Midway Games Inc. (NYSE: MWY) today announced the development of L.A. RushTM, an innovative racing videogame based on the sport of competitive street racing and the fanatical, ruthless lifestyles of those involved. A reinvention of the classic Midway RushTM franchise, L.A. Rush is scheduled for release in spring 2005 on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft.``xEpAFVuZAlALJKMXDTQ``x1093547989``xps2|x|xbox``x Area 51``xmasterfork``xMore games with celebrities doing voices:
Based on entirely new technology that recreates a living, breathing go anywhere Los Angeles with highly destructible environments, players will be able to explore Los Angeles by day or by night from Compton, to LAX, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and the beaches of Santa Monica. The unique story mode of L.A. Rush, enriched by the creative design assistance from the game's exclusive content partners, Rides magazine and West Coast Customs, presents a powerful lifestyle adventure in a fully free-roaming city. Pure racing skills are on the line as the world's best street racers gather in L.A. and the player's self-respect is up for grabs in a variety of non-racing driving missions. Cop chases, gridlock, cross-traffic, high-flying jumps, and the death-defying shortcuts that the Rush franchise is known for take L.A. Rush beyond the standard tuner-car simulation game. Featuring a number of gameplay modes and unique objectives, L.A. Rush will feature more than 50 licensed and concept cars, classic muscle cars, SUVs and import tuners, customizable part manufacturers and designs (including several exclusive West Coast Customs vehicle concepts), celebrity talent, music and much more. More details on L.A. Rush will be unveiled in early 2005.
Leading interactive entertainment developer and publisher, Midway Games Inc. (NYSE: MWY) today announced that it has signed on a blockbuster Hollywood cast to lend their award-winning talents to its greatly anticipated new action-thriller, AREA 51. Featuring the voice talent of David Duchovny, Powers Boothe, and Marilyn Manson, Midway's AREA 51 is scheduled to be available in the first half 2005 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft.``xEpAFVuZAVFdUSXoOWJ``x1093547953``xps2|x|xbox``x NARC - Voice Acting``xmasterfork``xNew information regarding the voice acting in NARC has been released:
"Today's top games must deliver a complete and engrossing entertainment experience," said Matt Broughton, European Marketing Director at Midway. "By utilizing the voice talents of some of Hollywood's most recognizable names combined with stunning graphics and sound, AREA 51 will deliver a polished experience in all phases on par with the best games available."
Cast in the lead role is David Duchovny, star of the ultimate conspiracy-theory television show, The X-Files, who will bring his instantly recognizable voice to AREA 51's lead character Specialist Ethan Cole, a special forces soldier specializing in hazardous materials investigations. Powers Boothe, who currently appears in the HBO mini-series Deadwood, will provide the voice of Major Bridges, while infamous recording artist Marilyn Manson will deliver an unforgettable performance as Edgar, the gray alien. It will be revealed that the conspiracy theories and alien autopsies the world has speculated about related to Area 51 are far worse than anyone could ever imagine.
The U.S. Army has received a distress signal from Area 51 where a viral outbreak has just shut down the research facility and the automated quarantine procedures have locked all scientific and military personnel inside.
A small Special Forces unit including Specialist Ethan Cole of the HAZMAT (hazardous materials) Division is sent to investigate. As Cole, players will delve into the massive levels within the confines of Area 51, discovering a deadly mutagenic side effect of the virus that controls the minds of those infected, as well as an ancient alien colony buried beneath the facility. Players will uncover the truth behind chilling conspiracies as they come across the remnants of the extraterrestrial crash at Roswell, alien autopsies, and the faked lunar landing. Cole must solve the enigma of Area 51 before the viral mutagen is released and irrevocably mutates all life on Earth.
Featuring online capabilities of up to 16 players for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox, AREA 51 is the only action-packed 1st person shooter set in the U.S. government's most secret and secure military facility. Players' online AREA 51 experience will be enhanced with game modes such as Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, and Humans V Alien Mutant Team Deathmatch.
Leading interactive entertainment publisher and developer, Midway Games Inc. (NYSE: MWY) today announced that it has added Bill Bellamy (Any Given Sunday) to its blockbuster cast of celebrity voice talent for NARC. Other Hollywood talent already confirmed to lend their voice talent are Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill Vol.2), Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Blade II) and Michael Wincott (The Crow, The Count of Monte Cristo). In addition, Midway is producing an original soundtrack for the gritty crime drama. The soundtrack is to consist of well-known classic hip-hop and R&B tracks from acts such as Cypress Hill, Curtis Mayfield and Grandmaster Flash, and mixed with modern, upbeat sounds created by up-and-coming underground artists. NARC is scheduled to be available for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft in early 2005.``xEpAFVuZAEpxGbgvAfj``x1093547910``xps2|x|xbox``x Vietcong: Purple Haze``xmasterfork``xThis game is coming to the PS2 and Xbox. Here is information regarding it:
"Much like a movie, Midway is creating a compelling and dynamic score that provides a musically driven back-beat to the on-screen action," said Matt Broughton, European Marketing Director, Midway. "By combining the music from several eras, with A-list Hollywood talent, we seek to provide a complete entertainment experience for the consumer."
Some of the classic hits expected to be featured in the game include:
"Hits From The Bong" - Cypress Hill
"Golden Brown" - The Stranglers
"The Bottle" - Gil Scott Heron
"Pusherman" - Curtis Mayfield
"Freddie's Dead" - Curtis Mayfield
"Smoke Two Joints" - Toyes
"Step On" - Happy Mondays
"White Lines (Don't Do It)" - Grandmaster Flash
"That Smell" – Lynyrd Skynyrd
"The Professional" - DMX
To further enhance the soundtrack, Midway is incorporating original songs from an array of up-and-coming hip-hop talent. Several of the various artists that lent their musical talents to Midway's hit soundtrack from the recent release, NBA Ballers, have also created custom tracks for NARC; including Jelly Joe, Kenny Knox, Point Game and Bobby Creekwater of Jatis. By working closely with these rising talents, Midway is able to record some very powerful and soulful mixes that capture the drama and action of NARC's stark setting.
19 of the original missions have been optimized for the console with more enemies and intense combat specifically designed for the console gameplay.``xEpAFVuZlukaNjwwFih``x1093547842``xps2|x|xbox``x Nintendo's Q4 Line-Up``xmasterfork``xHere's the stuff:
In addition, two new missions have been created specifically for the console versions from PC multiplayer gameplay levels
Thunder Creek From Fist Alpha
Operation Pandora's Box From Fist Alpha
Death Valley From Fist Alpha
Field Guns Battery From Fist Alpha
Insertion From Vietcong
Ho Chi Minh Trail From Vietcong
Hunting Charlie From Vietcong
False Alarm From Vietcong
The Bridge From Vietcong
Outpost From Vietcong
Halong Port New Level
Storm New Level
Seize the hill part 1 From Vietcong
Seize the hill part 2 From Vietcong
Po Tlong Karai From Vietcong
Stream From Vietcong
They're coming From Vietcong
Too many targets From Vietcong
The last stand From Vietcong
Xbox Live: Multiplayer Game Types & Levels
Here is a table of all the game types and maps in Vietcong: Purple Haze and the corresponding maximum number of players per gametype.
GAME TYPE
MAP NAME DM TDM ATG CTF COOP RW
Thunder Creek 10 10 10 10 N/A 10
Burn the Jungle 10 10 10 10 N/A 10
Arroyo 10 10 10 10 N/A N/A
Waterfall 10 10 10 10 N/A N/A
Halong Port 10 10 10 N/A N/A N/A
Po Tlong Karai 10 10 10 10 6 10
Storm 10 10 10 10 6 10
Stream 10 10 10 10 6 10
Mine Factory 10 10 10 10 N/A N/A
Maximum Supported Players per Map Mode
Assault Team Game (ATG)
On some maps, there is an ATG mode available. In this mode, every team has a specific objective.
