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Friday, August 24, 2007

Jolt keeps an eye out for innovative new MMO

As part of its commitment to groundbreaking, independently developed massively multiplayer games, Jolt Online Gaming, Europe's largest independent online gaming network, is pleased to announce a partnership with Eyes Out Entertainment that will help see the innovative MMO Tatsumaki: Land at War enter its next stage of development.

Shunning genre conventions such as races, classes, experience points and even monsters, Tatsumaki offers players a unique role-playing experience, where real-time PvP combat, detailed crafts and even idle pursuits take place against a backdrop of player-built towns set in feudal Japan. Striving for the perfect balance between realism and action, and featuring a novel system of family ties, the game allows players to be as notorious or as anonymous as they please. Furthermore the game will offer players an innovative and highly competitive pricing structure, including a limited free-to-play option.

Following an intensive testing and development period, Tasumaki has entered early beta stages, with the first of many towns along with several visual enhancements now in development. Jolt’s involvement sees the game hosted on its cutting-edge servers located at a state-of-the-art data centre facility, and with an overhauled website to keep the game’s growing community informed and up-to-date.

As part of the development team’s ongoing efforts to broaden and diversify its capability to provide the best gaming experience possible, openings have been made available for talented and passionate programmers, modellers, artists, animators and musicians.

For more information about the game, visit www.landatwar.com.

For a list of available positions, head to www.eyesoute.com/apply.

“We’re very excited to be working with Eyes Out Entertainment on a game that we’ve come to be as passionate about as they are,” said Jolt’s CEO, Dominic Silk. “With our world-class server technology and years of experience in the MMO community, we hope to see Tatsumaki go from strength to strength over the coming years.”

“Jolt’s proven track record and commitment to independently developed online games makes them the ideal partner to help bring our first MMO to a wider online audience,” said EOE’s founder Jonathan Rush. “Our relationship so far has been great and we look forward to working with them in the future.”

Halo 3 Special Edition Xbox 360 Console




Limited Edition Xbox 360 Will Have Estimated Retail Price of £279.99, Available From 26th September


Microsoft today announced estimated retail pricing and availability for the Xbox 360 Halo 3 Special Edition Console, launched in anticipation of this year’s largest blockbuster gamer launch, Halo 3.

The Xbox 360 Halo 3 Special Edition console, with an authentic Spartan green and gold finish, will carry an estimated retail price of £279.99 when it comes to retail on 26th September. The Xbox 360 Halo 3 Special Edition console comes with the following features:

· Halo 3 Special Edition Wireless Controller

· Halo 3 Special Edition 20GB Hard Drive

· Halo 3 Special Edition Wired Headset

· Halo 3 Special Edition Gamer Pics and Theme (Exclusive download via Xbox LIVE®)

· Component HD AV Cable

· Ethernet Cable

· HDMI Port

· Play & Charge Kit

· Xbox LIVE Silver Membership

· One-month Xbox LIVE Gold Membership

“We are pleased to offer the cool Halo 3 Special Edition console for the huge Halo fan community,” said Stephen McGill, Microsoft’s Head of Gaming and Entertainment. “It’s a great way for Halo fans to show their allegiance to one of the most popular and successful entertainment franchises ever. Halo 3 is just one of the amazing games coming to Xbox 360 this Christmas. Combine the best games lineup of any console ever, including the universally acclaimed Bioshock launching this week, with today’s new affordable estimated retail pricing that makes it easier for more people to enter the world of Xbox 360, and it’s clear there has never been a better time to be a gamer.”

Commodore Gaming Announces European Retail Partners

At the Leipzig Gaming Convention, Commodore Gaming today announced its current retail and distribution partners for Europe, including both retail and e-tail outlets.

While in some countries the higher specification models (GX, XX) will only be available through www.commodoregaming.com, retail is confirmed as hugely important in Commodore Gaming’s efforts to bring PC gaming to the mainstream, with affordable gaming PCs available in retail stores across Europe.

