Download Facebreaker demo on Xbox now on PS3 soon

Want to break some faces? The FaceBreaker Demo is now available on Xbox LIVE, and will follow on the PlayStation Network on August 7th. The demo features characters Sparrow, Ice and Steve going at it in the fast-paced boxer, as well as the game’s custom face generator called Photo Game Face. Photo Game Face will allow gamers to upload a cartoon likeness to the FaceBreaker online boxer gallery at EA SPORTS World. Created boxers will all be available for download – and can be shared with the world - when FaceBreaker ships to retailers on September 3. Players can use an XBOX LIVE Vision camera or a PLAYSTATION Eye camera to upload themselves – or someone else - directly onto their consoles, or alternatively use a regular photo. Transform your created boxer with 60+ customization options to play with, a full color palette and a closet full of costumes.



Expect the unexpected with FaceBreaker; an all new arcade boxing title featuring laugh-out-loud fisticuffing action and over-the-top characters. FaceBreaker ships to retailers under the EA SPORTS Freestyle brand on September 3 on Xbox 360™ and the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system with an MSRP $49.99. FaceBreaker K.O. Party for the Wii™ will available this holiday season.

New game show style Trivia Game - Disney th!nk fast

Disney-themed title for Wii home video game console and PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system will test players' mental and physical reflexes while providing hours of family fun

Disney Interactive Studios challenges players to think fast in a new game show-style quiz game that will test players’ Disney and general knowledge. Scheduled for release later this year on both Wii and PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Disney TH!NK Fast promises to be a family favorite party game this holiday season.



Hosted by the always loveable and charismatic Genie from Disney’s “Aladdin,” Disney TH!NK Fast is an exciting, fun-filled game for players of all ages and Disney fans. Playing as their favorite Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck and Uncle Scrooge McDuck, contestants square off in more than 15 rounds to see who has the quickest mind and the fastest finger on the buzzer.

Rounds range from multiple-choice questions to thrilling, fast paced mini-games in which players compete in themed locations based on such Disney classics as “The Lion King,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Lilo & Stitch” and “101 Dalmatians.” Up to four players can compete, tackling more than 5,000 challenging questions on topics ranging from Disney trivia to general knowledge. A unique visual answer system puts players right in the game and makes it fun for all ages.



The PlayStation 2 system version will be bundled with a set of four buzzers, while the Wii version will utilize the Wii Remote and Nunchuk as buzzers. Developed by Magenta Software, Disney TH!NK Fast is scheduled to ship this holiday season

Kickster – Online Street Soccer

Individual player characters make the difference in Kickster

In a first screencast on the official Kickster weblog publisher Frogster shows the creativity of individual characters in the new street soccer game for the PC. The appearance of the player character is not only a question of style in Kickster but strongly influences their abilities in the match, just like a role-playing game. Thus, gender, body type and height can be selected first during character creation. These statistically defined body characteristics decide directly upon speed, stamina, shooting power, precision, trick skills and defensive skills of the player. Crucial for the gameplay in particular is the chosen position on the pitch. Deep-fielder, mid-fielder and forward can be selected as main classes, each with different attributes.

Forwards are decisively better at scoring for example, while midfielders have their strengths in tackling among others. Football fans can personalize their character further by configuring the facial features of their player, the hair and skin colour, the clothing and sneakers without influence on the player's qualities. After the first successful matches, the character can evolve with cool street wear articles and special skills in the item and skill shops. From level 17 on, players can specialise even further. The expert level offers even more strategic gameplay and lots of new powerful moves.



The character creation's screencast is available as a flash video on http://kickster.eu/en/node/171. Interested players can register immediately for the beta phases. Furthermore two community videos of alpha user "Moon" offer more interesting insights into this fast-paced online street-soccer game: http://kickster.eu/de/node/152.

Kickster – Online Street Soccer

Stale football simulations are a thing of the past – on the comic inspired online grounds of Kickster only those players who control the most individual character and master the coolest special moves will rule. Two vs. two or three vs. three: with their team of real buddies online, players stir up international tournaments and leagues. With dashing moves, impressive tricks and absolute ball control, PC kickers gain respect from the ball addicted online community. Only those who have the coolest special skills will climb up the player rankings.



