéreo Fuego Mexico
The BPA feat. Ashley Beedle Should I Stay Or Should I Blow England
Buraka Som Sistema feat. Pongolove Kalemba (Wegue - Wegue) Portugal
CasioKids Fot I Hose Norway
Children Collide Skeleton Dance Australia
Crookers feat. The Very Best, Two Fingers & Marina Gasolina Birthday Bash Italy
Cut Off Your Hands Happy As Can Be New Zealand
Dananananaykroyd Black Wax Scotland
Datarock Give It Up Norway
Fabri Fibra Donna Famosa Italy
Fidel Nadal International Love Argentina
Los Fabulosos Cadillacs La Luz Del Ritmo Argentina
Macaco Hacen Falta Dos Spain
Major Lazer Hold The Line USA
Marcio Local Soul Do Samba Brazil
Matt & Kim Daylight (Troublemaker Remix feat. De La Soul) USA
Metric Gold Guns Girls Canada
Mexican Institute Of Sound Alocatel Mexico
Nneka Kangpe Nigeria
Passion Pit Moth's Wings USA
Peter Bjorn And John Nothing To Worry About Sweden
Pint Shot Riot Not Thinking Straight England
Playing For Change War / No More Trouble WORLD
Rocky Dawuni Download The Revolution Ghana
Röyksopp It's What I Want Norway
Soshy Dorothy France
The Answering Machine It's Over! It's Over! It's Over! England
The Enemy UK Be Somebody England
The Temper Trap Science of Fear Australia
Tommy Sparks She's Got Me Dancing England
The Whitest Boy Alive 1517 Germany
Wyclef Jean MVP Kompa Haiti
Zap Mama Vibrations Belgium

Exkee is proud to announce its first WiiWare title, ColorZ, is now available on Nintendo Wii download platform.

ColorZ is an original action/puzzle game that takes place in a world full of colourful UFOs. Unfortunately, things have taken a downwards turn since a new virus polluted the universe and created thousands of nasty microbes. Your challenge is to attack the microbes and restore your planet back to its original vibrant self.

At the beginning of the game only red, green and blue UFOs are present and the player will be given control of one of the colours. The main rule is that one UFO can only pass through or absorb a microbe if it is made of the same colour. If not, your UFO dies. Players have to avoid colliding with microbes of different colour, sometimes changing the colour of their own by using special items.

What makes ColorZ truly addictive is that players will gradually be given control of two to three different UFO colours at once - and the ability to fuse them into a new colour of UFO. The fusion of two or more UFOs will produce a specific colour based on real-life colours – i.e. red + blue = magenta.

Control the different UFOs with the Wii Remote and the Nunchuk. Up to three people can play in cooperative mode, working together strategically to win the day and beat the virus.

D3Publisher announce that Shaun the Sheep is back for another baa-rilliant adventure in Shaun the Sheep: Off His Head, exclusively for Nintendo DS. Teaming up with Aardman Animations once more, Shaun the Sheep: Off His Head is a fantastic follow-up to the successful Shaun the Sheep video game, offering great family-friendly gameplay with an all new adventure.

In Shaun the Sheep: Off His Head the farmer is all set for a big date, but wait…..the farmer’s new toupee has gone missing! Players must help Shaun find the farmer’s toupee before it’s too late. Gamers will play as Shaun and call upon other favourite characters from the show, such as Shirley, Timmy, Bitzer and more, as they help Shaun escape the naughty pigs and other mischievous animals in a bid to rescue the missing toupee! Shaun the Sheep: Off His Head will ship to retail stores across PAL territories this Autumn.

“Shaun the Sheep: Off His Head is the highly anticipated sequel to the first Shaun the Sheep game, bringing the personality and humour of the series to life once more” said Adam Roberts, European Managing Director, D3P. “With all new gameplay elements and the familiar sheepish humour the series is known for; Shaun the Sheep: Off His Head can be enjoyed by pre schoolers, tweens, teens and Adults alike.”

Rob Goodchild, Licensing Manager at Aardman Animations, said, “We are delighted with this brilliant new offering from D3. Our in-house creative team have collaborated closely with D3’s development team to create a fantastically farcical storyline, which really captures the essence and, above all, the humour of the show. With 40 new episodes in production and some exciting new product launches across 2009/10, we are expecting a strong cross-category performance for the Shaun the Sheep brand as a whole.”

The long-awaited sequel to the legendary WWII Pacific monster strategy game is now available and it comes along with a three month sale on other 2by3 Games Pacific wargames!

the highly anticipated sequel to the legendary wargame War in the Pacific is now available! Many additional man-years of development from a dedicated and experienced team including subject matter experts and experienced programmers has resulted in an improved War in the Pacific experience across the board.

This is the entire War in the Pacific down to individual aircraft, vehicles, ships, guns and squads - more than just a game, it's an encyclopedia of the war compiled from many sources to an unmatched level of detail. Add in a much improved AI and more secure PBEM play and you have the makings of a new classic!

To coincide with the War in the Pacific release, we are also announcing a three month “Victory at Sea Sale” which offers the other 2by3 Pacific wargames at a reduced price.

War in the Pacific: Admiral’s Edition is a stand-alone release which does not require ownership of War in the Pacific. The Admiral’s Edition installation process will not overwrite original War in the Pacific files, but instead the expansion installs along side the original installation of the game and runs as a separate game.

Owners of War in the Pacific are entitled to a limited time $20 discount on War in the Pacific: Admiral’s Edition. This offer will expire three months after the release of Admiral’s Edition. To get your discount, you will need your original War in the Pacific serial number. You can trade it in for discount code at this link: http://www.matrixgames.com/discount/witp.asp . Note that each serial number is good for one discount code and once the code is retrieved, the serial number is considered used. So read the instructions on the discount code page carefully and don’t lose your code! We encourage all War in the Pacific owners to take advantage of this discount while it lasts.

The ”Victory at Sea Sale” will also last for three months after the Admiral’s Edition release and offers the following discounts: War in the Pacific is $20 off the normal price ($49.99 instead of $69.99), Uncommon Valor is $10 off the normal price ($19.99 instead of $29.99) and War Plan Orange is $10 off the normal price ($34.99 instead of $44.99). Whether you’re looking to complete your collection or you’re a new wargamer trying to get your feet wet before jumping into the Admiral’s Edition, there’s never been a better time to pick up these releases!