“We’re delighted to offer the thrill of PC gaming to a much wider audience than anyone has previously”, commented Bala Keilman, CEO Commodore Gaming. “While it’s possible to buy online, the specifications involved and the customisable options can make it a daunting task for newcomers to the PC gaming scene. With our entry level models in-store, customers can get advice, as well as see the product they are buying”

For all retail sales, customers will also receive a voucher for a free additional set of c-kin panels, in case the one available in-store does not suit their personal style. Choosing online, customers have over a hundred c-kins to choose from, including street art, photography, and other designs.

Gothic 4

JoWooD Productions Software AG is proud to present Spellbound Entertainment AG as the official developing team for Gothic 4.

One of the most convincing and central arguments for choosing Spellbound, was the scope of RPG experience brought in by Spellbound team member Jochen Hamma, who was involved in creating the legendary „Nordland Trilogy“ based upon the Pen & Paper RPG „Das Schwarze Auge“.

Furthermore, Spellbound has created own tools for achieving exceptional standards in Quality and Quality Assurance. Both parties are confident to produce a game of highest quality, and Spellbound intends to focus on the traditional strengths of the brand, setting new standards in the original, authentic Gothic essentials.

At the Games Convention 2007 in Leipzig, Mr. Jochen Hamma, Spellbounds Executive Producer, is showing the first facts and plans to curious fans and special interest media, outlining which strengths are essentially to be intensified, and which weaknesses are tagged for elimination.

Gothic 4 is being developed for PC and Current Gen console systems, a release date will be announced in the coming weeks.

Caveman Survival

Dutch publishers Xing Interactive are pleased to announce the release date of their latest casual RTS games called "Caveman Survival". This Windows XP and Vista ready title will be part of the Xing Benelux and U.K. line-up for the 1st week of October 2007. In this game you lead your clueless band of rugged cave people to victory over their enemies and cope with daily necessities like food and who gets to pet the baby Mammoth first. It'll be a challenge to survive pre-history so don't think this will be a walk in the park!

SteelSeries Ikari Optical And Laser Professional Gaming Mice


SteelSeries, a leading manufacturer of innovative professional gaming gear, today announced the SteelSeries Ikari Optical and SteelSeries Ikari Laser professional gaming mice. The new, ergonomic right-handed multi-grip mice mark the company’s entry into the market for gaming mice. Adding the gaming mice line compliments an existing portfolio of professional gaming gear that consists of headsets, keyboards, surfaces, accessories and security software designed for competitive gamers.

The SteelSeries Ikari mice are the result of 15 months extensive research of ergonomics, technology, shape, motion, hand grip and play styles by gamers. The SteelSeries Ikari mice sets a new industry standard for input, research and co-development with professional gamers for gaming mice. The shape, materials and specifications of the SteelSeries Ikari mice are based on input from professional players from Team 3D, compLexity, mousesports, SK Gaming, Team NoA and other world-class gaming organizations, who collectively represent the world’s most accomplished gamers in Counter-Strike and other gaming disciplines. The development of SteelSeries Ikari was also driven by community input and feedback from more than 5,000 gamers from the competitive gaming segment.

The SteelSeries Ikari chassis is shaped to accommodate the three predominant methods of grip utilized by gamers today: Swipe, Claw, and Palm. The chassis features five buttons with high quality gaming grade contacts. The SteelSeries Ikari mice also have an anti-sweat and slip-resistant surface coating to improve mouse control during intense gaming sessions. The SteelSeries Ikari mice boast the largest SteelSeries Glide surface ever utilized on gaming mice (more than a 300% increase over traditional gaming mice) that is specifically designed to reduce friction between the pressure points on the mouse and the surface under the mouse.

Both models of the SteelSeries Ikari mice feature plug-and-play features that will allow gamers to play at LAN events and tournaments without the need to install specific mouse drivers. The SteelSeries Ikari mice operate at 500 Hz and feature “on-the-fly” DPI settings.