Kickster offers various scenarios in authentic street style. Backyards, parking lots or factory premises – a fast match can kick off anywhere. Thanks to the dynamic motion system, artists with the ball sweep their opponents from the court with impressively animated dribbling, tackling, tricks and straddles. But only players with the best skills receive respect from the streets. As soon as they reach the expert level, Kickster offers even more strategic gameplay and lots of new powerful moves. A tutorial is available to get you started and will help new players increase their skill level ready for human opponents. The dynamic and elaborate tournament and league system of Kickster will see the best players unveiled and glory claimed. "Easy to download" and "free to play" – Kickster offers fun football without complications or any payment liabilities. The original online game can be quickly installed and runs smoothly on any average PC. Currently Kickster – Online Street Soccer is in the private alpha stage. The closed and open beta phases are scheduled for August and September respectively. This autumn the whistle will blow: Kick off in the backyards!

Features Kickster – Online Street Soccer

• Free2Play: free game client, no subscription fees
• Team based multiplayer online game (no single player, no AI opponents)
• Getting started easily: comprehensive tutorial with 13 game missions, hints and rewards for completed missions
• Intuitive controls, but profound gameplay
• Ingame chat and community tools
• Compact game client of about 300 MB and moderate system requirements
• Customization of player character in large-scale item shop: trendy outfits from head to toe and special moves available for micropayment
• Level based game system: advanced skills learnable with progress
• Strategic team play and tactical moves in expert level
• Elaborate league system with promotion and relegation
• Ample tournament system
• Formation of clubs and club ranking available in the future

Armored Core For Answer Video Game

Armored Core for Answer, the newest addition to From Software's mech-based combat franchise, Armored Core. The thirteenth installment in the series, Armored Core for Answer is scheduled for release on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system in September 2008.

About Armored Core for Answer

In the distant future, massive urban development and pollution have critically damaged the planet. There is widespread fear that the end of the world is approaching. The League corporations, a military superpower, control the planet's infrastructure and have forced most of the world's population to live in huge aerial communities, called Cradles, to avoid the contamination. The ORCA, a rebel resistance still residing on the surface of the polluted planet, have amassed a formidable arsenal and are mobilizing to attack The League's bases to put an end to their iron grip on the planet. As a mercenary armed with cutting-edge military robot technology, choose your side and defeat the other factions by harnessing the power of the deadliest and most gigantic weapons ever created by mankind. Armored Core for Answer is rated "T" for Teen with Mild Language, Violence.



Game features include:

• EPIC BOSS BATTLES - For the first time in the series, cut your way inside colossal mobile battle stations and destroy them from their very core. Identify and exploit the weaknesses of 10 uniquely designed GIANT mobile battle stations to defeat them.
  
• PLAY WITH A FRIEND IN SEAMLESS CO-OP MODE OR FACE SEVERAL FRIENDS IN MULTIPLAYER MODES - Cooperate online with a friend in more than 30 missions or face up to 7 other players online in more than 80 different battlefields.
  
• CUSTOMIZE YOUR MECH WITH HUNDREDS OF PARTS AND WEAPONS - Find the right combination of weapons and armor that will help you take down colossal enemies. With more than 130 new parts and 400 parts total, enhance your mech to take on increasingly deadlier mobile battle stations. Create the perfect mech design to defeat a powerful enemy and share it with your friends online.
  
• SWITCH FACTIONS AND MAKE DECISIONS THAT CHANGE BOTH THE STORYLINE AND YOUR COMBAT EXPERIENCE - Choose your side among different factions including The League, The ORCA and the independent city states, each one having their own sets of giant mobile battle stations, mechs and characteristics, allowing for unique battle experiences. The decisions you make during your adventures will result in one of 3 different possible endings to the war.
• FIGHT GIGANTIC MILITARY VEHICLES IN BEAUTIFUL, EXPANSIVE ENVIRONMENTS - Experience high-velocity daylight combat or low-visibility night battles as changing weather and time modify the atmosphere of more than 40 battlefields including snow field, desert, ocean, underground and city. Fully destructible environments will bring even more sensational realism to your epic battles.
• 2 DIFFERENT CONTROL SCHEMES FOR BEGINNERS AND VETERAN PLAYERS - New intuitive controls will allow beginners to skilfully operate your mech in no time. If you are a veteran player, enjoy the full range of controls available in previous Armored Core installments.
  

