EA Japan builds SimCity 2 video game for Nintendo DS

It hasn't been long since SimCity first made its way to DS - we're weren't particularly impressed either - but EA Japan has already announced a sequel.

First screenshots have emerged on its Japanese site along with early information on the game. The big hook this time is you'll be able to build up settlements and cities through the ages, from the caveman era to medieval times and then the industrial revolution. So forget fending off UFOs and fixing damage caused by rumbling earthquakes. It seems like you'll be concerning yourself with rogue wildcats and the plague instead.

According to information in the latest issue of Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu, you'll even be able to combine resources from different ages in Free Mode to create the sort of hybrid city that'd surely made modern day architects weep. We also hope that EA will be improving issues such as the random difficulty curve and the lack of scenarios in the first game.

Currently listed with a March 19th release in Japan, there's no information on US or UK releases yet. On past experience, we'd be hoping for a summer launch - we'll let you know as soon as EA makes an announcement.

Source: Pocket Gamer

Guitar Hero III mobile video game for cellphones goes live... in the US

Gameloft's Guitar Legend has already proved that the Guitar Hero musical rhythm genre can work well on phones, but now the original has made its way onto mobile.

However, for now Guitar Hero III Mobile is only available in the US, on operator Verizon Wireless' portal. Published by Hands-On Mobile, we've reported on the game before, but there are some new details to disclose now that it's out.

As we said, there are four guitars and three venues in the game, plus 15 fully licensed tracks. What's new is the info that the Red Hot Chili Peppers' 'Suck My Kiss' and The Scorpions' 'Rock You Like a Hurricane' are among them.

For those of you with good memories, yes, the latter did indeed feature in Guitar Legend on mobile, too. Pearl Jam and Santana are also on board. In the US, players will be able to download new tracks every month.

So what about the UK? Guitar Hero III Mobile is due out sometime between February and April, depending what operator you're on. We can't wait to see how it performs, so click 'Track It!' for an alert when we review the final game.

Source: Pocket Gamer http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Mobile/Guitar+Hero+III+Mobile/news.asp?c=5282

'Guitar Hero Mobile' sneak peek: It rocks

Conference-goers flocked around the Guitar Hero station at Motorola's mammoth tent on the CTIA Wireless conference floor, but it was Hands-On Mobile's modest booth where Guitar Hero Mobile is best experienced. There the game's product manager, JJ Leichleiter, walked me through the mobile version of the popular console game.



Let me dispel all doubt by assuring you that this is the real thing, deputized by Activision, Guitar Hero's console publisher. Loosely based on Guitar Hero 3, the 3D mobile version offers two characters (Axel Steel and Judy Nails), four guitars, and 15 songs. Subscription holders will receive three more songs every month.

Playing virtual guitar has gotten easier with a reduction from five keys on the console game's peripheral guitar to three on the phone. Users can choose whichever keypad row feels best.

This game has a lot going for it--easy fretting, satisfying animation, and killer sound quality. Guitar Hero Mobile uses PMD audio for the BREW platform, which preserves the melody, harmony, vocals, and cacophonous ding every time you miss. Stay tuned for a video demonstration on this space and on CNET TV.

Guitar Hero Mobile will be available for purchase for Verizon Wireless users in December 2007. After that, more networks on the BREW platform will join the fray, followed by J2ME phones.

More from CNet review here... http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12261_7-9804241-51.html

Microsoft may pay compensation for XBox live problems over Christmas

Reports...

...LIVE was never completely offline. We did have some spotty issues over the weekend, but the XOC (Xbox Operations Center) was fully staffed (as it always is 24/7/365) and they addressed the issue as quickly as they could.

According to The Bitbag, Microsoft will be compensating their Xbox LIVE Gold customers for the problems the service has been having over the holiday—somehow.

An unnamed Microsoft contact told the site:

...we will definitely be doing something for our Gold members that weren't able to get online over the last week.
Subscriber rights to some sort of refund seem a little vague here, especially since Microsoft has said that the service isn't technically down.

Source: Kotaku

3 new rock band tracks added to Microsoft XBox live

Tracks added...

Gimme Three Steps by Lynyrd Skynyrd

The Black Crows' Hard to Handle

Rush's Limelight

each track costs 160 points

Go on get rocking now...

