Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 2 is now on the PS3

Hothead Games today proudly announced that its well-received Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode Two is now available for download on the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system in North America. Offered via the PlayStation®Network, this version of Episode Two features PLAYSTATION 3 system features such as trophies, score ranking and background music (BGM) support and sells at $14.99 USD.

The madcap Penny Arcade experience continues in Episode Two of the RPG-adventure game series! Players can jump right in with a fresh character and new customization options or carry over their look and stats from Episode One. Plus, there are more puzzles, areas to explore, levels to gain and new difficulty settings to make the journey more insane than ever before. Rejoin Gabe and Tycho to go crazy with a whole new episode, moving ever closer to solving the mystery in the heart of New Arcadia.

Key Features:
* The madcap Penny Arcade experience continues. Meet all-new characters and see newly revealed strip favorites from Mike Krahulik, while reading laugh-out-loud dialogue from Jerry Holkins.
* Pick up and play from any episode. Enjoy each self-contained story without having to play previous installments.
* Get value for your gaming dollar. Play the entire episode in 6-10 hours for under $15, getting tremendous value that fits into your busy schedule.
* Save what matters most. Carry over you character’s stats and look from prior episodes.
* Go crazy with a whole new level of customization. Check out even more options for you to design and develop your own character, seeing it come to life in 3D and in the comic-style 2D cut scenes.
* Play it safe or go insane! New difficulty settings put you in charge of the action.
* A deeper RPG-Adventure experience. Get into the game with more puzzles, areas to explore and levels to gain.

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode Two has been rated “M” for Mature by the Entertainment Software Rating Board for all platforms.

Castlevania Chronicles Now Available for PSN

The classic vampire-hunting franchise Castlevania makes its way onto PLAYSTATION®Network, as Castlevania Chronicles is now available for download for $5.99.  Until now, this iteration of the 2D, whip-wielding action game had yet to be released in America.  In Castlevania Chronicles, players enter a world where Count Dracula has been resurrected to begin a new reign of terror across the land. As Simon Belmont, descendant of legendary vampire hunters, players enter Dracula’s estate armed with a killer whip to destroy the count and his minions to bring peace to Europe.

Guitar Hero(R) World Tour Expands Global Music Library With Downloadable Songs From Europe’s Hottest Bands

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec 11, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ –
Increasing its library of local music from around the world this month, Activision Publishing, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: ATVI) Guitar Hero(R) World Tour – which features on-disc songs from top global acts such as Tokio Hotel, Hushpuppies and Radio Futura – is offering new three-song Track Packs of downloadable content from popular European bands including Germany’s Sportfreunde Stiller, France’s BB Brunes and Spain’s Fito Y Fitipaldis.

Following their home country’s disappointing 2006 World Cup elimination, German rock band Sportfreunde Stiller re-wrote their chart-topping hit “‘54, ‘74, ‘90, 2006″ in anticipation of a 2010 championship, re-titled it “‘54, ‘74, ‘90, 2010″ and are bringing it to Guitar Hero World Tour as part of a three-song Track Pack available today.

Also included in the pack and further expanding the global audience are Italian rock band Negrita with “Mama Mae” and French rock sensation BB Brunes with “Dis Moi.”

Swedish rock icons the Backyard Babies, whose Guitar Hero(R) III: Legends of Rock on-disc track “Minus Celsius” saw an increase in digital audio downloads after appearing in the game, are building on the success for an encore with “Degenerated” off their 2008 self-titled album.

Joining the Backyard Babies in the second three-song Track Pack to be released later this month are Spanish rockers Fito Y Fitipaldis with “Por La Boca Vive El Pez” and Netherlands’ beloved Di-Rect with “Johnny.”

The two Track Packs will be available on Xbox LIVE(R) Marketplace for the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for 440 Microsoft Points and on the PlayStation(R)Store for the PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system for $5.49. The songs in each Track Pack will be released as downloadable singles for Xbox 360 for 160 Microsoft Points, PLAYSTATION 3 system for $1.99 and Nintendo(R) Wi-Fi Connection for Wii(TM) for 200 Wii Points.