Pong Toss - Frat Party Games on Nintendo Wii - Fact Sheet

Pong Toss - Frat Party Games

Format: WiiWare
Launch Date: 07/28/08
ESRB: E (Everyone): Mild Language
Wii Points: 800
Game Type: Sports, Arcade
Control Type: Wii Remote
Players: 1-4
Publisher: JV Games Inc.

Game Information

Pony up-it's Pong Toss time. Compete against your friends or the computer in this ultimate party-game favorite. Play on a regulation table with up to four players. Make consecutive shots for the Fireball bonuses and Roll-Backs as you or your team try to dominate the table and reign as Pong Toss champs. In Speed Pong, up to three challengers can compete at the same time. Speed and strategy are the keys to this fast-paced game. Jack up your opponents by using a slew of power-ups that will slow them down. The first one who sinks the last cup wins it all. Be fast. Be furious. Be victorious.

Release Date for Mount & Blade PC video game

Groundbreaking combat title rides to release in September

PC medieval, action-RPG title, Mount & Blade. Mount & Blade will be released in the UK and Europe on September 19th, 2008.

Mount & Blade is a single-player, third or first-person action/role-playing game with a focus on medieval combat. Developed by the Turkish development house TaleWorlds Entertainment, the BETA version of the game has received acclaim worldwide from gamers impressed by the game’s realistic horseback combat, luscious graphics, and open-world sandbox gameplay. The latter enables players to roam the map freely in a medieval world that offers activities ranging from hunting down bandits, to trading for profit in the game's complex economic system, to becoming a commander and taking part in the wars, with the ultimate goal of becoming a great lord of the realm.


Mount & Blade will be available for purchase in stores and for digital download at GamersGate, the leading digital distribution platform creating easily accessible gaming experiences for gamers worldwide.

Japanese video game Flower, Sun and Rain gets update and European launch

Revered Japanese title finally gets a European release as Suda51 updates his PlayStation 2 masterpiece; Trailer to be unveiled on August 1st 2008

Rising Star Games will be keeping both Suda51 and mystery fans happy this autumn with the long-awaited release of Flower, Sun and Rain.

Written and directed by the infamous games creator, this Nintendo DS exclusive is the first chance western gamers have had to experience one of Suda51’s earliest creations and offers an insight into the evolution of his unique style following the huge successes of Killer7 and No More Heroes.

Flower, Sun and Rain is an intriguing mystery adventure very much in the vein of Groundhog Day. You play a detective charged with locating and defusing a bomb by solving thought-provoking puzzles with a wealth of bizarre outcomes. Solving the mystery of what is happening to him and his surroundings is necessary before he eventually goes insane.

Originally released on the Sony PlayStation 2, Flower, Sun and Rain was never available outside of Japan and has been high on wish lists of every Suda51 fan since Killer7 was unleashed on the western market in 2005. This updated Nintendo DS version features all the creative quirks that made the original a hit and uniquely utilises the touch screen to solve mysteries, offering players a more intimate experience.

Commenting on its imminent release, Goichi Suda, aka Suda51 commented, “It’s great news that European gamers are getting to play Flower, Sun and Rain. All of my creative work involves a touch of the bizarre and unexpected and this game is no different!”

In keeping with the mystery-solving style of the game, registered users of the Rising Star Games media bank will get an early opportunity to view the game trailer. This brand new trailer will be available on the media bank (www.risingstargamesmediabank.com) from 9am on Friday, August 1st 2008. It will then be made available to all from 9am the following Monday.

Flower, Sun and Rain will be released throughout Europe from mid-October 2008.

Shot-Online MMO Golfing Simulation for Spain and France

New Spanish and French versions of the internationally successful MMO sports title “Shot Online” announced.

Both new versions will be available for beta testers in mid August, and will be released commercially later this year. The respective websites can already be reached at www.shot-online.eu

The only realistic MMO golfing simulation

Shot Online is a comprehensive and realistic golfing experience, offering players over 250 different holes to play. Players can gain experience points for every well-played course, in order to level up and become the ultimate golfing professional. Beyond that, they have the chance to buy hundreds of optional items to improve their abilities even further. Although there is the possibility to buy certain items for real money, Shot Online remains completely free because every object can also be bought with the in-game currency, either from an NPC or in the auction house.

While up to four players can compete in a direct match at any time, there will be special events and tournaments for everyone on a regular basis, with great prizes to be won. Of course there are lots of useful community features, which give players the chance to chat with their friends, meet new people and form guilds to play as a team.

