Microsoft unveils 2 new deals for Xbox Live members

Deck your Marketplace with loads of content: This week Xbox 360 is kicking off two global 30-day specials to bring great deals on select Xbox LIVE content and even free multiplayer for a list of great games.

Each week one piece of content from Xbox LIVE Marketplace will get a limited-time only discount in the Deal of the Week. Every Monday this month check out Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the featured piece of content. It could be a movie rental, a map pack or even an Xbox LIVE Arcade game. The Deal of the Week is only available for Xbox LIVE Gold members, so if you aren’t a Gold member, upgrade today to the service that brings you online multiplayer, access to Netflix in the U.S. and much more. For only about $4 a month*, Xbox LIVE Gold gives you incredible entertainment for an incredible value.

Are you a Silver member wanting to get a taste of the multiplayer experience before upgrading? This month, we are also offering “Friendship is Free,” a free multiplayer trial for Silver members. Over the course of this month, multiplayer will be available for all Xbox LIVE members for eight Xbox LIVE Arcade games. The Xbox LIVE Arcade team will open up the multiplayer functionality for “A Kingdom for Keflings,” “Aegis Wing,” “Bomberman Live,” “Hardwood Hearts,” “Hardwood Spades,” “UNO,” “Small Arms” and “Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix” (regional restrictions may apply).

So what are you waiting for? Both the Deal of the Week and Friendship is Free are going on now and will only last the month of December. Xbox.com will have all of the details and will let you know what the new discounted content is each week.

If you are not an Xbox LIVE member, December is the month to join. For only a few dollars a month you and your family can experience all the best gaming and entertainment available.

*When you purchase a 12-month membership

Lips and Xbox 360 downloadable content brings holiday carols and cheer right to your living room

Classic Holiday Songs and Premium Custom Videos Now Available For “Lips”

“Lips,” the new singing party game exclusively for the Xbox 360 from iNiS Corp., today announced its lineup of Holiday tunes fit for singing and celebrating with friends and family, available around the globe.

Each song comes with a unique custom Holiday video to really bring out the spirit of the season.  Additionally, you can download the Holiday custom videos for free from Xbox LIVE Marketplace and use them when singing to Holiday music from your own collection.  Pricing starts at 160 Microsoft points.

Global Holiday Songs; Available December 5
Blue Christmas – Elvis Presley
The Dreidel Song – Sister Hazel
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Andy Williams  

Global Holiday Songs: Available December 12
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer – Gene Autry
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee
A Holly Jolly Christmas – Burl Ives
The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You) – Nat King Cole
Santa Baby – Kylie Minogue
White Christmas – Bing Crosby
Hanukkah Blessings – Barenaked Ladies

“Lips”, the new singing party game from Xbox 360 and iNiS, includes 40 songs on-disc and two wireless, motion-sensitive microphones and is available at retailers around the globe.  Additional information on “Lips” is available at www.xbox.com/lips.

IDEA Games and Centauri Production announce cooperation on forthcoming releases.

Prague, Czech Republic, December 4th - IDEA Games and Centauri Production are proud to announce cooperation on the forthcoming titles AlternativA and Pat&Mat.

Independent Developers Association (IDEA) has signed an agreement with the experienced game development studio Centauri Production, author of the adventure games Gooka: Mystery of Janatris and the recently released Memento Mori.

The main goal of this cooperation is to strengthen the position of talented developers from the Czech Republic, in a top level environment of global gaming business and to bring its promising titles to more gamers around the world.

“The idea of our association is to support talented local developers and help them to focus directly on development, taking over the main aspects of sales, marketing and PR activities” said Slavomir Pavlicek, CEO of IDEA Games. “Centauri Production is well-established and has a skilled development team. With their projects added as a part of the forthcoming line-up for our association we can increase the impact and standing of the Czech development scene”.

About AlternativA

AlternativA is a classic point&click adventure game based on an original sci-fi/cyber-punk script. The overlying story is composed of a number of shorter stories that lead us through the lives of a number of individual characters as well as the fictional world of the future.

A non-linear storyline full of unexpected turns, logical tasks, historical and scientific facts in an at times spine-chilling atmosphere all blend together to form the experience that is AlternativA.

