Archive for August 17th, 2008
Star Trek Online has created it’s official FAQ
Sunday, August 17th, 2008check it out at the cryptic studios’ STO website: http://www.startrekonline.com/faq
Star Trek Online has created it’s official FAQ
Sunday, August 17th, 2008check it out at the cryptic studios’ STO website: http://www.startrekonline.com/faq
Atari, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2009 First Quarter Results
Sunday, August 17th, 2008NEW YORK, Aug 13, 2008: FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ – Atari, Inc. (OTC Pink Sheets: ATAR), an interactive entertainment company, announced today results for its first quarter of fiscal 2009 and has filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008.
Net revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, was $40.3 million versus $10.4 million in the comparable year-earlier period. Publishing net revenue was $36.7 million, versus $9.7 million in the prior year period, while distribution revenue was $3.6 million, versus $0.7 million in the comparable year-earlier period.
Net income for the first quarter ended June 30, 2008 was $3.5 million, or $0.26 income per share, compared to net loss of $11.9 million, or $0.89 loss per share, in the year-earlier period.
Atari will not be holding a conference call for the first quarter ended June 30, 2008. Financial statements and accompanying footnotes are contained in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and can be obtained on-line at http://www.atari.com.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI free demo available
Sunday, August 17th, 2008CAPTURE THE SPIRIT OF CHINA WITH THE FREE DEMO OF ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS®XI
The complete version of KOEI’s historical simulation game for Windows-based PC will be available beginning September 9, 2008 exclusively through digital download
Burlingame, CA – August 13, 2008 – KOEI, recognized worldwide as the premier brand of strategy and action games, announced today that a free demo of Romance of the Three Kingdoms®XI (RTKXI) for Windows-based PC is available now. Gamers can visit www.koei.com/rtkxipc to view the official trailer and download the demo.
The complete version of the game will be available to consumers in North America and Brazil beginning September 9, 2008 exclusively through digital download.
About ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS XI
From legendary video game producer Kou Shibusawa comes another historical simulation masterpiece. Rediscover an ancient civilization with an explosive history in the most stunning edition of Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Set during the end of China’s Han Dynasty and the 2nd and 3rd centuries A.D., RTKXI presents the most visually captivating evolution in the history of the series. Blurring the line between video games and art, RTKXI features visuals evocative of classical Chinese ink-paintings along with debates and duels rendered in real-time 3D animation.
As the ruler of a kingdom, each player will have complete control over their territories. More than 40 base commands give players the power to govern cities, manage their personnel, practice diplomacy and much more. Complete freedom to develop markets, shipyards, outposts, forts and military units expand on the already substantial benchmarks established by previous editions of the series. Furthermore, players will watch the era come to life through the uniquely individual personalities of the more than 780 officers and supporting characters they will encounter.
Players will need to dig deep within to prove themselves adept at both the military and political arts in order to bring China under one rule. Domestic affairs, diplomacy and warfare are all conducted on a single vast 3D relief map, dramatically bringing to life the eight massive scenarios that lie before them.
For improved control over each military campaign, RTKXI’s turn-based game play allows the player to plan their movements without undue time constraints, and then execute their battle tactics when ready. RTKXI also introduces an entirely new system for researching military techniques, as well as an Advanced Tactics System that allows players to drive or lure enemies into devastating ambushes. Skilled players will be able to link together tactics for maximum damage.
Produced by Kou Shibusawa and developed by KOEI Co., Ltd, Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI is rated “E10+” (Everyone 10 and older – Alcohol Reference, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Violence) by the ESRB. The suggested retail price is US$19.99.
Jumpgate Evolution Finds Russian Partner
Sunday, August 17th, 2008Codemasters Online & Game Factory Interactive sign deal to bring Jumpgate Evolution to Russia
13th August, 2008 – Codemasters Online and Game Factory Interactive (GFI), are pleased to announce a licensing deal that will bring the highly anticipated massively multiplayer online space game, Jumpgate to Russia, former USSR countries and the Baltic Region. The game will be fully localised for the Russian territories with Game Factory Interactive publishing and operating the game across the region.
“It was important for Jumpgate Evolution to have the right partner in Russia”, commented David Solari, Vice President and General Manager of Codemasters Online. “We selected GFI due to their expertise and in-depth knowledge of the Russian market. We are very excited to be launching this incredible title with them and have every confidence they will make it a huge success.”
GFI Director, Slava Plotnikov added, “We are very excited to begin working with one of the top developers and publishers of online gaming content in the world. Signing this licensing deal is the next step in securing our position as a professional market player across the region. I am sure that this is the start of a long-term partnership between both companies and we look forward to working closely with Codemasters Online and NetDevil on this incredible next generation MMO”.
