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Following the successful worldwide launch of the all-new animated series Wolverine and the X-Men in territories around the world, Marvel is set to debut an exciting online game based on the show. Coming February 3rd to Marvelkids.com, Wolverine and the X-Men: MRD Escape centers around the iconic character Wolverine, as players use stealth and problem-solving skills to escape the MRD (Mutant Response Division) holding facility and rescue fellow X-Men. Players face unique challenging puzzles in every room, using both brains and brawn to avoid cameras and laser wires, collect access passes, and avoid capture, all without tripping the main alarm. Failure could mean disaster for all mutantkind.

“Marvel is expanding its game library by offering more games of all types, for all our fans, young and old, through our online game initiative. MRD Escape is our first release as we grow this game library and start to enhance the online experience at Marvel.com and Marvelkids.com,” commented Ira Rubenstein, Executive Vice President of the Marvel Digital Media Group.

Eric Rollman, President of Marvel Animation said, “MRD Escape is a perfect complement to the series, picking up on its action with fun and challenging play for both novice and skilled players.”

Wolverine and the X-Men: MRD Escape is the first of a series of online games scheduled to be released on a monthly basis from Marvel’s Digital Media Group. The next game, Iron Pop, debuts in February 2009 in support of the all-new Iron Man: Armored Adventures animated series, which itself follows 2008′s successful Iron Man theatrical release and leads up to the May 7, 2010, theatrical release of Iron Man 2. The Iron Man: Armored Adventures animated series is slated to release on various broadcasters worldwide in the spring of 2009.

www.warriorepic.com Now Accepting Registrants For The Upcoming Warrior Epic Closed-Beta Test Coming Later This Month

True Games Interactive has launched a brand new website for its highly anticipated Online action MMORPG, Warrior Epic (www.warriorepic.com). Along with many new features to the website, True Games is proud to announce that it is now accepting sing-ups for players who hope to be part of the upcoming closed beta test for the game. The closed beta test will only have a limited number of spots available so those interested in being part of it are encouraged to sign up now at www.warriorepic.com for a chance to qualify.

“It’s an exciting time for both True Games and Possibility Space as we see all the elements of our work on Warrior Epic coming together,” said Jeff Lujan, Founder and Chairman of True Games Interactive. “The website looks amazing and offers gamers a great look at what is to come for the game. We are amazed at how many people want to be part of the closed beta so we invite you to sign up now for your chance!”

The stunning new website introduces new information and visuals on the exciting environments in the game, along with a sneak peek at the warrior halls; which play a key role in the game. Fans can also check out and participate in the community forums and download cool wallpapers, screen shots and videos from the media downloads page.

Galaxy Online, first self-designed by IGG (http://www.igg.com), is a strategic online game combining a powerful battle system and abundant battle expressive force. Galaxy Online is the newest and best strategic game to be released in some time. Some players have said that it is comparable to Ogame, but we feel that Galaxy Online has a better strategic style and more satisfying gameplay. Today, IGG was very happy to give all players a brief introduction about this fast approaching game.

Galaxy Online is set across the vast universe, and players from different forces can PK freely. Battles rage constantly and in this galactic sphere, the law of the jungle rules. Players must promote their strength ceaselessly to maintain their position, and only the bravest and wisest commander can be the King! Players may like the many thoughtful design elements in the game, such as smart client, convenient galaxy trustee system, individual and intelligent Plug-ins system, all of which let players experience wonderful feelings whilst playing the game!

Galaxy Online tries to offer a free development space for players so that they can design their own warships, arrange battle teams and recast planets according to their wishes in the interplanetary world. The game not only pays attention to battle but also tests players’ strategic design ability. Players need to build a home galaxy as a base, and they need to form a fleet to crusade and occupy more galaxies to expand their strength. Galaxy Online provides players with battle scenes with great expressive force and amazing scale, and is one of the best strategic net games around for players who like strategy and challenge. It is a world filled with legends and a universe fighting for survival.

