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UBISOFT TOURS THE GLOBE WITH SHAUN WHITE SNOWBOARDING: WORLD STAGE

Ubisoft announced that it is collaborating again with Olympic Gold Medalist Shaun White in Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage. Developed by Ubisoft Montréal, the game will be available exclusively for the Wii(TM) system from Nintendo and will be on store shelves holiday 2009.

“Working with Shaun on the first title was an excellent experience,” said Antoine Guignard, Ubisoft producer of Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage. “The great public reception of Shaun White Snowboarding and the wonderful collaboration with Shaun made it a slam dunk for us to reunite to create a fun, new adventure for fans.”

Players will hit the slopes with Shaun White and his crew, but this time the stakes are higher as you pursue the world’s top competitions from a half-pipe in the middle of New York’s Time Square to the most prestigious competitions of France, Canada and Japan.

“Ubisoft has been a great partner, and I’m excited for World Stage,” said action sports phenom Shaun White. “It’s cool to give people insight on what my life is like on the competition circuit.”

Shaun White Snowboarding was a worldwide success for Ubisoft, selling over 3 million copies since its November 2008 launch and establishing a new sports brand for Ubisoft. The title was also one of the first and most popular video games compatible with the Wii Balance Board(TM) accessory. Players will be able to break out their Balance Boards once again for Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage when they flex their board skills either alone or together with family and friends.

Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage will be showcased at the Ubisoft press conference during E3 at the Los Angeles Theater on June 1st at 5 p.m. Visitors can hit the powder, as well, at the Ubisoft booth on the show floor (South Hall, Booth #1022).

For more information on Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage, please visit: www.shaunwhitegame.com.

Telltale also introduces individual Wallace & Gromit PC episode purchase options

Telltale’s first episodic game for Xbox LIVE® Arcade, Wallace & Gromit: Fright of the Bumblebees has released worldwide. The first of four episodes comprising Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures, the English language game is available for 800 Microsoft points and includes subtitles in German, French and Spanish.

The Xbox LIVE Arcade release brings Fright of the Bumblebees to the living room where players can enjoy the interactive experience in the same comfy environment as a Wallace & Gromit film. Since its first release on PC, Fright of the Bumblebees has been well very received, with acclaim from outlets including London’s Sunday Times, which stated: “There’s enough mechanical madness, gentle humour and, of course, ripe cheese to please the most ardent fans.” IGN honored the episode with an Editor’s Choice Award, saying, “Telltale nails the look and feel of a Wallace & Gromit short film.”

In Fright of the Bumblebees, scatterbrained inventor Wallace and his crafty canine companion Gromit embark on a new honey enterprise, “From Bee to You.” When demand out-steps supply, Wallace tries to boost his worker bees’ production using a home-brewed growth formula-with comically disastrous results. Playing as both Wallace and Gromit, you must unravel the mess and restore order to the duo’s quiet Northern England neighbourhood.

The next three episodes of Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures will launch on Xbox LIVE Arcade in the coming months. Telltale’s acclaimed Sam & Max games are also coming soon to Xbox LIVE Arcade.

Telltale is also announcing that the PC versions of Fright of the Bumblebees and the second Wallace & Gromit episode, The Last Resort, are now available for individual purchase for $8.95 at http://www.telltalegames.com. These were previously only available in a $34.95 series bundle. As with Telltale’s other series, customers who buy one Wallace & Gromit episode for PC will be able to upgrade to the full season for $26.

Rapidly approaching goal of 10,000 CCU

Lizard Interactive’s globally played fantasy MMORPG title Cronous successfully officially opened service in Taiwan on May 20 with the number of concurrent users quickly reaching over 5,000. The Taiwanese online game market is one of the most competitive markets in the world with new games constantly being launched. Lizard Interactive CEO Sang Wook Lee commented, “The successful launch of Cronous was largely due to the innovative and extensive marketing and promotional strategies of XtraVision Entertainment, Lizard Interactive’s publisher for Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao”.

In order to ensure that XtraVision encountered no unexpected problems, Lizard Interactive sent a team of programmers to assist on site before and after the launch. This decision paid off as the number of users surged and four additional servers had to be installed quickly to accommodate them.

