Gamersnewsbits.com

by Phil Elliott, gamesindustry

Microsoft to cut US Xbox 360 price at E3, says analyst

Qube software says that Near London^TM, a virtual world built on Qube’s future generation middleware ‘Q’, showcases a new generation of virtual worlds that has the potential to widen the appeal of online gaming.  Near London^TM was launched to potential business clients this week.

“Everyone knows the limitations of trying to write games to work within the current generation of virtual worlds; the graphics often just don’t cut it” said Qube CEO Servan Keondjian.  “But in a virtual world built on Q developers get to access the rendering features of any cutting-edge game. On top of this, Q opens up the possibility of users  changing channel to other online games built with Q or even playing them within the VW environment itself.

“I am excited about Near because it gives game developers new outlets and business models for their skills without limiting them technologically,” he said.

Keondjian made his name as the creator of Direct3D, and like Direct3D Q works for any real-time 3D graphics application: games, tools, virtual worlds. But Q’s plug-in architecture means it can be extended to talk to any server backend, as well as supporting a multitude of rendering styles all in one unified client.

“Q is a serious development tool and allows studios to offer cutting-edge graphics and work with popular authoring tools like Max and Maya to produce games to work with or within those worlds,” Keondjian said.  “Meanwhile Q’s extensible architecture makes plugging the game into the world simple.”

Near has used the latest technology to model central London to the highest degree of accuracy seen to date.  It is targeting retailers and other businesses who want to develop their online presence.  By functioning as a universal client Q removes a major hurdle to the development of the 3D internet as users will no longer have to download new pieces of software each time they visit a different virtual world.

“The way Q works is crucial to Near,” said founder Alex Wrottesley.  “Near presents cities as virtual gateways – just as a real city street is a gateway to shops and restaurants and other experiences.  So if a retailer wants a visitor to Near London^TM to be able to click on their shop door and be transported effortlessly to their own virtual world or custom game environment, with Q that becomes simple.  Near’s cities will be able to host the most extensible content ever seen in a virtual world.”

Wrottesley believes that games studios will have a new market for content with retailers and other businesses who want to lure visitors into their own 3D sites.  Meanwhile, by offering both the VW community and games developers a platform which works across genres and consoles, it will bring the two sectors closer together.

“Q’s content capabilities and its out of the box renderers, shaders and background data streaming gave us the tools to build our world quickly and make Near^TM a stunning visual experience,” Wrottesley said.

Q was launched to the games industry in February and is already being used for games projects on multiple major console platforms and the PC.  Q’s flexibility and potential for customisation mean that it’s not only a universal client for the 3D internet but is also a powerful games engine compatible with all the main consoles and operating systems.

“We believe our job is to simplify the life of 3D developers. Be they game developers or virtual world builders, the problems are the same: the multitude of formats and delivery systems out there just add complexity and cost. Q takes this away with its unifying, genre-neutral, but extensible, approach.”

KOEI gives fashion trendsetters control of the streets with a shop management and style simulation game exclusively for the Nintendo DS this September 2008.

Burlingame, CA - June 16, 2008 - KOEI, recognized worldwide as the premier brand of strategy and simulation games, announced today that the company is preparing to bring POP CUTIE! Street Fashion Simulation™ to North America this September 2008. The game will be available exclusively for the Nintendo DS.

“POP CUTIE! Street Fashion Simulation brings together an eclectic mix of Tokyo street style, cosplay (costume play), fashion design and trend hunting to create a game that’s part retail management simulation and part style exploration,” said Amos Ip, Senior Vice President for KOEI Corporation. “As the game’s shop owner you’ll compete against rival designers, hire models and staff, design new items, all in search of the ultimate fashion trend.”

About POP CUTIE! Street Fashion Simulation
POP CUTIE! Street Fashion Simulation is a game where players manage the day-to-day happenings of their very own fashion boutique. They’ll hire models and assistants, choose the look and music for their shop, run the cash register and even place magazine ads. Best of all, they’ll take to the streets and meet different characters in search of up-and-coming trends. Players will then use this inspiration in their studios where they’ll create new clothes, accessories and even hairstyles. However, other shop owners are also prowling the streets looking for the next big thing.

Players will start the game as an independent designer with a small shop at a flea market. As players progress, they’ll move into larger boutiques. The competition against rival shop owners culminates in a ‘Fashion Battle,’ where a panel of judges will decide if a player’s style has enough cute or enough cool to become all the rage.

By gathering ‘images’ from people on the street and combining them, players will create clothing lines ranging from the conventional to the most outrageous trends from the streets of Tokyo. A simple touch interface allows players to consider color and shape combinations on the bottom screen while reviewing the actual design on the upper screen. Using Nintendo DS Multi-Card Wireless Play, up to two friends can challenge each other in fabulous Fashion Battles.

(Japanese screenshots follow)

LONDON (16 June, 2008) – SEGA Europe Ltd. proudly presents Beijing 2008™ - The Official Video Game of the Olympic Games: Track and Field events.

Appearing on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and PC, Beijing 2008™ delivers a host of Track and Field events.

Of the six Track events, the 100m is the blue-riband event of the Olympic Games and is watched by millions of people worldwide. A new analogue starting block mechanic has been added to the gameplay using the trigger buttons on the controller. After launching out of the starting blocks, players will have the choice to either waggle the thumb stick from left to right, or press the A button and B button alternately to gain speed. Other track events are the 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m and the 110m Hurdles for Men and 100m Hurdles for Women.