Guitar Hero World Tour transforms music gaming by expanding Guitar Hero’s signature guitar gameplay into a cooperative band experience that combines the most advanced wireless controllers with new revolutionary online* and offline gameplay modes including Band Career and 8-player “Battle of the Bands,” which allows two full bands to compete head-to-head online. The game features a slick newly redesigned guitar controller, drum kit controller and a wired microphone, as well as an innovative Music Studio music creator that lets players compose, record, edit and share their own rock ‘n’ roll anthems. Music creators are also able to share their recordings with their friends online through GHTunesSM where other gamers can download and play an endless supply of unique creations.

Guitar Hero World Tour is now available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, the Wii home video game system from Nintendo and the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system. The game is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB. For more information on Guitar Hero World Tour, please visit worldtour.guitarhero.com.

PlayStation(R)Home Beta Service Will Become Available to All PLAYSTATION(R)3 Users on December 11

FOSTER CITY, CA USA

Highly Anticipated Service Open For All PLAYSTATION 3 Users

TOKYO, FOSTER CITY, Calif. and LONDON, Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/

– Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today announced that its highly anticipated PlayStation(R)Home Beta service for PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(R)) will become available for all PS3 users around the world(*1) on December 11, 2008. Following the successful completion of the closed beta service, PlayStation Home’s open beta service will continue to evolve with new features and functionality.

PlayStation Home is a ground-breaking 3D social gaming community available on PS3 that allows users to interact, communicate and share gaming experiences. By leveraging the power of PS3, PlayStation Home delivers overwhelming visual graphics and rich gaming social experiences only possible on the PS3 platform. Within PlayStation Home, users can create and customize their own unique avatars and explore virtual community in real time where they can communicate freely through text or voice chat. PlayStation Home users will not only be able to enjoy variety of entertainment content such as mini-games, videos and special events along with their friends, but will also be able to create their own community by using the “Club(*2)” feature to create clubs with other PlayStation Home users who share the same interests.

PlayStation Home, available as a free download(*3) starting December 11, will launch directly from the PlayStation Home icon on the PlayStation(R)Network column of XMB(TM) (XrossMediaBar) on PS3. Users will be able to experience basic features and services of PlayStation Home, free of charge(*4). PlayStation Home will allow open interaction among users, business partners and SCE, and will evolve with additional features including dedicated game spaces, special events and exclusive themed items, to further enrich the entertainment experience on the PS3 platform.

“PlayStation Home is truly a promising network community service on the PlayStation platform, made possible with the powerful combination of PS3’s overwhelming computational power and PlayStation Network that covers many countries around the globe,” said Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO, SCE. “We are committed to providing PS3 users with exciting gaming experiences with PlayStation Home and together with our partners and users, expand the new world of interactive entertainment as we move forward.”

For users in North America, Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) will launch game themed high-definition virtual environments including the Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune(TM) and Far Cry 2 spaces and the soon to be released Warhawk(TM), Resistance, Guitar Hero(R) and SOCOM spaces. In these environments, users will discuss specific games, plan strategies and access content and clues that will enhance their gaming experience. Through these virtual environments, publishers will be able to increase and extend consumer interest in their game titles via new mediums of game play. SCEA is partnering with Activision, Disney Eidos, Electronic Arts, Lucas Arts, THQ and UBISOFT, to develop virtual environments among other content for PlayStation Home.

“PlayStation Home is a social gaming service unlike anything else on the market and we are excited to be partnering with gaming and non-gaming partners to develop content that connects and entertains today’s PS3 users like never before,” said Susan Panico, Senior Director of PlayStation Network, SCEA. “PlayStation Home is a tremendous addition to the growing suite of entertainment services available only through PlayStation Network.”

SCEA is announcing partnerships with some of the world’s most respected lifestyle brands during open beta including Ligne Roset, a contemporary furniture designer, and Diesel, an international fashion design company. These partnerships will allow users to purchase customizable furniture for their personal apartments and designer clothes for their avatars, respectively.

A variety of studio partners including Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Paramount Pictures will bring the PlayStation(R) community original intellectual property through dedicated spaces, sponsorship of in-world events, virtual items and exclusive media viewings in the PlayStation Home Theater. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will use PlayStation Home to promote its latest films, offering exclusive video content, interviews and appearances from film talent. Paramount Digital Entertainment will bring to PlayStation Home virtual goods and video content based on its most relevant and popular franchises.

