Hopefully the move is going to be seamless, with the exception of the site theme, which is gonna be pretty plain vanilla for a few days. I’m furiously importing the posts so they are all accounted for on the new server before the switchover. If you subscribe to the RSS feed, sorry!
-e
There may and will be some weirdness going on as we move servers tonight. We may lose posts, we may lose graphics, I will do my best to keep that from happening! So, no more updates today, watch for the improvements coming each day to the site!
-e
Players of Zeno Clash Experience the Role of Ghat, the Son of an Impressive Hermaphrodite Creature Called Father-Mother
Santiago, Chile, December 17, 2008 – ACE Team, an independent video game developer based in Santiago, Chile, today released a new gameplay trailer and the full detailed descriptions of its characters in its upcoming PC game, Zeno Clash. The game will be available via Steam, Valve’s digital distribution system in Q1 2009 in addition to being available at retail (details TBD). Zeno Clash is a PC-based action/fighting game set in a punk fantasy world.
Zeno Clash is a story driven game that uniquely blends the first person genre with the fighting game genre. Players will play the role of Ghat, the son of an impressive hermaphrodite creature called Father-Mother, whose children form the most powerful clan in the city of Halstedom. Ghat must escape from his family and start an incredible journey with his female companion Deadra, who will aid him in the dangerous lands of Zenozoik.
Some people live in the woods and have joined “The Corwid of the free” because they don’t care for the semi-civilized life in the city. In Halstedom there is no state or laws. As Corwids they are also free from common sense or reason. Insanity is the ultimate form of freedom for them. In the woods they will develop their obsessions and manias no matter how impractical or absurd these may be.
Father-Mother has given birth to dozens of the creatures in Halstedom. She is their loving, careful mother, and he is their strong, rule enforcing father. Father-Mother always insists on keeping all the children close because having a big family to count on is a good thing in the dangerous and lawless land of Zenozoik, Many of Father-Mother’s children are very skilled. Rimat is a natural leader. Xetse is a fearsome bodyguard. Therium is the cook and Henae is the combat trainer. They are all fiercely loyal to the head of the greatest family there is.
Ghat was always stubborn and rebellious but he was still one of Father-Mother’s older and favorite sons. Recent events have brought Ghat far apart from Father-Mother and the rest of his family. It seems that Deadra is now the only person in the world who still trusts him. Deadra never runs out of hope for the future which also makes her a strong-willed person who never quits. Together they could reach the end of the world.
The new gameplay video that has been released displays some of the melee attacks that players will be capable of performing to overcome their adversaries. A variety of punches, grabs and kicks are displayed as Ghat punishes his adversaries by throwing them to pits or knocking them into the air with a powerful comeback punch. The video also features combat with very different weapons for different situations.
The clubs are necessary to bring down heavy foes that won’t be stopped by anything in their path. The musket can be used to blow up explosive rodents that parachute from a giant creature’s head. In Zeno Clash players will encounter all sorts of dangers and keeping a grasp on these weapons is key to survive.
Innovative Headset System Brings High-Definition, 5.1 Channel Surround Sound Experience
VIBRAS Five.One from Track Scan(TM) Is Named an Official Xbox 360(R) Accessory by Microsoft
MOORESVILLE, N.C., Dec. 16 /PRNewswire/ — Delivering sound so detailed and powerful that it puts users inside the game, the new VIBRAS Five.One Surround Sound Headset System has received Microsoft’s approval as an official Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system accessory.
The VIBRAS Five.One, designed specifically for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live(R), uses Dolby(R) Digital AC3 and special “sound-canal” technology to create a true 5.1 channel surround sound experience. With five individually encoded discrete audio channels pulsating through 10 speakers (five in each ear cup), gamers who use the VIBRAS Five.One enjoy unprecedented sound quality.
“It’s awesome!” said Rich Heinz, a professional gamer from Port Jefferson, N.Y. “I can literally hear everything and know exactly where each sound is coming from. The overall sound quality is excellent.”
VIBRAS Five.One was developed and manufactured by Track Scan, based in Mooresville, N.C., a leading provider of headsets and audio scanners for motorsports.