XtraVision Entertainment Chairman Victor Wu commented, “Originally, we had planned for 9 servers, but due to the overwhelming number of users, 4 servers were added. We plan to continue to add servers as the number of users increase and are confident that we will reach our goal of 10,000 concurrent users for Cronous.

XtraVision Entertainment signed a publishing agreement for the game portal NeoFun.com operated by Lizard Interactive and its games in January of this year. There was extensive localization of Cronous for the Taiwan market for four months before its launch on May 20 with a new name for the Taiwanese market as Crusades 2. XtraVision is now preparing the launch of two more MMORPGs, Sho Online and Land of Magic in the second half of this year.

For more information on Cronous Taiwan, please visit the official game homepage, www.cro2.com.tw

Nvinium Games Inc. announced the alpha launch of UW-WWII. The popular text based MMORPG UnforgivenWar has begun the first in its series of UWMultiVerse expansion games. UW-WWII is a full stand-alone game that is based upon the historical events of the World War II time period that connects to the existing UnforgivenWar to give the community multiple options of game play.
Set in the year 2012, the Large Hadron Collider has created the first mini “black hole, which inadvertently creates a rip in the space-time continuum. This allows the current world to see forward and back in time and also allows our world to travel at least to one time period. That time period is circa 1939 at the beginning of World War II. Germany is struggling with a massive depression and the people have lost hope. Self-proclaimed leader, Adolf Hitler, has plans to consolidate the fractured government while quickly and ruthlessly taking control of the countries that surround. He secretly establishes an axis of other countries to become close partners in the quest to dominate the world. The community of UnforgivenWar may choose to move back to that period to become an Ally or Axis and build their characters and armies in addition to continuing to battle in today’s time.

The ability for multiple games to be tied to one massive community is very different and new in the MMOPRG text game market. UnforgivenWar is not only allowing users to play in different games from one user base but the “world communities” are tied together with its own unique global chat system that allows all the communities to see what is happening instantly. With over 131,000 players in UnforgivenWar, the ability to allow those users to “move between games” effortlessly makes the game community even more challenging, entertaining and versatile. According to Matt Abrams CEO of Nvinium Games Inc., “Our platform is unique in the world of text based MMORPG’s, this expansion has extended the options for game play far beyond the already existing distinctive features such as the mobile text community.”

New Puzzle Platformer Traps Players In A World Where Nothing Is As It Seems

Majesco Entertainment Company, today announced Flip’s Twisted World exclusively for Wii. This unique puzzle platformer places the world literally in the palm of players’ hands as they navigate topsy-turvy worlds where up and down, and left and right are only a matter of perspective. Developed by Frozen North Productions, Flip’s Twisted World is expected to launch in January 2010.

“Flip’s Twisted World offers a truly innovative take on the traditional platform game by sidestepping conventional design in favor of a three-dimensional, perspective-altering approach,” said Gui Karyo, Executive Vice President of Operations for Majesco. “With a charismatic main character, fantastic puzzle landscapes and a unique gameplay mechanic, Flip’s gives platform game fans something to look forward to in the new year.”

In Flip’s Twisted World, Master Fulcrum’s curious apprentice Flip messes with the wrong magic artifact and gets sucked into a crazy cubed universe. To escape his cube prison, Flip must turn the entire world to reveal new paths and endless possibilities. Adventuring through five bizarre puzzle worlds, Flip must stop the destruction of the universe and restore The Master’s home to normal before he returns!

Players help Flip navigate his world by rotating the environment 90 degrees in any direction with a simple twist of the Wii Remote^TM. Pits become passages and obstacles transform into openings once players change their point of view. As Flip progresses through the game he’ll meet many unique characters – some helpful, others hurtful – and collect five magic tools to aid his journey home. Optional side quests let players unlock bonus goodies and alternate costumes, while finding pieces of the Master’s lost journal reveals secrets of the magic universe’s past.

Flip’s Twisted World features original music from prolific video game composer Tommy Tallarico, who has scored over 250 games and won numerous international awards for his work.

