Archive for July 20th, 2008

Voyage Century Online: The Reward System Upgraded

Sunday, July 20th, 2008
Voyage Century (http://vc.igg.com/), a 3D MMORPG from IGG (www.igg.com), featuring real world geography, historical design, and eye-catching graphics, continues to impress its extraordinarily loyal players and fans from all over the world.

The Score Card system in Voyage Century Online has been officially launched. It is a special and important way to reward the players. Even players at low levels can get high level gear through this system to become much stronger in the game. There are many ways to get Score Cards, including completing the Around the World in 80 Days quest or taking part in the Lucky Egg event held by IGG company.

The system was originally developed and further improved based on some of the events IGG has held for players. Any player who wants to conquer Voyage Century Online with the Score Card system must be very lucky.

For more info, please visit http://vc.igg.com/news/newscon.php?aid=1220.

Time of War Released

Sunday, July 20th, 2008
Junín, Buenos Aires, Argentina - July 17, 2007 - Oniric Games announced today the international online launch of Time of War. A modern day shooter featuring addictive old school gameplay, Time of War brings back the mindless fun of battling huge hordes of enemies, shooting big weapons and blowing everything up in ground shaking explosions.

Sixcorp has issued an ultimatum: all the world nations are to surrender power to them or they will use cyber energy, their devastating new technology, to wipe out all of the world’s major capitals. Sean Harmmor, a former member of the World Alliance’s elite forces, is brought back into duty to put an end to the threat.

In Harmmor’s boots, players will have to face dangerous opponents each step of the way, but will have a special weapon on their side: cyber energy. Harmmor’s cyborg arm gives him the ability to turn Sixcorp’s latest development against them.

With the help of Harmmor’s special cyber powers, players will have to infiltrate Sixcorp’s bases and battle with heavily armed soldiers and high tech defense systems in a quest against time to undermine Sixcorp’s military superiority and bring the world powers back into balance.

Features:
- Addictive shooter action with non-linear gameplay.
- Lots of powerful weapons –arm yourself to your teeth!
- Destructible environments –blow up everything!
- Use cyber energy in destructive special attacks.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMNvKQvMA-U]

Speed Racer (PS2) E3 fact sheet

Sunday, July 20th, 2008

RELEASE DATE: Fall 2008
PUBLISHER: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
DEVELOPER: Sidhe Interactive
ESRB RATING: RP
GENRE: Arcade Action Racing

PRODUCT OVERVIEW:

Speed Racer: The Videogame for PlayStation®2 will be released in Fall 2008 along with the DVD version of the fast action film, Speed Racer. Set in a hyper-realistic world where car culture is the culture, players compete in the World Racing League against up to 25 different racers across rollercoaster-like race tracks. Players will enjoy a combative racing experience like no other when they take control of each T180 race car, achieving amazing speeds and mastering four independently turning wheels that allow drivers to engage in “Car-Fu” to jump, flip, and outmaneuver their opponents. Speed Racer: The Videogame captures the action, look and feel of the high adrenaline arena racing developed for the film in an accessible, fun-filled game that allows players to actually get behind the wheel on incredible tracks straight out of the world of Speed Racer.

PRODUCT FEATURES:

o Master “Car-Fu” combat, using the T180 race car as a weapon to fight your way to the finish line by smashing, jumping, flipping and spinning other cars off the track
o Choose from 25 different drivers and cars, including Speed Racer and the Mach 6 or Cannonball Taylor and the GRX
o Careen down the track as the mischievous Chim-Chim – a new unlockable driver
o Race across the all-new 13 mile Skorost track, which twists through an abandoned Soviet rocket base
o The game features the voices of Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch), Racer X (Matthew Fox) and Trixie (Christina Ricci) as playable characters
o Trixie’s T180 race car is designed exclusively for the game
o Utilize “The Zone” to boost your speed up to 500 MPH and gain an advantage on the track
o Create powerful alliances with other racers to increase your chances of winning championships
o Players will experience futuristic racing across 18 incredible tracks in 6 vibrant environments
o Award-winning composer Winifred Phillips, created an original score for the videogame fusing rock, classical and retro beats into a unique soundtrack

LEGO Batman: The Videogame E3 fact sheet

Sunday, July 20th, 2008
PLATFORMS: Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the Wii™ and Nintendo DS™, PlayStation®2 and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment systems, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and Windows PC.
RELEASE DATE: Fall 2008
PUBLISHER: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
DEVELOPER: Traveller’s Tales
ESRB RATING: Expected - Everyone 10+
GENRE: Action-Adventure

GAME OVERVIEW:
LEGO Batman: The Videogame is the latest game from the award-winning team behind the LEGO Star Wars series of games. With trademark LEGO fun and charm, the game takes you into the world of the ultimate crime-fighting hero.