The company’s scanners that allow racing fans to listen to drivers, crews, officials, and radio and TV broadcasts are available for rent or purchase at every NASCAR Sprint Cup race and U.S. IndyCar Series events.
“Whether you’re playing games, watching movies, listening to music on Xbox Live or through the console with your Zune, you will find VIBRAS Five.One to be the best performing 5.1 surround sound headset system on the market,” said Glen Aikenhead, founder of Track Scan.
The $199 VIBRAS Five.One Xbox System includes the lightweight, comfortable headset, Dolby Digital AC3 Technology decoder box, detachable microphone with an in-line voice amplifier box, optical fiber cable, AC power supply and replacement ear pad covers. A USB surround sound system for personal computers is also available at $159.
Track Scan’s full line of products, including VIBRAS Five.One, can be purchased through the company’s online catalog (http://www.track-scan.com/catalog/).
The VIBRAS Five.One also will be displayed at the 2009 International CES, the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow, in Las VegasJan. 8-11 at booth number 30927 in the South Hall.
Track Scan, Inc. is the premier supplier of scanners and headsets at all NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events, as well as U.S. IndyCar Series races. Founded in 1993, the Mooresville, N.C. based company serves thousands of race fans and corporate hospitality guests each weekend from trackside merchandise areas. In 2008, Track Scan launched VIBRAS, a high performance line of gaming and personal audio products.
Settlement Resolves Dispute about Wireless Controllers
REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 17, 2008 – Nintendo of America Inc. and Nyko Technologies, Inc. today announced they have settled a lawsuit brought by Nintendo regarding Nintendo’s intellectual property rights relating to its popular Nunchuk® controller.
Under the agreement, Nyko will continue to sell a redesigned version of its Kama wireless controller.
“We are pleased to have resolved this dispute,” said Nintendo of America President and COO Reggie Fils-Aime. “The Nunchuk and Wii brands are familiar to consumers worldwide, and Nintendo is dedicated to vigorous defense of those brands.”
“Nyko Technologies is proud to be an industry leader in gaming accessories,” said Herschel Naghi, CEO of Nyko, “and we will continue to develop exciting products for the benefit of the gaming community.”
Dec. 16, 2008
Starting today, Nintendo welcomes its North American fans to Club Nintendo™, a special club that rewards members for registering Nintendo products and completing surveys. Nintendo fans can sign up by visiting Club.Nintendo.com. After joining, fans can register select Nintendo hardware and Nintendo-published games in exchange for Nintendo Coins, which can then be redeemed for limited-edition Nintendo rewards available only to Club Nintendo members.
“Club Nintendo gives fans what they want – access to exclusive rewards for their loyalty to our brand and our products,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America Inc.’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “We’re offering some unique items as a way to say thanks for their support of Nintendo.”
Once they become Club Nintendo members, Nintendo fans and former My Nintendo members can create a profile and register select Nintendo products on the site by inputting a product serial ID (a list of compatible products is posted on the site). The user is then asked to complete a survey about the product. Coins are awarded once surveys are complete. That’s when the fun begins. Some of the exclusive rewards include the Game & Watch™ Collection for the Nintendo DS™ and a set of traditional Hanafuda cards printed with Nintendo characters.
Customers who purchase a new Wii™ or Nintendo DS™ system can register the product with Club Nintendo and complete a survey to extend the product warranty. Club Nintendo members can reach Gold and Platinum status by collecting a certain amount of Coins each year. Gold and Platinum members will be eligible to receive exclusive rewards. As members, fans can also sign up for personalized newsletters to learn about upcoming products that best match their interests.
For more information about Nintendo, please visit www.Nintendo.com.
New Releases Include Pokemon Platinum, New Play Control, Pikmin and Mario Power Tennis for Wii, Fire Emblem for Nintendo DS
REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 17, 2008 – Continuing its commitment to create fun and engaging experiences for everyone, Nintendo of America Inc. today unleashes a broad list of exciting new games for the first quarter of 2009. Topping the list is Pokémon™ Platinum version for Nintendo DS™, a remarkable new entry in the beloved Pokémon series, slated for a March 22 launch across North America. Nintendo’s roster of more than 100 new games includes an impressive array of challenges and experiences for new players and loyalists, as well as everyone in between. Notable titles include the enhanced New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis™ and New Play Control! Pikmin™ for Wii™, and Fire Emblem™: Shadow Dragon, Personal Trainer™: Mathand Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for Nintendo DS.