Flip’s Twisted World is expected to release in January 2010. A playable demo will be available in Majesco’s meeting room #514 at the E3 2009 Expo at the LA Convention Center from June 2nd through 4th. To watch the trailer and find out more, please visit www.FlipsTwistedWorld.com.

Interested Participants Can Sign Up at the Newly Redesigned Community Website

Mindfuse, a leading independent developer of online virtual worlds, today unveiled the completely redesigned community website for Gatheryn, a casual virtual world set to launch later this year. With the unveiling of the new community website, Mindfuse also officially opened registration for Gatheryn’s beta phase. To register, players can go to www.mindfusegames.com, and click on “beta registration.”

“This is a monumental occasion for Mindfuse and for Gatheryn,” said Isa Anne Stamos, Game Studio Director of Mindfuse. “Commencing registration for Gatheryn’s beta phase is a sure sign that development is progressing steadily, and redesigning our site to facilitate community participation will help us get the user input we need to bring Gatheryn to launch.”

Gatheryn is scheduled to launch later in 2009, but interested participants can sign up to experience the game before its official release by heading to www.mindfusegames.com, clicking the “beta registration” link and entering their information. Mindfuse intends to start with a small number of beta testers, but that number will grow rapidly over the course of the beta phase, which will extend until the game’s launch later this year.

“Gamers are the essence of any virtual world, and welcoming outside participants into Gatheryn is the first step to bringing this universe to life,” stated Joseph Walters, CEO of Mindfuse. “This will be the first time we get to show Gatheryn to the public, and the feedback we get will be crucial in the last phase of our development.”

For more information on Mindfuse and the casual virtual world, Gatheryn, please visit:www.mindfusegames.com

NinjaTrick Championship: The Ninja Trials – Contest Ends on June 18, Rewarding the Most Clever Ninjas with iPods

CyberAgent America, Inc., a publisher of free-to-play online games, today announced a new ranking system for free-to-play multiplayer action game NinjaTrick™. Currently in open beta, NinjaTrick is a Flash-based game for everyone that is easy to pick up and play, but deep enough to reward players who employ clever strategies on the battlefield.

The ranking system, which tracks the progress of players as they compete in Ninjutsu matches, is currently live in the game’s open beta. And as part of the NinjaTrick Championship: The Ninja Trials (the “Contest”), aspiring ninjas have a chance to compete for gems, glory – and if they’re truly skilled, an iPod Touch, iPod Nano or iPod Shuffle!

Contest Details

During the Contest, each entrant will compete with other randomly selected entrants in Ninjitsu matches in various elements: Fire, Wind, Lightening and Ice. CyberAgent America’s ranking system will track the progress of each entrant in the Contest, including the number of wins and ranking within each element. The contest winners will be determined based on ranking placement on June 18, 2009. Winners will be announced on June 25, 2009 on the NinjaTrick official blog at http://info.ninjatrick.com/ See Contest Rules at info.NinjaTrick.com for additional details. 

“NinjaTrick is a player-versus-player game at its core, and so having a great ranking system is very important to us,” said Toshimichi Namba, CEO for CyberAgent America, Inc. “The contest is a great way to get the competition heated up as we continue to polish and refine the gameplay during our open beta.”

Aspiring ninjas everywhere are urged to point their browsers towards www.NinjaTrick.com to get in on the intense Ninjutsu action – and possibly win an iPod Touch, Nano or Shuffle if their Jutsu is strong enough!

Join the NinjaTrick open beta at www.NinjaTrick.com. Add the Facebook application here:http://apps.facebook.com/ninjatrick/

New In-game Trailer “Are You Hungry for the Challenge?” Showcases Gameplay

Paradox Interactive has announced that Enlight Software’s Restaurant Empire 2 has been released worldwide. Restaurant Empire 2 builds on the highly popular Restaurant Empire franchise, a title that has already sold over 300,000 units in the United States alone.

With two handfuls of cash and a dream of creating a legacy; build, cook and hire your way to the very top of the culinary world, where tasty food is king and smart management reels in the dollars. If you’re skilled enough in the kitchen and behind the management desk, you just may go further than any aspiring restaurateur before you and cement your status as a true legend of cuisine.