The Galaxy Online forum has opened now (http://forum.go.igg.com), where players can find related materials, newbie guides and communicate and discuss every aspect with others.

1C Company, today announced the development of Time of Shadows. Time of Shadows is currently scheduled for a spring 2009 release.

Time of Shadows is an add-on to the popular action RPG Blood Magic which now unveils its world of magic even further. Over hundred new spells, divided into 12 magic schools, bring fresh power to your fight against hordes of enemies as you stop their invasion. Follow your destiny and uncover the truth behind the sinister plot. As with Blood Magic you can again create unique combinations of spells which are especially useful in multiplayer mode. This system of magic is the most innovative ever seen in a modern RPG. Players can also compete in 2-person duels or in large arenas against many others in true melee combat.

Blood Magic is a third-person action RPG where the weapon of choice is magic. The game is set in a richly detailed medieval fantasy world, allowing the player a wide variety of choices both in individual quests and character development. There are over a dozen different fields of magic, allowing players many choices for specialization. The most unique aspect of the magic system is the ability to combine spells.

Please find more information about Time of Shadows at http://www.1cpublishing.eu/game/time-of-shadows/overview.

PR agency Clever Communications has turned 2! They provide some of the news items you have read over the last 8 months here, and for the last 2 years on other sites for some big names in the industry including Husdon Soft, Ignition, True Games G4BOX and many more. Thanks Mika and Tina for helping me bring the news to the masses about some great games!

-e

In Myth War II Online(http://mw2.igg.com/main.php), most players are willing to endure certain hardships in order to possess one piece of Armor of Dream. Gear like this gives the owner the confidence of never being overpowered in battle, as it possesses diversified attributes and overwhelming defensive power, as well as the power of ancient deities channeled into the wearer. On our recommendation list, these three gear pieces have been chosen first to start our Armor of Dream revelation trip.
Helmet:
Diadem of Serenity: Badra
Once a tribute from High Elflord Pasolini to Paladin, God of Strength, Paladin then gave it to his servant, Badra, to honor his supreme loyalty. The Diadem of Serenity is made of stones from the Dark Portal with Pasolini’s lavish praise on Paladin inscribed. This helmet weights 2 tons, and can only can be worn by the strongest warriors like Badra. It is immune to all element magic.

Gear up: Defense +1500 and gains of 40 points resistances to two random schools of magic.

Breastplate
Heavenly Armor: Roda
Boasting flawless defense and made by Roda, God of Forging, 1000 spirit stones were used to craft this Heavenly Armor. Roda spent his whole life creating this one piece of body armor that represents an unbeatable force and exceptionable defense. Its wearers will be immune to all physical and magic attack. Roda regarded it as one of his best works and had this gear named after him.

Gear up: Defense +3000, gains of 125 dodge ratings and granting a resistance to one random school of magic and physical attack.

Boots
High Elflord’s Enchant Boots
These boots belonged to High Elflord Pasolini and were tailormade by the best shoemaker in the Elf race. Nether Dragon beard and monster hide were collected and sewn together to help boost agility for its wearer and many times, Pasolini killed his opponents by giving them no chance of striking back. Later, a fallen elf stole these boots before a war broke out. Pasolini was killed by rebel forces in the war and now this pair of boots is the only piece of Armor of Dream without a name.

Gear up: Agility +350

To keep updated, head over to the game’s official website

http://mw2.igg.com/guide/guide.php?acid=31

I did a bunch of blind posts this morning, and one of them was badly formatted, causing the site to go crazy. Offending post has been removed, and back to normal. I will make sure to be more diligent in checking these things in the future!