Sony PlayStation 3 firmware update adds cool new 'Gaia' Music Visualizer

See link below
Watch the YouTube video here... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Gud7hiPRM0

One of the more hidden features of the PlayStation 3's 2.10 firmware update is the spectacular Earth-based music visualizer, seen in motion on multiple user-posted YouTube videos and in stills in the pictures below.

The feature's creator, Kyoto-based Q-Games (PixelJunk Racers), which was commissioned by Sony to create the visualizer, has been talking to Gamasutra about the feature's genesis, its use of NASA data, and possible expansion concepts.

Q-Games' chief of technology James McLaren spoke to Gamasutra about how that project got started, explaining: "Originally, we were working on the Gaia project (our name for the earth viewer) as a possible boot sequence for the PS3. The waving cloth background, also created by Q-Games, got the nod when the PS3 launched."



McLaren continues: "We persevered with Gaia, and this visualizer came out of that ongoing work. We've had this under our hats for a while, so it's nice to finally see it released into the wild."

He added: "What you are seeing is a slimmed-down version, due to Flash ROM restrictions, so we are happy to witness a positive reaction on various internet forums."

But how were the effects in the visualization created? McLaren explains: "This representation of the earth is a 3D model with some shaders and SPU trickery going on. We tried to accurately model the earth's atmosphere and have all the correct highlights on the oceans, etc. The texture data is sourced from the NASA Blue Marble project."

"They have some data that they've patched together from hundreds of satellite passes over the earth, which is really top-notch quality, as you can see. We really owe NASA a debt of gratitude for the data, as without it we wouldn't be able to produce something that looks this good."

Is Q-Games helping out Sony with any other updates in the near future? McLaren explains: "Unfortunately, we can't really say much about that. We'd certainly like to expand the current Earth visualizer and allow people a little bit more user control, something we've seen a few requests for on various online forums."

However, he notes in closing: "Perhaps a future update might include the full Blue Marble dataset, but that would need to be a hard disc-resident version..."

Source: Gamasutra

Orange box patch for Sony PS3?

On the Steam forums, about surround sound issues on the PS3 version of The Orange Box.

A spokesperson for the company wrote:

We're working on getting the optical cable support into an update. I'll post when I have details.
Patch now looking pretty likely, then.

Read the thread here... http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=634132

Source: Kotaku

Nintendo say Wii can download complete Nintendo DS games

Speaking with the New York Times, Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime has offered a little more info on the Wii's ability to interact with the DS.

While we already know that the Wii will be able to download and transmit DS demos to the handheld, we now also know that you'll soon be able to download full games to your DS.

While discussing the demo download feature, as well as DS DLC (like Japan, the US version of Professor Layton will feature extra downloadable puzzles), he tells the paper that gamers will be able to download "complete games" to the DS via the Wii's upcoming Everyone's Nintendo channel.

No further info is provided, on the channel's Western launch or what kind of "complete games" he's talking about, but does this mean the Game Boy and/or Game Boy Advance might about to be added to the Virtual Console's lineup?

Japan Wii owners can already download DS demos on their Wii.

Source: Kotaku http://kotaku.com/

$4.5 million for Play-for-cash MMORPG publisher

IGG Obtains Series A Financing

IGG Inc., (www.igg.com) a world-class MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) provider, announced today the completion of a $4.5 million round of Series A funding led by IDG Technology Venture Investment (IDGVC Partners).

Dedicated to serve worldwide players with the best interactive online games, IGG Inc. launched its first MMORPG in May 2006. Since then, IGG has successfully released and operated 6 MMORPGs through www.igg.com. With over 3.5 million registered users as of Q3 2007, IGG has established its reputation as a world-class publisher meeting the demand of players of different ages and favors in both North America and Europe.

Besides publishing a portfolio of numerous licensed games running the gamut from action to fantasy, IGG also grows a talented development team to design and develop its own games to contribute to the interactive MMOG world. The new funds will be used to expand global sales and marketing, to implement strategic plans, and to further the development of more innovative and entertaining games. Furthermore, the funds will be used to market games in more regions and for player of different languages. IGG believes that, by growing together with the global business and technology partners as well as the royal users, it will become a key player in the online gaming world in the foreseeable future.

Best cellphone game award for The Incredible Machine

Vivendi Games Mobile's The Incredible Machine Wins "Best Casual Mobile Game" At Spike TV's 2007 "Video Game Awards"

Hit Title Also Nominated for "Mobile Game of the Year"

Vivendi Games Mobile, a division of Vivendi Games, has been awarded “Best Casual Mobile Game” at the 5th Annual Spike TV 2007 “Video Game Awards” for its classic brain teaser The Incredible Machine for mobile. The Incredible Machine was also nominated for “Mobile Game of the Year.”

