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Got a present in the (e)mail today from Southpeak: new screens for the upcoming game X-Blades. I’m starting to love these screenshots (and not just for the girl in a bikini!). The screens are just beautiful. In case you forgot what X-Blades is, here’s a quick summary:

X-Blades” offers action-packed enjoyment in fantastic Hack-and-Slash style. Using various weapons, spells and tactics, the player must fight his way through many indoor and outdoor levels, killing hordes of monsters on the way. The story, exciting and rich in variety with numerous cutscenes not only motivates the player, it also cleverly interlinks the individual levels. Besides the ‘normal’ monsters, there are also “Monster Generators”, which ceaselessly create new creatures (and of course powerful Boss opponents) for the game world. Hidden Power-ups and coins ensure that the player is rewarded for exploring a level. Some locations can only be reached by bold and daring leap/jump combinations.
The player will only achieve success in the game if he makes use of the extensive system for the further development of the heroine Ayumi – Experience Points earned, for example, must be converted to Skills. There are various Power-ups available to help the player as well, like combat techniques, magic, weapon enhancement and teleportation and the right mix will lead to success. Apart from that, the use of skills on the “good or bad side” also affects the finale. Depending on player actions, two different game endings await the heroine Ayumi – and that in itself is a hook for players.

Enjoy the screens!

No Matter Who The Gamer Is On Your Shopping List, Natsume Has A Video Game For Them

Burlingame, Calif., December 8, 2008 – Natsume Inc., a worldwide developer and publisher of family-oriented video games, announced today that the company’s full videogame lineup for 2008 is now available at retail, including the most recent release of Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon for the Nintendo DS. Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon joins Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness, Princess Debut and Hi! Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Challenge (all for DS) and Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility (for Wii) to complete its 2008 holiday lineup.

“This has been a great year for Natsume as we continued our Harvest Moon series with three brand new Harvest Moon adventures this fall. Add to that some adorable educational fun with Hi! Hamtaro: Ham Ham Challenge and our hugely popular new original IP, Princess Debut and there is truly something for everyone on your list,” said Hiro Maekawa, President and CEO of Natsume.

For more information on each of Natsume’s 2008 holiday lineup see the descriptions below. Each title is rated E for everyone by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) and are available at retailers nationwide.

Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness (DS) $29.99
Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness brings the largest portable Harvest Moon experience ever to the Nintendo DS. Starting off with an abandoned farm, a handful of seeds, and the determination to start a new life, it’s up to the player to develop a mysterious, abandoned island into a bustling tropical paradise. By harvesting crops, raising animals, and mining for precious gems, gamers will help the island grow into a vibrant town filled with people, businesses, and eligible bachelors and bachelorettes. Players can take on the role of a male or a female, and choose who they want to fall in love and start a family with. Gamers can also test their farming skills against each other and compete for prizes via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness is now available for an MSRP of $29.99.

Princess Debut (DS) $29.99
The critics are raving about Natsume’s new IP Princess Debut. GRRLGamer calls Princess Debut a “breath of fresh air”, Cool Moms Rule says the game is “an anime version of Cinderella”, and The Globe and Mail calls it “high quality gaming for girls fascinated by the fantasy princess lifestyle.”

In Princess Debut, players find themselves in a fantasy world where they have 30 days to get ready for the big ball; they’ll have to master their dance moves and win over one of the six handsome princes to be their partner. They’ll meet and woo the princes through the game’s large, branching storyline. Once the player convinces a prince to be their dancing partner, it’s time to go out on the dance floor! By utilizing the Touch Screen, players guide their character gracefully across the dance floor while matching their partner’s rhythm. All of the dances in the game are taken from motion-captured professional dancers, so the game is just as impressive to watch as it is fun to play. Princess Debut offers four modes of play including Story, Ballroom, Practice, and Movie. With 20 outfits to find, 14 unique endings to experience, and 18 different kinds of music and dance styles to choose from (including Waltz, Latin Dance, Tango, Ballroom, and much more), there’s no shortage of things to see and do! Princess Debut is now available for an MSRP of $29.99.

Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon (DS) $29.99
Rune Factory 2 is set several years after the first game. The evil Sechs Empire has been defeated, and the Kingdom of Norad is once again at peace. Things may not stay that way for long, however, as dark premonitions foretell of dangers to come. It’s up to the player to uncover the source of these premonitions and bring peace to the kingdom once more. Over the course of the story, players will build and develop a farm, befriend townspeople, raise monsters, take on quests, and find a wife. In a first for the Rune Factory series, the story of Rune Factory 2 is multigenerational. Players begin the game as Kyle, a strange man who comes to Alvarna Village. Eventually, players will take on the role of Kyle’s child, opening up a whole new adventure. It’s an innovative feature that allows players to follow the story of their family and the townsfolk over two generations! Now available for an MSRP of $29.99.

Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility (Wii) ) $49.99
In Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility, players find themselves in a troubled island town which once prospered with life and energy, but is now in serious trouble. The mystical Mother Tree that once watched over the island has disappeared, and the Harvest Goddess is nowhere to be found! The island has lost its connection with nature and the inhabitants don’t know what to do – it’s up to the player to save the island! Players will help to rebuild the island by working the land, befriending and raising animals, nurturing friendships, and building a family. When the Mother Tree is reborn, the Harvest Goddess will return and bring prosperity to the island once more. Long-time Harvest Moon fans as well as new players will find an exciting, involving storyline and plenty of activities to experience, including cultivating crops, caring for animals, and participating in festivals. Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility is now available for an MSRP of $49.99.

Hi! Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Challenge (DS) $29.99
Hamtaro and his friends make learning fun in Hi! Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Challenge. Children will not only be entertained by the beloved hamster Hamtaro and his adorable cast of friends, they will also develop their memory, word comprehension, math skills, and many other abilities as they play through the twelve engaging interactive games. The game’s easy-to-learn touch screen controls make the game fun and accessible for children of all ages. Parents can take an active role in their child’s playing and learning with features that let them monitor their child’s progress in each game, adjust the difficulty level to match their child’s skills, monitor and control play time, and even reward their child with special items. Hi! Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Challenge for the Nintendo DS is a brain-training game geared at elementary-aged children. Rated E for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Rating Board, it is currently available for an MSRP of $29.99.

All of these titles are currently available at various retailers nationwide. For more information, please visit www.natsume.com

About Li-Fi Inc.
Li-Fi is a Texas based show management company dedicated to producing premier expos in the Southwest.  By bringing in the top manufacturers in Video Games, Digital Imaging, Robotics, Personal Computing, Home Theatre, Audio, Mobile Computing, Digital Music, Green Living, Auto and Wireless products Li-Fi and Southwest Video Game Expo represent the best and most innovative products of the year brought straight to consumers. 
 
For more information on Li-Fi and the Southwest Video Game Expo please contact us at the numbers above or go to our websites at www.lifi.com and www.swge.com.
 
 
The statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements.”  The Company cautions readers of this press release that a number of important factors could cause Li-Fi’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Li-Fi, the Southwest Video Game Expo and Li-Fi logo and SWGE logo are registered trademarks of Li-Fi Inc.  All other company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.  Copyright 2008 Li-Fi Inc., All Rights Reserved.

ROCK BAND® GOES COUNTRY WITH ADDITION OF 5-PACK THAT INCLUDES BRAD PAISLEY, BROOKS & DUNN, DIXIE CHICKS AND MORE COMING TO THE DOWNLOADABLE MUSIC STORE CATALOG

Cambridge, Mass. – December 8, 2008 – Harmonix and MTV Games announced today that Rock Band® is set to give fans a taste of country music for the first time with the addition of the “Going Country” 5-pack to the Rock Band® Music Store catalog of downloadable content. The impressive lineup of renowned country artists includes Grammy Award winner Brad Paisley with “Mud on the Tires,” the honky- tonk country classic duo Brooks & Dunn with “Hillbilly Deluxe,” and all-American trio Dixie Chicks with “Sin Wagon.”

Rock Band country lovers can also look forward to Dierks Bentley’s #1 single “Free & Easy (Down the Road I Go)” and Miranda Lambert’s standout single “Gunpowder & Lead.”

Each track will be available starting December 16, 2008, for the Xbox®360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and December 18, 2008, for PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. Each individual track will be available for $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points) and $8.49 (680 Microsoft Points) for the 5-pack.

Release Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2008 (Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for Xbox 360)
Thursday, December 18, 2008 (PlayStation®Store)

Tracks:
(Click on track to view music video) (only the first video worked, so until I get working links, I removed them. -e)

Brad Paisley “Mud on the Tires”
Brooks & Dunn “Hillbilly Deluxe”
Dierks Bentley “Free & Easy (Down the Road I Go)”
Dixie Chicks “Sin Wagon”
Miranda Lambert “Gunpowder & Lead”

Price:$1.99 (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track
$8.49 (680 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for the 5-pack

(All tracks are original master recordings)

Locations: Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 and PlayStation®Network

** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change **

With the addition of these tracks there are now more than 500 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at www.rockband.com/music). Rock Band continues to fly off shelves and satisfy music fans and gamers’ voracious appetite for rock with more than 28 million paid downloads since its launch on November 20, 2007. The Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks and packs from the vast selection of offerings available to date without ever leaving the game as they build their own custom Rock Band library.