About Pat & Mat

Pat & Mat is a puzzle adventure game for everyone. All settings are based on the popular TV stop-motion series about two handymen named “Pat & Mat”. Although the game is fully 3D rendered in real time, it still keeps the dreamy look of stop-motion movies (the characters are modelled in “puppet style” and the animations simulate the “stop-motion“style animation process). The player takes control of both Pat & Mat and solves various tasks through the cooperation and help of both characters.

PBR Out of the Chute Enters Download Arena

PBR Out of the Chute Enters Download Arena

D2C Games’ Professional Bull Riding Game Available Now for Sony PSP and PC

San Mateo, Calif. – Dec. 4, 2008 - D2C Games, Inc., a leading publisher and developer of downloadable interactive entertainment, and Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) announced today that the PBR Out of the Chute for PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and PC is exclusively available for download from www.us.playstation.com/PSN/mediamanagerand www.direct2drive.com.

Capturing all the adrenaline and challenge of the Toughest Sport on Dirt™, PBR Out of the Chute lets you play as a top pro bull rider or as a rank bull in multiple events leading up to the World Finals in Las Vegas.

“As the fastest growing sport in North America, PBR brings high-octane action and incredible excitement to PSP® system and PC gamers everywhere,” says Scott Orr, President of D2C Games. “PBR Out of the Chute is a great family game and fun social experience where players take on the roles of rider and bull in the ultimate battle of brains vs. brawn.”

“A two-ton bull is a lot less dangerous on the PSP® system or PC than it is in a PBR arena, but D2C and Totally Games managed to capture the essence of the sport in this game”, says Sean Gleason, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of PBR. “We are extremely proud of PBR Out of the Chute and couldn’t be happier about the relationship with such great game developers and publishers.”

Players may create their own characters and compete as a professional rider or a rank bull through 10 three-round events in multiple lwww.direct2drive.comocations including New York, Anaheim, and Atlanta. Challenge the best or play as top riders including Guilherme Marchi, Justin McBride, and Chris Shivers. Even compete as one of the tour’s rankest bulls, complete with signature moves! Intuitive controls and three difficulty levels allow everyone to pick up and play, have fun, and be challenged for hours. Multiplayer Mode allows players to compete against each other as rider vs. bull in 8 seconds or unlimited time modes. Season Mode features un-lockable riders, bulls, and videos as players compete to become the best rider or bull through the PBR season and win the World Finals in Las Vegas. Become part of the Millionaire’s Club by beating some of the meanest, rankest bulls in the history of the PBR. Realistic sounds, pre-ride commentary, official rules, and heart-pounding music capture the essence of the PBR experience.

PBR Out of the Chute is now available for PSP® system and PC at a suggested retail price of $14.99.

Lost In Reefs: Explore the Bosom of the Sea and Discover the Secrets of an Ancient City

Lost In Reefs: Explore the Bosom of the Sea and Discover the Secrets of an Ancient City

December 4, 2008: Rumbic Studio announces the release of a new casual game. Lost in Reefs 1.0 presents a fascinating story that will hold a player’s attention till the ancient city reveals its hidden mystery. It is not a usual match3 game: a variety of modes, options and tools, advanced graphics and the charming undersea world guarantee fun and delight!

Each player creates his own profile, choosing time mode or relaxed mode. When the mode is selected, it cannot be altered for this profile, but you can change type of game (Swap, Chain or Group type) and structure of playing area. The types differ in the technique of playing: Swap type implies swapping items to make chains of matching ones; Chain type implies selecting chains of matching items; and Group type requires selecting groups of them.

The structure of playing area can consist of squares or hexagons. Whatever is chosen, it strongly affects the tactics of the gameplay. Five different profiles can exist at the same time – quite enough for the whole family.

When the player selects matching items, they blow up and destroy marble plaques. As soon as all the plaques are destroyed, the player goes to the next level. Seems simple? But the 400 levels of the game vary from easy to extremely difficult ones, which require experience and skill: chains, chests and walls are significant obstacles, and each of them needs a special approach to be removed. However, nothing is impossible, as the player is provided with nine useful bonuses (a hammer, a bomb, a mixer, a magnet, a row explosion etc.) and an opportunity to compose “magic figures”. Moreover, nobody will get stuck to one difficult level, because the game can give necessary hints. And if the player fails to pass a certain level for the second time, it will be skipped.

