Archive for December 2nd, 2008|Daily archive page
The Freelance Police hit the streets as ‘Sam & Max Season Two’ comes to retail in 2009
LYON, FRANCE – 2 December 2008 – Atari and Telltale, Inc. today announced a new partnership to bring Sam & Max to retail stores worldwide with PC and Wii versions of the duo’s most recent escapades, Sam & Max Season Two. Everyone’s favourite freelance police are back for more of the surreal stories and offbeat laughs that make the Sam & Max games series one-of-a-kind. Currently available as episodic downloads for PC only, publisher Atari is bringing Sam & Max Season Two to retailers worldwide for PC and Wii in 2009.
Sam and Max are on the job again in the critically acclaimed Sam & Max Season Two brimming with crime-fighting adventure and chaos. Structured like a TV season, each of the five episodes has its own self-contained plot while together they form part of a season-long mystery. Like the best TV series, Sam & Max Season Two draws the player in with great characters and multiple intertwined plot lines, building to a high stakes climax in the season finale.
The crazed journey begins with a giant robot attack and never lets up, taking the crime-fighters on a series of wild missions boasting twisted storylines and engaging gameplay with their own unique brand of justice that takes them from frozen arctic regions to the fiery opposite end of the spectrum.
As with DVD box sets of popular TV series, bringing the game to retail lets its creators reach a new audience of gamers who otherwise might have led a life deprived of the joy only Sam & Max can bring. Sam & Max Season Two for Wii and PC is the first time this release has been localised, with full French and German versions available on the disk along with Spanish and Italian subtitles, so international fans can enjoy the fun in their mother tongue.
Created by Steve Purcell, Sam & Max first got their start in the indie comic book scene in the 1980s and the duo have since become a well-loved phenomenon in both the comic scene and with the brilliantly addictive and entertaining video games.
About Sam & Max
Sam is a six-foot dog in a baggy suit sporting a trombone-sized .44 hand-cannon. Max is a three foot “rabbity thing” with a saw blade grin and the impulsive nature of the average piranha. Together they patrol the sticky streets of a fantastical New York City, righting wrongs, pummelling perps, and ridding the urban landscape of the shifty legions of “self-propelled gutter trash” that litter their streets. Sam & Max have appeared in comics, video games, an animated TV series recently reissued on DVD, and an Eisner award-winning webcomic.
Atari to bring collection of three award winning games from Tetsuya Mizuguchi to retail worldwide in Spring 2009
LYON, FRANCE – 2 December 2008 – Atari is teaming up with Japan’s Q Entertainment to bring three of music game legend Tetsuya Mizuguchi’s award winning titles together in one retail pack. With the working title Q3 (Qubed), the pack is scheduled for worldwide release in spring 2009 bringing the ultimate audio visual gaming experience for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft to retail for the first time.
“We’re honoured to be working with Tetsuya Mizuguchi, an incredibly talented and visionary game designer and musician who never fails to amaze with his creations,” said Phil Harrison, President of Infogrames Entertainment, the parent company of Atari. “Q3 is a must-have in any self-respecting gamers collection, and so it’s an exciting opportunity to bring these superb titles to a new audience of gamers with a full retail release.”
Mizuguchi-san’s games reflect his love of music and his skill as a music producer, a talent he employs in his games to merge sounds and images creating a real journey for the senses.
“We are honoured to be working with Atari and for myself, personally, the company that brought Pong, the very first video game I ever played when I was 11 years old,” said Tetsuya Mizuguchi, Chief Creative Officer, Q Entertainment. “Since that day, I have been inspired in many ways to create a new type of entertaining experience. ‘Rez HD’, ‘Lumines Live!’ and ‘E4’, collectively called Q3, represent our version of music interactive entertainment and we hope it will provide the same kind of excitement to a new audience as Pong did for me many years ago. We are grateful for the support we have received from the Atari team as well as those who have supported the Atari culture.”