Special features of the two SteelSeries Ikari models:

SteelSeries Ikari Optical
• Specific design for FPS gamers
• Driverless, plug-and-play feature for LAN gamers
• Pressure points that reduce friction for optimized glide
• Ability to toggle between 2 DPI settings

SteelSeries Ikari Laser
• Specific designed for RTS & MMO gamers
• Programmable macro buttons with driverless plug-and-play feature
• Pressure points that reduce friction for optimized glide
• Ability to toggle DPI range with LCD readout

The SteelSeries Ikari Optical was designed as a no-bullshit, top performer for FPS gamers. The research and development emphasized a “no nonsense, no crap” approach with proven optical technology that allows gamers consistent, fast movements without technical difficulties of any kind.
The SteelSeries Ikari Laser mouse was specifically designed for RTS and MMO gamers in mind that features programmable macros and custom settings designed to increase the users Actions Per Minute (APM) count. The mouse can be programmed from home and will remember the settings for tournament use even without installing drivers.
The new gaming mice from SteelSeries will be released Q4 2007.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Alison Carroll - Lara Croft - Tomb Raider - Sexy High Kick

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The City of the Kings for The Lord of the Rings online

The second free update for subscribers to The Lord of the Rings OnlineTM: Shadows of Angmar. Book 10: The City of the Kings, the second of many planned free updates to the world of Middle-earth, continues the epic story, adds over 100 new quests, implements significant enhancements to monster play, and introduces the Reputation and Bartering systems.

Amarthiel, introduced in Book 9: Shores of Evendim, has reclaimed the palantir of Carn Dûm and is now seeking to make Annúminas her new seat of power as she searches for her lost ring of power: Narchuil. The Dúnedain stand against her as the Rangers mount a last, desperate attempt to wrest the palantir from Amarthiel. Before she can find Narchuil, a most dangerous opportunity presents itself that may give the Dúnedain the advantage they need to blind the eye of Angmar.

Beginning today, heroes can adventure to The City of the Kings in The Lord of the Rings Online.

The Lord of the Rings Online delivers an interactive experience brimming with life and filled with the familiar people, places and monsters from the most beloved fantasy adventure of all time. From the quaint surroundings of the Shire to Angmar, the vile kingdom of the Witch-king, players will experience the world of Middle-earth as never before. The Lord of the Rings Online is now available for purchase at major retailers across North America and Europe. For more information about The Lord of the Rings Online, please visit www.lotro.com.

"The Lord of the Rings Online," "Shadows of Angmar," "Middle-earth," "The Lord of the Rings," and the names of the characters, events, items, and places therein are trademarks or registered trademarks of The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises under license to Turbine, Inc. Turbine and the Turbine logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Turbine, Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Firby on mobile phones


OrangePixel releases Firby, the cute pink ghost ready to help the good Witch with finding her key's back in this action packed platformer.

The game features 48 levels spread over 3 different graphical worlds and many various creatures ready to stop Firby from completing the task of key-collecting. With the game and level design tailored for mobile game play, the game is easy to pickup and have a few plays during the boring moments of the day.

“Although the game is a fairly fast paced action game, we tried to keep the level of difficulty pretty much open to anyone. Good player will be able to reach much higher scores and compete on our RumbleX (www.rumblex.com) high score and community system, and less skilled players can still enjoy the game by simply completing the main task: collect all the keys!” - Pascal Bestebroer CEO of OrangePixel

Firby sports smart mobile game play, colourful graphics, non-intrusive sound effects, online high scores, and a lot of fun.

Firby will be available worldwide on operator and web/wap portal sites, for more information visit www.orangepixel.net, with a free demo version available and a free AdWrapped version coming soon.

Hello Kitty's Birthday Surprise in Malaysia and South East Asia

Today MOffY Limited and Ozura Mobile announced the launch of Hello Kitty Mobile Game, ‘Hello Kitty’s Birthday Surprise’ in MaxGames. MaxGames (www.maxgames.com.my ) is the largest mobile gaming community portal in Malaysia.