Example: Protect the pilot
US team has to protect a pilot and escort him to the LZ. The pilot starts with a pistol and has a flak jacket to protect him.
The Vietcong team has to prevent the pilot reaching the LZ.
Capture The Flag (CTF)
Each team has a flag to protect. Steal your enemies flag and return it to your base. (Note: You can only score if your flag is still in your base.)
Deathmatch / Team Deathmatch (DM / TDM)
Deathmatch is a free-for-all where the player with the most number of frags wins. Weapons can be found lying around the map. In Team Deathmatch mode, two teams compete for the most number of frags.
Note: For both Deathmatch game modes, the player starts with just a handgun and has to find a primary weapon located in weapon boxes throughout the map.
Real War (RW)
Each map will have 3 or more flags for your team to score. Hold all flags on the map in order to score.
Co-operative (COOP)
Form a squad and play through missions together while fighting the A.I. controlled enemy.
Xbox Live: Configurable Game Modes & Player Setup
Quickmatch
Quickest way to get into the action – use Quickmatch to join the first available Xbox Live section
Optimatch
Select Optimatch to join a specific Xbox Live session tailored to your own specifications
Choose Map, Game Type, Max / Min players, Skill Level, Friendly Fire (on/off)
Create-a-match
Customize an Xbox Live match so other players can join
Map Name
Choose from 9 different maps.
Game Type
Choose Game Type (ATG, CTF, RW, DM, TDM)
End Rule
Set limits on a match in order to determine winner.
Limits for each game type is determined by a different set of values.
Value
Set limits on a match in order to determine winner.
Time (5 - 90 minutes) / # of Frags
In Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch modes, the winner is
determined by player or team with most # of frags by the
end of a timed match
Time (5 - 90 minutes) / Points (5-100)
In Assault Team Game, Real War and Capture the Flag
modes, the winner is determined by the team with most #
of points by the end of timed match
Public / Private Players
Set the number of Public / Private players allowed into a match.
Auto Balance
When enabled, balances the number of player in each team, in team based matches.
Friendly Fire
With Friendly Fire turned on, your team can be injured by your own fire.
Team Kill Kick
Setting the Team Kill Kick On, will automatically remove a player from the game if they kill members of their own team more than three times in a row.
Player Setup (both PS2 & Xbox)
Side
Choose between VC and US.
Body
Choose which body / uniform.
Headgear
Choose which hat / bandanna.
CHANGING CLASS
Once you have selected your class at the start of a match, you stay at that class until you die.
1 - Press the START Button to bring up the Pause Menu.
2 - Select Player Setup and choose a new team, class and weapon.
3 - If the server has limited the classes, you may be unable to select them.
Next time you are killed, you will respawn into a new class.
Friends
Highlight and select Friends in order to access a list of Gamertags of
favorite players to play against.
Looking at the list, you can see who is on-line, and invite them to a game session.
How do you make someone a friend?
Send a message inviting the player to be a ³friend². If they accept, they will be added to your Friends list.
NOTE: Once the friend has been notified that they have been invited, your Friend can go back to the Xbox Live Friends list and select join game from there.
QuickFight Modes (both PS2 & Xbox)
Choose a quick fight to practice your skills or to jump into instant action. Adjust and configure level of difficulty, number of enemies, etc.
Map Name
Choose from 9 different maps which are unlocked as you progress through the Single Player Campaign
Side
Play either as a soldier of the US Army or Vietcong
Accompanied
When playing as the US Army, you can choose whether to be accompanied by a Media, half your team, or the whole team depending on the map, or go it alone.
When playing as the VC, you always go it alone.
Enemy Count
Choose the number of enemies on the battlefield: Several, Loads! or Too Many!
Enemies
Choose type of enemies to fight against:
Vietcong (VC local, VC mainforce)
US Army (LLDB – Luc Long Doc Biet, SF – Special Forces)
Weapon 1
Choose your sidearm
Weapon 2
Choose your primary weapon
In addition to the previously announced software titles in development for the upcoming Nintendo DSTM, Nintendo has an extensive list of games planned for the fourth quarter of 2004 for both Nintendo GameCubeTM and Game Boy® Advance. The first- and third-party titles cover all genres, from sports games to adventure games.``xEpAFVuZylpjjTeoNII``x1093547680``xgameboy|x|gamecube``x Pro Evolution Soccer 4``xmasterfork``xNew information about PES4:
These games will carry Nintendo through a strong holiday season and into January, when two big games launch: Capcom's Resident Evil® 4 for Nintendo GameCube and The Legend of Zelda®: The Minish Cap for Game Boy Advance. These will be followed in 2005 by the release of highly anticipated games like Star Fox®, GeistTM, Donkey Kong® Jungle Beat and many more.
Nintendo GameCube already is enjoying a dramatic surge in popularity. In its first week of sales, the Metroid® Prime Bonus Bundle caused a spike in Nintendo GameCube sales of 48 percent over the previous week. The bundles accounted for almost 80 percent of all Nintendo GameCube systems sold by top retailers.
NINTENDO GAMECUBE Date Title Publisher Oct. 5 NBA Live 2005 Electronic Arts Oct. 11 Paper MarioTM: The Thousand-Year
DoorNintendo Oct. 12 Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams THQ Oct. 14 Midway Arcade Treasures 2 Midway October Disney Presents a Pixar Film The Incredibles THQ October SpongeBob SquarePants: The Movie THQ October Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Battle Nexus Konami October Ten Pin Alley 2 XS Games Nov. 2 Spyro: A Hero's Tail Vivendi Universal Games Nov. 8 Mario TennisTM Nintendo Nov. 15 Metroid® Prime 2 Echoes Nintendo Nov. 16 Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings
and the Lost OceanNamco Nov. 23 Viewtiful Joe 2 Capcom November Git On Da Floor XS Games November Git On Da Mic XS Games November Need for Speed Underground 2 Electronic Arts November The Polar Express THQ November Prince of Persia Warrior Within Ubisoft Dec. 6 Mario Party® 6 Nintendo Pre-holiday King Arthur Konami Fall 2004 FIFA Soccer 2005 Electronic Arts Fall 2004 GoldenEye: Rogue Agent Electronic Arts Fall 2004 The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age Electronic Arts Fall 2004 Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue Electronic Arts Fall 2004 The URBZ: Sims in the City Electronic Arts Q4 Call of Duty: Finest Hour Activision Q4 Intellivision Lives! Arcade Classic Crave Q4 Lemony Snicket's A Series Activision Q4 Mini-Golf Mayhem Crave Q4 Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Activision Q4 World Championship Poker Crave GAME BOY ADVANCE Date Title Publisher Oct. 4 Mario Pinball LandTM Nintendo Oct. 5 Hot Wheels Stunt Track Challenge THQ Oct. 5 Mega Man Zero 3 Capcom Oct. 5 Rave Master: Dual Explosion Konami Oct. 12 Boktai: Solar Boy Django Konami Oct. 18 KirbyTM & The Amazing Mirror Nintendo Oct. 19 Grand Theft Auto Advance Rockstar Oct. 19 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 Konami Oct. 25 Classic NES® Series 2: Zelda IITM: The Adventure of Link®, Dr. Mario®, Metroid® and Castlevania® Nintendo Oct. 26 Ice Nine BAM! October All Grown Up! Express Yourself THQ October Disney Presents a Pixar Film The Incredibles THQ October Golden Nugget Majesco October LEGO: Knight's Kingdom THQ October Monster Trucks Majesco October Pac-Man World Namco October SD Gundam Force Bandai October SpongeBob SquarePants: The Movie THQ October Strawberry Shortcake Majesco October Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams THQ October Texas Hold 'Em Majesco October WWE Survivor Series THQ October Yu-Gi-Oh! Destiny Board Traveler Konami Nov. 2 Barbie Super Spy Vivendi Universal Games Nov. 2 Duel Masters 2: Kaijudo Showdown Atari Nov. 9 Mega Man Anniversary Collection Capcom Nov. 15 Donkey Kong® Country 2 Nintendo Nov. 16 Yu Yu Hakusho: Tournament Tactics Atari Nov. 29 Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls Nintendo November Beyblade G-REVOLUTION Atari November Cabela's Big Game Hunter 2005 Activision November Dead to Rights Destination November Gundam Seed: Battle Assault Bandai November I-Ninja Destination November The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age Electronic Arts November Need for Speed Underground 2 Electronic Arts November The Polar Express THQ November Prince of Persia Warrior Within Ubisoft November Santa Claus saves the Earth Telegames November The URBZ: Sims in the City Electronic Arts Dec. 6 Mario Party® Advance Nintendo December Hardcore Pool Telegames Q4 Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events Activision Q4 Tokyo Xtreme Racer World Crave Q4 Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Activision Fall 2004 Disney's Lilo & Stitch 2 Disney Fall 2004 Disney's Lizzie McGuire 2 Disney Fall 2004 Disney's That's So Raven Disney Fall 2004 FIFA Soccer 2005 Electronic Arts Fall 2004 Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Pumpkin King Buena Vista Fall 2004 TRON 2.0 Buena Vista Fall 2004 Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue Electronic Arts Holiday '04 Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories Square Enix
Konami of Europe has announced that Thierry Henry, the world top striker, is to be one of the faces of Pro Evolution Soccer 4, the latest installment in Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo's highly regarded football simulation for PlayStation 2, PC-DVD and the Xbox video game system from Microsoft.``xEpAFVuZVlunPGRXfpN``x1093547584``xpc|x|ps2|x|xbox``x It's Mr. Pants``xmasterfork``xWhat is this all about?