LEGO Batman: The Videogame brings the one-and-only Caped Crusader to life in a completely original storyline. Players will take control of the Dynamic Duo, Batman (Bruce Wayne) and Robin, as well as bonus hero Nightwing to fight Gotham City’s most notorious criminals including The Joker, The Penguin, Catwoman, Scarecrow, Killer Croc, The Riddler, Mr. Freeze, Harley Quinn, Two Face, Bane, Clayface, Poison Ivy and many more. The criminals have broken out of Arkham Asylum and are set to wreak havoc on the city.

Players will also be able to explore their wicked side and fight their way through the game as the villains, experiencing the game from a completely different point of view with all-new criminal objectives. With a collection of high-tech suits, gadgets and cutting-edge vehicles on hand, players will be able to step into the unique LEGO Batman universe to bring super villains to justice – or, as the villains, to run amok in Gotham City!

GAME FEATURES:
o Fight for justice as Batman and Robin or create chaos as The Joker, Catwoman and other villains, as you save or destroy Gotham City.
o Rocket through sewers and bound across rooftops as you take the fight to the criminals across classic locations in Gotham City.
o Fight on land, sea and in the air using a number of powerful Batman, Robin and villain-controlled vehicles, including the rocket-powered Batmobile, sleek Batboat and stealthy Batwing.
o Enhance the abilities of the Dynamic Duo by unlocking Batman’s Demolition, Sonic and Glide suits and Robin’s Gravity, Magnetic and Dive suits to help fight Gotham’s villains.
o Enjoy numerous game modes and levels:
o Play through the game in Story Mode from both the hero and villain sides.
o Replay any level in Freeplay Mode with any characters you’ve unlocked. Access previously hidden areas to find additional rewards and bonus content.
o Collect LEGO studs and special LEGO bricks throughout the game to unlock tons of extra content including special power-ups and bonus levels.
o LEGO Batman on the Xbox 360 features Gamer Achievements and 720p/1080p display support.
o The PLAYSTATION 3 system version offers 720p/1080p display support.
o The Nintendo DS version will offer touch screen interaction, and two-player co-op using the DS local wireless network capability.
o LEGO Batman: The Videogame features top voice over talent, including Tom Kenny, with hilarious results.
o LEGO Batman: The Videogame also features Danny Elfman’s iconic The Batman (1989) musical score.

Guinness World Records: The Videogame

Sunday, July 20th, 2008

PLATFORMS: Nintendo DS™, Wii™
RELEASE DATE: Fall 2008
PUBLISHER: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
DEVELOPER: TT Games
ESRB RATING: Rating Pending
GENRE: Party Game

OVERVIEW:
Bringing record-breaking fun to players everywhere, Guinness World Records: The Videogame will launch on the Nintendo Wii and DS in Fall 2008. Go head to head against your friends and family to be the ultimate world record holder! Compete in 40 different challenges based on real life world records in your quest to become the record breaker. Then post your scores online and see how you rate against other competitors around the world. The game’s quick-fire action challenges can be played solo, in teams, or in competitive multi-player groups. Players are able to compete for the ultimate prize – the chance to be listed in the official Guinness World Records book!

FEATURES:
o With 40 different stunts based on real Guinness World Records, the whole family or a group of friends have a shot at becoming a record breaker
o Compete online with other challengers from around the world to be the ‘Virtual Guinness World Record Holder’
o Get listed in the actual Guinness World Records archives by earning the highest worldwide score on any stunt
o Travel the world to compete in crazy record-breaking stunts such as - Fastest Time to Crush Watermelons With Your Head, Fastest Time to Eat a Plane, Fastest Time to Shear a Sheep, and many more
o As you explore the globe, stand on specific hot-spots to reveal interesting facts about records that have been broken in that location
o Personalize your quest with your own customizable avatar
o Collect fact cards and record breaking certificates on the campaign to become a record breaker
o Earn GWR Coins by performing well in record attempts and use them to buy items from the GWR Supplies Shop to gain access to more events

Razer Mako THX Speaker system

Sunday, July 20th, 2008

Get inside the audio revolution which has the gaming and audio community standing up and taking note

Carlsbad, Calif. – July 17, 2008Razer™, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-end precision gaming peripherals, is proud to announce the Razer Mako has been universally acclaimed by the media and public alike. Admired for its simple, elegant aesthetics and impressive acoustics, the Razer Mako has taken the audio community by storm, equally wowing critics and audiophile connoisseurs.