Rez™ HD was released on Xbox Live Arcade in January 2008 and is a fast-paced action-shooter. Set in a cyberworld, the player targets the enemies and hacks the system while creating their own beats. The dynamic, total integration of visual presentation, sound and player input provides the ultimate audio visual experience. Review scores include:
• 1UP.com: 10/10
• Eurogamer: 10/10
• IGN: 8.6/10
• Gamespot: 8.5/10
Lumines™ Live! was released on Xbox Live Arcade in October 2006 and is considered one of the best puzzle games of all time. The title combines puzzles, music and video entertainment to create an addictively-fun gameplay experience. The Q3 version is scheduled to include the Base Pack along with additional content that will enhance and extend the gameplay experience. Review scores include:
• GamesRadar: 9/10
• Console Gameworld: 9.1/10
• Team Xbox: 9. 1/10
• Pro-G: 9/10
E4 (Every Extend Extra Extreme) is a visual and audio shooter/puzzle experience originally released on Xbox Live Arcade in October 2007. The goal in E4 is to self destruct, creating large chain reactions by defeating the enemies, which will ultimately extend the life of the game. It features five game modes including “Wiz ur Muzik”, where players can implement their favourite music for a customized E4 experience. Review scores include:
• IGN: 8.5/10
• Gaming Age: 9.1/10
• Console Monsters: 8.9/10
• Talk Xbox: 8.5/10
For Atari’s entire product line-up, please visit www.atari.com
Prince of Persia ships to store shelves
Filed under: Microsoft Xbox360, Nintendo DS, PC - Windows, Sony PS3 | Tags: 360, DS, PC, PS3, Rated E, Rated T
Comments (1) PRINCE OF PERSIA® SHIPS TO STORE SHELVES
All-New Epic Adventure Hits Stores, Is Poised to Reign This Holiday Season
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – December 2, 2008 – Today Ubisoft announced that Prince of Persia for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system has shipped to store shelves. Additionally, the complementary adventure exclusively for the Nintendo DS(TM) system, Prince of Persia®: The Fallen King, also shipped to retailers. Prince of Persia has an ESRB of “T” for Teen and will be available at the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $59.99 for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 systems. The Windows-based PC version of the game ships to stores on December 9th and will retail for $49.99. Prince of Persia: The Fallen King has an ESRB of “E” for Everyone and will retail for $29.99.
“Prince of Persia is one of the most innovative and critically acclaimed franchises in video game history,” said Tony Key, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Ubisoft. “This new chapter will continue to set the standard for the action-adventure genre and is a definite must-own title this holiday season.”
About Prince of Persia
Set in a land rooted in ancient Persian mythology, the warrior Prince finds himself caught in an epic battle between the primal forces of light and darkness that pits the God of Light, Ormazd, against his brother, Ahriman, the destructive God of Darkness. After witnessing the destruction of the legendary Tree of Life – an act which unleashes Ahriman’s corrupted darkness onto the land – the Prince and his deadly companion, Elika, embark on a journey to heal the world from the evil Corruption and defeat Ahriman once and for all.
Led by the all-star team that previously created the Prince of Persia® Sands of Time trilogy, Prince of Persia has been in development at Ubisoft’s Montreal studio for over three years. The video game opens an entirely new chapter in the Prince of Persia universe in addition to introducing a fresh illustrative art style, evolved combat system, open world structure and dynamic AI – most notably in the form of the Prince’s powerful ally Elika.
TikGames declassifies Interpol for Xbox Live Arcade
Filed under: Microsoft Xbox360 | Tags: 360, Live Arcade, Rated E
Comments (1) Xbox LIVE® Arcade’s First Hidden Object Spy Game Coming Soon
SAN MATEO, Calif. – Dec. 2, 2008 – TikGames today announced that its formerly top-secret Interpol game is in development for Xbox LIVE® Arcade. This all new adventure, developed by TikGames and published by Microsoft, is slated for release on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system this winter, offering gamers the heat of a high-stakes criminal chase for a cool 800 Microsoft points.