After a very successful year for the German version of the game, now with over 150,000 registered players, gamigo is finishing up the French and Spanish versions of the worldwide popular sports MMOG. These versions will not only be available to players in France and Spain, but every player from around the globe speaking one of these languages can become part of the growing international community.



In mid August, players will have the chance to check out the new versions of the game for the first time, in an extensive beta testing period. The final version will commence shortly afterwards. Right now, players can already check out the official website in both new languages and meet up with other golfers in the forums.

“We are excited to launch Shot Online in two new languages, so we can give hundreds of thousands of players worldwide the chance to experience this great game”, says Sven Ossenbrüggen, CEO gamigo AG. “With the new versions of Shot Online and other great, free games coming up in additional languages, we are showing our commitment to expanding our influence in the European gaming business.”

Shot Online will be released as a beta version in mid August, with a completely free final version following shortly afterwards later. Players can go to the official website www.shot-online.eu right now, and already register to be one of the first players to check out the new versions.

EA's 'Spore' a week from being finished

'Spore' developers were surprised by a user's creation of this skeleton because they didn't think this kind of figure was possible

read more | digg story

NCsoft Immortalises Video Gamers In Space

Online game company to send digital time capsule with human DNA on Richard Garriott's journey to International Space Station

Could you be the saviour of humankind? NCsoft, the world’s leading publisher and developer of online computer games, has announced it will launch the “Immortality Drive” – a time capsule with the digitised DNA of select video game players* and space aficionados – into orbit when famed game designer Richard Garriott travels to the International Space Station in October 2008.

As part of NCsoft’s “Operation Immortality,” Richard Garriott – the man who created Tabula Rasa, a massively multiplayer online (MMO) PC game that explores the destruction of Earth – is now venturing into space to save humanity.



During the campaign, U.S. Tabula Rasa players have a chance to have their DNA sequenced, digitised and sent into space on the Immortality Drive. In addition, all players worldwide with active retail accounts on September 2, 2008 will have their Tabula Rasa characters uploaded to the device, giving them the opportunity to go to space virtually. In order to make this unique opportunity accessible to as many people as possible, free trials of the game are available at

http://www.plaync.com/eu/trials/rgtr. Garriott will place the Immortality Drive on the International Space Station when he travels there in autumn.

“I’ve been able to do some very exciting things in the games business, but nothing of this magnitude,” said Garriott, executive producer for Tabula Rasa at NCsoft. “I’m thrilled we can offer the once in a lifetime chance to millions of gamers to virtually go to space with me. A select few U.S. players will have their DNA digitised and sent. And, theoretically, if anything happens to the human race, it could be their DNA that is used to resurrect humanity.”

Starting today and lasting through August 31, 2008, anyone with a PC and an Internet connection can go to http://www.operationimmortality.com and participate in weekly polls on humanity’s greatest achievements which will be included on the Immortality Drive, such as “What is the greatest song of all time?” and “What is the greatest technological breakthrough of all time?” Current Tabula Rasa players, or those who download and play the free trial, will also be able to enter a personal message for inclusion on the Drive.

“This is your chance to leave your mark,” says Garriott. “While everyone can participate in the polls at http://www.operationimmortality.com, Tabula Rasa players will be the only gamers in the universe who can say that a piece of them is in space, since we’re sending their in-game alter-egos, and for some, their DNA, to space with me.”

Tabula Rasa, which launched November 2007, is an intense, fast-paced, sci-fi MMO PC game that puts you in the middle of the never-ending intergalactic fight for freedom against a hostile alien race called the Bane. Players use high-tech weaponry, alien powers, and the help of other Allied Free Sentients (AFS) soldiers to rid the universe of the Bane threat.

With frequent free updates to players, the game world of Tabula Rasa has grown significantly since launch. Upcoming features to the game include clan-owned Control Points, new missions, and Personal Armor Units.

No purchase is necessary to participate in Operation Immortality, with free trials of Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa available at http://www.plaync.com/eu/trials/rgtr. The game is currently available at most major retailers and at http://www.plaync.com/eu/store/. The retail box includes the first month of online game play. After the first month, players will be charged a monthly subscription fee of £8.99 / €12.99.

For information about Operation Immortality, including full terms and conditions, go to http://www.operationimmortality.com. For information on Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa go to http://www.rgtr.com/.

The DNA part of this campaign promotion is available to residents in the U.S. only. European law prohibits participation.