As the very first consumer brand space, Red Bull has created the Red Bull Island featuring an airplane racing game modeled after the Red Bull Air Race World Championship. The space is designed to facilitate interaction among the PlayStation community, creating opportunities to interact and take part in various Red Bull events and experiences. Expansion and completion of the island will follow in early 2009.

PlayStation Home is exclusive to PS3, free to download and easy to join. It’s the ultimate online community – a place to meet friends, play the latest games together, dance to new music, watch videos in a social setting, and host parties in their personal apartments. With more spaces being created and partners like Diesel, Electronic Arts, and Red Bull coming on board, the PlayStation Home experience is just getting started.

SCE will vigorously promote the expansion of the world of PS3 by introducing new services that will open up new possibilities and enjoyment in interactive entertainment.

*1 PlayStation Home will not be available in some regions.
*2 To be a “Clubhouse” owner, user will need to buy the entitlement to run the club.
*3 When the service is available, PlayStation Home icon will appear after
booting/ re-booting the PS3 system. To enjoy PlayStation Home, users will need broadband network connection and PlayStation Network account in addition to the PS3 system.
*4 Some content and services are charged.

About PlayStation(R)Network
The PlayStation(R)Network is an emergent entertainment network aimed at digitally delivering innovative content and fostering community for a worldwide audience. In addition to offering new and original forms of entertainment, the PlayStation Network supports free and community-centric online gameplay, communications tools, and PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) and PLAYSTATION(R)3 connectivity. As of December 2008, the PlayStation Network has more than 15 million registered accounts worldwide.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) and PS one(R) game console, the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system, the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system and its digital services PlayStation(R)Network and PlayStation(R)Store.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PLAYSTATION 3 and the PSP system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

PlayStation, PLAYSTATION, and PS3 are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. XMB is a trademark of Sony Corporation and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

LucasArts Announces Release of New Single-Player Level For Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

LucasArts Announces Release of New Single-Player Level For Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

LucasArts today announced that it has released a new single-player level for Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. Available now for Xbox 360 owners through Xbox LIVE Marketplace and for PlayStation 3 owners through the PlayStation Network, the level features The “Secret Apprentice” in an entirely new mission set in the Jedi Temple on the planet Coruscant. The Secret Apprentice travels to the Jedi Temple to learn more about his father, and while searching through the rubble of the destroyed building he must confront his inner demons.

Bundled with the single-player level are nine new costumes, which allow gamers to play through the game disguised as several new characters, including:
• Apprentice’s Temple Exploration Gear
• Apprentice – Cybernetic Reconstruction
• Apprentice’s Sith Training Gear
• Mace Windu
• Darth Maul
• Qui-Gon Jinn
• Dark Stalker
• Lightsaber Training Droid
• Combat Training Droid

In addition, LucasArts also released a new stand-alone costume pack which includes:
• Apprentice’s Utility Combat Suit
• Apprentice – Animated
• Spirit Apprentice
• Republic Trooper
• Luke Skywalker – Tatooine Gear
• Ben Kenobi
• Plo Koon
• Count Dooku
• Jango Fett
• C-3P0

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed was released on September 16, and has since become a worldwide hit. The game completely re-imagines the scope and scale of the Force and casts players as Darth Vader’s “Secret Apprentice,” unveiling new revelations about the Star Wars galaxy seen through the eyes of this mysterious new character armed with unprecedented powers.

More information about the game can be found at the official website, www.theforceunleashed.com

Rock Band goes Country

ROCK BAND® GOES COUNTRY WITH ADDITION OF 5-PACK THAT INCLUDES BRAD PAISLEY, BROOKS & DUNN, DIXIE CHICKS AND MORE COMING TO THE DOWNLOADABLE MUSIC STORE CATALOG

Cambridge, Mass. – December 8, 2008 – Harmonix and MTV Games announced today that Rock Band® is set to give fans a taste of country music for the first time with the addition of the “Going Country” 5-pack to the Rock Band® Music Store catalog of downloadable content. The impressive lineup of renowned country artists includes Grammy Award winner Brad Paisley with “Mud on the Tires,” the honky- tonk country classic duo Brooks & Dunn with “Hillbilly Deluxe,” and all-American trio Dixie Chicks with “Sin Wagon.”

Rock Band country lovers can also look forward to Dierks Bentley’s #1 single “Free & Easy (Down the Road I Go)” and Miranda Lambert’s standout single “Gunpowder & Lead.”