The current European and Premiership Golden Boot holder, Thierry Henry is the most prolific and respected striker in the modern game, and a self-confessed fan of the Pro Evolution Soccer series. The 27-year-old striker joined Arsenal from Juventus in 1999 and rapidly established himself as a Premiership force, scoring 154 goals in five seasons with the North London club. He is also a mainstay of the French national side, with 27 goals to his 63 appearances.
As part of the deal, Henry will appear on Pro Evolution Soccer 4's packaging and promotional materials. He will also be available for promotional purposes in the run-up to the game's launch in October.
Pro Evolution Soccer 4 represents another huge step forward for Konami's seminal football title. Already regarded as the most realistic football simulation for any home format, the new game ups the ante further with more realistic animation, individually tailored player movement, and skills that reflect the attributes of the world's greatest players. The new game also includes a host of club sides of Dutch, Italian, Spanish leagues, such as Ajax, Feyenoord, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Roma and Milan.
"Pro Evolution Soccer 4 has become a landmark title for Konami, and Thierry Henry's involvement proves how we are looking to take the series forward," commented Martin Schneider, European Marketing Director, Konami of Europe. "We are delighted to be working with the most talented striker in the modern game, especially since he's such a big Pro Evo fan."
Since its inception as ISS Pro Evolution Soccer for PlayStation in 1996, the Pro Evolution Soccer series has constantly evolved to become the most realistic game of its kind. Players control every nuance of real play, with through balls, passes, first-time volleys and flicked on headers, with the game rapidly expanding its fan base as annual sales regularly bypass the one million units mark with each release.
The series' appeal has also seen a number of dedicated fan sites emerge, and an officially endorsed national league wherein over thousands of die-hard fans meet for regional heats to determine the best players.
"The Pro Evolution Soccer series is by far the closest to real football," commented Thierry Henry. "I am very excited to be involved with a game of this calibre and look forward to working closely with Konami of Europe in the coming months."
Admit it: you didn't really think anything would come of it. But you were wrong. The time is upon us, my friends: the evidence that you've all been waiting for is here. It's Mr. Pants is real, and on its way to a GBA near you.``xEpAFVuZVFlSbCHkhSt``x1093547538``xgameboy``x Kessen III``xmasterfork``xKoei is bringing this game to Europe.
This is how it goes. Famous survey man, Pantsboard host, website 'mascot' and Rare game cameo celebrity Mr. Pants has taken some time off from his sideline in designer undergarments to set out a whole load of puzzles with which to engage and torment his fans. The result - also known as the handheld gaming event of the decade, possibly the century - is a lustrous diamond of a GBA cartridge, tantalising you with its range of different gameplay modes, difficulty settings, unlockable goodies and multiplayer options.
The central game mechanics are reassuringly simple, so that anyone from puzzle warlords to uncoordinated mouth-breathers can play. Mr. Pants drops pieces towards the board, and you shunt them into place to create shapes, which either earns you points or cancels out shapes already on the board (depending on the type of game you're playing). But! There are complications...
For a start, shapes have to be made in single colours, and pieces of the same colour can't be dropped on top of each other, either fully or partially. You can dump different colours on top of each other, which could kick off a crazy chain reaction if you're lucky or smart, but it could just as easily bring your progress to a grinding halt. Also, in some modes the sinister crayon snake slithers around the perimeter of the board, and will happily squirm into the middle and put an end to your game if you don't keep kicking him back. And there are combos! And bonuses! And multipliers! And secret shapes! And all sorts of different freaky backgrounds!
In single-player you can choose from Puzzle, Wipeout and Marathon modes, which - respectively - challenge you to solve existing puzzles with a pre-selected stack of shapes, clear a messed-up board in two minutes flat, or see what kind of score you can amass in five minutes (while the crafty crayon snake tries to crash the party). Cleared Puzzle mode levels unlock new exhibits in Mr. Pants' exclusive Art Gallery, which will either delight or horrify you, depending on what you think of the game's stylised look. Meanwhile, the multiplayer department showcases two separate games (Marathon Maul and Concrete Capers) which provide tests of endurance, skill, foresight and sheer bloody-mindedness for two to four linked-up players. Also featuring Mrs. Pie!
There's more to tell, but frankly if you've got any interest at all in puzzlers, Mr. Pants or remaining a valued member of society, you should go and pick up the game when it's released by THQ later this year. It'll keep you going until your own pants shrivel up and disintegrate.
The Kessen series melded two elements, 'game' and 'drama' together into grand epics that have won the acclaim of critics and consumers worldwide. The appeal of commanding one side of an epic clash between two great armies and the awe of watching dramatic events unfold across spectacular vistas are what the Kessen series is all about. Kessen III will be considered the game that redefined the Kessen series.``xEpAFVuZuAywbHeroPn``x1093547496``xps2``x Spy Fiction Gone Gold!``xmasterfork``xThe US version of Spy Fiction has gone gold and should be shipping shortly:
One of the most appealing elements of the Kessen series has always been its use of the "Group Control Engine". Kessen III will utilise the power of the PlayStation 2 to the maximum to further evolve the "Group Control Engine" that will power Kessen III. No longer will the player be limited to watching a unit attack while under the control of the group engine – now in Kessen III, the player has direct control of any unit's action. The player now chooses to control the officer or the entire unit!
The storyline will follow the rise of the well known Oda Nobunaga and his allies and forces that supported his quest for supremacy. This deep and compelling narrative will be supported with over 120 minutes of movie sequences.
Blessed with an indomitable vision and fearless constitution, Oda Nobunaga is tasked with overcoming the chaos of his world and bringing peace to Japan.
Features:
Twice as many battles of any previous Kessen title
Engrossing and compelling story line with every chapter and battle having unique themes
A multitude of levelling up of your troops and a plethora of items to buy and trade with approximately 110 suits of armour and 80 helmets as two examples showing the depth of detail.
Three difficulty settings increases replay value.
Over 120 minutes of movie sequences adding to the drama and helping to understand the storyline of the game.