MOffY is currently publishing and distributing Hello Kitty and other Sanrio characters mobile contents in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Ozura Mobile is a leading game developer and publisher of mobile entertainment in Asia.

"Hello Kitty’s Birthday Surprise was developed under cooperation between MOffY and Ozura. The game provides fans with an extraordinary gaming experience that encapsulates the character’s attitude and style. Upon launching, we’re hoping to capture the attention and responsiveness of Maxis subscribers,” stated H.E.Mah, Ozura’s Chief Marketing Officer.

The game will exclusively be launched in MaxGames Community in Malaysia. Various campaigns will be run throughout a period of time based on the game itself.

Hello Kitty’s Birthday Surprise features 2 exciting game modes – Story and Tournament. The story mode allows players to collect only an amount of ingredients needed in order to proceed to the next round. In the tournament mode however, requires players to collect as much ingredients as possible to obtain a high score for uploading purposes.

Players who are interested and would like to find out more about Hello Kitty’s Birthday Surprise campaign, kindly visit MaxGames WEB or WAP @ www.maxgames.com.my.

As described by Alan who is the General Manager of MOffY, “we sought to extent the mobile contents featured with Hello Kitty and other Sanrio characters in the South East Asia market, and we believed that Hello Kitty will bring enormous fun to its fans in the region.

Hello Kitty’s Birthday Surprise is another new addition to the existing portfolio of 40+ Hello Kitty and Sanrio mobile games published by MOffY. MOffY currently hold one of the largest Sanrio mobile game libraries in the mobile market.

A New Beginning: New adventure game announced

Telling emotionally captivating stories is the declared aim of Daedalic Entertainment. At this year’s Games Convention, the publisher unveiled the first internally developed project.

A New Beginning is a cinematic, interactive eco-thriller. In the classic adventure game an impending global climate cataclysm threatens the world, in a story ripped from today’s headlines, dealing with the defining issue of our time. At locations all around the globe, players will have to try and stem the tide – with the whole world hanging in the balance.

In A New Beginning, players take control of two protagonists and explore the detailed, hand-painted backgrounds. The more than 30 characters are rendered in a realistic 2D style and are painstakingly animated by hand in feature film quality. Many challenging puzzles and adventurous situations have to be overcome to prevent the impending climate chaos. The ambitious adventure game project is in development for PC, Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii.

Scientist Bent Svensson has had to give up on his life’s work of trying to engineer an eco-friendly alternative energy source. But his existence as a reluctant retiree is interrupted by a most peculiar visitor: The young Fay claims to have been sent from the future to prevent an impending environmental catastrophe. The only remaining hope is Bent’s research which is about to fall into the hands of an unscrupulous energy magnate. Bent decides to trust the young woman – but is she really telling the truth?

Daedalic Entertainment will present A New Beginning exclusively at this year’s Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany (August, 22-25) to international press and trade visitors.

Overview

Title: A New Beginning
Format: PC / Nintendo DS / Nintendo Wii
Developer: Daedalic Entertainment
Publisher: Daedalic Entertainment
Release Date: Q4/2008

Atari Brings Classics to PSP

Atari, Inc., one of the world's most recognized brands and a third-party video game publisher, today announced that Atari Classics Evolved, an homage to Atari's landmark catalogue, is in development on the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system. Developed by Stainless Games Ltd., Atari Classics Evolved is schedule for a Fall 2007 release.

Atari Classics Evolved will feature such timeless games as
Asteroids,
Asteroids Deluxe,
Battlezone,
Centipede,
Lunar Lander,
Millipede,
Missile Command,
Super Breakout,
Tempest,
Warlords and
Pong.

These titles, presented in both an original and an evolved version, will maintain the original gameplay while adding beautifully rendered up-to-date graphics.

"We are looking forward to providing gamers with the experience of the iconic Atari catalog on a handheld platform," said Matt Rush, Producer, Atari, Inc. "Offering these Atari classics in both their elemental and contemporary forms should excite both old-school and next-generation gamers alike."