Each track will be available starting December 16, 2008, for the Xbox®360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and December 18, 2008, for PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. Each individual track will be available for $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points) and $8.49 (680 Microsoft Points) for the 5-pack.

Release Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2008 (Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for Xbox 360)
Thursday, December 18, 2008 (PlayStation®Store)

Tracks:
(Click on track to view music video) (only the first video worked, so until I get working links, I removed them. -e)

Brad Paisley “Mud on the Tires”
Brooks & Dunn “Hillbilly Deluxe”
Dierks Bentley “Free & Easy (Down the Road I Go)”
Dixie Chicks “Sin Wagon”
Miranda Lambert “Gunpowder & Lead”

Price:$1.99 (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track
$8.49 (680 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for the 5-pack

(All tracks are original master recordings)

Locations: Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 and PlayStation®Network

** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change **

With the addition of these tracks there are now more than 500 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at www.rockband.com/music). Rock Band continues to fly off shelves and satisfy music fans and gamers’ voracious appetite for rock with more than 28 million paid downloads since its launch on November 20, 2007. The Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks and packs from the vast selection of offerings available to date without ever leaving the game as they build their own custom Rock Band library.

Rock Band and Rock Band 2 allow online play and features that expand the boundaries of music gaming. Rock Band downloadable content is playable and integrated into setlists in all game modes. In order to play downloadable content for head-to-head matches or multiplayer online, all players must own the same downloadable track. Downloadable content for Xbox 360 is available for purchase via Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for Xbox 360 using Microsoft Points and is downloaded directly to the hard drive of Xbox 360. Downloadable content for the PLAYSTATION 3 system’s version of Rock Band is available for purchase on the PlayStation Store through the free PlayStation Network and is downloaded directly to PLAYSTATION 3 system’s built in hard drive.

Rock Band 2 for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system is now available nationwide and supports all previously downloaded content. The groundbreaking music platform that forever changed the face of music video games is committed to taking gaming to the next level with the evolution of the franchise. Rock Band 2 will be available for additional platforms later this year.

Rock Band and Rock Band 2 are rated “T” for Teen (lyrics, suggestive themes) by the ESRB.

For more information on Rock Band 2 and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com

Rock Band® Celebrates 500 Song Milestone As It Adds No Doubt’s: ‘The Singles 1992-2003’ Pack to the Rock Band Music Catalog

MTV Games and Harmonix Give Rock Band Fans Access to 13 of the Most Popular No Doubt Tracks Including “Just a Girl,” “Bathwater,” “Spiderwebs” and More!

 

Cambridge, Mass. – December 5, 2008 – Harmonix, the world’s premier music video game development company, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), today announced the rock-pop pioneers of No Doubt will bring 13 tracks to the Rock Band® music catalog of downloadable content expanding the Rock Band library to include more than 500 songs!

 

No Doubt’s: ‘The Singles 1992-2003’ pack will include 13 master tracks from the band’s 2003 album The Singles 1992-2003, which featured a compilation of hits from No Doubt’s previous albums Tragic Kingdom, Return of Saturn, and Rock Steady. The album sold more than 2.2 million copies in the United States alone.  The No Doubt tracks included in the pack are listed below.  Pricing will be $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points) per track or $19.99 (1600 Microsoft Points) for the pack. The tracks will be available for download starting December 9, 2008, for the Xbox®360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and December 11, 2008, for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. 

 

1. “Just a Girl”
2. “It’s My Life”
3. “Hey Baby”
4. “Bathwater”
5. “Sunday Morning”
6. “Hella Good”
7. “Underneath It All”
8. “Excuse Me Mr.”
9. “Running”
10. “Spiderwebs”
11. “Simple Kind of Life”
12. “Don’t Speak”
13. “Ex-Girlfriend”

 

(Click on the song title above to watch the music video)

 

“Thanks to all at Harmonix and MTV Games, who, along with our artist, management, label and publishing partners, put an incredible amount of work into achieving this milestone,” stated Paul DeGooyer, Senior Vice President of Electronic Games and Music for MTV. “Now there can be ‘No Doubt’ that the Rock Band music platform offers the deepest and most diverse collection of songs available to gamers and music fans alike.”