You know what they say about keeping your fingers in as many pies as possible? It pays to diversify. In Restaurant Empire 2 you get the chance to grab a slice of the lucrative café and dessert house markets. Both types of establishment are available when playing the sandbox scenario, or throughout the second campaign, where you must help Delia carve out her own business empire.

Sprinkle your magic on a failing franchise, yet be wary of spreading your finances too thinly as your empire grows. Tailor your menus to include the very best and most popular beverages from teas and coffees to shakes, coolers and smoothies. Whip up some tasty treats for your customers in the form of sandwiches, salads, ice-creams, cakes, tarts, pies and many other items. Then set about decorating the interiors and exteriors with more theme-specific items, some of which must be unlocked through game events. Finally, invite the very best entertainers to perform exclusively in your outlets, making them stand out more from the competition.

If you still believe running a restaurant empire is as easy as baking a cake, here’s your chance to step up to the plate.

For now, get a small taste by viewing the new in-game trailer:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYV3DcXzd1A

Restaurant Empire 2 is available worldwide through the digital download portal www.GamersGate.com with an SRP of of $29.99 / €29.99.

New Functions Reward Users for Community Leadership and Involvement

GamersGate, a premier digital distribution service for PC games, today unveiled a completely redesigned website featuring a new look, improved search and profile functionality and a community incentives program designed to reward active users with free games.

“GamersGate has evolved into the new generation of online media,” said Theodore Bergquist, CEO of GamersGate. “Our users told us what they wanted and we answered with a streamlined site that holds much more social functionality to support a strong community of PC gamers who want to share their love of gaming with their peers.”

The community incentives program on GamersGate envelops both the new Blue Coin system and the new Game Tutor program. Blue Coins, a new virtual currency within GamersGate, are earned through various kinds of user activity on the site, but can also be purchased directly with cash. Users can earn Blue Coins by writing reviews, ranking games, and participating in the new Game Tutor program. The Game Tutor program is a mentorship system where users can ask questions to other users regarding difficult levels or other game related questions. The user who provides the solution will then be rewarded with Blue Coins.

The new website also features completely redesigned menus that make navigating the website simpler. Additionally, GamersGate has added advanced search options and sub-categories that will make finding your favorite games faster and easier. The new “intelligent” search functions include a “suggest as you type” feature and game recommendations based on previous purchases and recently browsed games.

GamersGate user profiles now feature a variety of customizable social information including: a list of owned games, personal game ratings, blog style reviews, wishlists, a personal image/avatar and membership status – which is now based on points received by overall activity on the site. There are five different levels of membership status: white, green, yellow, red and black, with black being the most exclusive. Members will also be able to contact each other with an internal messaging system.

GamersGate currently has over 1,075 titles in its catalog from a variety of publishers including EA, Ubisoft, THQ, and many others. Their diverse catalog consists of a dynamic mix of major AAA titles, niche titles, and the best selection of indie titles on the web.

To find out more about GamersGate, please visit www.gamersgate.com.

JoWooD Productions and DreamCatcher Games announce that a sequel to the successful SpellForce saga will soon be released. SpellForce 2 – Faith in Destiny combines real time strategy with exciting role-play elements. Be part of the story, when all the loose ends tie up in a grandiose showdown between good and evil. Only you can conquer the shadows of the past and reveal the demonic conspiracy.

“Developing another game in the SpellForce saga is an exciting opportunity for us. Faith of Destiny is developed incorporating feedback from the community and feedback from those who have assisted in the development of previous Spellforce games,” says Clemens Schneidhofer, PR Coordinator at JoWooD Productions. “I’d like to add that we bow before the loyal fans of the brand and want to thank all of them for their amazing support.”

“SpellForce 2 – Faith in Destiny will continue the successful Spellforce brand,” adds David Skreiner, Associate Producer at JoWooD. “With its brand new multiplayer features and the countless detail improvements, SpellForce will, once more, set new revolutionary impulses to the genre.”

Release: Winter 2009
Plattform: PC