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Today Ubisoft announced that it will launch an all-new, original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) video game – the first that is not tied to a TMNT movie, television show or comic book – which will be a four-player action fighting title. The game is being developed by Game Arts, noted for working on the critically acclaimed Super Smash Bros. Brawl for Wii. Scheduled for release in fall 2009, the video game will be a key event in the year-long “Shell-ebration” of the 25th anniversary of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles which, in addition to the video game launch, will include new and exciting products and experiences for TMNT fans in the U.S. and around the world.

The success of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in various media has been sustained over the last 25 years with numerous “bests,” including: the best-selling video game on Xbox LIVE Arcade for the Xbox 360 in 2007; and in the late ’80s and early ’90s, the No.1-rated Saturday morning TV show in the US; the No.1-rated daily syndicated animated TV strip for children; the No.1 Nintendo Entertainment System and Game Boy Advance video game in the world and the No.1 live touring arena show in the U.S.

“We’re really excited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first TMNT comic and we have a number of radical ‘Shell-ebration’ events planned for 2009,” said Gary Richardson, CEO of Mirage Studios. “The awesome new video game that Ubisoft will release in 2009 is an important part of celebrating this Turtles milestone with fans around the world.”

“There is no better tribute to the Turtles than the creation of a brand-new game that will help to launch the next 25 years of success,” said Tony Key, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Ubisoft. “It’s our pleasure to partner again with Mirage as part of the worldwide birthday celebration for the Turtles.”

More details about the game can be found in the January 2009 TMNT cover story issue of Nintendo Power magazine in the U.S.

Different news and some screens :)

Harmonix and MTV Games announced today the addition of six new Grateful Dead tracks to the Rock Band® Music Store catalog of downloadable content. The tracks include “Cold Rain & Snow” from the band’s original 1967 album, The Grateful Dead.”

“Hell in a Bucket” from the 1987 In the Dark album, “Uncle John’s Band” from Workingman’s Dead (1970), “Fire on the Mountain” from Shakedown Street (1978), “Don’t Ease Me In” from Go to Heaven (1980) and “Doin’ That Rag,” from the 1969 album Aoxomoxoa.

Grateful Dead, well known for its 30 years of wild and lengthy tours, announced last week its first tour in over five years. Founded by the infamous singer-songwriter Jerry Garcia, the band’s journey ignited in San Francisco’s Haight and Ashbury district during the psychedelic ’60s. In 2007 the Recording Academy honored Grateful Dead with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for its contribution to the evolution of rock music.
The “Grateful Dead Pack 02″ is the second Grateful Dead pack to join the Rock Band Music Store. “Casey Jones,” China Cat Sunflower,” “Franklins Tower,” “I Need a Miracle,” “Sugar Magnolia” and “Truckn” were released to Rock Band fans last March. In addition, Grateful Dead’s “Alabama Getaway” is featured on the Rock Band 2 disc.

Release Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 (Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360)
Thursday, January 29, 2009 (PlayStation®Store)

Tracks:
Grateful Dead “Hell in a Bucket”
Grateful Dead “Don’t Ease Me In”
Grateful Dead “Cold Rain & Snow”
Grateful Dead “Doin’ That Rag”
Grateful Dead “Fire on the Mountain”
Grateful Dead “Uncle John’s Band”
(All tracks are original master recordings)

Price: $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track
$9.99 (800 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for the Grateful Dead 6-pack

Locations:Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 and PlayStation Network

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

2029 Online (http://forum.2029.igg.com) is a massive online sci-fi based multiplayer experience set in a world ravaged by hatred throughout the Helen Continent, and never-ending conflicts between races and rebel forces. Players from across the globe come together online, and combat to uphold their faith and glory. As the game heats up, they will soon break away from killing mobs to level them and play the game with a PvP element.

What you can expect from 2029
Players’ exploits in the Helen Continent will give them access to a huge variety of class-specific skills. This game brings visualized flamboyance back to MMO fans’ game experience, featuring stunning 3D graphics and variable game modes. Sometimes, the game will go full screen, blending intense game play and fantasy appeal together into one work of art. It allows players to create their own rooms on the purpose of forging lasting bonds of friendship with heroes who share a dream and fight to turn sword and sorcery tales into a reality. The moment-to-moment interaction with the game and players will help increase the role playing fun during periods of increased tension. Its quest system offers assorted quests with a story element. Some of them are branched out and composed of many addictive branching quests. The interaction between NPCs and players has been intensified. The game based on a solid idea for its design guarantees a smooth control while players are slashing enemies.

Background Music
Its background music is adaptive, which means it changes between different scenes or parts of game play. People will combat against evil with their hearts set afire by its vivid inspirational sound effects. Not all tracks in the game are fast paced. There are also some soul soothing melodies. Listening to them will lift spirits and give minds a relaxed sensation.

Multiple Cultures
2029 Online puts players right in the middle of a clash of civilizations. The planet Earth was destroyed by nuclear weapons and homeless human beings piloted a huge spaceship through space in search for a new planet to thrive and survive. They settled on Helen Continent and found a world shattered and plagued by fights between the races living here. These alien races were intelligent and had highly developed forms of culture. But their hatred toward each other was such that they wanted nothing but to hack each other into pieces and see their enemies’ blood spill everywhere. The planet was under the constant threat of war. Humans quickly grabbed a keen advantage in the struggles, striving to become the dominant species and forging new alliances of cultures. After many years passed, only a few outstanding and resilient species have remained: Humans, Dryads, Electronic Elves, Ice Energy and Mechanicals. Since then, Helen Continent has gradually built a world of peace and co existence.

For more details please check out its official forum (http://forum.2029.igg.com) and subscribe to its newsletter to keep up to date with all the new developments.

Unique RPG Puts Massive World of Quests, Epic Battles and Multiplayer Action in the Palm of Your Hand

Majesco Entertainment Company announced Dawn of Heroes for Nintendo DS. Developed by Wicked Studios, Dawn of Heroes is a tactical role playing game that combines classic RPG concepts-including character development, epic combat, quests and puzzles-with a humorous style. The game also supports head-to-head multiplayer action and the ability to trade collected items, two features designed to build a community of worldwide heroes.

Featuring more than 50 playable missions with branching paths and side quests, Dawn of Heroes takes players to the endangered Kingdom of Brimthule. Brimthule’s King sacrificed himself to entomb the great beast Ragnakore within stone. Now players must save the kingdom by battling the curses, monsters and misfortunes that have ensued following the King’s tragic demise. Utilizing a streamlined user interface that allows players to command all aspects of their adventure with the Touch Screen and stylus, the game contains 25 playable classes from six unique factions and a multitude of enemies. In addition, the massive world of Brimthule and its unique inhabitants are rendered in detailed 3D graphics that help bring the adventure to life.

Dawn of Heroes for Nintendo DS is expected to release this summer. For additional information about Majesco’s exciting line of products, please visit www.majescoentertainment.com