Sammy Studios, Inc., a developer and publisher of interactive entertainment content, today announced that "Spy Fiction" has gone gold. Coming exclusively for the Playstation®2 computer entertainment system, "Spy Fiction" is a fast-paced stealth-action video game that introduces a number of new features and game play mechanics to the genre. Among these innovations is the groundbreaking ability for players to steal and assume the appearance, voice and other identifying traits of characters they encounter in the game. "Spy Fiction" is developed by Access Games, Inc., and is slated to arrive on store shelves beginning September 1, 2004 at an MSRP of $39.99. This game is rated M for Mature by the ESRB for Blood, Language, Sexual Themes and Violence.``xEpAFVuZFlpoiSEeDMT``x1093547380``xps2``x Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex``xmasterfork``xInteresting news about this game in the US.
"'Spy Fiction' offers a truly original experience that will inject fresh ideas and a great amount of action into the spy game genre," said Tim Pivnicny, Senior VP of Sales & Marketing, Sammy Studios, Inc. "With development of the North American version now completed, gamers should prepare to play a thrilling new take on action-stealth games."
"Spy Fiction" follows Billy Bishop and Sheila Crawford, underground espionage agents on a mission to neutralize a terrorist organization harboring a doomsday device. "Spy Fiction's" unique identity theft system brings a new strategy to stealth, allowing players to take on the identities of nearly every non-playable character they encounter in the game. The feature even plays a key role in the game's thrilling premise, incorporating false identities into an ever-twisting storyline with multiple endings. "Spy Fiction" also introduces numerous new spy gadgets, seamlessly integrates action-oriented mini-games into the game play and provides two playable characters with diverging mission paths for unprecedented variety and replay value in a stealth-action game. The experience is rounded out by great production value, with amazingly detailed 3D graphics and superb visual effects, as well as character designs by famed illustrator Renji Murata's ("The Last Exile" I & II, "Blue Submarine No. 6").
Bandai America, the publisher of popular anime-based games such as ".hack," "Digimon," and "Gundam Force" selected Kohnke Communications LLC, a public relations agency specializing in interactive entertainment to oversee public relations strategies and press outreach for the upcoming release "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex."``xEpAFVuZFkAxExyllHz``x1093547329``xps2``x Saga of Ryzom Beta - Aug 30th``xmasterfork``xThe Saga of Ryzom beta will restart on the 30th of this month. The game is nearing launch, so if you want to help prepare it for its final stages, read the following!
"Kohnke Communications' experience with delivering coverage in media outlets will assist us in establishing 'Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex' with the mainstream market," said Kenichi Nakata, senior vice president of electronics for Bandai America.
Erica Kohnke Kain, president of Kohnke Communications, remarked, "We are looking forward to utilize our connections in the interactive entertainment industry to secure high visibility for 'Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.'"
Now is the time to join the community of Ryzom! Starting today, Nevrax, an online game and software development company, will begin a ten-day ramp-up of the closed "focus beta" test of The Saga of Ryzom, leading up to a complete re-opening of the Ryzom Beta on August 30th for a final testing period prior to the game's launch in September.``xEpAFuFAZlAslSiLauz``x1093439789``xpc``x King of Fighters 2000/2001``xmasterfork``xNew information for the European release of the PS2/Xbox game.
"When we took Ryzom back into closed beta, we promised that we would re-open the testing prior to release and invite everyone from the community back," said David Cohen Corval, CEO of Nevrax. "We are pleased to be able to honor our promise and look forward to this final period of Open Beta."
Nevrax also announced today the details of a special advanced test server that will be opening when the game launches. The advanced test server will be where all new features will be tested there before being live, and advanced testers will be the first to try out new missions and other updates.
"The closed tests we've done this summer have proven invaluable in balancing and improving Ryzom," explained Mr. Cohen Corval. "By inviting the most dedicated of our fans to play in this special server after launch, we will be able to continue to receive the input and testing we need to manage Ryzom."
All fans who pre-order The Saga of Ryzom will have access to the advanced testing server when it opens in September for the duration of their subscription period. Access to the advanced testing server will otherwise be by invitation only.
Originally scheduled to launch in June, The Saga of Ryzom was in an Open Beta for eight weeks in April and May. Ryzom was delayed to allow further development and focused testing. Since then the game has featured two Open Weekend play sessions over the summer, and more than 120,000 players have registered to join the beta so far. The Saga of Ryzom is now scheduled to launch in Europe and North America in September 2004.
The decision to launch Ryzom in September rather than June came with the full support of Nevrax's local partners – Themis Group in North America, Jolt Online Entertainment in UK and English-speaking Europe, and MDO Entertainment in France and Germany. The three companies have provided managed testing and quality assurance throughout the summer, and will provide world-class 24/7/365 customer support and community management during and after launch.
For those interested in participating in the Open Beta:
The Open Beta officially starts at 5:00am (ET)/9:00 am GMT on Monday August 30th, and will end Tuesday, September 14th.
You will need a valid account to participate. If you need an account, register here!
Client downloads will be available via BitTorrent, direct download, and both GameDaily and Fileplanet.
All civilizations and territories will be available.
Featuring an immersive player-driven storyline, a dynamic ecosystem, groundbreaking mass combat mechanics, and lush graphics, The Saga of Ryzom is the answer to the prayers of massively multiplayer gamers seeking a fresh, compelling experience in a true virtual world.
About the Saga of Ryzom
Three generations ago, the proud civilizations of Atys perished in the Great Swarming, when hordes of Kitins swept from the Prime Roots and wrought war and genocide. Now it is time to reclaim your heritage. Join forces with thousands of others, master the arts of sorcery, war, and tradecraft, and re-forge the destiny of your people. The secrets of the past have been lost, but the Saga of Ryzom has just begun.
The Saga of Ryzom is a new massively multiplayer online RPG launching worldwide in September 2004. In The Saga of Ryzom, you create your own personal character and choose your own quests and adventures to shape your new destiny. Become a great hero with the power to change the future of entire civilizations. The Saga of Ryzom features:
A Story Line That Matters: Enjoy a wholly original universe fusing science fiction and fantasy where players shape the story and each server charts its own course.
A Lush, Living Ecosystem: The world of Atys is alive, with a rich and diverse ecology where flora and fauna dynamically interact with each other and the ever-changing environment. Nothing is static in Ryzom.
Massive Territorial Invasions: Ryzom's RAID Engine delivers excitement on a large scale. Monsters will assault key outposts, dynamically invade territories, and devastate entire regions if left unchecked.
Epic Battles with Hordes of Monsters: Fight hundreds of creatures at once in pitched battles! Ryzom offers groundbreaking mass combat mechanics that allow combat on a scale never before seen in MMORPGs.
Flexible Skill-Based Advancement: Develop your character through a skill-based system that grows in detail as you gain experience. Ryzom offers five huge skill trees with thousands of possible choices.
Customized Skills and Special Attacks: Ryzom's unique Modular Action System lets you create your own custom actions. From a core set of building blocks, make as many spells and special attacks as your imagination will allow.
Rich Item Creation/Enchantment: Hunt and forage for scarce natural resources to craft complex items from the bottom up, then add enchantments to your equipment to make it vastly more powerful.
Guilds and Factions: Meet new friends and form your own Guild to compete against other players (PvP) or build strong alliances to face common enemies in mass combat.
At long last, possession of one of videogaming's most influential fighting series has become a reality for home console owners. Those unfortunate enough not able to afford the luxurious NEOGEO can rejoice, as Ignition Entertainment is announcing the release of both King Of Fighters 2000 and King Of Fighters 2001 in a double pack for the XboxTM and PlayStation®2, to be released early November '04 with a suggested retail price of £19.99.Get screenshots of this game here.``xEpAFuFAVkVwINudVMO``x1093439525``xps2|x|xbox``x Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth Screens``xmasterfork``xNew screenshots have been made available for Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth. Check 'em!``xEpAFuFAFZuAfGzPnVI``x1093439374``xpc``x Strawberry Shortcake: Summertime Adventure``xmasterfork``x
The King Of Fighters series has existed for exactly one decade now, and with good reason. Years of refinement have created a deep and involving fighting system that has provided gamers with the level of intricacy that all fighter fans crave, and the unique 2D styling provides an instantly memorable look that invokes wistful sighs from long-time arcade goers.