“Our fans expect a diverse selection of entertainment options, and we’re eager to deliver exactly that,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “We’re building on the momentum of a strong holiday season by offering new and experienced players an even greater library of game titles in 2009.”
Pokémon fans in particular will have plenty to cheer about as Pokémon Platinum is readied for its U.S. debut. Following the vast popularity ofPokémon® Diamond and Pokémon Pearl, Pokémon Platinum is the newest in the core series of Pokémon games. Pokémon Platinumfeatures a new story full of adventure, never-before-seen forms of powerful Pokémon – including the legendary Giratina’s Origin Forme – and the Distortion World, a mysterious new world that suddenly appears in the Sinnoh region. In addition, with Pokémon Platinum up to 20 players can interact with other Pokémon fans from around the world in the new Wi-Fi Plaza, featuring mini-games and activities. Players can also enjoy the new features in the Global Terminal, such as posting battle videos using the new “Vs. Recorder.” In addition,Pokémon Platinum features a new Battle Frontier, where the toughest Trainers can test their skills in new ways. Pokémon Platinum already has broken previous Nintendo DS sales records in Japan, selling more than 1 million copies in its first two days of release.
For the portable Nintendo DS, Personal Trainer: Math builds on the new Personal Trainer™ series, which launched with Personal Trainer™: Cooking, now extends its reach beyond the stomach to the brain.Personal Trainer: Math introduces 40 fast-paced exercises to give players a fun way to improve their arithmetic skills. The Personal Trainer series is designed to help users enrich their lives and learn new skills in fun and interesting ways. Also for Nintendo DS, fans of the Fire Emblem franchise will enjoy the arrival of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon, a revamped and re-imagined version of the NES™ classic, featuring touch-screen controls. Players with a broadband Internet connection can enjoy worldwide battles over Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo’s online gaming service.
Meanwhile, for the Wii console, Nintendo is offering up two classic Nintendo GameCube™ games: New Play Control! Mario Power Tennisand New Play Control! Pikmin enhanced for play using the Wii Remote™ controller. The enhanced New Play Control! Pikmin game lets players point the Wii Remote controller at the screen and use it as a cursor, making it easy to select either a single Pikmin or an entire army. When a player tosses Pikmin, they fly wherever the cursor is pointing. New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis lets players enjoy an afternoon on the court as their favorite characters from the Mushroom Kingdom, complete with motion-controlled serves and swings. With Wii controls, players can swing the Wii Remote controller to hit forehands and backhands and to apply spin. Experienced gamers can also attach a Nunchuk™ controller for additional precision. Both games are scheduled to launch next March.
Third-party publishers continue to bring diverse, creative games likeFINAL FANTASY® CRYSTAL CHRONICLES®: Echoes of Time™ from Square-Enix for Wii and Nintendo DS. These games offer unique features that allow users to play multiplayer across Nintendo platforms.MADWORLD™ from Sega will be available exclusively for Wii, and the highly acclaimed franchise Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars from Rockstar Games will be available for Nintendo DS.
Below is a partial list of upcoming games for Wii and Nintendo DS. Note that game titles and launch dates are subject to change.
Wii
Activision
Monsters vs. Aliens - March 24
Crave Entertainment
Monster Pals™ - March
Solitaire & Mahjong - February
Puzzle Challenges and More! - February
Crayola Colorful World - March
D3Publisher
Onechanbara™ Bikini Zombie Slayers™ - February
Coraline - January
Destineer
WordJong Party - January
Battle Rage - February
Cradle of Rome - February
Cate West: The Vanishing Files - March
Burger Island - March
Disney Interactive Studios
Disney Sing It: High School Musical 3: Senior Year - Winter
DreamCatcher
Play the World - March
Electronic Arts
NASCAR® Kart Racing - Feb. 10
SimAnimals™ - Jan. 27
TRIVIAL PURSUIT - Early spring
Hudson Entertainment
FISHING MASTER WORLD TOUR - Jan. 6
Marble Saga Kororinpa™ - Spring
Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.
