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The rock band Thriving Ivory will be on Xbox LIVE® December 8 to play members in NHL® 09. If you’re an Xbox LIVE Gold member, and you want a chance to play with Thriving Ivory, send a friend request to the following Gamertag and be online half an hour before (2:30 P.M.) the Game with Fame session starts on Monday, December 8, 3:00 P.M. ET.

Thriving Ivory is a California rock quintet consisting of Clayton Stroope (vocals), Scott Jason (keyboards), Drew Cribley (guitar), Bret Cohune (bass), and Paul Niedermier (drums). Their self-titled debut album just released earlier this year on Wind-up Records, and its signature song, “Angels on the Moon,” is getting significant airplay from rock music stations. The album’s personal and deeply felt emotional music has a strong appeal to fans everywhere. Song writer and keyboardist Jason says, “We want our songs to be something that will stand the test of time.” That shouldn’t be a problem. If you get a chance to play with Thriving Ivory, we want to hear about it! Send us an e-mail with the subject: “GWF – Thriving.” Be sure to include your Gamertag and home town.

Thriving Ivory is the artist of the month at the Xbox LIVE Music Showcase program (http://www.xbox.com/ThrivingIvory). Any surfer can access and download gratis the band’s “Angels on the Moon” video and an exclusive “Backstage with Thriving Ivory” promotional clip created for this event from Xbox LIVE Marketplace. For a preview of Thriving Ivory on the Game with Fame YouTube channel, click this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-GTnOOP6Y8

GAME WITH FAME featuring Thriving Ivory
DATE: December 8th
LOCATION: Little Rock, AR
TIME: 2PM – 4PM (Central Time)
GAME: NHL ’09
GAMERTAG: Thriving GWF (space between Thriving and GWF)
URL: http://www.xbox.com/gwfThrivingIvory

The much-anticipated Punisher: War Zone movie releases December 5, and to celebrate, we have four of the hottest musical bands who appear on the movie soundtrack from Lions Gate Records here on Xbox LIVE®. They’ll play Halo® 3 with Xbox LIVE members on Thursday, December 4.

If you’re an Xbox LIVE Gold member, and you want a chance to play with members of the bands Hatebreed, Seether, Senses Fail, and 7 Days Away, send a friend request to the following Gamertags and be online half an hour before (2:30 P.M.) the Game with Fame session starts on Thursday, December 4, 3:00 P.M. ET. If you get a chance to play with any of these bands, we want to hear about it! Send us an e-mail with the subject: “GWF – Punisher.” Be sure to include your Gamertag and home town.

Information on bands included:

Hatebreed
Hatebreed contributed the song “Refuse/Resist” to the Punisher: War Zone soundtrack. They’ve released five full-length metalcore albums and will have a new release out in the early part of 2009. Hatebreed consists of Jamey Jasta (vocals), Frank Novinec (guitar), Sean Martin (guitar), Chris Beattie (bass), and Matt Byrne (drums).

Seether
South African band Seether’s track “Fallen” is showcased on the movie soundtrack. This quartet has released four major albums (and one previous album when they were known as Saron Gas). Their latest album, Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces, was featured on this site’s Artist of the Month showcase. Band members include Shaun Morgan (vocals, guitar), Dale Stewart (guitar), Troy McLawhorn (guitar), and John Humphrey (drums).

Senses Fail
Senses Fail has released three albums on Vagrant Records, and their contribution to the movie is the song “The Past Is Proof.” Based out of Ridgewood, New Jersey, the band consists of James “Buddy” Nielsen (vocals), Garrett Zablocki (guitar), Heath Saraceno (guitar), Jason Black (bass), and Dan Trapp (drums). Senses Fail can now be considered a three-time veteran of the Game with Fame process, having played Grand Theft Auto IV(TM) and Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare(TM) previously on Xbox LIVE.