In Interpol, players track down the evil and destructive fugitive Dr. Chaos by seeking out hidden clues in exotic locales around the world. In single-player campaign, use your keen investigative skills to quickly gather the evidence needed to bring him and his criminal accomplices to justice. Or, join forces with up to three other friends in local or Xbox LIVE cooperative play to put them behind bars together. Only your keen eyes and investigative skills stand between the world and Dr. Chaos’s evil schemes – use them wisely!
“Finally, gamers have the opportunity to play a hidden object game via Xbox LIVE Arcade and cooperate with other crime-fighting agents globally,” said TikGames’ CEO Anatoly Tikhman. “We’re very excited to be the first to bring this highly-engaging genre to the platform and fully expect worldwide crime rates to plummet on launch day in response.”
Interpol has been rated “E” for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Rating Board for this platform.
About TikGames: TikGames, LLC was founded in 2002 by Anatoly Tikhman with a plan to develop the most innovative and entertaining games for digital distribution. Towards that end, he has built an industry-leading studio to deliver a broad range of top quality proprietary games. The company is headquartered in San Mateo, California.
‘The Witcher: Rise of the White Wolf’ Coming Autumn 2009 to PLAYSTATION(R)3 System and Xbox 360(R)
Filed under: Microsoft Xbox360, Sony PS3 | Tags: 360, PS3, Rated M
Leave a Comment Award Winning, Million-selling Role-playing Franchise Coming to Consoles with Thrilling New Dynamic Combat, State of the Art Visuals and Unparalleled Story
NEW YORK, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — At the ATARI LIVE showcase event in London today, Atari and CD Projekt RED announced plans for the global release of The Witcher: Rise of the White Wolf on PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft in autumn 2009.
Based on the story of multi award-winning million-selling PC role-playing game The Witcher and completely rebuilt pixel by pixel for the new generation of consoles, The Witcher: Rise of the White Wolf brings the unrivalled RPG experience to Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 with a brand new combat system for thrilling dynamic action, and a new engine delivering matchless state-of-the-art visuals. The game is underpinned with the evocative and enthralling story which helped secure the original game’s status as PC role-playing game of 2007, based on the mature and compelling universe created by renowned Polish fantasy writer Andrzej Sapkowski.
“The creative vision and dedication to the quality of the player experience that CD Projekt RED bring to the Witcher games is extraordinary, and it’s great to be working with them to bring the Witcher universe to console gamers,” said Phil Harrison, President of Infogrames Entertainment, the parent company of Atari. “Taking this brilliantly realised world to PLAYSTATION 3 and Xbox 360 gamers for the first time is a breakthrough in the development of this important franchise.”
“We’re thrilled to continue our great relationship with Atari, whose refreshing focus on quality fits squarely with our own, to bring Geralt and the Witcher franchise to an even larger audience – fans who expressed to us very clearly that The Witcher would be a natural fit on consoles,” said Adam Kicinski, CEO, CD Projekt RED. “Console gamers’ tastes are maturing; they’re looking for deeper story-driven experiences that are very hard to find in today’s console market. We’re developing this remake based upon the compelling narrative that helped The Witcher on PC sell more than a million copies and win more than 100 awards, building everything else from the ground up to be the definitive console RPG.”
Based on the universe created by best-selling Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher: Rise of the White Wolf puts players in the role of Geralt, a professional monster slayer who exists on the fringes of a complex society troubled by the kind of problems more commonly found on the front pages of newspapers than in a fantasy universe. Taken as a child, mutated, and trained in the arcane ways of the witchers, Geralt is a reluctant hero, who nonetheless finds himself all too frequently in the heat of battles that are not his own. In this world there is no right or wrong, only decisions and consequences.
With The Witcher: Rise of the White Wolf, the best PC RPG in recent years is being completely remade as the ultimate console RPG. The title is being developed by a core team from CD Projekt RED working alongside France-based Widescreen Games who provide their cross-platform DaVinci engine technology. For more information about The Witcher visit www.thewitcher.com and for more details about Atari’s entire product line up visit www.atari.com.
KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories Heads to Retailers Today; KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days Announced for North America
Two New Installments Provide Essential Pieces to KINGDOM HEARTS Saga
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ — Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix(R) interactive entertainment products in North America, and Disney Interactive Studios, announced today that KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories has shipped to North American retailers. Additionally, the release of KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days, the first entry in the franchise for Nintendo DS(TM), has been confirmed for a North American release.
With more than 12 million copies shipped worldwide, the KINGDOM HEARTS franchise is one of the most beloved RPGs in video game history. Disney and FINAL FANTASY(R) characters unite in a magical game world, engaging players across the globe with its gripping storyline and action-packed gameplay. Fans can now complete the experience with the arrival and announcement of two key pieces in the KINGDOM HEARTS saga.
About KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories
Originally released in 2004 for Game Boy(R) Advance, this full 3D rendition on the PlayStation(R)2 has finally made its way to North American shores to bridge the gap between KINGDOM HEARTS and KINGDOM HEARTS II. With KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories, fans can complete the saga created by renowned director and character designer, Tetsuya Nomura.
STORY
Sora, Donald and Goofy travel down a long road that meanders through endless fields, and come to a crossroads. As Sora stands in the crossroads, he gazes up at the night sky and thinks of his lost friends.
Just then, a mysterious man approaches from down one of the branching paths. “Ahead lies something you need,” he says, “but to claim it, you must lose something dear.” The man vanishes before a single path, leading to a castle that eerily resembles a girl’s drawing…
In the coming journey, what will Sora and his companions gain, and what will they lose?
FEATURES
– World-renowned creator and character designer Tetsuya Nomura and his team once again unite the magical world of Disney with the characters of FINAL FANTASY, inviting fans to an enchanting gaming experience
– An essential piece in the KINGDOM HEARTS franchise, which has shipped over 12 million units across the globe, comes to North America at long last
– In addition to Sora, players can control Riku in this adventure that bridges the gap between KINGDOM HEARTS and KINGDOM HEARTS II
– A full 3D remake of the original GBA release, KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories offers a refreshing rendition of the hit title for the PlayStation 2 system
– The talented voice cast from the North American releases of KINGDOM HEARTS and KINGDOM HEARTS II, including David Gallagher and Haley Joel Osment, return to breathe new life into the beloved characters
– The mini-game catalog has been completely renewed, now with four brand new experiences accompanying the main adventure
KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories is rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) by the ESRB. Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website at http://www.esrb.org for more information about ratings. KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories will be available at North American retailers for the suggested retail price of $29.99(USD). The official website can be found at http://na.square-enix.com/khrecom/.
About KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days
Uncover the events that took place during the year Sora was asleep regaining his lost memories. KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days revolves around Roxas, the “other” hero from KINGDOM HEARTS II, and his days as a member of Organization XIII. Follow Roxas and the rest of Organization XIII across the various Disney Worlds, and discover the connection between him, Sora, and the mysterious 14th member, and the reasons behind his eventual departure from the organization. KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days also features a multiplayer mode for the first time, allowing players to control their favorite Organization XIII members!
KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days is not yet rated by the ESRB. Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website at http://www.esrb.org for more information about ratings. For more information, visit http://www.square-enix.com/na.
Majesco Entertainment Announces ‘Gardening Mama’ for Nintendo DS(TM)
New Handheld Game Stars Mama from the Multi-Million Selling Cooking Mama Franchise
EDISON, N.J., Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Rising out of the rich soil sprouts Gardening Mama, a new Nintendo DS(TM) gardening simulation that was announced today by Majesco Entertainment Company (Nasdaq: COOL), an innovative provider of video games for the mass market. Developed by Cooking Mama Limited, the team that created the award-winning Cooking Mama franchise that has sold 2.5 million units domestically, Gardening Mama brings back the beloved matron to cultivate a cornucopia of fruits, flowers and vegetables in her backyard.