There are several types of items – gold, fish and tools. The player is to collect necessary resources for building the city. Each new building allows collecting another valuable resource. It is possible to look at what is already built – and to enjoy the special feature of Lost in Reefs: the animation of the undersea world and fishes of different types, swimming to and fro. The fishes are afraid of the cursor, and it is fun to chase them! There are twelve types of fishes that become available as the player advances in the game.

The objective of the game is to build and explore the ancient undersea city, but not all the secrets of the older civilization are revealed at once. Only the most skilled and persistent players will discover the wonders of The Heart of the City!

Pricing and Availability
System requirements for Lost in Reefs 1.0:
OS: Windows 2000/XP/Vista
CPU: 1.0 GHz
RAM: 128 MB
DirectX: 7.0
Hard Drive: 35 MB

Further information on the product is available athttp://www.rumbic.com/games/lostinreefs

Legends of Daemonica: Farepoynt’s Purgatory

Prague – 4th December, 2008 – Cinemax and RA Images are proud to announce the development of Legends of Daemonica: Farepoynt’s Purgatory.

Game information
Legends of Daemonica: Farepoynt’s Purgatory is a full 3D psychological thriller containing unique features, elaborate characters, and a truly non-linear storyline set in the14th Century.
The player controls Nicholas Farepoynt, an obscure character with a troubled past who, along with twelve others, arrives on a mysterious island. It’s at this place they will be purified meaning stripped of their special abilities. The player will have to help Farepoynt escape this island.

Key features
- Fourteen strong and believable characters with multi-layered personalities. You can become their enemy, friend, or leader, and learn about their special abilities and use them to aid Farepoynt on his journey.
- Unique game mechanics such as influencing the present by altering the past or entering other people’s dreams.
- Interesting game puzzles.
- Deep and rich non-linear storyline. Your decisions shape the gameplay experience right from the start of the game. People die or are saved based on your actions. There are no easy or obvious choices to be made.
- Highly detailed full 3D environments and high polygon characters.
- Numerous special effects and shaders such as dynamic weather and lighting, depth of field, and heat haze.
- Dynamic camera allowing the creation of unique cutscenes using techniques such as split screen or picture in picture technology.
- Atmospheric soundtrack

Visit www.legendsofdaemonica.com for more info.

Blitz Games Studios welcomed 19 to its first ever Family Open Day

Family of Blitz Games Studios staff were invited through its doors on Friday 28 November for a very special open day.

Following an introductory presentation by the Oliver Twins, attendees were given a sneak peek into some of the exciting projects going on at the Leamington Spa-based studios.

Various key members of staff talked eager audience members through TruSim’s Serious Games division, demoed some upcoming games and showed off Blitz Tech’s impressive foray into 3D game technology.

“We’ve now run many open days for students and lecturers and everyone tends to leave on a high, after seeing Blitz in a whole new light with a true appreciation of what we are capable of,” says Blitz CEO Philip Oliver. “And while our staff know what we’re about, it’s important to them and to us that their family and partners understand and feel proud of what they do every day.”

As well as seeing Blitz’s latest projects, attendees were also given an insight into what their relatives/partners get up to on a day-to-day basis and as well as a general overview of the industry.

“The feedback was fantastic” adds Education/HR administrator Elizabeth Miller, organiser of the event. “It seems the idea went down very well with our staff and their family members and partners. It was a bit of an experiment to see how this would work out but I’m pleased with the result. We’re now planning another Family Open Day, this time aimed towards children of Blitz staff, to give our proud parents the chance to show off our heritage of family friendly games.”

Comments from participants include:

“It was a real privilege to be here. Enjoyed it immensely”
“Would have liked to have seen more game and character demos, they were fascinating!”
“Covered all topics hoped for. Very worthwhile”
“Brilliant thanks!”
“A very enjoyable and informative experience.”

New Concept Gaming’s innovative video game controller jOG (sic) on sale now!

To move in the game – you have to jOG!