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “We’d like to thank Henderson Field Designs for their enormous effort and tireless dedication to the War in the Pacific: Admiral’s Edition project. Whether you’re a hardcore fan playing War in the Pacific every day or you’re interested in finding out what all the buzz has been about – Admiral’s Edition will deliver quality and immersive gameplay at a level of detail and realism you can’t get anywhere else! A warning though, this is a very advanced wargame and not for the faint of heart!”

The individual features and improvements to Admiral’s Edition are far too numerous to mention in total in this announcement, but the highlights alone should grab the attention of any War in the Pacific fan.

The Entire War in the Pacific on One Map! – If you thought the original map was something to behold, wait until you see the new one! Completely redone to a 40 nautical mile per hex scale (instead of the original 60 mile per hex scale) and with the original distance distortions and inaccuracies greatly reduced, this is the most accurate and most stunning map of the theater ever created. In addition, the smaller scale has allowed us to add a number of important bases that would not fit in the larger scale, but which played a key role in the strategy of various operations. On top of that, Admiral’s Edition now has off-map movement through map edge boxes representing major bases across the world, allowing more realistic movement of Allied assets and arrival of reinforcements and resources.

The War At Sea – A waypoint system has now been added for Task Force movement, with up to three waypoints possible. These can also be used to define a patrol zone with loiter times. Waypoints can also be used for automated convoys along with a “return same route” option, making setting up your supply routes easier than ever. Task Force Movement is now handled on a hex by hex basis, with mid-ocean intercepts now possible! Many additional ship classes have been added and the entire naval order of battle has been overhauled with new ships, new subs (including midget subs for the Japanese) and new devices.

The entire upgrade system is now much more capable, allowing conversion of ships between classes as well as multiple upgrade levels (for example, a US Navy four stack destroyer can now convert to APD, AVD, DM or DMS, as the player wishes). Ports have also been reworked to allow for realistic limits for ability to handle ships, cargo and repairs, with much more control given to the player on how repairs are managed (especially at shipyards).

Shore bombardment, landing craft, major and minor ship damage, Engine vs. System damage, brand new ship art and improved task force and ship displays are just some of the many additional improvements!

The War in the Air – The air combat, pilot replacement and training systems of the original War in the Pacific have all been revisited and improved for the Admiral’s Edition. CAP is now partly in the air and partly scrambled, based on your CAP percentage, radar, climb rate, HQs and other factors. Fighters now have new more realistic air combat ratings, with maneuver adjusted based on altitude bands and top speed factored into relative maneuver calculations, to allow both styles of air combat to have their due. The end result is a better simulation of the historical matchups and less of the “uber CAP” that could happen in the original release.

On top of that, plane damage is now tracked across turns and each plane type is assigned a service rating which affects the difficulty of keeping that plane repaired, maintained and in the air. In addition to ops losses, perpetually damaged planes can now become “write offs” with their parts scavenged to make other planes operational. Operational losses overall are now at a higher, more realistic level for the Pacific theater. Fog of war also now applies to the indicator for enemy planes at a base as well and air balance and bomber/escort assignment depends on what you actually know of the enemy’s air power.

Pilots are now rated in a dozen different skill levels and can no longer gain the equivalent of combat experience by flying non-combat missions. Combined with a much more realistic multi-pool pilot training and reserve system, this eliminates certain balance loopholes that could cause unrealistic training rates.

Barrage balloons, blimps, over 500 airplane types, new aircraft art, more realistic coordination limits, configurable resize for squadrons and tracking of air attack vectors for ship flak are some of the many additional improvements!

The War on Land – From the original War in the Pacific’s eight terrain types, the Admiral’s Edition now has up to sixteen and transportation is now handled based on hex-sides rather than hexes, allowing for realistic land movement rates. A new dynamic hex-side and hex zone of control system also ensures realistic control over directions of movement and retreat. Land units now have several modes, rather than just a few – Combat, Movement, Strategic Movement, Reserve, Rest and Disorganized combine to give the player more choices to make about the stance and effectiveness of his land units. A division in Reserve will be able to Pursue, while a Division in Combat will be able to fight much more effectively and a division in Strategic Movement will be able to use rail movement, for example.

Tactical movement also now allows plotting and executing moves from any one hex to any adjacent hex – supply routes no longer need to be followed. Improved fog of war, limitations on fort construction, forced withdrawals and disbands and overstacking rules for atolls and small islands are some of the additional improvements that bring the land combat aspect of the Admiral’s Edition to a new level!

The War at Home – Economy and Industry have also been improved to more accurately simulate the wartime economies, with the addition of Light Industry and Oil Refinery centers and the removal of fuel and supply production from Resource and Oil centers. These changes allow for more realistic economies while keeping the game balance at a historical level. Moving the arrival of some off-map resources to off-map bases, requiring them to be transported on map also removes some issues, such as with Karachi. The end result is an economy that is not significantly more complex, but works more historically.

The Grand Campaign – All of these improvements will come wrapped up with a new full campaign scenario as well as five other scenarios, ranging in size from smaller to larger, many never before done for the War in the Pacific engine! The new campaign and scenarios are based on new, thorough and painstaking research to place every starting historical land, naval and air unit where it was historically and to do the same for reinforcements and withdrawals, to maintain a historical balance of forces. The new orders of battle, planes, ships and devices represent a leap forward in realism and historicity from War in the Pacific, which set the benchmark when it was first released.

The Editor – Finally, scenario and mod-makers will rejoice at the entirely new editor, built from the ground up for the Admiral’s Edition. This editor significantly increases the number of slots available for both devices and locations, has text search, auto-refresh of units from changes TO&Es, display of art work for ships and planes, enables editor-defined LCU breakdowns and task force contents. It also allows viewing of the contents of a given hex for the entire scenario being worked on (including reinforcements). The editor also allows you to upgrade the complete TO&E of a unit at a specified date, which is used to good effect in the new scenarios and campaign to allow 2-5 TO&Es for a division, for example, rather than having to abstract those into one for the entire war.