-e

Four scorching hot metalcore and progressive metal bands currently on tour throughout the United States will take time off before their tour date in Tulsa, Oklahoma to play Halo 3 with Xbox LIVE members February 8. The bands are currently on tour throughout the U.S. If you’re an Xbox LIVE Gold member (if not, upgrade now!), and you want a chance to play with members of the bands As I Lay Dying, Protest the Hero, The Human Abstract, and MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE, send a friend request to the following Gamertags and be online half an hour before (4:30 P.M. ET) the Game with Fame session starts on Sunday, February 8, 5:00 P.M. ET. If you get a chance to play with any of the members of these bands, we want to hear about it! Send an e-mail to xlmail@microsoft.com with the subject: “GWF – Metal Bands.” Be sure to include your Gamertag and home town.

About the bands…

As I Lay Dying
Metal Blade Records’ biggest-selling act, winner of MTV2′s Metal Gods award in 2006, and nominated for a Grammy in 2008 for Best Metal Performance for the single “Nothing Left,” the band As I Lay Dying has acquired a devoted fan base for their on-stage performances and six albums including their latest, An Ocean Between Us. The band consists of Tim Lambesis (vocals), Jordan Mancino (drums), Nick Hipa (guitar), Phil Sgrosso (guitar), and Josh Gilbert (bass).

Protest The Hero
Protest The Hero, or PTH, say they don’t consider themselves prog, metal, or techno, but we should consider them a fascinating, riff-centric band that has pleased fans with their two full-length albums, Kezia and the white-hot Fortress. The latter album has an especially deep concept, of which lyricist Arif Mirabdolbaghi notes, “It has to do with Goddess Worship, and how there has been this degendering of the Lord and Savior, and the suppressed feminine. The concept is about the re-emerging of goddess worship and the erosion of faith in scientific process.” The band consists of Rody Walker (vocals), Mirabdolbaghi (bass/vocals), Tim Millar (guitar/vocals), Luke Hoskin (guitar/piano), and Moe Carlson (drums).

The Human Abstract
The sophomore release from the band, Midheaven, should portend good things for the band after it has gone through a few changes since their debut release, Nocturne. The term Midheaven refers to one of the four angles on a natal chart, and is believed by astrologers to outline an individual’s goals, achievements, and standing in the world. Check out the progressive metal sound of Nathan Ells (vocals), Andrew Tapley (guitar), Dean Herrera (guitar), Brett Powell (drums), and Sean Leonard (pianist).

MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE
Hailing from northern Alabama, MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE (or MCMB) got the attention of their label, Solid State Records, by a non-stop touring effort, plenty of hard work, and a brutally hardcore metal sound that shakes fans to the core. Their debut album is entitled Unbreakable, and the band consists of Matthew Hastings (vocals), Robert Bloomfield (guitar), Brian Hood (drums), and Joe Lengson (bass).

Xbox Live Game With Fame with…As I Lay Dying, Protest The Hero, The Human Abstract, MyChildren MyBride

WHEN: February 8th
WHERE: Tulsa
WHEN: 4-6PM (CST)
GAME: Halo 3
GAMERTAGS:
As I Lay Dying Gamertag: AILDying GWF (**space between AILDying and GWF)
Protest The Hero Gamertag: PtheHero GWF (**space between PtheHero and GWF)
The Human Abstract Gamertag: THAbstract GWF (**space between THAbstract and GWF)
My Children My Bride Gamertag: MyC MyB GWF (**spaces between MyC and MyB and GWF)

URL: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/calendar/gamewithfame/2009/0208-fourmetalbands.htm

Busy this week with Big Bang Mini (DS), which I’m enjoying the furious madness of. Also got a surprise from UPS last night for the Wii. I’ll give you a hint: R. B. 2. Even though it’s been out a while, the boys and I will review it this weekend, and also compare it with that other big title that came out in the same genre. We’ll also let you know how the Wii music downloads work, and just how well it will work using a 2GB SD card to store the songs. There may be other things in the works, but these are the two on the hotplate at the moment.