“Mama has become a certifiable iconsince her original introduction in Cooking Mama DS,” said Jesse Sutton, Chief Executive Officer, Majesco. “Her first brand offshoot captures those features that made the Cooking Mama series a best seller — an innovative concept, full Touch Screen control, approachable gameplay for everyone and, of course, a charismatic mentor who pushes you in her own endearing way to give a gold medal performance every time.”
Gardening Mama transforms the DS stylus into a universal gardening tool that players will use to plant, nurture and harvest flowers, fruits and vegetables. Gamers can manage their garden through the seeding, blooming and maturation phases, and then produce items from the plants they’ve grown (i.e. grow strawberries to make jam or raise pumpkins and then carve a jack-’o-lantern). A robust multiplayer mode lets up to four friends compete to grow the biggest harvest and Treasure Box mode lets players share items they’ve grown with online friends. Gamers can also decorate various gardens while creating goods like pergolas and hanging baskets. In addition, players can change Mama’s outfit to their liking while customizing the screen design to their preference.
Just as millions of players enjoyed slicing and dicing with Mama in the kitchen, they can now move to the great outdoors — planting, pruning, picking, and creating — in Gardening Mama!
Gardening Mama for DS is expected to release in Spring 2009. For additional information about Majesco’s exciting line of products, please visit www.majescoentertainment.com.
Atari Laces Up Its Gloves as ‘Ready 2 Rumble Revolution’ Warms Up for Its Wii Debut
The Best-Selling Boxing Franchise Returns with a Huge Roster of Celebrity-inspired Fighters Looking to Land the KO Punch in Spring 2009
NEW YORK, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The hilarious Ready 2 Rumble franchise is flexing its muscles and planning a major, star-studded return to the ring in spring 2009 with the launch of Ready 2 Rumble Revolution, the newest game in the much-loved series. Bringing the franchise to Wii(TM) for the first time, the game retains all the knockout features of best-sellers Ready 2 Rumble Boxing Round 1 and Round 2, while delivering a knockout punch of style and attitude. Tailored to take advantage of the motion-controlled realism of Wii, Ready 2 Rumble Revolution makes landing a punch more fun than ever.
“Ready 2 Rumble Revolution is poised to take back the title as the undisputed champion of arcade boxing games and we hope to reach an even bigger audience than ever thanks to the huge popularity of Wii,” said Phil Harrison, President of Infogrames, the parent company of Atari. “The outrageous celebrity caricatures paired with a fun boxing experience made even more over-the-top thanks to the Wii controllers will make the newest version of this famed franchise a must-have for all fans of boxing and physical fun on Wii.”
“Ready 2 Rumble Revolution will put the swagger back into the boxing ring and promote an adrenaline-boosting, positive will to win attitude in the hearts and minds of fans of all ages,” said Gaspard de Dreuzy, President of Stereo Mode and executive producer of the game.
Sure to satisfy newcomers and boxing fans alike, Ready 2 Rumble Revolution features a roster of 18 wildly caricatured cartoony boxers based on celebrities from the worlds of sports, music and movies. Celebrities enter the ring as larger-than-life “Rumble-ized” versions of themselves. Players will step right up and see if they can knock these super-sized egos down a peg or two!
The game is hosted by “The Voice of the Champions” Michael Buffer, famous for his “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble(R)” trademark call. Characters are brought to life with hilarious moves, detailed facial animations, damage textures and fighting techniques including special moves, combos, extreme knockdowns and special “Rumble” combos. An all new Championship Mode lets gamers create their own unique boxer and nurture his skills through mini-games, developing him as a fighter and creating a completely personalized Ready 2 Rumble Revolution experience.
Developed by AKI who bring their formidable fight game know-how to the franchise, Ready 2 Rumble Revolutionbrings a virtual boxing arena to the living room and delivers a fun and intuitive experience in either single player or multiplayer mode. The Wii controllers provide would-be pugilists with an intuitive and realistic feel. Using the Nunchuk(TM) controller as one glove and the Wii Remote(TM) controller as the other, players dodge, weave and throw the big punches to KO their opponents.