War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition includes all of these great new features and improvements, along with a host of minor fixes, while maintaining the same great gameplay and game balance that gamers have enjoyed for years in War in the Pacific.

As our first "Collector's Edition", the boxed version also comes with a Full Color Printed 330 page manual!

Get more information on War in the Pacific – Admiral’s Edition from its official product page. War in the Pacific – Admiral’s Edition is a standalone release and does not require War in the Pacific to install and play.

GameTap is pleased to announce the renewal and expansion of its distribution partnership with Ubisoft Entertainment. This agreement extends to GameTap the rights for distribution and sale of Ubisoft games through GameTap’s games-on-demand subscription service and its digital retail store.

As part of this agreement, GameTap will continue offering gamers their beloved Ubisoft franchises like Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell, Heroes of Might and Magic, Far Cry, and Prince of Persia. In addition to renewing these proven hits, GameTap will update its Ubisoft library with over 50 new games. These exciting new additions include hit titles such as:

• Assassin’s Creed
• Far Cry 2
• Heroes of Might and Magic V
• Brothers in Arms: Road To Hill 30, Earned In Blood, Hell’s Highway
• Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Vegas,
• Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Vegas 2
• Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter
• Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2

GameTap’s burgeoning digital retail shop will offer an even larger selection of Ubisoft titles available for purchase and download. Ubisoft games started arriving in the shop on June 23, 2009 with the release of Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. and Prince Of Persia. This represents the first time Ubisoft’s games have been available for sale from the re-vamped GameTap shop.

“We are pleased to be able to offer our subscribers more of the kinds of games they love to play,” said GameTap US General Manager, Sene Sorrow. “Ubisoft games have always performed well for GameTap, and we are excited to grow this partnership,”

“We are excited to add more of Ubisoft’s top notch games into GameTap’s network, for both full game downloads and improved subscription based offerings,” said Andy Swanson, senior director of strategic sales and partnerships at Ubisoft. “We look forward to offering consumers yet another opportunity to play our award-winning franchises and receive our games digitally.”

Ubisoft’s ongoing relationship with GameTap has for years provided GameTap subscribers with top quality, high performing titles that are consistently ranked as favorites by their users. Through our partnerships with industry leaders like Ubisoft and these new additions to our ever-growing catalog of games, GameTap further cements its position as the best value in gaming.

Paradox Interactive is proud to announce today that production has completed on Hearts of Iron 3. The third installment of the popular World War II strategy series, Hearts of Iron 3 is ready to invade North American retail shelves and all major digital download portals on August 7th. The game will hit stores in the UK and Scandinavia on August 14th and Germany and France on August 28th.

Featuring rich battle simulations that occur throughout 1936-1948, Hearts of Iron 3 will appeal to both veteran players and newcomers alike with brand new features, including a huge game map with more than 14,000 land and sea provinces. Players will soon have the opportunity to put their battle plans into action and take control of countries ranging from larger superpowers such as Russia or the United States, to smaller nations such as Costa Rica.

To read more about Hearts of Iron 3, please visit www.paradoxplaza.com.

Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com), 2by3 Games (www.2by3games.com) and Henderson Field Designs are thrilled to announce that the highly anticipated sequel to the legendary wargame War in the Pacific is now available! Many additional man-years of development from a dedicated and experienced team including subject matter experts and experienced programmers has resulted in an improved War in the Pacific experience across the board. This is the entire War in the Pacific down to individual aircraft, vehicles, ships, guns and squads - more than just a game, it's an encyclopedia of the war compiled from many sources to an unmatched level of detail. Add in a much improved AI and more secure PBEM play and you have the makings of a new classic!

To coincide with the War in the Pacific release, we are also announcing a three month “Victory at Sea Sale” which offers the other 2by3 Pacific wargames at a reduced price.

War in the Pacific: Admiral’s Edition is a stand-alone release which does not require ownership of War in the Pacific. The Admiral’s Edition installation process will not overwrite original War in the Pacific files, but instead the expansion installs along side the original installation of the game and runs as a separate game.

Owners of War in the Pacific are entitled to a limited time $20 discount on War in the Pacific: Admiral’s Edition. This offer will expire three months after the release of Admiral’s Edition. To get your discount, you will need your original War in the Pacific serial number. You can trade it in for discount code at this link: http://www.matrixgames.com/discount/witp.asp . Note that each serial number is good for one discount code and once the code is retrieved, the serial number is considered used. So read the instructions on the discount code page carefully and don’t lose your code! We encourage all War in the Pacific owners to take advantage of this discount while it lasts.

The ”Victory at Sea Sale” will also last for three months after the Admiral’s Edition release and offers the following discounts: War in the Pacific is $20 off the normal price ($49.99 instead of $69.99), Uncommon Valor is $10 off the normal price ($19.99 instead of $29.99) and War Plan Orange is $10 off the normal price ($34.99 instead of $44.99). Whether you’re looking to complete your collection or you’re a new wargamer trying to get your feet wet before jumping into the Admiral’s Edition, there’s never been a better time to pick up these releases!

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “We’d like to thank Henderson Field Designs for their enormous effort and tireless dedication to the War in the Pacific: Admiral’s Edition project. Whether you’re a hardcore fan playing War in the Pacific every day or you’re interested in finding out what all the buzz has been about – Admiral’s Edition will deliver quality and immersive gameplay at a level of detail and realism you can’t get anywhere else! A warning though, this is a very advanced wargame and not for the faint of heart!”

The individual features and improvements to Admiral’s Edition are far too numerous to mention in total in this announcement, but the highlights alone should grab the attention of any War in the Pacific fan.

The Entire War in the Pacific on One Map! – If you thought the original map was something to behold, wait until you see the new one! Completely redone to a 40 nautical mile per hex scale (instead of the original 60 mile per hex scale) and with the original distance distortions and inaccuracies greatly reduced, this is the most accurate and most stunning map of the theater ever created. In addition, the smaller scale has allowed us to add a number of important bases that would not fit in the larger scale, but which played a key role in the strategy of various operations. On top of that, Admiral’s Edition now has off-map movement through map edge boxes representing major bases across the world, allowing more realistic movement of Allied assets and arrival of reinforcements and resources.