“We are extremely honored to once again be recognized for the high-quality and creativity of our titles and take home such a highly regarded mobile award from Spike TV,” said Paul Maglione, president of Vivendi Games Mobile. “Beyond winning, we are thrilled that such an established organization is recognizing the importance and popularity of mobile games.”

The Incredible Machine for mobile, which was launched in Europe in May and in the USA in August, has received rave reviews and accolades from fans and press. IGN.com bestowed the game with an “Impressive” rating and interactive viral videos of the game continue to receive thousands of views per day from fans. The popular video, featuring Farah McDaring, a new superheroine, demonstrates how The Incredible Machine mobile game helps Farah solve real-life obstacles. To view the interactive video, visit www.incrediblemachinepresents.com.


Maria Pacheco, vice president of Marketing for Vivendi Games Mobile, accepted the Spike TV 2007 Video Game Award and gave a brief acceptance speech. “We are thrilled that this classic puzzle game has made such a huge come-back and winning this award reinforces Vivendi Games Mobile’s objective of developing state-of-the-art games and designing innovative marketing campaigns that take mobile gaming to the next level.”

Based on Sierra Entertainment's hit PC game franchise from the 1990s, The Incredible Machine for mobile is a favorite of puzzle game enthusiasts everywhere. The objective of the game is to solve up to 80 distinct "real world object" puzzles requiring the construction of a "Rube Goldberg" contraption, using more than 60 different objects such as ropes, pulleys, balloons and other props arranged in the proper sequence to achieve the mandated task. Consisting of 60 brain-teasing levels and 20 bonus levels to unlock, The Incredible Machine features real-time physics and rich, colorful animation bringing to life the game's truly "Incredible Machines."

Vivendi Games Mobile’s SWAT Force® won “Best Wireless Game” at last year’s Spike TV Video Game Awards.

Three more classic video games released on Nintendo Wii shopping channel

Three New Classic Games Added To Wii Shop Channel

This week's classic game additions offer brilliant fantasy and crackling action to help you ring in '08. So if you haven't made any New Year's resolutions yet, allow us to suggest a few: pop more bubbles, battle more medieval beasts and try to save the universe a little more often.

Three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop Channel every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

BUBBLE BOBBLE (NES, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points):
BUBBLE BOBBLE's release in 1986 introduced the two bubble dragons, Bub and Bob, and brand new play mechanics, with players defeating enemies by trapping them in bubbles and then popping them. Although the puzzle-action game can be beaten by clearing all 100 rounds, it also contains secret elements such as not being able to get the "true ending" in single-player mode; hidden commands that lead to secret rounds; and a ton of different items. These elements are some of the game's most memorable and important features. Each round even has different air currents that are not visible, so bubbles rise in unpredictable patterns. Aspects like forcing players to understand and utilize these different patterns while playing help make this a revolutionary game that is fun to play anytime.

Light Crusader (Genesis, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Animated Violence, 800 Wii Points):

Each day, more good townspeople of Green Row have been mysteriously disappearing, and beleaguered King Weeden summons the knight Sir David to investigate. Armed with his wits and his sword, Sir David must find the cause of this strange evil and save the citizens of Green Row before things get any worse. Take the role of the brave knight in this action RPG and get to the bottom of the mysteries of Green Row as you fight enemies, solve puzzles and use your best combination of brains and brawn to save the kingdom.

TOP HUNTER (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and older-Cartoon Violence, 900 Wii Points):
Take on the role of either Roddy or Cathy, bounty hunters in this side-scrolling action game set far in the future when humans have colonized space. But all is not well: Space pirates called the Klaptons are making their way through the galaxies, wiping out peaceful settlements along their path. This disgraceful behavior leads to them having a price on their heads, so now Roddy and Cathy must travel through four distinct worlds on a mission to defeat their leader, Captain Klapton. Both characters have retractable arms-used to grab enemies or other objects in the scenery-that can then be thrown at others to destroy them. Also, be on the lookout for rings or levers to pull, as this might reveal special bonuses. Further adding to the mix, the game uses a unique system where the action happens on two planes, with the player switching between them at will. Can you prove yourself worthy of the Top Hunter name and help save the universe?

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.