Liverpool, 26 November 2008: New Concept Gaming Ltd, a company dedicated to the development and sale of ground breaking products bridging the video game and health and fitness industries, today announced that its first product, jOG™ is now on sale. Compatible with existing games consoles and games, jOG is an accessory that enables gamers to enjoy their favourite titles with a fun, immersive control mechanic at the same time benefitting from aerobic exercise – quite simply, if you want to run in the game you have to run on the spot to go.

In the basic mode of operation, the user plays their game in the normal way but with one significant difference. jOG detects when the player takes a step and only allows movement in the game while the player is jogging on the spot. Direction and all the other functions are still controlled by the standard gamepad. Using this simple approach, the team at New Concept Gaming has created a very powerful visual feedback loop bringing players deeper into the game experience and compelling them to take light exercise for the duration of game play without affecting the balance of gameplay.

jOG can be used to enhance most existing video games that feature character movement on screen –adventure games, shooters, children’s games, RPGs, sports games. Significantly, in its basic mode jOG requires no changes to any game console or software to use. Players just plug in and go.

“Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions in the Western world, and many sedentary activities are being blamed, not least playing video games,” explains Brendan Ludden, Managing Director, New Concept Gaming. “jOG is a great way to banish those criticisms, and help gaming be both fun and healthy. We want to make video games good for you!”

PS2

PS2

PS2

Wii

Wii

jOG for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system from Sony is available now from www.ncg-jog.com. A special Limited Edition jOG lite compatible with the Wii™ will also be available in December.

Woohoo!

After many tries, I have finally been noticed by the powers that be at Atari, and I now have press access, so look for more trailers and picutres to accompany the news about their games :)

Next stop, EA Games!! Let me in! Let me in! 

A lot of this goes to you guys and word of mouth from you about the site, posting links from here to others and hitting us up on Digg, Technorati and others. The few of you that do this help out immensely. I may even be able to have a giveaway in the future if things go well…

-e

Things On Wheels

Things On Wheels

Introducing Sting and Storm…

Introducing another in the range of exciting RC  Racing cars, choose your vehicle and start the race!

Sting: Often First Class: Sport. This sport car’s very high speed, power and moderately high handling give it the balance to quickly steal the lead in any race while still being able to manage turns without losing too much speed.

Storm: Aerodynamic Class: Sport. Storm lives up to its name, with its high power and velocity and very minimal control. Learning how to take full advantage of this car’s speed without succumbing to its lack of restraint will take practice.

Sting

Sting

Sting

Sting

Sting

Sting

Storm

Open Beta for Runes of Magic in sight

Open Beta for Runes of Magic in sight

Big event to celebrate the end of the closed beta

Berlin, Dec. 4th 2008: Frogster will open the Runes of Magic servers for all players on Monday, December 15th. With the start of the open beta, MMO interested players can explore the complete content that has been integrated so far into the fantasy-online-roleplay-game. Additionally, Frogster thanks all participants of the closed beta with a big farewell-event.

This version is open to all players after a short registration on the official websitewww.runesofmagic.com. All players that have registered so far, without being invited to the closed beta, will receive automatic access to the open beta. All players that are already active in the closed beta will keep their account. Right from the beta start the needed client software can be downloaded already on various websites and on www.runesofmagic.com.

Frogster thanks all closed beta participants for their help in optimizing the game with a special ingame event lasting several days, at the end of the three month long first test phase. Beginning December 7th, darkness will befall Taborea and evil demons will start terrorizing the game world. Accompanying the event, the official website will continuously report about the communities efforts to repel the evil forces. After the final of the event on December 10th, the servers will go offline for last tests.

Daniel Ullrich, Director of Product Management at Frogster is extremely pleased with the closed beta: “More than 170,000 registrations from players worldwide shortly before the start of the open beta show us, that we are on the right track with Runes of Magic.” This final test phase is likely to end in the first quarter of 2009 with the release of the title, but all characters that have been played until then will be available to the players after the game has been launched.

Runes of Magic is currently in closed beta. Interested players can still apply for access to the beta test onwww.runesofmagic.com. The ambitious MMORPG project is scheduled to go into open beta with further polishing and completely localized in the course of December.