At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in 2007, the Razer Mako was named “Most Innovative” by Wired. Audioholics also awarded the Razer Mako with one of their highest honors; the Audioholics A/V Online Magazine’s Consumer Excellence Award in 2007. Renowned film and television producer / director Barry Sonnenfeld was also impressed with the Razer Mako, declaring that they were his favorite speakers in his speaker roundup with Esquire magazine.

Other accolades for the Razer Mako
Lifestyle critics:

  • Maxim Online - “By far the ultimate desktop sound system we’ve ever experienced.”
  • GQ - “It offers a major leap forward in desktop audio.”
  • The Perfect Vision – “The Mako rig is compact, adorably styled, and produces broad, deep soundstages and a surprising measure of clarity.”
  • Stuff TV (UK) - “The best PC speakers money can buy.”
  • AUDIO (Germany) – “The Razer Mako is one of the best desktop sets I know.”
  • AV HD (France) – “The Razer Mako is one of the best 2.1 speaker systems we have tested.”

Technology-centric media:

  • PC Magazine - ‘Editor’s Choice’ award.
  • Gizmodo - “Best 2.1 speaker system ever.”
  • PC Gamer - “Excellent, the result is very smooth, immersive audio that seems to emanate from everywhere.”
  • Engadget - “Razer and THX have a winner on their hands.”
  • Maximum PC - “The Mako’s subwoofer kicks all kinds of ass.”
  • Netzwelt (Germany) – “Powerful bass, great sound, innovative technology.”
  • Windows News Magazine (France) - ‘Editor’s Choice’ award, “tones are crystalline and very precise, and the subwoofer is very powerful. To play music or games, these speakers are perfect.”

Gaming-centric media:

  • GamePro - “The best set of 2.1 speakers we have ever tested.”
  • Gaming Nexus - ‘Editor’s Choice’ award, “the Razer Mako is more than capable of providing a fantastic multimedia experience for gaming consoles and even TV.”
  • PC Games Hardware (Germany) – “Razer Mako: Mighty bass and noble design.”
  • Play Reaction (Malta) - ‘Editor’s Choice’ and ‘Aesthetic Design’ award, “Razer has a definite winner with the Razer Mako.”
  • Tweak Up (Denmark) - “To the Razer Mako … I have to give the cleanest 100% (rating) I ever will give to a 2.1 speaker set.”

The Razer Mako is an audio experience that has to be heard to be believed. The implementation of THX Ground Plane™ technology and ClassHD™ amplification have culminated in a speaker system that has been globally acclaimed for its crystalline clarity and rich bass. Combining the THX Slot Speaker™ with the THX Ground Plane technologies eliminate distortion caused by the ‘desk-bounce’ phenomenon commonly faced by conventional speaker systems, while creating a rich, omni-directional soundstage where immersive sound seems to emanate from every corner of the room.

“This is Razer’s first foray into audiophile speakers and the Razer Mako has been a huge success. Many gamers and critics are surprised by the immense power and crisp acoustic clarity coming from a simple 2.1 speaker system, and we have proven with the Razer Mako that the Razer brand is not only confined to gaming peripherals, but has also become synonymous with the best desktop interactive audio experience possible,” said Robert “Razerguy” Krakoff, president of Razer.

“The Razer Mako challenges the notion that all multimedia speakers must look and sound the same,” said Laurie Fincham, Chief Scientist and vice president of R&D at THX. “The THX Ground Plane and Slot Speaker technologies set the Mako apart, making it arguably the most innovative desktop speaker system available today. Those who purchase the Mako will find that it delivers powerful, room-filling sound with a level of quality that they would expect from THX.”

More in-depth information on the THX technologies powering the Razer Mako can be found at www.redefiningsound.com, which is a newly-launched site that has THX’s chief scientist, Laurie Fincham explaining the compelling technologies behind the Razer Mako.

To get inside the audio revolution and experience how the Razer Mako re-defines sound, please visit selected Best Buy stores in the USA. A list of Best Buy stores which stock the Razer Mako is available at www.redefiningsound.com.