The War At Sea – A waypoint system has now been added for Task Force movement, with up to three waypoints possible. These can also be used to define a patrol zone with loiter times. Waypoints can also be used for automated convoys along with a “return same route” option, making setting up your supply routes easier than ever. Task Force Movement is now handled on a hex by hex basis, with mid-ocean intercepts now possible! Many additional ship classes have been added and the entire naval order of battle has been overhauled with new ships, new subs (including midget subs for the Japanese) and new devices.

The entire upgrade system is now much more capable, allowing conversion of ships between classes as well as multiple upgrade levels (for example, a US Navy four stack destroyer can now convert to APD, AVD, DM or DMS, as the player wishes). Ports have also been reworked to allow for realistic limits for ability to handle ships, cargo and repairs, with much more control given to the player on how repairs are managed (especially at shipyards).

Shore bombardment, landing craft, major and minor ship damage, Engine vs. System damage, brand new ship art and improved task force and ship displays are just some of the many additional improvements!

The War in the Air – The air combat, pilot replacement and training systems of the original War in the Pacific have all been revisited and improved for the Admiral’s Edition. CAP is now partly in the air and partly scrambled, based on your CAP percentage, radar, climb rate, HQs and other factors. Fighters now have new more realistic air combat ratings, with maneuver adjusted based on altitude bands and top speed factored into relative maneuver calculations, to allow both styles of air combat to have their due. The end result is a better simulation of the historical matchups and less of the “uber CAP” that could happen in the original release.

On top of that, plane damage is now tracked across turns and each plane type is assigned a service rating which affects the difficulty of keeping that plane repaired, maintained and in the air. In addition to ops losses, perpetually damaged planes can now become “write offs” with their parts scavenged to make other planes operational. Operational losses overall are now at a higher, more realistic level for the Pacific theater. Fog of war also now applies to the indicator for enemy planes at a base as well and air balance and bomber/escort assignment depends on what you actually know of the enemy’s air power.

Pilots are now rated in a dozen different skill levels and can no longer gain the equivalent of combat experience by flying non-combat missions. Combined with a much more realistic multi-pool pilot training and reserve system, this eliminates certain balance loopholes that could cause unrealistic training rates.

Barrage balloons, blimps, over 500 airplane types, new aircraft art, more realistic coordination limits, configurable resize for squadrons and tracking of air attack vectors for ship flak are some of the many additional improvements!

The War on Land – From the original War in the Pacific’s eight terrain types, the Admiral’s Edition now has up to sixteen and transportation is now handled based on hex-sides rather than hexes, allowing for realistic land movement rates. A new dynamic hex-side and hex zone of control system also ensures realistic control over directions of movement and retreat. Land units now have several modes, rather than just a few – Combat, Movement, Strategic Movement, Reserve, Rest and Disorganized combine to give the player more choices to make about the stance and effectiveness of his land units. A division in Reserve will be able to Pursue, while a Division in Combat will be able to fight much more effectively and a division in Strategic Movement will be able to use rail movement, for example.

Tactical movement also now allows plotting and executing moves from any one hex to any adjacent hex – supply routes no longer need to be followed. Improved fog of war, limitations on fort construction, forced withdrawals and disbands and overstacking rules for atolls and small islands are some of the additional improvements that bring the land combat aspect of the Admiral’s Edition to a new level!

The War at Home – Economy and Industry have also been improved to more accurately simulate the wartime economies, with the addition of Light Industry and Oil Refinery centers and the removal of fuel and supply production from Resource and Oil centers. These changes allow for more realistic economies while keeping the game balance at a historical level. Moving the arrival of some off-map resources to off-map bases, requiring them to be transported on map also removes some issues, such as with Karachi. The end result is an economy that is not significantly more complex, but works more historically.

The Grand Campaign – All of these improvements will come wrapped up with a new full campaign scenario as well as five other scenarios, ranging in size from smaller to larger, many never before done for the War in the Pacific engine! The new campaign and scenarios are based on new, thorough and painstaking research to place every starting historical land, naval and air unit where it was historically and to do the same for reinforcements and withdrawals, to maintain a historical balance of forces. The new orders of battle, planes, ships and devices represent a leap forward in realism and historicity from War in the Pacific, which set the benchmark when it was first released.

The Editor – Finally, scenario and mod-makers will rejoice at the entirely new editor, built from the ground up for the Admiral’s Edition. This editor significantly increases the number of slots available for both devices and locations, has text search, auto-refresh of units from changes TO&Es, display of art work for ships and planes, enables editor-defined LCU breakdowns and task force contents. It also allows viewing of the contents of a given hex for the entire scenario being worked on (including reinforcements). The editor also allows you to upgrade the complete TO&E of a unit at a specified date, which is used to good effect in the new scenarios and campaign to allow 2-5 TO&Es for a division, for example, rather than having to abstract those into one for the entire war.

War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition includes all of these great new features and improvements, along with a host of minor fixes, while maintaining the same great gameplay and game balance that gamers have enjoyed for years in War in the Pacific.

As our first "Collector's Edition", the boxed version also comes with a Full Color Printed 330 page manual!

Get more information on War in the Pacific – Admiral’s Edition from its official product page. War in the Pacific – Admiral’s Edition is a standalone release and does not require War in the Pacific to install and play.

The Indie Games Arcade returns to the Eurogamer Expo this year, with more than a dozen of the best and most interesting indie games and projects on show.

Organised by Pixel-Lab and Eurogamer, the Indie Games Arcade will be happening at both Eurogamer Expo events - in Leeds on the 27th and 28th of October, and as part of London Games Festival on the 30th and 31st of October.

The Indie Games Arcade will feature a raft of well-known and not so well known indie games, including games from Tunatech, Introversion, Robert Fearon, Hayden Scott-Baron, Rudolf Kremers and Alex May.

Rupert Loman, managing director of Eurogamer said, "The Indie Games Arcade is an important part of the Eurogamer Expo. It puts gamers in touch with games they might not otherwise find out about, and helps independent developers reach new gamers and attract press coverage that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to get. We’re delighted to bring it back this year with the help of Pixel-Lab.”