Runes of Magic – a world full of wizardry and adventure
With an extensive range of features Runes of Magic prepares to redefine the standard of free-to-play MMO games. Right from the launch Runes of Magic will convey its absorbing story through more than 1.000 quests embedded in an atmospheric world. Players can choose between six main classes. Combined with a secondary class they dispose of 36 individual character classes over all. All characters possess unique skills with impressive combo attacks and can use mounts. A particularly attractive feature for guilds and players is the possibility to arrange their own virtual homes with individual furnishing. Thanks to an extensive crafting and reputation system, thrilling PVP as well as demanding dungeons and boss-monsters, no wishes remain unsatisfied. The Taiwanese developer Runewaker has developed Runes of Magic according to western MMO standards within a time frame of three years. The studio will provide new challenges for players every three to four months with free add-ons and updates. MMO fans can find more information, pictures and videos on the official website www.runesofmagic.com.

Runes of Magic features
• Free2play, no monthly fees, free download
• Dual class system with switchable primary and secondary classes
• Enthralling background story
• Already over 1.000 quests and level comprehensive quest series on launch
• Instanced and persistent dungeons
• Individually developed skills and spells
• Armor sets with special bonuses
• Dynamic item system: Upgrades with hundreds of runes
• PvP system, to be activated with a PvP flag (Player vs. Player duels, arena combat, ranking system)
• Epic crafting system with the possibility to improve existing items
• Individual coloring of clothes and armor
• Housing: personalization with individual furniture for players and guilds
• Special zones for guild houses
• Reputation system
• Scalable user interface based on the users preference (development of your own add-ons possible)
• In-game map and radar system to easily find dealers, resources and quests
• Auction house: auction and purchase items
• Teleporting possibilities via runes, different and unique mounts
• Controlling with mouse (Point & Click) and keyboard (WASD or arrow keys) possible

PR reinforcement at Frogster

PR reinforcement at Frogster

MMO expert Philipp Senkbeil hired as new PR manager at Frogster

Berlin, Dec. 4th 2008: With immediate effect, the former host and editor of GIGA Philipp Senkbeil strengthens the marketing department of Frogster Interactive. The declared MMO expert will be taking the national and international PR for Frogster’s Fantasy-Online-Roleplaygame “Runes of Magic” primarily. As senior PR manager, Axel Schmidt will bear the main responsibility for Frogster’s corporate PR and be responsible for “The Chronicles of Spellborn” as well as “Bounty Bay Online”, while Junior PR Manager Josephine Gehrke will be responsible for “Stone Age 2″.

Philipp Senkbeil made his mark before as host and editor of the MMORPG formats WOW!, GIGA Onlinewelten and GIGA GAMES MMO at the GIGA Digital TV channel. In those positions, he dealt with computer games intensely and was responsible for the editorial planning, as well as moderation in front of the camera. After his graduation as Bachelor of Arts in German language, literature studies and language teaching methodology at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum, the 28-year old completed an editorial traineeship at the Cologne gaming-broadcaster.

„We are looking forward to expand our PR and marketing team with Philipp Senkbeil, who is a declared insider of the gaming-industry. His extensive knowledge of the online-gaming-scene will be very valuable in our portfolio-structure for the development of our national and international activities”, said Rolf Klöppel, head of Marketing & PR at Frogster, about the hiring of Philipp Senkbeil.

Rum discount in Bounty Bay Online

25 percent off on potions and support items right now

Berlin, Dec. 4th 2008: Rum, the beloved and favorite drink of all pirates, is surrounded by many legends and there are lots of praises about his effect. And where the pirate needs rum, the online roleplayer needs heal potions. Many a fight, no matter if on land or at sea, has turned around all of a sudden by the well timed use of a potion or first-aid kit.

Because of that, all players of Bounty Bay Online on the Free-2-Play server Mary Read receive the opportunity to buy any potions and support items with a discount of 25 percent until December 24th. Everybody planning to finally defeat their worst adversary or to participate in one of the large city sieges should act now, to buy one or the other potion. The first and most successful seafaring online game can be downloaded free of charge on www.bountybayonline.com. New ordinary seaman can set sail after a short registration.