In addition to the 11 evolved classics, more than 60 original Atari 2600 titles will be available for gameplay such as the memorable

Yar's Revenge,
Night Driver,
Canyon Bomber and
Crystal Castles

to name a few. Atari Classics will feature online Leaderboards for the original 11 coin-op games, allowing players around the world to compare scores, and will also feature peer-to-peer wireless compatibility for titles that have multiplayer capabilities.

World in Conflict Demo - out tomorrow

Sierra Entertainment will release a public demo of World in Conflict™, the award-winning action-strategy PC game developed by Massive Entertainment, on August 24 - during both the Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany and the Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle, WA. The World in Conflict Demo will contain both single-player and multiplayer modes.

World in Conflict will be available at retail outlets across North America on September 18.

The World in Conflict Demo, which will be available as a free download, will give PC players a taste of the innovative gameplay and next-generation graphics that made World in Conflict the unanimous choice of E3 judges and media as the Best Strategy Game of E3 2007.

Included in the World in Conflict Demo will be:
Multiplayer combat for up to 16 players in a match
Map: "Seaside" (US vs. USSR)
Exclusive Bonus Map: Customers who have pre-ordered the game will also be able to play a second Multiplayer map: "Ruins" (US vs. USSR)
First public experience with World in Conflict's epic single-player campaign
Tutorial: US Airbase
Single-Player Mission 3: "The Battle of Pine Valley"
Skirmish Mode: For the first time, players will be able to hone their combat skills versus bots (available only on "Seaside")
Fully enabled online support through Massgate, including:
Few-player-mode
Clan matches
Full access to Massgate forums

World in Conflict will be available September 18 in both Standard and Collector's Edition formats. The World in Conflict Collector's Edition will include limited edition extras for hardcore fans and Cold War enthusiasts, including an authentic piece of the Berlin Wall, a bonus DVD from The History Channel®, behind the scenes videos and special packaging. Additional pre-order bonuses for the Collector's Edition and Standard Edition versions of World in Conflict are now available at participating retailers across North America, including an additional bonus DVD from The History Channel® and other added content.

For more information about World in Conflict or to find participating pre-order retailers, please visit World in conflict

2K Games Announces BioShock Now Available

2K Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), announced today that BioShock is now available in North America for Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Games for Windows®, and will be available in Europe beginning August 24. Developed by 2K Boston and 2K Australia, BioShock is a "genetically enhanced" first-person shooter that lets players do things never before possible in the genre.

Gamers enter the game as a castaway in Rapture, an underwater utopia torn apart by civil war. Caught between powerful forces and hunted down by genetically modified "splicers" and deadly security systems, players have to come to grips with a deadly, mysterious world filled with powerful technology and fascinating characters. No encounter ever plays out the same and no two gamers will play BioShock the same way.

"With the release of BioShock, we are redefining the shooter experience by providing players with the freedom to decide how to proceed and which actions to take," said Christoph Hartmann, President of 2K. "The teams at 2K Boston and 2K Australia have captured the essence of this underwater world and brought it to vivid life in the art design and open-ended storyline. Welcome to Rapture."

In the decaying art deco underwater city of Rapture, players can turn everything they encounter into a weapon, biologically modify their body with plasmids, hack devices and security systems, upgrade weapons, craft new ammo variants, and experiment with different battle techniques.

"The development team has been working on BioShock for years to push the limits in every way possible, so we are excited for gamers to finally experience BioShock as we've always imagined it," said Ken Levine, President and Creative Director of 2K Boston. "We delivered on our promise of bringing gamers a unique and enriching first-person shooter experience that not only challenges their capacity to adapt and survive, but tests their values and commitment to the inhabitants of Rapture."