7 Days Away
New band 7 Days Away scores big with their track “Take Me Away” on the Punisher: War Zone soundtrack. They were hand-picked by Shaun Morgan of Seether to win the contest among thousands of unsigned bands to be on the soundtrack. They’ve released two hard-rocking albums (Death Cannot Separate and Stigmata) and will be on tour in early 2009. The band features Jay Bales (vocals), Skylar Nichols (guitar), Blake Snoddy (bass), Zach Jackson (guitar), and Trey Sturgeon (drums).
GAME WITH FAME:
Punisher Soundtrack session featuring Seether, Hatebreed, Senses Fail and 7 Days Away
DATE: December 4th
GAME: Halo 3
TIME: 3-5PM (EST)

GAMERTAGS:
SeetherPUN GWF (space between SeetherPUN and GWF)
HatePUN GWF (space between HatePUN and GWF)
SensesPUN GWF (space between SensesPUN and GWF)
DaysAwayPUN GWF (space between DaysAwayPUN and GWF)

URL: www.xbox.com/gwfPunisher

Check out the trailer for Punisher: War Zone here:

http://music.lionsgate.com/punisher/vids/trailer1.mov

http://music.lionsgate.com/punisher/vids/trailer2.mov

Just got an email from the guys over at GOG.com. They’re doing their first promotion: Buy 2 $9.99 games and get one $5.99 game for free. Sounds cool. For only $19.98, you can pick up 3 games and all the goodies. Here’s a bit from their website.

Yes, we know it took us a while to get another promotion started, but we promise you’ll see more of these soon. So let’s make things clear that everybody knows how the promotion works. It’s pretty easy – if you’ll buy 2 games for $9.99 and one game for $5.99 in one order you’ll get the $5.99 game for free. Before you’ll benefit from the promotion, please read carefully the promotion rules and make sure you fulfill every single one of them.
Promotion rules:
1. You have to buy all 3 games, two games for $9.99 and one game for $5.99, in one order to benefit from the promotion.
2. Remember to add all 3 games to your cart before you’ll proceed to payment.
3. The promotion includes all games from GOG.com’s games catalogue.
4. The promotion will last till Monday, December 8 till 23:59 EDT.
Remember, to buy all 3 games in one order first you have to add the games to your cart – you can do this by clicking on the “Add to cart” link on the game page. After you add all 3 games to your cart, you’ll have to proceed to payment screen where you’ll be given a $5.99 discount on your purchase.
If you need our assistance or have any questions concerning the promotion, please contact us at support@gog.com and entitle the email as “Promotion”.

Digital evolution of ServerMania for iPhone^TM and iPod® touch

Phoenix, Arizona – December 3, 2008 – TechPad Productions, a social media research and online publication company, will launch its first game, iNetMania, scheduled to be ready for download from the Apple App Store in early December 2008.

A release date and pricing information will be announced in the coming weeks. iNetMania is based upon TechPad’s popular board game, ServerMania, which features players competing to build a successful web hosting company and finish with the most money at the end of the game.

First introduced in 2007, ServerMania has been used by many web hosting companies as an interactive learning tool, and has been recognized by the International Academy of the Visual Arts with a Gold Davey Award as one of the best and most innovative promotional pieces within the “Print and Collateral” category.

iNetMania is based heavily upon ServerMania’s format and rules, with players competing to create the most successful website with the highest amount of visitors. Web traffic translates into money, and as with ServerMania, the player with the largest pile of cash at the end of the game wins.

“We were very excited about the success we enjoyed with ServerMania, and can’t wait to repeat that with iNetMania,” said Ben Fisher, co-founder of TechPad Productions. “iNetMania has all of the great gameplay mechanics that made ServerMania such a popular game, and it takes full advantage of the amazing technology inside the iPhone and iPod touch.”

For more information about TechPad Productions, please visit: www.techpadproductions.com.

To learn more about iNetMania, please visit: www.inetmaniagame.com.

Here’s the teaser trailer for The Witcher: Rise of the White Wolf, which will be the PS3/360 version of the PC game. I know I’m looking forward to a Xbox360 version of the game.

*WARNING* It may be a bit gory for little kids, the original was Rated M, I would expect the console version to keep that up.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH0HFt7HfiE]

AUSTIN, TX – December 3, 2008 – Aspiring grease monkeys, put down the wrench and pick up a stylus. Aspyr Media has partnered with KANDO to publish Touch Mechanic™ for Nintendo DS™ in North America. Due in stores Q1 2009, Touch Mechanic™ tasks players with learning what it takes to be a surgeon of the automobile. Gamers learn to change rims, repair damaged bumpers, replace mufflers and brakes, add aftermarket enhancements and perform paint and decal work on vehicles of all shapes and sizes while working their way to the top of the profession.
 