About Bounty Bay Online
With Bounty Bay Online players enter the Age of Discovery from the 15th to the 17th century. MMO fans are able to choose an online career as a merchant, sailor, fisherman, pirate or adventurer and make their fortune at land and on the seven seas. Alone or with a guild of players, many adventures and gripping quests lie on their way. Thousands of ancient discoveries on all continents like the pyramids of Gizah or the Chinese Wall are waiting to be explored. Bounty Bay Online features a unique trade system based on supply and demand. After exciting PvP combat at land and on the seas, strong guilds can take control of cities and decide upon their destiny. In April 2008 Frogster has started a free-to-play server with an integrated item shop as an alternative to the subscription model, so that new sailors can now roam the Seven Seas without any fixed costs. More information is available onwww.bountybayonline.com.

Unsurprisingly, the Trukz.com “Most Awesome, Giant 8FT Robot in the World” competition proves rather popular

Dublin, Ireland

3rd December 2008

Due to a surge in demand in late November, Trukz has announced the extension of their Giant Robot Competition, which now has a new finish date of December 14th 2008.

With tens of thousands of drivers driving over 250 million in-game miles since the start of November, our competition has been extremely popular with players. With an unexpected surge in activity towards the end of the month, and the repeated requests for more time, we felt it only fair and reasonable to extend the competition for another two weeks. Having the chance to win an 8ft giant Optimus Prime made from scrap metal (and weighing a quarter of a ton) will do that sort of thing.

As someone will be getting a very big surprise in time for Christmas, the winner will be announced in-game on the 15th December 2008.

Trukz.com is the web’s favourite trucking RPG, allowing players to embark on a virtual career as a truck driver or logistics company owner. With tens of thousands of players playing every day, and a whole host of new features being added to the game throughout December including in-game achievements, Australia and an overhauled contract system, exciting times lie ahead for the Trukz community.

So if you want to have a chance to win the most awesome, 8ft robot in the world for warding off burglars, Decepticons or just to scare the bejesus out of everyone who visits your home, join the web’s favourite trucking game, free to play in your browser at Trukz.

About Trukz.com

Trukz.com allows you to play the role of a truck driver, working for companies or independently delivering cargo between cities across North America and Europe. Delivering cargo on time earns you in-game currency which can be redeemed against new trucks and equipment to make your journey more successful, while avoiding speed traps, police checking your hours of service and accidents along the way.

The game features dozens of routes and different types of cargo for you to haul. The game also features hundreds of companies for you to join, giving you access to additional cargo, repair and fuel discounts, and exclusive routes to work.

With over a third of active players involved in the trucking industry, we are uniquely placed to offer players a comprehensive trucking experience, both as an independent driver or affiliated to one of the many in-game trucking companies. All this is available free to play in your browser.

With over 1.5 billion in-game miles logged since the game launched in April 2007, isn’t it time you got trucking with Trukz.com?

Hearts of Iron III: Espionage, Maps & Combat revealed

Hearts of Iron III: Espionage, Maps & Combat revealed

NEW YORK – December 4th 2008 - Paradox Interactive has today released new screens and new information regarding their upcoming PC title Hearts of Iron 3, via Johan Andersson’s latest developer diary entry. Johan, Lead Developer on Hearts of Iron 3, writes about the naval combat, map design, orders & espionage.

Johan states, “Most of these concepts are very familiar to those of you who played the previous incarnations of Hearts of Iron so you are probably wondering what we did add? As we mentioned in the presentation in Leipzig, we have added a command structure. Divisions now fit into a multilevel command structure. From Theatre, Army Group, Army, Corps through to Division. Each level has its own commander that gives its own bonus according to his skill level. At Division level you get a bonus to combat while a corps commander increases the chances of reserves joining combat. Our goal is to leave you wanting good commanders at each level thus leaving you to think about should you promote that Major General to a Lieutenant General and give him command of a corps? At every position in the command structure, you can insert a leader of the designated rank.”

To read the complete developer diary entry for Hearts of Iron 3, please visit:http://giantrealm.gameriot.com/gaming/hearts-of-iron-3-dev-diary-no-8

New entries will be posted on Giant Realm every week.
Hearts of Iron 3 is scheduled for release during the latter half of 2009.