Rock Band and Rock Band 2 allow online play and features that expand the boundaries of music gaming. Rock Band downloadable content is playable and integrated into setlists in all game modes. In order to play downloadable content for head-to-head matches or multiplayer online, all players must own the same downloadable track. Downloadable content for Xbox 360 is available for purchase via Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for Xbox 360 using Microsoft Points and is downloaded directly to the hard drive of Xbox 360. Downloadable content for the PLAYSTATION 3 system’s version of Rock Band is available for purchase on the PlayStation Store through the free PlayStation Network and is downloaded directly to PLAYSTATION 3 system’s built in hard drive.

Rock Band 2 for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system is now available nationwide and supports all previously downloaded content. The groundbreaking music platform that forever changed the face of music video games is committed to taking gaming to the next level with the evolution of the franchise. Rock Band 2 will be available for additional platforms later this year.

Rock Band and Rock Band 2 are rated “T” for Teen (lyrics, suggestive themes) by the ESRB.

For more information on Rock Band 2 and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com

Well, it appears there’s a lot more interest in Text-based MMOs than I realized. I didn’t even know there was a publisher of one, until I received news from Nvinium. Seems some people are huge fans here. I also see there is a couple detractors. I have not played these games, but the things I see negative about the games is the same thing I usually hear is a _positive_ for other free MMOs: microtransactions. I’ve played a few MMOs from IGG, and they have a microtransaction system, you can get the ultra-cool weapon, or even food that makes your “pet” like you more (very handy actually), but you don’t NEED these items to get further in the game, they would just make life easier if you chose to get them. So, just for the heck of it, I’m gonna post a poll:

[polldaddy poll=1178927]

I’ll post the results after Christmas.

Dec. 8, 2008

Neither sleet nor snow nor ice-cold winter winds shall keep Wii™ Shop Channel users from enjoying the best new and classic games. In fact, this week’s offerings include a hot new strategy-based puzzle game that promises to keep everyone in the household enthused, no matter how frightful the weather outside may be. Harrowing puzzles, hockey pucks and a world-famous hedgehog are all featured in the latest downloadable lineup, providing red-hot gaming thrills to counter the imminent December chills.

Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:

WiiWare™

Bruiser and Scratch (Steel Penny Games, Inc., 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): Bruiser and Scratch are stranded in a strange world with a dark secret. Their only hope in finding a path home is to unravel the mystery of this place, one oversized puzzle at a time. Along the way, they make new friends and meet up with old adversaries, each of whom plays a role in their journey. Bruiser and Scratch offers a number of tutorial levels to bring the player up to speed gradually. The story unfolds over 48 puzzles and six landscapes. And for players who can’t get enough, Challenge mode offers 75 additional puzzles that range from child’s play to mind-bogglingly difficult.

Hockey Allstar Shootout (Big Blue Bubble Inc., 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Use the Wii Remote™ controller as a stick and take the shot as you compete in three exciting Hockey Skills Challenges. In Head 2 Head, it’s just you versus the best goalies in the world in a five-puck shootout. Race against the clock to post the most goals in the fastest time. The three difficulty levels will place you against three increasingly talented goalies, each donning the jersey of their home country. In two-player mode, each player will take a turn as shooter and as goalie, and the player who scores the most goals in five shots is the winner. In Sharp Shooter, you post a high score in one of three difficulty levels by breaking as many targets as you can. Each time a shot fails to break a target, an X will appear in the upper left corner. Three misses and the game is over. Power Shot has you take your best shot and watch the Shot-Speed Clock light up. You have three attempts to blast the fastest shot you can, and only the best speeds will grace the high score list.

Virtual Console™

Sonic The Hedgehog™ 2 (SEGA MASTER SYSTEM, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Play the popular Sonic The Hedgehogsequel, made specifically for the SEGA MASTER SYSTEM. Sonic returns home to his island just in time to see Dr. Eggman (a.k.a. Dr. Robotnik) run off with Tails. In fact, Dr. Eggman has kidnapped all of Sonic’s animal friends and placed them in robotic mind-controlling suits. He demands the six Chaos Emeralds, hidden on the island, in exchange for their safe return. Explore underground mine shafts, dash through underwater tunnels and hang glide through the clouds in Sonic’s search for the Chaos Emeralds. Once Sonic’s found them all, he must face off with the evil Dr. Eggman and thwart his plan for global domination.

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.

GodsWar Online (http://gw.igg.com/main.php/) officials are glad to announce that they have released the first video on the game.
GodsWar Online is the first fully IGG designed and produced 3D MMORPG. Top-grade game developer’s painstaking efforts have culminated in the fantastic and mysterious GodsWar Online. GWO offers players distinct systems and activities including enchanting quests, charming game scenery, free character growth, amazing battles and a wonderful gaming community. All of these will bring players a fantastic game experience in a virtual world full of fun and excitement.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSoIG04EOHI]

The Totem Battle in Angels Online (http://ao.igg.com/main.php) was developed with experiences from the Outpost Battlefield, only much fiercer. Today, the Angels Online team is very happy to briefly introduce the Totem Battle.