BioShock's features include:
Biologically modify your body with plasmids which are genetic augmentations that empower you with dozens of fantastic abilities including: send Electrobolts storming from your fingertips, unleash a swarm of hornets hatched from the veins of your arms, or strategically turn enemies against one another with irritants.
Take control of your world by hacking devices and systems: reprogram enemy security bots into personal bodyguards, modify vending machines to change prices, and transform machine gun security turrets into powerless pieces of metal.
Upgrade your weapons at Power-to-the-People stations located through Rapture: craft variants of ammo and plasmids by picking up materials in the city to modify them at U-Invent kiosks.
Turn everything into a weapon: the environment, your body, fire and water, and even your worst enemies. BioShock's free form combat options allow gameplay scenarios to be approached with a variety of weapons, active and passive plasmids, environmental objects utilization, exploitation of political alliances, or a combination of techniques. Find your style but know when to adapt.
Explore an incredible and unique art deco world hidden deep under the ocean, vividly illustrated with realistic water effects and truly next generation graphics.
Make meaningful and mature decisions that culminate in the ultimate question: Do you exploit the innocent survivors of Rapture to save yourself...or risk it all to become their savior?

BioShock is rated "M" for Mature and is now available for Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Games for Windows®. For more information, visit the BioShock website at www.BioShockGame.com, and the community site at www.TheCultofRapture.com.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Project Gotham Racing 4 Fact Sheet

"Project Gotham Racing 4" is the highly anticipated next installment of the blockbuster "Project Gotham Racing" (PGR®) franchise, developed by Bizarre Creations exclusively for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system. With a dramatic new weather system, revamped career mode, revised Kudos system, new tracks and locations as well as the world's most iconic vehicles, "PGR 4" takes racing to a new level of thrill and excitement.

For the first time in "PGR" history, drivers will have the option of racing a variety of motorcycles from top manufacturers, such as Ducati, BMW and Honda. Whether on two wheels or four, players must perform daring and stylistic moves to win over their fans, who will cheer them on as they follow their road to racing notoriety.

In addition, through a new content server, drivers can save their favorite races and search over Xbox LIVE® for race content that is specific to their interests. Players can find out who has the longest slide or wheelie in Shanghai or St. Petersburg, for example, through the innovative new content server.
A unique and exciting racing experience compatible with the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel. "Project Gotham Racing 4" will redefine the "PGR" franchise by delivering a unique, exciting racing experience where dramatic racing action is captured in cinematic style and players are rewarded for showing off their skills and performing precise and jaw-dropping skills and maneuvers while winning over the hearts of adoring fans online and off.


More than 120 iconic vehicles, including motorcycles, from the world's top manufacturers. "PGR4" puts gamers behind the wheel of the world's most iconic cars, including the 1957 Maserati 250F, 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray, 1978 Lamborghini Countach LP400, 1993 Toyota Supra Turbo, and 2006 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. In addition, for the first time motorcycles from top manufacturers, such as Ducati, BMW and Honda, will be included in the game. Whether in single-player mode or playing with a team of up to seven other drivers,* players can choose to race two motorcycles side by side or race with a combination of cars and motorcycles. The game's unique physics engine enables drivers to pull off incredible driving maneuvers not found in any other racing game.
The information contained in this fact sheet relates to a pre-release product that may be substantially modified before its first commercial release. Accordingly, the information may not accurately describe or reflect the product when it is first commercially released. This fact sheet is provided for informational purposes only, and Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to the fact sheet or the information contained in it.

ULTIMATE NINJA 2 This Monday At HMV!!! Prizes To Be Won!

head of the official release at the HMV anime day at Oxford Street on Monday 20th August! Atari will displaying playable demos of the recently released NARUTO UZUMAKI CHRONICLES and NARUTO: ULTIMATE NINJA 2 which releases this October exclusive to Playstation 2. There will also be the chance to enter the NARUTO ULTIMATE NINJA Challenge - a live combat game tournament on the HMV stage. There will be hundreds of pounds worth of HMV gift vouchers in prizes available to the winners and runner ups. Come and show us your skills!