Touch Mechanic™ features an intuitive interface for performing repairs and upgrades such as installing screws, changing wheels, welding, sawing and painting. Through manipulating the stylus, players will become a master of all the tools and tricks of the trade.
 
Beginning as a young mechanic with an intriguing past, players find themselves under the wing of Captain Bob of Captain Bob’s Auto Repair. Captain Bob mentors through several early repair jobs and even gives the mechanic his own car to upgrade and customize. The player earns money through repair work to upgrade his car and enters the new ride in custom car shows. With impressive showings in the competition, gamers gain the attention of bigger and better shops and eventually obtain a dream job with the top racing team on the circuit.
 
Adding to the realistic gameplay, throughout the 75 levels of Touch Mechanic™ players will enjoy fully rendered 3D automobiles.
 
Touch Mechanic™ will be available Q1 2009 for the SRP of $29.99.
 
TOUCH MECHANICTM © 2008 KANDO.
KANDO and the KANDO logo are registered trademarks of KANDO.
TOUCH MECHANIC is a registered trademark of KANDO.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

ABOUT KANDO:
KANDO specializes in publishing and producing AAA video games for the international market on all videogame consoles. Founded by industry veterans as an independant and creative publishing structure, KANDO focuses on quality and innovation, targetting casual gamers as well as core gamers. “KANDO” (in Japanese): the sensation of profound excitement and gratification derived from experiencing supreme quality and performance.
 
About Aspyr Media
Aspyr Media, Inc. is a leading video game publisher that creates, packages and delivers fun to millions around the world. Hailing from Austin, Texas USA, Aspyr strives relentlessly to ensure a quality experience for consumers and industry partners. To fall more deeply in love with Aspyr and its amazing line of products, visit www.aspyr.com and see just how much fun you can legally have.

Highly Anticipated Comedic Vampire Adventure Releases in Time for the Holidays

Dec 3, 2008. Toronto, Canada: The Adventure Company, a leading publisher of interactive entertainment software, today announced A Vampyre Story for Windows® has shipped to retail stores across North America.

This hilarious adventure is the brainchild of adventure gaming veteran, Bill Tiller, known for the adventure classics The Curse of Monkey Island, The Dig and Indiana Jones. It’s got a cast of more than 20 characters each with their own entertaining personality and more than 30 hand-drawn locations in a richly-detailed world. “Adventure gamers should agree that it’s been worth the wait for A Vampyre Story, all the elements are in place to make it a classic,” said Byron Gaum, Product Manager at The Adventure Company. “Gorgeous graphics, vast environments to explore and a hilarious sidekick will keep you entertained for hours!”

Storyline

Deep within the walls of a gloomy castle in the equally gloomy land of Draxsylvania, the young, gifted opera singer Mona De Lafitte is held captive by her tormentor, vampire Baron Shrowdy von Kiefer. Ever since she was transformed into a vampire by Shrowdy and whisked off to Draxsylvania, her greatest wish has been to return to Paris, continue her singing career, and one day become a star at the Paris Opera.

When Shrowdy fails to return from a nightly foray, she at last sees an opportunity to flee. Together with her only friend and confidant, a cheeky bat named Froderick, she escapes from her prison and tries to find her way back to Paris. During her flight through Draxsylvania, where she encounters some strange inhabitants and some even stranger challenges, Mona must learn not only to accept her vampire nature, but also to use the abilities she has acquired to her advantage.

Developed by Autumn Moon Entertainment, A Vampyre Story has an ESRB rating of T for Teen. Please visit the official website at www.avampyrestory-game.com for further information.

San Francisco – December 3, 2008 – Outspark, a leading entertainment services company that publishes and operates engaging online multiplayer games, is excited to announce the arrival of Victor Wachter as the company’s Director of Community. Victor will be responsible for working with Outspark’s growing user base of more than 3.3 million people to enhance their online experience within the Outspark social community.

“Victor is a great asset for the Outspark corporate team and community members to have on board,” said Wilson Kriegel, vice president of marketing and business development of Outspark. “We are currently renovating Outspark’s virtual playground and Victor will be an integral part of our growth.”