Developed by the highly experienced US-based MMOG developer NetDevil, Jumpgate is the definitive elite space combat MMO allowing players to choose from one of three playable nations and engage in an intense action-packed universe. Embarking on an immersive and accessible space adventure, players can trade valuable commodities, take part in dangerous intergalactic raids, meet and play with friends and live out the dream to become an elite hero or a mercenary space trader. The game features both a rich and varied universe to explore and has been designed for experienced and novice MMO players alike.
For more information on Jumpgate or to sign up for BETA visit www.jumpgateevolution.com
Sudden Strike: The Last Stand out of development phase
Sunday, August 17th, 2008Fireglow Games announces finishing of the development of Sudden Strike: The Last Stand
13, August 2008 – Leading video game developer and publisher, Fireglow Games™, announces finishing of the development and starting of beta-testing Sudden Strike: The Last Stand.
Sudden Strike: The Last Stand allows you to become absorbed in thrilled actions of World War II from 1941 to 1945. You tasks will vary from easy “Protect and deliver ammunition” to sabotage counter AA operations in enemy back areas and, of course, it’s up to you to choose the opposing sides. There are hundreds of units with historically accurate characteristics under your command, cargo ships, delivering reinforcements, air support, landing forces and many other things.
Sudden Strike: The Last Stand is not just the sequel of Sudden Strike 3: Arms for Victory, this is the sequel with completely new damage model, balance of forces and fabulous winter battles.
There are many new abilities in Sudden Strike: The Last Stand such as ambushes in houses, landing parties, reconnaissance, transportation of infantry on tanks and many other things. In Sudden Strike: The Last Stand user interface is reworked, in order to make easier for player to control units and realize his tactics in the game. We also haven’t put graphics aside – you will see many new visual effects and animations in the game.
Sudden Strike: The Last Stand works independently from Sudden Strike 3.
CGS Pro-Am registration open
Sunday, August 17th, 2008FREE REGISTRATION OPENS FOR CHAMPIONSHIP GAMING SERIES PRO-AM DIVISION
- PC and Xbox gamers can play against the CGS pros for bragging rights and a chance at $40,000 in cash prizing
LOS ANGELES – August 12, 2008 – Championship Gaming SeriesTM (CGS), the only worldwide professional gaming league, opened free registration for the inaugural CGS Pro-Am Division, greatly expanding the opportunity for aspiring professional gamers to take on the CGS pros and see if they have what it takes to compete alongside the best of CGS, perhaps winning some cold hard cash in the process.
First announced earlier this summer, amateur and professional gamers from North America will have the chance to showcase their talent against CGS’ most elite gaming stars for a share of a prize purse totaling US$40,000 during the Pro-Am division’s inaugural season.
The CGS Pro-Am division features one official PC league title – Valve’s Counter-Strike®: Source® (CS:S), along with two other popular Valve games, Counter-Strike®: 1.6 and Team Fortress 2 (TF2). CS:S, CS 1.6 and TF2 represent three of the most popular and successful eSports PC titles of all time and now gamers throughout North America can step up to prove they have what it takes to challenge the CGS pros.
Xbox 360 gamers will also have a chance to compete against CGS stars on Xbox LIVE via the league’s official Xbox titles, Tecmo’s Dead or Alive® 4 and Forza Motorsport® 2 from Microsoft Game Studios, as well as on other popular Xbox 360 games that will be featured in upcoming Xbox LIVE matches. Competitions will take place every other Friday featuring CGS pros, kicking off this Friday, August 15, when Xbox LIVE gamers from around the globe can take on Dallas Venom players Michelle “Phoenix” Pleet and Manny “Master” Rodriguez in DOA4. For more info, visit
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/calendar/playthepros/2008/0815-dallasvenom.htm
PC gamers interested in testing their skills against the pros should register at http://pro-am.thecgs.com/ now through September 3, 2008. The first season of the Pro-Am Division kicks off September 10.
Dare to be Digital winners announced at awards ceremony
Sunday, August 17th, 2008The winners of the UK’s premier computer games design competition, who are also nominees for a unique BAFTA for new talent, have been announced at an awards ceremony in Edinburgh.
Dare to be Digital, praised by BAFTA as the ‘perfect pathway’ for young talent in the games industry, held its 2008 Awards Ceremony at the Edinburgh International Exhibition Centre at the culmination of the Edinburgh Interactive Festival.
The three prizes went to: Blue Skies (Abertay University Dundee) for their game ‘Origamee’, Ctrl_D (Peking University) for ‘VegeMe’ and Dark Matter Design (Wolverhampton University) for ‘Boro-Toro’.