Game playing commences from 1 pm on the Ground Floor by the stage at HMV, 150 Oxford Street London. The Atari NARUTO ULTIMATE NINJA TOURNAMENT will kick off from 2 pm and finish by 4 pm so make sure you arrive on time!

More information on NARUTO: ULTIMATE NINJA 2 –

Based on the hit Naruto anime TV series which continues to grow in popularity around the globe, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2 delivers a knock out Ninja punch for all fans of fighting games. Published by NAMCO BANDAI Games and distributed in Europe by Atari, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2 for PlayStation®2 is scheduled for release across Europe in autumn 2007.

Taking the experience to new heights of excellence, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2 lets players choose from over 30 playable characters from the hit TV show including Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi and more, play through over 60 thrilling missions, take on a series of challenging mini-games, and test their skills with head-to-head combat on 16 unique battle stages. The Ultimate Road story mode takes players through key plots from the TV show to ultimately unlock a brand new original storyline, while Vs mode lets players do battle with the computer or go head-to-head with their friends to see who has what it takes to be the ultimate ninja.

Bringing a new level of depth to the gameplay, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2 introduces RPG elements to the series for the first time, with a system of character upgrades which lets players earn points to enhance strength, defence, chakra, agility and even special abilities to give them the edge over their opponents in battle. Players can unleash their chakra to perform multi-level super attacks capable of laying waste to even the most deadly of enemies.

With tons of unlockable features including characters, movies, music and more, a dazzling array of gameplay modes, and an authentic Naruto experience with moves, story and original Japanese voiceover straight from the TV series, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2 packs a devastating punch for fans of the franchise and anyone looking for a damn good punch-up on PS®2.

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2 for PlayStation 2 is scheduled for release across Europe in autumn 2007.

Ascaron and Deep Silver sign agreement for Sacred 2 – Fallen Angel

Ascaron and Deep Silver, Koch Media's game label, today announce their signing of an agreement for the action RPG Sacred 2 – Fallen Angel. Sacred 2 – Fallen Angel is being developed for PC and is planned for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®. The agreement includes the rights for the PAL and SECAM countries (with the exception of the PC version in Germany, Austria, the German-speaking part of Switzerland and the Commonwealth of Independent States).

"Sacred has developed into an international top seller and one of the strongest names in the action RPG segment. We are therefore particularly proud to be able to publish this title with Ascaron. Sacred 2 is already receiving much praise in the special interest press and will be able to set new standards on the console too", says Dr. Klemens Kundratitz, CEO of Koch Media. "We are happy to be able to present this title to the public at our stand at the Games Convention."

Holger Flöttmann, Managing Director of the Ascaron Entertainment GmbH, says: "In Koch Media, we have found a Europe-oriented partner with a German background who has proven its distribution strength many times over. Koch Media's sales and distribution concept is oriented towards multiple platforms, distribution and marketing. 'Sacred 2 – Fallen Angel' will profit from this. We are looking forward to working with them."

Six unique characters, a breathtaking story told in separate Light and Shadows campaigns and a comprehensive multiplayer part are sure to provide players with a truly superb virtual experience. In the gigantic game world, which may be explored without loading times, a vast variety of enemies and adventures await players. The NPC's realistic behaviour and individual daily routine provides Sacred 2 - Fallen Angel with an authentic flair and fills its game world with life. With its dynamic day and night cycle, weather effects, wind animations, intricate ragdoll elements and breathtaking surprises Sacred 2 – Fallen Angel has all the ingredients to captivate players with its unique atmosphere.

The Bojo Game – Home Edition

The Montreal area’s newest independent games producer, The Bojo Group, has announced that it will start selling as a download its first animated casual computer card game and casino simulation program – The Bojo Game – Home Edition©™ on or before Saturday, August 25.

In doing so the game becomes the newest entrant in the burgeoning casual computer games market, expected by industry analysts to gross more than $1.3 billion this year alone – more than a five-fold increase in sales since 2002 when the young industry sold more than $200 million worth of casual games.

The Bojo Game – Home Edition is easy-to-learn and easier-to-play. It creates a virtual on-line Internet casino game in progress with up to 99,999 other simulated or virtual players.