Takes of Vesperia preview on Xbox Live

Sunday, July 20th, 2008

E3 Comes Home as Gamers Get an Early Look at Anticipated Xbox 360® Role-Playing Game

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (July 15, 2008) – NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today announced that as a part of Microsoft’s E3 “Bringing it Home” campaign, a playable demo for the upcoming role-playing game Tales of Vesperia™ is now available for download from the Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Giving gamers a sample of the renowned Tales series’ Xbox 360 debut, the demo is free to all Xbox LIVE Silver and Gold account users.

Highlighting the 10th anniversary of the Tales series in North America, Tales of Vesperia takes the series into the HD era with cel-shaded graphics that rival traditional hand-drawn animation and an all-new quest of heroic proportions. New features as multi-stage Over Limit, Burst Artes and Fatal Strikes add new strategy and action to the Tales series’ signature real-time battles as players direct their whole party to victory. Tales of Vesperia will be the first game in the history of the Tales series to launch in Japan and North America within the same month.

The newly released Tales of Vesperia demo features a full dungeon for players to explore, packed with vicious enemies and highlighted by an encounter with a massive boss opponent. Up to four players can participate in the demo’s battles on a single Xbox 360, experiencing the unique attributes of each character in the party.

Tales of Vesperia for Xbox 360 will be available in stores on August 26, and is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB. For more information on the Tales series, please visit www.namcobandaigames.com.

PopCap Launches Amazing Adventures Around the World

Sunday, July 20th, 2008
New Hidden Object Adventure from the SpinTop Studio Takes Players on a Global Expedition

Vancouver, British Columbia – July 17, 2007 – SpinTop™ Games, a division of leading casual game developer and publisher PopCap Games, today announced the immediate availability of Amazing Adventures Around the World ™, a new “hidden object” puzzle game with an adventure that spans the globe. Amazing Adventures Around the World is the second game in the series, following last year’s hit title Amazing Adventures The Lost Tomb™, which has already been downloaded nearly 20 million times since launching late last year. Amazing Adventures Around the World takes players on a globe-trotting “seek and find” journey in search of the world’s most valuable gem, the “World Diamond.” The new game carries a retail price of US$19.95, and a free trial of the PC game is available now for download at www.popcap.com and www.spintop-games.com. The game will also be available on other leading game portals, including RealArcade.com, MSN Games and Yahoo! Games, and will be available worldwide in eight languages, in September.

“There’s no limit to where you can transport players in an adventure game, so we wanted this game to take players to the four corners of the world to view amazing places that few of us ever get to visit in person,” stated Duncan Magee, co-director and co-founder of SpinTop. “Exploring exotic locations like the Great Wall of China, the Great Barrier Reef, the African Serengeti, the Amazon and many more has never been easier or more fun.”

In Amazing Adventures Around the World, you play an adventure seeker hired by the Museum to track down pieces of an ancient stone tablet that, when pieced together, unearth the location of the “World Diamond.” Play over 100 levels and travel to 25 exotic locations which provide the hiding places of more than 2,100 cleverly concealed items. Unique puzzle traps and eight different kinds of mini-games add to the adventure and challenge available in three different game modes – Story Mode plus two unlockable “unlimited play” modes.

Key features of Amazing Adventures Around the World include:
• Seek and find over 2,100 cleverly hidden objects.
• Investigate 25 exotic scenes featuring beautifully rendered artwork and themed music and sound effects.
• Play 8 unique mini-games including Spot-The-Differences, Word Search, Tile Rotation, Jigsaw and more!
• Locate gems and tablet pieces on each mission of the Story Mode to unlock new modes of play.
• Unlock interesting facts in your journal as you travel the globe.
• Play against the clock or in Relaxed Mode with no time limits.

Zoo Hospital fact sheet

Sunday, July 20th, 2008

Publisher: Majesco Entertainment
Developer: Torus Games
Platform: Wii
Genre: Simulation
Release Date: September 2008
Price / Rating: $29.99 / E

Overview
You’ve graduated from Veterinary College not a moment too soon-your Aunt Lucy just called from the world famous Zoo Hospital she manages because she needs your help! A local property magnate, Gordon Grimm, is eyeing the zoo’s land as the potential site for a profitable mini-golf course. Under Aunt Lucy’s tutelage it’s now up to you to help restore the zoo to its former glory by treating its ailing inhabitants, improving its Zoo Rating and attracting new exotic animals that will in turn attract the crowds!