David Hayward, Project Coordinator for Pixel-Lab said, "Not everyone is well known or has a huge marketing budget, but there's a lot of indie talent based right here in the UK. A lot of this work steps outside of the commercial mainstream of games and constitutes an important contribution to the culture of games. I'm really pleased to be putting such a lot of interesting work on show again this year."

As well as beloved and anticipated commercial indie titles, there will also be a selection of the most interesting and unusual non-commercial games that can be found.

The Indie Games Arcade microsite is here: http://pixel-lab.co.uk/indiegamesarcade

Leading Eastern and Central European publisher 1C Company and Battlefront.com are excited to announce a new expansion pack for the critically acclaimed Theatre of War 2: Africa 1943, the tactical World War II title.

The expansion pack will be available later this year via download and/or mail delivery for $25.00 at www.battlefront.com. Ownership of the original Theatre of War 2: Africa 1943 is required.

The new expansion pack, Theatre of War 2 - Centauro is dedicated to the 131st Armored Division Centauro and the battles it took part in North Africa starting from December 1942 till mid-May 1943. The 131st Armored Division Centauro (in Italian: 131ª Divisione Corazzata "Centauro") was an armored division of the Italian Army during World War II. The pack features a new campaign and covers missions from rearguard actions near El Ageyla in Libya to the battles in Tunisia. New desert and mountain landscapes of North Africa will be available on ten new maps accurately reconstructed according to historical documents. There will also be ten new missions based on real battles in Tunisia allowing would-be Generals to command counterattacks, breakthroughs, flanking manuevers, hardened defenses and stealthy ambushes. Ten new military vehicles will also make their debut in this expansion including the Semovente M40 tank destroyer, the Carro Armato M13/40 medium tank, the Autoblinda AB 40 armored car, and many more. For more information please go the official website at www.battlefront.com/tow2.

Theatre of War II is considered to be the most realistic simulation of modern battle ever played on a PC. Covering the events of 1943 during the operations in Tunisia players have the option to lead the German Afrika Korps of Rommel in their last full-scale attack or be at the head of the opposing English and American armies, led by Montgomery and Eisenhower, during 15 missions in three campaigns.

Aspyr Media and LucasArts will bring the hit game Star Wars - The Force Unleashed to PC and Mac gamers for the first time ever with the release of Star Wars The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Sith Edition this Fall. Developed for PC and Mac and published in North America by Aspyr, Star Wars The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Sith Edition combines the original Star Wars The Force Unleashed videogame with three new levels set in iconic Star Wars locales and a host of new costumes and character models.

This special edition of the game will show players the deepest, darkest side of the Force in a story that puts them on a collision course with Luke Skywalker himself.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed completely re-imagines the scope and scale of the Force and casts players as Darth Vader’s “Secret Apprentice,” unveiling new revelations about the Star Wars galaxy seen through the eyes of this mysterious new character, who is armed with unprecedented powers. Originally released on multiple platforms in September 2008, the game quickly became the fastest-selling Star Wars game ever, and has since sold six million units worldwide.

About The Extra Content
The first of the three additional single-player missions included in the Ultimate Sith Edition is set in the Jedi Temple on the planet Coruscant. In this mission, Darth Vader’s Secret Apprentice turns to the Jedi Temple to learn more about his father, and while searching through the rubble of the destroyed building he must confront his inner demons.

The second extra mission continues the story of The Force Unleashed in a new “Infinities” storyline that takes the Star Wars Saga in an entirely new direction. The level begins at the end of the story of The Force Unleashed and re-imagines the Star Wars Saga as if the Secret Apprentice had taken Darth Vader’s place at the Emperor’s side, becoming the most powerful Sith Lord in the universe. The story picks up as the Emperor sends his new apprentice to Tatooine to dispatch Obi-Wan Kenobi – who has been hiding on the planet ever since the events of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith. During their hunt for the reclusive Jedi, players will also explore the depths of Jabba the Hutt’s palace and encounter notorious bounty hunter Boba Fett.

The final new level concludes the “Infinities” storyline set up in the Tatooine mission, as the Secret Apprentice is sent to the planet Hoth on a crusade to crush the Rebellion once and for all. While on Hoth, players face Luke Skywalker himself while visiting iconic locations seen in Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back.

Additional added content includes new costumes for the Secret Apprentice and new character models that allow gamers to play as one of many legendary Star Wars characters including Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Count Dooku, Jango Fett and C-3PO.

The new DLC character pack for Tripwire’s hit co-op zombie-killer Killing Floor is now available for purchase and download on Steam. The pack contains 4 new playable characters for you to enjoy. The four characters are:

• Agent Wilkes: One of Horzine’s own security guards, still in his uniform, enhanced with Horzine’s own Mark 7 combat suit.
• Foundry Worker Aldridge: A welder who managed to survive the zombie onslaught inside the Foundry, still in his working gear.
• DJ Scully: Ex British army soldier, moonlighting as an underground DJ when the apocalypse hit.
• Dr Gary Glover: Sent in as part of the emergency response team, Dr Glover managed to survive infection inside his Hazmat suit.

These characters will be available in the character selection screen in-game once purchased. For more details, head for http://store.steampowered.com/app/1256/.

And the FREE new map (Foundry) and weapons (AK-47 and the Katana) will be available soon!

Independent developer Assyria Game Studio has today revealed its debut mobile title due for release on iPhone and iPod Touch. The incredibly slick Future Racer is a high speed, anti-gravity racer boasting fully 3D environments and a wide range of fiendish tracks set to test your reflexes to the limit.

From complicated toxic sewer networks, winding forests littered with hazards and illuminated night-time cityscapes, each of the six tracks are bursting with character. Future Racer strikes the perfect balance between delivering high speed thrills and impressive visuals, without compensating style for speed.

Integrating full tilt control, the game is easy to pick up and play but difficult to master, with fiendish AI players and the ongoing pressure of racing against the clock. Moving away from combat-based pickups, Future Racer focuses purely on speed and skill, with power-ups including speed boosts and subtracting precious seconds from your finishing time.