Virtual heavyweights can fight from the backstreet gym all the way to the big Las Vegas showdown with vivid new visuals bringing the five spectacular ring environments to life. The arcade experience is made even better thanks to advanced Artificial Intelligence allowing more strategic fights.
Microïds and Dreamcatcher Announce Syberia on Nintendo DS has shipped to retail stores in North America
Toronto, Canada, December 2, 2008 – Dreamcatcher, a leading publisher of interactive entertainment software and Microïds, one of the leading adventure games producers and publishers, owner of the Syberia franchise, announce Syberia for Nintendo DSTM has shipped to retail stores in North America.
A visual masterpiece created by Benoit Sokal, Syberia has captured the hearts and the imagination of PC gamers worldwide. The charming characters, stimulating puzzles and fascinating storyline of Syberia come to life on DS bringing with it the full musical score and breathtaking cut scenes which helped to make this title PC Adventure Game of the Year.
“Syberia has been a favorite among the adventure gaming community since its release in 2002,” said Brian Gladman, Global Product Manager at The Adventure Company. “We wanted to remain true to the quality of this title in the DS version, players will find the adapted soundtrack and stunning visuals of Syberia translate extremely well into the DS platform.”
The DS offers a new way for adventure fans to immerse themselves into the fascinating storyline of the award-winning Syberia:
For Kate Walker, a sophisticated New York Attorney, the Voralberg Toy Company acquisition seemed like an easy task: a quick stop-over to a small alpine village in France to buy-out an old toy factory, then straight back home to New York. But deep in the alpine valleys, Kate uncovers a secret which starts her on a fascinating quest of discovery. Due to an unexpected twist, her business trip quickly becomes a journey across land and time throwing all she values into question, while the deal she set out to sign becomes a pact with destiny…
Making optimal use of DS features such as touch-screen functionality, Syberia on DS offers gamers a truly immersive experience. Character movements are controlled directly and an always available, dynamic inventory system is accessed using the stylus. Prepare to embark on a journey that will envelop and capture your imagination, emotions and senses!
Syberia for DS has an ESRB rating of T for Teen and will sell for an SRP of $29.99 USD. For further information please visit our website at www.adventurecompanygames.com
Celetania: Modules of the S.E.C.C.T.S.
Celetania: Modules of the S.E.C.C.T.S.
All of the ships within the upcoming 4X MMOG Celetania, which will be released by Vulcando Games on February 13th 2009, are going to be designed in a comfortable and tactically sophisticated toolbox. Important parts of the constructions are the individual modules which offers special abilities to the space ships.
The S.E.C.C.T.S. will be relying on exactly these space ships when they leave their shipyards to start their campaign of plunder but also to defend themselves from enemy combatants.
You will be able to find videos and descriptions for the modules if you follow this link: http://www.celetania.com/featurette_seccts_modules.php.
Jack Black To Host Spike TV’s 2008 ‘Video Game Awards’
6th Annual Celebration To Include Mind-Blowing World Premieres Of God Of War III, Brutal Legend, Fight Night Round 4, Mafia II, Terminator Salvation, Uncharted 2, Watchmen: The End is Nigh, A Special Gears Of War 2 Announcement And Other Surprises
Premieres LIVE Sunday, December 14 At 9:00 PM ET
NEW YORK, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ — On Sunday, December 14th, the future is in play when Jack Black, one of the entertainment industry’s most versatile and talented stars, takes viewers on a trip to gamer heaven as host of Spike TV’s 2008 “Video Game Awards.” Recognizing outstanding artistic and technical achievement in the gaming industry, plus premiering first-looks at the hottest games of 2009 and beyond, the 2008 “VGAs” debuts LIVE and in HIGH-DEFINITION on Sunday, December 14 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/tape delay on west coast) from Sony Picture Studios in Culver City, CA.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081202/NY49317 )
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060322/NYW096LOGO )
In emceeing the night’s festivities, Black will be capping a 2008 which saw him star in two Hollywood blockbusters, “Tropic Thunder” and “Kung Fu Panda” that grossed over $800 million worldwide combined. Also, he will star opposite Michael Cera in director Harold Ramis’ “The Year One.”