There are eight Field events in Beijing 2008™ and new to this iteration is the Hammer Throw which is played with both analogue sticks to build up power, whilst using one of the triggers to throw the Hammer. Other Field events are the High Jump, Pole Vault, Long Jump, Shot Put, Triple Jump, Discus Throw, and the Javelin Throw. All of these events have different gameplay mechanics and are playable with both male and female athletes.

Beijing 2008™ is slated for a global release on June 27th 2008 for the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and PC.

New York, USA (June 16, 2008) – Paradox Interactive today announced the official release date for Penumbra: Requiem, expansion to the critically acclaimed horror release Penumbra: Black Plague.

Penumbra: Requiem is scheduled for release on August 27, 2008. The game will be available exclusively via digital download at GamersGate. The expansion has been developed by Frictional Games and published by Paradox Interactive.

Requiem will tie up loose ends from previous installments and as Philip progresses he will encounter various characters from his past. Penumbra: Requiem delves deeper into the world of the Tuurngait infection and personalities from the previous two games, Overture and Black Plague. Long lost friends will return and aid Philip on his quest, but can they really be trusted?
In the bizarre world of Penumbra: Requiem players will experience another psychological thrill on a level unheard of before Penumbra: Black Plague. This time telling what is real and what is not will be even harder and not always trusting your senses will be essential in order to survive.

Developer Iron Will Games introduces Factions and PVP Island

AUSTIN, TX - June 16th, 2008 - Developer Iron Will Games recently released the latest update to Ashen Empires, a classic fantasy MMORPG. The update focuses on the struggle between good King Lotor and the fallen Knight, Talazar. As part of this battle, players may now pledge their allegiance to one side or the other and participate in server-wide city sieges.

The update has also brought the revolutionary PVP Island, a winner-takes-all battle royale. Once an entrance fee has been paid contestants are sent to the remote island where they must battle their way to the top in an anything goes free for all competition. Players can earn tokens by defeating another player. There’s no limit on how much can be won; time on the island ends when a player leaves willingly or is eliminated.

In addition to Faction and PVP content, the game now boasts new art for the grass and trees, several new quests, and additional starting area content. Bill Money, the Lead Designer and co-founder of Iron Will Games, explains, “We took a break from working on the upcoming expansion Tides of Fate to add this content and give our players something new and exciting.”

About Ashen Empires
Ashen Empires is a classic fantasy MMORPG and one of the few games that gives its players the freedom to role play with complete control over the character creation process. Since launching in 2005 the game has seen 2 expansions and several updates, with a third expansion (Tides of Fate) currently in development. For more information visit www.ashenempires.com or download the game for free from Pixel Mine Games.

- NAMCO BANDAI Games and Atari to Showcase Original Japanese Video Game Titles, Including World Exclusive First Play -

LYON, FRANCE – 16 June 2007 – NAMCO BANDAI and Atari today announced their line-up of titles to be showcased at the ninth Japan Expo taking place at the Parc des Expositions, Paris Nord Villepinte from 3 to 6 July 2008. NAMCO BANDAI Games will be present once again to showcase an array of video game titles displaying the publisher’s breadth of gameplay variety with entertainment for everyone from ninja fighting to physical family fun.

Fans of the cult Naruto and Dragon Ball Z anime series will be given first-hand experience on three brand new Naruto titles, including one worldwide exclusive, alongside Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit launching on 6 June for Xbox 360 and PS3, while visitors wanting a light-hearted workout can get physical with friends and family on the hilarious Family Trainer for Wii.

Naruto fans will be particularly well served with playable versions of three new titles all out later in 2008, namely Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 and Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2: The Phantom Fortress. The highly anticipated Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm for PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system will be present at Japan Expo as a world exclusive first ever playable version.

Also as an exclusive for Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm, an official presentation of the game will be given by Mr Hitoshi Matsuyama, the director of CyberConnect 2, giving fans the chance to meet one of the key people behind the game. Visitors will also see a brand new exclusive trailer for the game, and be able to showcase their best ninja moves during an onsite tournament for a chance to win cool prizes. Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 for PlayStation®2 and Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2: The Phantom Fortress for PSP (PlayStation® Portable) will also be playable at the event.

The recently released Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit, the first ever next-gen Dragon Ball Z game boasting superior HD graphics and a highly anticipated global online feature, will also be on show for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3. An explosive tournament is planned with an array of goodies to give away to the ultimate Dragon Ball Z champion fighter.

Family Trainer exclusively for Wii lets all the family and friends get physical by engaging the whole body in a variety of easy-to-understand, fast-paced and wildly entertaining activities based on outdoor themes. The game includes the specially designed Family Trainer mat controller which, when combined with the Wii Remote, lets players work themselves into a physical frenzy in a series of crazed challenges. More goodies will be given away throughout the event to visitors who clock up the highest scores. All visitors to the stand will have a chance to get their hands on an array of fantastic NAMCO BANDAI Games goodies for featuring a host of their favourite games and anime characters.

Japan Expo is a colourful and multifaceted four day celebration of Japanese entertainment, arts and culture taking place in the heart of France, a country which embraces Japanese culture as its own. For details about Japan Expo visit www.japanexpo.fr.