The sheer wealth of characters (over 30 initially selectable in King Of Fighters 2000, and even more available in King Of Fighters 2001) ensures that players will find a pugilist that suits their personal fighting style, and the innovative Striker system, which allows players to call forth a helping hand from other characters when things aren't going so well, adds another dimension to the already distinctive gameplay.
Gameplay features –
Staggeringly high number of well-balanced individually-styled characters (35 initially selectable in KOF 2000, 40 in KOF 2001)
Redesigned character selection screen and menus
Innovative continue system that allows players to handicap the CPU fighters
Multiple modes of play, including Team Play and Party Mode
Multiple ways to use characters in KOF 2001, including 1-on-4, 2-on-3, and a maximum of 4-on-4 character matches
Watchable intro movies from previous King Of Fighters games
Special new Strikers, never before seen on any home or arcade system
Auto-save feature
Tried and tested gameplay, refined over literally thousands of hours of human vs human experience.
"We're extremely pleased to finally be able to bring the King Of Fighters series to European homes, and feel that these two titles are a great way for the consumer to familarise themselves with the franchise ahead of the release of KOF: MI" says Peter Rollinson, Product Manager, Ignition Entertainment. "This will be the first time the series has been affordable on home consoles for many gamers, and we're sure that its increased availability will confirm the opinions of many that this is one of the greatest 2D fighters ever made."
The King Of Fighters 2000/2001 double pack will be available for PS2 and Xbox in early November '04, with a suggested retail price of £19.99
Expanding upon a successful Game Boy ® Advance Video agreement with American Greetings Corporation, creator and owner of Strawberry Shortcake, and DIC Entertainment, exclusive worldwide licensing agency for the popular girls' brand, Majesco (OTC BB: MJSH), a leading publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products, today announced it has secured the North American rights to publish Strawberry Shortcake: Summertime Adventure this fall.``xEpAFuFAEVEYXPedlgu``x1093439151``xgameboy``x Doom 3 Sales``xmasterfork``xDoom 3 is having amazing sales world-wide. Check it:
"We are pleased to broaden our successful relationship with American Greetings and DIC Entertainment to now include a video game for the Game Boy Advance," said Jesse Sutton, Chief Executive Officer, Majesco. "Strawberry Shortcake continues to be a strong property, and we look forward to further increasing its awareness within the category."
Developed by Gorilla Games, Strawberry Shortcake: Summertime Adventure promises a wealth of adventurous fun as Strawberry Shortcake prepares her entries for the Strawberryland Bake-Off. Join Apple Dumplin', Orange Blossom, Angel Cake and Ginger Snap in two different modes of play – Berry Garden Mode and Strawberryland Adventure Mode, as they attempt to grow the best berry and use it to win the bake-off. With perplexing puzzles, peculiar power-ups and persnickety plant seeds, Strawberry Shortcake: Summertime Adventure offers players a "berry" good time.
More information on Strawberry Shortcake: Summertime Adventure and the company's entire lineup can be found online at www.majescogames.com.
Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) announced today that id Software's DOOM 3TM is topping worldwide sell-through charts. The game debuted as the #1 best-selling PC game in the U.S. for the week ending August 7, according to NPD Techworld.``xEpAFuFApZkyIBcAIIN``x1093439072``xpc``x Amazing Island Ships``xmasterfork``xAmazing Island with GBA link-up has shipped for the Gamecube.
Additionally, DOOM 3 was the #1 best-selling game overall in the U.K. for the weeks ending August 14 and August 21, according to the U.K. Chart Track and the #1 best-selling PC game in Australia, for the weeks ending August 8 and 15, according to GfK Inform Database. For the week ending August 15, DOOM 3 also was the #1 best-selling PC game in France, according to GfK; the #1 game in Germany, according to Media Control; and the #1 game in Sweden, Denmark and Norway, according to Manual Sweden, Manual Denmark and Manual Norway.
"DOOM 3 continues id Software's legacy of setting a new benchmark in PC gaming with every game it develops," said Ron Doornink, President and CEO, Activision Publishing. "The game has been critically acclaimed worldwide and we expect momentum to continue as it releases in new territories."
Built on id's revolutionary new 3D technology, DOOM 3 is a terrifying battle with the forces of Hell. In DOOM 3, your recent assignment to the Union Aerospace Corporation's Mars research facility seemed simple enough, until their discoveries and experiments unlocked the gates to Hell itself. Now, in an epic clash against pure evil you must fight to understand who is with you, who is against you, and what must be done to stop this nightmare from reaching earth. For more information, visit the official website at WWW.DOOM3.COM. DOOM 3 has been rated "M" for Mature by the ESRB.
Dubbed "Pokẽmon meets Mario Party" by Game Informer; and featuring an innovative monster-creation set that GMR calls "excellent", SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced the launch of Amazing IslandTM exclusively for Nintendo GameCube®. Ideal for young players, the title can be enjoyed at home and on the playground, thanks to the unique integration of Nintendo's Game Boy® Advance connectivity.``xEpAFuFApFulAdlFUKd``x1093439034``xgamecube``x Stronghold 2 Screens``xmasterfork``xI've added new screenshots of Stronghold 2. Check 'em out!``xEpAFFypulZbZCnyLPn``x1093360487``xpc``x Stronghold 2 Announced``xmasterfork``xThe sequel to Stronghold (obviously) has been announced for 2005.
Amazing Island takes place on a lush island in a far off world. The once happy Maboo tribe has been captured by the "Black Evil" and players must help rescue them and win back their land. Players create and personalize their own monster (drawing from nearly infinite creative possibilities) and enter it into a series of frenetic competitions involving speed, time, and head-to-head battles. Winners collect design accessories and magical orbs that unlock design abilities, encouraging the creation of new, more powerful monsters.
"This innovative title encourages young players to use their imagination while creating nearly unlimited combinations of monster pals," said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president of Entertainment Marketing, SEGA of America. "Children will be totally absorbed in the process of character creation, and the title's mini-games will give them an environment in which to compete head-to-head or share their creations with friends via GBA."
There are 28 mini-games in Amazing Island that support up to four players; and Game Boy Advance connectivity allows players to upload their creations to handheld units and challenge peers to RPG (Role-Playing Game)-style battles. Both play modes allow gamers to nurture and develop their digital pets, upping their attributes, and increasing their list of accessories, etc. Amazing Island will be a long-time favorite in any child's game library with its tremendous re-play value and satisfying gameplay for both single and multiple players.
Amazing Island (Nintendo GameCube; priced at $39.95) is rated 'E' for Everyone and is available at retailers nationwide.
Global Star Software, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), and Firefly Studios are pleased to announce Stronghold 2, the sequel to the award-winning titles Stronghold and Stronghold: Crusader. The Stronghold franchise has sold over 1.5 million units worldwide.``xEpAFFypFlEzZMJidSC``x1093360381``xpc``x World of Warcraft & AT&T``xmasterfork``xAT&T offers hardware for World of Warcraft:
Due to be released for PC in early 2005, the castle-sim and siege-warfare RTS game Stronghold 2 will bring the series to life in glorious 3D. Stronghold 2 will also offer players a "castle-life" campaign, enhanced multiplayer capability and a new, innovative and exciting single player campaign that will be revealed in the months ahead.
"The first Stronghold game pioneered a genre by combining the elements of simulation games and combat strategy into a single unique experience," said Christoph Hartmann, Senior Vice President of Publishing at Global Star. "Now we are thrilled to bring Stronghold 2 to the market, which will undoubtedly set the standard as Firefly Studios has taken its already highly regarded gameplay and pushed it beyond anyone's expectations with new and innovative features. We are confident that Stronghold 2 will captivate gamers in 2005."