Each team takes home £2,500 and a BAFTA nomination for the BAFTA ‘Ones to Watch’ award which will be awarded in March next year.
Origamee is set in a 3D pop-up story book themed world incorporating traditional adventure style puzzle solving. Environmental issues such as recycling and pollution are raised subtlety throughout the game.
Boro-Toro is a side scrolling platform puzzle game which uses an innovative control system using Wii technology.
VegeMe allows the player to grow and style their own world in a race against their opponent
Organised and promoted by the University of Abertay Dundee in association with Channel 4, Dare to be Digital this year saw 17 five-strong teams of students haling from Birmingham to Beijing spending the last 10 weeks in host centres across the United Kingdom.
Six teams were based at Abertay University (including teams from India and China), four were based at Brighton, three at London, two in Birmingham, and two in Dublin. In conditions as close to real commercial games production as possible, they have been working around the clock to develop fully-functioning prototypes of their game ideas.
Earlier this week, the teams went head to head in a unique public showcase, Dare ProtoPlay, staged as part of the Edinburgh Interactive Festival. Over three days around 3000 visitors attended the event, trying out the new games and voting for their favourite.
In addition to the public vote, the teams were also put under the unforgiving scrutiny of a panel of junior judges – aged 6-13 years old.
Contrived (Edinburgh University) were the team to receive the most public votes, for their game Grav, they won the Audience Award sponsored by Microsoft and a prize of £1500. Grav is set in a ‘retro-futuristic’ environment where robots are your enemies and your surroundings are your best friend.
A panel of seventeen judges, made up of representatives from fifteen different companies including Sony, Babel Media, Channel 4 and Sport Interactive, then had the task of picking the three winners based on creativity and innovation, use of technology and market potential.
This is the ninth year of Dare to be Digital, which originated at Abertay University.
Professor Bernard King CBE, Principal of Abertay said: “As the originators and organisers of Dare to be Digital, Abertay University is extremely proud to be working with all the sponsors and supporters of Dare in promoting the talents, skills and creativity that contribute directly to the success of the computer games sector both in Scotland and across the UK and Ireland. This includes the other universities who joined with Abertay this year to run hosting centres across the UK and Ireland. They are: Birmingham City University, Brighton University, Goldsmiths, University of London and Trinity College Dublin.
“It’s success is demonstrated by the very high proportion of previous contestants who have been hired by a whole range of companies such as Electronic Arts, Rare, Denki, Realtime Worlds and Lionhead; others have even set up their own games development companies, and during this year’s contest we were delighted to note the first commercial launch of a game developed in Dare to be Digital.”
Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture Linda Fabiani said: “The Scottish Government is delighted to provide support of £56,800 to Dare to be Digital which brings the world’s leading games design competition to Scotland showcasing our top class academic institutions and successful games industry. Through Fresh Talent we are committed to attracting and retaining talented international students and Dare provides a great opportunity for these cutting edge experts to see the benefits of studying and living in Scotland”.
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Fiona Hyslop said: “I’m delighted to see young Scots competing at an international level and collaborating with students from around the world. Dare to be Digital demonstrates the excellent learning environment that Scotland offers to the growing number of international students choosing to come and study in Dundee and throughout Scotland.”
Richard Leinfellner CEO of BabelMedia who chaired the judging panel said: “As chairman of the judging panel it is my pleasure to relay that the panel of game industry experts felt the overall standard of this year’s entries exceeded all their expectation both in terms of breadth of subject matter and overall game quality.
“In a climate of spiralling costs and product slippages Dare consistently manages to highlight what is achievable by the best new talent looking to enter the games business in just 10 weeks.”
Ray Maguire, UK Managing Director of Sony Computer Entertainment and judging panel member said: “Once again, Dare has revealed some true talent. The quality is the best we have ever seen and it is possible to see some of these prototypes becoming commercial. We are delighted to be involved again this year and look forward to revealing the winner of the BAFTA Ones to Watch Award at the British Academy Video Games Awards on in March 2009″
Celetania: The First In-Game Screenshots Have Been Finally Released!
Sunday, August 17th, 2008You have patiently waited since February and now you shall be rewarded: The first in-game screenshots of an alpha version of the 4X MMOG Celetania are out!
The screenshots deliver you a great first impression of what awaits you in Celetania. As such you will be able to see scenes from a space battle as well as a tactical overview. Additionally you will be able to take a glimpse at the construction menu of the planetary surface.
You will be able to find the above mentioned screenshots on the Celetania website:
http://celetania.com/screenshots.php.
New in-game screenshots will from now on be added regularly – next you can expect to see the research as well as the galaxy / universe overview.
Furthermore Vulcando Games will be announcing the exact release date for Celetania and a date for the start of the beta phase.