“Jack is a huge gamer and a former performer and winner on the ‘VGAs’ having taken home Best Performance By A Human – Male in 2005,” said Casey Patterson, Spike TV’s senior vice president, event production and talent development. “We’re thrilled to have him as our host. With a record 10 world premieres including Brutal Legend starring Jack, it will be a big night and wild ride!”
In addition to the world premiere of Brutal Legend gameplay from designer Tim Schafer (Grim Fandango and Psychonauts) and Double Fine Productions, the 2008 “VGAs” will be stacked with an unprecedented number of wall-to-wall world exclusives. Games scheduled to make their global debut include the first look at the gameplay of the PlayStation 3(TM) exclusive God of War III, Uncharted 2, EA’s Sports Fight Night Round 4, Mafia II, Terminator Salvation, Watchmen: The End is Nigh, a special announcement regarding Gears of War 2 and more blockbuster surprises set to be revealed shortly.
At the show, legendary game designer Will Wright will receive the first-ever Gamer God award for his achievements in the gaming industry. Other industry luminaries set to attend include Game of the Year-nominees Hideo Kojima (designer, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots), Cliff Bleszinski (designer director, Gears of War 2), Todd Howard (Executive Producer, Fallout 3), Alex Evans (co-founder, Media Molecule, creators of LittleBigPlanet), Rockstar Games and more names soon to be announced.
The official sponsors of Spike TV’s 2008 “Video Game Awards” are Burger King(R), GameStop(TM), Gillette(R), Energizer(R), Mountain Dew, Stride(R) Gum, U.S. Army and Verizon Wireless.
Nominees and winners for Spike TV’s 2008 “Video Game Awards” were determined by the VGA Advisory Council, made up of a group of the top journalists in the industry. Games released between December 2, 2007 and December 1, 2008 were eligible for nomination. The Best Independent Game Fueled by Dew winner will be selected by fans who vote on VGA.Spike.com.
Albie Hecht, Oscar(R)-nominated producer and co-creator of the “Kids’ Choice” and “Video Game Awards,” and Casey Patterson, senior vice president, event production & talent development for Spike TV will serve as executive producers of Spike TV’s 2008 “Video Game Awards.” Greg Sills is supervising producer and Alicia Portugal is executive in charge of production.
Spike TV is available in 97.7 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), MTV Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com
New Word Game From BeBop Games Tests Your Word Skills
SOMERVILLE, MA - BeBop Games, LLC has released a new word game, Brainisaurus, for the PC. Brainisaurus has simple yet sophisticated gameplay that challenges players to solve words using different kinds of clues.
According to Marvin Shin, the game’s designer, “Brainisaurus is a great game not only because it’s a lot of fun but because it helps expand your vocabulary as well. Whether you want to learn new words to beat your friends at games like Scrabble or Boggle or improve your standardized test scores, Brainisaurus is an exciting way to boost your word skills.”
Brainisaurus features a word database of over 40,000 words and includes the Word Guide, a built-in dictionary/thesaurus for exploring words. The game also features the Word Quotient (WQ) scoring system that measures your word intelligence. “It’s the word skills equivalent of IQ,” said Shin. “If you think you’re a word genius, you can see if you really are with Brainisaurus.”
A trial version of the game is available athttp://www.bebopgames.com. The full version can be purchased on-line for $19.95.
‘Hot Relations’ modification revealed in latest Global Crisis developer diary
In the following excerpt, David elaborates on what exactly the “Hot Modification” is and how it affects gameplay in Global Crisis;
“When we released Supreme Ruler 2020 we included two versions of the two original sandbox / campaigns. World 2020 in Crisis was a “Hot Relations” modification of World 2020 in which both good and bad relationships were amplified. Similarly, Melting Point was a “Hot Relations” modification of the Shattered World sandbox / campaign. The reason we did this was to appeal to different styles of gameplay. Some players wanted plenty of time at the beginning of the game to get their nation set just the way they wanted before it could be affected by changes in international relations.