"We decided to steer away from the typical RTS mold when we developed the original Stronghold," said Simon Bradbury, Director at Firefly Studios. "Now, with a 3D engine that can render tens of thousands of animated characters on-screen simultaneously, we can explore the intricacies of castle-life and the machinations of siege-warfare like never before in Stronghold 2. Once again we will take the Stronghold franchise into new and exciting territory."
AT&T and Blizzard Entertainment® today announced plans to create a secure hosting solution for the launch of Blizzard's massively multiplayer online role-playing game, World of WarcraftTM. When the game launches later this year, thousands of players from across North America will be able to adventure securely through Blizzard's epic world, thanks in part to the robust and reliable hosting services offered by AT&T.``xEpAFFypFkudAVDDZnE``x1093360324``xpc``x Colin McRae Rally 2005 Demo``xmasterfork``xThe single-player demo for Colin McRae Rally 2005 has been released!
Under the terms of the agreement, AT&T will provide enhanced storage space and bandwidth capabilities for Blizzard's entertainment software applications. Additionally, the hosting solution will significantly strengthen the dependability and scalability of Blizzard's online presence. Included with AT&T's services are load-balancing capabilities that will allow for seamless access to all of the interactive features found in Blizzard's virtual world. AT&T will provide these hosting services through its Internet Data Centers (IDCs) in Los Angeles and Redwood City, Calif., and Ashburn, Va.
"As we prepare to launch our first massively multiplayer online game, we know that secure, fast and reliable hosting services are essential to support the World of Warcraft community and satisfy the expectations of online gamers," stated Paul Sams, senior vice president of business operations for Blizzard Entertainment. "This hosting solution will deliver the speed, reliability and security that we and our multiplayer audience have come to expect from Blizzard games."
AT&T is currently hosting the North American portion of Blizzard's beta test for World of Warcraft, for which more than 400,000 players signed up to help balance the game and ensure stability for an international launch later this year. In addition to providing hosting for World of Warcraft, the new agreement significantly expands the hosting services that AT&T currently provides Blizzard Entertainment for Battle.net®.
AT&T owns and operates 22 IDCs around the world and expects to have 25 by the end of the year.
SINGLE PLAYER DEMO PC NOW AVAILABLE FROM www.codemasters.co.uk/colinmcrae2005``xEpAFFypklZDMhdVtPg``x1093360287``xpc``x Game Stars Live: Medical Advice``xmasterfork``xWhoa there, buddy - gotta hold up when playing those games for hours at a time:
Take out your motorway gridlock frustrations this coming bank holiday weekend on the brand new Colin McRae Rally 2005 single player PC demo, now available from www.codemasters.co.uk/colinmcrae2005 (in the "Downloads" section).
The supremely thrashable cars featured in the demo include the racy Peugeot 206, the classic Toyota Celica GT-FOUR and the monstrous and totally lustworthy Lancia Stratos. And with more than 30 cars in the full game, that's just a tantalising taster of what's to come!
Variable weather conditions will keep even the best rally gamers on their toes and, with Nicky Grist calling the shots on the pace notes, PC gamers can get a head start on their rallying mates by tearing up the countryside in 3 of the final 300+ stages - including one stage in Germany, representing the all-new country in the Colin McRae Rally 2005 series.
The full game, launching September 24th on PC, PlayStation 2 and Xbox, introduces a new Career mode, putting the player firmly in the driving seat and tasking them to become world champion over a whole range of vehicle classes and competitions. It's also fully playable online, on both PC and consoles, and there's a multiplayer PC demo yet to come!
Additionally, the playable demos for PlayStation 2 and Xbox will be carried on Official PlayStation 2 magazine and Official Xbox magazine, with on sale dates of 9th September and 6th September respectively.
Download the new PC demo and check out the latest movies from the game's dedicated website at www.codemasters.co.uk/colinmcrae2005
Following a survey that revealed that out of 641 questioned, 322 had received injuries from playing videogames, the organisers of the forthcoming 'Game Stars Live' exhibition have issued tips to ensure attendees enjoy safe gaming at the September event.``xEpAFFypkupSmrYqRlD``x1093360240``xmiscellaneous``x Habitrail Hamster Ballz``xmasterfork``xWhat a weird name... Could be interesting!
The most common injuries included blisters and calluses from frantic button bashing or holding the controller incorrectly. But respondents also detailed other more surprising wounds – usually as a result of over excitement.
Stig Wiksnes, 27, an IT administrator from Stavanger, Norway, admitted: "I got my front teeth kicked out by a friend of mine while playing Super Streetfighter 2. I was on a winning streak. All of a sudden he almost got me - but I came back in the match and won. He got so annoyed that he kicked out just as I turned my head so I got his cheesy sock smack in my mouth. That wasn't pleasant at all."
In response to the findings the Entertainment Leisure Software Publishers Association is issuing attendees of Game Stars Live – running from 1st – 5th September at ExCeL in Docklands – with a series of health guidelines.
Based on the results of various research reports, ELSPA advises players:
Take regular breaks
Not play for hours on end
Play the full distance possible from the screen
Use a monitor instead of a TV if possible
Stop playing should they feel unwell and consult a doctor.
"When gamers play computer games properly and sensibly, there is very little health risk," said Roger Bennett, director general, ELSPA. "But with a show floor larger than the size of three football pitches full of the latest and greatest computer and videogames, we're issuing guidelines to ensure everyone leaves the event blister-free – as they're certainly going to be spending significant time playing the very best the medium has to offer."
Game Stars Live will have specially-educated first aid officers offering advice to anyone concerned about gaming injuries. The organisers recommend attendees enjoy the many other attractions at the show for at least 10 minutes out of every hour's gaming.
Data Design Interactive would like to announce they have signed a joint partnership deal with Rolf C. hagen Inc., the worlds largest and privately run pet accessory manufacturer and distributor, to produce a computer game to be released on the Sony Playstation 2 and PC. The game will be based on Hagen's best selling Habitrail brand, which makes exciting habitats, accessories, bedding and food for the small animal market, such as the new Habitrail Playground range which provides a fun adventurous environment for your pet.``xEpAFFypEyVgHSpDGkW``x1093360165``xpc|x|ps2``x BloodRayne 2``xmasterfork``xCharacters from the game will be in an Evanescence music video on MTV2.
The game is based on Habitrail's own Character 'Herbie the Hamster'. You have to navigate Herbie safely around the house inside his plastic exercise ball. There are four lavishly designed environments including a kid's bedroom, the kitchen, the garden and even the attic! Each of these environments has cleverly designed puzzles and difficulties, so you must be on your guard to successfully direct Herbie to the end of each level and win the prize of his favourite Living World hamster food. However do not worry, Herbie is never injured or goes hungry for too long!
The levels in each environment gets progressively harder with combinations of challenging puzzles, tight cornering and moving obstacles that require either skilfull avoidance or clever manipulation by Herbie to reach new sections of the level. There are even 5 easier levels for junior players as well as a 'Beginner' and 'Expert' mode for those with nimble fingers!
Video games and music videos unite, as Majesco (OTC BB: MJSH), a leading publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products, today announced its popular BloodRayne video game character will be featured on a premiere episode of MTV2's new series "Video Mods." Scheduled to air September 18, the episode showcases Evanescence's "Everybody's Fool" video, recreated with characters from Majesco's forthcoming BloodRayne 2 video game sequel.``xEpAFFyppllXEJvjMOH``x1093360088``xpc|x|ps2|x|xbox``x Game Stars Live - Nintendo``xmasterfork``xNintendo has announced a few games for Game Stars Live:
MTV2's "Video Mods" debuts on September 18 at 9:30 pm EST (6:30 pm PST) and highlights some of today's most popular video game characters as they perform videos by artists of all genres, including Lil' Jon, Black Eyed Peas, New Found Glory and others. Each video will be transformed by adapting the music video to utilize a unique video game environment and feature characters from one or a variety of video games.