Rock Band continues to satisfy music fans’ and gamers’ voracious appetite for rock with more than 28 million paid downloads since its launch on November 20, 2007.  The Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks and packs from the vast selection of offerings available to date without ever leaving the game as they build their own custom Rock Band library. See the attached document for a list of the more than 500 songs included in the Rock Band music catalog. To view a complete list of tracks go to www.rockband.com/music

 

Rock Band and Rock Band 2 allow online play and features that expand the boundaries of music gaming. Rock Band downloadable content is playable and integrated into setlists in all game modes.  In order to play downloadable content for head-to-head matches or multiplayer online, all players must own the same downloadable track.  Downloadable content for Xbox 360 is available for purchase via Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for Xbox 360 using Microsoft Points and is downloaded directly to the hard drive of Xbox 360. Downloadable content for the PLAYSTATION 3 system’s version of Rock Band is available for purchase on the PlayStation®Store through the free PlayStation®Network and is downloaded directly to PLAYSTATION 3 system’s built in hard drive.

 

Rock Band 2 for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system is now available nationwide and supports all previously downloaded content.  The groundbreaking music platform that forever changed the face of music video games is committed to taking gaming to the next level with the evolution of the franchise.  Rock Band 2 will be available for additional platforms later this year. 

 

Rock Band and Rock Band 2 are rated “T” for Teen (lyrics, suggestive themes) by the ESRB.

 

For more information on Rock Band 2 and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com  and www.harmonixmusic.com

Ubisoft announces new DLC for Far Cry 2 in November

THE FORTUNE’S PACK BRINGS YOU EVEN MORE TOOLS OF MAYHEM

November 21, 2008 – Today Ubisoft announced it will be releasing exciting new downloadable content (DLC) for Far Cry® 2 by the end of November. The Fortune’s Pack DLC will bring new vehicles and new weapons to both the single-player game and the multiplayer game, giving gamers even more diverse means of destruction. Be the silent stalker armed with your crossbow or jump on your new quad and blast through the dunes of Africa. The Fortune’s Pack DLC for Far Cry 2 will be available for download from Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for 800 Microsoft Points and from PlayStation®Network for $9.99.

The Fortune’s Pack DLC for Far Cry 2 will include:

Single-Player Mode
Three brand-new weapons
- Silenced shotgun
- Sawed-off shotgun
- Crossbow

Two new vehicles
- Unimog
- Quad

Multiplayer Mode
- Four new exciting maps
1. Cheap Labor
2. Last Resort
3. Lake Smear
4. Fort Fury
- New single-player weapons and vehicles also available in multiplayer

About Far Cry 2
Developed by Ubisoft Montreal, Far Cry 2 will be the newest innovation from Ubisoft in the world of next-gen first-person shooters. More than just a visual and technological achievement, Far Cry 2 immerses players in an entirely new kind of gaming experience. Running on a new tailor-made gaming engine, Far Cry 2 features non-scripted enemy Artificial Intelligence, entirely destructible environments, dynamic fire and storm effects and multiplayer gameplay, all in 50 square kilometers of a completely open world environment. Players will find themselves immersed in a war-torn African state, where they will be forced to make deals with corrupt warlords on both sides of the conflict in order to survive and move ever closer to their primary objective – The Jackal. Players must identify and exploit their enemies’ weaknesses, neutralizing their superior numbers and firepower with surprise, subversion, cunning and, of course, brute force.

For more news and information on Far Cry 2, please visit the game’s official website at www.farcrygame.com.

Tikgames and Creat Studios partner to deliver three new Playstation Network Games

“Magic Ball,” “Mahjong Tales: Ancient Wisdom” and “Cuboid” Coming Soon

Nov. 19, 2008 – TikGames (San Mateo, Calif.) and Creat Studios (Canton, Mass.) today announced a partnership between the two companies to deliver next-generation console games for download on the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. Offered via the PlayStation®Network, the titles in development through this new partnership are scheduled for release this winter and include Magic Ball, Mahjong Tales: Ancient Wisdom and Cuboid.

Magic Ball, licensed under agreement with Alawar Entertainment, takes a very simple idea – a ball, a paddle and a pile of bricks – and turns the player loose in a dynamic 3D environment of destructible pirates, dragons and more. “I was very pleased to see this amazing iteration of our Magic Ball franchise come to life on the PLAYSTATION 3,” said Alexander Lyskovsky, CEO of Alawar. “The 3D graphics are eye-catching and entertaining and the gameplay will have players engaged for many hours.” The initial release of this version of Magic Ball will include over 40 exciting levels and both local and online multiplayer action, with over 20 additional levels scheduled to be available at a later date.