Features

-Simple accessible controls utilise the iPhone and iPod Touch tilt functionality

-Six wildly different tracks and six racing vehicles with differing strengths and weaknesses

-Compete against fiendish AI players to unlock medals and trophies

-A collection of beneficial pick-ups to utilise throughout each race

cdv Software Entertainment USA and Ascaron Entertainment today released a new patch for the retail PC version of Sacred 2 - Fallen Angel. The new patch offers gameplay updates and addresses some of the issues listed below.

For a complete list of the contents of the patch, and to download the patch, please visit – http://www.sacred2.com.

Updates

* It is now possible to disable the camera shake via an entry in the

optionscustom.txt. The entry is: camera.cameraShake = 0

Fixes:

* Reflection damage from NPCs has been reduced
* The Sakkara demon on the "Start Island" no longer attacks the player unless he has been attacked first
* Gold and XP amounts will now be displayed using periods as the thousands separator - for example 123.456.789.000)
* When fight music is disabled, the region music will continue to play during combat
* The bonus "push rider from mount" has been removed
* Blowpipes are now able to hit mounted creatures
* Other heroes in multiplayer game sessions are now less chatty.

Sacred 2 - Fallen Angel is a hack-and-slash action-RPG with a rich story that takes place in a gigantic seamless world. This world contains massive dungeons, treacherous opponents and hundreds of challenging quests. Intelligent enemies, which adapt in number and difficulty based on player progress, challenge gamers in heroic single- and multiplayer battles.

Pirates! Adventure! Monkeys! Re-live the hilarious swashbuckling misadventures of the wannabe pirate Guybrush Threepwood as he attempts to become the most infamous pirate in the Caribbean, in The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition on your Apple iPhone or iPod Touch today, for only £4.99!

The Special Edition features new character art and hand-painted environments in the style of the original. It also features a re-recorded and re-mastered score, and the principal voice artists from The Curse of Monkey Island read the previously unspoken lines, with Dominic Armato as Guybrush, Alexandra Boyd as Elaine, and Earl Boen as LeChuck. With a new hint system, a hot-swap mode and new, improved Grog this is a must-buy for pirates everywhere! And you too!

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Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game, BattleForge, is now expanding with the BattleForge Renegade Edition card set beginning August 25th. Players will have access to legendary units and monumental buildings from the Southern Wastes region of Nyn with over 60 additional cards that will be available through “Renegade Booster Packs” in the in-game store.

Two new playable factions will be revealed, the Bandits and Stonekin, along with a host of innovative new legendary creatures. With over 60 new units and buildings being added to the BattleForge card pool, players will now be able to make their army even stronger. BattleForge is also adding dual orb cards and special affinities that will deepen and enrich the strategic possibilities for the players’ decks and combat.

Also this week, the Renegade map campaign continues with the release of Oracle, a new single player PvE scenario. In this new map, Moon provides a prophecy that will guide players to unite the fire tribes. While Moon delivers a terrible performance as an oracle, players need to provide impressive effects. When Blight’s Witch Doctor senses your plot, he interferes and will add some unforeseen challenges to the goal of uniting the fire tribes.

BattleForge is a Play4Free game that combines strategy, fantasy, trading cards and magical spells in a dynamic online environment. Combining the strategic, real-time gameplay of classics such as Command & Conquer with a fully enabled, online collectible community, BattleForge pioneers strategy gaming with its online multiplayer design and community features set. The collectible cards in the game are the tools of war -- each representing a spell, unit or building that is conjured directly onto the battlefield real time in stunning 3D graphics. BattleForge features single-player scenarios and cooperative scenarios supporting 2-12 players, as well as Player vs. Player (PvP) ranked and unranked duels. With co-op play, chat rooms, and a robust marketplace featuring direct trade, an auction hall and in-game mail, BattleForge is the first RTS to combine the social and community aspects of an MMO with an exciting RTS.

The new BattleForge Renegade Booster Packs are available at the in-game store and can be purchased for 250 BattleForge points or $2.50.

Challenge your friends with the release of pool game 8BallAllstars for the Nintendo DS 7th August 2009.

This all new pool experience is set to be the ultimate pool gaming sensation, with a whole host of fun options, which allow players to play pool, how they like, where they like, whenever they like..

With a fully customizable feature set, which includes tables, avatars and rule editors 8BallAllstarts also offers multiple international rule sets, plus several single player and multiplayer modes.

Authentic, traditional and somewhat more eccentric tables, plus challenge modes, league tables, both UK and US rule sets & loads of different game types including 3,6,8,9,10 ball make this year’s most exciting pool experience on the Nintendo DS.

Pool fun for you or your friends, 8BallAllstars is the ultimate pool game for the Nintendo DS!

8BallAllstars is out 7th August 2009

As an investigator in the NYPD, hunt down a copycat killer and try to stop a rash of murders across New York City! Work through multiple murder scenes, collecting evidence and clues, and examine the items in exciting forensic based mini-games. Put all the clues together to determine who the new Poet Killer is before another victim is found, and decide who to trust as the suspects begin to include those inside the police force.

Game walkthrough...

Unleash the Power of the Gods in Ancient Greece in Neko's New Chariot Racer

Neko Entertainment an independent premier video game developer and publisher announced today announced that Heracles Chariot Racing is now available throughout Europe on WiiWare. Heracles Chartiot Racing is a racer that will drive players new and old to distraction, featuring ten circuits in five mythological fantasy settings, players take control of one of eight gods or legendary creatures from Heracles to Poseidon as they race to become Champion Charioteer.

“Following on our from our successful launch in North America, we are pleased to announce that Heracles Chariot Racing is now available to gamers throughout Europe via WiiWare”, said Laurent Lichnewsky, Managing Director of Neko Entertainment, “With its super fast casting action, mytholigical tracks and enemies, split screen multiplayer modes, Heracles Chariot Racing has something that will appeal to gamers of all ages”.

In Heracles Chariot Racing our hero Heracles has to undertake a challenge that none before him have survived – a chariot racing tournament. To win a series of sacred trophies and be crowned Champion Charioteer our hero has to race across mythological kingdoms against some of the most feared monsters in existence. The objectives are simple, survive the battles and race against some of the most fearsome and inventive foes in Greek mythology. Select a character and let fate, skill and ability decide the outcome!