"Having BloodRayne as one of the premiere 'performers' in MTV2's 'Video Mods' show is a testament to her popularity and appeal," said Ken Gold, vice president of Marketing, Majesco. "We are thrilled to see BloodRayne star in a music video and we applaud MTV2's creative blending of entertainment mediums and properties."
Nintendo today announced its final line up for Game Stars Live (GSL) promising visitors an array of exciting treats to look forward to at its end of pier themed stand, including a fortune telling tent where everyone will be able to catch a glimpse of what the future holds for Nintendo including sneak previews of forthcoming hardware and software.``xEpAFFyppkZIlDfQVDA``x1093360027``xgameboy|x|gamecube``x Mario Party Advance``xmasterfork``xLooks like us portable players finally get a fun party game! Mario Party has always been entertaining on the big-screen consoles.
The Nintendo Pier will feature a unique Mario gaming area where visitors will have the chance to play their favourite Mario games. The Nintendo Pier will also be the final date on The Tribal Tour which has been out on the road this summer visiting all the biggest music festivals. This Game Boy Advance SP Limited Tribal Edition branded camper van will offer visitors to the stand the opportunity to get a free temporary tattoo.
Nintendo has a few more tricks up its sleeve with a selection of interactive challenges lined up for the show. Taking place on Nintendo's very own stage, located within The Nintendo Pier, visitors will have the opportunity to learn how to play real bongo drums, taught by a professional bongo drummer. Visitors will be encouraged to bang bongos to their heart's content and pick up a few tips, which could come in handy when challenging friends in the Donkey Konga Bongo Battles.
Visitors can also take part in a Metroid Prime 2: Echoes challenge which will culminate in an intense showdown on the main Game Stars Live stage.
And if that's not enough to keep everyone excited, Nintendo will be showcasing an impressive selection of games at the event for the first time ever in the UK. These include the highly anticipated Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, Animal Crossing and Pokèmon FireRed and Pokèmon LeafGreen.
Join Mario and friends in this new action packed adventure to earn coins in exciting mini games and buy Professor E. Gadd's wonderful gaddgets. With over 60 mini games, two player battles and trading opportunities, Mario and friends are back for the ultimate portable party. Perfectly in time for Christmas, Mario Party Advance launches across Europe for Game Boy Advance on 3rd December 2004.``xEpAFFVAAlZCajVxsYw``x1093359987``xgameboy``x Paper Mario 2: The Thousand Year Door``xmasterfork``xMore information has been released about the next installment of Paper Mario.
Players take it in turns in this party game to move around the board maps in Adventure Mode with the goal of discovering mini games and collecting coins. Players can then use these coins to unlock gadgets such as detectors, compatibility meters and other strange and fascinating devices. By placing a finger on the Finger X-Ray to see what's hidden inside, or by using the Compatibility Meter to see how well friends match up, players can transport the game play to a whole new level.
Players can choose from many favourite Nintendo characters such as Luigi, Yoshi, Peach and Koopa Kids. With the all-new multiplayer battle games, players can enjoy playing together, battling against each other, trade mini games, gaddgets and coins. This game guarantees hours of fun and is an ideal Christmas gift for all the family.
Mario Party Advance takes all the fun of the home console and puts it in your hands. Mario Party Advance launches across Europe on 3rd December 2004 and is available at the estimated retail price of around 40 Euros.
Click onto www.nintendo-europe.com for the most up-to-date official information on Nintendo.
Join paper thin Mario on his two dimensional journey in a three dimensional world in Paper Mario 2: The Thousand Year Door which launches across Europe on 12th November 2004. This all new role playing adventure, which uses beautiful and distinctive graphics, gives Mario unique abilities to help him fold and squeeze his way to Princess Peach in a bid to save her from her evil captors.``xEpAFFVAAFuvUotiNHj``x1093359934``xgamecube``x Will of Steel UK Release``xmasterfork``xGMX Media will be publishing this game in the UK.
Maps at the ready! Princess Peach has been kidnapped and Mario must follow the map's clues to the Star Crystals - the only power able to guide him to the Princess. But beware you will meet many people along the way and it is up to you to decide if they are friend or enemy! Mario can partner up with characters that can then combine with Mario to allow new moves.
Origami is an ancient art, taking years to master, but a skill players will need to perfect in seconds if they are to get Mario through this world! The fact that Mario is paper thin is to his advantage as he can fold up into a paper aeroplane to fly across small gaps, turn sideways to fit through very narrow gaps and fold himself into a small boat to get across water.
When combat occurs, the game becomes turn based in a theatre like stage where Mario must impress his audience in order to be given power to perform Super Attacks. Disappoint them and they will start hurling objects! As well as the crowds, Mario will face many other obstacles in his search for the captured Princess. Among them are three veiled figures plotting the return of the cruel, Shadow Witch and one extremely angry Bowser!
Mario has numerous tools to help him on his way, from hammers to thunderbolts. He will have use of powerful Action Commands which limit the damage Mario takes and using the A button just as an enemy attacks will help Mario inflict maximum damage on his enemies. But always remember to keep one eye out for badges, as these have a whole range of fantastic abilities from allowing Mario to pick up money to giving him special moves!
In addition to the unique features caused by being paper thin, Paper Mario 2 : The Thousand Year Door contains many features loved in other Mario RPG games such as buying items at shops and collecting coins by defeating enemies.
Paper Mario 2 : The Thousand Year Door, only for Nintendo GameCube, launches across Europe on 12th November at the estimated retail price of around 60 Euros.
To keep up-to-date with the latest official information on Nintendo visit www.nintendo-europe.com.
GMX Media today announcing that they will be publishing the ground breaking military Real Time Strategy game Will of Steel for PC – CD ROM. The game is to be launched across the UK in the Q4 2004.``xEpAFFVAZluVRvTcLmP``x1093359784``xpc``x Sky Captain Contest``xmasterfork``xWin tickets to the London Premiere of Sky Captain!
"Will of Steel is set to be one of our strongest games to be launched." Commented COO for GMX Media Eugene Perry. "This game will astonish both dedicated and casual players of PC games with its ground breaking use of existing graphic technologies and its unique use of in-game voice control mechanisms."
"It is our great pleasure to join forces with GMX Media to bring Will of Steel to gamers across Europe and Asia. I truly believe that Will of Steel's first-of-its-kind in-game voice control system will offer gamers a brand new way to enjoy the gameplay. The system allows players to issue commands and control units with their own voice so simulating a real-life feel for military commanding. With beautiful graphics, tons of different units, and many special options, the game is fun and challenging". Commented COO for Gameyus
THE GAME:
Will of Steel is a modern warfare tactical 3D Real Time Strategy game set in the early 1990s. As a young Marine officer, William Steel is the son of the highly decorated USMC General Thomas Steel. Players must assume command and responsibility of the battalion at his control and defeat your opposing in forces in hostile locations around the globe.
At the players disposal will be infantry, battle tanks, armoured personnel carriers, recon units and many other types of military hardware. The player must make wise military choices and decide how to adjust his/her actions to counteract the strategy employed by the enemy forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. Through the use of dynamic Sun, missions unfold from dawn to dusk with a number of climate conditions, such as rain and fog, that may help or hinder your battle progress.
Throughout the game, the player also strives to improve his/her career. By winning medals and being promoted, various special options are revealed that he/she can use in battle. Special options include:
Air transport
Artillery support
Air strike
Satellite reconnaissance
Long range missile attack
Reinforcement
Special operations team
VOICE CONTROL
In Will of Steel, the player has full control of all assigned units, camera, and special options such as: Air Attack, Transport, Special Teams etc, through the use of vocal commands. The player can order unit movements, choose tactics, groups units, and can even choose the types of weapons and stances that the units take. These possibilities will allow the more skilled players to play the game and lead their troops exactly the way they desire while the less skilled players will also be able to manage units while using simpler commands and options.
It is also possible to play the game almost entirely by voice commands alone. The mouse pad can be used to select units and groups of units, to point to the places where commands should be executed, and to select options from one of the menus. Keyboard allows for a quick and convenient way (shortcut) for various commands to be executed.