Mahjong Tales: Ancient Wisdom will be the first mahjong game available for PLAYSTATION Network, offering a narrated story mode that whisks players away into a storybook adventure, revealing hand-illustrated ancient Chinese tales one game at a time. The challenging Motion Mode will test both wit and reflexes as players match the moving tiles, while Infinity Mode allows gamers to choose from numerous classic game layouts and tile sets. Plus, multiplayer competitive play options will be included as well. “Mahjong Tales not only delivers a robust feature set with countless levels for both single and multiplayer gameplay, but it also has been meticulously and artistically created to take advantage of the console’s high definition capabilities,” said Anatoly Tikhman, founder and CEO of TikGames. A level editor and level packs are also planned for post-launch release.

Cuboid is a stunning 3D puzzle game in which players navigate ancient ruins and lush environments, maneuvering a mysteriously marked cube through holes to reveal hidden treasures. “Cuboid will bend your mind with its addictive puzzles and engage the senses with amazing graphics and soothing music. It will immerse you in a surrealistic puzzle world,” said Vladimir Starzhevsky, CEO of Creat Studios. The initial release of Cuboid will include 66 twisted levels to engage players, with premium packs available later to include more levels and a custom level creator.

Magic Ball, Mahjong Tales: Ancient Wisdom and Cuboid will include PLAYSTATION 3 Trophy support and have been rated “E” for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Rating Board for this platform.

“PlayStation”, “PLAYSTATION” and “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. The PLAYSTATION Network Logo is a service mark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Magic BallTM is a trademark of Alawar Entertainment, Inc. Game is developed under license from Alawar Entertainment, Inc. © 2008 Alawar Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.

Age of Booty now available on PSN

One of Capcom’s Hottest Downloadable Games is Available Today on PLAYSTATION®Network.

SAN MATEO , Calif. — November 13, 2008 — Capcom® Entertainment, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, launched Age of Booty™ for PLAYSTATION®Network today. Developed by Certain Affinity™, known for their previous work on the Halo® series , Age of Booty is a downloadable real-time multiplayer strategy game that puts players in command of a pirate ship with the goal of destroying your enemies and capturing towns for your pirate faction.

In Age of Booty, players team up with friends online or AI-controlled pirate ships to raid, pillage, sink, and destroy their way to dominance on the high seas. Spoils of war and booty are used to upgrade and customize pirate ships to make them even more deadly as players take on 21 unique challenges and seven of the most devious Pirate Alliances on the high seas. Gain notoriety and fame by climbing the online leader boards. Create and share custom maps using the intuitive map creation system. Players can expect free content updates for Age of Booty though-out the lifespan of the game. There will be 25 + maps including downloadable ones available on Launch Day!

Age of Booty is rated E for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) and is available for $9.99 PLAYSTATION®Network .

Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix: new screens and a new tease

First the tease….all I could get out of the PR team is that it will be released THIS MONTH. That’s right, November…but that’s all they’ll say. November. At least we know this month we’ll be able to download some SF goodness on the 360 or PS3. Now, on to the 21!! new screenshots:

Ubisoft announces Prince of Persia Classic for PSN

SAN FRANCISCO – October 23, 2008 – Today, Ubisoft announced that Prince of Persia® Classic is now available for download on the PlayStation®Network. A remake of the 1989 Prince of Persia game features the same intricate level design, exciting swordplay, puzzle solving, and storyline from the original. Developed by Ubisoft Sofia, Prince of Persia Classic has received a brand-new coat of paint with character designs, animations, visuals and lighting effects giving the game a close to 3D look. To freshen the gameplay experience, new traps, puzzles and enemies have also been added. Prince of Persia Classic for the PlayStation®Network has an ESRB rating of “T for Teen and can be purchased for $9.99.

About Prince of Persia Classic
While the Sultan of Persia is away for a war, the evil Vizier seizes the throne for himself. He has also imprisoned the beautiful Princess and has given her an hour to decide her fate – marry him or die. As the courageous Prince, you have 60 minutes to complete the mission of saving the Princess from her deadly fate.