DanceDanceRevolution® Disney Grooves - March
Majesco Entertainment
Escape the Museum - January
Major Minor’s Majestic March - March
Marvelous Entertainment USA
Little King’s Story - Feb. 17
Rune Factory: Frontier - March
Mastiff
Deer Drive™ - Jan. 20
NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
We Ski™ and Snowboard - March
Nintendo
New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis™ - March
New Play Control! Pikmin™ - March
Sega
The House of The Dead: Overkill™ - February
SONIC™ and the Black Knight - March
MADWORLD™ - March
Southpeak Interactive
Roogoo Twisted Towers™ - Feb. 17
Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball™ - March 17
Brave: A Warrior’s Tale™ - Feb. 17
THQ
Paws & Claws Pet Resort - Jan. 5
Neighborhood Games - Jan. 5
Ubisoft
Tenchu™: Shadow Assassins - February
Broken Sword™: Shadows of the Templars (Director’s Cut) - March
XS Games
Super PickUps™ - Q1
Nintendo DS
Activision
Monsters vs. Aliens - March 24
Pimp My Ride 2™ - March 24
Animal Planet™ - March 10
Atlus U.S.A., Inc.
My World, My Way™ - Feb. 3
Legacy of Ys™: Books I & II - Feb. 10
Trackmania™ DS - March 17
Crave Entertainment
Monster Pals ™ - March
D3Publisher of America
Puzzle Quest™: Galactrix™ - Q1
Coraline - January
Destineer
USA TODAY Puzzle Craze - January
DinoPets - March
Disney Interactive Studios
Phineas and Ferb - Winter
DreamCatcher
Inkheart - January
Learn Math - January
Drivers’ Ed Portable - January
Monster Band - January
Zoo Quest - February
My Personal Diary - February
Music Star: Pop Star - February
Paint by DS - March
Matchstick - March
Dreamer: Top Model - March
Sarah – Keeper of the Unicorn - March
Learn Chess - March
Dragon Master - April
Electronic Arts
Zubo™ - March
Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure™ - Q1
SimAnimals™ - Jan. 27
Empire Interactive
Jagged Alliance - Feb. 17
Gameloft
American Popstar – Road to Celebrity - March 9
Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.
Elebits: The Adventures of Kai and Zero™ - Q1
Suikoden Tierkreis - Q1
Little Magician’s Magic Adventure™ - Q1
Majesco Entertainment
WonderWorld Amusement Park™ - January
Powerbike - January
Our House™ - Q1
Hot ‘n’ Cold - March
Marvelous Entertainment USA
Avalon Code - February
Flower, Sun, and Rain - March
Mastiff
Moon™ - Jan. 13
MumboJumbo
Chicken Hunter Star Karts - March 10
Nintendo
Personal Trainer™: Math - Jan. 12
Fire Emblem™: Shadow Dragon - Feb. 16
Pokémon™ Platinum version – March 22
ROCKSTAR GAMES
Grand Theft Auto™: Chinatown Wars - Winter
Southpeak Interactive
Big Bang Mini® - Jan. 6
Roogoo Attack™ - Feb. 17
Brave: Shaman’s Challenge™ - Feb. 17
Square Enix, Inc.