Heracles Chariot Racing is an exciting journey into a mystical and colourful word of danger spiced with excitement, awesome weapons laced with humour. Featuring Championship, Single Player, Time Trial, Battle and intense 2 to 4 split screen multiplayer modes, players are the master of their own destinies, but with the divine actions of Gods they will require both skill and an element of luck to be crowned champions. Featuring 3 racing cups across 10 courses based on mythological fantasy settings including Nemean Lion, Realm of Hades, The Augean Stables, Stymphalian Lake and Mount Olympus, players select a character and race it out using fantasy weaponry including Zeus lightning rods, tridents, fireballs and more against their opponents.

505 Games has released details on the handheld versions of IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds Of Prey. Currently set for a 4th September release, the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions are being developed by Gaijin Entertainment while DiP Interactive and SME Dynamic Systems Limited are taking care of the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP formats respectively.

DiP Interactive’s Nintendo DS version of IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey has sought to employ innovative use of the DS’ unique touch screen format by way of counter measure. Players will be able to take hand draw notes on the in game flight card into battle, to physically record key information such as enemy positions and bombing coordinates. DiP Interactive has made use of the lower screen for flight instruments with the top screen used for gameplay and have managed to cram over 25 planes across 42 missions into a single DS cart. The DS has been tested to its limits by producing maps that can comprise an area of up to 100 x 100 km, providing ample room for aerial manoeuvre.

SME Dynamic Systems Limited is able to take advantage of the PSP’s considerable graphical capabilities and produce a handheld format that bears notable familiarity to the home console versions of IL-2. The PSP campaign unveils 30 thrilling missions across six major WWII battlefields with over 30 aircraft recreated in stunning detail (14 available for the player to pilot). The non-linear campaign allows players to pick any mission and unlock new ones as they are completed. There are 16 achievements to gain as well as multiplayer support for two player head to head dogfights on the move.

Based around large-scale aerial combat over the ground-based military operations of World War II, variety is at the heart of the action in IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey. Players participate in the most famous confrontations of the era piloting fighters, battle planes or heavy bombers across a range of missions. There are 6 theatres of war in which to engage – The Battle of Britain, Kursk, Berlin, Sicily, the Battle of the Bulge and Korsun – representing the main airborne battles of World War II in Europe.

As well as taking environmental and landscape visuals to new heights by incorporating satellite technology, IL-2 also boasts a tangible damage effects engine. Players will see real-time damage to the aircraft such as holes in the wings and trail lines during dogfights.

Some of us have the gift of oratory, others not – now is your chance to see how you measure up against the great speakers of our time. Your task will be to gain favour from your voters – when you create your speeches as El Presidente.

El Presidente’s Speech Feature:

• Speeches are held before elections and are a great tool to sway some voters in your favor.
• When a speech is created, El Presidente (the player) outlines the general directions of the speech (what problems to address, which faction or superpower to praise, what promises to make). His secretary creates the speech from these notes.
• Some parts of the speeches are automatically generated according to the political context of the election. For example in a country leaning towards communism, Presidente may address his people as "comrades".
• If the player doesn't keep his election promises, he will bear consequences later.
• El Presidente is also able to praise himself in his speeches.

Tropico 3 will be available from September 2009 on Xbox 360 and PC, for more information, screenshots and the teaser trailer please visit the official game website www.tropico3.com.

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

LucasArts today announced that their hit videogame Star Wars: The Force Unleashed will see further expansion this Fall through a new downloadable level for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. In addition, the company also announced Star Wars The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Sith Edition, a special new version of the game for the Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3, that will show gamers the deepest, darkest side of the Force in a story that puts them on a collision course with Luke Skywalker himself.

Available this holiday season at retail stores, The Ultimate Sith Edition will include all of the original missions found in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed as well as content previously only available via download and an all-new exclusive bonus level*.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed completely re-imagines the scope and scale of the Force and casts players as Darth Vader’s “Secret Apprentice,” unveiling new revelations about the Star Wars galaxy seen through the eyes of a mysterious new character armed with unprecedented powers. Originally released in September 2008, the game quickly became the fastest-selling Star Wars game ever, and has since sold six million units worldwide.

About the Tatooine Downloadable Content for Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

Available this Fall via direct download from the Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network and the PlayStation®Network, this new downloadable mission continues the story of The Force Unleashed in a new “Infinities” storyline that takes the Star Wars Saga in an entirely new and unexpected direction.

The mission begins at the end of the story of The Force Unleashed and re-imagines the Star Wars Saga as if the Secret Apprentice had killed Darth Vader and taken his place at the Emperor’s side, becoming the most powerful Sith Lord in the universe. The story picks up as the Emperor sends his new apprentice to the planet Tatooine to dispatch Obi-Wan Kenobi - who has been hiding on the planet ever since the events of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith. During their hunt for the reclusive Jedi, players will also explore the depths of Jabba the Hutt’s palace and encounter notorious bounty hunter Boba Fett.

About Star Wars The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Sith Edition

Due to be released in retail stores this holiday season for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3, Star Wars The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Sith Edition combines the original Star Wars: The Force Unleashed videogame and three new levels to create the definitive ultimate-evil storyline of the events that occurred between the two classic Star Wars movie trilogies*.

The additional content includes two levels set on Coruscant and Tatooine previously only available via direct download, and an all-new exclusive level available only in the Ultimate Sith Edition package.

The exclusive level concludes the “Infinities” storyline set up in the Tatooine mission, as the Secret Apprentice is sent to the planet Hoth on a crusade to crush the Rebellion once and for all. While on Hoth, players face Luke Skywalker himself while visiting iconic locations seen in Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back.

Microsoft teams up with top anime studios in creating a collection of original short films that take the "Halo" franchise to new frontiers.



A renowned set of storytellers from some of the world’s leading anime studios in Japan are about to take one of the most iconic franchises in science fiction and video games to a new level. Microsoft Corp., in collaboration with some of the most acclaimed anime creators, today unveiled a new project called “Halo Legends,” which will bring the “Halo” franchise and its sweeping sci-fi saga to an entirely new medium, in the form of several original anime short films.