The top 12 winning guilds from the Outpost Battlefield will own a territory with a symbol of a totem. Each territory possesses a corresponding Mysterious Area in which there are abundant monsters and materials. It is an ideal place for players to level up fast. A guild which has occupied the totem can monopolize all the materials in the mysterious area and claim rewards from the Manor Keeper every day. Possessing a totem territory is the final goal of each guild and symbolizes a guild’s skill and power.

There are 5 kinds of totems from level 1 to level 5. Production players can raise the totem’s level by donating materials. The higher the level of the totem, the more HP it has to resist attacks from opposing factions’. What’s more, players can build defensive towers to offer more HP, MP or higher attacking abilities to their own players.

The Angels Online Totem Battle is held from 8:00pm to 11:00pm on each Wednesday and 12:00pm to 2:00pm on each Saturday. Players from different factions can attack each other on the appointed totem maps. Guilds which possess a totem should make every effort to protect their totem or they could lose it to another faction. After the totem level has dropped to 0, the guild will lose the totem and all guild members will be teleported to their faction city. However, they will have a chance to retake the totem before the event ends.

The Totem Battle has been a hit ever since it’s introduction. After players have leveled up, it becomes more fun to take part in this fierce PVP event. However, only with good cooperation and teamwork among all guild members can a guild win the battle.

For more information about Totem Battle, please visit the official site at http://ao.igg.com/act/totembattle/

December 8, 2008 – IGG Inc. (www.igg.com), the leading online game publisher/operator, today announced that the company has closed a Series B round of financing from two prominent venture capital firms and an existing investor.

The privately owned online game company did not disclose specific figures of the financing, but COO Kevin Xu said the funding was “in excess of $10 million” and was led by Vertex Group and joined by Hearst Interactive Media and IDGVC.

“The global experience of Vertex will greatly bolster our international capabilities, and Hearst’s vast connection in the media world is the perfect support that we need to expand our business globally. It’s great to have our original funding partner IDG on board again as well.” said Kevin Xu. He added that the new funds will be used to expand sales and marketing into Asia and Europe, to establish strategic partnerships with developers and publishers worldwide, and to further the development of more innovative and entertaining games in house. Furthermore, the funds will be used to explore more regions and reach out to players of different languages.

Dedicated to serve worldwide players with the best multiplayer online games, IGG Inc. launched its first MMORPG in May 2006. Since then, IGG has successfully released and operated 8 MMORPGs through www.igg.com. With over 8 million registered users as of Q4 2008, IGG has established its reputation as a world-class publisher rising to meet the demand of players of different ages, culture and favors.

“IGG has a unique differentiated business model and a very strong and experienced team.” said Mr Chua Kee Lock, Group President & CEO of Vertex Group. “We are very excited with the investment in IGG and we look forward to working closely with the company and bring it to a greater growth as it expands its business and geographic presence,” added Mr Chua Kee Lock.
About Vertex Group
Vertex Group, based in Singapore but with offices in China, US and Israel, is a leading global venture capital firm with over 20 years of experience in the business. It has invested in many successful companies including China Finance Online, Paypal, Creative Technology, NewPort/Broadcomm, Transmedia/Cisco, Gemalto, MediaRing, Spreadtrum Communications, MindTree Consulting and others.

About Hearst Interactive Media
Hearst Interactive Media, a unit of Hearst Corporation (www.hearst.com), manages a portfolio of strategic investments in development-stage companies focused primarily on emerging media and interactive technologies. Throughout the Corporation, Hearst Interactive Media provides strategic guidance and advocacy for a wide range of technology-driven operational and development activities. Hearst Corporation is one of the nation’s largest diversified media companies. Its major interests include ownership of 16 daily and 49 weekly newspapers, nearly 200 magazines around the world, including Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan and O, The Oprah Magazine; 29 television stations through Hearst-Argyle Television (NYSE:HTV), which reach a combined 18% of U.S. viewers; ownership in leading cable networks, including Lifetime, A&E, History and ESPN; as well as business publishing, including a minority joint venture interest in Fitch Ratings; Internet businesses, television production, newspaper features distribution and real estate.

About IDGVC
IDG Technology Venture Investment (IDGVC Partners) was founded in 1992 with offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Boston, and the Silicon Valley. As one of the earliest American venture capital firms to enter the Chinese market, IDGVC Partners has established a leading role in the industry with an aggregate of US$2.0 billion capital under management.

IDGVC Partners invests in early-to-growth-stage companies with focus on hi-tech related sectors such as the Internet, telecommunications, wireless communications, digital media, IC, and life science. It has an investment portfolio of 100 start-up companies, including CTrip, Sohu, Baidu, China Finance Online, Tencent, and Kingdee, 30 of which have completed public offerings or successful mergers.