SouthPeak to show exclusive trailers, demos, tournaments and more!
SouthPeak Games announced its plans for the New York Comic Con show on February 6-8, 2009. Located at Booth 1349, SouthPeak will display some of their upcoming 2009 titles with both hands-on demos and producer-led demonstrations, along with special trailers featuring never before seen game footage.

Several members from the anime-inspired X-Blades development team will be present, along with Melinda Cohen, the model and in-game voice talent for Violette Summer in Velvet Assassin. Ninjatown creator Shawn Smith will have a signing session on Saturday from 2-3pm. In addition to an early look at the sci-fi FPS Section 8, Comic Con will also mark the first time that the new Roogoo titles – Roogoo Twisted Towers for Wii and Roogoo Attack! for Nintendo DS - will be on public display. SouthPeak is also coordinating an X-Blades tournament at the show where players will compete to win a rare figurine of Ayumi, the heroine from the game.

“We’re very excited to be attending the New York Comic Con again this year,” said Melanie Mroz, CEO of SouthPeak Games. “It gives us a chance to let fans see and experience some of our hottest 2009 titles well before they are scheduled to hit store shelves.”

The following is a list of titles that will be at the show:

X-Blades (Xbox 360, PS3, PC – Feb 2009)
Ayumi, the main character, is an adventurous relic hunter in search of an artifact believed to hold the fate of the world in its grasp. Featuring anime noir, film-quality animation and high-speed gameplay, players can upgrade magic abilities to fight off elemental beasts and design their own control scheme, mapping magic attacks to the buttons they want. X-Blades is being developed by Gaijin Entertainment and TopWare Interactive.
Roogoo Attack! (DS – Spring 2009)
Based on the critically acclaimed Xbox LIVE® Arcade for Xbox 360 game and developed by SpiderMonk Entertainment, players help the Roogoo by guiding colorful meteors through rotating platforms in an effort to stop the evil Meemoos from draining their planets energy. Roogoo on Nintendo DS boasts the same 3D gameplay as its console counterpart utilizing both screens along with over 100 levels, new backgrounds and unique puzzle shapes exclusive to DS. New gameplay features include skydiving, unique item stacking modes, and both single and multi-card play. Multiplayer includes six different attacks to combat your opponents. Owners of both the Wii and DS versions will have access to extra gameplay modes as well as additional unlockable levels.
Roogoo Twisted Towers! (Wii – Spring 2009)
Utilizing unique motion-sensitive Wii controls, players can rotate platforms, net butterflies, hammer evil Meemoo, and play in entirely new ways. Take on giant level bosses, fighter planes, and many new gameplay twists that builds upon the addicting action found in the original. Up to four players can play that feature adversarial, cooperative and party play modes.

Velvet Assassin (Xbox 360, PC – Spring 2009)
Developed by Hamburg, Germany-based Replay Studios, players take control of Violette Summer, a beautiful spy deep behind enemy lines during World War II. Intense stealth-action gameplay with a startling real-time lighting system and surreal visuals combine to produce an incredible gaming experience. Through third-person gameplay, sneak up on enemies and pull the pins from their belted grenades. Infiltrate a Gestapo prison and slip cyanide to your own men before the Germans make them talk. Slink through the shadows to finish off your unsuspecting enemies with a single, silent move.
Section 8 (Xbox 360, PC – Fall 2009)
Section 8 is a large-scale, sci-fi first person shooter where fast-paced action meets military strategy in the far reaches of the galaxy. Join the epic battle between the 8th Armored Infantry and the Arm of Orion by taking part in fierce squad-based combat across majestic alien worlds. With customized loadouts, on-demand vehicle requisitions, strategic asset deliveries, and Dynamic Combat Missions, no two games of Section 8 will ever play the same.

I know i’m looking forward to all of these titles! X-Blades has been gathering a ton of momentum, while Section 8 has me intrigued. Velvet Assassin is HOT in more than one way! For those of you lucky enough to be going to NYCC, don’t forget to check these out between signing sessions!