Besides being a new solitaire-type card game, it notches two firsts in the history of card games. Extensive research has revealed that it is the first new way to play draw poker in many years. At the same time, it is also the first new type of card game that could be offered by casinos in many years. Casinos currently seem to offer only three types of betting card games, in many variants: poker, blackjack and baccarat.

However, the Bojo group’s game is not being offered to casinos anywhere for now. It is being sold strictly as a home edition casino simulation game, one which can be played by one person only on one computer only - all in the security and privacy of one’s own home: no real gambling, no real money. It is a risk-free skills game, not requiring a licence.

Repeated player testing has shown that the game’s simulated casino atmosphere provides hours of safe fun and enjoyment. A simulated five-card draw poker hand, one of the game’s many features, captivated avid poker players for hours on end, some of them choosing to play the game manually with a pen, a grid pad and a deck of cards, claiming that they were happy to wait for the play-at-home computer version.

It’s here. Card game enthusiasts can check it out for some serious fun - a free downloadable 15-minute playable trial version and demo are available at www.bojogame.com/trial.

The download game will sell for US$ 19.95 plus applicable taxes. The Bojo group is also looking at the potential for sales through affiliated casual games providers on the Internet, retail level CD game kits, commercially-sponsored editions containing embedded advertising for brick-and-mortar gaming outlets and licencing on-line casinos to offer it as a free-to-play game that simulates the real thing.

The rules of play for this home edition make it the newest un-modified card game in recent years. In addition to being animated, it also has its own sound effects and original music score – The Theme >From Bojo created by Studio 910 Inc. technicians, composers and performing artists in Laval.

Tragnarion Studios Announces Only For Nintendo DS, Their New Magical Title "Doodle Hex"

Developer Tragnarion Studios announces their new magical Nintendo DS game “Doodle Hex”, which will be available in Q1 2008.

Doodle Hex is an original game designed specifically for the Nintendo DS, utilizing unique features like the touch screen and dual screens perfectly to create an addictive and fun title for both single and multiplayer gaming.

Doodle Hex is a game of magical dueling where aspiring “Doodlers” compete head-to-head for fun and glory. Two “Doodlers” fight by drawing runes onto the DS touch screen, in real time, to create powerful and fun spells to inflict on their opponent, such as blasts of fire or curses that shake the opponent's screens, turn their own spells back on them and even turn them into a frog!

Speed of thought, tactical choices and accurate drawing of simple shapes are all important to progress through the game and succeed in Doodle Hex.

Completing tournaments and challenges in the puzzle mode of the game unlocks further runes and spells, allowing players to collect runes to create their own customised spell book. With over 200 runes to collect and swap with friends over wi-fi, Doodle Hex offers over 100 hours of gameplay to budding magicians.

Doodle Hex also features beautiful comic artwork of some of the coolest characters yet seen in a DS game, including: Strat an Emo Rockstar Elf and Fey, a Goth Witch. Tragnarion are providing a sneak peek at some of the fantastic characters and the visual style of the game at www.doodlehex.com.

Carl Jones, head of Tragnarion Studios said: "Like classic fighting and puzzle games, Doodle Hex offers a rewarding single player experience and the fun increases massively when dueling against other people. We're delighted with how Doodle Hex is coming together - the game looks fantastic on the DS, is really addictive and the work our team have done on the characters and art style is amazing. We're showing some examples of this work on our teaser site doodlehex.com, where you can see the doodlers Cassie, Strat, Fey and Kaleb, for now, but we'll be putting a lot more content up there after we take Doodle Hex to the Leipzig Game Convention."

"Doodle Hex" is due for release in the 1st Quarter of 2008 and will be distributed only for Nintendo DS, check it out at www.doodlehex.com.

Saturday, March 03, 2007

Dargor, Shadowlord of the Black Mountain

1000+ combo StepMania video. You can see and hear the fingers in the mirror - bottom right.