Features

  • Treat animals by playing medical mini games with your Wii Remote including:
    • Big Stealth Bugs: Expose and kill parasitic pests, then clean the patient afterwards using your Wii Remote in a FPS style mini game battling ticks, rashes and other forms of inflammation.
    • Dentistry: Clean, inject novocaine, wiggle and pull rotten teeth while battling tooth decay with the dental drill.
    • Removing Foreign Bodies: Drag foreign bodies out of the patient through a “maze” and eliminate Gall Stones by blasting them with a laser without hitting other organs.
    • Microscopic Treatment: The action takes place at the microscopic level. Under high magnification, the player must fight a battle against evil microscopic viruses by clearing the screen of all bad organisms and protecting the good organisms from attack.
  • Use your Wii Remote to pat, feed or treat patients in their enclosures. Find how each animal prefers to be soothed to help keep it happy and your Zoo Rating sky high.
  • Features 48 animals, including seven not featured in the original DS version (camel, capuchin, dolphin, gorilla, macaw, mandrill and owl)
  • 2 player Cooperative Multiplayer mode allows players to treat the same animals together and interact with animals in their enclosures.
  • Experience a 3D zoo environment to visit or treat its exotic inhabitants.
  • Follow up on patients by visiting enclosures to ensure animals are healing properly and quickly. The Zoo Rating is lowered while animals are recovering, so the quicker you help them recuperate by feeding or petting them, the quicker your rating will rise.
  • Proper care and treatment will improve the all-new Zoo Rating. A high Zoo Rating will introduce new animals and enclosures to the Zoo. Be careful, though, because poor treatment and care will decrease the Zoo Rating and animals will leave the zoo just as fast as they came.
  • View your Zoo Rating, Medical Ratings and Plaques earned throughout the game in the Zoo Hospital Gallery
  • Unlock new animals, enclosures, medical mini-games, and plaques by successfully performing procedures and raising the Zoo Rating.

Soul Calibur IV goes Gold

Sunday, July 20th, 2008

Critically Acclaimed Fighter Gears Up for Next-Gen Consoles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Santa Clara, Calif., (July 15, 2008) – Leading video game developer and publisher, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., announced today that Soulcalibur® IV, the newest installment in the highly acclaimed weapons-based fighting game franchise, has gone gold for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. Developed by Project Soul, the legendary team behind Soul Blade® and Soulcalibur® I-III, Soulcalibur IV will redefine the fighting genre when it is available nationwide on July 29.

Take control of an expanded roster of warriors from around the galaxy in their unrelenting search for the Soul Edge and Soul Calibur swords. Soulcalibur IV will also play host to a bevy of special characters including legendary STAR WARS™ icons Master Yoda for the Xbox 360, Darth Vader for the PLAYSTATION 3 system, and appearing on both platforms, Darth Vader’s Secret Apprentice from LucasArt’s hotly anticipated STAR WARS®: The Force Unleashed™. Adding to the mythos, Soulcalibur IV will also include a number of special characters designed by famous Japanese manga artists and character designers.

Retooled from the ground up, Soulcalibur IV perfects its highly celebrated weapons-based fighting system with stunning high definition graphics and new gameplay mechanics. Adding to the depth of combat, players can now destroy protective armor; weakening their enemy’s resolve and unleash Critical Finish moves to defeat opponents in one final blow. Also new to the series is the ability to compete online against players from around the world with their favorite Soulcalibur characters or customized characters for global domination.

To support the release of Soulcalibur IV, an extensive national marketing campaign is underway that will generate more than 250 million consumer impressions. Television ad campaigns will run throughout July and August, consisting of :30 and :15 second spots aimed at cable programming in the U.S. and Canada. Additional initiatives include online and print programs, as well as promotional and retail partnerships that will raise the anticipation for this premiere franchise.

Also to further whet appetites, players can now download the original Soulcalibur for Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360. Originally released in 1999, Soulcalibur remains the highest rated fighting game of all time and continues to garner critical acclaim with its graceful transition into the high definition era. Gamers can prove their worth against the world with dozens of leaderboards spanning every character and mode. Players can sharpen fighting instincts in Arcade, Survival and Training modes or challenge a friend in local-play Versus mode.

Soulcalibur IV will carry a suggested MSRP of $59.99 and a limited Premium Edition with exclusive content will be available for $79.99. Soulcalibur for Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 is now available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points. Soulcalibur IV and Soulcalibur are rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB. For more information please visit: http://www.namcobandaigames.com or www.soulcalibur.com.

For Soulcalibur IV online community activities and the latest updates please visit: www.whatswithinyoursoul.com.