FINAL FANTASY® CRYSTAL CHRONICLES®: Echoes of Time™ - Spring
THE GAME FACTORY
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES™ - Jan. 19
THQ
Paws & Claws Pampered Pets - Jan. 5
TOMY Corporation
My DoItAll™ - February
Ubisoft
Jake Power Fireman - January
Jake Power Policeman - January
Imagine™ Cheerleader - February
JoJo’s Fashion Show - February
Petz® Horseshoe Ranch - February
Imagine™ Family Doctor - February
Imagine™ Ice Champions - March
Jake Power Handyman - March
My Fashion Studio Paris Collection - Feb. 17
American Popstar – Road to Celebrity - March 24
Broken Sword™: Shadows of the Templars (Director’s Cut) - March
XSEED Games
Retro Game Challenge - Jan. 6
Five New Themed Levels and Ten New Challenges – PopCap and Holiday Themed – Now Available for Download
SEATTLE, Washington – December 17, 2008 — PopCap Games, the leading developer and publisher of casual games, today announced the immediate availability of the first FREE “level pack” for Peggle™ Nights. Available exclusively at Popcap.com, the Peggle Nights “Holiday 2008” level pack features five all-new levels, with holiday themes or themes related to other PopCap® titles – or in some cases, both. The new levels can be played in the Quick Play or Duel modes of Peggle Nights, and there are also ten new challenges in Challenge Mode based on the new levels. Additional level packs will be forthcoming in 2009 and beyond.
“We can’t get enough of Peggle ourselves, so there’s a selfish motive behind introducing additional levels for Peggle Nights on a frequent basis,” explained Sukhbir Sidhu, Studio Director at PopCap and co-creator of Peggle and Peggle Nights. “For the legions of Peggle Nights fans, this is a small, early holiday gift from us, in thanks for that support.
The new levels in the Holiday 2008 level pack all have winter and/or holiday themes, and several also feature imagery and characters from other PopCap games, including obscure titles such as Iggle Pop™, Dynomite™, and Pixelus™. Peggle Nights owners simply download and install the Holiday 2008 bonus level pack file from Popcap.com and launch Peggle Nights to start playing the all-new levels and challenges. Even players who have the free trial version of Peggle Nights can play a couple of the new bonus levels. (As is the case with regular Peggle Nights, the new Challenge Mode challenges in the level pack can only be accessed once Adventure Mode has been completed.)
Sacred 2’s PC version is already getting an update, including a beta of the Sacred 2 network.
ASCARON, a leading German manufacturer and developer of games software, and Deep Silver, the games label of Koch Media, a leading producer and distributor of digital entertainment products, today announced an extensive content update, including the beta version of the long-desired SACRED 2 network, for the popular action RPG. The holiday update (620 MB) will be published on December 17, 2008.
The update is packed with new features such as new armour, a brand new snow region, a whopping 20 new opponents and spectacular new weapons. In addition, a completely new series of quests guarantees tons of gaming fun and provides a special set of armour specifically designed to get you into the festive spirit. Naturally, many game details were improved as well, making for an even better gaming experience.
The first beta version of the SACRED 2 network includes an extensive ladder and highscore ranking system allowing you to compare your own performance to that of other community members. You can even win ranks and orders, and legendary characters are immortalized in a Heroes’ Cemetery and a Hall of Fame. You can also use the social network to create your own profile then contact other users, make new friends, or arrange some multiplayer sessions.
Tincat, the flexible multiplayer engine from Arvato Systems, makes it possible to export all information belonging to a game character to the SACRED 2 network, and view it there. This allows players to compare character and guild information, and to view multiple highscore lists, making for additional long-term motivation.
Thanks to the SACRED 2 auto-update feature, the holiday update will be automatically installed when the game is launched. You can also download the patch via a specially created landing page.
The ASCARON team is looking forward to feedback from the community and wishes everyone happy holidays and a wonderful year 2009.
Official Website: www.sacred2.com
Tales of Pirates (http://top.igg.com) has been a hit since the day it was released. Since then it has grown explosively; almost too fast for IGG to keep up with demand. So, without further ado, the TOP team is proud to announce that another new server called Burning Sea will be opened on December 18th after this week’s scheduled maintenance.
A new world and a new start await those who want to experience it, as well as new friends. IGG (http://www.igg.com/) will also be holding the standard events accompanying the new server launch, including:
Event I -Double Exp Carnival
Event II -You Play, We Pay
Event III-Leveling Contest
For a smooth game-playing experience, the TOP team recommends new players choose the new server. It is possible that you will even emerge as one of the top players in this new world.
For more information about Tales of Pirates, please visit their official website: http://top.igg.com/ .