Launch trailer

Penny Arcade game lanuch and pricing confirmed for PS3

“Episode One” To Slide onto PLAYSTATION®Network October 23

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Oct. 21, 2008 – Anxious fans and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system owners, the wait is almost over! Hothead today announced that its well-received Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One will arrive on the PLAYSTATION®Network for download on October 23 in North America (other regions to follow shortly thereafter).

The PLAYSTATION Network version of Episode One features newly-implemented PLAYSTATION 3 system features such as trophies, score ranking and background music (BGM) support and will sell at $14.99 USD, representing a greater value to gamers than ever before. In celebration of this long-awaited moment, the Windows®, Mac® and Linux® versions of Episode One currently available on the Greenhouse digital distribution service (www.playgreenhouse.com) will be immediately and permanently reduced to sell at a comparable price.

“We’re so excited to finally be able to get this version into gamers’ hands,” said Vlad Ceraldi, “that we wanted to extend the same value and opportunity to anyone else who hasn’t had a chance yet to play Episode One. Other platforms and digital distribution services can make their own decision regarding pricing, of course, but we’re recommending under $15 for this and all episodes going forward. Episode Two will be coming to PLAYSTATION Network before Christmas and we are really happy how it turned out.”

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One has been rated “M” for Mature by the Electronic Software Ratings Board for all platforms.

“PlayStation”, “PLAYSTATION” and “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. The PLAYSTATION Network Logo is a service mark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

SUPER STREET FIGHTER® II TURBO HD REMIX

Announced way back in July 07, SSF II Turbo HD Remix is FINALLY close to release on PS3 and 360. Here’s some screens and the fact sheet afterward.
[Gallery]

One of the most popular games of the early ’90s is reborn! Super Street Fighter® II Turbo HD Remix, originally developed by Capcom® for the arcade, makes its downloadable debut on the Xbox LIVE® Arcade and PLAYSTATION®Network. Capcom will maintain the integrity of the popular game by utilizing the original game code while upgrading the graphics with new artwork and high resolution 1080p images. Again, all of the art, from character animation to stage backgrounds, will be completely redrawn by Udon Entertainment, the company responsible for the US Street Fighter series of comics. Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix will include both online and offline competition for one or two players.
Key features

• All new 1080p high-definition art for Street Fighter characters and backgrounds created by Udon Entertainment, creators of the Street Fighter comic books
• Features all 17 of the original Super Street Fighter® II Turbo characters including Ryu, Guile, M. Bison and Akuma
• New optional “Rebalanced” Mode: massive changes across the board to all Street Fighter characters as created and tested by some the world’s top-ranked professional Street Fighter players
• One to two player head-to-head play either offline or online
o Single player vs. CPU
o Player vs. player over the same console
o Player vs. player online
• Training mode helps fighters hone their skills
• Improved network code for the best possible online fighting game experience
• Numerous online features:
o In-game voice chatting between players
o Matchmaking flexibility through multiple options
o Personal and friends statistics tracking
o Quarter Match Mode- this spectator-based system allows online competitors (2 competitors and up to 4 spectators) to use a “virtual quarter” to “buy into” heated two player matches
o Comprehensive worldwide rankings and leader boards by character – tracks overall wins and losses, number of throws, perfects, highest combos and more
• Widescreen support with option to select classic 4:3 mode for SF purists
• Choose from either classic Super Street Fighter II Turbo music or optional newly remixed tunes

Ubisoft announces Prince of Persia Classic for Playstation Network

The Original 1989 Classic to Debut on the PlayStation®3 with a Next-Gen Makeover

SAN FRANCISCO – October 20, 2008 – Today, Ubisoft announced that Prince of Persia® Classic will be releasing on the PlayStation®Network on October 23, 2008. Developed by Ubisoft Sofia, this remake of the groundbreaking, critically acclaimed 1989 game features the original’s expansive level design, deadly swordplay, puzzle solving and storyline. Designed with Next-Gen consoles in mind, Prince of Persia® Classic features revamped character designs and animations as well as impressive visual and lighting effects in order to give the game a 3D look. Even longtime fans of the original are sure to be in for a surprise when they come across newly added traps, puzzles and enemies. Prince of Persia® Classic for the PlayStation®Network will have an ESRB rating of “T” for Teen.