Special focus is given to voice control because it has never been used in RTS games before. Voice control should help the player to control his/her units much more easily and effectively than by just using the keyboard and mouse pad. Besides that, voice control has the purpose of simulating natural verbal communication between officers and their units. This will add to the realism and will make the player feel as if he was a real-life military commander.
Release Date: Q4 2004
More information at: http://www.gmxmedia.net/willofsteel
Paramount Pictures has announced details for the "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow Air Combat Challenge" tournament, a three-week contest beginning on Monday, August 23, 2004. Playing the free downloadable game "Flying Legion Air Combat Challenge," contestants will vie against one another for a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to the London premiere of "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow," opening in theaters nationwide September 17, 2004.``xEpAFFVAZEunOQumdME``x1093359714``xmiscellaneous``x Legion Arena``xmasterfork``xNews and information about Legion Arena has been released:
"Thousands of gamers have been playing this Sky Captain game since its launch last month" says Gerry Rich, president worldwide marketing for Paramount Pictures. "We are astounded by the support from the gaming community, and we look forward to an intense three-week tournament as anticipation builds for the opening of 'Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.'"
Based on the upcoming movie, which stars Jude Law as Sky Captain, Gwyneth Paltrow as reporter Polly Perkins, and Angelina Jolie as Franky Cook, captain of an all-female amphibious squadron, "Flying Legion Air Combat Challenge" puts players in the cockpit as a member of aviator Joseph Sullivan's (aka Sky Captain) Flying Legion. During three missions, players can take control of their own fast and agile P-40 Warhawk to defend the world against a mysterious scientist named Totenkopf and his mechanical monsters.
Combatants will have three weeks to battle it out against the best of the best, scoring points and earning credits to customize the look of their plane from a variety of body and nose art. The pilot with the best overall score at the end of the tournament will win the grand prize, a trip for two to the United Kingdom to attend the London premiere of "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow." The contest will conclude Monday, September 13th.
In level one, pilots must navigate their planes through the streets of New York and destroy Giant Robots. In level two, players take to the open skies and battle the Flying Wings that are attacking the city. Level three takes place underwater, as your plane becomes submersible and you join the Amphibious Squadron – a specialized fleet of planes designed for combat under the sea in battle against sinister Giant Mechanized underwater creatures that roam the ocean floor.
Throughout each level, pilots must destroy enemies while making laps around courses based on the New York skyline and an environment based underwater. Points are awarded to pilots with the quickest times and the number of enemies damaged or killed.
For extra fun, the game contains a bonus level featuring a battle around Captain Franky Cook's Flying Fortress. However, points earned while playing this level are not included within the "Air Combat Challenge" tournament.
Taking place in an alternative reality; set in a future that might have been, "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" tells the story of ace aviator Sky Captain, (Law) and reporter Polly Perkins, (Paltrow) as they risk their lives trying to stop the evil Dr. Totenkopf from destroying the earth. Also starring Giovanni Ribisi as Dex, the technical genius of Sky Captain's flying legion and Angelina Jolie as Captain Franky Cook, the film features state-of-the-art special effects never seen before. Shot entirely against a blue screen, this groundbreaking achievement in filmmaking is the brainchild of writer/director Kerry Conran, in collaboration with producer Jon Avnet.
To download the game, enter the tournament, and/or find out more about the movie, visit http://www.SkyCaptain.com.
Paramount Pictures is part of the entertainment operations of Viacom Inc., which is one of the world's largest entertainment and media companies, and a leader in the production, promotion and distribution of entertainment, news, sports, and music.
Overview``xEpAFFVAypFyeGEbAzX``x1093359603``xpc``x
Legion Arena is an online RPSG or Role Playing Strategy Game, and blends core gameplay elements from the RTS & RPG genres. Set in ancient Rome, Legion Arena puts the player in charge of their own army, which they must develop, nurture and train, transforming a bunch of peasants into a fearsome fighting force.
Setting
Legion Arena is set at the time of the Roman Republic. At this time, Rome were the fearsome Celtic tribes that would periodically raid from Gaul down into the heartland of Italy. Initially the player will only be able to play as Rome, but army packs will be released allowing other sides to be played. The first planned army pack is the Celtic tribes.
Gameplay
There are two main parts to Legion Arena, training your army & fighting battles. As the general in charge you choose which troops to recruit & how to equip them. You decide which skills they learn as they gain experience. When it is time for battle you choose which scenarios to challenge, how to deploy your troops and which orders to issue. Once the battle starts you can control your troops in real time by issuing new orders
The Look
Legion Arena will be fully 3D, with polygonal units and terrain. The focus will be on making realistic looking battlefields with thousands of men moving around. Using our bespoke 3D engine we can easily handle multiple levels of detail which will allow fast machines to make the game look amazing & slower machines to play with reduced visuals.
After initial release we plan to add in a 2D system that will allow older machines to play, but at this stage the focus is on getting the 3D engine completed.
Generals & Orders
Although Legion Arena's battles are fought in real time we did not want them to turn into a click fest like some other RTS games. For this reason we've implemented a comprehensive order time system. Each general will have a number of order points based on their command ability. These order points are used to issue commands to troops during battle. It is easier to control a regiment of trained Legionaries than a mob of peasants, so it uses less order points to order a Legionary unit change formation or set their target than it does for peasants. The general issues so it is essential to keep him alive, as without him you can no longer issue orders. It may still be possible for the battle to be won, but it will certainly make things a lot harder!
As the general gains experience the player must decide whether to specialise their general in command and control or in combat and each area has its own advantages. After all, what use is the best command and control general in the world if he drops dead the second he enters combat!
Objectives
Every scenario has an objective and though many of these may be "Defeat the Enemy", there will be numerous other options. E.g. scenarios can be designed where the only objective is to survive for a period of time, or you may have to ensure less than 100 casualties are received in the process of winning. Other objectives include killing a specific number of enemy, ensuring specific squads survive on your side or die on the enemy side and more. As the player progresses these objectives will get harder to complete and may require the player to play through multiple times to find a winning strategy and to share ideas with other players through the forum. Some scenarios will be easier or harder depending on which types of troops you have recruited. If you've gone for an entirely mounted army, the battles in forests are going to be extremely difficult, and armies without heavy infantry might find it hard if the enemy has lots of solid infantry.
Every scenario is allocated to a group and before the player can progress to the next group they must win every scenario in the current group. This will then unlock the next group. Players may return to easier scenarios if they wish to train up their troops some more, but as their men get more experienced there is less value to be had from the easier scenarios as the men gain less experience from fighting opponents who are inferior to them.
Customisation
Players will be able to choose the colours & shield designs of their squads. This is not done on an army basis, but on a squad by squad basis. E.g. You could have a Legion with red shields as well as a Legion with blue shields in the same army. This allows the casual players to have fun, but also allows the hard-core historians to set up armies exactly as they would have been historically with the correct uniforms.
Players can also modify the textures using templates we will provide to completely change the look of their units any way they can imagine & draw.
Scenario Design
Players can use the maps we have provided to design their own scenario for other players to challenge. Scenarios are designed with the designing players army acting as the opposing force, and any customisation they have made will appear in those armies.
Initially player designed scenarios will not be included in the ranked battles, but players will be able to vote for which scenario they want to move up from the design area to the full ranked battle area.
How to Get Connected
To play Legion Arena the player must download a free client. This will allow them to log into the Arena server and register their account. The player will then be able to play Legion Arena for free for a limited time. Once the free trial period has expired players may choose to sign up and continue their conquest, or just retire their army.
To play Legion Arena you do not need a fast connection, but you must be connected to the Arena server. The server records the results of every battle, how much experience was gained, how many kills inflicted, who won and numerous other stats & also check that no cheating was going on. These results are stored on the server and used to rank the players army against other players.
Min Spec Pentium 3, Geforce2 and 128MB of RAM