Before joining Outspark, Victor was the Online Community Relations Manager for Cryptic Studios, where he successfully developed and managed community strategies for the online presence of both Champions Online^TM and Star Trek Online® and was responsible for launching their community websites. Victor began his gaming career on the customer support forums for EverQuest and then led community relations through the launch of PlanetSide^TM for Sony Online Entertainment and Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach^TM for Turbine.

“The Outspark community is very strong – where players chat, make friends, even find their future husband or wife,” said Victor Wachter, newly appointed Director of Community for Outspark. “The community has experienced tremendous growth over the past year – currently at more than 3.3 million registered users – and we have exciting plans for more social interaction activities that will bring people back to Outspark again and again.”

Victor holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studios from the University of Iowa and studied online communities and consumer engagement with technology in his graduate work at Iowa State University.

For more information about Outspark, please visit www.outspark.com

Prepare to catch the big one next month – Fishing Master World Tour goes gold on Wii

Realistic Controls, Deep Sea Fishing, and Addictive Multiplayer Battle Modes Will Hook Players Into A Global Fishing Safari

REDWOOD CITY, CA – December 3, 2008 – Hudson Entertainment, the North American publishing arm for HUDSON SOFT, announced today FISHING MASTER WORLD TOUR has gone to gold master. A sequel to the popular FISHING MASTER, FISHING MASTER WORLD TOUR is published by Hudson Entertainment and distributed in North America by Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. FISHING MASTER WORLD TOUR is scheduled to release on January 6, 2008 for an SRP of $29.99.

The new FISHING MASTER WORLD TOUR offers players more than 200 different types of fish to catch, enabling them to reel in fish from their native waters around the world in the first ever global fishing game on Wii. Players now have over 40 different locations to fish from in 7 different regions. Whether players are catching fish on Easter Island, under the Golden Gate Bridge or on the Amazon River, they will encounter numerous exotic locations in this fishing adventure.

Staying true to the first version’s realistic controls, aspiring Fishing Masters use the Wii RemoteT and NunchukT as they battle to hook the fish on their line, just like in real life. Players must move the Wii Remote left and right as the fish fights from the end of the line and adjust their drag so their line doesn’t break. Once gamers have the basics down, they can try their newfound skills by competing with friends via new enhancements made just for the sequel – four-person multiplayer modes! In Wi-Fi mode, players compete online against other Fishing Masters over who will catch the biggest fish in various worldwide locations. Gamers will also enjoy local multiplayer battle which enables them to play against their friends and family members in a variety of different battle modes.

Additional new features in FISHING MASTER WORLD TOUR include ‘Boss Battles’ where players can catch rare fish with exclusive boss battle controls. A Deep Sea Fishing mode has also been added to allow players to fish off the coast in places like Hawaii on the back of trolling fishing boats. Will you be the first to hook the Big One?

For more information about FISHING MASTER WORLD TOUR or Hudson Entertainment visit www.FishingMasterwt.com or
www.Hudsonentertainment.com.

Zu Online Team (http://zu.igg.com/) is pleased to announce that the weekly salary system has been released with the debut of version 1.8.01 last week. Since the release of the salary system, players can now draw a salary each week once they meet certain requirements. Players who hope to play Zu Online without spending much real money will find they have a lot more fun in game than before. Here below is the introduction to the salary system.

1. Purchase in Shell Mall
The unit used for the weekly salary is Shells. Players can purchase items in the Shell Mall using Shells.

2. Inquire Salary
Players can check the amount of Shells they have in their backpack. The items purchased using Shells all bind when acquired.

3. The requirements for drawing salary
Eligible players can draw a salary once per week. An eligible player who has a certain amount of Companionship Points can draw extra pay once per week.

Base pay:
A. The character is level 30+.
B. The character was used in game for 14 hours+ in the last week.

Extra Pay
A. The character is level 30+.
B. The character was used in game for 14 hours+ in the last week.
C. The character has a certain amount of Companionship Points.

4. Salary Drawing Method
Time: 0:00am Tuesday – 11:30pm Sunday, every week.
Venue: Spirit Master in Holy City or Jamon in Desert City.

For more information, please click http://zu.igg.com/news/newscon.php?aid=1482 .