“Halo Legends,” which will officially debut at a panel presentation today at Comic-Con International in San Diego, is being produced by Microsoft’s 343 Industries and features creative direction from anime pioneer Shinji Aramaki, director of the critically acclaimed “Appleseed” and “Appleseed EX Machina” anime features, and Mamoru Oshii, director of the landmark “Ghost in the Shell” movies, with additional production from Joseph Chou of J-Spec Pictures. The compilation will include a series of short stories that explore different times, themes and characters from the “Halo” universe and will be distributed globally by Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. company. Influential studios that are part of the project include the creators behind some of the most popular and celebrated anime to come from Japan, such as “The Animatrix,” “Cowboy Bebop,” “Fullmetal Alchemist,” “Ghost in the Shell,” “Dragon Ball” and more.

“The opportunity to work with talents such as Shinji Aramaki, Mamoru Oshii and others from some of the greatest anime studios is a very rare opportunity for Microsoft,” said Frank O’Connor, “Halo” franchise development director and provider of story and creative direction for 343 Industries. “We’ve seen the world through Master Chief’s eyes, and we’ve experienced facets of the universe through a variety of literary prisms, but now we get to watch new tales unfold in really rich, visually dynamic ways. I think anime fans and ‘Halo’ fans alike are in for a real treat.”

Set hundreds of years in the future, the “Halo” series of games and novels chronicle mankind’s struggles against an alien collective known as the Covenant. The Covenant is scouring the universe for relics it believes will lead it to a new life and is destroying civilizations and planets that stand in its way. The most prolific hero from the fiction is a super soldier or Spartan known as Master Chief, who is the main protagonist in the original trilogy of Xbox and Xbox 360 “Halo” titles. In the trilogy, Master Chief discovers that the Covenant is intent on activating a series of mysterious ring worlds known as “Halos,” which would ultimately exterminate life throughout the universe. He becomes mankind’s champion in a race against an unrelenting enemy in its most desperate hour. Through The New York Times best-selling novels, comics and additional Xbox 360 games such as “Halo Wars” and the upcoming “Halo 3: ODST,” the universe has grown and tales of other heroes have emerged.

“‘Halo’ and its characters are a very natural fit for anime,” said Aramaki, creative director for the “Halo Legends” project. “As a fan of the ‘Halo’ universe, it is an honor to work with Microsoft and my very talented peers from other studios to create this collection.”

Studios involved in the “Halo Legends” project include Bones Inc., Casio Entertainment Inc., Production I.G, STUDIO4˚C and Toei Animation.

• Bones. Founded in 1998, Bones has become one of the top animation studios in Japan in less than a decade. The studio is best known for its incredible body of work on mega-hit franchises such as “Cowboy Bebop: The Movie,” “Fullmetal Alchemist,” “Sword of the Stranger” and “Eureka Seven.”
• Casio Entertainment. Casio Entertainment was founded in 2004 and is renowned for its visual effects work on the movie “Dai Nipponjin” (“Big Man of Japan”), which was officially invited to the 2007 Cannes Film Festival and nominated for Best Visual Effects at the 2008 Asian Film Awards. Casio Entertainment is also known for its computer-generated animation support work on several top Japanese video games.
• Production I.G. Production I.G has produced a number of acclaimed feature films, original video animation, TV shows and video games. For their storytelling and quality of animation, “Ghost in the Shell,” “Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade” and “Blood: The Last Vampire” have earned critical accolades in Japan and all around the world. “Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence,” directed by Mamoru Oshii in 2004, was the first Japanese animation feature ever to compete for the Palme d’Or at the Festival de Cannes.
• STUDIO4˚C. STUDIO4˚C is one of the top animation studios in Japan. Founded by the industry veteran Eiko Tanaka and acclaimed animation artist Koji Morimoto, it has become globally known for its uncanny ability to marry the spirit of high art with mainstream anime aesthetic. STUDIO4˚C is known for works including “The Animatrix,” “Tekkonkinkreet” and “Batman: Gotham Knight.”
• Toei Animation. Toei Animation, established in 1956, is the oldest animation studio in Japan. Toei has produced the largest number of global hit TV anime series for kids, such as “Dragon Ball,” “Digimon,” “Sailor Moon,” “One Piece” and many more.

The complete “Halo Legends” collection will be distributed by Microsoft partner Warner Home Video, which will have more to announce on its release and distribution plans soon.

“As a leading entertainment distributor and a company identified with premier anime content, we’re very pleased to be working with Microsoft on ‘Halo Legends,’” said Amit Desai, vice president, Family, Animation and Partner Brands Marketing, Warner Home Video. “The combination of the talent involved and the ‘Halo’ brand ensure the collection is something consumers are really going to enjoy.”

A preview of select “Halo Legends” episodes will first debut on Xbox LIVE, the largest gaming and entertainment network in the world, starting this fall through a new experience called Halo Waypoint. Launching in fall, Halo Waypoint will be a new destination for “Halo” fans on Xbox LIVE around the world. It will inform fans of the latest “Halo” news and activities, and grant access to content ranging from podcasts, trailers and screenshots, to exclusive video footage you won’t find anywhere else. It also will provide a new challenge for “Halo” gamers with a career system and player rankings tied to both in-game and out-of-game accomplishments related to “Halo.” In addition to the limited, early episode premieres, Halo Waypoint will debut several behind-the-scenes videos that chronicle the making of “Halo Legends.”

More information will be shared about “Halo Legends” today at a panel at Comic-Con International in San Diego. The “Halo” franchise panel will be hosted by O’Connor, moderated by Chou, and will feature guests Aramaki; Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, president of Production I.G; and Tanaka, president of STUDIO4˚C. The panel takes place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. PDT in Room 6BCF of the San Diego Convention Center. “Halo Legends” panelists will sign autographs at the Microsoft Xbox 360 booth in Hall G #5225 from 6 to 7 p.m. There also will be a signing at the Warner Bros. booth Hall F #4329 on Friday, July 24, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., with O’Connor and 343 Industries’ managing editor Kevin Grace on hand to answer questions about the project. In addition, the first trailer for “Halo Legends” will debut exclusively tonight on “GameTrailers TV with Geoff Keighley,” airing at 12:30 a.m. ET/PT on Spike TV.