Continues…
Others believe the game moved too slowly at the start and wanted more action from AI regions right from the word go. So, essentially these two distinct versions of the same campaign provided the player a choice of how quickly AI controlled international relationships would develop into either war declarations or into formal alliances… “
Read the complete developer diary for the expansion Global Crisis at:
http://www.gamesxtreme.net/pc/game/supreme-ruler-2020-global-crisis/diary-2871.shtml
Global Crisis is scheduled for a digital download release via GamersGate during the latter half of Q4, 2008 and will require Supreme Ruler 2020 to play. Supreme Ruler 2020 was released in June 2008.
HaptX Team Releases Penumbra: Requiem HaptX® Edition
Penumbra: Requiem HaptX Edition is the highly anticipated expansion for Penumbra: Black Plague. Requiem continues on the previous Penumbra games and gives the series its resolution. In Penumbra: Requiem we follow Philip, the game’s protagonist, on a journey where he falls deeper into madness which forces him to fight some inner demons as well as outer ones. Players will be taken on a tense journey filled with psychological horror and mind-boggling puzzles.
Telling what is real and what is not will be even harder in Penumbra: Requiem HaptX Edition than in the previous games in the series, and questioning your senses will be essential to survival. Your decisions could make the difference between life and death.
With the Falcon, you will be able to push, pull, lift and throw objects in a fully interactive 3D environment just like real life, allowing you to feel what Philip feels every step of the way. With hours of intense game play and revolutionary interactions, Penumbra: Requiem HaptX Edition sets a new standard for adventure game play with the Novint Falcon.
New features in HaptX Edition!:
» Maximize the use and capabilities of the multi-awarded Falcon Controller
» Feel the characteristics of objects including their surface details at pixel resolution
» Interact in both 2D and 3D by physically push, pull, lift, stack and throw objects
» Water and fluid effects
» Touch and feel soft in-game objects
» Force effects like magnets, electric shocks, anti-gravity, and much more
Penumbra: Requiem HaptX Edition is released in collaboration with Paradox Interactive and is scheduled for release on the 12th of December 2008.
nycgameindustry.com Officially Launches to Facilitate Industry Growth in NYC
New Community and Networking Portal Comes to Leading Game
Development MarketNEW YORK – Dec. 2, 2008
New York City has quickly become a growing force in game development and production, hosting some of the most well-known video game brands and talent in the industry. To help facilitate New York City’s continued industry growth and leadership, nycgameindustry.com has now officially launched to offer a variety of community and networking tools for industry insiders and visitors alike.
nycgameindustry.com provides a unique platform for local game developers to promote their business, find qualified candidates, and network with one another in an effort to foster a healthy marketplace. In addition, the site aims to provide those interested in or new to the NYC interactive entertainment industry the tools to find out more about its resources and contribute to its growing leadership position in the global game development market.
Features of the site include:
Comprehensive Database of Related Companies, Schools and Talent Profiles
News and Feature Articles
Updated Events Calendar
Job Listings
Discussion Forums
Interactive Entertainment industry professionals in and outside of New York City are encouraged to visit nycgameindustry.com to learn more about the city’s growing influence and offering.
About nycgameindustry.com
nycgameindustry.com is the definitive online informational resource and destination for the growing New York City game development network. The site aims to support New York City-based game developers by promoting local studios and talent, encourage community involvement in local industry-related events, and actively seek ways to work with local companies and organizations to help spur continued game industry growth in the area. The site offers a unique platform for local game developers to promote their business, find qualified candidates, and network with one another while at the same time providing a one stop shop for newcomers, students, and professionals who live outside of New York to see what the area has to offer and the leadership position it has achieved.
nycgameindustry.com was founded by Brandon Van Slyke in November of 2008. Brandon is a professional video game designer currently employed with Vicarious Visions, offering years of experience designing commercial console games, mobile games, and casual downloadable web games. Please visit www.nycgameindustry.com for more information.
